The song "One Life to Love" was the only song that saved me through the process of my husband trying to commit suicide. It's been a year since he tried to the day - and still I listen to that song and its the only song that brought me strength to hold on and cry my eyes out and it paid off.
Thank you

My God has been my rock, in everything I have gone through in my life.
I married a man I hardly knew, only because I was a single mom who felt trapped with no way out. A few months after I got married I found out I was pregnant with my son. We moved to Tennessee where my husband was from, not long after we moved here my husband started beating me. I was a strong woman, but this situation seemed to change me. I finally decided to pack up my childern and whatever I could in a little car and drive home to California. I made it, but I still struggled with what had just happend to me. I had to look in to my two young children's eyes and wonder how I was going to make it. This is when God and his mercy came to my rescue. I found my hope, joy and peace within his loving arms. He gave me strength to pick myself up and put the pieces back together. I am glad to say that I am still married to the same man, who is the love of my life, and we have three wonderful children. I am very involved with church, live life with all my heart, and thank God for his power to change my situation and make something that was so ugly, beautiful. I know he smiles on us for not giving up on each other. Our family is happy and whole with God in the middle of it all.

Hi, I don't know if you ever get messages from older listeners but I am one. I have 50 years of stories to tell. There is so much. I even have 4 grown kids worth of stories, more than stories but precious lives sculpted by our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
I love your music. I just heard this song today for the first time and it has definitely ministered to me. I needed that.
I also want you to know that I have been reading these other messages that people have written to you and am greatly encouraged by their stories and love for the Lord.
The awesome power of our God is beyond our imagination. His presence in my life has held me tight and kept me sane when it seemed I could not go on. I am so grateful for all He is to me.

Thank you for walking God's path for you and touching so many lives for Jesus!

A little under a year ago I got engaged and was at the happiest I've ever been in my life. Shortly after, he was sent to Iraq on a deployment with the Marines. Since then I was diagnosed with a life altering health condition that I still don't have under control. Last month I was also diagnosed with another unrelated life altering condition. These problems effect my daily life and wear down on me physically and mentally because of the constant miserable state I'm in every day. I thought I had reached the end of my rope to be able to handle this when I got a phone call from my fiance with news that not only has changed our lives but has seriously made me question our future together.
With all these things on my mind it has taken its toll physically to where I have an extremely hard time functioning in my daily life. I thought I was having yet another physical problem but went to the doctor and was prescribed depression medication.
I went to the summerfest concert in Asheville this past Wed. and the whole experience really uplifted me. But when you sang HOLD ON the tears really flowed. That song is exactly what I needed to hear. To go from extremely happy to feeling like I'm at rock bottom feels like I'm being pulled under from a wave and cant seem to keep my head up long enough to catch a breath. I had forgotten to hold to God's hand and know He's there pulling me through.
I can't thank you enough for the reminder.

My husband, Randy, passed away on May 19th. I have two boys (Austin 8 and Andrew 2). This song has been so encouraging. I heard it on a Christian music channel through my sattelite tv. It was encouraging to me. Randy was a very godly man and I know as well as my 8 year old where he is now. His life has blessed so many people, and through his death, several people have become Christians (around 5 people at his funeral were saved). That makes it worth it all and I know that is what Randy would have wanted. It has been hard for his family left behind, but we are strengthened each day by God's peace. We have so many wonderful Christian friends and family supporting us. God has been good. I am living proof that you can still hear Jesus calling in the midst of the storm. Thanks for this song! It has been a great encouragement to me.

Cindy Sandford

You guys released this song at the right moment. God has used it greatly in my life over the last couple of weeks. My wife and I have been going through a very rough time and this song has helped keep me going and knowing that I'm not alone. Jesus was and still is right next to me, carrying me through it all.
Now my wife and I are doing far better than we have ever been and God is back in the center of our marriage, where He belongs. He is bringing us out of the storm!

I just want to thank you guys for being obedient to God with your music. God has really touched my life through your music and through you guys.
May God continue to use you and bless you greatly!

Hi everyone, I’m writing from sunny South Africa – even in the middle of winter we are experiencing these most beautiful blue sky days.

On the 19th of January, 2006, four guys (robbers) entered our family home @ 19:00 and killed the most important person in my life – my loving husband Andre. They took nothing and although me and my two boys (aged 9 and 11 at that stage) were also in the house, it was God’s will that the only person who had his life 100% in order with his wonderful creator and God was taken. The 3 of us were spared by the will of God and the guys left without so much as touching us, which is very rare in this violent country.

Since my husband’s death, God has been with us in such a strong way - resulting in a renewal of my faith. I don’t think this renewal would have taken place if my husband didn’t die – proving once again that God uses even the worst of situations for good.

33Miles – heard your music today for the first time and LOVING IT!!!! You guys ROCK.

Thank you being so genuine and so connected to Christ. An aquaintance committed suicide and I couldn't quite get past it. I followed the band and I knew him as much as any fan. Then he was gone. First from the band and then from this earth. I couldn't really ask my questions to the other band members and the rest was hearsay. There was a lot of guilt, although, I couldn't really claim to have a close enough relationship for that. Finally, I heard a message using Psalm 84:4-5 and I had to realize that my heart had been on pilgrimmage through a vally that I could never prepare for. I must praise Him in the storm, forgive the loss, and believe he would have chosen differently if he'd known more fully. I ran to Christ at first, but He only sustains as I continue to draw near to him. Also, in the process, I've learned not to shut friends out.

I just got out of a relationship recently that was a difficult time for me.
I was starting to get down but, I saw your concert at Ft. Leavenworth, KS and I realized I only get one life to live and JESUS is the reason I'm alive. So, I can sit here and feel sorry for myself or I can move on to what my Calling really is.

Thank you for your music. I'm so grateful every day that God sent Jesus to the cross to save me. He is the reason that I won't give up my Faith!

-Brandy

The first time I ever really prayed in my life was the second day my father had been in a coma. I stopped my mother as we were going in to visit him and asked if we could pray. Dad had taken us to church, but neither he nor I really knew the Lord. We saw Dad and left. The next day, one of the elders of a small interdenominational church, who had been coming to the house to do Bible studies with my mother because she was in a wheelchair, came and prayed for my father. In the middle of the prayer, Dad woke up and said, "Hallelujah!" and "Amen" at the end of the prayer. He was out of the hospital the next day. I had a friend who was a nurse there who told me they wouldn't have given a nickel for his life the day before. When I took Mom to that church to thank Carl for praying, God's Spirit was so evident as the congregation was singing "Jesus, Name above all names" when we walked up to the door. I broke down in tears, realizing what I had been missing all my life. Glory!
I heard a song that never became popular, "Truly Amazing" by Steven Marshall, and I thought that if 33 Miles would do it, I believe people would take notice. See what you think. God bless.

I thought that at this point in my life (mid 30's) that I would have this life all figured out. Know what I mean??

This is a very challenging time in my life. You know one of those times when you ask "Lord, could you just come back NOW?" times. There has been family and friends with major health issues, personal family things, and personal self issues that seem never ending. God has been faithful and seems to send a friend, a song, or something someone has written, just when it seems that there is no hope. Thank you Jesus, for your faithfulness. Sometimes we just need to sit back and be silent and listen to that still small voice.....

I have been in and out of the hospital many times in the past couple of years. I'm struggling with a disease that is leaving me paralyzed, but I have found so much comfort in God--many times through the words and music of your songs. "Hold On" has been one of those songs that really has touched my life. When the words come on...

"I'm by your side until the end
Until you're standing tall again
I'm here, I'll always be here

And if the tide sweeps you out to sea
When your strength is gone
And it's hard to believe"


...tears automatically come to my eyes, then my eyes turn to heaven. It's such an amazing reminder that my strength comes from the Lord. I don't even have the strength to stand, but am so mighty IN HIM!!!
This past week was a profound week for me in realizing that God has called me to use my circumstance for His Glory. I've been waiting until I was feeling better to be used in the ways I thought He was calling me...I finally realized THIS is my calling for right now.
Thank you for allowing God to use you in my life.

When my husband and his mom kicked me out of the house, wanting a divorce, I thought that was all there was to life. My heart was broken. I didn't know that I could feel so bad ever. I had been working hard for my husband to be able to move, working 2 jobs and going to school. I had decided that I had wanted to spend more time with my husband, so I quit my 2nd job. Well, it hit me hard. I loved this guy with all my heart. There was to be no other guy. Well I had turned to God and music to help me. I had heard your song but never thought of the words. Then one day I listened to the words and they melted my heart. I had thought my world was falling, that I couldn't hear God. This song came at the right time and brought me closer to God. Thanks for having the ministry to write a song to touch many.

hey,

First, I would like to say your music is awesome. One trial God put me through was with my mother. She would verbally and physically abuse me and my twin sister. God saw that and now I am happy with my grandparents and my friends.

Hey. I've been saved for over two years now and it's been a fight. I am now being tested for seizures and TIA's. I litearlly experienced Jesus calling. We came out of Wal Mart on a Saturday in March and saw a big flash of forked lightning and thunder loud like 10 pounds of fireworks. We got in our car and started to leave and it started hailing. I'm glad God kept us safe and that when it's falling apart HE STILL REIGNS!

I have been anemic since I was 16 and this year I will turn 24. The past eight years have been like life has never been exiting. I have been so weak it's hard to even get myself to bathroom. I live in Pakistan. I was diagnosed with TB and as a cancer patient and was treated accordingly, but neither of these were my case. Last year in November, my father's friend suggested I should get an HB test. My HB was 5.3; not even half of the normal quantity. Doctors were surprised at how I am managing to work and study with this terrible health condition. But I know that there is my TRIUNE GOD who has given me unknown strength for the past eight years. I praise the Lord that this year in March my HB report was 12.60 and I haven't used someone else's blood to raise my HB. I have accepted Christ as my Savior and that He died in my place. My friends in Christ, this is all what GOD wants from us - believe. Believe that HE was really crucified to set us free. If God has shown Himself faithful to me then He will also be merciful to those who seek Him. There is a victory in the blood of Christ. At last I would like to thank you "33 miles" for providing an opportunity to share my story with other believers of Jesus!

Hey Ya'll, first of all; Thanks be to God for sending His Son to save a wretch like me! And thank you for your encouraging music. I know in my heart that Jesus has called you to minister to our world through your music. You have done so much to help so many through your music, again THANK YOU & PRAISE GOD!!
For the past ten years or so I have struggled with depression, and for those that struggle with depression you know just how debilitating it can be to go through. But there is encouragement through Christ Jesus to never give up. He didn't give up on me so how can I give up on Him? I can't. I finally got that a couple of months ago. I started reading a book called ~ Never give up ~ written by Joyce Meyer.
I was struggling with not being able to forgive myself for the mistakes I had made. And in reading this book I realized that if Jesus and others I have hurt can forgive me; I can forgive me. I had to let go completely in order to move on; to further my relationship with my Father, otherwise I would never "grow up". For weeks prior to finally letting go He was speaking to me, through others (though not directly to me), when they would say "it's ok to forgive yourself".
Satan still creeps in every now and again and tries to discourage me by telling me that I will never truly be forgiven, but I know better. And I know that until the day that I go home to be with Jesus Christ I am going to "go through stuff", but it means that I am still moving forward; I am not "stuck". So, PRAISE BE TO GOD THAT HE ALLOWS US TO GROW STONGER IN HIM "THROUGHOUT" OUR "LIFE STORMS"!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless you 33Miles and your ministry. And praise God anyway for our "storms", because He will strengthen those that are in Him.
Your Sister in Christ
LeAnn
Boise, ID

Hey Guys,
I am from Schenectady, New York, and I am 14 years old. For a long time I didnt think God had a purpose for my life. I was always stressed and felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I felt like me being around wasn't doing anyone any good and that they would be better off without me. And as much as I would pray, I just never felt like God heard my prayers. Then one day my best friend Taylor (she is Korean and was adopted) gave me a letter at school and told me not to open it until I got home. So when I got home from school, I opened it and it said things along the lines of, "You have made such an impact on my life...before I met you I had been thinking about suicide, but then we met and you changed my life and I no longer want to...you have brought God into my life and you are the best friend I have ever had...I can be a brat sometimes but no matter what I do or what I say, you always seem to understand and there are times when I really thought I had done it this time you know? I had made a HUGE scene in front of you with my parents and stormed off and was mad at you...I figured you would be done with me, but you just came and talked to me about what I did and helped me to understand that I'm in control of my actions. I couldn't believe that you were still my friend after that! You are a true friend!" I have had more than one person say I changed their mind about suicide before! I KNEW then that God has a plan for me and I could feel God smiling down on me! The songs "Jesus Calling" and "My Offering" have helped me to understand more about God and how He is always their and about how unfailing His love is! Thank You 33Miles!!!!!!!

