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The Heart of Stone

  • I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 NIV

    I had a different childhood growing up. My Mom divorced nine times, and my Dad three. Everyone in my life was temporary. At one point I was the youngest of thirteen children, ten of which were step siblings that despised us being there. It was not uncommon to see them fist fighting in the yard, sometimes in the house with us.

    I had my head beat against the wall more than once. You learned to stay out of the way and to keep a low profile. I was the least of them all, and an outsider anyway. This began when I was one year old, so I grew up thinking that this was normal family behavior. It wasn't.

    By the time that I was an adult, I had developed a heart of stone. There were about three people on earth total that I cared anything about, and I had enough ex-family members to populate a small city. When some of them died, I felt joy. I developed a shell where no one could hurt me and I really had no feelings left for anyone. I learned that when you can no longer feel the pain, you can no longer feel love.

    After I came to know the Lord, He started melting this stony shell little by little. I actually started to care for people and it seemed strange at first. Finally at about thirty-five, I actually fell head over heels in love, got married and have lived happily ever since. I cry at the movies. God gave me a new heart.

    There is healing for a heart of stone. God can give you a new one, and you can feel love just like you were meant to. Keep pursuing God. The more time you spend with Jesus, the softer your heart will become.

    Prayer: Father, soften my heart and show me Your love. Remove the heart of stone and give me a new one. Give me a fresh start, in the name of Jesus.

    Note: "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf" Romans 15:30 If you would like us to join with you in prayer, please always feel free to send your private requests to our Prayer Network. Of course, if you are not concerned about privacy, you are also free to post any requests on our home page :). We are here for you! Here is the link: RHM Prayer Network


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23 comments
  • 1
Joseph Adams, Jr.
Joseph Adams, Jr.

Amen

October 15, 2017
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

There is so much truth here, God is so LOVING and PATIENT, He is just waiting for you to give your heart to Him! Thank you LORD!

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝

You right Jim, it's just that when you have toxic people in your life you have to learn how to really protect your heart. Blessings to you and JoAnne. <3

 

October 16, 2017
  • 1
Pranoti  Kumar
Pranoti Kumar

Change my heart O Lord, make it ever true.......

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Michelle  Muff
Michelle Muff

Love ❤️ is the way. Create a heart ❤️ like yours Jesus!!

October 15, 2017
  • 2
Connie Wilkes
Connie Wilkes

What a message that went straight to my heart. I was brought into a family as the youngest of my siblings. I felt unloved and unwanted.  I will not go into detail but let's just say I went through some very rough times in those young years that shaped me into someone I wasn't proud of. But by the grace of God I am alive and well today. Without God carrying me most times I would have never made it. One positive note to all this I had a very strong set of step grandparents that taught me about Jesus at that very young age.

God you are all powerful and merciful. Thank you for being there with me and sending your son Jesus to protect me when I was most vunerable. Even though I may stumble sometimes the God almighty picks me right back up. 

Never ever let the enemy convince you that you are not worthy. Because you are worthy and loved by our God

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen,Thank you God

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Audry Reddy
Audry Reddy

Thank you for sharing, Pastor. It gives me strength and encouragement when other believers give thier testimonies knowing that we are not alone in our trials and suffering and also knowing that God saves us from all trouble!! ♥

October 15, 2017
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Yes Lord, soften my heart and show me Your love. Give me a new start. Amen. Thank you for the message Pastor, God can do anything if we let Him.

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady

Amen

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Father,You know my in and out, help me to be the way You want me to be. In Jesus name I pray,Amen.

October 15, 2017
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

We love you Jesus,you are magnificent,wonderful and awesome. Amen.....thanks to all for prayers for my family.

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Stacie Chambers-Franklin
Stacie Chambers-Franklin

Amen 

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardleedited: October 15, 2017

God is able -  He suffered so much on our behalf, He's seen and felt the hurt of betrayal, utmost pain, both physical emotional and so much more that we can only imagine! He alone is able to change and soften our hearts, to renew and give us a new spirit, to wipe away tears, to help us forgive and forget, Praise His Holy Name!

It breaks my heart to hear your story, Pastor Dion, and it blesses me as well, as I can see how you so tender-hearted reach out and bless others with your testimonies, devotions and witness! Sending you a big hug as your sister in Christ Jesus!

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!!

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt

Praise God! He can give you a new heart!

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Debbie Bible
Debbie Bible

I am amazed and touched by your "back story". No matter how we're treated in this life, it's so awesome to understand that our Creator has the ultimate love for us.

October 15, 2017
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

Thank you Jesus!

