Everything Was Falling Apart - Real Life Stories

 

I was going through a period in my life where everything was turned upside down. I was at a job that required me to work over 55 hours a week, my home life was very stressful, and I had started to distance myself from friends and family.

My job started to become a very hostile environment. Life at home was even more hostile. I started to see everything that I had worked so hard for falling apart. I would cry myself to sleep at night and would cry at work in between breaks. One day at work, I couldn’t catch my breath. I had the biggest panic attack that I had ever had at my desk. They called 911, and I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. The doctor came in and told me he was going to put me on medicine that would stop the panic attacks. However, I wouldn’t be able to work or drive a motor vehicle. The medicine would basically keep me sleepy and sedated all day long. I went to the pharmacy to have the prescription filled, and the pharmacy told me the medicine was on backorder. As soon as the shipment came in, they would call me.

I went home and cried out to God. I began to pray Mathew 18:18.

“Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Real Life Stories

I began to use my authority and quote God’s word. I never had another panic attack from that day forward. For about like to this type of inspirational story Visit : www.reallifestoriesbooks.com

Real Life Stories Books - Raised In A Christian Home

I was raised in a Christian home, married a man from a Christian home, and we raised our children in a Christian home.

My life was built on a solid trust that God would be there --- and he has never failed me.

Raising six children, helping raise my own and husband’s orphaned siblings, taking care of “Papa”, sometimes the work seemed unending. Having been taught to be thankful and sing praises helped me get through. We never had a lot of extras, but we always had everything we needed. I know God took care of that.

When I reflect on my life, I am proud of the people I helped raise. Living a Godly life by example and showing them God’s love helped create a loving bond. Never doubt that people are watching how you handle the good times and the bad. Let your life be your testimony.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories - Indiana Regional Unity Gatherings

In December, 2012 as Jim Barbarossa prepared to speak a message at a Saturday night meeting, he kept hearing the word “Unity” over and over again in his spirit. Then God directed Jim to go look in an old file cabinet in his garage. To Jim’s amazement in the back of this old file cabinet were 30 messages Jim wrote as a baby Christian, 18 years earlier. One of those messages was on the topic of “Unity” in the Body of Christ.

Jim preached that “Unity” Message on December 22, 2012.

Shortly after preaching the “Unity” message, the Father told Jim to call a meeting of leaders, elders and 5-fold ministers for the purpose of joining hands and working together to equip the saints to go beyond the walls of our buildings to reach and disciple the lost.

On January 20, 2013 the Father brought together forty 5-fold ministers representing a diversity of 12 churches scattered throughout three Northwest Indiana counties, including the cities of Valparaiso, Porter, Chesterton, Portage, Gary, Michigan City, St. John, plus Hazelcrest, IL and Chicago, IL.

Four things all of the ministers present have in common is their love for Jesus, their desire for more of Jesus, a passion to reach lost souls and a hunger to see revival in our land!

One additional thing most of us, if not all, held in common, in the natural, we were all too busy to even consider attending this gathering in light of everything else we had to do.

But, we did attend and after introducing ourselves, we discussed the purpose of the gathering and then we began to pray as the Holy Spirit led.

Inter-mixed between the prayers, God spoke prophetically using various gifts to confirm His call and purpose for the “Unity” Gatherings and what to expect in the future.

As we prayed we could sense a shift taking place in the atmosphere.

At one point a symbolic prophetic act took place as every person stood on their feet, symbolizing the army of God rising up. This was followed by the sounding of the Shofar accompanied by a declaration of war, as the army of God called upon our Leader with a “Unified” shout, “Jesus”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was such freedom in the atmosphere. It was such a joy to see the 5-fold ministry gifts working in unity complimenting each other in the body of Christ!

I wish I could find words to express the fullness of this experience, but this is one of those times where words fail to fully describe what happened.

The meeting I just described has “birthed” in the following locations what we now call “Indiana Regional Unity Gatherings!”

For dates, times and exact locations, visit us on our website: www.step-by-step.org

Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Regional Unity Gathering, Chesterton, Indiana

Central Indiana Regional Unity Gathering, Indianapolis, Indiana

LaPorte/St Joseph County Regional Unity Gathering, LaPorte, Indiana

Northeast Indiana Regional Unity Gathering, Angola, Indiana

South Central Indiana Regional Unity Gathering, Corydon, Indiana

Southwest Indiana Regional Unity Gathering, Paragon, Indiana

We believe these 6 Regional Unity Gatherings are the “firstfruits” of 20 or more that will be started in the State of Indiana.

Regional Unity Gatherings are not the planting of a new church.

Regional Unity Gatherings are not the starting of a new denomination.

Regional Unity Gatherings are calling God’s Leaders, across all denominational lines to join hands in unity and take the Gospel message Beyond the walls of our buildings, out into our cities to reach and disciple the lost. If you are God’s leader, no matter what your title is (bishop, elder, pastor, priest, apostle, teacher, missionary, sent one, evangelist, prophet, youth pastor, or some other), no matter what part of the body you represent, no matter what denomination, no matter what stream, no matter what flow, God is calling us to join hands and carry His gospel into our cities and regions to reach and disciple the lost.

It is Time the lost people in our cities come to know God, through the love that we demonstrate for one another!! If we will come together and work in unity, God will Command His Blessing towards us! It is Time for the City Wide Church and Regional Church to Arise!

Regional Unity Gatherings Function As A 5-Fold Ministry Where Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors And Teachers Work Together To Equip The Saints To Do The Work Of The Ministry. Regional Unity Gatherings Are Part Of “The Church” With A Call To Come Along Side Other Parts Of “The Church” And Work In Unity With The Whole Body Of Christ To Move The Saints Beyond The Walls Of Our Buildings, Out Into The Community With The Training And Tools They Need To Reach And Disciple The Lost.

To help us fulfill our mission to reach the lost, disciple them and equip the saints we have 2 Free Resource tables in every Regional Unity Gathering.

Evangelism Resource Table: This table is filled with tracts, outreach gospel CDs, and Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books. The people attending these Regional Unity Gatherings are encouraged to take these Free evangelism tools and use them over the next 30 days to reach the lost and come back with a report or testimony of what God is doing!

Discipleship or Equipping Table: This table is filled with books as well as messages on cds, and dvds. These messages are the best of the best and designed to equip or disciple the saints. Saints need a steady diet of faith building messages to be equipped and we encourage the saints to take these Free Resources for their personal growth and to then pass them on to help disciple or equip others. Regional Unity Gatherings provide the saints with the tools they need to reach and disciple the lost!

United Community Outreach:

In addition to equipping the saints to be effective witnesses and disciples in everyday life, we also want to bring the saints together from all the different parts of the Body of Christ in a City or Region to join hands and do, simple, yet effective outreach projects in the Community to touch lives and reach lost people!