It started when my dad picked me up from school. It was unusually quiet. He told my sister and I once we got home that my 40 year old aunt had died unexpectedly. I was crushed. We were incredibly close. They never could figure out what exactly killed her, but they had suspisions about her maybe being murdered! It was a very tough time for me because not even a month later, my grandpa was hit by a car and killed. More people were passing away in my family so that by the end of May of that year, 5 people we were so close to were gone. Your song, "Hold On" really impacted me. Thank you for what you guys do. I hope God blesses you in so many ways.

I just wanted to say you guys have been my favorite group ever since I first heard one of your songs on our Christian radio stations. I ordered your first CD (since it was the only one out at the time) and immediately connected with the song Hold On. My sister has been very ill with lyme disease for almost 4 years, to the point where she is considered disabled. She and her family have gone through many trials with her sickness and have lost their home due to her not being able to work. In March of this year, she took a drastic change for the worst and was hospitalized on and off for over a month. She couldn't eat or drink so she had to be hooked up to IV's all the time and the doctors couldn't figure out what to do to help her. We didn't know if she was dying or what - no one seemed to have any answers for us. Near the beginning of her battle with lyme, I had burned her off a CD with all my favorite encouraging songs and Hold On was on there. Through her trial, she played that song over and over and it was like the song was speaking right to her. Her heart would just pound because she was so scared and the words "when your heart beats like thunder, just give me your hand" helped to comfort her. I'm so happy to report that my sister is on the road to recovery because finally a doctor discovered a chemical imbalance caused by the lyme disease and she's slowly getting better. I praise the Lord for my sister's better health and I praise him for you guys and your ministry. That song means so much to my family now and I can't hear it without crying. I saw you guys last night in Wausau, WI and I didn't get a chance to meet you, but I wanted to let you know what a blessing your music is. Thank you!

Current mood: peaceful
Category: Writing and Poetry
“The Crying of the Homeless"

By Ted Mason....

This is my story in a poem. Enjoy! It makes me cry after all the blessing i have after being homeless ......

December 12, 2002


.. ..


Why is our cry not heard? Do not the people of this City hear us speak? You pass us by and not say hi. Are we not human too? We hurt, we cry, we bleed blood too. Why do our brothers and sisters just keep walking on by? Why can’t someone stop and help us? We are no different than you. We are in need of a place to rest and desire a place to call home and food to eat. It is not always easy for us to ask you for help. We are humble ones, not a people of great honor, but a people who need compassion shown unto us. Do you not have a heart, do you not have eyes to see our need. Do you not know the one who is in control of you’re everything, Jesus? He is our greatest provider. He cares for our every need and that is why he sent us to cross your path today. Are you going to stop and help or are you just going to pass us by again? Who knows you might even receive a blessing for your help today. By helping us you are in fact helping the Lord. Did our Lord not have compassion on you? Did he not answer your prayers? Did he not call you to the Harvest? Did he not heal your hurting and broken heart? So why not answer the call before you to help your brother who is in great need. Amen

My family is a great Christian family, and this being so, I went to church every week. I wasn't intrested in it though. Even in that, I learned and gained some wisdom. I was happy and content with my life. I had best friends, and I never thought they would leave me. My cousin, Matthew, was my best friend and companion since we were born, so why should I think otherwise? Boy, was I wrong.

In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina messed up my life. Me and my cousins (our families are extremely close. We do most activities together) evacuated to Arkansas. After a week, my family ran out of money, so we returned to Louisiana. My cousin's family stayed in Arkansas.

The next two years were difficult. Upon returning to school, I realized that I had no friends now, and I got depressed. During these two years, I turned away from the God I had learned. I proclaimed to be an on-fire Christian, but deep down, I knew where I was going. I put a happy face on whenever anyone was around to hide my depression. A year and a half after Katrina, my cousins returned, but they were not the same. The lovable companion I had was no more and now his family was in ruin. Seeing my cousin so changed and different deepened my depression as I had not changed at all. The deepened depression made me suicidal. I never tried to take my life though, but I did think about it every day.

Finally I broke, I laid on my kitchen floor staring at the knives. 'Wouldn't it be easier to just end all this?' was the thought that ran through my head. It was then I remebered all the words people had told me as a kid in church. I remember them talking about what a future I had in store. I took surviving the pain for that future. I got up and returned to bed.

From then on, I had this weird peace. I still was depressed, but not as severe. Finally in January 2007, my sister invited me to my church's youth service. They had a special event happening that day, so I went. The message that was preached didn't affect me much, but my parents, seeing as I had gone once, forced me to go every week. I got into a habit of ignoring the message and during opening worship, I stood by the speakers and sung the words.

One day, the pastor said something that caught my attention. Those words and the message afterwards have long since been forgotten. During the altar call, I wanted to go up, but stayed behind and watched. But nothing was the same. Now everytime I stood in front of those speakers, the blasts of the music beats didn't sound the same. I imagined my heart being covered in stone, and the music beat as the stone to break through. After a few weeks of hearing that same message preached over and over from different sources, I had enough and went to the altar.

When I walked out of that building I felt so free, so open, so great. I was so excited for my new life. No more depression, no more suicidal thoughts! No more misery! I WAS FREE!

And here I stand today. I have gone through many problems and many storms, but I never will give up. I have been a true Christian for 2 years now. I'm 14 and living it strong. I have some regrets, some fears, but I won't let them stay. I will not return to the place I have come from. My cousin's family is still torn and ravaged, but I am believing for a breakthrough. My cousin Matthew is now intrested in church and goes every week, but we do not have that same relationship. In due time, we will be friends again. Patience is a virtue. Thanks 33 Miles for so many awesome songs! They help me a lot in these days with my cousins. God Bless!

i would love my husband to sing one time to love at my babtizem june 27 do u guys have a kareoke of this song

This past year has been really rocky for me--my sister and I became co-music directors @ my church after an unexpected resignation of our current music director. It's been a huge challenge and at times I've felt like I couldn't do it--my priorities have totally changed and I constantly have to make sure that I stay on top of my spiritual life because I'm in a new position of leadership. This past weekend was a great time of renewal for me. I finally realized that no matter what, God asks me to put Him first and not worry about anything else! I'm so thankful that there is a God that I know that I can look to! 33 Miles--I love country music, and I have to say that you guys are an inspiration to me that you can be Christian-Country and have great music! I've thought about trying it out in Country music--but always wondered how that would be as a Christian--but you guys have totally shown me that you don't have to give up on your convictions and disregard your calling to fulfill a dream!! Keep up the good work--you're an example and an encouragement.

Wow. You guys will be in Marion, IL next week and this song could not be anymore timely...so like the Father!

It is as though the chorus was written while I was under my kitchen table in Marion, IL during our "inland hurricane" of May 8, 2009! I realize that most of the storms in our life are that of an emotional nature, and that the "storms" are the circumstances in our lives that we go through...however, this was an actual storm in which, indeed, that "still, small voice" spoke to me. I am a teacher, but happened to be home that afternoon because of my daughter in law's college graduation. As I sat at my kitchen table contemplating my "fashion choices" for the graduation I was watching the radar from my laptop. Since losing our home in the tornado of '82, I always put my purse on my shoulder and hook my dog on his leash. The wind began to pick up at an incredible speed and sound and the electricity went off. I then heard Abba Father say to me, "Tamara Sue, get under the kitchen table." Once we got under, a 150 year old oak tree came crashing down, breaking through the living room, family room, and the kitchen...right above the table at which I had been sitting just moments earlier. So, I literally..saw the rushing wind, felt the pouring rain,heard the thunder as the clouds rolled in...heard that still, small voice saying it's okay, that I was not alone and yes, I was scared to death...but I knew He would not let me go...and yes, I did think the sky above was falling..but indeed heard Jesus calling! We are in a rental now, waiting for our home to repaired and rebuilt. God has been so provisional. It has been hard watching our home of 22 years change and be torn up...but our choice is to see the glory of God in all of this and HE is to be glorified. He never leaves us through any type of storm, and He has gotten me through many. I had heard the song several times, but the Father has certainly used it to confirm that love once again. Bless you!
IN CHRIST ALONE

Where do i start? There has been so many times in my life where God has showed his faithfulness. About December 2008 close to Christmas time i went to a Christmas dinner with my youth group. When it was over, a lot of us walked over to the Starbucks right across the street. Well, when we were there I had my fist thought of suicide. It was so crazy, because i new it was the devil giving me that thought, because Jesus brings peace. And when that happened, i was already having a difficult time in my walk with the Lord. I was also so depressed for almost 6 months. Sometimes it would be so bad i just wanted to give up on God and actually commit suicide. But praise God he brought me through. Whenever i had those thoughts and feelings i knew God was always there, because people would text me and encourage me and tell me they are prayin for me when they didnt even know what i was going through. I just want to encourage you guys by telling you that when you go through a difficult time, just trust God and he will bring you through. Thank you for your songs. I especially love the song "Hold On" i love this song

I'm 14 years old. My grandfather had to have surgery on his knees' and I didn't know if it was going to go good or not. I used my faith in Jesus and thankfully he heard me and my grandfather pulled through great. A few days later my six year old cousin got pneumonia and he has a disease that there is no cure for yet. So i prayed and asked God to watch over him so he could come home and be a litte boy. He came home and he is doing great but he still has the disease. I thank God for forgiveness and love cause i would be nothing without him today!!!!:)

4 years ago a tragedy happened. I lost my grandma, the person who was always there for me. She left me and that hurt a whole lot. It still hurts today, but i cant bring her back and that hurts even worse. My grandma was my best friend and I don't have many friends. I'm one of those kids who is all by herself. All I have is my family, and my friends zach and bailey, and of course my animals. When I found out my grandma died, I immediately went to my room screaming. I was so mad. I thought God wasn't there for me anymore. But I dont think that anymore. I just wish life wouldn't be that hard sometimes. I'm still trying to get through my grandma's death, and sometimes I need help. Hopefully, God will help me.

