Courage
I felt led to kind of stick with the “going first” theme this week on Without Wax. Here’s a video of a young lady here at Cross Point whose going through an awful lot right now but chose to “go first” this past weekend. She risked criticism, pointed fingers, and judgement and in my book that takes a lot of courage.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/2895945]
44 Comments:
what a great story. thanks for sharing this.
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mikemonts
2:57 pm
Just said a prayer for you and your ministry.
This is cool.
R
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roxannekristina
3:00 pm
Thank you Pete and Cross Point for being the church to Amanda. I pray that she finds the arms of love she needs down the road. Thanks for sharing this for all of us to see.
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Bill (cycleguy)
3:01 pm
WOW! Thank you Pete for posting this. I just listened to the entire sermon online and cried like a baby….through the whole thing. Its just “on me” right now. To see this sweet girls face and hear her story again, will send me back to the ugly cry. But….it’s all good and I’m happy to shed these tears for her, with her, one of her. Blessings Pete….I thank God for you. I think you know how much this church means to me….and i’m not even in Nashville!
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Fran
3:11 pm
Pete – that was really beautiful! Shame on anyone who sits in judgement of this girl. Who among us can throw the first stone that has not sinned? We are to love her, encourage her, pray for her and continue to lead her closer and closer to Jesus. Where more of her is left behind and more Him can rise up inside of her for all to see. Her life is a beautiful example of God’s gift of forgiveness, mercy and grace. May His grace abound in her life to sustain her through the trials before her. His grace is enough! Lean on Him Amanda – He will be all you need to see you through this! Our family is holding you in prayer!
Blessings!
Jill
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jill
3:23 pm
amazing testimony! thank you so much for posting. please make sure amanda knows about hope clinic for women…www.hopeclinicforwomen.org. we are right down the street from crosspoint and offer many kinds of support during pregnancy. so glad you all are doing what you do. blessings.
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Lauren
3:31 pm
This is such an important–and often overlooked–aspect of the Christian journey. God uses imperfect people to achieve incredible feats. He doesn’t first clean up behavior, then utilize us.
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Nate VZ
3:35 pm
Wow. There is such an openness and honesty here. I’m sitting here in my office being brought to tears over Amanda’s past but also by the knowledge that there is a family, one that she’s never experienced before, loving her and reflecting Jesus in a real way at your church.
That is a win.
Amazing.
I needed to see that.
-Dave
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David Martin
4:02 pm
Wow. This is beautiful. Brought me to tears. Thank you for being the church to this woman. That is all I can really say. Crosspoint is such a beautiful community – I only wish I could visit sometime and witness for myself the love the runs through yall’s ministry.
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Kayla Grace
4:14 pm
I’m not totally sure as to what you guys do with ministry, but clearly it’s working, and in a positive way.
You guys really know what community is and how to bring a group of people together who genuinely care about others.
I hope that everything works out well for Amanda, and that both of her children are able to grow up knowing CP and all of the great things you guys are able to do.
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nigel
4:40 pm
She’s a brave woman and I’m so glad she found friends at Cross Point.
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britt
5:13 pm
I love her….
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OCD-ism/Obsessive Christian Disorder
5:23 pm
God is so good!
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Debra
5:32 pm
this was such an emotional video to watch… i applaud amanda for her openness and honesty, she showed a great amount of courage to step out like that! praying for her!
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brandiandboys
6:00 pm
We serve an AMAZING God! No matter how many times we fall he is there to catch us and stand our feet firmly back on the ground. Praise Jesus!!
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Sara
6:03 pm
Sometimes as Christians we think we know what God is doing but his plan is so much bigger than we can comprehend. It is amazing to think about how He is using Amanda right now. Lives are changing because of her bravery.
The message was amazing on Sunday. Everyone should take the time to hear the whole thing online.
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Lindsey Nobles
6:12 pm
Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your story! We are all broken people, some just try to hide the cracks in their life. Praying for Amanda and the loving people at Cross Point.
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Paula L.
6:20 pm
This story is so powerful. I was literally brought to tears in my office. Those pictures of her as a little girl broke my heart as she described her life back then. She reminded me so much of my daughter. I am so so proud of this young woman. God is so good, so wonderful and I am so thankful that she has a family at Crosspoint. Thanks Pete for sharing this story with all of us.