You can see a sampling of these types of outreach projects on our DVD titled “Going Beyond The Walls - City Wide Church - How To Go Beyond The Walls Of Our Buildings As One Voice To Reach And Disciple The Lost In Our Cities”.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories - I Had the Need to Be Accepted

Don’t marry him!
I found myself getting hit in the head with his fist.
Verbal altercations.
Threats of violence.
Anger and bitterness.
I was so angry…

I am the middle child of my siblings. I grew up in Chicago, IL. I had a pretty decent childhood growing up. My mom, who is no longer with me, took me to church at a very early age, which I am so grateful for. I got saved at the age of sixteen. My mom divorced my dad when I was two years old. Even though my dad wasn't present in the home, I still managed to have a close relationship with him. My family says I was my dad's favorite. I often think back to when my dad left our home. It was then that a door of rejection, fear, and the need to be approved by man, was opened in my life.

Years later, I met a man who appeared to be the perfect gentleman. I dated him for a short time, then he asked me to marry him. I remember asking him if he thought we should go to marriage counseling first, and he told me we didn't need to go. He felt like his pastor, who was his uncle, was all the counseling we needed. I remember going to God about the marriage. The response was, “Don't marry him!” God is always right, but I disobeyed. I went through much pain as result of my own disobedience. I became pregnant with a son. During my pregnancy, I had to block blows to my belly, and I found myself getting hit in the head with his fist. Because of my fear to tell anyone, I stayed in the marriage, thinking he would change. It only got worse.

I was later told by neighbors that when I would leave for work, there was another woman who would come to our home. I confronted my ex-husband, thinking he might come clean and tell the truth about the other woman, but he didn't. I found out the truth through broken car windows, which then resulted in verbal altercations and threats of violence. I was so angry at what was happening, I began committing adultery. I could remember calling out to God to help me get out of the mess I had created. It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually my life began to change. One of the noticeable changes I had was being set free from the resentment that I had towards my ex-spouse. I could actually see him without wailing up with anger and bitterness. I was also set free from the need to be accepted by others. I love people, but the unhealthy approval of man went away. I noticed as I would spend more time in my bible, I began to change my thinking about myself. I found myself wanting to hang around other people who also wanted a deeper relationship with Christ.

Not long after, I joined a ministry that is still helping me in my growth process. It may be that you're in a similar situation to the one I found myself in. Maybe you know someone who is currently in an abusive situation. By all means, if it's physical and there could be potential harm done, get some help from your pastor or someone you can confide in. God will never have you feeling condemned about anything you go through in life. You can trust Him with your life. He is the one person who you can count on who will never leave nor forsake you. He accepts all your short comings, and He wants to express His everlasting love toward you. Will you allow Him into your life today? You have nothing to lose but Jesus Christ to Gain!

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

REAL LIFE STORIES - I NEVER REALLY FELT LOVED

I grew up poor.
I started hanging around the wrong crowd.
I got into buying weed.
I remember feeling empty.
I needed more.

My name is Gil. I grew up poor, in a shotgun house in the bad end of our town. We didn’t know we were poor as kids, but our dad wanted to make a better life for us. He was a hard worker and taught me to work hard. He got into business building houses when I was a teen. While working on a building at a lumber yard after some tornado damage, he talked to the retiring owner and got into the lumber business in the rural town.

My dad used to talk about and stress business a lot. I never really felt loved; we never did anything together. Mom was good, but she always kept busy with dad running the business. Dad became an alcoholic because of the stress and thought he was better than other people because of his ambition. Dad got to mouthing off at the local tavern one night telling everybody he was the king of the town, so they crowned him and put him in the hospital.

I started hanging around the wrong crowd, doing drugs, drinking and stuff to fit in at high school. I got into buying weed to split it up myself for resale and make extra money. After all, I was going into my own business too.

One evening on the way to a party I was picked up hitch hiking and the guy that picked me up talked about Jesus, like he knew him. This left an impression on me. I was raised Catholic and never heard of anything like this.

I fell in love with a young lady and got to fooling around as some kids do. We got married and had our first son at 17. I quit school and started selling lumber for dad. I also liked designing and dreamed of building homes, so I built my own house at eighteen years old. People would knock on our door and ask if our parents were home and we would tell them no, this is our house.

When I was twenty I remember feeling empty and nothing satisfied me. I had a new home, good looking wife, son and promising future at the lumberyard. Something was missing, so I went to my priest and asked him how I can get into heaven. He said go to Mass and keep the Ten Commandments. I said I can’t keep those Commandments. And sometimes Mass was a little boring. He laughed and encouraged me to keep searching. He would come over and we would say the Rosary and I would sit on the front row at church with my Bible. I would visit different churches because I was searching, and I heard a man preach about how the church should be in unity. Then he was on the radio and said if you’re “sick of sin” in your life come to this meeting at Broadbent arena in Louisville, Kentucky. I knew I had to get there!

It was during a workday, so I called in sick at the lumberyard. I’m sick! Dad said you don’t sound sick, what’s wrong with you? I said I’m sick of sin and I hung up the phone. Dad told me later in life that he thought I had gotten into a cult.

I needed more. So, I went to the meeting. James Robison was the preacher and he said if you’re not 100% certain you will go to heaven if you died, come forward and give your life to Jesus. I knew I wanted it, so I went forward. After I prayed a weight lifted off me and I knew my sins were gone. I felt new and clean, I remember going to the restroom and looking in the mirror. I didn’t look any different, but I sure felt different.

On the way home, it was in the fall and the trees were starting to turn colors. It was as if I could see God with a paintbrush painting the trees. I could see God in everything. When I got to work I couldn’t do some of the things that I did before. I had his Holy Spirit living inside of me. We had a deal working with my dad and an insurance adjuster; he was beefing up the prices, so we could make money on insurance repairs. It was a recession and the lumber sales were zilch. I had to tell my dad and the adjuster that I couldn’t do this anymore. I also would put cars together from junkyards and resell them. (Found out later my buddy at the junkyard was stealing the parts). I couldn’t do that anymore either.

All I knew is that I was happy for the first time in my life and I knew that God would take care of me despite business being bad. It really irritated my dad, I had a big smile on my face all the time.

It’s been 33 years since then and Jesus has been the greatest adventure of my life! He always gets better, He teaches you stuff and takes you from level to level with Him. He’s always been there for me and helped me through every trial. And I’m overwhelmed knowing how much He loves me and that I can have a relationship with the Living God. He talks to me and I tell people about Him. You know I have never been able to stop. I learned how to do this by going along working with some friends in a Mobile Truckers Chapel. This happened a year after I gave my life to Jesus. I learned how to live by faith in a home bible study group with my pastor. He had a pastor’s heart and would cry with people and cry with us when we lost our four last babies. His name was Elvis and the church was Graceland Baptist, funny huh. Sandra and I had two sons that we brought up in the church, they really love God. They had a Christian band and would lead kids to Jesus, and most are in ministry today.

