Aaron's Test.

[Psalms23]

I would like to start off by having you read some lyrics to a song. For most of you, you have heard it but i would still like for you to read them and soak them in. If you want go to youtube and even listen to it.

(When I type out something long...i kind of get a little jumpy...so just bare with me..)

"Stained Glass Masquerade" - Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay




Thats pretty much how my life has been until the past few weeks. Every time I turn around..I am falling further and further away. A major event in my life would happen and I would come running back but then again..as time goes by..I start to drift away. In my life there has been major events thats changed my life.

1. My best friend was killed by her boyfriend.
2. A good friend of mine became paralyzed in a motorcycle accident.
3. I was hit by an underage drunk driver.

You would think after the first event..I would have held on but I didn't...and then again after the second one...but guess what...i didn't....After the last major event that I listed..I started to drift but all by the grace of God, I was able to grab the reaching hand of the Lord and He pulled me in, held me tight, and didn't let go.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed myself changing in two different ways....


Physically - One thing that has bugged me my whole life...is my weight...i am not happy with the person that i am...im overweight...but i am taking control and doing something about it....within the past 3 weeks or so..I have lost 20 lbs and still counting!! I am starting to feel a lot better about myself. I still have about another 45.5 lbs to go until i get to the point I want!!

Spiritually - Over the past few weeks I have been doing a lot of praying and thinking. Been looking for encouraging verses and I have also started reading a book called "When God Writes Your Love Story" Last night as I set the book down around 12:30am...i decided to give my life back to God. I am done being that plastic person the song was talking about and the Stained Glass Masquerade ( masquerade means "false outward show ). If you are also a plastic person that is still living with a stained glass masquerade..I hope and pray that you will just give it all to the Lord. Give him the pin to your life and let him write your story instead you trying to! One other thing I would like to add before ending this is that I happen to meet some amazing people on here. Yall are a blessings from God!! Thanks for the courage, the prayers, and the sharing of your own testimony! You guys have been a big encouragement!

God Bless!
Aaron

[Kelly]

Wow...thanks so much for sharing that Aaron! Just know that it's ok to slip. We all do it. But the great news is that God is always there to catch us! :)

I know what you mean about being a plastic person like that song said. I realized just how bad it was at Red Letter Rockfest. As I mentioned before, Seventh Day Slumber's set was so powerful! Well I remember at one point when he asked if anyone had ever attempted or thought of attempting suicide....i started tearing up, but something inside me kept saying "Don't do it Kelly...they're taking pictures and video...you have to hold it together so you dont look stupid" and right at that moment, Joseph said these exact words...."Guys I know it's hard sometimes to be in the spotlight, but no one is watching right now, so just humble yourselves before the Lord....just be truly and completely honest with yourself...." That's when he asked who had planned to commit suicide that night and I just broke down. I didn't care anymore. It wasn't about me. These people were hurting so much they wanted to take their lives, and there I was, worried about how I'd look on camera. That's when I realized I'd gone over the deep end and I joined in on the altar call and rededicated my life to the Lord that night.

As for the weight loss, that's awesome! I don't get weighed too often since I can't stand on a regular scale, but I was weighed in January and the number disgusted me! I knew I was overweight, but I didn't realize by how much! I vowed to change, but of course I tried to do too much too quickly, and it didn't work. But then I started subbing and got other jobs and started to notice I was looking thinner. Then last night my friend came to pick me up for dinner and he had to lift me up into the truck. He practically threw me in and then goes "Man that was a lot easier than I thought it would be!" I was like "YES!!!" Hehehe. I definitely took that as a compliment! :) I'm getting weighed again next month so I'm hoping I've lost some! We had that thread on the OB for weight loss....did I see that over here? If not I'm gonna start it up again *wink*

[LauraA]

Aaron, you have a great testimony! Not only for people who don't know the Lord yet, but for those of us who have been living for Him. I admire your courage to be transparent in front of all of us. It shows me how real and sincere you are. Now I know why you are one of my heroes!