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Tiffany
6:21 pm
Pete – Can i meet her? I would love to give her a hug. To let her know she is not alone. From someone who has walked her path and is only a little further down the road. I am available for any encouragement or tangible help needed. Feel free to pass on my info to her if it will help…
Thanks for continuing in such a raw and transparent direction.
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sailorscott
7:01 pm
What a ministry you have in your lifes story. Thanks for having the courage to stand tall and speak your past and declare your future in Christ.
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bustersdaughter
7:10 pm
WOW! I am in tears and praying for Amanda at the same time. I was also convicted to search myself to see if I love and accept others the way I want to and each of of as christians so desire even when we mess up. I think you have truely hit on something here Pete where we need to be honest with ourselves and others and allow God’s power to work through our imperfections instead of pretending we are ok and without sin.
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Gina
7:13 pm
It most certainly does.
Amanda, I want to give you a standing ovation for that, and then I wish I could give you a huge big koala hug!
Thank you for sharing your story, Amanda. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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brunettekoala
7:24 pm
Pete
Thank you for sharing. I will add Amanda to my prayer list. My God My Dad Thank you for Crosspoint and what you are doing with that ministry. Dad I want to thank you for Pete, that you have given him a heart thatis not closed but open and astaff that supports him in any direction that You take him. Be with Amanda love her and let her know that you are God and that you love her no matter what,because you sent my brother your son jesus to died for her and everyone else. Thank you for the relationship that you give us.Again thank you for Pete and Crosspoint,thank you for Amanda for being so open. We love you in my brother’s name and in your son’s name Amen
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Andy Depuy
8:13 pm
This is awesome. It’s wonderful that she was able to find a group of Christians to love her instead of judging her.
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jenn
9:01 pm
Thank you so much for sharing…and for Amanda sharing. Please let her know that someone in TX loves her and is praying for her and her children!!!
WOW!!! God is really working in you, Pete, and using you and CrossPoint for His glory…thank you for being the empty vessel!!!
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bluegoose
9:17 pm
Our God is so good. I grew up in situation similar. I can look back now and see that HE was always with me. It’s so hard to think of that when your in the trenches but HE is there.
Thank you Jesus for this young lady. Protect her and guide her. Give her wisdom and strength for her everyday. She is a women after YOUR heart, Jesus. Amen.
Take care,
Amy
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crumbsonmyfloor
9:38 pm
Welcome to the family Amanda!
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Annie K
10:07 pm
I can’t wait for Amanda to read all of these comments. I know it’s going to be so encouraging to her.
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Pete Wilson
10:20 pm
SO proud of you Amanda , for hanging in there.
Keep walking straight ahead…you’ll get to your destination before you know it!
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SHerri
10:49 pm
Amanda, I walked a similar path 33 years ago. Just today I heard the song, “Heal the Wound” and was reminded of what God has done in my life. There are so many times that I wish I didn’t have the past that I do, but I praise God that He loves me just as I am and He is faithful no matter what.
God is not surprised by what you are going through right now. He will never interfere with our free will to choose sin but because He loves us He will make a way for us to deal with the consequences when we turn to Him. In His great love He has placed you in a body of believers who will be His hands and feet and walk with you through the coming months and years to the extent that you allow them to. I encourage you to hold on to them with all your might and let them be “Jesus with skin on” for you and your precious children.
Hold fast to His promises:
“for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5b
and
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Psalm 27:10
May the Lord shower His blessings upon you, my beloved sister.
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Pearl
11:47 pm
This was so moving and so beautiful. Thank you Amanda for your courage and honesty.
Leslie
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My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving
12:13 am
Amanda, thank you, thank you for your honesty! Know that you are being lifted up before the Throne of Grace right now. We serve an amazing God; He truly is the God of the break-through, and I am excited to hear about what He does in Your life. I am so thankful that His healing power is working in you! Stay strong… Jesus’ love will overshadow the darkest of times!
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ss
12:43 am
Thank you. Now I need Kleenex.
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dave
12:49 am
Pete.. thank you for this video and the series. It’s really prompted me to make a phone call and sit down with a very good friend and tell him my real name. It’s been something that I’ve needed to do for a long time… I have been so tired being fake and I just need to get it out there and stop hiding.
Thanks for the kick in the right direction.
