Homespun Devotions

The Inner Views of The Benham Brothers
The Inner Views of Beth Willis Miller
The Inner Views of Rodney Griffin
The Inner Views of Joni Eareckson Tada
The Inner Views of Gayle Cox

The Inner Views of Wayne Mobley
The Inner Views of Chris West
The Inner Views of Gail Purath

The Inner Views of Shyla Brown

Monday, June 13, 2016

The Inner Views of Shyla Brown

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:37-39

(KJV)

Most of you dear readers will remember the precious lady I am interviewing today.

Many of you have faithfully and earnestly prayed for her and her family.

Her story is one of untold heartache, yet, incredible strength.

She has faced the absolute worst, and, yet, she has proven to be more than a conqueror through her love for God and faith in His ability to sustain even in the worst of circumstances.

The original prayer request posted for her and her family in this post still continues to be

one of the most popular posts ever published here on Homespun Devotions,

having been viewed over 264,000 times.

I know you are going to enjoy getting to know her better and reading an update on her

and her family.

Shyla, Quinton, Steven, Makeya, Neveya, and Max Brown

The

of
Wife, Mother of 4, and Someone who will never give up on hope,

Shyla Brown.

Cheryl: Please tell us about yourself.

Shyla: I came into this world July 16, 1990, to the best mother any girl could ask for. I was the little girl she always wanted, but thought she could never have. I believe God gave my mother a baby when she would need one the most. You see, while my mom was in the operating room having me, my dad was on another floor fighting for his life. My dad made one promise to my mother - he would not leave this world until he heard me say, "Daddy". He was able to keep that promise, but shortly after I said my first word, "daddy", he went home to be with the Lord. My daddy passed away on Feb. 15, 1991, due to cancer. When I was 4 years old, my mom married my stepdad, and we moved into his house with his 2 daughters. I lived there until I was kicked out by my stepfather because I became pregnant at 17 years old. My mom and I rented out a trailer, and we stayed there until I decided to move in with the baby's father, when the baby was just a couple months old. MaKeya La-Shay Brown was born Feb 16, 2008, just one hour and fifty minutes from the day that my daddy had passed away 17 years before. Makeya was not only a gift from God, but she is also a gift from my daddy, as well. On May 3, 2009, I married that little girl's father, the boy who had been my best friend since I was 4 years old and my high school sweetheart. On June 8, 2009, at just 36 weeks, we welcomed a handsome little boy into this world, Quinton Xaiver Brown. I had a lot of difficulties while pregnant with him and almost lost him several times. After having him, I got an IUD put in. I wanted more kids in the future, just not right then. The IUD ended up cutting into my cervix, and I had to get it removed. The IUD caused so much damage that the doctor told me I would not be able to carry any more children. That news devastated me. I always wanted a big family, and now they were telling me that I couldn't have that. I left it in Gods hands, and on Feb. 20, 2012, he gave me another handsome little boy. While in labor with him, though, I had a lot of complications. I lost a lot of blood. The baby was not doing so well either. He was having trouble breathing on his own, and he was transferred to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. We were not sure if he was going to survive. My husband had to go home to our other two children, but my mom and I never left Max's side. The doctors told us if he survived, he would be on a vent for at least a month. That month turned into five days. The doctors told us that after the vent was removed, he would probably be put on the cannula for another month. That month turned into just one day. The doctors also told me that it would take at least a week for him to even start sucking from a bottle. That week turned into 0 days because he drank half of the first bottle they gave him. He would have finished the bottle but the doctors did not him to over do it. What was estimated to be at least a 3 month stay turned into just 9 days. On Feb. 29, 2012, we brought Max Rian Brown home for the first time. God wasn't done yet. He not only gave me one child after the doctors told me I could not have anymore, but He gave me two. Neveya Ranaye Brown was born Feb. 22, 2013.

Cheryl: How old were you when you became a Christian? Were you raised in a Christian home? What drew you to Christ?

Shyla: I grew up in church. My mom took me to a church just about everyday. I became closer to God, though, when Max was first born, and even closer after our car accident in 2014.

Cheryl: How did you meet Steven? When did you realize that he was “the one” for you? How long have you been married?

Shyla: I first met Steven when I was just four years old. We became best friends quickly. We lost contact though for awhile, until we reached middle school. We became best friends again when we entered High School. I always had a crush on him, but I was afraid that if I admitted that to him, it would ruin our friendship. It was just a crush, right? It would go away. As time went on, I realized that what I was feeling was more then just a crush, and I had to tell him how I felt. Junior prom was coming up, and I decided to ask him to go with me. His response, "I thought you would never ask." We have been together ever since. We have been together for 9 years and married for 7.

Cheryl: For those who are not familiar with your story, in your words, can you please tell us what happened on Saturday, August 2, 2014?

Shyla: On August 2, 2014, my husband was driving our children and me to his mom's where we would drop him off to spend time with his mom, and I was going to take the kids to a back- to-school event at the church. We never made it to his mother's. My husband lost control of the vehicle, and we went off the side of the road into a tree. My big boy, Quinton, was called Home, instantly. My son, Max, was taken to a local hospital, where they airlifted him from there to Nationwide Children's Hospital. Steven and Makeya were airlifted from the scene to Cabell Huntington Hospital. That is where Makeya stayed until August 13, 2014, when we had her transferred to Nationwide. Neveya and I were transferred to a local hospital, where they took her by ambulance to Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Cheryl: How did you and Steven cope with the loss of your precious 5 year old son, Quinton? How did your faith in God see you through such unthinkable pain?

