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BORN ANEW
by Deb Walker, Cedar Falls, Iowa

When I was 13 I had my first abortion. A few months later, I attempted suicide by overdosing on antidepressants.

My parents divorced, and I quit high school, becoming a teen-age mother at 17. A year later, pregnant again by a different man, I had another abortion.

After attempting suicide for the second time, I was committed to a state mental hospital. One of my counselors was a Christian woman whose church prayed for me for more than four years.

After several months I ran away from the hospital and hitched a ride out of the state. Since my parents didn't want me, I felt I had no one in my life who cared about me.

I was addicted to drugs, working as an exotic dancer and ruining my future. Many times I was close to dying. One time I ended up in the emergency room.

Lying in my hospital bed, I begged the nurse not to leave because I was fearful of dying. At one point I asked her to walk with me down the hall.

When we reached the end of the hallway, I peeked in a room and saw beautiful babies. I wanted to become like them--new and without sin!

God heard me. But I continued in my sin until He brought me to my lowest point.

I was four months pregnant and doing drugs every day and night. While sitting in my room, I began to feel a strong sense of Satan's presence.

Though I hadn't seen my mom for a long time, I drove to her house. My mother opened the door, and when I told her I needed help, she called a woman named Sue, who attended the church that had been praying for me.

Sue and her pastor came over. They shared Christ with me and helped me find His forgiveness. God delivered me from drugs, alcohol and smoking. He even answered my silent prayer and made me like one of those little babies--"a new creation in Christ."

Jesus blessed me with a healthy baby girl, in spite of the many drugs I took, and He's given me a wonderful Christian husband. Even my older daughter, who had been living with my mom, was given back to me on Christmas that year!

My testimony is a sign to those who are praying for friends or family that they must never give up on them. I am a prayer request answered! /quote]

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." -- (Hebrews 11:1)

Don't ever short-circuit a miracle by trying to see it in progress!

Next time you're tempted to evaluate what God is doing by the looks of things, don't do it. Remember instead that it is faith, not appearances, that makes miracles happen. It's the only real evidence that you need!

Yours In The Vineyard, Amareno
"As the deer panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee oh Lord" (Psalm 42:1)