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

 

Birthdays, Basements and Bonfires

The other day, my sister Leah and I were walking 6 dogs (as we can often be found doing) and I was telling her of a thought a that occurred to me the day before. I had just turned 30 years old- I thought this would have upset me, "I can't believe I'm 30 already..." etc... but somehow, that was all wiped away when I realized, not, "I can't believe I'm 30" but rather, "I can't believe I'm only 30 and I have accomplished/experienced so much in my life."

Yes, while my life has had it's fair share of challenges, disappointments, pain, suffering, and so on, I can't help but look back and see all the amazing things that have been jam packed in my life. Not just my childhood or big move to Oklahoma, three months living in California, a 3000 mile bicycle trip, care giving for my grandmother and uncle, starting and successfully running a business, buying and renovating a house... I could go on forever, but the real joy- that's in the everyday things. The people, the friends, the family that have come, gone and stayed in my life. All of this and I'm only 30!? Man, I am so excited about the next 30 years of my life.

To celebrate this monumental milestone of my life, we invited pretty much everyone we had ever met over to our house for a party on my birthday this past weekend. Not everyone we had ever met could actually make it, but those that did are VERY special and important people in my life. I value each and everyone of them more than they know. We had kids running around, Leah bought toys and made a kids station in the basement with glow sticks, balls, and puzzles just to name a few things. It was a time to see friends I hadn't in what seemed like years, and new ones I had made just a couple of weeks before. Leah had prepared food galore and what she managed to miss, was made up for by all the wonderful goodies everyone else brought. My favorite part was when a girl friend of mine pointed out at 10 pm that there was still a ham in the oven... oops, yes... the ham... Leah thought a ham would be a perfect addition and put it in the oven 2 hours prior to the party so it would be ready when guests arrived... five and a half hours later, people wanted HAM! So, out came the ham not too worse for wear with it's additional 3 hours of cooking, thank God is was on low...

 It sort of reminded me of the story where Jesus turns the water into wine and the host of the wedding praises Jesus in John 2, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” So that being said, I'm not sure Jesus would have turned anything into ham since he was Jewish... but you get the idea.

We wanted to have an extra space in our house to entertain for this party and since Matt had already been working on the basement, we decided to turn all of our attentions on one room working around the clock. Now, when I say around the clock, you might be thinking, getting up early, going to bed late... no. I mean AROUND the clock. Literally, between Matt, Leah and I, someone was always working in that room 24 hours a day for at least the entire week before the party. I was hanging drywall at 4:00 am and walking dogs during the day loving every minute of it. My body ached, I didn't have time to eat (neither did Matt, but he can't afford not to eat, his body shuts down... oops) but again, I felt like Jesus, "I have food you know not of." I had time during those hours to reflect, spend time with God and just be alone with my own thoughts. I was excited about envisioning a house full of the family and friends that I love. Leah put the last coat of paint up the night before the party and I laid the floor the day of. Our friends would ask, "hey when did you guys do all of this?!" "umm... just now, like, literally today..." 

Part of the newly finished room

Outside we had a huge bonfire, I couldn't have asked for better weather on an early November day, there was little wind, the sun was warm and the sky was clear. Everyone gathered around the fire and made new friends or were reacquainted with ones they had met at gatherings here before. After several of the guest had gone, Leah got out the guitar and played a new song she had written that despite the fact that it is a full blown country tune, is, I think, the best song she's ever written- (which is saying a lot because she's written several. I love) That song seemed to set the mood for the rest of the evening with people telling stories of God moving or doing extra special things in their life, even when they didn't know it was God at the time. My friend "Mrs. T" told a story of how God saved her from a gunman pointing the gun at her through her car window, bowing her head, praying, looking up and him being gone. Another friend "J", told how when he was at his very lowest, with $5 to last him the rest of the week, no food, his girl friend and son gone, was at the store about to cry when a man extended a hand with money in it to him. "J" asked this man, "out of all the people in the whole store why are you giving this to me?" "I don't know," the guy shrugged his shoulders, "God just told me to I guess." 

Little did "J" know at that time, God was waving him down saying, "hey, I have a plan for you!" God was making Himself evident in his life here and there but most recently, saving his life from what should have been a fatal car wreck. He totaled his car and walked away without a scratch. Less than a couple of weeks later, Matt, Leah and I had the privilege of meeting "J", and a couple of weeks after that, "J" had the privilege of meeting Jesus.  This past Tuesday night he sent me a text message saying that he had asked Jesus into his life and his heart. The rejoicing that went on in my heart and in this house must have rivaled that of Heaven itself. I have had the wonderful opportunity to present the gospel to people and pray with them many times in my life, but never have I seen anyone so sincere and humble, so genuine and good at heart. So here was the second birthday of the week- November 12th, the birth of a new life, being born again. John 3 "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." It is such a beautiful, precious thing and in revisiting the scriptures of salvation to share with "J" I have had a renewed joy and thankfulness of that amazing sacrifice in me! He died so that I might live. It amazes me still.

 The third birthday(s) of the week, were last night when we got to take two of our very good friends (who happen to be twin brother and sister) out to dinner for their birthdays. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy celebrating the birthday of a friend that I hold dear. To thank God for another year spent with them, thanking God for allowing them to be in my life, letting them know just how special they are to us. Another friend was able to come, so including my mom, Leah, Matt and myself we had a party of seven. I was able to tell the story of "J" to these friends, who also rejoiced over his new birthday and I was reminded of the very reason of our existence. Birth = life. God created us, God gave LIFE to us, so that we might choose Him and choose to please Him. In turn, He wants to give us life to it's fullest! To bless us with new births, physically, through children, and spiritually, through people like "J"- new LIFE. How amazing and beautiful of a cycle this is that He has set out for us. I never want to say no to a life God wants to give me, whether it be a child, or a new brother/sister in Christ. Psalm 127 3-5 says, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

Since I'm not married yet, I will be thankful for the brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord blesses me with, His children- He never says, "no thank you, I have 2.5 children and that is enough." He ALWAYS wants more children, more of you and more of me. 

  
Thank you for sharing my birthday and these others with me, and remember as always, Jesus is that beautiful light that expels ALL darkness!

Much Love for Yall,

~ Michelle