Shyla: There are 4 things that God gives you to help you get through life; love, patience, belief, and strength. God sent me 4 Angels to teach me each one of these things. My first Angel He sent me, named Makeya, taught me love. She showed me how to love greater then I knew was possible. My second Angel, named Quinton, taught me patience. He was a sweetheart, but he was also rotten. Not only did I have to have patience in those 5 years of having him but also while I was pregnant with him. My third Angel, named Max, taught me to have belief. If I didn't believe in God and didn't pray to Him, I would have lost that little boy when he was first born. My fourth Angel, named Neveya, taught me strength. I have never been good with pain, but when I had her, I was unable to get any kind of pain medication. I found out that day that I was stronger then I ever knew I was. Love, Patience, Belief, and Strength...that is the 4 things that help me daily. On the day they put my son's body in the ground, God sent me a fifth Angel that day. I got down on that ground, and I was ready to give up. I just wanted to be buried with him. I looked up at my cousin's tombstone, who had passed away in 2009, and I saw him standing there. As plain as day, my cousin was standing there looking right at me. He said to me, "Get up Shyla. Quinton is ok, but those other babies need you, so just get up, and go to them." So that is what I did. I got off that ground and went back to the hospital, hearing my cousin's words in my head every day and keeping in my mind those 4 things that all 4 of those Angels taught me; love, patience, belief, and strength.

Cheryl: Along with the loss of your firstborn son, both your daughter, Makeya, and your son, Max, were left permanently paralyzed. How did you feel when you first received such devastating news? Can you tell us about the extent of their injuries?

Shyla: I first learned about Makeya. They said she was a quadriplegic. The doctor told me she would never be able to color, write, brush her own teeth, or even push her own wheelchair. Her neck was broken, she damaged her spinal chord, she had spinal fluid leakage, and she had bleeding on the brain. All of this news was difficult to hear, but I think for me, the most difficult was to hear that she could never color or write again. If you knew Makeya, you knew how much she loved to color and draw. She loved being just like her daddy - an artist, she would say.

Max had a broken pelvis, his spinal chord was completely torn in half, he had bleeding on the brain, injuries to his chest, lungs, heart, and spleen. It took them almost 2 weeks to find out what was wrong with him, because even on a ventilator his O2 would drop every time they would try and get an X-Ray or MRI. When they finally did, I was told that he would be a paraplegic, vent-dependent.

I don't know how to explain in words what it was like to hear that two of your children would never be able to walk again, but I haven't given up hope and I never will. God's not done yet.

Cheryl: How long did Makeya and Max have to be hospitalized? What most sustained you during those difficult days?

Shyla: Makeya was released from the hospital on October 23, 2014. Max was released on December 19, 2014. When Makeya was released, we had my mom, who had been watching Neveya for me while the kids were in the hospital, bring her up there to us. Steven and I would take turns. One night, he would stay at the McDonald House with the girls while I stayed with Max, and the next night, we would switch. We even enrolled Makeya into a school while we were up there. All together, we spent 4 and a half months in that hospital. It became our 2nd home. The workers became our 2nd family, and they sure helped us out a lot during our stay and even, to this day.

Cheryl: How is Makeya doing now? How has her condition improved since the days immediately following the accident?

Shyla: Makeya is the strongest little girl I have ever known. She has never once given up. She tells me everyday that God will make her walk again someday. Despite what the doctors told me, Makeya CAN push her own wheelchair, she CAN brush her own teeth. she CAN feed herself, she colors and draws everyday, and while she was attending school, I received a letter stating that she had beautiful handwriting. Makeya is now 8 years old and is homeschooled due to doctor appointments and being a little behind from where she had missed so much school. If you ask her what God has done for her, she responds with, "He moved my arms." Instead of a quadriplegic, she is now a quadriplegic with some hand movement.

Cheryl: How is Max? Can you please share with us about his progress and how he is doing now?

Shyla: Max has had a couple setbacks, but with each one he recovered a little more each time. At the beginning, the doctors told me he would be on a ventilator for the rest of his life. They told me that the muscles that he uses to breathe were paralyzed. I am happy to announce that those muscles are now working, and he is only on a BI PAP machine at night, off everything during the day. He is now 4 years old, and instead of a paraplegic vent-dependent, he is a paraplegic working on getting his tracheotomy out in the future.

Cheryl: How are YOU? As a mother, how has life changed for you since August 2, 2014?

Shyla: I still take it day by day. Even after almost 2 years, it still feels like a nightmare that I just want to wake up from. I hold my babies a little bit tighter, and I make sure daily they know just how much I love them.

Cheryl: I know Steven was injured in the accident. How is he doing now?

Shyla: He still takes it day by day. He still has to take over-the-counter medication because he can't sleep without having nightmares.. He still has trouble with his knee. Last summer, he had to go back to the ER because he went outside to mow the yard and did not wear his brace, so it damaged it a little more. He still needs the surgery, but still refuses to get it done.

