One of the most famous Skateboarding legends of all time, Christian Hosoi lived the high-life - a rollercoaster of fame, partying and drugs until he was sent to jail for ten years for trafficking in meth. While in prison, Christian found Christ and his life changed forever - he is now a pastor at a church in Orange County. “Jesus set me free,” he says in this interview with our friends from Enoch Magazine.
Do you need to be set free from your past? The sins and struggles of our parents can follow us, but Jesus promises freedom - not just from the cause, but also from the fear of turning out the same. Our Voice Sherea shares an inspiring story of how God broke the cycle of substance abuse in her family and set her free from fear.
Recently, I had an opportunity to spend time with my mom. We laughed, talked, looked at photos, and of course, we cried.
It’s no secret that my mom struggled with substance abuse most of her adult life (this is something she would say and use as her testimony, especially now that she is free from that struggle). The details of that situation will remain her story. I am a firm believer in letting others tell their own story, ‘cause there are always two sides. I’ll do my best to keep this post one-sided.
Because of HER struggle, I grew up having a fear of taking any medications or other types of symptom relieving drugs because I thought I would struggle with drugs as an adult…[click “Read More” below to continue]
What would it take for you to believe? This is another mainstream news report, this time from Buffalo, New York, covering the miraculous healing of a paralyzed woman who was once confined to a wheelchair. Prayed for at a revival service, the woman stood up in faith, and God healed her. She can now walk on her own for the first time in more than 20 years. Doctors have no answer for what happened.
When was the last time you took a public stand for Jesus?
A few months ago, the lead singer of the band Flyleaf shared this incredibly moving testimony of how God saved her life from suicide in front of thousands of their screaming fans. It nearly brought us to tears watching it, so we wanted to share it with you.
Our friend Jon shares an incredible testimony about his struggles with depression and how close he came to giving up… until God called him! Jon reminds us that each of us has a greater purpose in life and that we must patiently live out our calling.
“Don’t look at the past. The First and Last has made everything new and you are too! So lift your head and let your story be told!” - Flyleaf
“Where to begin?” I ask myself. To share my story of how far I’ve gone in my life is so much to cover. But I’ll begin to say that my story is no more important than anyone else, because I believe everyone has a story to tell. We all have something of great meaning to share. My name is Jon and this is my story.
I guess you can say I somewhat grew up in a “Christian home.” But really how can you define a “Christian home?” I went to church like everyone else. I tried to be a good person and all, but it’s perfectly honest to say that when I was younger I was never strong in my Christian faith. You can easily say I was a Christian on the sidelines. I was just simply existing. I knew of God and Jesus, but was I living a life as He wanted me to live? The answer is no. I wasn’t really yet a follower of Jesus Christ.
Throughout my life I tried to figure out my purpose in everything, and to find the deepest meaning to be alive and to understand my existence. There have been many seasons of winters in my life where it was too tough to handle, and that I would try to carry all the weight of my problems on my own.
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What’s more important to God, your service or your rest? Our Voice Ed shares his story of how God changed his paradigm.
A while back somebody told me this and I was really offended, but thankfully God was changing my perspective in the way I served and viewed Him.
Being in ministry I loved to serve, and I did it joyfully. It gave me a sense of achievement and purpose when I was able to make a difference in someone’s life. A couple years back we started a GBS in Taiwan, and saw many people inside the entertainment industry transformed. Lives were changed souls were saved. We saw a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. However, when I wasn’t serving or being productive I’d feel a sense of unease or even a bit anxious. I really didn’t know how to relax or even when I’d go out and have downtime I’d feel guilty.
Worse, people that were close to me that weren’t serving or “making a difference” I secretly judged them. As I watched them enjoy life I’d despise their activities and think it was a waste of time. Thankfully God is gracious and disciplines the ones He loves. One morning God gave me a revelation that changed my whole paradigm. As simple as the conversation was, it set me free from being a slave and I started to live as a son…[click “Read More” below to continue]