Twenty years ago, my oldest son Jake, who served God with all his heart got paranoid schizophrenia. I got a knot in my stomach for ten years because of the way he suffered, and it was really hard on his little brother Ben. In the last ten years my older son drowned, I lost my development company and my wife and best friend of over 30 years left me.

I loved her; things just got too hard for her. Just prior to all this tragedy, the Lord told me He was going to reteach me the Bible and that He was putting me in an end time ministry. This was confirmed through many circumstances and local prophetic ministries. I drew close to Him in the suffering and loneliness, but it was really hard. You know the Lord took me through the Bible and retaught me subject after subject. God has given me an understanding heart, which is what Solomon asked for. Don’t let the names over the doors of churches tell you what to believe, ask God. Ephesians 1:17-19 is what I prayed. I had never been alone in my life. But the Lord has been absolutely amazing. If you draw close to Him, He will draw close to you. His Joy is unspeakable, His love everlasting, and His peace has settled my troubled soul. I’m so thankful for everything He brought me through. I wouldn’t change any of it. Because I know He used it to get me where I’m at today. I feel Jesus with me as I walk along each day. That guy that picked me up hitchhiking when I was fourteen was right, you really can know Him. He can heal an empty life and a broken heart. His love brought me through! He truly has put my feet on higher ground.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories - I Could Not Afford Anything

I could not afford anything. I had only five trays of ice but somehow the money was always there.

Write a testimony? Not me! It’s been two years and four months since I gave my life back to Jesus. Today, while sitting at my desk God said, “Write your testimony on financial needs.” I thought, “Maybe I’m just thinking.” A couple hours later again, I heard, “Write your testimony.” Again, I thought, “Me? No, not me.” On the way home from work, I heard, “Write your testimony on financial needs.”

I am a Christian now and I thank God for that. I left from a bad relationship of three years spent running around a table trying not to get hit or trying to get away from a gun. God had plans for me because I am still here.

One day when he was high on coke and drinking, I told him that if he left with the person who he always got high with, I was not going to be here when he got back.

Several times I wanted to leave but just couldn’t. This time was different. I was not afraid. When he left, I packed just what I needed for a couple of days. He called and threatened to kill me and my kids if that is what it took.

I moved in with my son. His house was empty at the time. His girlfriend moved out with the children, so I had a place to go. I stayed for awhile and then my son and his girlfriend got back together. They needed the space back, and I was asked to move out.

I had just gotten a job and had no money saved up when I moved out. The tires on my car were bad. The boss I worked for at the time told me to take my car and put new tires on all four. I moved into an apartment, and I couldn’t afford that either, but the money was there for me. I thought this must be a test to see if I really trusted God. I moved on faith.

I did a lot of praying, crying, and trusting in God. Every time something came up like rent, a car payment, a Nipsco bill, or a telephone bill, the money was always there. I would get a check in the mail for money I forgot I had loaned out or someone would just stop by and offer me a bag of groceries. When I moved into my apartment, I had five trays of ice and that was all. But I was happy. I didn’t worry because I knew God would not let me starve. What a blessing God has given me. I had never lived by myself, and I thought, “How is this going to work out?” God knew. He wouldn’t give me something I couldn’t handle.

I can say I have never went without anything I needed. God has put people in my life to see that I had what I needed. All the people helping me would find jobs for me to do to help me out. My friend Mary would see that she had painting to do and call up and ask, “Can you paint?”

I’d say, “I’ll do my best,” and off to Mary’s I would go.

I finally realized that my treasures are not here on earth. They are in heaven with Jesus. I have had the love of my family and support from my daughter. She’s been such a blessing to me. Every time I would call her to pray for me, she would never have to ask why, she would just pray. I have had to put all my trust and faith in God. He has pulled me through all the rough times and the low times in my life. I know it was God who pulled me through. What God has helped me with financially and in every aspect of my life, He can do for you. You must have faith in God and trust Him. All things are possible with God.

God has pulled me through with flying colors, but it has been on His time, not mine. Sometimes I would think, “Now, God, now. Why not now?” But God has His hands on everything --- Who? What? When? And Where? Only God knows.

Sundays when the dance team at church would dance so beautifully and gracefully, I would think, “Could I do that for God?” I got such a blessing from watching the dancers, now I’m a member of the dance team. I hope I will be able to bless someone like I was blessed through dance. I know I can do all things through Christ.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories - Everything Was Falling Apart

Life was turned upside down.
My home life was very stressful.
I couldn’t catch my breath.
I had the biggest panic attack.
They called 911.
I went home and cried out…..

I was going through a period in my life where everything was turned upside down. I was at a job that required me to work over 55 hours a week, my home life was very stressful, and I had started to distance myself from friends and family.

My job started to become a very hostile environment. Life at home was even more hostile. I started to see everything that I had worked so hard for falling apart. I would cry myself to sleep at night and would cry at work in between breaks. One day at work, I couldn’t catch my breath. I had the biggest panic attack that I had ever had at my desk. They called 911, and I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. The doctor came in and told me he was going to put me on medicine that would stop the panic attacks. However, I wouldn’t be able to work or drive a motor vehicle. The medicine would basically keep me sleepy and sedated all day long. I went to the pharmacy to have the prescription filled, and the pharmacy told me the medicine was on backorder. As soon as the shipment came in, they would call me.

I went home and cried out to God. I began to pray Mathew 18:18.

“Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

I began to use my authority and quote God’s word. I never had another panic attack from that day forward.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories - I Was Not Expected to Live

In college, I took the path of having fun.
The van flipped end-over-end.
I had to hit rock bottom before I realized…

I grew up in a Christian home, attending church and hearing about God all my life. At seven, I became a Christian. I was active in church until my senior year of high school. When I took a job at local go-cart track, I usually worked late hours on Saturday evening, which caused me to start the habit of missing church the next morning. In college, I took a path of having fun rather than living for God. I had all but forgotten my spiritual commitment.

On October 2, 1982, a group of friends and I were coming home from the Winnie Texas Rice Festival, when a drunk driver struck our van, clipping off our left front wheel. The van flipped end-over-end. Two of us were thrown from the van. The other person was not injured, but my injuries were severe. The most serious were two crushed vertebrae. My parents were out of town at the time, and the doctors advised them to get to the hospital quickly as I was not expected to live through the night. When my parents arrived, the doctors told them if I did live, I would never walk again. My parents did the only thing they could do; they prayed, asking their friends to pray too. My condition began to stabilize.

During my hospital stay, I prayed and sang to God around the clock. I had to hit rock bottom before I realized my need for God. I cried out to the Lord for my healing, and He heard my prayer.

After my stay in the hospital, I was sent to the rehabilitation center to learn how to walk again. If the physical therapist asked me to do a certain exercise fifty times, I would do it one hundred times. “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Matthew 5:41. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity God had given me to totally depend on Him. Today, even though I walk with a slight limp, I am grateful for my recovery - both physically and spiritually.