Jesus has been so faithful in my life in so many ways. It is amazing and it is so hard to pick just one time where He has been faithful but I will. For the longest time in my life I never ever thought I would be where I am today with an amazing and wonderful guy that God has completely and totally blessed me with. Before now I had gone through so many bad relationships where I was hurt. My first relationship before I knew Christ took me on a path that was so destructive. I ran away from home to be with this guy and ended up going back to my parents when he wasn't able to pay rent. After that point I turned my life over to Christ and things changed. I ended up meeting a guy at my church who I cared for a lot but he didn't feel the same about me. He basically told me one day he was just using me because he needed someone to hang with and I was always so willing. When it ended it again was for the better but I was a bit devestated wondering when things would eventually work out for me. Then last year in February someone in my church ended up setting me up with some guy and we went out for a little over a month until he decided he didn't like me that way and ended up going out with my best friend. That was a horrible time and at one point I wondered if I would ever make it. Then I just decided to give my life completely over to God. I gave Him all of myself because through all of the pain I could always hear Christ comforting me and pouring His love onto me. Now I am where I am now. God has blessed me with an amazing guy who finally sees me for the person I am on the inside and loves me for me. It is so different because our life is centered around Christ and we have devoted our lives to Him and by doing that things work so much better than when we try to run our lives ourselves. Give your life to Christ and watch everything in your life be transformed. And remember that through all of the pain their is true beauty waiting at the end.

On 3-25-06 I received a call that my 18 year old son had been in a car accident. My son was the light of my life. He was sweet, had a smile that could light up a room, was compassionate, 6'5" and 250 lbs., and was responsible. He didn't drink or do drugs. His plan was to become an attorney. His whole life was ahead of him, but that wasn't what God had planned. He took John home. Even though I believed, I didn't "get it". Thankfully, my dear friend did get it. She gently coaxed me to attend her church and in June of 2006 I received the holy spirit. He has comforted me and given me the gift of knowing that John is in his loving arms. My brother and father have both gone home as well..and I'm sure John saw them at the gate and cheered.

hi! i am 12 (just turned 12). I usually don tell people this but i have sickle cell disease it makes have a lot of pains but even though i am going through pains i still hear Jesus Calling! I am very thankful because i have a good family and a good church. I thank God for all he has done for me.

Thank you

sorry my story is too long for me to type.The reason i am e mailing you is i was wondering if there is any way to get the split track to Jesus calling? thank you and God bless!

At 17 and a would be High School Graduate of the Class of 2000, my daughter Brianna Faith and 2 other girlfriends were in a fatal auto accident in Dallas, TX on I-635 & Coit Lane. It instantly claimed the life of 1 of the three, and Brianna lived through half of the 2nd day following when we were informed there was no brain activity. This lead us to the very difficult dilemma of removing all life support devices. Our family was absolutely crushed, heart broken to the point of total confusion. I can specifically remember the mental dullness I felt as my family and I drove 3 hours from Shreveport, LA to Dallas reaching Baylor Medical Center at approximately 5 a.m. the next morning. As I walked from the elevator door in the ICU waiting area I walked face to face with my family's Associate Pastor, Steve Wilson and his precious wife Debbie from Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA. Also there was my younger sister who happened to be in Dallas for a Soccer Tournament, the Wilson family, and another Summer Grove family (deacon and wife) who were there for the weekend as well. Immediately, I felt the awesome strength of God with the presence of His servants, there to express concern, love and stand firm with us. Whatever we were to face from this point, we would face with God and these precious people step by step. I was crushed but not nearly to the extent that God was crushed. I also knew the very pain that God must have had when His Son gave His life for all that I had done, was doing, and will ever do that does not honor Him. I will never forget as we sat there among many youth, family, and friends, the overwhelming presence of God with me and my family. And as the Student Minister, Paul Mints of Summer Grove Baptist shared the Word of God and His love for all in spite of what wrong they had done in their life, there were young people that then and there made life changing decisions to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Joy and peace came over us as I've never experienced and suddenly I could look at this horrible period in my life as how many lives that were being changed and impacted forever. Believe me, I have difficult days at the age of 55 now, but because I know where Brianna dwells today and that she sits at the feet of Jesus, I remain at peace and KNOW with absolutely no doubt where my final home is and whom I will share it with. David & Patti Carmical, Shreveport, LA

Hi guys! It's Sherry from Addison Alabama. You may not remember me but I put on the Rise Up concert that ya'll played last July 18th. You stayed in my lake house. I've got a story to share that has recently happened in my life. My dad was 69 years old and had not been saved. Last December 10th he was in an auto accident with 2 of his sisters. No one was seriously injured, but it certainly opened daddy's eyes to how short life can be. While in the emergency room dad accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior! Praise be to God!!! But, that's not all, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversay on March 7th. They went to Orange Beach for their anniversay and on March 10th dad got very sick. After a painful, sleepless night, he let mom take him to the local medical clinic, where the Dr. took one look and sent him straight to the hospital in an ambulance. After several hours of surgery, the Dr. came out and gave us the grave news we weren't expecting. Daddy had several gall stones which initially caused his attack, but while in surgery, they found his colon had perforated and spilled into his abdomen and he had a cancerous tumor in his colon which ruptured during surgery. They had to remove his entire colon and do an illiostomy with his small intestine. His condition worsened during surgery and they could not remove the gall bladder. The Dr. gave him a 0% chance of surviving the night. My sisters and I had took off for the 5 hour trip as soon as mom had called and said that they were going to the hospital. We prayed the entire time we were on the road and had every church and prayer warrior we knew praying as well. We read every scripture we could think of relating to healing and claimed his healing. Dad did survive the night and was doing so well until 3 days later when his gall bladder became gangreous and he had to have emergency surgery to remove it and the surgeon told us he was going to biopsy spots that were showing on his liver. My family went to the chapel, a place we spent many tearful hours, and prayed fervently for God to heal him and for the scripture of confirmation. The Lord gave me Psalms 41 as a comfort. What a blessing!!! I knew right then and there that He wasn't through with daddy! When the Dr. came back in after the surgery, he said that there were no spots on the liver to biopsy. They had disappeared!
Daddy's first words when his trach came out was "God is Great!" Amen!!! He told us that he had been sleeping with Jesus instead of mom while he was so sick and unconscious. We knew that Jesus had certainly been with him too! We prayed continually over daddy and after he woke up he remembered us doing that and had us continue every time we got to go back to visit!
Daddy had 5 surgeries the first 3 weeks. He spent 6 weeks in ICU then 2 more in Birmingham in rehab. He's back home getting better and stronger every day! We're still praying and daddy is witnessing to everyone he knows is lost! The Lord is so wonderful! We knew that even though we were in the deep valley, we could look up to the top of the mountain and see the Great Physician with His Son at His Side by whose stripes we are ALL HEALED!!!

First of all. Jesus is and has always has been faithful. He has been faithful to me ever since I called on Him to be my Savior. He has never and will not ever let me down. He is faithful when I am not. In a time of history when it seems that this world is unraveling as Christ said, there is Hope. Jesus Christ is the only security we have. I have not went through the storms that many people have. So as I write this my heart goes out to the countless people that are expieriencing some storm in their life right now. But I have experienced Him in so many blessed ways. As my daughter Brooke graduated from high school this year, we reflected on this occasion with many family and friends. During this time the story of her birth in our Chevy pickup on the way to the hospital came up many times. This was just an opportunity again to share how He provides and is in control. This was a time in my life when I totally trusted in the Lord to see me through. I feel He allows us to go through things to make us give all to Him. He allowed me to deliver my daughter when I, as the song says, was scared to death. He is Worthy of all praise. I love Him so much.

hi

I had been told all of my life, by my mother, my grandmother and others that if a person was divorced and remarried they were commiting adultery. This is true the Bible says so. So when my first husband and I divorced and I remarried I thought I was bound for Hell. The devil was really beating me up about this and was dragging me so low I stayed in a constant state of depression. Then one day, I was standing at my kitchen sink washing dishes and this small still voice whispered in my ear "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE." Instantly, a great heavy burden was lifted from my sholders and i felt normal again. He did not say it was right, but that he was with me through all things.

I have always know of Jesus as far as I can remember......I am 36 yrs old now....have been though so much. One thing that I have learned is that Jesus has NEVER LET GO of my hands.....I am the one that tends to let go....in the midst of all my troubles Jesus was there, holding me, waiting for me to turn to him and grab his hands and ask for help. My father was not there much, and I viewed God this way....I stand amazed! JESUS IS AND HAS ALWAYS STOOD BY ME, NEVER LETTING GO! Thank you Father in Heaven for your love and grace!
love your son, Jason

IN 2005 I WAS CLEANING MY HOUSE AND THE LORD SPOKE TO ME AND TOLD ME TO GO GET A MRI. I HAD NO REASON TO GET ONE. BUT I DID. LUCKLY MY DR. IS A CHRISTIAN. I EXPLAINED TO HIM AND HE SAID SURE WE CAN GET YOU ONE. WELL IT WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE EASTER AND I WAS TO GO TO PRACTICE AT CHURCH FOR AN EASTER CANTATA. ON THE WAY HOME THE DR CALLED SAID I HAD A LESION THE SIZE OF A LARGE JAW BREAKER.. SEEN SURGEON HE SAID IT WAS A MENGINOMIA. WE COULD LEAVE IT AND WATCH OR TAKE IT OUT.(DR SAID NO BIG DEAL) WELL WHILE AT WORK THE LORD SAID I WANT IT OUT ... SO IT WAS TAKEN OUT JULY 26 2005. I GIVE THE LORD GLORY, FOR IT WAS A STAGE 3 AND WOULD HAVE DONE MAJOR DAMAGE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.. THE LORD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR ME...AMEN!!!

This is a copy of my testimony I gave at our church.

When I was 6 months old I had a hemangioma that was connected to the brain and my parents were told that if I lived, I'd be a vegetable. At about that time my parents became Christians. The interior of the tumor disappeared in less than 2 weeks.

Because of my parents over protection after that, I was verbally and physically abused by my neglected older sister. I was always told that I'd never amount to anything; I was worthless; I was no good. Because of my parents situation at the time, no positive input was given. I was destine for failure.

While enlisted in the Air Force as a security guard in the 80's a Catholic priest reached out to me and let me know that God loved me; no matter what. Coming from a legalistic church back ground that taught "live the straight and narrow or God will get you"; this was good news.

November 4th 1989, my life started to change. I had an interview for a new job in Columbia SC where I was introduced to the first person in my life that began to love me unconditionally. For the past 19 years she has never once showed signs of wavering. Many people say that, I know, but without my wife, and her strong belief in me and faith in God, I would very probably be dead.

The first several years of my career I struggled to move ahead of my self image. At every turn, I'd move forward then back, and in 1998 I landed a job as director of Aviation of a top firm in Knoxville TN. As a very inexperienced Pilot/manager, I was 10 years ahead of my peers. I was now God's gift to the aviation industry; I thought. A couple years in I was struggling to hold together a department that was constantly changing. I then hired what at the time was a very close friend to work for me. Two years later, the "good friend" and one other pilot went to management with a laundry list of issues in hopes of getting me fired. Some were true some not, but the result was that after 5 years on the top I was fired from a 6 figure job.

I was devastated. I had been stabbed in the back, and I thought at the time, that my life was over because my job was my self image, my life. I spent many hours yelling at God, blaming Him, demanding that He fix it. Several times I went into my closest and collapsed to my knees, crying; screaming at God, wishing things were different.

Just after the job loss I was in a Sunday School class of about 30 people; got up, and basically told everyone there to stop wining to God about the same ole petty stuff. Then I got up and left; never went back.

I was desperate to hear from God; if in fact he cared. I told my wife I was looking for a new church. One where God was. Several weeks later we found our church home where God changed my life.

For the first several weeks, when I had money for gas, I went to the church on Monday mornings, went to the front, got on my knees and cried out to God to fix it or let me die; to show me what to do on let me out of this pain. The pain of betrayal, the lack of being able to provide for my family, embarrassment, failure in several side businesses; my ego was shot; all of it was too much for me to bare. I told my father-in-law that my career as a pilot was over.

