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  • 15 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
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  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
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The Heart of Stone

  • I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them. Ezekiel 36:25-27 WEB.

    I grew up a bit different than most. My Mom married and divorced nine times, and my Dad three. Everyone I knew, and every home I stayed at, was temporary. One day they were your family, and the next day, your enemy. I don't even remember all their names, and many of them never bothered to learn mine.

    During one family arrangement, I was the youngest of thirteen children. Ten of them were step-siblings who despised the idea of us being there. It was not uncommon to see them as grown men fist-fighting in the yard and sometimes in the house. I watched Dad get his shirt ripped off more than once while trying to pull them apart. One of my step-brothers liked to sit in the woods with his rifle scope aimed at Dad's head.

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

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

    After I came to know Jesus, He started melting this stony shell of mine little by little. Slowly, I began to care for people. It seemed strange at first. Finally, at about thirty-five, I actually fell in love for the first time. I got married and have lived happily ever since. Now, 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 like you are supposed to. We are created to love God and love one another. The more time you spend with Jesus, the softer your heart will become. He can fix the brokenhearted.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please soften my heart and show me Your love. Remove my heart of stone and give me a new one. Please give me a fresh start today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: This morning, we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! Here is the link to join: RHM Live


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18 comments
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen 

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Amen!

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen! This brought tears to my eyes Thank you for sharing this story pastor Dion

 

November 6, 2022
  • 1
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Amen Lord Jesus!

November 6, 2022
  • 1
David Krull
David Krull

Amen. Beautiful testimony and prayer.. Jesus is Lord over all.

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Maria Melendez
Maria Melendez

Amen!

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Amen! Renew my heart, Lord.

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Enlightening story. God bless you. Amen

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes Lord, in Jesus's name I pray this, amen. 

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

AMEN! A fresh start with You, my Lord and God, as I start out each day with you! (h5)

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

November 6, 2022
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Amen,Pastor Dion I'm glad you got to know Jesus Christ.RHM is wonderful and blessed.

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Lord Christ Yeshua's name I pray, Amen. 

November 6, 2022
  • 1
Kelly Knox
Kelly Knox

Amen!

November 7, 2022
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Amen! We are created to love God and love one another. Thanks, Lord, for this new day to share Your love!

November 7, 2022
  • 1
Janet Sorensen
Janet Sorensen

Thank you for sharing that! "The downside of this is that when you can no longer feel the pain, you can no longer feel love." I have been numb, and when it wears off, it isn't always pleasant but you have to go through it to get to the other side. I look at my daughter now and love her so much it hurts. How is she so wonderful when I am her mom! I am going through a really emotional time trying to figure out how I really feel because I smushed it down for so long.

November 7, 2022