Cheryl: If you were sitting across the table from a parent who is dealing with severe challenges, what advice would you give them?

Shyla: Trust in God, because through Him, anything is possible.

Cheryl: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned through all you have suffered?

Shyla: Something I tell my kids every day; never give up. Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do, believe in God. He has the last say, and He can make anything happen.

Cheryl: The aftermath of such devastating circumstances places an unbelievable level of strain upon a marital relationship. How do you and Steven manage to keep your love alive and your marriage strong? Can you share specific steps you take to insure that you do not grow apart as a couple?

Shyla: A lot of people have asked me this question. But, in all honesty, we don't do anything different than we did before the accident. We never go to bed mad at each other, we try to spend sometime alone together, whether it be getting a babysitter and going out to eat and watching a movie, or just watching a movie at the house, or sitting on the back porch and talking at night while the kids are in bed. Steven and I need each other more now than we have ever needed each other. Our love has only grown stronger, and I honestly don't know what I would do without him.

Cheryl: What have you learned about the goodness and kindness in the hearts of others through your heartbreak?

Shyla: Even in this world of evil, there are still so many good people out there. I could never thank people enough for the love that they have shown my family since our accident. I have learned that no matter what people go through, when something happens, we still pull together to help a person in need.

Cheryl: You received some very special news on Mothers Day of this year. Can you tell us about it?

Shyla: It was February or March when I got the phone call from the rehab center at Nationwide Children's Hospital asking me if Makeya and Steven would be interested in doing a father/daughter video about their stay in the hospital. Steven was not home, but I told them, yes. Makeya loved attention, and I knew that she would love making a video. It was either the next day or the day after that when Steven got a phone call. Not sure what was said over the phone. The only thing he told me was that I was not allowed to go...that it could only be him and Makeya. Of course I got mad, because I never missed anything Makeya ever did. I thought it was Steven's fault, but then I thought, well, maybe he just wants a daddy/daughter day, so they went without me. About a month later, I found out why I was not allowed to go when I saw a video on Facebook that Lane Bryant, a clothing company, had shared. It is a video of my little girl telling them how much I mean to her. In that video they asked her if she could give me anything at all, what would it be? She answered, "Go to Disney Land." That video was a mothers day surprise to me. Two days before Mothers Day, I received a package with 2 Minnie Mouse dolls, a Mickey Mouse doll, Minnie Mouse ears, $500 gift card, and a letter letting us know that they were making Makeya's wish-to-parent come true, and they are sending us to Disney World at the end of this year. The same day we received this package, we also got the news that my nephew's adoption had been finalized, after 3 years. He was now in Kentucky with my mom, where he belongs to stay. Both of these gifts were wonderful, but the best gift did not come until Mothers Day, when Makeya was able to raise her foot up by herself when told to. This Mother's Day was wonderful, and the only thing that could have made it better was if I had my Quinton here.

If video doesn't load, click here.

Cheryl: Through your pain and heartbreaking trials, what has most comforted and sustained you? Are there particular Scriptures, books, hymns, or other resources that have helped you to know

that you are not alone?

Shyla: Knowing that God was working on my children and seeing it daily. Seeing the signs that my guardian Angels that God sent to me really helped, as well. I knew I wasn't alone. There is a picture down below that we now have on a clock that says, "Every minute of the day, our guardian Angel walks beside us." In this picture, I want you to look beside me. That is what helps...knowing that my Quinton still walks with me daily.

Cheryl: How can we pray for you right now? What specific needs can we share and help to lift to the Father on your behalf?

Shyla: Pray for more strength. Pray that my children continue to show improvements and continue showing those doctors that they don't have the last say. God does, and He is not done talking yet.

If video doesn't load, click here.

To read all previous posts on the Brown family,

click these links.

Original Brown Family Post

8TH UPDATE,

9TH UPDATE.

10TH UPDATE,

11TH UPDATE,

12TH UPDATE,

13TH UPDATE,

14TH UPDATE,

15TH UPDATE,

16TH UPDATE,

17TH UPDATE,

18TH UPDATE,

19TH UPDATE,

20TH UPDATE,

21ST UPDATE

22ND UPDATE,

23RD UPDATE,

24TH UPDATE,

25TH UPDATE,

26TH UPDATE,

27TH UPDATE,

The Brown Family - One Year Later

Max Brown Video

To read previous

click the links below.

The Inner Views of The Benham Brothers
The Inner Views of Beth Willis Miller
The Inner Views of Rodney Griffin
The Inner Views of Joni Eareckson Tada
The Inner Views of Gayle Cox

The Inner Views of Wayne Mobley
The Inner Views of Chris West
The Inner Views of Gail Purath

A BIG thank you to Shyla for sharing her heart with us here.
May God continue to bless and heal and comfort this dear family as only He can.

Thank you for reading, and please feel free to share with others!

Monday, May 30, 2016

The Inner Views of Gail Purath

"For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

Psalm 61:3

(KJV)

If you are even remotely familiar with the world of Christian bloggers,

you have almost definitely read at least one post or seen at least one Pinterest pin

of a devotional written by the dear lady I am interviewing today.

I can't remember when or how I first came across her blog,

but I will be forever grateful to the dear Lord that He allowed our paths to cross.

She has been a precious blessing to me, not only through her blog,

but even more so through our personal email conversations.