October 16, 2017
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝

Prayer: Father, soften my heart and show me Your love. Remove the heart of stone and give me a new one. Give me a fresh start, in the name of Jesus. Amen. <3

 

Pastor, I find that many families think they way they grew up was the way that you should live. I grew up with family always fighting that was my sibling sister's they did and still always went after me. In fast after all that trouble in May 2015 Bob, and I was in our yard at the lake. We was passing out candy it was Oct. Fest. I turn around and my sister the pharmacist was right behind me. My sister's are toxic to me I was seen a doctor because of them. I always had love for them all my life but here they never had the kinda love that I had. I looked at her and started to cry and i'm very depressed right now with Shirley. My body went into a knot, I told her I love you and will always pray for y'all but I've been hurt and beat down by all your lies. She looked at me and said oh Janet had a PI look into that mean letter that went all over Amelia Island. She said it was Angie her daughter in law is the oldest sister's. I said nobody ever called me ot even told me why I was getting blames for a nasty letter. I know in my heart why. My older sister is like a dirty car saleman and can really charm people. Because of being married to a very rich sick man for the love of money. Shame on her when he got caught she wanted to take the the focus off of her and her daughter so she was blaming me for the letter and other things. It did get to a point I knew Bob my daughter and most of all God knew I did nothing. So I went about my life in pain but it was healing. Chris the pharmacist and her husband always talked about them in our younger years and said sick things they thought. That's because when they came from South Africa when her daughter not his was 3 they lived with my sister for a while until the found a house. Things my brother in law heard he said he's weird and not right in his mind. Well anyways she wants to get out life back together and I was feeling that old real love I had for all 3. So Bob, Pamela and I had a talk and he said you have so much your dealing with if you would see her talk but do not call or do out of your way he said it will happen again. I have to protect my heart just like God tells us. Amen

The other thing I use to do as a child is my mom called it build a wall my brick wall. I was so good at building that wall and noting could get throught it. I wish I could still build that wall to ptotect myself. I can't anymore I am like a marshmellow and I got that name in the hospital. I was hurthing for some girl that told her life story I left the neeting crying for her. So my family was always yelling and fighting. My mom was not like that my brother or I with the sister's. But I do have one hell of a bite if someone would hurt my family. If someone would lie to me I hate lies ew just hate them. So I understand that families live what they leaen and that's a normal to each family. 

Last! Shirley's daughter did sleep there last night she's taking off work she said everytime she does wake she looking right at the side of the frig. and there is a picrure Bob got of us two in the Spring. Her daughter said there's my Diane I love her so mu h she's my best friend and aways went out of her way to do for me even before I got ill. I don't want to be a me person it was just the love and the close friendship we built over 7 years. I wnt over twice while closing the cottage roday. The first time her eyes looked so dry and was not opening them well. I hugged her and told her I love you so much and today is my last day. She said I love you too Diane. It was really hard on me not to cry in front of her. The second time I was in the trucj but told Bob don't pull out. I went to the door and her daughter didn't hear me so I went in they would leave the door open for me. Her daughter said you leaving I said yes. She said she fell a sleep I said don't wake her I just want to kiss her head and tell her I will see her in heaven when it comes my time to gp. I said I want her to be waiting for me with my mom,dad and brother. I placed my lips on her head really soft as I kissed her again and told her I love you and you was the best friend that anyone could ever have. I said I feel like I want to sell my place but I feel too that you'll ne watching over me here. I hugged her daughter we cried and she lives right up the road. She said you be seen me a lot next season if you don't mind. I said please I would love that. So her daughter and I are going to keep in touch and see wach other when it's lake time. Just wanted to fill you in on my life and all family are not right but we always have people that love us and treat you better than some family members. Love you and Pastor, what you went through yo grew to be a loving man with a big heart like my husband he's like that and you both have a love that's goes so deep for God. Sylvia, you very blessed as I feel I am too to have men in our life that put us first and let someone her us. I know Pasrtor would be like my Bob would for me if treated wrong by someone. They might be  chewing on a mouthful of teeth. Bob, is the most calming man I know mess with me first or his daughter and grandkids I fear the out come.

 

Pastor thank you for this devotion it really hit a nerve and I will proof read it tomorrow ro fix my typo's. I always mess my typing up a lot when I am  not well. Sorry!! Love You Both God bless you two. <3

October 16, 2017
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams

Amen.  Praise God!  Thanks for sharing Pastor Todd!  Father, soften my heart and show me Your love. Remove the heart of stone and give me a new one. Give me a fresh start, in the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

October 16, 2017
  • 1
Beverly Hagar-Schmerse
Beverly Hagar-Schmerse

An awareness that others were "different" from how you were feeling...is the first step of changing.  The second is saying "Yes!  I want to change."  Pursuing change is ongoing, I think, as we never know, how much is "enough"...That is up to God and what He has in store for each and every one of us.  Thank you, for this very real, raw capsule of how God has worked in your life.  It provides hope and encouragement for those who are on that journey at this time.  This message is in the vein of St. Paul with personal account of his conversion.  Thanks.

October 16, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

That is high praise, Beverly, amen <3!

October 18, 2017
  • 1
Ida Ruth Rodriguez
Ida Ruth Rodriguez

Amen!

October 17, 2017