Author: Jerry Blount

Christian Author, Father, Grandfather, builder and lifetime outdoorsman. Find more of my work at www.jerryblount.com

Melanie’s Story

Originally posted on Hope Shack:
Sometimes it seems like nobody could understand what we’re going through.  I get that.  You’ll soon see why I loved this piece.   Melanie shares how writing out our stories can bring others hope. “The thing about sharing our stories…

Corrie Ten Boom — Angels at Ravensbruck prison camp

Corrie ten Boom wrote of a remarkable experience at the terrible Nazi Ravensbruck prison camp; “Together we entered the terrifying building. At a table were women who took away all our possessions. Everyone had to undress completely and then go to a room where her hair was checked.

 I asked a woman who was busy checking the possessions of the new arrivals if I might use the toilet. She pointed to a door and I discovered that the convenience was nothing more than a hole in the shower room floor. Betsie stayed close beside me all the time. Suddenly I had an inspiration, “Quick, take off your woolen underwear,” I whispered to her. I rolled it up with mine and laid the bundle in a corner with my little Bible. The spot was alive with cockroaches, but I didn’t worry about that. I felt wonderfully relieved and happy. “The Lord is busy answering our prayers, Betsie,” I whispered, “We shall not have to make the sacrifice of all our clothes.”

 We hurried back to the row of women waiting to be undressed. A little later, after we had had our showers and put on our shirts and shabby dresses, I hid the roll of underwear and my Bible under my dress. It did bulge out obviously through my dress; but I prayed, “Lord, cause now Thine angels to surround me; and let them not transparent today, for the guards must not see me.” I felt perfectly at ease. Calmly I passed the guards. Everyone was checked, from the front, the sides, the back. Not a bulge escaped the eyes of the guard. The woman just in front of me had hidden a woolen vest under her dress; it was taken from her. They let me pass, for they did not see me. Betsie, right behind me, was searched.

  But outside awaited another danger. On each side of the door were women who looked everyone over for a second time. They felt over the body of each one who passed. I knew they would not see me, for the angels were surrounding me. I was not even surprised when they passed me by; but within me rose the jubilant cry, “O Lord, if Thou dost so answer prayer, I can face even Ravensbruck unafraid.”

Living without Anxiety

Originally posted on Hope Shack:
“It’s a place I don’t want to ever go back to; a place of loneliness, depression, anxiety and that feeling of total worthlessness. It was a place characterized by fear. I was afraid of everything and everyone.” – excerpt from Paul’s…

Does God Hear Your Prayers?

god-is-listening-2

How can God hear your prayers, especially those uttered only in silence?

The answer is in both God’s omniscience and His omnipresence. Although God is indeed on His heavenly throne, He is also right here! We are not praying to a God that is a long way off somewhere in heaven. God is everywhere. He is right beside you. The next time you pray, imagine that you are praying (talking), to your father (God), who is sitting across from you, listening to your every word. Make your prayer a personal conversation with God.

Leya’s Story

Originally posted on Hope Shack:
Simple and sweet, Leya tells the tale of her dissatisfaction with life, loss of hope and depression.    Then she shares how she found hope.  Here is her story, shared on her behalf. An account of my journey to redemption.…