Mighty Men Of God MMOG

For all of you that know me they dropped all charges they had against me 9 years of hell finally came to an end God has once again blessed me with his mighty power and wisdom covered me in his grace thanks be to Jesus

The Leap: A Journey of Faith and Unexpected Grace
The Arizona sun, Beamed its warm caress of light through the stained-glass windows of Living Word Church in Mesa, It was as if the words were coming from Christ himself that Sunday morning in 2007. this real illumination came from the pulpit. Vibrated across the congregation and straight into my head. My whole life and 12.5 years of senseless self-imprisonment, a fear that had been my compass, fueled by a childhood image of a judgmental God standing over me just waiting for me to do bad. Dr. Tom Anderson's sermon, however, shattered that perception.
"God isn't punishing you," he said, his voice radiating warmth. "Sin has its consequences, but love, true love, conquers sin. And Jesus is that love."
Relief washed over me like a tidal wave. This wasn't the God I feared, but a God of compassion and understanding. Thirsting for a deeper connection, I enrolled in bible college in 2012. My knowledge grew, and with it, a profound realization: the creator of the universe offered me His grace. He was the only father I needed.
I yearned for a sign, and one day, while driving, the name "Dads Against M**h Use (DAMU Foundation)" materialized. In 2009, I'd started a charity, but funding a fundraiser proved impossible. The night before the event, on the verge of despair. The convention center I was holding the event in wanted 5000 more for security and I had nothing left. I prayed out loud and cried for help. Then for the first time in my life I head his voice, a calming presence, soothed me, "Don't worry son. I got this he said." The next morning, a check for $5,200 – my tax return – sat in the mailbox. From that moment, doubt vanished. The event was a huge success. Faith was the thing I was lacking at that moment but it was a starting point that leads me to this story.
Fast forward to June 2014. Dr. Anderson's sermon resonated deeply. "Apply your faith to God's love, and wait for it with anticipation or hope, he urged. "You will see the unseen will become seen, the unknown become known in your life" What did it mean?
Seeking clarity, I approached Dr. Anderson after service. "It's about trusting," he explained. "Taking a leap of faith, like Abraham he heard the lords word and stepped into it and like Abraham, God will honor it and provide your promised land to you."
Fueled by newfound faith, I made a seemingly crazy decision. Two weeks later, I quit my job, sold the house, and with my family, ventured into the forested mountains of Payson, Arizona. This was our leap, our promised land.
Five harsh weeks later, reality bit. Living in a makeshift shelter, our savings dwindled. The relentless rain on that Fourth of July echoed the storm within me. Was this God's punishment? Had I made a terrible mistake?
Defeated, we packed up, future uncertain, driving without direction. As we left Payson, a beacon of hope – a "$250 Move-In Special" sign – pierced the gloom.
Desperation fueled my plea to the manager. He mentioned a four-bedroom house with a car lot – perfect for a business, he said. But the price – a staggering sum for us – was a crushing blow.
Back in Mesa, on a Thursday evening, I poured out my frustrations in prayer. Then, a familiar voice. A friend from church, sensing my despair, offered a miracle – the move-in cost and a year's rent. Tears streamed down my face. This was a tangible answer, a testament to the power of Faith and Gods love for us all.
We returned to Payson, not just with a roof, but with a chance. My business flourished, nurtured by faith, hard work, and the unwavering support of my family and that extraordinary friend.
Looking back, the "unseen becoming seen" wasn't a grand vision in the forest, but the subtle nudges – Dr. Anderson's words, the chance encounter, the friend's generosity. Faith isn't about blind leaps; it's about trusting the path, even when it takes unexpected turns. And sometimes, the promised land isn't a place, but a journey of faith and unexpected blessings, which unfolds with each passing day. like a muscle faith grows when apply it to your life. So let me tell you if you want to see God in action in your life, you need to step out and let go of self and let God the journey will not be easy and God will take you over the edge so you can see it is him that sliver of light in this world of darkness. It will bring a new understanding of life. The waters will get deep and the rain will fall but in the end, God's love for you will conquer all that comes against you. Faith is not for the weak-hearted, it’s a place where the blind can see. With that said my faith would be tested to its core

The Leap: A Story of Faith and Unexpected Blessings
It was a Sunday morning in June 2014, the Arizona sun streaming through the stained-glass windows of Living Word Church in Mesa. That sermon would forever change my understanding of God. For as long as I could remember, fear had been my compass. Raised on the idea of a punishing God, I carried that weight through 12.5 years in prison. But in 2007, upon release, I found Dr. Tom Anderson, the church's pastor. His words that Sunday were a revelation.
"God isn't punishing you, Joe," he said, his voice warm. "Sin has consequences, yes, but pure love doesn't punish. It conquers sin. And Jesus is that love."
A wave of relief washed over me. This wasn't the God I feared, but a God of understanding and compassion. It was a turning point. I enrolled in bible college in 2012, thirsting for a deeper connection.
Then, another sermon in June 2014. Dr. Anderson spoke of applying faith to God's love, waiting with anticipation. "The unseen will become seen," he said, "the unknown become known." What did it mean?
After service, I found Dr. Anderson. "It's about trusting," he explained. "Taking a leap of faith, like Abraham in the Bible. God will honor it and grant you your promised land."
Two weeks later, fueled by newfound faith, I made a crazy decision. I quit my job, sold the house, and with my family, headed for the forested mountains of Payson, Arizona. It was a gamble, our promised land.
Five weeks in, reality hit. We were broke, living in a makeshift shelter. On that Fourth of July, rain hammered down, a constant drumbeat against our dwindling hope. Was this God's punishment? Had I made a terrible mistake?
Defeated, we packed up and left the forest, driving with no direction, our future uncertain. As we passed through Payson, a sign caught my eye: "$250 Move-In Special." A sliver of hope flickered.
I stopped, desperation fueling my plea to the manager. He mentioned a four-bedroom house with a car lot – a perfect setup for a business, he said. But the price – $4,000 move-in and $1,648 monthly rent – was a crushing blow. We couldn't afford it. Defeated again, we turned to leave Payson behind.
Back in Mesa, on a Thursday evening, I found myself in prayer, pouring out my frustrations. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence. It was a friend from church. He noticed my despair and after hearing my story, said simply, "Joe, I've got the money. The move-in and the whole year's rent. Go back and start your business."
Tears welled up in my eyes. It was a miracle, a tangible answer to my prayers. We returned to Payson, not just with a roof over our heads, but with a chance. My business thrived, fueled by faith, hard work, and the unwavering support of my family and that unexpected friend.
Looking back, I realize the "unseen becoming seen" wasn't a grand vision in the forest. It was the quiet nudges – Dr. Anderson's words, the chance encounter, my friend's generosity. Faith isn't about blind leaps; it's about trusting the path, even when it takes unexpected turns. And sometimes, the promised land isn't a place, but a journey of faith and unexpected blessings.

Today we studied on courage as long as we walk in Christ he will overcome all darkness and give us the courage we need