I know you are going to enjoy getting to know the woman behind 1-Minute Bible Love Notes.

The

Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Author of 1-Minute Bible Love Notes,

Former Homeschooler, Former Army Wife, Former Missionary to Budapest, Hungary,

Gail Purath.

Cheryl: Please tell us about yourself.

Gail: I think the most unique aspect of my life is how nomadic it's been. I'll be 65 in July and I've lived in over 40 homes all over the U.S. plus 8 years in Europe (Germany and Hungary). I might understand better than most folks what it means to be an "alien and stranger" here on earth. (To read Gail's post called "Aliens", click here.)

I've been married to Michael since 1970. We have a married son and married daughter and 7 grandchildren. We homeschooled our children from 6th grade through high school in the 80's when homeschooling was pretty rare for older children. (To read Gail's post about being a homeschool pioneer, click here.)

After my husband's 22 years in the Army, we both got seminary degrees in discipleship and we did Christian work in Budapest, Hungary for 5 years. When we returned to the U.S. in 2009, we thought we were settling for the last time near our children and grandchildren in NC. But in 2015, God gave us "marching orders" and we moved again, this time to volunteer with ITEC in FL. (To read, "We Serve a God of Adventure", click here.)

Cheryl: What life events led up to your decision to follow Jesus?

Gail: My parents taught me Christian values, we attended church regularly, and my paternal grandmother was a particularly loving witness. When I was in high school, my mother's faith became vibrant and she strongly influenced me. She recommended several Christian biographies that had great impact on my life: the Hiding Place and God's Smuggler were two that especially touched me. (To read, "Our Cheerleaders", click here.)

When I was pregnant with our youngest, I began to feel there must be something more to life, and I decided to attend a Bible study. Why a Bible study? My only explanation is that the Holy Spirit was leading me. For months, I sat silently in this non-denominational group of military wives, listening to them speak about knowing Jesus in a way I didn't know Him. I don't know the hour or even the day that I chose Christ because it was a progressive giving of myself to Him, but it happened within 4-6 months of starting that study.

Even though I wasn't coming out of an especially broken life, the change in me was still dramatic. I couldn't get enough of God and His Word. For the first 6 months after Christ got hold of me, I somehow managed to keep up with my household duties, mother two little ones in diapers, be a wife to a busy soldier, attend 2 Bible studies, a prayer group, and church each week. I couldn't wait until nap time so I could steal away and read my Bible. It had something relevant for me on every page and I couldn't get enough.

Cheryl: When did you start blogging? What is unique about your blog? How has your blog enriched your life and ministry?

Gail: My blog has been an integral part of my personal growth and healing.

In 2011 I experienced a broken relationship with someone I love very deeply. I tried on my own to restore the relationship, but the other party wasn't interested. I was deeply wounded and I spiraled down into a depression, woke up sad, went to bed sad, and cried on and off throughout the day.

My husband hated to see me suffering, and he was very supportive, yet nothing seemed to change my perspective. But God knew exactly what I needed.

My sister, who wasn't regularly reading her Bible, suggested I write a very short email devotion for her to read each day. Via word of mouth, 50 ladies signed up and I launched 1-Minute Bible Love Notes in July 2011.

I knew immediately it was my route to recovery. Each devotion became a step out of my pit. I was back in God's Word, "telling myself the truth" instead of feeding on my sorrows. God was showing me that the only Person I could not live without was Him.

In the last 5 years, God has taught me so much about myself and others through writing devotions. I believe my brokenness has actually equipped me for writing Bible Love Notes.

You might think that coming out of depression my blog would be designed to affirm people and encourage their self-esteem. But I don't think anyone would describe it that way. Recently one of my readers wrote and thanked me for "boldly discomforting" her. I've learned that appropriate feelings about myself come from affirming and esteeming my Jesus, not affirming and esteeming myself.

Instead, I want to challenge my readers and spur them on to love and good deeds because I need to be challenged and spurred on. The situation that threw me into depression has continued, but I am learning day by day to forget what's behind and press on toward the goal. I think there are many others like me out there because I now have 10,000 subscribers - more than I would have asked or imagined!

Cheryl: What are the causes closest to your heart? What are you most passionate about?

Gail: Having lived in the South for over 10 years, my heart aches over bigotry, and I hate seeing the Confederate flag honored when I know what it symbolizes for our African-American brothers and sisters. (To read, "Flags or People", click here.)

I am also saddened by my country's acceptance of abortion, pre-marital sex, co-habitation, homosexuality, and other forms of immorality. (To read Gail's articles, "Hard Teaching, click here, "No Laughing Matter", click here, and "We're Havin' Fun", click here.)

But perhaps my greatest passion, the reason I write, is my feeling that Christians are perishing from lack of knowledge. I get so many comments and emails from people who share beliefs not found in Scripture. They depend on others to tell them what the Bible says and they have no discernment. (To read, "Let's Get To Work, click here, and "Multiply", click here.)

Cheryl: We would love to hear about your work with ITEC. What is it, and who is affiliated with it? How did this organization come to be, and how did God orchestrate the details for you to become a part of it? How has being involved with this ministry impacted your life?