What became a common theme from my wife was; "God's got something better". I did freelance work, applied for many many jobs all over the country; I had many interviews, with no success. Every time; "God's got something better". I just wanted to tell her to shut up some times.

In December of 2003, things were worse than ever. I got a job selling cars so we could eat. I wasn't real good at it; it was a lean Christmas. But near the end of the only month I worked there, A man came in for a test drive that very quickly became my best friend. God brought him into my life to start the healing process. He actually went to our church but I had not met him till that day at the car lot. Roy became the friend, the older brother, the "Jesus with flesh on" that I didn't know I needed.

Over the next several months, He helped me realize that I was in the position I was in because of pride, ego and sin in my life, and that He loved me too much to let me continue down the road I was headed; which would have been disastrous. I found God chases those He loves.

A few months later, I was unable to continue with my car payment and it was repossessed.

I was totally drained. I had nothing to give God. I was finally at the end of ME. "God I give up". I finally gave up and realized that if I were to go on then God was going to have to handle my life from there on out 'cause I had nothing left. Of course that was what he wanted all along.

About the same time I was able to sell my broken motorcycle and used to money to replace tires on the remaining car. Days later, a company I had done business with before asked if I could go to Florida for a 6 month contract. I had nothing else. I left the next day. Roy, my best friend, gave me a car. He then encouraged me to start reading 1 Psalms and 1 Proverbs everyday.

Over the several months in Florida God met me in a personal way that I'd never experienced before. I was a Kings kid; He loved me more than I could ever imagine. He gave me hope for the future when I thought the end was in sight. Finally, peace.

The six month contract ended with nothing else in sight. Judy again said, "God's got something better". 2 months later, I got what I thought was my dream job. We made plans to move to Columbia SC. God had different plans. Three months later, I was out. I blamed myself, went through many of the same feelings of failure again, but, God was saying; wait just a bit more. My wife; "God's got something better!" At this point I was about to tell her to shut up except, but, this time, I knew she was right. I actually still had peace.

I started immediately flying for a company in Knoxville and continued to look to God to get my career out of 2nd gear. Soon, I had a contract to consult in Delhi India. We prayed about it and I told Judy, if you really want to do this then you fax the contract. She ran to the fax machine.

The next year and a half we spent some time in India and then I went to Saudi Arabia, gaining the large aircraft and international experience that I needed to move forward, and in February of this past year I was back in India doing some freelance work when a former copilot of mine called and asked if I would be interested in flying, what is considered the best type of corporate jet in the world, out of Roanoke VA. I said, "when do I start?". On the 6th of March last year God chose to give me what is widely considered one of the best type of corporate pilot positions in the industry. It is the best position I had seen in the 5 years since God started working to change me.

We are truly blessed. We are definetly still growing, but God has taken what was a shell of a man and showed me that He loves me, unconditionally, and wants the best for me.

I grew up in a family that had strong values... dad was a pastor and lived for Christ daily. His example was my strength. About 6 or 7 years ago my parents divorced. I was an adult at this time and still had not realized that I needed to believe for myself. I lost the strength of my father's example since the divorce. I was crushed and didn't feel like I could put all the pieces together from the hurt and disappointment of the divorce. I began living life without any belief system when I was 25. I gave up all that used to be, and now is again, precious to me. I gave away the one thing that only one person receives: my virginity. I lived my life using my body as a method to fill the void of my lack of belief. I had two bad relationships where I was used just for my body. In the second relationship I became engaged to the man. I really believed I was in love with him. He cheated on me multiple times, one of which crushed my ability to share love with him anymore. Through this time when I was "away from God" I had left the church where my brother-in-law was the pastor. My sister became my strength during this time. She has been praying me back to Jesus during this entire time. The night when I found my ex with another woman in my house, I ran to my sister, not really realizing that I was running back to Christ. He is so faithful! Through my sister, HE was there for me. He brought me back to him September 1, 2009. This time I am brought to HIM because of what I believe and not because I should. Since that time I have been challenging myself to start life anew. I have had messups, but life has started going much better. I have a better job than I did before, I am closing in on paying off my debts, I love myself much better, I am reading my Bible every day, and I have been given the opportunity to meet new people that have strong values in Christ. God has been faithful to me even when I couldn't/wouldn't be faithful to him. THANK YOU GOD, JESUS CHRIST, HOLY SPIRIT!!!!

I've traveled a long road with God. He has been with me through not only the abuse of my past, but most of all through my 10 years of healing, 10 psych. hostpitals stays, and 3 attempts on my life. My story is long BUT my GOD is great. I was at a 33 miles concert on May 23 in KS, MO. I was singing and dancing and then the song Jesus calling came on. I was drawn to the stage and I sat and let every word sink in. THat HOT May day, Jesus was calling. He was calling me to healing and to peace after 25 years of just holding on. On that day I could breathe. In the midst of the HEAT, Jesus was calling. My heart was heavy that day, but I knew I had to go. I want to THANK you all for your help in glorifying our Savior. THERE IS A GOD. I just want to tell anyone out there with a heavy burden that you just think you cannot bear: take it to the feet of Jesus and lay your burdens down. Sometimes healing leads us through pain and memories that no one should have to relive, but I have learned to LISTEN to the deep small voice saying, "It's o.k. you're not alone." Jesus is always there. May God bless 33 miles for they have blessed SO MANY. Sheri KC MO

On August 1, 1993 I had a diving accident and broke my C4 & C5 vertebrae which left me completely paralyzed. During my stay in the hospital I had a lot of friends around. When I went to rehab almost all of them disappeared. I went home January 11, 1994. Some of my friends were still around, but not like before.

My time at home was terrible. My father and I never had a good relationship and that squeezed the life out of my relationship with my mother. Today I'm living in a "care center". I've been here 12 years and it hasn't been easy.

I'm not trying to use this as an outlet to get a pat on the back or for someone to feel sorry for me. It's quite the contrary. I hope I can encourage someone with this sample of my story.

God is faithful. To take a quote from Mandisa "He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to, to tell us I love you". That's what he did with me. He used my circumstance to show me the enormity of His love, mercy and grace. He'll do the same for you . . . If you let Him. May God bless all who read this.

My parents were in an auto accident on Wed. May 20th which left my mother with a serious head injury, broken ribs and a broken wrist. My father was killed instantly and I am grateful that he didn't suffer. If you have ever lost someone suddenly, you will understand when I say there is nothing more devastating. I have felt God's grace pouring over me in more ways than I can say. I know that he will continue to be with me in the days, weeks, and months ahead of me. My father was the rock of our family and we cannot imagine life without him, but we know that he is in heaven with his sons and other family members who have gone on before him.

Hi there. I have a great story to share. God blessed me with my son 11 years ago and I thank God for my son every day. My son was born with a rare liver condition called Bilary Atresia. There is a certain surgery that sometimes works to fix the problem and then other times the child will have to have a Liver transplant. Well, my son's 1st surgery did not work, so he had to have a liver transplant. On August 20th he received his transplant, a day I will never forget, because it is my daughters bday.
God is so Good. Well we have had some hard times along the way and have almost lost him so many times BUT God always intervenes everytime. I love God and thank him every day for Barry my son. He has taught me so much through my experiences I have had to go through with our son. I have finally fully given my son up to God. I have peace and know my son is GOD's child. My son is an amazing kid. He always has a smile on his face no matter what God brings his Way. My son has had a near death experience too, and said he saw Jesus and Jesus told him to get back down here. He said he saw angels too. Wow, none of my kids have ever said this. Knowing that God is my provider and heals daily brings me such peace. Seeing miracle after miracle in my son's life makes me know for sure there is A GOD. Never forget God will be there with you through any storm or trial you face.

I was home by myself one day and I'm only 14 years old and I was listening to K-love (I love listening to K-love. Its my favorite station) while I was cleaning the house for my parents. I had the radio blasted and the song "One life to live" was on (my favorite song of all times) :) and I was signing and all of a sudden I turn around and there's a man standing right in front of me with some kind of mask on. I was scared to death. I had no idea what to do except i said to that strange man "Please sir don't hurt me. I'll pray for you. Please don't." And he looked at me and said okay. I was blessed during that moment. I was thanking Jesus so much cause i knew that moment he was by my side protecting me. Ever since then I'm just praying for everyone in this world :) Your music has been an inspiration to me. When my little sister passed away from cancer, I just didnt know what to do, so i went in my room and i listend to your guy's CD. God came to me and helped with my painfulness, and especially your music has helped me a lot. The songs are just amazing. It makes me feel like I can be myself and just, wow, I have no idea how to explain the way your music makes me feel. Thanks so much!!!! :)

Hey! I have been a Christian my whole life, but this past week I have started a close relationship with God. My dad has been sick for the past year, and it has had a tremendous impact on my family's life. I had thought that I was all alone, until recently, I knew that I wasn't, I was with God and all of my friends and family. At my youth group, my leader has been so helpful that I can't thank him enough. My father is doing a little bit better now, thanks to all of the prayers that he has recieved. My relationship with God started last week, because we learned in my youth group that we always have to be "on fire" with God and not be a coal that is taken away from the fire, which takes us away from God. I knew then that I haven't always "been on fire" with God, I was tempted and taken away from "the fire." But now I am BURNING HOT with fire thanks to my better understanding towards God. Also, thanks for being featured in our FFA New Horizons magazine. And thanks for being an inspiration, Jason Barton, towards FFA! Thanks so much for letting me share my story! God Bless you

My husband lost his job from a place he worked for 10 years. We had the security to buy what we wanted. God had other plans for us. I believe He wanted us to put our security in him and not in the things of this world. It has been almost 3 months now, still no job, but we are blessed beyond belief. I have a joy, joy, joy down in my heart that I don't want to ever replace ever again. Even if we lose everything, they are just things and as long as I have God on my side everything will be fine. "I Will Rise" is a powerful song I have had to listen to over and over again, and to fall down on him and he is there always to pick us up and dust us off is undescribable to me at times. But I know without a doubt God will supply every need we will ever need and I thank him for this Joy that I have not had in a very long time. Thanks to you guys for a song that we all need to hear and respond to.

When my 14 year old daughter woke me and her mother up one night and said her legs were hurting. We said it was probably growing pains but it wasn't. A few moments later she was paralyzed from the waiste down. After several hours of waiting at the emergency room and multiple tests, they could not find out what was going on. They transfered us to a hospital about 100 miles away and there a neurologist told us it was a rare auto immune virus that attacked her nervous system which caused paralysis. The doctors weren't sure how long or if she would be able to walk again. We had people all over our state praying and even some outside of our state as well. What we thought could have been a long process of recovery turned into only months as we saw God begin the speedy recovery. Our daughter, Lauryn, went from not moving her feet to wiggling her toes, to pulling her legs up to her waiste then walking with a walker dragging her feet, to pushing a walker, to getting her balance back...the neurologist even said, it was like a miracle was taking place...we KNEW it was. After a total of about 3-4 months of rehab, Lauryn tried out for cheerleader the other day and made it. She is completely healed. Jesus has shown Himself faithful to Lauryn as well as our family.