What a thought-provoking song! My guess is that everyone can relate to it in some way.

Thanks so much. This post can make a difference in lives. Really.

[themadclipper]

Ditto everything above, and my two cents.

I came to the realization a few weeks ago that I was not reading my Bible enough. You probably know how that starts. On Sunday, well, you were in church, and you'll read on Monday. But Monday is the start of the week, and you're busy, so by the time you think about it, it is Wednesday. Hmmm, well, I've got this great book by this great author who's a believer, and the book really applies to my life right now. And so on....

Be purposeful in your DAILY reading. You can read the great book by this great author who's a believer, and the book really applies to my life right now, but make sure the Bible is your priority. If you confess Jesus, then He will confess you to the Father (too lazy to look up the verse- it is nearly bedtime!)

[Psalms23]

Wow...thanks so much for sharing that Aaron! Just know that it's ok to slip. We all do it. But the great news is that God is always there to catch us! :)
Thanks for the encouragement!!

[Psalms23]

I know what you mean about being a plastic person like that song said. I realized just how bad it was at Red Letter Rockfest. As I mentioned before, Seventh Day Slumber's set was so powerful! Well I remember at one point when he asked if anyone had ever attempted or thought of attempting suicide....i started tearing up, but something inside me kept saying "Don't do it Kelly...they're taking pictures and video...you have to hold it together so you dont look stupid" and right at that moment, Joseph said these exact words...."Guys I know it's hard sometimes to be in the spotlight, but no one is watching right now, so just humble yourselves before the Lord....just be truly and completely honest with yourself...." That's when he asked who had planned to commit suicide that night and I just broke down. I didn't care anymore. It wasn't about me. These people were hurting so much they wanted to take their lives, and there I was, worried about how I'd look on camera. That's when I realized I'd gone over the deep end and I joined in on the altar call and rededicated my life to the Lord that night.


I am glad that you are able to share that! That is going to touch so many people's lives! God is Good and just always remember that he wont give you more then you can handle.

Psalm 34:4-7 (NLT)
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
[5] Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
[6] I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
[7] For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.


Psalm 34:17-19 (NLT)
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
[18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
[19] The righteous face many troubles,
but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.

[Psalms23]

As for the weight loss, that's awesome! I don't get weighed too often since I can't stand on a regular scale, but I was weighed in January and the number disgusted me! I knew I was overweight, but I didn't realize by how much! I vowed to change, but of course I tried to do too much too quickly, and it didn't work. But then I started subbing and got other jobs and started to notice I was looking thinner. Then last night my friend came to pick me up for dinner and he had to lift me up into the truck. He practically threw me in and then goes "Man that was a lot easier than I thought it would be!" I was like "YES!!!" Hehehe. I definitely took that as a compliment! :) I'm getting weighed again next month so I'm hoping I've lost some! We had that thread on the OB for weight loss....did I see that over here? If not I'm gonna start it up again *wink*

Thanks!! I just tired a shirt on yest. that was skin tight about 4 week ago and now its baggy!!

Im not sure if it was on the OB or this one...hmm gunna have to look!!

Good Luck!

[Psalms23]

Aaron, you have a great testimony! Not only for people who don't know the Lord yet, but for those of us who have been living for Him. I admire your courage to be transparent in front of all of us. It shows me how real and sincere you are. Now I know why you are one of my heroes!

What a thought-provoking song! My guess is that everyone can relate to it in some way.

Thanks so much. This post can make a difference in lives. Really.

Thanks a lot Laura for those amazing words! It means a lot!

[Psalms23]

Ditto everything above, and my two cents.

I came to the realization a few weeks ago that I was not reading my Bible enough. You probably know how that starts. On Sunday, well, you were in church, and you'll read on Monday. But Monday is the start of the week, and you're busy, so by the time you think about it, it is Wednesday. Hmmm, well, I've got this great book by this great author who's a believer, and the book really applies to my life right now. And so on....