Shepherds have an interesting way of handling wayward sheep. It seems there is always one stubborn sheep that wants to wander off. The shepherd will leave the flock to find and bring the one wayward sheep home. If the sheep continues to wander, the shepherd will actually break the sheep’s leg. The shepherd will then carry the sheep on his shoulder until its leg is healed. During this time, he feeds and cares for the sheep. The sheep becomes one hundred percent dependent on the shepherd.

After that, the sheep never leaves the shepherd’s side again. What appeared at first to be a cruel act was actually very loving. If the shepherd had not disciplined the sheep, its wandering could have destroyed it. God lovingly disciplined me to bring me back to Him. I am thankful to my Savior, Jesus, for my salvation.

In talking to others about my faith, I have discovered there are many Christians who do not read God’s Word daily. I made a personal commitment not to leave my house without reading at least one Bible verse. I schedule my time in the Word every day, so I can be equipped for whatever comes my way that day.

For most of my Christian life, reading God’s Word daily was not a habit. Now, I keep the Bible on my kitchen table as a reminder to read it every morning. I like to challenge people to read the Word by asking them, “Would you leave your house without eating breakfast?” Then I follow with, “Why would you leave without feeding yourself spiritually?” Daily Bible reading will equip you to face the day.

How do you live as a Christian? Read God’s Word every day, and then obey what you read.

In conclusion, first, make Jesus once and for all, the Lord of your life: Pray Psalm 51. Read the Gospel of John and check out needGod.com.

Secondly, grow spiritually: Read God’s Word every day, and obey what you read.

Next, ask God to use you to make a difference in His Kingdom: Help others. Volunteer at church. Be a giver not just a taker.

Lastly, pray God will use you to share Christ with others: Give out Gospel tracts. Bring people to church. Study the Bible with others.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories - I Partied Every Chance I Got

I became introverted and socially awkward.
I was depressed and had low self-esteem.
I felt mistreated.

I was the youngest of three children and grew up in the household with my parents. I was a suburban kid who attended good schools and excelled academically. Alcohol was always abused in my home, but I just felt like it was a part of the family. It was the “pink elephant,” in the house that existed and was always ignored. I turned to food as my way of dealing with feelings that I could not describe. I became introverted and socially awkward. By the time I was fourteen, my overindulgence in food caused me to be overweight. I was depressed and had low self-esteem. I felt mistreated and was an outcast in my own mind. Although I played sports and had friends, I knew something wasn’t right. I had no one to talk to. I felt lost. I had no idea of the damage that the abuse had done.

When I was fourteen, my dad was admitted to the hospital for a long time. The years of alcohol abuse had taken its toll. After he was released, he began attending church and got “saved.” I remember everyone was so excited except for me. I had no idea what being saved was, and I had never dealt with my feelings of hating him so much. Years of being abused couldn’t help me understand how God could accept someone who had done so many horrible things. I graduated from high school and left for college. During my four years I did very well in the classroom. I partied every chance I got. I remember right before I graduated, I went to an event. Since I was the president of a well-known organization, I made the decision on who could and could not attend events. A guy came to the door and said, “Hey, brother, I don’t want to come into your party. I’ll just talk to the people when they come out.” He had a bible in his hand. As people filed out of the auditorium, he would approach each person asking them if they knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I laughed as no one even stopped to listen to him. I didn’t understand what he was asking since I had grown up in the church, but this wasn’t something you asked college kids. As I turned and walked away, this was something that stayed in my mind.

After graduating from college, I returned home. I remember talking with my older brother. He told me that he was saved and had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. It was at that moment that I asked him what that meant. Over the next year, I remember he and I were up at all times of the night. He would teach me about salvation, grace, mercy, and many other things. I watched how he lived his life, and it was amazing. Although I was learning, I wasn’t willing to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was still living in sin, but the bible seemed very interesting.

My brother passed in January of 2001. I remember asking God how such a good person, who said he was saved, could die at such a young age. I was angry with God. I started to overeat again to feel better, and my self-esteem plummeted even further. I was lost for years. I had nowhere to turn. I avoided every church and distanced myself from anyone who professed the name of Jesus Christ.

One day in 2008, I received a phone call from the doctor’s office. They informed me that my blood test had yielded some unfavorable results. By now, I had a child and was still living a sinful lifestyle. I remember right before I went into the doctor’s office. My phone rang, and it was my sister. As I informed her of the situation, she told me I had to get saved. My words to her were, “If I go in here and this doctor says I’m healed, then I’m coming to church with you.” Sure enough, all subsequent blood exams showed that nothing was wrong. When I called her back with the results, she asked if I was ready to make Jesus Christ my personal Lord and Savior. She led me through the prayer of repentance, and I just remember crying the entire time. I remember telling God I wasn’t mad at Him anymore. I began attending church with my sister. It gave me a solid foundation. I began to do work in the ministry. Over the next few years, I held the positions of armor bearer, Sunday school teacher, and treasurer. It was a learning process and I enjoyed it. I learned a lot about the word of God, but something was still missing.

In 2013, I went through a divorce. I lost my house, and my job downsized. Instead of panicking, I prayed and fasted. The difference this time was that I had God by my side. I had faith that everything would work out, and it did. God showed me that I had to deal with my personal issues. I began counseling to work on my depression and self-esteem issues. I had a Christian counselor who taught me about generational curses and how to break them.

Today I love God more and more. I profess that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I have no hate in my heart and I have learned forgiveness. My self-esteem is very high, I am no longer depressed, and food is no longer something I use as a crutch. I am now part of a very dynamic ministry, and I am being challenged to go higher. I give God all of the glory, honor, and praise.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Born Again Truckers use these books as a way to share Jesus with other Truckers

 

Real Life Stories Truckers Edition1 are being given away Freely through many Truck Stops across North America. If there is a Truck Stop near you, You can go in and get permission to place a Book Display like the one below, so Truckers and other people can freely take the books!

The Real Life Stories Truckers Edition 1 books can easily be used in a Truck Stop near you!
 
It’s easy! You go to a Truck Stop. You Grab a hand full of Truckers books. You stand near the door the Truckers use to enter the Truck Stop and say “New Book For Truck Drivers, its Hot of the Press. Just printed. Here is Your Copy. I hope you enjoy it!
It will be received with a big Truck Driver Smile, followed by a Big Thank You!!              

Prayerfully consider getting some of these books into the Truck Stops near Your city. 

By doing this you can make an Eternal Kingdom Difference in Your City! 
​

Truck drivers ministries help to provide the gospel and testimonies to truck drivers. Usually, truck drivers have no time to attend any church testimony for enhancing their faith so truck ministries provide opportunities to these drivers for gospels and enhance their belief. Truck Drivers Ministry provides all the requirements to the drivers and their families for increasing their trust in Jesus. Every ministry influences a specific community by preaching the faith in Jesus. Truckers ministry guides the truck drivers that don’t have time to attend testimonies for enhancing their faith. Truck ministries provide food and other requirements to the truck drivers and their families. There are more than eight million truck drivers in the US that have less chance of listening to the testimonies and gospels. Truck driver ministry tries to increase their opportunity to listen to the gospel. Truckers’ ministry helps to bring the gospel and reality about Jesus to truck drivers and their relatives on truck stops. Truck ministry needs special assistance.