Gail: Nate Saint was a missionary pilot who was martyred along with 4 other young men in Ecuador in 1956 attempting to take the Gospel to the Waodani, an extremely violent stone age tribe. Nate's son Steve Saint was five at the time, and after an interesting life in business and missions, he founded ITEC. The purpose of ITEC is to develop equipment and training to help indigenous people share the Gospel with their own people. They've developed a solar powered dental chair that can be taken into the jungle in a back pack. And that's just one example of things they are working on. (To read, "A Saint's Life", click here, "All the Way to Timbuktu", click here, and "Endured or Cured", click here.)

Early last year, we felt the Lord telling us we were going to move, but we didn't know where. We prayed about it for several months and felt the Lord leading us to contact ITEC. After going through their volunteer interview process, we felt confirmed that God was calling us to this move. My husband does administrative work with ITEC.

Three years ago, Steve Saint suffered a serious spinal cord injury while testing some equipment, and he's an incomplete quadriplegic. I am presently helping him get a blog up and running. Steve has a blog about his mission philosophies, and ITEC has a website, but we are working on a blog where he can share more aspects of Christian living as a husband, father, and grandfather.

It's a blessing to know that at any age God has meaningful work for us to do.

Cheryl: If you could go back in time and change one thing about your past choices, what would you change? Why?

Gail: There are many things I would change. I've made lots of mistakes and I'm still in process of putting off my old self with its evil desires and putting on my new self in Christ.

But a few specific things I'd change:

There were times I put too much focus on my children. I know that sounds like heresy from a former homeschool mom. A mother should serve and sacrifice for her children, but I think our country has moved from loving and nurturing children to honoring them and giving them a sense of entitlement. This isn't just my view. There is a growing body of evidence that younger Americans expect to receive honor instead of give it and it is causing problems in the marketplace and the family. (To read, "Needs and Desires", click here, and "Takers and Givers", click here.

I have always loved to study my Bible, but if I had my life to live over, I would study it more deliberately. We do meal plans and lesson plans and exercise plans, but most of us just let our discipleship happen. (To read, "Lives Are At Stake", click here, and "Hide God's Word, click here.)

If I had life to live over, I would also be more deliberate about focusing on my blessings instead of my problems. I've wasted some of my life by focusing on the things going wrong and ignoring all the things going right. This life will always have troubles, a good reminder that we are only aliens and strangers here....we are not home yet. (To read, "I Can't Be Happy Unless", click here.)

Cheryl: We are living in such difficult days, as Christians, and surely we are seeing God’s Word fulfilled on so many levels, and the battle can see too overwhelming to fight. How do you stay encouraged and enthused in your Christian walk? Do you have particular “go-to” Scriptures that are favorites? What words of encouragement would you like to share with the soul who is struggling and ready to give up?

Gail: I desperately need time with God, time in His Word, and fellowship with other Believers who will challenge me and hold me accountable. I think these are keys to Christian growth. (To read, "Spiritual Atrophy", click here.)

From my perspective, the key to overcoming discouragement of any kind is to quit focusing on ourselves and our problems and start focusing on the love of God and our blessings. (To read, "The Power of Negative Self-Talk", click here.)

We also need the prayers of others, but we should be careful to share our problems with the right people - people who are quick to pray for us but cautious about giving advice. (To read, "Pray for Them", click here, and "3 Ways to Comfort", click here.)

When making a big decision or dealing with a particular difficulty, I'll set my alarm to go off every hour throughout the day as a reminder to pray. This helps me stay focused. (To read, "Set Your Mind, or Set Your Alarm", click here.)

Cheryl: How do you want to be remembered?

Gail: Years ago, I wrote this poem, and I think I would like to be remembered as a woman of the Word whose desire is to grow closer to the Lord day by day, minute by minute : ) (Philippians 3:8-9)

A Woman of the Word

The Bible wore her imprint,
Its cover soft from use;
The pages rubbed and wrinkled,
The binding coming loose.

And even if this Christian,
And her Bible were apart;
She still would have it with her,
Hidden in her heart.

Oh, make me such a woman, Lord,
Who hungers to be fed;
Who cherishes a line from You,
More than her daily bread.

And when my days are over,
May it be my epitaph;
“She longed to spend more time with Him.
And now is doing that.”

Cheryl: How can we pray for you, at this time? Are there particular burdens you are carrying that we can help you lift to the Father?

Gail: I would like to "finish well." I would like to go out of this world exalting my Savior and living in such a way that others will know I fought the good fight and finished the race. At our ages, my husband and I are "slowing down" physically, but we never want to retire from God's work. (To read, "Fruitful Palms", click here.)

Gail, with the love of her life, Michael

Thank you ever so much, dear Gail, for sharing your heart and inner views with us here!

Your testimony is a shining light of Jesus' love, and you consistently bless us all by your presence.

I trust the Lord to keep you and Michael bearing much spiritual fruit together for many years to come!

Thank you, dear friends, for taking the time to read this special interview.
I deeply appreciate all of your love, support, and encouragement.

May God bless each one of you in a special way!

To read previous

click the links below.

The Inner Views of The Benham Brothers
The Inner Views of Beth Willis Miller
The Inner Views of Rodney Griffin
The Inner Views of Joni Eareckson Tada
The Inner Views of Gayle Cox

The Inner Views of Wayne Mobley
The Inner Views of Chris West

Sunday, May 22, 2016

The Inner Views of Chris West

"While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."