It started when I was around twelve. I started having problems with depression. There were times when it got really bad, then it would get better for a while. It went on like this for a while. When I got to thirteen, it became worse. I felt like I was never happy. To top it off, I was having self-esteem issues as well. I just never thought I was good enough. I felt like the outsider among my friends, though in reality I wasn't. Days turned into weeks and I eventually got over the self-esteem problem. But as weeks turned into months, the depression got worse. I was aways in a low; sad, gloomy, and trying not to cry. I wasn't even sure what I was sad about. I didn't like talking about it, so whenever someone like my parents asked me what was wrong, I told them nothing. They of course knew better, but they didn't push me. I've never been good at expressing myself with words, so I told myself that if even I didn't understand what my problem was, how could I make anyone else understand? I also told myself that crying was showing weakness, and that it showed I was too emotional. Even by the time I turned fourteen, I still was in bad shape. I wasn't sure I would ever be happy. Sad as it is to admit it, I did every now and then have those little nagging thoughts in the back of my head, whispering how it would all be better if I ended this pain. How the only answer was to give up. I thought about that a lot. I was angry at everything. how could God be making me go through this? How could he do this to me when He knows I'm already emotional? It finally got to one day I was in the kitchen alone, staring at a bottle of painkillers on the bar, thinking about how easy it would be to just take a few. I stared at it for what seemed like a long time, the possibilities rolling through me head. Then, I turned around and walked away. I don't know how it happened, but I started healing. I regained my self-confidence and my happy nature. I realize now that God was with me the whole time, even though I wanted to reject Him then. He was always there for me, I just had to listen, and realize that Jesus was calling. Let me say this, too. Your song "Hold On" had such an amazing impact on me. It really helped me out more that you think. Thank you so much for what you do! You are a true blessing!

My marriage is very rocky right now but since I have been looking to God for peace, He has given me peace to not fight back or be sarcastic, instead He has kept me silent and in prayer and focused on Him throughout the day.
I also have seen God work in the little things,like I have this plant that I don't water or do anything to but I asked God to take care of it and that will let me know that He still takes care of me..
This plant has never looked so beautiful or had so many blooms..I know this sounds silly but it is a sign of God's love and security He gives me..

Hi Guys
My husband has just passed away after a long battle with cancer. Throughout all the pain - Jesus has been there through your music, especially the song 'Hold On'. My daughter and I would play your albums over and over on the continuous journeys to and from the hospital. The Lord would spoeak to me through your songs and give me such strength I wouldnt have been able to handle this without him. At the funeral service we played 'One Life' along with photos of Dons life, I hope the message gets through to even just one person. May God bless you guys always - you are amazing. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart.

Gai

Ten years ago my youngest son Andrew was born. The day he was born he couldn't catch his breath. He was panting like a dog after a long run. the small hospital that he was born in didn't have the equipment for him to breath correctly. We had to Life Flight to Spokane, Wa. I got to fly with him to Spokane. I kept asking the doctor on the chopper how he was doing and he told me that he wasn't doing very well. We made it to the hospital and the first person I saw was a preist. They rushed my son into the neonatal care unit and I sat there for what seemed to be an eternity. A father like myself was sitting with his wife by the door to the NICU. He said to me "Trust in the Lord God and pray." It was like a truck had hit me as I had been searching for many years to here someone say those very words. Andy wasn't doing very well. The Doctors put him on several breathing machines that didn't seem to change his symptoms. The doctor finally came to me after a month. He said we can try two things. The first is to thin your son's blood and send him to Seattle. The second is I want you to go and give blood so that we can give your son some fresh blood of yours. I found out that one donation of blood from an adult is 7 complete transfusions for a newborn child. They gave my son 3 complete transfusions of my blood and everything miraculously changed. He started to get stronger and breathing on his own. After four of the most horrific weeks in the hospital I heard my son cry. I prayed for days that God would take my place for him. I think that God gave his only son that shed his blood for everyone. I thank God every day that I was able to give of myself to keep my son alive. Andy turned 10 on May 4 of this year. On June 12 he will go back to the hospital that saved his life for a Cochlear implant in his ear. When he was having trouble breathing his ears were damaged. He has gone through life not being able to hear certain sounds. I use to whisper in his ear every night in the hospital that I loved him and to be strong and most of all that Jesus loved him. It was great to meet you guys and drive you around in Boise. I love your music and your message. Keep up the great work 33 Miles you have touched many lives through your music God Bless and Happy Trails.
Brian Hall
Kuna, Idaho

I came to know Jesus 2 months befor my dad passed away in feb. 1987. When 911 happened. God called me to go up to NY with my church, Calvary Chapel Philadelphia. My first trip was the week of Oct. 15,2001. After that I went up 1-2 times a month. usually Fri. nite to Mon. morning. We worked with the Salvation Army serving food and a listening heart. I was so blessed by this experience. It makes everything come into perspective when you see what others are going thru. May we all be there when He calls us. Thank you for your music and love for God.

Wow his love and faithfulness is always a constant in my life. 15 years of a very difficult marriage filled with abuse, 3 kids and no career, I had no where to turn. Jesus gave me the strength to go back to school, buy a house and find a job. He protected my children through the most difficult time in my life. Looking back now it is hard to believe, mostly I am amazed at how great God is. I met my current husband at Northland Church duing a church function. Neither of us was looking for a relationship, but that is how God Works. Family is so important and I am so fortunate to be blessed with a family filled with love. This life journey can be tough at times, with prayer and strength from God we can indure and let our light shine.

Several years ago, after a second miscarriage, I pretty much turned my back on God, blaming Him for my loss. I still did the things that a Christian is supposed to do but not from my heart.

A couple of months ago, I heard a message that helped get me started turning my thought process around. The words that were said had nothing to do with the message but it was basically that the devil will use your pain against you in any way that he can. Of course, I've heard this before, but I think God just made that stick in my heart finally to get me started. I shouldn't be blaming God, sometimes bad things just happen. I still have my bad days of feeling my loss but I have to look at the circumstances differently and know that the devil just wants me to hurt and to turn away from God again. Even though I turned away, God didn't let me go. This song just hits it again and let's me know that I have to look at all sides of every situation. It's my choice as to how I see things.

Thank you for this song.

Hey guys! i just happen to be listening to a christian radio station and heard one of your songs. Prior to this past year, I sang tenor in a southern gospel quartet for 4 years. It was an awesome thing and I really miss it. Being that my vocal range is hi lead and low tenor, I wasnt able to sing too many songs in that position. Because of this, I felt as if I was holding the group back from moving and and I truely felt that the Lord was telling me that it was time to move on. Over this past year, my singing has almost came to a halt. To this day, I really dont understand whats going on, until I heard "Jesus Calling". I am a single father and sometimes life gets real difficult. Thrououot the past year, I have felt my heart grow distant from the Lord. I have maintained attendance at church every Sunday, but my heart just hasnt been in it.
Being that my past was full of Southern Gospel music, I didnt know where to turn since leavig the quartet. I gotta say that now I feel that the Lord has shown me this song to let me know a few things. Most importantly, is the message within the lyrics. But also, I feel that I am being lead to a different style of music. I realize that I am only one person and will not be able to produce the sound that ya'll have, but i believe that this has became a new beginning for me and I owe it all to you!
I am going to be talking with a good friend of mine who is a music producer in Morristown, Tennessee. I am hoping that once he hears your music (and maybe already has), he will see that this style may be better for me than before. His name is Roger Talley and we have been pretty good friends for a few years now. hopfully, I'll be making a trip to Tennessee this summer to make a new CD! God has truely used all of you as a messenger and it is His message of music that now have back in my heart once again! Thanks guys, ya'll are the best!

I'm having trouble sleeping more than 4-6 hours in a night and my body wants 7-8. I'm completely drained and running on fumes... but God is with me and He is helping me to find rest in Him. Reassuring me that I just need to persevere and be faithful through the tough times... "Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete." (James 1:4) God has shown me that I need to share my struggles with my brothers in Christ, so they can help me and pray for me. My friends, co-workers, and family are praying for me and my dad is a doctor and I talked to him about it this morning and he's going to give me his expertise in what I need to do to sleep better. I also believe that God will strengthen my faith during this time of trial. He is faithful and He provides. God, I trust in you!

On March 13, 2006, my grandfather had been in the hospital for almost a month and my family and I had been going to the hospital for two weeks to visit my grandfather who was in the ICU unit of the hospital. He was in there due to a infection that he got while he was in the hospital and by this time it had gone to his aortic valve in his heart. He went into the ICU and not hardly 2 or 3 days after he had been put in there, he had to be put on life support. At around 6:00 p.m. this particular day, the nurse who was on duty that night came to the ICU waiting room and spoke to my family and I and told us that we needed to make the decisiion that night and to come back the next morning with an answer as to whether or not we would be taking my grandfather off of the life support. We all decided that we would pray about it that night, and just give it all to God. The next morning at around 7:30 a.m., we found out God's answer to our prayers. The nurse came into the ICU waiting room and told us that my grandfather was not going to live. They told us that we needed to contact all of the family that we needed to get there and that they needed to be there within the next, because he would not live much longer than that. At around 8:30 a.m., they allowed us to go back into the ICU room with him, which is where my family and I watched my grandfather take his last breath and pass from this world to go and be with God in Heaven. Through everything that I have been through, I now realize that God needed him more in heaven than we needed him here on this earth, and also that if he would have lived, his life would have been nothing but struggles. I praise God for giving me such a wonderful and love grandfather. And I praise Him and thank Him for allowing us to make all of those wonderful memories that I have of us spending time together.

This time last year I had a old retired priest from Bronx, NY come up to me at my church. I had only seen this man a couple of times before, but I never talked to him. He came up to me one day after church was over and he said that he needed to talk to me, I looked at him and not knowing why but I felt drawn to him. The first meeting I missed with him, but my wife met with him. So when I got home from work that day I asked her what happened, She said nothing happened, she told me that they had prayed together and talked but that was it. I met with this priest The next week, and what he was about to tell me would change my life forever. We sat down together at church and he asked me how my daughter was, I thought he was talking about my wife's daughter, he then said no your daughter. then I looked at him like he was crazy, He said "you had a daughter out of wedlock a long time ago", and I said yes but how do you know?, I haven't seen my daughter since she was 3 months old, he said you will find your daughter. Then he told me that my mother would be ok and that she is in the Lords hands. My mother had bladder cancer and she was a stage 4. This priest went to my parents house and said a prayer and put holy oil on her head. Well three months from the time all this had happened, Now all this had happened in one week. I found my daughter who lives in Ohio, I found my daughter on Tuesday and had actual proof by Wednesday and by that Friday coming home from picking up my wife at work, I got the news about my mother and her cancer, the cancer had gone away no scare tissue,nothing was there the doctors couldn't explain it. And this happened because I didn't believe in the Lord, But I do now. I haven't got to see my daughter yet, but I have faith and I know it will happen but its in Gods time and not in my time. Never give up hope, God hears all prayers. Remember only through God can we succeed, and learn how to forgive and love each other.

I gave my life to Jesus at the age of 9 I am now 39 married for 17yrs to my beautiful wife Rachael with 4 kids.
Our marriage has been up and down more downs than anything I was blaming everything on my wife , yelling at the kids being physical hitting them hard. I felt so alone trying to do everything myself putting band aid solutions on my problems anger had turned to bitterness it was consuming my soul.
Rachael and I separate for 6 months I was so broken by this and could not understand why. I attend anger management class and marriage counselors but nothing seemed to be happening. Then one day I was holding my bible crying to God "what have I done wrong?" I started reading 1 John 4 I got to verse 19 and it says"We love because He loved us first" I wept when reading this. I had been so selfish to my family. I was to busy dwelling on myself that I was not loving them first. But praise be to God that my marriage is back together loving my family as Christ loves the church.