Real Life Stories - You Are a New Person

The Bible says:

“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!”

Say this:

I am a new person. I have a new life, a future and a God centered life.

The Bible says:

“All these new things are from God, who brought us back to Himself through what Christ Jesus did. And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into His favor and be reconciled to Him.”

God bridged the gap of sin between you and Him by Jesus dying on the cross. He now has given you the honor and privilege of telling people how to find that same favor with God through what Jesus has done for them.

The Bible says:

“He died for all so that all who live --- having received eternal life from Him --- might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them.”

Jesus died so you could have eternal life with Him and our Father in Heaven. Jesus is calling you to now live for Him; doing those things with your life that would please Him.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Developing Your Own Real Life Stories Testimony Book

This is the Process and Cost of Developing a Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Book When a Church Partners with Step by Step Ministries

The process starts by teaching people how to write their testimony and placing it into a 3-fold flyer, as pictured above.  The Testimony is to be between 1000 and 1100 words and provided to us in a Word Document. We will provide exact instructions as to how to properly prepare a testimony. This 3-fold flyer can then be used with our books pictured below until such a time that person’s story is in a book.

There is a $25 charge per story to edit and layout the testimony in a 3-fold flyer. After editing, we send the file to the church to take to a local print shop to make copies. When a church partners with us, they can purchase and use our books at the very low price of $100 for 3 cases of books, plus shipping.  There 60 to 70 books in a case, depending on which books they are.

A New book will contain between 25 and 30 testimonies and have a total of 96 pages. This has proven to be the most cost-effective book size to print and distribute. We will print 40,000 copies. This is the quantity needed to keep the price down to a point of being able to afford to freely give them away.  The cost of 40,000 books, including typesetting, editing, and cover design is about $16,000. This comes to about .40 cents per book (plus shipping), making the book a very affordable tool for witnessing.
 
Just before the books are ordered, the local church pays their half, $8,000, directly to the printing company.  Step By Step Ministries pays the other half, $8,000.  When the books are printed, the partnering church is billed for their shipping cost, which must be paid before the books ship. At that time, 20,000 books are shipped to the partnering Church, and 20,000 books are shipped to Step By Step Truckers Ministry .When Step by Step Ministries receives their 20,000 books, we donate to 5000 of those books to another ministry called Love Packages. Love Packages loads the books on cargo containers and ships them to impoverished English-speaking people in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean Islands. So when a local church partners with us they not only reach the local community, they reach the World!
 
In addition to this, we have a Team of people using our books all over the United States and Canada! When a Local Church Partners with Step By Step Ministries, TOGETHER we fulfill Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.               
Disciple Makers,
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Porter, Indiana
219-762-7589
Jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com

Real Life Stories Books - I Was Drafted by The San Diego Padres

My brothers and I loved baseball.
It was all about baseball.
We lived and died baseball.
We had a baseball field in our back yard.
I was All Conference, All State, All American.
Then it became about girls and baseball.

I was raised in what many would consider to be a typical family environment. My dad was a steel worker and my mom was a homemaker. My dad was a very worldly person but a very successful one. He was constantly chasing after the things of the world like cars, trucks, snow mobiles, campers, vacations, and many other things that money could buy. My mom was a very devout bible reading praying Christian that had the responsibility of taking me and my 3 siblings to church.

At a very young age I was exposed to a few boys molesting each other. They lived just down the road from my house. They tried to pressure me into doing what they were doing but I was scared and confused. So instead of giving in I ran away and told my parents what had happened. Even though I said NO and ran away it was still a very traumatic experience for me and could very well have been the start of my biggest enemy, LUST OF THE FLESH!!

When I was in elementary school I was at a friend’s house and I accidently came across adult magazines and videos. I briefly looked through them and then went on my way. I never told anyone what I saw and thought it was innocent and that it was no big deal. As I was getting older I remember being up late watching TV on many different occasions and seeing phone numbers for phone sex flash across the screen. That was pretty intense and eye opening for me. I remember calling the phone numbers that I saw more times than I can count. The lust of the flesh and sexual sin started to get a hold me.

So now I was into my teenage years and I discovered girls for the first time. In other words I started to show an interest in them. I would look at girls in a very selfish and lustful way. I remembered for quite some time what I saw in those magazines, videos, and phone sex line commercials. I could not get rid of all those images. I wanted to do many inappropriate things with girls based on what I saw in those magazines and videos.

I had sex for the first time when I was in high school. At the time I thought sex was the best thing ever. Little did I know that was it was the beginning of something I could not control. It was like a runaway freight train. It was all about sex, magazines, videos, phone sex lines over and over and over again. It was bad and out of control. The lust of the flesh and sexual sin had a massive hold on me.

While all this was going on I still had a life and wanted to keep my lusting and sexual sin a secret. My siblings and I as far back as I can remember were always involved in sports. My brothers and I loved baseball. It was always about baseball. We lived and died baseball. We even had a baseball field in our back yard.

I was a very strong left handed power hitting first basemen and pitcher. I had a very promising baseball career leading up to my senior year in high school. I was All Conference, All State, and an All American baseball player my senior year. I was drafted by the San Diego Padres organization my senior year. From there I went to play baseball at college for 1 year where I had more and more success.

With all the success and popularity I dived into more sexual sin, chasing after the lust of the flesh. I thought because of my popularity nothing could touch me. So now it was about girls and baseball. I even decided to start drinking to make myself more popular. This lifestyle was all going on while falling further and further into sexual sin. I knew it was wrong but never knew what to do or how to truly come to terms with it.

From college I went into the minor leagues to start living my dream of playing major league baseball one day. Just two months into my career with the San Diego Padres organization, I blew out my pitching arm and that ended my career and life as I wanted it to be.

During this time I got married, but not even marriage could stop my desire for sexual sin. Marriage could not and would not cure or free me from the sexual sin and the constant lusting. I struggled for a while with not being able to play baseball and even a few times tried to make a comeback, but nothing ever came of it. I worked a few jobs that I never liked. I was really stressed out with trying to provide for my wife all while being depressed from not playing baseball any longer along with chasing sexual sin.

After not getting anywhere working at a few dead end jobs I decided to go into business for myself. I started a lawn care and snow removal business that prospered almost instantly giving me way to much free time and giving me more opportunities to dive into all kinds of sin especially sexual sin. Meanwhile my wife and I had hopes of having children and starting a family. We struggled at first to get pregnant and then after 8 months my wife finally did get pregnant. Unfortunately, early on in the pregnancy my wife miscarried.

