Jesus The Carpenter- Making a Heroin Addict a Hero

The Carpenter's Sons continued...

In my previous blog Birthdays, Basements and Bonfires I introduced you briefly to my friend Justin; his story has unfolded (and is continuing to do so) in such an amazingly beautiful way that it only made sense that I let you step in and personally witness this miracle by letting you take a peek into the mind of a man as God transforms it. With Justin's blessing, I'm going to make his journey a regular part of the Carpenter's Daughter's blog... so take a seat as you watch God make a heroin addict a hero... 

 

" 'Betrayer! User! Disrespectful! Fool', is all I heard as my lips began to tremble and my throat quenches shut, as the shower of water beats on my shoulders. In slow motion I fell to my knees. 'It is time!' I clasp my hands, this is what I prayed, 'Jesus you are my Lord forgive my terrible sin, please take me in, give me strength, give me hope. I now choose you over any dope. I’ve hurt

my Christian family very much. I let them down, no!- no more! It's like I threw them down like a selfish, evil person would do. This family has been so kind, so unbelievable to me. They are so strong. They love me. I love them. Give them hope, give them peace as they push to fight this fight with me. God I love you, this in Jesus name I pray, Amen.' ”

When we hit rock bottom, we feel like there is no where to turn and we look up, we find Jesus' hand right there, lifting us up. In that moment of desperation when you are drowning, to not look to yourself but to pray for those that you love is a sign of someone who is truly repentant. 

Justin wrote the above journal entry, (really his first ever) after making the decision to enter the Teen Challenge program. He told me later that he felt a huge weight come off of him after. That day he packed his little Mazda Miata with everything he would need and left the oppressive, abusive environment he had been living in. He found safety, joy and peace in the loving arms of his mom- a saint of a woman, who's arms had been aching to take care of him for the past 12 years. After Justin's parents divorced when he was 12 the devil saw to it that his relationship with his mom came to a screeching halt while he went to live with his dad. Not knowing how to combat the lies or fight the evil that ripped them apart she just prayed that one day God would restore what they had lost. It may have taken 12 years but God is faithful and has knit mother and son back together stronger than ever.  

Before leaving home the day Justin entered the Teen Challenge program he made another journal entry, 

"Michelle just texted me and said she couldn't quite describe the great ways God has worked things through with all of this- so it got me thinking how I see it:

 

It’s like many people in my life participated in building this enormous dam to hold back waters so deep it created a sea of waves and held memories of darkness deep within...

The power of what’s happening in my life is as if that dam began to crumble at the end of October (when we met and I really heard of Christ), but it was built very strong and held it’s ground well longer than it ever should have. Finally it cracked, spraying water at an unimaginable 'psi', but still it stood for several more weeks and then it gave! The water exploded, its walls ripped away it's foundation and destroyed every block it contained... the sea of my life... turning it all back into rock, sand, and dirt.  The waters were relieved from their sea monsters; it began to wash away everything that it needed and starts to flow the natural way God intended it to in the first place as its breathtaking power of beauty is back."

I love that Justin had this vision just before he entered the program because in a way, mentally, he was washed clean, going in as a fresh slate, an empty vessel as it were, ready to be filled up with nothing but God. Which, after his first week there I was kind of blown away with just how much God did fill him up! At one point he writes, "This whole thing somewhat doesn't feel real yet because it's as if I feel like a different person, not just a changed person, literally not the same. It's powerful and sometimes I feel this emotional excitement that, while it's all wonderful, it kinda chokes me up a little. I'm not sure why exactly yet but just know it's all good. I'm feeling awesome for a change!"
                           Lastly, I'd like to share with you Justin's journal entry from his birthday: 

 Jan 12 "My Birthday with God"
"Ok, today was great, I had a wonderful surprise (my mom, Leah, Matt and Michelle showed up). I had planned to spend the day with just God, knowing that this was my first birthday since I have found Christ and He has worked- what I would consider- miracles in my life that I can now see like never before. He has opened my eyes for understanding. Early this morning I woke up from this awesome dream (I had been having, not nightmares lately- just dreams of no good) so when I woke up from this I was like "Whoa, that was in-comprehensively AWESOME!" The dream was this: Leah, Matt, Michelle and I were like on some vacation in this mountainous grassland wilderness, just like mountains I've hiked in Alaska. So we did exactly that, we were all hiking through these marvelous mountains, untouched by humans. Then, as we peaked one elevation, something was different- the ground was hard, rock hard! So we stopped and started to realize it was some kind of huge foundation and somehow we knew it was a foundation from a giant pyramid. We couldn't stop thinking, 'how could humans build these that long ago?' It just seemed impossible. As we explored around it we felt the ground begin to quake and the wind whipped up gust. We knew it wasn't normal- something strange was happening- so we decided to take cover. Just then, we saw this dust coming through the valleys, straight for us- the closer it quickly got, the thicker the farthest sighting of the dust became.