How shall I begin this? God has been with me ever since I was 11 years old, but having to find true love has been harder than I've ever imagined it to be. I don't know what had happened, but last year at a school dance I was looking into the eyes of a boy that I have been dating now for over a year, and we are still together even to this day. He's been helping me through every problem that I have, and is even there when something happenes that just doesn't come around every now and then. God also helps me whenever I'm sad, depressed, or just not having a great day. 33 Miles, I hope that God will bless you with what you three are doing now, because there will be a day when Jesus will call you home to be with Him forever. You are a very positive influence to me and to everyone that listens to your music, and I'm very glad to have been given the chance to get to meet you in person for the first time back in 2007. Thank you, and May God Bless You All!

I lived in a very abusive home and though I always knew God didn't want me to go through it, I always wondered how He could use someone like me or the horrible situation I was in. There was always something, sometimes things that to others that would seem insignificant, that would help me know that God was there and was going through it all with me. I am now a youth pastor's wife and have worked with many young teen girls that have gone through the same things that I did. I always tell them to look for all the small ways that God proves that He is there with them and loves them. "Jesus Calling" is one of the songs that really explains what it was like during those hard times for me. I love to see the recogition in the eyes of the girls when they hear the words and realize that as well. It's amazing how much one song can help someone realize that God REALLY IS THERE WITH THEM! I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I was one of those little girls that was a dreamer. After I got married the dream I thought he and I would share was shattered. Two kids and five years later he left. I was torn apart and did not know why God would allow this kind of thing to happen. I became really angry with the Lord and fell into two more bad dating relationships. A dear friend was praying for me knowing that I knew better. God was calling me to Himself knowing that I did love Him and desire to obey. I turned from the anger and knew that the divorce was not God's desire in my life but He gives us ALL a choice. My husband had made a choice and through everything I went from being a proud legalistic Christian to being humble and broken serving an AWESOME and loving God. I see how it works with my kids. I say "If you listen to Mom life would not be so hard for you." or "You know, I won't ask you to do or go through anything I don't think you can handle or help you to grow." That is tough sometimes. Looking back though I can see where the storms that we all face are often necessary to help us grow. REMEMBER! GOD IS WITH YOU! HE IS THE SOLID ROCK OF THE MOUNTAIN AND THE LILY OF THE VALLEY! WHEREVER YOU ARE IN LIFE HE IS THERE!!! Thank you 33 MILES! Your music is very uplifting and has encouraged me on countless occasions! God bless!

About a year ago, my wife and I began going through the roughest storm a married couple could face. I had become a complacent, carnal Christian and in that time let Satan take back hold of my life. Before I knew what had happened, I was in the middle of an affair - and wasn't even feeling guilty about it. Luckily, it didn't last long. My wife was suspicious, so I told her about it - the worst day of our lives. Fortunately, our son was out of town and our daughters were too young to know what had happened. God began to work immediately. It hit me like a ton of bricks how far I'd fallen and I wept to God, begging forgiveness. My wife was so strong that she actually talked to the other woman on the phone and told her about Jesus, read her the Romans road and prayed with her!! We started going to counseling and began trying to put things back together. While it's still not like it used to be (and may never be), things are better today - through the help of Jesus and the power of prayer.

I KNOW GOD IS ALWAYS WITH ME,HOWEVER AFTER THIS DAY AND AS WE GO THRU THIS TOGETHER MY FAITH JUST GETS STRONGER. JULY OF 2008 I HAD ROTATOR CUFF SURGERY, SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE SURGERY WHILE WALKING HOME FROM REHAB I WAS HIT BY A CAR. MY LEG WAS BROKEN ,AND THERE WAS NO PULSE IN MY ANKLE,THE DOCTORS TOLD ME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT.THROUGH THIS GOD CALMED MY SOUL,I WAS READY FOR WHATEVER GOD HAD PLANNED FOR ME.I DID NOT LOSE MY FOOT, MY LEG IS MENDING,MY FAITH IS STRONGER,MY FAMILY IS CLOSER ,AND ONE OF MY SON'S WANTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR GOD, WHO LOVES US AND FORGIVES US. 33 MILES JUST WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT WE TOOK OUR YOUTH GROUP TO YOUR SHOW IN MAINE, ONE YOUNG MAN AFTER HEARING YOUR MUSIC MOVED CLOSER TO OUR EVER LOVING LORD. THANK YOU AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS LAID UPON YOUR HEARTS.

Back in 2000, I almost died FOUR different ways in one month. Not living as a Christian, I had the most prayerful Christians praying for me (and my family.) I had a son on 3/23/2000; 8 days later, we were in a bad car accident. (No injuries!) Eight days after that, our new home burned down @ 4am. (Again, no injuries!) 2 weeks after that, I was rushed to an e.r. for a deadly infection. I had emergency surgery & thought all was well. Within days, I was on life support due to peri-partum cardiomyopathy. (An extremely deadly heart condition I developed from having the baby.) Throughout it all, I pushed God away. My cardiologist said there wasn't much hope for me. In 30 years of cardiology, he only saw 3 other cases & those women weren't "around" to talk about it. My brother-in-law's Pastor prayed over me & by August, I was 100% cured. My cardiologist patted himself on the back but it was at THAT moment that I realized that the Lord had a plan for me. I was saved by the Grace of God! By the Blood of Christ! I realized that He died for me so it's my job to live for Him. He was calling for me in a great way in 2000...and I ignored Him. Since then, regardless of my situations, I give it ALL to Christ because He doesn't give us more than we can handle. (Even though many times it feels like He's trusting our strength too much!) God is so good! Thanks for letting me share!

On April 22, 2006, my 19-year-old cousin, Chris, died in a car accident when he fell asleep while driving. I was at work when I received a phone call from the police department asking how they could get in contact with my uncle and aunt about his accident. I couldn’t believe this happened. I thought it had to be a mistake. I went through a time of depression for over a year. I began having nightmares almost daily during this time. I woke up crying and screaming often. One night, the nightmare was so bad that I was basically trapped in it. I could not stop crying. My parents and one of my sisters tried everything they could to help me. I could hear them talking to me, but I couldn’t find a way to make the nightmare end. After about an hour, I was finally able to wake up. After dealing with this so long, I thought that it would never end. I started to believe that I would live daily suffering. God placed several people in my life who encouraged me and prayed with me. But most of all, God was always there for me. Without Him, I never would have made it through this time. I truly believe without God’s help with this situation, I would not be alive today. My faith in God was the only thing I could really depend on. The song “Always,” has really been a song that has touched my life tremendously. It reminds me of just how important it is for us to turn to God and how we can always depend on Him. There is nothing as wonderful as knowing that whatever you go through, God is always going to be with you and He never fails. “Always” applies to all situations. Even now, I am facing a difficult time as my grandmother is having serious health problems. She has congestive heart failure. Her heart is only working 25%, and hospice has been called. She is not a candidate for surgery, and our family has been told that there is nothing the doctors can do to help her. I know that I can depend on God even in a situation as hard as this one. Even when others believe the situation is hopeless. God will be there for my grandmother and for our family.

I've been struggling for a while now with finances and it's been hard to find a full time Job. Ever since I came to the Lord, things don't seem to be so hard. God has mad granted me every little thing I ask. Things as little as a good grade in school. Some times, I don't even opend my mouth to as God for something, He sees that it's in my heart and He know my need and He provides for me, every single day. Yesterday I was running out of gas, I wasn't sure where I was going to find money to get home without having my car stop and not be able to go anywhere... GOD provided me with $400.00 that I was not expecting.. I was able to buy gas, and Food for my Children. God is an Awsome. God.. I worship Him, and give Him Gloory because he is Worthy... He never leaves, always there for me...

Thank you for you ministry... May God bless you in very special ways. thanks for your Beautiful Music.

Dios les Bendiga... Gio

Last March my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer and told he had three weeks to live, two days later the guy I had been dating called and told me that he met someone else, this was just the beginning of the worst storm I have ever faced. I went through the weeks leading up to my grandpa's death completely numb and feeling so alone. I sat there everyday with him and finally held his hand, told him it was ok to go, and watched him pass away. When it happened I was in the room with him I had this incredible sense of peace. After the funeral, there was a lot of pain and anger that I was dealing with and God sent the most amazing people in my life. I was in the middle of the storm and all I could see was my life falling apart. But these wonderful people showed me daily where God was. It was a difficult time but God was there through it all. I was reminded often of Jeremiah 29:11 and that verse saw me through many dark nights. Today I still struggle with depression over losing my grandpa, and anger and hurt at some of the situations surrounding that time, but it is something that I work on daily. My relationship with God is better than it has ever been. I feel so blessed that he loves me and wants me even though I have nothing to give. Everything in my life was taken away from me all at once and all I had left was God I went to him many nights broken and literally weeping feeling so lost. He picked me up and carried me and now I can finally stand again. I can't even imagine going through that without my Father who saw everything and loved me anyway.

Being a pastor's daugther in a small town we have a tight budget. I hear my parents discussing "where are we going to get this money from?" "where are we going to squeeze it out of our budget?" After the week is over my dad is stressed out and makes discussing money with my mom worse.
So many times God has come through for us. He has provided for us in everything. We've never gone without and that just shows how amazing He is.

God has been faithful by never leaving me or giving up on me. I was only 6yrs old when my mom passed away from cancer. Most of us were adopted my different families except for me and my brother Jesse. God gave me a christian mother who loved God and served him with all of her heart. God used her to tug at my heart and turn to Him. God is faithful and He will do what He says He will do. I have seen God continue to help me in every situation and I have learned to continue to have faith in him. God is the only one that has never left me.

Maria
San Antonio,Tx

On january 28th 2008, my only grandmother died. The las time I spoke to her was on january 5th. Losing her was very hard to us, but her death was only the beginning of my painful road. It was my senior year, and everything was out of place.
My mother was having a terrible time. I got into a deep depression, that even made me think about running away from home. My grades were as low as you can imagine, and I honestly thought I was going to fail. Every single day I locked myself in my room and only felt sorry about my miserable life.
But after a while, after prom, I went to my room and faound my old Thompson study bible, and I began to read, and pray.
Everyday, I read my bible and felt better, the emptiness in my heart was being filled.
It has been a chalenge for me to stand and fight with my sins and depression, but God has been, and still is helping me, healing me and giving me hope. Now I can see his hand in every moment of my life, in every need...
It's not easy, but I'm standing here with Him. I know that He has a plan for me. Thanks for reading this.... :) God Bless!!!

Almost 4 yrs. ago I woke up to find my 23yr. old daughter had died, and I cant even explain what a horrible nightmare that whole time was, but I knew God was with me helping me comforting me, she was already sick since she was 10yrs. old but I didn't expect her to die when she did. Thank God he was there all the time, I remember siting there with her and the song I Can Only Imagine went thru my head the lyrics was so comforting I just imagined her in the presence of God, how wonderful, and like David I cant bring her back but I can go where she is Thank God that he's always faithful even when I'm not, so for 33 miles don't underestimate the songs you do for it may be for someone at any time, when you cant think about anything else sometime God might bring a song to remembrance and help, someone through a crisis, Thank God he is always faithful, in time of crisis he is always there helping us even when we can't feel his presence He is there I promise!

On April 1, 2000 I married my prince charming. We had been dating for about 5 years. I knew I wanted to be sitting next to him in a rocking chair when we were 80. We had found out in November 1999 that he had Hodgkins Lyphoma and on June 6, 2001 he lost his battle with the disease. To my knowledge he was not a Christian. He claimed he didn't even believe in God, but he always encouraged me in my spiritual walk. It bothered me that he wasn't a Christian. I did a lot of praying for him. On the day he died I prayed to God and asked Him for a sign that Brian was with Him and he was ok. It was pouring rain the day Brian passed and I asked God to please let the sunshine on the day he would be buried. GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!!! I came out of the hospital about an hour later, it was still raining, but you could see breaks of sun peaking through the clouds. And the day Brian was buried was absolutely gorgeous. Brian was in a coma for about a month before he died and I know God used that time He had with Brian and worked a miracle. Not the one I wanted, because he would be alive and well today, but most the important one that it was well with Brian's soul when he died. I have peace knowing that.