It was at this point my wife and I saw a fertility specialist because we were unable to get pregnant after a year of trying. Then we quickly found out that according to the doctors that getting pregnant was never going happen. So because of that I poured myself into my business and more lusting and sexual sin. A few years after the doctors told us we couldn’t have kids we decided to adopt two children internationally. I remember thinking that this journey of adopting kids and having kids would cure my lust and desire for sexual sin, but I was wrong. After bringing our two children home from the other side of the world, almost immediately my lusting and inappropriate sexual sin skyrocketed. I was out of control as I did my best to keep it hidden from family, friends, and clients.

Just a few years after adopting, my wife miraculously got pregnant. After that pregnancy, she got pregnant two more times. It was wonderful and inspiring to see our many prayers answered. I was so happy for her and for us, but all those miracles, blessings, and answered prayer didn’t keep me from diving deeper and deeper into more lusting and sexual sin.

At this point even though on the surface my business was great, had a wonderful family, and many other things I knew if I died I would go to hell. I knew I would be lost forever. I was certain I had gone so far that hell is where I was going to spend eternity. I was always in church and was raised to pray and read the bible. I asked Jesus Christ into my life at a young age but turned my back on Him countless times. I always did enough just to get by. I would put on a show for everyone all while dying inside with absolutely NO hope.

What ultimately turned me around and shook me was my amazing wife. Even more than that it was an AMAZING GOD!! This amazing God sent His Son Jesus Christ to save me completely from the inside out! My wife earnestly and faithfully prayed for me for years and I mean years that I would stop the lusting and stop the sexual sin and truly seek repentance. She always prayed that I would truly find FREEDOM IN CHRIST!! When I finally came around and really gave Jesus Christ my whole life it was utterly amazing. I can’t even begin to put into words what He did for me. For the first time in my life I felt transformed and complete in Him. I am so thankful for a strong and faithful praying wife. I am thankful that God put us back together again and never stopped loving me and my family.

Right now as I look at my awesome wife of more than 12 years and our 5 miracle children, and a business going into its 11th season. I am completely undone by how much God loves me and my family. Today, I am free. Today, I’m blessed beyond measure. Today, I know my future is in God’s hands. Today, I am safe and walking victoriously because God sent His son Jesus Christ to save me. Today, I am a wholly transformed son of God. Today, the cares of this world, lust, and sexual sin do not have a hold of me because I am absolutely saved and set free and truly complete in Him. I am happy to testify that my wife and five children are also saved and set free serving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It doesn’t get any better than that!! To God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit I give all the praise and glory!!!

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Christian testimony includes the problems in life and their solution

 

You should tell your testimony by telling the problems you were facing before meeting Jesus. What was that problems and how many time you fail to solve these problems? Then you will tell that how you get closer to Jesus. What is the reason that you decided to consider Jesus for your help? At last, you should share the part of life after meeting Jesus that how Jesus change your life. You should share that how is your living going now. Evangelism is the process of campaigning faith in Christianity. In evangelism, people share the gospel for preaching the impact of Jesus on life. There are a lot of evangelism strategies that include evangelism by spreading the bibles and gospel by media or road evangelism. If you want to preach Christianity then chooses the best evangelism methods. Evangelism is the best way to describe your love and affection with god and if you want to be an evangelist then follow these evangelism ideas:

• If you want to be a good evangelist then pray for others during evangelism because prayer enhances the spiritual attraction. So prayer is the good evangelism tool.
• If you want to preach your faith then try to share your own experience if the life that how your life changed after meeting Jesus.
• If you want that other people should start believing Jesus then show them the influence of Jesus in your life and how Jesus solves your problems.
• If you have good communication skills then it will be very helpful for you to preach your faith. Testimony is a good evangelism tool for preaching the faith.
• You should share the current situation of your life and how is your life going after knowing Jesus.

In the 20th century, the child evangelism movement was started. The purpose of this movement is the preaching of testimony and gospel to children of 4 to 14 years. The power team was established in 1970 which consist of some Christian Testimonies athlete that spread the message of God for salvation. The advanced evangelism method is preaching faiths by traveling in far areas and by a conversation on the internet.

Real Life Stories Books - You Mean God Appoints Us Gifts

I wanted to be a nun … I always believed in God.
I watched as my parents argued and fought … they divorced.
My dad moved to another state and remarried without our knowledge.
My mom believed she was a lesbian and took a female partner.
I had to grow up quick.
I was so angry that I became a wrecking ball destroying myself.

Gifts, you mean God appoints us gifts? Somehow as a young person, I felt God helped me define the gifts He had for me early in life, but it has taken the rest of my life until now to realize that was what was happening. Raised Catholic and attending Catholic grade school, my biggest desire at that time was to be a nun. I always believed in God.

I knew Jesus was there. But at 10 years old, life was not so much fun anymore. I watched as my parents argued and fought. I saw my mom falling down a flight of stairs, my dad’s badly cut up finger, and then there was the gun! They divorced. Things kept deteriorating in my family that I didn’t understand. My dad moved to another state and remarried without our knowledge.

I could have been angry and bitter, but Jesus started teaching me the gift of taking “bad” and turning it to “good”. So I accepted that I had gained a new stepmom who had a good heart. She showed my brother and me that we didn’t lose a dad, but instead gained a new family.

My mom believed she was a lesbian and took a female partner. My mother became very ill with Lupus and was difficult to be around. Her new partner helped us to stay stable. However, my mom took lots of medicine which made her dysfunctional. I had to quickly grow up. That’s when new gifts of mine came forth – caregiving, running a household and, along with my brother, we became kennel kids to over 30 dogs.

My escape became high school. My brother was able to go on to Catholic high school on a grant. My parents felt I wasn't smart enough so I entered the public high school that was laced with drugs, and found myself trying to fit in somewhere. Here is the miracle; Jesus was guiding me patiently to good friends, great teachers, and my high school sweetheart who I later married.

Married life was good, providing stability as well as two "new parents" who loved me unconditionally. Jesus blessed us with two beautiful children to raise for Him!

After being married about 15-17 years, temptation came my way along with doubt. I realize the devil couldn't stand it any longer. I believed him and made regretful decisions that became harmful to me and to those I loved dearly. The devil also brought feelings and I began to believe that Jesus personally took my mother, my stepmother, mom’s partner, and hardest of all, my father-in-law, when they died. I believed the lie that it was my punishment because I had sinned.

I was so angry that I became a wrecking ball quickly destroying myself by doing things I never thought I would do.

But because of Jesus of love for me, He sent my best friend's father to help me realize Jesus truly loved me and that satan had lied. Receiving that revelation, I chose to believe Jesus loved me and to reject the lies of the enemy who only wanted to destroy me and all I loved.

I returned to church. Opportunities opened up for my family to start a Pawn Shop business.When my children left for college, I felt the call from Jesus to adopt. My husband and I were obedient to that call.

It was very scary leaving the country and although some bad things happened, our faith was strong. We were rewarded with two more beautiful children to raise for Him!

