My Wall — My Prison (Part One)

My Wall — My Prison (Part One)

My Wall — My Prison (Part One)

Genesi 1:27, Genesi 2:7, John 8:44, and Luke 15:10

When I look back on my past and try to put all the pieces together, I remember being a very young child, hiding from my father’s anger. He was unpredictable, and I was frightened by him. Al tempo, my mother was also struggling. At 23 Anni, she had rheumatoid arthritis and a husband who was a rageaholic. She would become extremely frustrated and take it out on us kids. It was an extremely difficult time for our family. It was at this point that I began building a wall to protect myself from getting hurt by others. I became very quiet and isolated. It was a way for me to stay out of trouble and the only way I knew how to control my unpredictable environment. Little did I know, this wall would become impenetrable, and I would become a prisoner of it.

Alone and isolated: This was exactly where the enemy wanted me to be so he could torment me and hold me captive, destroying my life. The devil hates anything that God has created, especially humans. He hates humans because we are made in the image of God (Genesi 1:27) and have living souls that connect with God on a deep level (Genesi 2:7). The devil wants humans to bow down and worship him instead of God. How does he accomplish this? He does this by isolating us and lying to us, like he did with me. I built a huge wall around myself, a wall that I did not know would ultimately become my prison cell. He was a murderer from the beginning, as well as a deceiver, liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44). It’s no wonder that he was behind the first sin when Adam and Eve fell in the garden, and also the first murder between their children, Cain and Abel. He is alive and well today in the abortion industry, convincing women that abortion is their only choice.

When I lived behind my wall, I could not receive the love I desperately needed because I was cut off from the rest of the world. When we isolate ourselves, the enemy attacks us the most. We have no one to turn to for love, fellowship, or help. We are alone, tormented by our thoughts and the lies of the enemy. I have learned from experience that when I feel like isolating myself and putting my wall up, I need to do the opposite. So I reach out to someone and ask for help. That’s how I protect myself from the fiery darts of the enemy. I pray this was helpful for you.

All hope is not lost. God performed a miracle on my behalf, and He can on yours too. He pursued and wooed this broken, solitario, and tormented woman. He made me feel safe enough to slowly peek out of the window of my prison cell to hear about the beauty of the Lord and see Him working in my husband’s life. I so desperately wanted to feel loved and connected with another person in a deep and meaningful way. I have heard it said that God created us with a God-shaped hole in each of our hearts. We try to fill this hole with the things of this world, yet only He can fill it.

What I really needed was a Savior: someone who would love me, pursue me, sacrifice His life for me, and tell me I was worth the cost. I was waiting for my prince to come and rescue me, and He did. His name is Jesus, my Savior, my friend, and my Lord. He rescued me from the clutches of the enemy, and I am forever in His debt. I will serve Him all the days of my life, and I will be with Him forever in glory when I pass from this life to the next.

Domande

  1. Have you put up a wall to protect yourself?
  2. Are you still hiding behind that wall?
  3. Are you ready to give God a try and lower your wall, so that He can heal you and love you?
  4. Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins?Do you believe that He is the sinless, Son of God who died on the cross for your sins, rose from the dead on the third day, and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven? If you have not, then today is the day of salvation. The angels rejoice over one sinner that repents (Luca 15:10).

Please let us know how we can help you on your healing journey.

Sei amato,
Toni

 

Read My Wall—My Prison (Part Two) QUI
When Is It Safe to Let My Wall Down?

 

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La mia maschera di perfezione

La mia maschera di perfezione

Click Here for the Spanish Version!

Da quando ero un bambino piccolo, Non ho usato la mia voce e mi sono nascosto in sottofondo per rimanere sotto il radar. Di conseguenza, Sono diventato ciò che la gente voleva che io fossi. Sono stato etichettato, "Il bene, tranquillo. " Avevo paura del rifiuto, così sono diventato un popolo gradito. Credevo nella bugia che se fossi perfetto, Sarei amato. È stato allora che ho iniziato a indossare una maschera.

Il mio bisogno di amore e accettazione mi ha fatto nascondere parti di me stesso. Ho mostrato solo i lati positivi in ​​modo che la gente mi amasse. Poi, quando ero 12 Anni, Ho iniziato a rubare whisky dall'armadio dei liquori dei miei genitori. Adesso, Mi stavo davvero nascondendo. Non volevo che i miei genitori lo scoprissero. Erano molto severi con me, essendo il più vecchio, e non volevo che fossero arrabbiati o delusi da me.

Come sono cresciuto, i miei peccati erano sempre più gravi, e i miei segreti sono diventati sempre più grandi. Così, Ho isolato ancora di più e ho nascosto tutto. La mia maschera si è trasformata man mano che crescevo. Come un bambino, Ho cercato la perfezione. Ero un bravo studente, buon atleta, e un bravo bambino a tutto tondo. Quando non funzionava, Ho sfruttato uno stile di vita di alcol, droghe e sesso. Quando ero a casa, Ero ancora quello buono. Ma al liceo, Ero in giro con quelli che fumavano e drogavano.