It was coming too fast to run from so we held hands and braced for it's impact, still not knowing what on earth was going on. Then it hit us, we felt it's power through the wind, like a tornado. We all ducked and closed our eyes, we were terrified that we would be killed. But as sudden as the wind came, it stopped. I opened my eyes to the unbelievable- we were in a tunnel that seemed to be made of a liquid inside and fire outside.

A perfect tunnel leading up the mountainside- so we followed it. When it lead us out to the blue skies- the tunnel of liquid collapsed. We turned around to see the insanely unexplainable sand storm as it filled the valley below. As it began to rotate the tail end of the storm gathered with the rest and formed an upside down looking tornado. We watched- scared, confused, amazed; as the dust slowed and the vortex faded, it revealed altogether an awe of feeling- emotions, fears and ultimately a vision of a brand new, completely finished, gigantic pyramid! Beautiful! That's when I woke up and realized "realistically" what "imaginably" happened. When we came across that foundation we directed our attention to humans for it's creation because it seemed

so great that people could do unbelievable things. Then, the surrounding land and mountains disappeared from our peripherals and all the awesome credit was going to people who built something that didn't even last, the only part remaining was in the earth. So I realized that God was with us and wanted to teach me a great lesson- it was God that lifted the sand, pushed the wind- He did it straight toward us so that we could feel the power in our chest. I realized that the events were certainly not nature; the tunnel protected us and lead us up to witness this vortex that He used to create a pyramid in minutes. However, when I kept replaying the dream, trying to think- I understood it. I finally realized that the reason God had performed these miracles right in front of us and, in a way, forced us to live and watch, was not focused on the pyramid- that was only an example! It was a "wake-up" saying, "look around you". We were more impressed with a broken foundation of a thing people built- that lasted only a fraction in time. God knew what He was doing, He knew what we would realize... that He is the King of kings and the Creator of the created and to never give direct credit to just people- their pyramids won't last. His mountains will never decay, He is overlooked all too much and when people think they're awesome for what they temporarily built then how would you describe God who is permanently created!

This seems like just another crazy dream but this one was different, I don't remember any other that God was the main character in, so I believe that He did show me the miracles He could do in this dream so that I can see the real ones right before my eyes everyday."

When Justin gave his life over to Christ, he said to Him, "fill me up with all You've got." and He is doing just that; watching the miracle of what Jesus is doing in Justin's life is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. Until next time, remember that Jesus is that beautiful light that expels all darkness...  

 

The above photo was taken of Justin with the painting "Calvary" by Stephen Sawyer, www.art4god.com it has literally save Justin's life- and countless others' I'm sure.

Steve posted this on his Facebook page along with the following:

A YOUNG MAN NEEDING SPONSORS

"Justin is a 24 year old guy, who has been secretly battling a severe heroin addiction for the past 5 years.

After accepting Christ in Nov. ’13 he saw the painting "Calvary" posted on a friend’s blog. He was overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn't stop staring at it and felt the Lord speak to him saying, “It’s time”.

He sat his friends down, opening up to them about his past. They got him "Calvary" for Christmas and it has become one of his most prized possessions. As a result of that chance glance, he has entered the Teen Challenge program- in his own words- he wants to come out, “looking like Jesus, acting like Jesus and talking like Jesus.”

This painting has literally saved Justin’s life; you can see with the huge smile on his face he is doing amazing! Justin is in desperate need of sponsors to help finance his stay in what they call the “Jesus Factory”.

If you are interested, you can send a donation in the name of Justin Bee to: Teen Challenge Cincinnati, P.O. Box 249, Milford, OH 45150 or for more information e-mail Masfaith3@aol.com "

Thank all of you for reading this and considering helping someone.