Be purposeful in your DAILY reading. You can read the great book by this great author who's a believer, and the book really applies to my life right now, but make sure the Bible is your priority. If you confess Jesus, then He will confess you to the Father (too lazy to look up the verse- it is nearly bedtime!)


Thanks a lot for sharing that! That is something I need to work on also. Im starting to pray a lot more and I need to start reading the word daily!
If you ever need some encouragement please let me know. Keep Strong Brother!

[krazyyouth]

Hey Aaron i dont know why but anytime i try to say something it dosent post...
But that was really a great test. and im glad that your doing better. and thank you for sharing that it was very touching when i read the begianning i was say oh no

[Psalms23]

Hey Aaron i dont know why but anytime i try to say something it dosent post...
But that was really a great test. and im glad that your doing better. and thank you for sharing that it was very touching when i read the begianning i was say oh no

Thanks Krazyyouth

[Psalms23]

I have lost 20 lbs and still counting!!

UPDATE: Ive lost almost 30lbs now!

[LauraA]

Good job, Aaron! How much are you wanting to lose? Do you have a goal in mind, or will you just stop when it feels right? How are you losing?

[xoShaniexo]

I've never heard that song before, but I can totally relate to it! Lately I'm having a really hard time with a few things, and I know that I need to give it all to God. I need to let go and I don't know why I'm finding that so hard to do. It seems like every day I'm falling farther away. I'm trying to handle everything on my own but I realize that I can't do it. I need His help.

Thanks so much for posting those lyrics and your testimony! It was really encouraging.

[Psalms23]

Good job, Aaron! How much are you wanting to lose? Do you have a goal in mind, or will you just stop when it feels right? How are you losing?

I am wanting to lose 75.5 lbs all together! Thats my goal..im sure most of you think im crazy by im for real. My doc. and I were talking and i said 65.5 lbs and hes said how about 75.5 and i said ok! I try to walk at least every night..if not then every other night. in the past week i have walked over 10miles extra. I drink a lot more water then i did before and I "TRY" to watch my daily food intake.

[Psalms23]

I've never heard that song before, but I can totally relate to it! Lately I'm having a really hard time with a few things, and I know that I need to give it all to God. I need to let go and I don't know why I'm finding that so hard to do. It seems like every day I'm falling farther away. I'm trying to handle everything on my own but I realize that I can't do it. I need His help.

Thanks so much for posting those lyrics and your testimony! It was really encouraging.

The song hits home for a lot of us. Its very hard to change..easier said then done. For me at least..one of the first things i needed to do is pray more often and try to read the bible more and since then it has been a lot easier. (im still not perfect at doing it all the time..but im working on it)

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Just don't give up and hang in there. If you ever need encouragement please let me or someone on here know and we would be gladly to help you.

Also, Here is a verse that has helped me out soo much!!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11


God Bless!
Aaron

[Psalms23]

UPDATE: I am knocking on the 50lbs Door again!!

[revelation21ready]

Hey Aaron, great to hear what God is doing in your life:) He has carried me through many Storms in my life too.....Sometimes it is at our weakest that we realize how much we need Him....Thankfully He takes us back all the time:) Great luck with your weightloss..

[confused]

Just wanted to send up a quick "yeah for you!"

I am in the same boat, currently trying to be physically where God would have me be, and it's hard... but we can do it!!!

[LauraA]

50 pounds, GREAT job!:) Keep up the good work!!

[drake71449]

goooooooooooooooooo aaron!!!

:p

[Psalms23]

Thanks. Over the past few months...i have only walked like 1/2 dozen times and may one or jog 1/2 mile jogs....today i pushed myself....i jogged a little over 1 1/2 and walked less then 1/2 mile!! Woot Woot...but then came home and ate ice cream...oops! I guess we will start all over again tomorrow..lol

[Psalms23]

Hey Everyone. I could use a lot of prayer! I am back to struggling with my weight...

Thanks
Aaron

[4himccm]

will be praying.