A questo punto, le persone piacevoli hanno governato la mia vita. Tutto ciò che cercavo erano riconoscimenti da altri e un posto in cui potevo inserirmi e sentirmi al sicuro. Ma non lo troverei da molto tempo. Onestamente, Ho perso la mia identità perché volevo adattarmi agli altri. Non sapevo più cosa mi piaceva e cosa volevo fare perché sono diventato camaleonte e sono cambiato a seconda del gruppo con cui ero. Avevo perso la mia identità cercando di compiacere gli altri.

Mi sono sentito non amato e perso. Il mio consumo di alcol e droghe era fuori controllo. Ero una bomba a orologeria a piedi. Mi odiavo e mi sentivo così depresso. Ho lottato per tenere tutto insieme. Quando ho scoperto di essere incinta di una studentessa universitaria di 21 anni, Ho preso il panico. Questa gravidanza non si adattava al racconto che stavo permettendo ai miei genitori di vedere. Non ero il buono, tranquillo. Stavo facendo molto empio, peccaminose cose distruttive, e ora avrei terminato la vita di mio figlio.

Come sono finito qui? Tutta la mia vita è stata una bugia. Avrò un aborto e mi comporterò come se tutto andasse bene. Ma non è andato tutto bene. Dopo questo evento traumatico, Ero più depresso di prima, piangendo continuamente e bevendo di più. I miei pensieri disgustosi e suicidi mi affliggevano continuamente. Volevo solo morire così questo tormento si sarebbe fermato. Era troppo difficile mantenere questa facciata. Lentamente il mio maschera stava spaccando, e avevo così paura di essere scoperto. Tutti i miei peccati e bugie verrebbero inondati. io ero spaventato.

All'inizio dei miei 30 anni ho avuto un crollo fisico ed emotivo. Non potrei funzionare normalmente. Mi sdraiavo sul divano per settimane alla volta. Tutti gli anni di ripieno, menzogna e tutto il dolore che avevo provato in tutta la mia vita stavano iniziando a emergere di lato. Ero un vulcano a piedi, spargere cenere bollente su chiunque mi abbia ostacolato. Ero estremamente emozionato. Sentivo che non avrei potuto guardare nessuno negli occhi perché se l'avessi fatto, Non sarei in grado di smettere di piangere.

Lentamente ho iniziato a riconoscere che avevo bisogno di aiuto. Avevo bisogno di qualcuno che mi amasse, accettami, e guariscimi. Avevo bisogno di un Salvatore. Quindi a gennaio 2, 1994, Ho ascoltato il Vangelo per la prima volta. Entro 4 settimane ho dato il mio cuore a Gesù, ho confessato i miei peccati, voltato dai miei vecchi modi e rivolto a Dio. Sto arrivando per il 26 ° anniversario della mia salvezza, ed è ancora il giorno più dolce della mia vita. È il giorno in cui ho finalmente consegnato la mia vita a Dio e gli ho permesso di guarire il mio corpo spezzato, il mio cuore spezzato e la mia mente spezzata. Mi ha trasformato nella donna che mi ha creato per essere: un amore, donna fiduciosa piena di gioia e pace. Sono stato adottato nella famiglia di Dio; Sono accettato, e sono finalmente amato. Mi sento sicuro di essere me stesso. Ora posso togliermi la maschera perché sono finalmente a casa.

Indossi una maschera?

Come appare la tua maschera?

Hai il coraggio di toglierti la maschera ed essere reale?

Prego che come Dio ti guarisca, sarai pieno del suo amore e avrai il coraggio di toglierti la maschera.

benedizioni,

Toni

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The Memorial Stones: Ricordando ciò che Dio ha fatto

The Memorial Stones: Ricordando ciò che Dio ha fatto

We see several times in Scripture that God commanded the children of Israel to set up a memorial of remembrance for what He had done for them. These memorials were to be shared with future generations so they could see what God had done for them. I believe it is important for us to look back as well, to see where we’ve come from and remember what the Lord has done for us.

Think back to a time before you knew the Lord. When you were walking in the way of this world and living your life for yourself and your own selfish desires.

What did your life look like before Christ? Tell others the wonderous and amazing things that God has done for you. There is power in your testimony. I pray God leads you to share this with others.

When I was 12 Anni, I decided the, “good quiet” persona was not working for me. I was not getting the attention that I longed for. Così, I decided to take another path, one that would lead to self-loathing, addiction, and destruction. I was blinded and unaware of the evil that I would do to myself and to others. My unhealthy destructive choices would only intensify with age and become more and more grievous as I plunged headlong into drug and alcohol usage, promiscuità, smoking, and ultimately an abortion.

I just wanted to be loved, but instead I was used and abused and did the same to others. I would continue on this self-destructive path until I was 34 Anni. Poi, one day in January 1994 in a small Baptist Church, Ho ascoltato il Vangelo per la prima volta: Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified on the cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world, was buried and rose again on the third day and ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It was His love for me and you that kept Him nailed to that cross. (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Acts 1:9, romani 8:34)

I don’t deserve His love, but it is the sweetest gift I have ever been given. I have been forgiven from my sin debt and I have been set free to live the life He created me to live. I am so humbled and grateful to Jesus for His work and for my relationship with Him. Sono una nuova creazione in Cristo; le cose vecchie sono passate, behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) ho una nuova vita, un nuovo scopo, and a new song in my heart thanks to Jesus.