Psalm 146:2

(KJV)

You might remember that in this post I mentioned a song called "Revival" that Kevin had heard on the radio one day, then came home and found on youtube and asked me to listen to.

I instantly fell in love with it and have listened to it I don't know how many times since then.

As I listened, the Lord nudged me to contact the writer of such a song to ask for an interview.
It turns out that the man who co-wrote the song is also the one who sings it.

I know you are going to love reading the inner views of this multi-talented and humble man,

and you will be abundantly blessed by getting to know him better.

The

Father of Two, Songwriter, Born-again Believer in Jesus Christ,

Lead Singer and Co-Founder of Blue Moon Rising,

Chris West.

Cheryl: Please tell us about yourself.

Chris: My name is Chris West. I'm 44, a single dad, and live in East Tennessee with my two sons. I am a founding member of Blue Moon Rising that has been going now for 15 years, but I still work a full time day job.

Cheryl: We would love to hear about your Christian testimony. How long have you been a Christian?

Chris: I was saved a couple days after turning 18 and had been under conviction for some time. I have a personal relationship with God and my savior Jesus Christ that I am very satisfied and find great peace in.

Cheryl: Who, would you say, has been your biggest spiritual influence? Is there a particular person who prayed for you and whose life's example caused you to want to emulate them and draw closer to God?

Chris: My biggest spiritual influence through the years has been my mom and one of my friends, pastor David Seiber.

Cheryl: How long have you been singing, playing music, and writing songs? What instruments do you play, and what first drew you to the bluegrass genre?

Chris: I've been singing and playing for 30 years now and was taught to play by my uncle Tony Thomas. I play guitar and mandolin and was drawn to bluegrass through my uncle Tony.

Cheryl: Who are your musical heroes? Which singers, songwriters, and musicians persuaded you to take the musical path you have chosen?

Chris: Musical heroes would be Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, JD Crowe, Larry Sparks, and The Country Gentlemen. Right now I'm loving the writing of Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, and Darrell Scott. Bill Monroe has always been one of my favorite writers as has been Hank Williams Sr.

Cheryl: Can you share the history of "Blue Moon Rising"? When did you first found the group? What inspired the name of the band? How can we buy your music and products and find out where you will be performing, etc.?

Chris: You can find out our schedule and buy merchandise from www.bluemoonrisingband.com. We founded the band in the winter of 2000 and have recorded 6 projects and are putting the finishing touches on our 7th. The name was inspired by an article in a local paper about Bill Monroe.

Cheryl: Are there any plans in the works to do a recording with all gospel songs?

Chris: Eventually. We have always talked about it and would love to do one.

Cheryl: Tell us about your songwriting. How many songs have you written? Which songs mean the most to you? Why? How do you usually find inspiration to write? Is there a particular place or setting in which you prefer to write, or is your writing usually spontaneous?

Chris: I don't really have a favorite place to write and really have no process. The songs just come to me as I'm inspired lyrically or melodically, which is why I'd probably starve to death if I depended on it for a living, LOL! I e probably written a couple hundred songs, but not all of those are keepers! The story songs, songs that really say something, mean the most to me and if I can invoke a feeling in someone, then the song has done its job.

Cheryl: The way we were introduced to your band was through your song, "Revival". It is SO relevant to the burden God has placed upon my heart concerning the current condition of our nation and the direction in which we are headed. My family and I have come to really love this song, and we would love to hear the story behind it. What inspired you to write it, and what were the events surrounding its composition?

Chris: The song was inspired after hearing a preacher on Easter Sunday morning preach Ezekiel 37 and I wrote it with Steve Gulley.

Cheryl: The culture in which we now live can be very oppressive and discouraging to those who want to follow Jesus with all their hearts. What words of encouragement can you offer to us? What are some of your favorite, go-to Scriptures that have sustained you in your walk with Christ?

Chris: I'm a simple man and have more than my fair share of faults, trust me in that. However, I have learned to lean on the the words Christ spoke when He said "Not my will, but thy will be done."

Cheryl: How would like to be remembered?

Chris: I would like to be remembered as a fun and caring person who always tried his very best to help others and was the best dad he could possibly be.

Cheryl: How can we pray for you? Are there specific needs you would like us to lift to the Father on your behalf?

Chris: Absolutely! My dad, Paul West, needs prayer because he has an as yet undetermined mass in his lungs. My girlfriend's brother, Mark Self, a Tennessee State Trooper, is 41 and has stage IV lung cancer and has never smoked. And I could use prayer to be the best dad I can possibly be.

A BIG thank you to you, Chris, for taking the time to visit with us and share your testimony.

It has been an absolute honor to get to know you better and learn more about your music.

I so appreciate your humility and kindness, and I know your story will bless many.

Bluegrass music is enriched and made even better by the fact that you and your band are a part of it.

Thank you, dear readers, for reading and for your faithful support.

Will you please kindly add Paul West and Mark Self to your personal and church prayer lists?

Please pray for Paul to receive good news and for God to send healing to both Paul and Mark.

I hope you can take the time to listen to Chris and Blue Moon Rising singing another song
he wrote called, "The Old Time Preacher Man".

If video doesn't load, click here.