However, working and raising the children at an older age took its toll on me. Once again, the devil saw an opportunity. I crumbled from all the pressure becoming unable to handle raising the kids and all the related responsibilities. I became isolated from other adults and friends feeling so alone and stagnant. In retrospect, I see that I was continually pouring out nurture to the children, but was not being replenished within myself. I felt dried up inside. The result was my 30-year marriage ended.

With the love of my family and friends, I started repairing the damage I created. It has taken a few years and good people around me to learn how to appreciate my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Once I started reading my Bible again and surrounding myself with everything my Heavenly Father desired, I truly realized my gifts! I am finding my purpose! I am a child of GOD'S! The good news is, you are too!

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories Books - Not Good Enough for Anyone or Myself

He called me, “Peg Legs” and “Crippled.”
I dreaded every day of school and dropped out in my junior year.
I carried around toxic shame for years.

I grew up in a home with an alcoholic father. My mom went to church. The church we belonged to had strict rules. The move from a suburb to the country when I was in 5th grade was a dramatic change in my life. I moved from a hundred and five fifth graders in three classes to only 12 in my total class with both the 5th and 6th grade!

The spiral downward in my life began at that point when people started making fun of me for the way I walked. I inherited my mother's deformed feet. I had very high arches hammer toes and my ankles turned out with no support. The physical education teacher used to make me run around the gym so she could watch me run and make fun of me. There was a guy on the bus that I always tried to avoid because he called me, “Peg Legs” and “crippled.” I dreaded every day of school. I dropped out in my junior year.

When you internalize pain and live out of that, pain becomes toxic. It will affect the way you think and act about everything. I carried around toxic shame for years not feeling I was good enough for anyone or myself because of the way I walked and because of the guilt of divorce. Even as hard as I tried, I never felt I was good enough for God. I struggled inwardly all the time. The shame stayed with me.

We didn't attend church very often after we moved because we lived so far out in the country. I didn't really return to God until after I got married only to find my husband was not as interested in attending church. He became an alcoholic. There was a lot of verbal abuse during the marriage. He quit several jobs. His addictions became worse. He started using more drugs, stopped working and became violent at times, so the children and I left.

My church didn't believe in divorce and remarriage. I remarried quickly so I wouldn't feel the guilt or have anyone put guilt on me, only to find out what a mistake I had made in not waiting on God. I went to church with my girlfriend and was feeling so ashamed of my decision. My husband had left me two months after we were married. I closed my eyes during the service and opened my heart to God. When I did, I heard him speak to me. He said these words, "Whose child are you?" I said softly out loud, “I'm a child of the King.” He spoke with a loud clear voice and said, "Then you pull up a chair and sit at my table." I was never the same after that. I wanted to learn so much about the Lord. I started going to the ladies group and attending church. Then He began to use me. I've led several people to the Lord. One was my dad, who was saved two months before he died.

I still carried around the toxic shame for a number of years until finally one day I let go of it. I realized, “I'll never be good enough, no one is.” That's not what God wants. He just wants me to come to him anytime, anywhere, just as I am. Then I am at peace and He can teach me and use me. I raised my children on my own. I had three jobs at one time; small paying jobs. I was on food stamps a few times. But the lord always provided. I never thought I could get a house but I prayed and the Lord gave me a house on a government loan. I paid $200 down and got that back when I moved in. The owner paid for the closing costs and all that needed to be approved of before I moved in.

Later I was hired at a publishing company as a customer service representative. I didn't even think I could get that job. When my boss, the Customer Service Director got fired, the Marketing director called me into his old office one day, as I had been in there before, showing her some of things he did. She told me to have a seat. When I started to sit in a chair she said, “No, behind his desk!” I got his job! When she left, I started cutting and pasting, making flyers. I had never done anything like that in my life, and guess what! I got her job and his job!!! The Lord has used me in so many ways that I never thought possible.

My department closed after 14 years so I started my own business. I am now helping people in the marketplace to use their gifts for God. I still have the same feet but I don't have the shameful thoughts about them anymore. God can use anybody in any situation if you just let Him. All He wants is a willing heart. He will change situations and put you in places you never dreamed of. God doesn't remember our past sins. People do. But I believe the reason is so the Lord can show others how He has changed your life.

God doesn't want us to live out of shame or guilt. He wants us to live out of the gifts that He gave to us. We all have gifts from God! It's so much more rewarding letting Him use us. He gets all the praise for it. A quote I use often is, “I believe every person has exceptional gifts just waiting to be rewarded.”

So the next time you feel you're not good enough or you carry around guilt and shame for your past mistakes or even physical defects, let this be a reminder that God doesn't look at any of those things. He just looks at how much He loves you and at all the wonderful things that He can do in your life. He is a Gift Giver. GOD IS LOVE.

The more you embrace His peace and love, the more you will start seeing through new eyes and have hope for the calling in your life and find purpose. Don't worry about what it is. It will just happen. Just be you. Once you find God, He teaches you what love really is. You will learn to love yourself and let God love through you.

Everyone has something that they don't like about themselves; but the people who will accomplish more and are at peace, are the ones that let go of what they cannot change and what they regret. The Bible says, “TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” Let this be the day of no more toxic shame, no more guilt, no more regrets. See what it feels like for one day. I guarantee, you will want to live the next and the next and next, the same way.

I had one person say to me, “I have faith in you.” That was huge for me. No had ever said anything like that to me before. And I never said it to myself. I never understood why I couldn't overcome and do things like other people. I always had that guilt feeling on the inside. But now after letting go and letting God take my pain and shame, I look forward to my dreams, working and living for God.

Whoever is reading this, I want to say this to you, “I have faith in you!” But even greater, our God created you and He has such awesome plans for your life. Much more than you could ever imagine!! Let God be your peace. Release any guilt or shame to Him. He is our peace. Even say out loud... “God is my peace!” And you can't think negatively when you think on these things as the scripture says, so practice thinking in this way. It will increase your faith. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Be Free! John 8:36 so if the Son sets you free, you are truly free! And lastly begin to dream. Let the dream out of the box, (the guilt and shame box) and your gifts will make room for you to accomplish great things. Let God use you and be at peace. Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him; and brings him before great men.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

REAL LIFE STORIES BOOKS - YOU MEAN GOD APPOINTS US GIFTS

I wanted to be a nun … I always believed in God.
I watched as my parents argued and fought … they divorced.
My dad moved to another state and remarried without our knowledge.
My mom believed she was a lesbian and took a female partner.
I had to grow up quick.
I was so angry that I became a wrecking ball destroying myself.

Gifts, you mean God appoints us gifts? Somehow as a young person, I felt God helped me define the gifts He had for me early in life, but it has taken the rest of my life until now to realize that was what was happening. Raised Catholic and attending Catholic grade school, my biggest desire at that time was to be a nun. I always believed in God.