Joshua 4:1-7

And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, detto: “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, detto, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, detto, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

Nel suo amore e servizio,

—Toni

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Ci vuole coraggio per essere guariti

Ci vuole coraggio per essere guariti

John 8:1-11, romani 3:23, John 13:34-35, and Joshua 1:9

Why do only a few women come forward for abortion recovery healing? The statistics tell us 4 out of 10 women sitting in our churches have had at least one abortion between the ages of 18-45? What is keeping them silent? In 2015, Care Net and Lifeway Research conducted a study on abortion in the church. Their research found that fear of condemnation and judgment, were the most cited reasons why women remained silent regarding their unexpected pregnancy or abortion. That is so wrong, and I repent of that sin right now. Signore, if I have not been loving or supportive of another in my past, I pray you forgive me.

I saw this type of judgement on the faces of other believers when I shared my abortion and announced my calling to this ministry. The look of, “How could you!” was very obvious. I immediately thought of the verse in John 8, “You who are without sin cast the first stone.” I know my sin of abortion is very grievous, but in God’s eyes all sin is destructive and we are to show grace towards others just as God through Christ showed us grace and mercy. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (romani 3:23)

When I think about the judgment of others, especially those in the church, I think of the story in the Bible about the woman who was caught in adultery and brought before Jesus. In John 8:1-11, we read that religious leaders brought this woman before Jesus and told Him to condemn her because she was caught in the very act. Where was the man she was committing adultery with? He was nowhere to be found, was she alone caught in the act? The religious leaders threw her at Jesus’ feet for Him to condemn her publicly. I love Jesus’ words here, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Then slowly, from the oldest to the youngest, they walked away feeling convicted in their own hearts. Then Jesus says to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go E sin no more.”

The church is supposed to be the very place people can go to receive help, love, compassion, and care, not condemnation, judgment, and a cold shoulder. We, the Church, are called to minister to all people. God is not a respecter of persons (preferring one over another), perciò, we shouldn’t be either. God commands us to love one another. In John 13: 34-35,A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I thank God for each and every one of you who are reading this blog. I know how much courage it takes to step out of the darkness and face the fear of judgment and condemnation in order to be healed by Jesus. I am reminded of God’s words to Joshua when he took over leading the children of Israel for Moses. In Joshua 1: 9, God said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Signore your God is with you wherever you go.”

God is with you dear one. Would you trust Him today to lead you into a deeper relationship with Him so He can heal you? He is waiting for you to step out of the darkness into His glorious, healing light. You will not regret this decision.

benedizioni,

Toni

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Grazie, Signore, per il dono del perdono

Grazie, Signore, per il dono del perdono

Forgiveness

Titus 1:2, Salmo 103:12, John 3:16

For almost a year after my salvation in February 1994, I struggled to believe that God would forgive my sin of abortion. The enemy lied to me and whispered in my ear, “God is not going to forgive you for this horrible thing you did. You are not worthy to be loved by anyone, especially God. In fact, you deserve to be abused for what you did.” These lies tormented me and I felt compelled to somehow make penance for my sins. Coming from a works-based religion, I thought perhaps I could do something to earn forgiveness from God. Was there something else I needed to do? Was there some sacrifice I could make to earn His forgiveness? Was I a person of value in His eyes, that He would forgive and redeem me?

One day I heard preaching on the radio and the pastor said, “If I don’t believe God can forgive sin, then I am calling God a liar”. I knew God wasn’t a liar (Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began). Così, slowly I started to believe in my heart that I was forgiven. However, it took almost a decade for that truth to finally take root in my heart, and I knew I was truly forgiven by God.

Forgiveness cannot be earned; it is a gift. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, I now have access to the Father. But first, I had to humble myself before Him, confess my sins and repent. I had to turn away from my old life and turn toward God.

Salvation truly is a miracle. I was plucked out of the world, adopted and placed into the family of God. This was only possible through the shed blood of Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, when He died on the cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world. All my sins were nailed to that cross when Jesus took my place. He was my substitute; He took my sins upon Himself so that I could be made righteous before God.

When God looks upon me, all He sees is Christ’s righteousness (Salmo 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us). God does not remember my sins anymore. I have been forgiven, redeemed, and adopted by God through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It is the most beautiful gesture that anyone has ever done for me. I am so grateful to God for having mercy upon me and saving me.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Have you asked God to forgive your sins?

Have you received the gift of salvation?

Have you asked God to forgive your past abortion?

Se non, please do not wait one more second. Come to God and confess your sins. He is patently waiting for you. Cry out to God today and receive the gift of forgiveness.

Please let us know if you have turned from your sins and turned to God so we can celebrate with you and disciple you on your spiritual journey.

God Bless you.

—Toni

 

Further reading on this subject:

Perché il perdono è così importante per il nostro benessere?

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