They contacted me, thanked me for my work, and hoped for some assistance in a very difficult and brave recovery. The photo and comments in quotations are from them.

Stephen

 

The Carpenter's Sons

Good news... I love good news! "Hey, good news I found my car keys!" "Good news I found a hundred bucks I thought I lost!" "My wife had a baby, it's a boy!"... or my favorite,           "Good news, I accepted Christ and he's changed my life!" Good news.

I scroll through my Facebook feed looking for others' "Good news", I just love it. But what about those days when you don't have any good news to share. What about the day you wake up, with a cold, your cat got loose, you stubbed your toe, the hot water heater gave out and your car won't start. Well, guess what, I've got "Good News" for you! Philippians 3:20-21 "But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior, Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself."

So if we are to be like Him... how do we get there? Well, I've got more good news, He's our Father and He teaches us!

2 Corinthians 6:18, "And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

So I know what it is to be a Carpenter's Daughter, I know what it's like to feel that safety, that protection, that provision that a Father, in fact the Heavenly Father, gives to his daughters. He shows me how to live like a proper daughter of such a Man should be. He shows me how to treat my family, friends, loved ones, (even enemies), and also He shows me how I should be treated when I become a wife. 

But what must it be like to be a Carpenter's Son? How does it differ from how a Father treats a daughter? Society today has labeled sons and daughters alike, but we aren't, not by a long shot. The Carpenter's sons learn how to provide for, protect and shelter their loved ones- in short- to emulate their Father. But the Father doesn't leave them to fend for themselves, He teaches them to lean on Him, to always hear his voice, and then He provides all a man needs in order to care for his family. He teaches His son how to lift up his wife spiritually, to draw her closer to God, to lean on His steadfast promises. He teaches His son how to train up his own sons and daughters in the ways of righteousness so that when they are old, they will be a solid foundation. Thus, for generations to come, his posterity will know the one true Carpenter and how to be His sons and daughters forever.  

I have had the privilege of seeing the Carpenter at work in the "shop" with two of His sons lately, one He has been working with for a couple of years, the other just joined the lessons. The former is hard at work, milling a large intricate piece, with incredible detail. He is far along in his project and has learned much in his work as an apprentice under the Master Carpenter. The other, while younger and less experienced is eager to learn, a quick study and easily grasps a hold of the lessons being taught. Both are a miracle and a wonder to watch. The skills being taught here aren't for the faint of heart, they take will power, self discipline, patience, love, bravery, wisdom, responsibility, time, self sacrifice, and a willing heart. The Master Carpenter has big plans for each of his sons and will give them more and more responsibility as they prove fit for each new task. 

As the youngest of a half brother, two (almost step brothers), a sister and two male cousins who were like brothers to me, I have a pretty good idea of what it would be like to be a son. Sadly, that includes knowing how one shouldn't raise his sons and daughters. However the vision of what it means to be a godly man, came to me through my Father so I would know when the right one came my way and God's frame work for such a man is detailed and beautiful! A family friend often jokes with my sister and I every time we go to tackle a manly project and says, "well, you're just a girl." He says it in jest and while many women would get offended, I take it as a compliment. I can use a chainsaw, solder a pipe, frame a window and fix my breaks... but I can't be a man. I don't have the gifts and even if I did, I wouldn't want the responsibility- and I shouldn't want it. God made me the way I am, He built me and wired me to love loving, to love nurturing, to love serving, but also to love being loved, 

to love being nurtured, to love being provided for and protected. I love caring for someone on their way back to health when they are sick, I love being needed. It fills me overflowing with joy and pride! Thus it's easy for me to see the flip side. The same joy I get out of being a daughter and doing the things I am wired to do, is the same joy and

pride a son feels in being a man. It's not a curse, it's a gift. It's a gift to be what God has called us to be, and that's what I call Good News! Once we know what God wants us to be, the rest of life comes easy! Think about Jesus, all the time think about Him, He is the original Carpenter's Son! Think about what it means to be a Carpenter's son, a Carpenter's daughter. There is nothing that can stop you from obtaining the prize of the high calling God has for you when you think about Jesus, think about the Carpenter! Throw yourself wholly into the skills and lessons the Father wants to teach you and you will watch the masterpiece- that is your life- be handcrafted right before your eyes, what Good News!

Ephesians 3:6 says, " [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel)."

Ephesians 3:14-15 says, "For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]."