Speaking from Experience
James knows first-hand that life isn’t always fair, but he says, “I’ve been in the valley, but I am on my way up the mountain of life with the help of Almighty God.” Celebrate Recovery has totally changed his life. Celebrate Recovery is a christian organization that is there to help people conquer their hurts, habits and hang-ups.
Rocky Start but Born to be Victorious
Growing up, James had a rocky start, he was raised in a foster home from age 3 through age 17. In spite of being a foster child, he was fortunate to grow up in a home full of love. James was your typical kid and he was looking forward to his future.
James was Busy Making Plans for His Future
When he turned eleven he got his first paper route and held onto it until he was seventeen. He wasn’t afraid of hard work and in addition to his paper route, James picked up a few jobs here and there through a temporary employment agency. In school he kept busy; he was in the band and on the swim team. After high school James joined the United States Army and he couldn’t have been more proud.
Things Don’t Always Go As Planned
James served five and one half years in the military, two years at Fort Carson and the remainder of his term in Neu-Ulm, Germany. While he was serving his term in Germany, James had a life altering accident. He fell from a tower while he was guarding nuclear missiles. He was placed in an drug-induced coma for 3 days. When he regained consciousness, he discovered that he was paralyzed from head to toe.
Given Two Choices
Doctors gave him two choices, he could be discharged with a 100% disability and live in a nursing home for the remainder of his life or he could go through a painful, rigorous rehabilitation program. James was no quitter, and so he chose rehabilitation. He spent 6 long hard months in rehab and his efforts paid off, by the Grace of God, he made a successful 100% recovery.
Back on Track
He wound up separating from the service and began working, but James wanted more, he decided to enroll in a tech school to earn an associate degree in Business Management. Life seemed to be going uphill.
Unexpectedly Life Fell Apart
But, at the age of 38, his kidneys began giving out. His health was declining, his finances had dwindled and he ended up losing everything he owned. He cried out to the Lord, “Why me Lord?” James struggled to understand why this was happening. Suicide weighed heavily on his mind. He was devastated.
Feeling of Hopelessness Overwhelmed Him
He underwent surgery and spent a month and a half in a nursing home recuperating before being released. Once at home he was still incredibly weak and he was feeling angry and depressed, so much in fact, that he tried to kill himself, and was taken to a mental ward at the VA hospital in Denver. There he was told that he could possibly spend the rest of his life in the mental ward. Fearing this reality he got on his knees and began to cry out to God. “Lord is this what you want of my life?”
He Reached Out for Help
He was eventually released from the mental hospital and sent home, but with nowhere to turn he called his Uncle John and asked for help, he understood that he just couldn’t go it alone. Thankfully, his Uncle introduced him to the people at Praise Assembly of God in Pueblo, Colorado and on June 13, 2007, James gave his life to Christ.
From Victim to Victorious
That was over four years ago and James is still living for Christ, he’s been attending a program called Celebrate Recovery to deal with his anger and co-dependency issues. James says that he is transparent about the issues that he is dealing with. Celebrate Recovery has been a God-send to James.
Real Life
James gave me permission to share his story in hopes that it might help others. James knows what it is like to suffer from a life altering accident and he is still struggling with health issues. Although he is considered 100% disabled, his disability has not stopped him from serving God.
His Calling
James volunteers at Praise Assembly of God in Pueblo and his emphasis now is to tell others about Christ, and when he is not volunteering or serving somewhere, he enjoys spending time fishing with friends. His life has been a struggle but he has overcome adversity and found a life worth living. James would like for you to check out this amazing program, if not for you, than for a friend. James is a remarkable man and he plans to stay faithful to the vision and dreams that God has placed in his heart. God is good and his mercies endure forever, regardless of our circumstances we can live a victorious life in Christ.
Celebrate Recovery is a 12-Step Recovery Program
It is a safe place to heal from hurts, habits, and hang-ups in an atmosphere of worship, praise, and celebration.
www.CelebrateRecovery.com
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