life stories > andy wins
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delivered from drugs ~ now living a dream |
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“You know, on reflection, I really couldn’t have asked for a better upbringing. I had an abundance of love and a Christian church family in St Helens'. Unfortunately, like many, I found church boring and hard to understand. However I had a lot of fun and adventure in the boys brigade and youth club.
As the years moved on and I went through senior school but didn’t seem to fit in. Because of my Christian up-bringing I became a target for bullying. I really tried to connect, but it seemed as if people did not want me too. As the months passed I became hard hearted and bitter towards my family and the church. So I began to break-away from all these things. I decided to find a new pathway in life, one that I did not know much about. But that made it all the more appealing. Because my new found 'so called' friends were more accepting, I experienced a new drive in life. I took up smoking cigarettes and quickly moved to cannabis. Now I finally fitted into the rave scene. Between the age of 18 to 30, I'd taken almost every drug there is to take and burnt so many bridges I had none left to cross. I became completely incapable of love and I only showed interest if I was getting something out of it. Surprisingly, I would cry out to God and he would bring me out of horrible and dark situations and put people across my path that would guide me back to Him and the church. At these times I would experiences Jesus reassuring me and sense His strong love for me. These times were so real. |
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These power encounters began to healed my wounds. However I needed to face some stuff in my life that I didn’t want too, so I was straight back into my old ways. Each time this happened things became worse and worse. I was living in a downward spiral of brokenness, drinking, drug abuse and emotional emptiness. Finally I found myself once more facing a horrible situation and knew deep down that this time was going to be the last for me. I cried out to the Lord knowing that it had to change for good this time. No more half measures. God faithfully brought people back into my life who’d helped me in the past. We began to work on the root causes of my problems. One day I went to a local church where I was shown a DVD about a place called Betel [A Christian rehab centre]. As I watched, it became crystal clear to me that this was what I needed ~ a new experience in the Lord to deliver me and save my life. I went. 12 months in Betel changed every part of me and I now stand in awe of Gods mercy and grace in my life. I came off drink and drugs and the negative attitudes and behaviour were broken off me. My father stood with me as I transitioned from an angry, violent, depressed, suicidal mess of a man, into a new creation. He had amazing love and compassion for me. I found freedom, love, and eternal life. My future has never looked so good. The Lord has restored me. He’s restored my family. Restored me to my wife to be. And given me a new job doing what I love. I'm really happy. So many friends. I know Jesus has saved me and set me free for good."
Connecting people to God |
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