Another Chance: Fueled by the Father

By Cynthia Griffin

This book was very challenging for me, but it brought home the fact that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. I was not up for writing this book, because I did not feel that my writing skills were up to par with societys standards. God taught me to press on, and I truly learned that God equips you for whatever He has tasked you to do. My favorite saying is what God has for me is for me, and I believe that nothing will stand in the way of your destiny if you trust in God. Weather you believe it or not your life is planned and managed by God. This is my encouragement to you. So press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus, because you can do anything when you set your mind to it and put God first. You know what I mean when I say you feel something deep down in your spirit telling you to do something. I believe this is your nudging from God. You have already been given confirmation and are still hesitant to move forward. I was also like that and God sent several people to tell me to write this book. I pray that this book be used by God to strengthen your faith and give you hope as you press towards your future. Remember God has equipped you to go forth and conquer. You know He says in His word that you are more than a conqueror. Believe in Him!!!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483646954

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Cynthia Griffin.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013909600

ISBN:      Hardcover   978-1-4836-4694-7

               Softcover   978-1-4836-4693-0

         Ebook      978-1-4836-4695-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 07/30/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Prelude

Introduction

1   When I Think Back over My Life

2   Until the Walls Come Tumbling Down: Taking Control of Your Emotions

3   First Year of Separation: Life’s New Direction

4   Standing Your Ground: Listening to God

5   Keeping an Open Relationship with Your Children and Others

6   Children Going Through Separation: A Child’s Disappointment

7   Carrying the Load: Praise is the Weapon

8   Walking in Mercy: The Grace of God

9   Process of Forgiveness: 360 Degree

10   Blindsided by Things Being Revealed

11   Corporate Prayer at Open Door Church

12   The Spoken Word Unfolds

13   Asking for Another Chance

14   God’s Total Restoration: The Promised Land

15   One Again

16   Love Never Fails: Now You Know My Story

During your reading of my book you will understand how God used me as a instrument to carry out his plan and purpose.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my best friend, Carolyn McQuilla; she was born in Patterson, N.J but we were both raised in Jersey City, N.J. I was uprooted, and moved to Baltimore, MD for three years due to the death of my mother. I met Carol in the eighth grade. I was a new student just moving back into the area when Carol befriended me and took me under her wing. We were the best of friends after that. We graduated from high school together and we were in each other’s weddings. After graduation from high school, Carol accompanied her husband to his duty station in California, he was in the Army. We stayed in touch, and when she came back to New Jersey we picked right back up like we were never separated, it was like she had never left. In June 1979, I married my college sweetheart and relocated to Chesapeake, Virginia. Seven years later Carol and her son Robert moved to Virginia. She got a job and then put herself through college; she received her Bachelor’s Degree at Norfolk State University. After graduation, she went back to Norfolk State University and earned he Master’s Degree. I was so proud of Carol’s accomplishments; she was a phenomenal woman sweet, kind, giving, and very intelligent. She is no long with us now; she has gone on to glory. Her battle with cancer ended in December 22, 2009. She is missed, but not forgotten. I acknowledge that she is in a better place. Carol loved the Lord and her life projected her love of Christ. All you needed to do was engage her in a conversation and he or she would understand. Carol your light is still shining. Rest in paradise until we meet again… .

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

Acknowledgments

I want to express my gratitude to two churches. The first is Saint Joseph AME Zion located at 1540 Atlantic Avenue in Chesapeake, Virginia 23324. I started developing a biblical foundation at this church. The second church that was instrumental in developing my biblical foundation was Open Door Church of Suffolk at 816 Kings Fork Road in Suffolk, Virginia 23434. It was here that my knowledge of God’s grace and favor over my life has grown. It was in this environment that I learned more about the word of God. I met loving people who helped nurse me back to maximum mental health, and because of the Pastors’ teachings on forgiveness, I learned to forgive myself. Special thanks must be paid to pastors Tony and Kathy Peaks for giving me encouragement in my time of need. They directed me to the bible to find hope which, in turn, increased my faith.

I am most thankful to my Lord and Savior for guiding and directing me to these two churches enabling me to learn the word of God, and how to live a life pleasing to God. All I can say is to put trust in Him, and in the appointed time, God will see you through every situation even if you feel there is no way out. I am now in a place in my life where I know God is my strength.

The King James Version of Jeremiah 3:15 states, And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Prelude

This poem was written by the Author

Spirit of the Living God

Without you Lord, I would not be

You formed me in the image of thee,

You loved me in spite of me:

You cast my sins into the sea

We owe all we are to thee.

Your covenant promises pertain to me

In quietness you comfort me:

The scriptures come alive in me.

My mind is stayed on thee.

Your word has captivated me,

Because I trust in thee:

No mountains can encamp me,

The word of God rests within me.

Introduction

This book details the great transformation that took place in my life eleven years ago. Although this change is still manifesting itself daily, it is with a deeper understanding regarding God’s bigger picture for my life that I continue to navigate the sometimes stormy waters leading me to my destiny. God’s grace has kept and comforted me through the trials and tribulations I have faced on this journey. This detailed account of my life, though interesting, will require the reader to have faith in the idea that while our choices are our own there are very real entities both good and evil that guide those decisions.

My influence can only be understood through a real relationship with the father of all creation. When you yield yourself to his still small voice you will be led and guided, as you decrease God will increase. If you have ears to hear you will hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking, and he will lead you and guide you into all truth. Whatever your burdens are give them to God, he already knows about them, so give it to him and let him nail them to the cross. God wants you to know that when you trust him and do his will your sins, past failures, and mistakes will be cast into the sea of forgetfulness. Call on him. There is power in the name of Jesus. Let go of the things that have bound you, you’re free through the blood of Jesus. Don’t try to figure out God, his ways are higher than ours. He promised us that he would never leave us not forsake us. So look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. I truly believe everything happens for reason. There is a bigger picture and only God can provide the resources to get you to that destination. His desire is for you to walk in your divine appointment, and when you believe his word all thing are possible… .

When you read this text do so in the knowledge that God gave me the wisdom and strength to really change my life and that of my children’s. What follows is an amazing testimony that God is alive and at work in the hearts and minds of believers around the world. God will give you the ability to recover from difficult situation. He will see you through… .

‘Unforgiviness is a sin and it can imprison you. Forgiveness will help you move on.’

Chapter 1

When I Think Back over My Life

I started off as a child living in a single-family dwelling in Jersey City, New Jersey, with my mother, father, three brothers, and a sister. My father was born and raised in New Jersey, and had a previous marriage which resulted in one child, before he married my mother. I was told he came to live with my parents at the age of two before any of the other children were born. My father was in the Army, and after completing his service to his country, he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service. My mother was born and raised in North Carolina and was a stay-at-home mom who sporadically took on work whenever she felt the need. During those times, she would get some odd jobs here, and there, although I can never remember her working one job for any length of time. My mother had two brothers and two sisters, one brother and sister still live in North Carolina and the other brother and sister reside in Maryland. We did not see my mother’s side of the family much unless we were vacationing; that was the only time we would stop and visit.

I loved growing up in New Jersey; I thought it was fun. My fathers’ family lives in that area. He has four brothers and five sisters who either live in New Jersey or New York. I can remember seeing four of my aunts constantly.