I knew Jesus was there. But at 10 years old, life was not so much fun anymore. I watched as my parents argued and fought. I saw my mom falling down a flight of stairs, my dad’s badly cut up finger, and then there was the gun! They divorced. Things kept deteriorating in my family that I didn’t understand. My dad moved to another state and remarried without our knowledge.

I could have been angry and bitter, but Jesus started teaching me the gift of taking “bad” and turning it to “good”. So I accepted that I had gained a new stepmom who had a good heart. She showed my brother and me that we didn’t lose a dad, but instead gained a new family.

My mom believed she was a lesbian and took a female partner. My mother became very ill with Lupus and was difficult to be around. Her new partner helped us to stay stable. However, my mom took lots of medicine which made her dysfunctional. I had to quickly grow up. That’s when new gifts of mine came forth – caregiving, running a household and, along with my brother, we became kennel kids to over 30 dogs.

My escape became high school. My brother was able to go on to Catholic high school on a grant. My parents felt I wasn't smart enough so I entered the public high school that was laced with drugs, and found myself trying to fit in somewhere. Here is the miracle; Jesus was guiding me patiently to good friends, great teachers, and my high school sweetheart who I later married.

Married life was good, providing stability as well as two "new parents" who loved me unconditionally. Jesus blessed us with two beautiful children to raise for Him!

After being married about 15-17 years, temptation came my way along with doubt. I realize the devil couldn't stand it any longer. I believed him and made regretful decisions that became harmful to me and to those I loved dearly. The devil also brought feelings and I began to believe that Jesus personally took my mother, my stepmother, mom’s partner, and hardest of all, my father-in-law, when they died. I believed the lie that it was my punishment because I had sinned.

I was so angry that I became a wrecking ball quickly destroying myself by doing things I never thought I would do.

But because of Jesus of love for me, He sent my best friend's father to help me realize Jesus truly loved me and that satan had lied. Receiving that revelation, I chose to believe Jesus loved me and to reject the lies of the enemy who only wanted to destroy me and all I loved.

I returned to church. Opportunities opened up for my family to start a Pawn Shop business.When my children left for college, I felt the call from Jesus to adopt. My husband and I were obedient to that call.

It was very scary leaving the country and although some bad things happened, our faith was strong. We were rewarded with two more beautiful children to raise for Him!

However, working and raising the children at an older age took its toll on me. Once again, the devil saw an opportunity. I crumbled from all the pressure becoming unable to handle raising the kids and all the related responsibilities. I became isolated from other adults and friends feeling so alone and stagnant. In retrospect, I see that I was continually pouring out nurture to the children, but was not being replenished within myself. I felt dried up inside. The result was my 30-year marriage ended.

With the love of my family and friends, I started repairing the damage I created. It has taken a few years and good people around me to learn how to appreciate my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Once I started reading my Bible again and surrounding myself with everything my Heavenly Father desired, I truly realized my gifts! I am finding my purpose! I am a child of GOD'S! The good news is, you are too!

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/

Real Life Stories Books - Mom Tried to Warn Me

I Thought I Knew Better.
I was stubborn and bull headed…

Born in 1938, my early childhood was spent mostly around family - aunts and uncles who lived next to us and down the street. It seemed like the whole neighborhood was my relatives. Even the school I went to was right across the street from my house. I grew up thinking I was a good boy, until I heard from my sister later on what I had done to my cousin. It seems that I clobbered her with a baseball bat! I remember every Sunday we would dress up and go to church. Afterward, the whole family would have dinner at home with Grandma and Grandpa.

On November 12, 1950, I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. In 1957, I graduated from High School. I spent two years in the Navy from 1960-1962 and another two years in electronic school. Finally, my dad got me a job at U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana and I worked there until it was shut down.

As a child, I loved roller skating and enjoyed going to different rinks in the area. I joined a hockey team and thought I was pretty good. That idea lasted until some older guys who had played ice hockey up near Chicago joined in the team!

When I was 28, I met a girl who was 10 years younger than me. We wanted to get married. My mom was opposed to it, warning me against marrying her, because she was not a believer and because she was too young. I was stubborn and bull headed. I did not listen, and we married anyway. We had two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. I took them to Sunday school, but my wife stayed home. The marriage lasted ten years. In 1975, she filed for a divorce. This sent me on a downhill spiral. I became a sex maniac. I started living the single life, drinking, moving in with my brother, and buying a Corvette. I decided to join the Playboy Club, even going up to Geneva, Illinois a couple times. I joined a ski club, played volleyball, and hit all the bars. I wanted to go all out. I decided women were “my thing” and that I was a type of “Hugh Hefner.” I started to hang around a couple of guys in the ski club who gambled, smoked pot, and drank. They were the guys always having a good time. Party, party! You could always find us in the bar.

In 1989, one day while playing volleyball at my club, one of the players started to swear at me. I said to myself, “I don’t have to stand here and take this.” So I left. I just turned my back and walked away from it all. I asked myself what I was doing there, and it was like a light came on. I suddenly saw myself as The Prodigal. Like him, I finally came to my senses. I realized what I had done and decided to go home. I had a feeling someone knew I would become a rebellious backslide and had prayed that I would return. That day their prayers were answered.

“...And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:13-14

I started attending church again, committing my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I asked the Lord to forgive my rebellion and disobedience. I turned from my sins, confessing them publicly and surrendered my life, my will, and my all to the Lord Jesus Christ.

I said, “Lord Jesus, I need you in my life, I need to hear you.” In the midst of the crowd of other people’s voices, I heard Him call my name, showing me His Holy Spirit, that beautiful Dove from heaven.

He filled me with His love, setting me free from alcohol, drugs, pornography, and all the addictions I had indulged myself in. I thank my God and Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, for His mercy and love. I’m so grateful and thankful to Him for not giving up on me, a rebellious and backsliding child.

If you’re addicted to sex, alcohol, pornography, or anything else, just as Jesus helped me, He wants to help you. If you made mistakes at a young age like I did, it’s not too late to change. If you’re tired of the party life, the playboy life, ski clubs, and the bar scene, you can choose to change today.

In Him is forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Jesus wants you to have eternal life too. Only He can save you from the wrath of God that will come upon the world. Jesus died for you so that you may live. Jesus took your sin upon Himself so you can receive His righteousness. You have to surrender to Jesus as Lord and King. Trust Jesus to help you, guide you, teach you, and keep you. He promises to be with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. Even when life seems most difficult, Jesus will be there for you. He is the Eternal One, your Refuge, and underneath all the circumstances are His everlasting arms. Jesus is peace, pure perfect peace. For there is only one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified to in due time.

The Bible says: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart, one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues toward deliverance.”

Call out to Jesus today. May the Lord of all the earth, hear your prayer in your time of need, and bless you exceedingly with His presence.

Real Life Stories Christian Testimony Books
Jim and Carla Barbarossa
Phone: 219-762-7589
Email: jimbarbarossa7@gmail.com or jim@step-by-step.org
Website: https://www.reallifestoriesbooks.com/