And, of course, one of our favorites, "Revival"...

If video doesn't load, click here.

To read previous

click the links below.

The Inner Views of The Benham Brothers
The Inner Views of Beth Willis Miller
The Inner Views of Rodney Griffin
The Inner Views of Joni Eareckson Tada
The Inner Views of Gayle Cox

The Inner Views of Wayne Mobley

Sunday, May 15, 2016

The Inner Views of Wayne Mobley

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..."

Romans 1:16

(KJV)

It is amazing how the dear Lord always works simultaneously on both ends of a situation,

and it is equally amazing to watch the way He orchestrates the events of our lives.

Recently, during a sweet time of fellowship with dear friends during a Concerned Women for America meeting, in which Tonya Shellnutt was introducing and talking about the core values of CWA,

Zach and I had the blessed privilege of sitting across the table from the humble man of God being interviewed today.

As we sat enjoying a delicious meal together while visiting and enjoying the fellowship of him and his precious wife, Terry, the Holy Spirit's still, small voice whispered,

"This man's story needs to be told."

Right away, I asked if he would be willing to share his testimony by doing an interview for us here.

I was so grateful when he kindly and graciously agreed.

You are going to be abundantly blessed, encouraged, and inspired,

as you read his story of redemption and how God's amazing grace has transformed his life.

The

Friend, Husband, Father, Pastor and Believer, Follower and Servant of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Wayne Mobley.

Cheryl: When did you first feel the Holy Spirit dealing with you and calling you to come to Him?

Wayne: The Holy Spirit spoke to me at different points in my life. I first felt him speaking to me when I was 16 years old. The second time was when I was 18. The last time was when I was 44.

Cheryl: Were you raised in a Christian home?

Wayne: I was raised in a mixed home concerning religion. My mother believed in God and prayed. My father spoke of God but I never knew him to pray and never saw him go to church before or after the funeral service of my little sister in 1968. He talked about his view of God and how he perceived Him. He accepted Jesus as his Savior before he passed in 1996. I thank God for his salvation.

Cheryl: What events surrounded your first and subsequent encounters with Christ?

Wayne: I went to a youth meeting at the 1st Baptist church in Harleyville, S.C. They showed us a very graphic movie about people in Hell. It showed how they lived the results of their choices. I knew that was not where I wanted to be when I died. My second encounter was much different. I was attending an assembly of God church in Nashville, Tenn. I was staying with my uncle there. He committed suicide while I was staying with him. One of my co-workers got me involved with his church. During one of the services, the Holy Spirit seemed to fill the whole building. I felt being pulled to the altar to give God all that I had. The church prayed over me. I called on God to change me. At that time, I felt something within, but not sure what was happening.

Cheryl: What has happened in the years following your conversion?

Wayne: It has been unbelievable to me. It has been over 13 years since I made a decision to turn my whole life over to God. He has blessed me more than I deserve. All that I thought was destroyed, God has built new and better than I could have ever imagined.

Cheryl: Was there a time that you strayed since you started following Jesus?

Wayne: I have not strayed or walked away from the Lord since I left the overcomers program. I could not imagine living a day without God in my life.

Cheryl: How has surrendering your life to God affected your marriage? Your job? Your life in general?

Wayne: My wife and I can laugh with and at each other. There was a time when there was no laughter in our home. We still have disagreements, but we now work through them, instead of me running from them. I now realize it was not all her fault. LOL

I spent many years at work trying to gain respect from my co-workers and when I thought I deserved it the least, I got the most. I have a job now in middle management. There is a great story about my job. After being away from work for 7 months, my relationship with the plant was not exactly on good terms. I had failed one program before completing the Overcomers program. The Plant manager told me that he had never had an employee leave for 7 months and come back and keep their job, much less the position they held before leaving under the terms I left. But, I was given not just a job, but the same position I held before leaving. He said he could not tell me why he was doing it, because that was not his normal action of discipline in those types of circumstances. God had prepared him for me. I enjoy what I do today and am blessed God has me there.

Every day is a great day in the Lord. There are days that I am tired, days that satan just wails away at me, but my worst day today is a 1000 times better than my old way of living. No comparison.

Cheryl: When did you hit rock bottom and realize that a change had to be made?

Wayne: When my job told me to complete a program or be fired. My wife told me that she did not love me, but was not going to leave me, because God told her He had a plan for me.

Cheryl: Was there one defining moment that convinced you that things could not get any worse?

Wayne: I had failed an alcohol test at the program I was going through. The counselor asked me to be honest about what was going on. What was the truth. I remember telling her that I did not know the truth. I had lied to so many people for so long, I could not remember what was true and what was a lie. At that moment in my life I started to realize I did not know who I really was. I did not like who I had become, but I did not know how I could ever be any different.

Cheryl: What advice can you offer to the couple or person who is reading this whose marriage is in trouble and who is grasping for hope of restoration?

Wayne: God has to be first in everything. If He is not first in all that we are, then what ever we put ahead of Him becomes ours. We claim possession of it. What belongs to us no longer belongs to God. Give everything to God, He will give it back abundantly.

Cheryl: Can you share the steps that God has personally taught you and brought you and your wife through?

