Refreshed in His Spirit

By Stephanie Gurley

Stephanie Gurley shares her story of living a self-absorbed life while trying to acquire her dreams. To acquire those dreams would require running a race daily as a wife and mother. Nearly at hand, her dream became her survival, as she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. God offered her the ultimate race to run in, a race that was intended for all to participate in. It was a race that took her far to overcome insecurity, wounds, and fears, as God transformed her prideful, hardened heart into moldable clay. It was a heart that began to desire the Word of the Lord and every morsel it had to offer. It was a heart that ultimately became refreshed in His spirit, leading her to the calling of writing this book. She obeyed the Lord. She was not to let her testimony sit on a shelf at home.

She says, Obedience is what matters.

Come with Stephanie to see some of the things God has shown her. You can begin your journey crossing one stepping stone at a time, whether it is in your spiritual walk, personal walk, or a ministry. It is her prayer that you will be led to become refreshed in His spirit! Grab hold of the seeds along the way, and begin to bloom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449767907

Stephanie Gurley

Stephanie Gurley, a brain tumor survivor, has a craving to impress upon others our purpose in life through God’s divine grace, mercy, and restoration. She has a passion for speaking, bible studies, teaching, writing, and for the special needs as their certified water safety instructor. She is a member of China Grove Baptist Church, WMAs and is a GMA counselor. She was raised in Mabank, Texas. She is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 Stephanie Gurley

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-6789-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-6790-7 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-6791-4 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012917253

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/21/2012

Contents

Chapter 1    Striving for a Crown

Chapter 2    The Bad Engraving

Chapter 3    A Still Small Voice

Chapter 4    Don’t Throw in the Towel

Chapter 5    Embracing Friendship

Chapter 6    The Potter and the Clay

Chapter 7    Overcoming Conflicts

Chapter 8    Facing Your Fears

Chapter 9    Endure the Race That Is Set before You

Chapter 10    The Holy Spirit’s Love—A Blessing

Chapter 11    Count Your Blessings

Poppie 01a300dpi.jpg

In loving memory of my grandfather, William Lee Baker, known to me as Poppie.

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Acknowledgments

IT is an honor to fulfill this calling from the Lord. As these words fell onto the paper from deep within, I pray God’s will be done. At times, it was very hard to bring some facts to the surface; however, the Holy Spirit indwells and moves without halting to the finish. He also provides all things needed when He calls one. Thank you to those that were standing in the will of God being the tools I needed to complete the endeavor of this writing. You have stepped in and given your time of prayers, encouraging words, faith, teaching, mentoring, and continue in God’s grace growing me. I am so grateful.

Thank You:

Brother Terry Adair, Brother Donald Thomas, Brother Gary House, Brother David Harkins, Sister Lola Beets, Cindy Rutledge, Pat Quesenbury, Jake Richmond Cumbie, B.L. Cade, Suzette Brown, Janice Brock, and Jo Wolverton.

My children thank you for your sacrifices, prayers, hugs and love always.

David, my beloved husband, I am especially honored and owe you a special thank you. Thank you for loving me, supporting me and showing me how to have faith. Thank you for being in God’s will and helping God fashion me into the person God intended me to be. I will be forever grateful and cherish your steadfast faithfulness and love!

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Refreshed in His Spirit

STEPHANIE Gurley has been painfully honest and transparent, sharing deep wounds, feelings of fear, failure and insecurity as she faced up to a life threatening brain tumor. While her testimony of God’s provision and sustaining grace during this difficult time is obvious, this intruding and unwelcomed guest (tumor) is not the main part of her story. Instead, the important story line of this book is a bitter sweet combination: the harsh realization of who she was at the core of her being when trouble struck, and the peaceful heart of a surrendered life as transformation from the inside out was complete! Stephanie’s words will encourage women to examine locked up fears and long nurtured wounds from any source. Her straightforward candor can embolden women to face up to reality and move toward the One who brings total restoration. Stephanie knows where the power lies so inside every chapter, she has tucked life changing nuggets of Truth from God’s Word. This story, written with lots of heart and laced with Scripture can be a good source for all women to be encouraged and refreshed in His Spirit.

--Pat Quesenbury, Author

The Feminine Touch

(God’s heart for today’s woman)

What’s A Girl To Do?

(Helping girls capture real beauty,

make and keep real relationships,

understand real truth from god’s word.)

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Author’s Note

STEPHANIE Gurley shares her story of living a self-absorbed life while trying to acquire her dreams. To acquire those dreams would require running a race daily as a wife and mother. It would be an intense race in a fast-paced world. Nearly at hand, her dream became her survival as she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. God offered her the ultimate race to run in, a race that was intended for all to participate in. It was a race that took her far to overcome insecurity, wounds, and fears as God transformed her prideful, hardened heart into moldable clay. It was a heart that began to desire the Word of the Lord and every morsel it had to offer. It was a heart that ultimately became refreshed in His spirit, leading her to the calling of writing this book. Knowing it did not matter what became of this book, she obeyed the Lord. She was not to let her testimony sit on a shelf at home.

She says, Obedience is what matters.

Gurley shares how God has turned one of her greatest fears in life into one of her greatest joys. Once scared of the water as a child, she now spends her summers as a water-safety instructor.

God’s Amazing Love

I have come to know its truth,

And it is my joy to take this opportunity to share it with you.

My trail in life has been long.

I’ve walked one stepping-stone after another.

I’ve stepped on unhappiness, but angels were watching over me.

I’ve stepped on numbness, but someone squeezed my hand.

I’ve stepped on love.

I’ve stepped on restoration.

Now, I step on stones full of love, peace, and joy,

Knowing how to skip over the stones the Devil places before me

I have been Refreshed in His Spirit!

Come go with Gurley to see some of the things God has shown her. You can begin your journey crossing one stepping-stone at a time, whether it is in your spiritual walk, personal walk, or a ministry. It is Gurley’s prayer you will be led to become refreshed in His spirit! Grab hold of the seeds along the way, and begin to bloom!

~Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 3:19

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Foreword

SOME people come into our lives and leave without any real effect on us. Others come into our lives and leave a huge, everlasting imprint in our heart. Allow me to share with you the effect Stephanie Gurley has had on me.

I did not grow up in church. As a child and adult, I visited church and had always been that visitor. It was absolutely no reflection of my faith in God; rather, I was living by example. The summer of 2009 was a turning point in my life. I was seeking a swimming instructor for my four children when word of mouth led me to Stephanie. I had heard she was an American Red Cross–certified CPR, first aid, AED, and water safety instructor who also held camps for special-needs children. I contacted her, and little did I know that my life would be changed forever that summer. You see, I firmly believe our paths crossing was part of His big plan. I do not believe it was by any mere accident, just as I believe you reading this is by no mere accident.

Stephanie always praised God during her lessons and gave all the glory to Him. She shared her story of being refreshed in His spirit, as she will with you in this book.

One day, she invited us to church. Because of her powerful spoken and unspoken words, it was an invitation that we couldn’t refuse. God used her as His vessel to spread His Word. Her light shined so brightly for Him, and I wanted some of that light for my family. After all, who wouldn’t? My family and I visited the church one month and joined the next month. The most powerful impact God’s vessel had on our lives was leading us to Jesus Christ so that we would be saved by our Lord and Savior. It was followed by stepping into the baptistery with my husband and children and being baptized.

Everyone comes into your life for a reason, and sometimes for many reasons. As