I've always been a happy gal. My whole life growing up people knew me as the happy person. Always with a smile. About 4 years ago when I was 17 I started going through some things with myself and my family as well and it made me unhappy. When I was around people I would act like I'd always acted before....Happy. But over the years I began to hate how I felt....Fake. I wasn't happy but I was leading everyone to believe I was. Last Summer God sent me 5 amazing people. He brought Keren, Ian, Josh, Elizabeth and Lauren to me and they were there for me. I was taught how to open up and talk about things I was going through and even things that God had done for me that were little things that I would normally keep to myself. I became and still am very close to those 5. They are so great and I love them oh so much. They helped me get through a tough stage in my life....3 years I went....feeling fake....but now I'm so happy and in love with God and what He's done for me and I am excited to see what He's gunta do THROUGH me as well! Last Summer was my Blessing Summer....The Blessing of the Five Friends. I no longer feel fake or unhappy. I'm full of God's Joy and His Blessings for my life!

Just recently, I had a situation with my job where they were cutting back my hours seriously. I couldnt afford this so I talked to my manager about getting more but she "couldnt spare any". Needless to say, I started looking for a new job. I looked for two or three months applying everywhere in town. finally my money was all out. I had just sent in the last penny I had in bills, but then my buddy called me up and said his job was hiring two people! So I hurried there and was hired on the spot. Also, another friend who was struggling financially was hired the same day. I now work at a local restaurant as a server making good money! All praise to the Lord!

My 19 yr. old daughter has struggled for the past four years with depression, anxiety, drug use, prescription drug abuse, alcohol abuse, abandonment issues from her father, and unhealthy relationships. Last week, she hit bottom. She knew she had to make changes. I contacted Teen Challenge (13 month Christian-based program) and asked her if she would be willing to give it a try. She checked herself in yesterday at 2 pm. This is such an answer to prayer. For the first time in a long time, I know she is safe. It was only by the grace and faithfulness of God that she was willing to do this. Please pray peace and comfort for her, and for me and the rest of our family.

Where do I begin.... I have been divorced now for four years, a single mom of two gorgeous children. My dilemma began at the point of divorce where I fell in a deep depression, followed by a spiral of not not attending church like I should (and I had always been a church goer). From there, I found myself somewhat lost because I didn't know who I was anymore. I was use to being a mom, a wife, with the happy family. My whole world had been shattered. From there, I have had to file for bankruptcy, lost my home, my car, and almost every material thing. I had also began to find myself in relationships that were not healthy for me (not abusive or anything like that, but just not where God would want me to be).

My children kept praying for me, my daughter Cindy 14 now and Josh 11, pleading with me to go back to church. I felt paralyzed every Sunday morning, almost a phobia trying to get out of that bed to go. I then received a letter in the mail from my choir, whom I had been a member of for several years, inviting me to come sing with. I prayed, "God, if it is meant for me to go, you will give me strength to get up on this Sunday morning to go." I put the letter beside my bed on my nightstand and every night during devotion, I prayed, "Lord, give me strength". That Sunday morning, I went. It was so marvelous to be back in the choir, at church. That was my first step. From there, I have taken small steps to get back in church. I was also faced with a scare of cancer, but thank God, it was negative, in the midst of all this. I also have a sister, who I six years younger than me who I struggling with an addiction to alcohol who is in rehab as I type this out right now. My children struggle daily with the fact they are in a broken home, but we pray nightly and I know that God has a plan for both my children. He can move mountains if only we allow him to. I love the Lord with all my heart.

I saw you guys in concert at First Baptist Church Sevierville a couple of years ago, and I loved your first album. Your second album is just as marvelous. I prayed for you and still pray for you. God is using you to do wonderful things.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good. This has been the biggest storm I have ever encountered, but I know that God is on His throne and He shall be faithful to His children.

May God Bless you in your ministry and your families,

In Christ's Love,

Regina

Where do I begin? God is always there for me. Entering college and getting my first job, my life went to peaceful to insane. My relationship with God has been suffering and I felt alone but no matter what, I know He is always here. Entering this experimental journey I felt all alone. Just as this song says He is everywhere; with the littlest signs I know He is there and He loves me.

Where do I start? I lost my job standing up for my faith. I can say that I was worried because I had an infant child but there was a whisper of "You are my child and I will take care of you" when doubt began to fill my mind. A few months later I got a job making more than double what I made at the job that I lost! What a great, amazing and almighty God we serve! He sent people to me to buy my home that was on the market for over 3 years in the worst market possible... I was beginning to lose all hope but all I had to do was lose myself in God and it was done! I just thank Him everyday for all the blessings that I have and everything that He does for me and my family. I also thank God for 33Miles! You guys are such a positive influence and a blessing to many people. Thanks for taking the time to read a fraction of my story of blessings! God Bless!

Pray Pray Pray... If we truly knew the power of Prayer, we would all pray MORE. Prayer changes things... believe & pray! I am here today because of faith & prayer. I was in a nearly fatal head-on collision 11 years ago - I survived a lethal injury to my heart after emergency open-heart surgery,abdominal surgery, closed head injuries, and 2 collpased lungs.

I am still healing, but my emotional and physical strength are the work of Jesus. Sooo many people prayed for me. I am a walking miracle. Through all my struggles, I've learned to put things in God's hands which is where I find my comfort & strength.

Well I had a friend who was thinking of suicide...they had tried it before and it was getting really bad. I think God called me to them to help them through this struggle. It got really bad really quick and is still not solved but God gave me the wisdom to be there for her and he gave me friends who gave me the strength to be strong. I was afraid but i think it brought me closer to God and will stick with me for a while.

Also, I've been on many mission trips for my church and i didn't feel God in me. Until Vancouver Canada, when everything changed. I got to work with the homeless and we met a man who found a book on the ground and taught himself to read and memorized it front to back....it was the Bible. Then another came up to me and gave me a necklace and said "thank you for helping me". I wear it everyday. And finally, there was one man who came in all hyped up on drugs and was acting violently so we had to back away but a group my friend and i had talked to said they would protect us and nothing would happen while they were there. it opened my eyes and showed me that God can work through the least likely people and make the biggest difference.

On April 24th my Dad ran over my 2 1/2 year old little boy. He ran over his head and he died on the way to the hospital. I did CPR all the way, (don't remember doing it). He was transferred to another hospital. In the ambulance I prayed. "God you gave me Chelsea (you thought I could handle a child with CP) I can't handle another handicapped child and I can't lose one either so you have to fix him." While sitting in the waiting room of PICU that evening waiting for the trauma teams to finish with him. A peaceful calm came over me and I told our pastor today is a friday but Sunday is a comin. Zachary is going to be fine. If God can't get your attention through you he'll get it through someone else. My Dad wasn't saved. Zachary had 2 broken eye sockets, his nose broke away from his skull, his cheek bone broke, he had a hole in his skull over his right ear, a crack across the back of his skull, and the back of his head was scalped. He walked out of the hospital in 9 days. My dad went forward in church 3 days later. My brother began preaching 9 months later. God pulled me through that storm. I never doubted God was working miracles in that hospital that week. God is an AMAZING GOD!!!

A couple of years ago I was a freshman in college at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. I was enjoying the Christmas holiday when a doctor made a house call. He brought us some bad news. We found out that my father had thyroid cancer. I could not believe this!!!! All I could think of was why my family???? We were always in church no matter what! My father is a pastor; why would God do this to us!!! The doctor wanted to make sure that the cancer had not spread to other areas of his body. We found out that the cancer had spread to his colon. They had to remove the part of his colon. When I found this out I was DONE with God. I did not want anything to do with Him. I simply did not understand why He would do this. I ran far far far away from God. When the song says "You may think the sky above is falling but can you hear Jesus calling," I felt like I could not hear Jesus calling because I felt like God had betrayed me and my family. It has been three years and my father is cancer free THANKS TO GOD!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you 33Miles for the awesome songs!!!!!

LIVE4HIM

I lost my dad a month and four days before my fourth birthday... i am 16 right now and will try and look back and remember times about him, but i can't remember anything about my own dad, just things i'm told he did, or what people tell me he was like, or pictures to show me what he looked like. it was very hard for me going through elementary school seeing all these kids with daddy's to hug, and seeing them on their dad's shoulders when they couldn't see what was going on. it was a huge struggle for me. i grew up in church and when i was little and still in elementary school i accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and realized it was fine, that i do have a Father that i can go to in a time of need, or just a time that i need someone to talk to. so God helped me with instead of thinking wow i have no idea what to think when there are all these dads around, but using my wanting to have my dad back to write papers about stories my mom would always tell me. i have four brothers and a sister and then there's my mom who is the strongest women i have ever met, raising six kids ranging from 3-17 on her own and still keeping a job. there were times when i would break down and wish God didn't take him away from me because i can't remember anything about him, but then it finally hit me after all the pain and struggling of not knowing what to do, and having to deal with my four brothers who are all older then me, i finally realized why God gave me such a big family, such a strong mom, and such a close relationship with my siblings. i realized that with having brothers, i do have protectors of my life, men who watch out for me like a father would. God has taken away a father, but in return put so many amazing, intelligent, strong, protective men in my life, and i thank Him everyday for that!

It's really simple. My husband works hard everyday. But he went to work last November and they told him you can either stay for half of what you are making or quit. Well if he quit there would be no unemployment. So he has stayed. He works just like he did when he was making a full check. He goes above and beyond. And God has been faithful. I won't lie--we are behind on bills but I am not stressing over it because I take it to Jesus and leave it with Him. He takes care of us. We have a roof over our head, shoes on our feet and food on our table. And a Savior who is right there with us. He's amazing. We just had Revival meetings at our church this week. It was awesome to see the hand of God working and once again He just does what He says He will do. It's just that simple. God can't lie. He keeps His word Eternally. I love ya'lls music it speaks to the soul.
Love and prayers,
Wendy

Well lets see...I am 32 now I lost my husband when I was 25 and he was 28...he passed away from a massive heart attack in front of the Christmas tree. I could have never pictured my life without him but I knew deep in my heart it was for a reason. That's when I met my second husband... who ended up being very abusive, but if it wouldn't have been for God putting him in my life, I wouldn't have gotten to minister to so many peeps around the U.S. I have been homeless...I have been abused and had broken bones...but never did I have to do without food...God always placed someone in my life to help me to get to where I am today and without him I would have never made it this far. Now I'm engaged to a loving man and am so blessed in life...and I'm always thankful for everything that God has put and taken from me in my life. There's always another stepping stone for us to cross and another path for us to take, we just have to keep the faith and never let it fade : )

WOW, what can you say about GOD other than He is amazing. He is always there for you, in times of struggle and in times of joy, and just when you think that things are at their worst God can turn them around. When I was a child I was abused by my neighbor and at that time I was in the worst place of my life. Thanks to great parents who would not give up on me I got through things. Years passed and I didn't really think about my past that is until I got into a serious relationship and I realized that I didn't work through things as well as I thought I had. I have had to really focus on my relationship with God and realize that I know that He can get me through anything. What happened to me was an awful thing and I know it has happened to many other children and adults. The thing we all have to remember is that yes it does feel like the lowest time in your life but we will all come out on top if we look to God. He will always be there to get us through anything. We have to remember to use things that happen to us for the better and not dwell in them. I am a stronger woman now and I would not have changed my past for anything. It it makes me who I am today and lays the path for the woman I will become and I know with God that all things are possible. I hope that one day I will be given the opportunity to help people who went through my same situation and let them know that things well always get better, but only with the faith and love of God:-)