Wayne: My wife gave me to God years before I was saved. Afterwards, I gave her to God. We live in a time when we believe that the value of who we are is based on what we have or own. Neither my wife nor my children belong to me. They are a gift from God and I am to be the best Christian husband and father that I can be. Make sure that God’s Word is spoken in the home, not just in the church. Pray together as a family. Listen to your children. They will tell you who you are, if you are willing to listen.

Cheryl: The life of a minister of the Gospel is one of great personal sacrifice. Many are called, but few make the choice to follow Christ so intimately. For many, the personal cost is beyond what they are willing to pay. Will you share with us about your personal call into the ministry?

Wayne: I was at men’s group meeting one night in 2007. The speaker that evening was preaching on serving the Lord. The more he spoke about serving, the more I made a list in my head of all that I was not doing and the more convicted I became. After his sermon, I went to the altar to answer God’s call to my life.

Cheryl: What was your first reaction?

Wayne: I was scared. I knew what God wanted, but did not think I could follow through.

Cheryl: How did God prepare you ahead of time?

Wayne: By going to the overcomers. I spent what I believe was 7 months in seminary. I studied the Bible every day. I had men with great knowledge of God’s word and they knew how to teach it.

Cheryl: When did you know for certain that He was specifically calling you to preach, and how has your decision to follow Him to this level of consecration affected the other areas of your life?

Wayne: 1 month after I told God I would do whatever He wanted, a minister came to our church. He was the chairman for ministerial candidate mentors. He trained mentors to work with new candidates for ministry. Just a coincidence right!!! No, not for me. God was preparing me again for my next journey. I began to realize that God has prepared my path all through my life. I had to choose which path I was going to take. He has continued to open all kind of doors for me. I began teaching at Hebron Grace Home, a recovery program for women. My time past and going through a program made it easy for me to relate to what they were going through. I pray that my story may help them in some way.

Cheryl: Filling the role of a minister’s spouse also requires a deep level of dedication to God and personal sacrifice. There is much that goes on behind the scenes that only those who have walked a similar path can understand or even comprehend. How do the two of you find balance? What is some of the best advice you have been given by others who have mentored you, and how would you advise others who are feeling a similar call?

Wayne: Keep balance in your life. Do not give up your family for the call. It is easy to get caught up in helping others that you forget about helping your family. Take time each week to separate yourself from church work. Make a special time for family. Do not push your family to follow you where you go. Remember it is your call not theirs, but invite them to be a part of it. Let them join in when they are comfortable.

Cheryl: As a Christian who walks closely with Christ, will you share what he is revealing to you now, in this season? What is the current theme of thoughts He is laying upon your heart, both in your personal faith walk and the messages He is leading you to share with your congregation?

Wayne: BELIEF. As Methodists, we have a creed that we say every Sunday. In it is a list of what we believe. I wonder how many people really listen to what they are saying. I believe in one God, I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe Jesus was crucified, died, was buried and arose on the third day. I BELIEVE that He is at the right hand of the Father. I believe He died for me. There are so many lies being told to people today to make them feel good about where they are in life, instead of challenging them to change.

Cheryl: We are living in a society that is becoming more and more hostile towards God and Christianity and Biblical principles. As a pastor, what do you feel are the most prominent threats we, as Christians, are facing in our culture, and how can we make an individual difference? How do you motivate your congregants to take courage and not lose heart in these dark days?

Wayne: I am most worried that people want to use the morals of the society they live in to determine if they are living right. Morals change, as we have seen in this country, but God does not. What was sin 10,000 years ago is the same sin today. I challenge myself first, and my congregants not to live morally but to live righteously.

Cheryl: What are some of your favorite personal go-to Scriptures…when you are discouraged, when satan reminds you of your past, when the cultural battleground seems too hard to overcome, and to strengthen your relationship with your wife? What parting words of encouragement can you offer us?

Wayne: I just recently did a sermon on this one. Psalm 23 :1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. I was given a cute little story of a boy who could not memorize the 23rd Psalm. When it was time for him to recite the psalms, here was what he said, "The Lord is my shepherd and that is all that I need." You see, when He is your shepherd, your wants change. What I wanted before I knew Him, I no longer want.

My second choice is actually a passage ; Romans 7:15-31. It is the struggle with the spirit and the flesh. Paul shares the struggle of everyday life and how we have hope to overcome the sinful nature we are born in.

Cheryl: How can we pray for you and your wife? Are there specific requests you would like us to lift to the Father upon your behalf?

Wayne: Our children. That God keeps them safe and guides their way.
*******************************************************************************

A BIG thank you to Wayne for sharing with us here!

The power of our Lord is awesome and beyond anything you and I will ever be able to comprehend.

God is absolutely able to save to the uttermost, and His transforming power, so evident in Wayne's life, his marriage, and his ministry, is such an encouragement and inspiration to us all.

There is no level of brokenness that God cannot repair.

No matter how far we drift or run from Him, He stands with arms open wide,

waiting to welcome us into the fold and to use our lives and our past for His glory and the good of others.

I love to read stories of redemption, such as Wayne's.

May God bless Wayne, his dear wife, Terry, his children, and his ministry in ways beyond what any of them can even imagine.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us..."

Ephesians 3:20

I am abundantly blessed by knowing this precious couple and look forward to seeing what God accomplishes in their lives, as they continue to follow Him!

To read previous

click the links below.