T. Wayne Dority, second assistant general overseer, liaison to Care Ministries

Raymond F. Culpepper, executive director, Care Ministries

T. Wayne Dority, second assistant general overseer, liaison to Care Ministries

Raymond F. Culpepper, executive director, Care Ministries

The two discussed the nature of addiction, the restoration Peniel offers for those that are struggling and Peniel’s outlook of hope for our community.

The full interview can be heard here.

But, oh… God had so much more in mind…  After being in the work force for almost 40 years, God in his infinite wisdom, had chosen to place me here, at Peniel, a place where I would be given the opportunity to observe, learn and grow…

I would learn so much each day and God was smiling!

I have learned that you can come into work slightly under the weather, and pray and God will give you strength to get through the day.  Call off sick?  I don’t think so.

I see that God will use those women who have no children to love and provide for his precious little babies.  This education on foster care has been invaluable to me.

I’ve learned that it’s totally, “not OK” for my husband to walk ahead of me and yes, you will open the car door for me now.

I have learned that the celebration of Communion is so much more than holding up a loaf of bread.  It is a time of repentance, coming before the Lord, in all your mess and saying, “forgive me. I am so sorry Lord…”

I now share with as many people as I can the adage, “do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do” and even have my husband sharing it as well!

I see the strength of mothers with little ones at daycare, who inspire me in such a tremendous, marvelous way!  YOU CAN DO BOTH and do it successfully and unto the LORD!

I know what it is to share a prayer concern and have someone say at that very moment, “let’s pray about it right now.”  Oh, what a blessing.

For the first time in my life, I’ve learned the importance of being “teachable”.  This was challenging at first but I know that God doesn’t want us to remain stagnant in ANY area of our life.  HE has strategically placed people in our lives to help take us to the next higher level for His glory.

I have come to see the importance of addressing someone properly.  “Yes sir,” and “Yes Ma’am” go a long way in the public sector.  Sometimes it is received with an odd look, but you know, “it’s the right thing to do.”

I have learned that you hold your head high IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.  Walk as a mighty, strong Woman of God.  There is no shame or condemnation.  Carry yourself with all the authority that the Lord God has given you and never look back!

Daily I have the privilege of seeing God’s miraculous, healing touch as he restores the hurting, the lost, the wounded.  I get to see the transformation as they develop into all that God has called them to be.

While most people anxiously await retirement, I see folks in that season of their lives embarking on parenthood, again “because it’s the right thing to do.”  I see tremendous leaders on the front lines every day continuing to do what God has called them to do.  It’s just that simple.

“When God stops using me, then I worry.”   Just another wonderful nugget that I literally just received from one of my Peniel family…

A job?  No, this is an assignment.  Here I am Lord… thanks for sending me.

Crystal, whatever happened to us? We used to be the couple that everyone wanted to be around, but now look at us. You can keep the black roses. From the very first time I met you I was in love. Everything else I knew faded when  was in your presence. What are you doing to me? At first our relationship was so contagious. Everyone flocked to be around us day and night. Day after day, they envied us and wanted what we had but I was selfish; you were mine and only mine.

What’s happening to me?

They say the loving kind hearted person I used to be is gone, and the sick part is I don’t even miss him. How can I miss something I don’t even know is gone? By now people are noticing that our love is not quite what it seems. In fact we are toxic for each other; something like fire and gasoline. Why am I not seeing it? My friends beg me, “please leave her, she’s killing you.”

“No she’s not,” I reply, “I’m happy.”

Who are you? Why would they say these things about us? The more time I spend with you the more I love you. You possess a love so deep my knees buckle. When we touch you take my breath away. All I want to do is be with you. You can sleep tomorrow just give me tonight.. You’re being selfish you don’t need to eat you have me I’m all you need remember? You were never this demanding before what changed? I thought you loved me so why are playing with my emotions like this? I’m going crazy here don’t you see it? Stop your crying and get over here.

I finally see it; we are toxic.

The clothes you once paid for all falling off and all of our friends are gone it’s just us now. We aren’t the couple we once were. Let’s go for a ride for old times’ sake. Buckle up I see blue lights. Just like that you were gone. You sold me out without saying a word.

From my bruised arms and sunken face they knew we had been together, but it was too late you had moved on to the next person and I was in jail. It’s funny because for the first time in a long time I feel free. You can keep the black roses. Just book me tomorrow I need to sleep.

Since coming to Peniel, I have chosen to believe the word of God, which states,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity”
(Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV).

After dedicating my life to the Lord, amid questioning and much concern, I enrolled into Lee University, one of the online college programs available at Peniel. For the first time ever, I was about to step out of my comfort zone, therefore, I prayed daily for wisdom and understanding.

Shortly after completing an English Writing assignment, my professor who is a true blessing, pushed me to have the essay published in the Church of God Evangel, a national monthly magazine. Although I believed this would be a complicated undertaking, I invested into making the publication a reality. Everything quickly fell into place and my essay will be published in this year’s November issue. I still do not understand why this is happening. To me it’s just a simple writing assignment but God has His plans for it. Seeing that I have the ability to achieve the impossible or unattainable has established God confidence within me. Having the Evangel publish my work is a tremendous accomplishment for me, and with the help of my Abba, I believe it is one of many more to come.

It wasn’t the Evangel itself that shattered all doubts but God! He has proven himself many times over, displaying His unconditional and incomprehensible love for me. This has fixed my heart on Him and my life will never be the same. When all I could see was the worst in me, He saw the best. When everyone in my life gave up on me, He never did.

I will always remember December 7, 2014, the day I saw God face to face. I was changed forever by this intimate experience. I am no longer a slave to my anger or my addiction. Relationships have been restored as well as my own life. I now believe in myself and I boldly stand sold out for Jesus Christ.

Through Peniel I was afforded the opportunity to enroll at Lee University and begin my journey of living out my dream as a medical professional. I am now pursuing a degree in radiology and without Peniel none of this would have been possible. Peniel is the best tool belt for someone who is exhausted and broken due to addiction. Peniel has established a profound change within me. A change that has truly saved my life. Today, I stand proud of who I am and I look forward to my future when before I couldn’t see past myself. God has begun a work in me I cannot yet put into words; all I can say is that I am an unfinished comeback story!

Why Coming To Peniel Could Be The Best Decision You Will Ever Make

Ten Reasons

1. You will study the greatest book ever written … The Holy Bible.
2. You will re-discover the one thing that you need most in your life—LOVE.
3. You will learn that now you can stop running. No need to look over your shoulder anymore.
4. You will learn the incredible value of making RIGHT CHOICES. Your way does not work.
5. You will learn the secret to success at Peniel—SUBMISSION. Stop fighting the program.
6. You will learn or re-learn PATIENCE. Don’t underestimate this invaluable virtue.
7. The tools you will learn will last you a lifetime.
8. You will learn that it is God’s will for you to be here. You will find Him here. God actually does run the place.
9. You will learn that you are addressing one of this life’s most threatening evils — just in time.
10. You will learn here at Peniel — IT WORKS. THIS PROGRAM WORKS.

By: Rev. Ronnie Brock
Ministry To Residents
October 12, 2006