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Adam O
5:53 am
Tears. Weeping. Can’t type. Amazed.Challenged.
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Faye
7:58 am
@Adam O, Wow! Make the call now. You’ll be so glad you did. Freedom and forgiveness await you on the other side.
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Pete Wilson
8:15 am
Crying. Praying. Thanking God for forgiveness , everyday! @ Amanda – Keep Christ in your heart always and you will always bw loved
)
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Nicole
11:16 am
I’m so proud of her! She really stepped out on faith. I’m also amazed by all the responses to her story. I hope it has a lasting effect on everyone who hears it.
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Wendy Pickering
1:53 pm
What strikes me is that she is confident enough in her environment and church community to be able to share her story and what’s going on today. That says a ton about your leadership and God’s hand on Cross Pointe. Woo hoo!!
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Joni
2:02 pm
In our weakness God is strong! I am excited about your gift of salvation you have accepted in Jesus. I am excited about your blessing of a child both Maddie and new sibling. Blessing in suffering already being displayed. God is glorified ! He chose you, Amanda. You are worthy my friend and sister in Christ!
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Andrea Merrell
5:58 pm
I’m with OCDISM on this one…I love her, she’s one tough cookie, and I know she’ll make it through…she’s a survivor!
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Christina Schmidt
9:23 pm
Hello Everyone! I wanted to take a min to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all the encouraging words and comments on here or in person! Also thank you for the prayers! I was very nervous to see how people would react after my video Sunday! I’ve had a many encounters this week with people that said it was very inspiring to them and many join groups because of it! That makes my heart smile! I had told Pete if it helped just 1 person then I would be happy! It is very hard to go 1st sometimes but it is also so important to do so someone else can go second! I hope people continue to go first:) I’ve very thankful for Crosspoint and Pete for being a great teacher and most of all real! I real life person that has struggles and pain but also so much joy in his heart! All week I have came back to these comments as I’ve needed encouragment! I’m very blessed to be apart of such a great church! I have found the most real relationships when I’ve been the broken me that God sheads grace, mercy and Love on than any other! Even though I was dealt a difficult hand of cards growing up God has blessed me with a family through him that is much bigger than I could have ever dreamed of! Thank you once again for the prayers and kind words! I really need them! Each one of you are a blessing in my life! I could go on and on cause I feel that thank you doesn’t cover it but that what i have for ya’ll! Please continue to pray for me and my family:)
Love,
Amanda
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justagirl83
7:50 pm
wow. this courageous womans journey is very much like mine. i was abused as a kid. for as long as i can remember my life consisted of beating b y my mom-even at school. when i turned her in to C&Y, she snowed everyone and it was dropped. when i was 18 i met a great guy. he wasreally cute, kind and had a really awesome car. we started dating and he eventualy asked me to marry him. he knows all of the crud i had to deal with growing up from the abuse at my mom’s hands, to the sexual abuse by a man(who my family knew) at the age of 15. i was so ashamed of that that i didnt tell my parents for about a year. when i finally told them, my mom told me i was a liar and probably wanted it and my dad flipped out on the guy and basically threatened him with great harm…needless to say, i love my mom-i have forgiven her for this stuff, but as a result of the more than 18-19 years of stuff, we dont have a very good relationship. when i was 20 my now husband-then fiance and i discovered that i was pregnant. unmarried, engaged but pregnant. we told our parents. my mom broke a coffe mug on my foot when she threw it at me, my dad was sad for a bit but then he realized i was his daugther and he just wanted what was best and he loved me no matter what. my in-laws were upset, but said they loved us. when they said we love u no matter what and helped us with prayer and in many other ways also. i was so thrilled to find the grace and love of God during this time. it was during my pregnancy that i accepted christ into my life. wow. since then, i have found peace about many of the bad things in my life. forgiveness to some and more love towards others. i am so glad to have watched you speak about your life. i will pray for you and hope for many blessings in your life. hold on to God. trust Him. give everything over to Him. He is always with you. Love and many many blessings to you and for you!!!
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carrie-anne
10:50 pm
What an amazing, touching story, what a GREAT God we serve!!!!
I will be praying for you Amanda, you’ve touched my heart with your “real stuff” and the people that have gathered around you is what makes Jesus smile. God Bless you sweet sister.
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Barbara
10:34 pm
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