Guest Post: Cardboard Testimonies

Just what is a cardboard testimony? It’s a visual representation of how God has turned your life around. On one side, a person would write a word, phrase, or sentence about a struggle they had in their lives without God. On the flip side, they would change the words to show how God has blessed them. For example, a cardboard testimony might read, “Always Felt Empty” then on the other side, “Full of Joy.” For a better idea, you can watch this video:

Cardboard testimonies are a powerful way to show the power of God’s amazing love in your life. For those who may be uncomfortable sharing their full testimony in front of a church body, cardboard testimonies are another way to explain how God has changed your life.

Believe it or not, I'm not certain where Cardboard Testimonies actually started. While Hillside Christian Church in Amarillo, Texas, was the first to post a video online in 2006, the church’s pastor mentioned that he “borrowed” the idea from a church in Las Vegas. The idea has since spread to many churches across the U.S. and around the world.

Watching a presentation of Cardboard Testimonies is truly inspiring. People who suffered from all kinds of problems – depression, infertility, drug addiction, anger, and abuse – have found comfort and healing through God’s love. Perhaps you might even think about organizing a presentation at your church, bible study, or conference.

What would your Cardboard Testimony be?

About the Author: Marcia Colgar owns the site, Online Christian Colleges. She writes various articles about faith-based education.

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Alisha Here:
Thank You Marcia, for sharing this idea!!! Our church has done this before, as well, and I agree with you that and it is a VERY powerful demonstration that brings God glory in a special way!!!

I would LOVE to hear from the rest of you!!!! Take a moment now to post your "cardboard testimony" as a "comment" under this post. There is something WONDERFULLY rewarding, and liberating, in sharing our testimonies. And there is something POWERFULLY uplifting and bonding as we boldly, and compassionately, connect through our stories. Are you at a place in your life where you have a "cardboard testimony" to share? Might you consider letting God use you today. Share your cardboard testimony with us. If need be, you can post your comment anonymously, but for those of you who identify your names, you will be entered into a drawing and I will be randomly choosing one person to bless with a "PRIZE" later this week. :) (and no, it won't be made of duct tape and cardboard)

MAY YOU BLESS AND BE BLESSED!!!

Winner of the Book Giveaway: A Different Kind Of Blossom

ANNOUNCING the WINNER of OUR BOOK GIVEAWAY!!! :)

And the winner is...

(drum roll please...)

Tina Worden, who said:

"Love is....(as applied to our children) - that undeniable feeling that you would do anything for them, to include laying down your life for them unconditionally no matter what they have done Just as Jesus did for all of us."

CONGRATULATIONS TINA!!
Thanks for entering our giveaway. May you be blessed as you see how God worked through the lives of Rhonda's family over the last few years, bringing them hope and renewal. He is a good God. I think you are going to love this book. Check your email about where to go from here.

Anyone else interested in reading more about this book, or purchasing a copy of "A Different Kind of Blossom, Essays about our Journey through a Mental Illness", may go to www.adifferentkindofblossom.com.

BOOK GIVEAWAY TIME: A Different Kind Of Blossom

MY VERY FIRST BOOK GIVEAWAY ON BECOMFORTED.COM

I have not been doing any book giveaways because I have not wanted to mess with them, but THIS one is worth it, and YOU are worth it, so here it is folks!

I have been intentionally building up this book giveaway for some time now because I just love the authors so much and I believe in their message....love, hope, grace, perseverance, etc. etc. I am happy to get this beautiful book into someone's hands. :) Might it be you? Now that you have heard a little bit about Rhonda and her twin sons from the previous couple of posts I have done about them (if you have not checked those out yet you might want to do that) , here's a little tidbit about their book, A Different Kind Of Blossom~

A Different Kind Of Blossom is a book of personal essays about a mother, Rhonda McMillon, who has a mental illness. The book also includes essays by her three sons and their grandmother about how they learned to understand Rhonda’s mental illness. A Different Kind Of Blossom focuses on how individuals with mental illness, like all others, need to be heard, honored, respected, and given unconditional love. It describes how faith in Jesus Christ, love for the family, and understanding mental illness can help relationship between families grow into a beautiful flower.

I believe in the future of this family, and I think you will too, as you read this book. They pour their hearts out onto these pages. They are very genuine about the hardships they have faced, the insecurities, the questions, the doubts, the and the agonizing desperation of not understanding the mental illness that snuck its way into their family. Pick up this book. It's an easy read. It's just a compilation of short essays that allow you to see into the lives of a single mother and 3 her teenage sons and her mother. Read and be a part of their journey as it unfolds as they sort through the pain and questions of a severe mental illness that Rhonda could not control. Then, you have the pleasure of reading the end where Rhonda's mother, Essie, wraps it up with helpful tips and enjoy reading the boys insights about a deeper, clearer understanding of what love is that they only could have learned from this experience with their mother.

Look at me. I'm giving the whole book away!!!! Sign up for the giveaway if you want to know what the book says, for crying out loud!!! :)

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Here's how to enter this book giveaway:

Post a comment leaving the following information:
Your name.
A way to contact you. (email?)
Answer this question: Love is...
(Your answer can be fun, short, long, deep,
whatever mood you are in-it counts as an entry)

ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE.

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WINNER will be chosen at random and will be announced on
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011