First off Jesus has done so many things for my family and I, that I could write stories all night long and then some. But this would have to be the most amazing one of all. After our son was born in 2004, my husband and I waited two years to try for another baby. After a year of struggling and getting nowhere for a year, I finally became pregnant in September of 2007. We were so happy! But sadly, that pregnancy ended at 5 1/2 weeks. I remember just asking Jesus "Why, Jesus. Why me? Why MY baby?" I just didn't understand at the time. But there was a reason why my baby is now in Heaven with him. Two months later we began to try again. After another year of getting nowhere, we had fertility testing done. Only to find out my husband was infertile and it would take a miracle for us to have another baby. They told us it would practically be impossible. We quit trying after recieving the devastating news. I didn't give up, I just quit trying and left it all up to Jesus. Month after month, still nothing. But I never lost my faith. It was very emotionally painful, especially seeing everyone around me get their little blessings. Finally, I quit worrying completely, not to even think about it anymore and I said to the Lord..."Its all up to you. I'm not going to worry or stress because I know if its meant to be, it will be. Lead me where you want me to go Lord and I will follow." I felt so relieved and I knew that Jesus would not let me down. And now amazingly, February 21st 2009 I found out I was pregnant!!! Now almost 4 months pregnant, everything is perfect with me and the baby. The Lord is wonderful! And when the doctors said it would be impossible, I knew it was possible. Jesus has shown his faithfulness to my family time and time again. I can't thank him enough for everything he has done for us. Never give up on Jesus, he will never give up on you!!!! Anything is possible with Him!!! Thank you Jesus!

I can't even begin to describe how many times I've felt alone in my life..or at least I thought I was alone. I don't share this with many people because I don't want my parents to know how I feel. So I have to be extra careful. But I want to inspire anyone else going through persecution of any kind or feeling alone. Let me just start off with..you are not alone. You're never alone.

Ever since I became a Christian I've always been persecuted for it. I've had to go through and am still having to go through ridiculous things just to make my parents happy to just be able to go to church. There's always a temptation to feel discouraged, especially when I know I'm the only one in my youth group who is going through this much persecution. It's been about 3 years of it. A lot of times I let a lot of my imperfections and I think "Oh I can't be something for God. I'm not good enough." Well that's not true. Those thoughts weren't truth. God makes every strength perfect in His strength. Every weakness you have is PERFECTED by Him and HE gets ALL the glory!!! And sometimes I'm tempted to grow weary give up. So many times I've just wanted to say "God, I'm done." But see, God is FAITHFUL. He will NEVER leave you, nor forsake you!!!

God's faithfulness throughout all my tears, which He knows the exact number.......I don't even know how many times I've cried.

Praise God He's so faithful and I cant wait to see what He uses me for!!! PRAISE GOD!!!

My first thought was "which time do I choose?" Our Savior has been with me all my life protecting me from so many things (mother attempting suicide and planning to take us with her more than once, stupid moves I made as a young adult, children seriously ill, on and on). I finally decided on the one time that I actually FELT his presence coming over me.

When I was just 17 weeks pregnant with my second son, a test came back that showed he could possibly have a birth defect that was pretty much a death sentence. My husband and I discussed the "what ifs" and made a clear decision that no matter what--we'd go full term and do whatever needed to be done to save him, or just hold him while God took him home. As I was in the shower to get ready for a sonogram and amniocentesis to have genetic testing performed, I just broke down in the shower and called out to God. I immediately felt a warmth come over my whole body and just the "knowing" that all would be fine. I have shared that story many times to tears and "Praise God!" It gave me peace to undergo the testing and being able to know that Christ was with me no matter what and he'd be with our son. Sure enough, my son was perfectly fine...although there are signs that he was healed invitro. That's another very long story. Our Savior, Christ Jesus, is so awesome and will be there whenever you call out to him with your heart...you may not know it at the time like I did, but he IS there!

In November 2008 my older sister who I look up to more then ever overdosed on some pills not knowing what she was really doing to herself or her family. She is married and has 2 wonderful children and I don't know why someone would do something so stupid. When I got the call she was in the hospital from overdosing I asked Jesus why why did she do it. I never ever though that her overdosing on some pills would leave her on life support fighting for her life. I knew at that point all I could do was turn to Jesus. I went to the hospital church and prayed that he would bring her back to us. My mom wasn't a strong believer in Jesus and telling her to pray would just make her mad and so once again I turned to Jesus and asked him to touch my mom and help her to believe in him... About a week of my sister being on life support I talked to my mom and told her that we need to pray and put my sister in Jesus hands and let him take over what was going on expecting her to get mad for saying that she took my hand and said lets got to the church and pray. I knew right then in there Jesus had listened to my prayers. We prayed every day for my sister I went to the hospital everytime I could hoping and praying things had changed for my sister. Everytime I went no change and it was worst then the last time I seen her. I never once gave up on my sister or Jesus I just keep praying knowing that if I did my sister would get better no matter how long I had to pray for her to get better. I prayed for her to come back to us for about 3 weeks by the 4th week she was off life support and up talking. Jesus had answered all my prayers once again. After being in ICU for a month she was able to come home and return to her life. I was scared at first about her coming home because I didn't want her to go back to the pills. She has now been clean from the pills for over 5 months now and it's all thanks to Jesus. So if anyone don't believe in pray I hope you start believing and just trust in Jesus I know I always will.

So many of us go though hard times. Even if they don't seem big to others, they are to the people who are going though it... My husband and I have been going though money troble and work trouble for about a year or so. I lost my job September 2008 and looked for a job for months and never got an offer. My husband and I decided that I would stay home with our son which has been a blessing in itself. I gave up my new car to stay home and wouldn't change that for the world. Not too long after losing my job my husband's job started getting slower and slower which means the checks got smaller and smaller. I never though that we were going to make it though this very hard time in our life... Bills falling behind and a new baby on the way, I was scared to death. The only thing I knew to do is turn to Jesus and let him handle it and ask for the best knowing Jesus wouldn't give us anything we couldn't handle. He has watched over us and is getting us though this hard time. We are financally doing okay and I know if I just keep letting Jesus take care of it we will be okay and blessed no matter what. I just want to tell Jesus thank you!

I have been hurt so many times in the past few years, and I was at a low point. I was sick of how my life was going, the friends I had weren't true. They did drugs, and kept trying to get me to. One day I was sitting on my bed crying, and I decided to pray as hard as I could, I'd give it a shot. As soon as i was done, I said, "I want to feel you in my soul, please forgive me for everything I've done", and I felt this weight lift off of my shoulders and a sense of peace entered my heart. I felt so alone, until that day. I realized that I'm not alone, that I always have Jesus to go to. I am not perfect, I still make mistakes, but I know that if I pray for forgiveness, Jesus will forgive me. He died for me on the cross, and I will never be able to repay him. Before I let my heart go out to Jesus, I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere, then...I started going more to my youth group at Ada Bible Church. The people there welcomed me, it was like a family away from home. A couple years ago I went to a concert, and it had 33Miles, Jeremy Camp, and Aaron Shust. I saw how faithful all of the band members really were, and I realized that I was surrounded by people who had given their hearts out to Jesus Christ. I keep the picture of me and you guys to remember that day, because it was another point in my life where I realized just how many people dedicate their lives to live the godly way. Your songs help me so much, there is no way you'll ever be able to understand just how much you do. Jesus Calling is the perfect song for anyone who is struggling in getting to know Jesus.

Hey guys! I want you to know that this song has become my anthem. I listen to it a hundred times a day and rock out to it every time. About three months ago, I went through a really terrible breakup with my boyfriend. I believed we would spend the rest of our lives together and one day he decided he wanted out. To compound things, I have a 21 month old son who he had been a father to and was very close to which made it so much more difficult. In any event, I found myself with no where to go but home to my mother and with nothing really to my name. By chance, I had reached out the wife of my ex's best friend and asked her to see if they could talk some sense in to him. The two of us instantly became friends, and she told me to pray about it all. I like to say that on that day I not only went home physically, I went home spiritually too. I grew up in church and was raised in the word of God, but I got caught up in temptations of the world and turned my back in God. In any event, she invited me to church, and the rest is history. The pastor preached directly to me about living my life according to God's will and doing it his way. He also talked about how sometimes God allows storms to come so that we will call out to him. I believe now with 100% assuredness that God allowed all that happened in order to get my attention. It took something so drastic to truly bring me to my knees and back to him. From that first Sunday, I have been a totally different person. I walk daily with the Lord. I beat down the doors of the church now because the message is so powerful each week, and I am praying for God to reveal his will to me each and every day. My life has totally been transformed. I no longer worry about the future. I am not dwelling in my past. I am living right now for the Lord. The peace that I have come to know is absolutely unfathomable, and it is truly not something that I can put in to words. The only thing that I can say is that I have a passion, a fire, and a burning desire to know God and to have him at my side every minute of everyday. I used to be envious of those people who were drawn to tears during worship, but now I understand it and I feel it. Recently, someone asked me how I could be so okay considering all that happened. I think this song explains it so well. It's a matter of perspective. I realize that God has blessed me in a million different ways and that one day all of this will clearly point to something great and wonderful in my life. I know that tribulation is a part of the journey, but it will be well worth it in the end. I am content with the situation I am in, and the life that God is providing me though it may not always be what I thought I deserved or needed. I am CONTENT with it all, and from that contenment comes true happiness and peace. I know that the Lord is providing for me, and he will give me everything in this world that I need. For the first time, I have that faith and it's the greatest feeling in the world!

Well to start off I was always a fighter, but ever since i went to Hot Hearts I realized that there was no need. Just let go and look to God, and now I am understanding more and more what to do. Thank you for reading this and my life has been better since that day I asked Him into my heart.

Every day here in detroit is a challenge to see life from a positive perspective. With the auto industry crisis, worrying about your elderly parents and in-laws having no health care, losing your own job, helping friends move out of their homes due to bankruptcy- there has been alot on all of our hearts and minds. We are all "scared to death" here. But, Jesus has and will be faithful, even through this. I lost a job that I loved, but found another one that helps people in the inner city. I am grateful for basic blessings from God, such as a place to live, food on the table, a wonderful husband and daughter. I have always said a table prayer before a meal, but now I am really so thankful for the blessing of a meal on the table. Two years ago, I took things for granted much more than I do now. God gave me the strength to apply for unemployment, and ask for help when my family needed it. I learned to rely on others, not just myself. Only Jesus could take this situation, and turn me into a person who is more grateful and feels more blessed than she ever has, when she has the least of material things.

Well guys. I tell you God is soo Amazing... I met you guys here in Augusta almost 3 years ago. I have been intrigued by music my whole life and finally found people who were true to the words that they are singing. I can say that through all the ups and downs there is only one person that I have been able to count on through it all. God has been there with me through thick and thin. Not only through personal issues and family issues. But at times I doubted God and the work he can do... I am now a living example of God's work and I have answered the call of our Savior in the music industry and ministering to young people. All I can say, is when you hear Him telling you where you belong don't hesitate to accept the challenge. He won't ever let you down... No matter how down and out you may be you can look UP to HIM and he will always be there. I heard the call and despite the many downs I have had in life, I know that whats yet to come will be the best thing ever... Just let go and be faithful to GOD and he will help you through. I can't wait to see you guys again this summer here in Augusta...