Keeping My Arms and Legs Inside the Boat
My name is Melanie Hawkins, from Colorado Springs, CO. I am taking free Greek classes at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about free Bible and Greek classes online, Click Here).
My Journey
People have often asked me about my plans for the future. Nearing 51 years of age, somehow my life is just beginning. After a life of childhood trauma, adulthood diagnosis of complex PTSD, “quiet” BPD, and major depression, as well as alcoholism and riding with my demons, I collapsed, mentally and completely. About five years ago, I was done. I had had enough of this life and all of the misery that enveloped me. I felt completely hopeless. There was no way that I could carry on, any longer.
I was sitting in my car in the driveway of my rental home that I was soon to get evicted from. It was after another breakup with my, then, fiancee, feeling lost, broken, and devastated from crying for days straight. I always tried to hang on to this life, reasoning my children would be distraught and traumatized if I chose to check out early. However, all I could see at that moment was how completely done I was. Done. Convinced everything and everyone would be better off if I left, I had the details planned. Yet, I needed to check with someone before I left.
Crying Out to God
Recalling memories of attending church with my grandparents as a child and how I believed in God but never felt the connection, at least not for many decades. I began audibly speaking to God as my last resort and as the last thing I ever intended to do. I bitterly called out to Him. Also, I asked Him why I had such a life. Why was I meant to suffer through trauma after trauma and why did I have to live with such a broken brain? I asked for something, anything, to keep me going.
Then, something said, “You don’t have faith.” I thought about it. I really didn’t have any faith (yet, I was speaking with the God I had previously decided didn’t exist. So, I asked how I can have faith. I told the voice to show me faith and I would listen. Well, I didn’t end up checking out that night. I’m surprised I’m still here.
My Faith Journey
My tutorial on faith didn’t begin immediately, but almost. Shortly afterward, I heard the voice again. It wanted me to pick a penny up off of the ground in a convenience store parking lot. I almost ignored it at first, but, I felt it was important. It reminded me that this was what I asked for. I felt a little silly picking it up. As I did, I kind of rolled my eyes and mouthed, “Whatever.” It had me picking up pennies. Then, I began having visions and dreams. The synchronicities are unending. I began seeing things as they are. That was five years ago. The events that occurred and the experiences that I have had since then have given me faith. My faith cannot be shaken.
A lot has happened in my life over the past five years. My thought process has completed changed. All of my free time has been spent learning from Google and YouTube what I can decipher as truth amidst the many lies on the internet. I tell people that I am in a boat. I’m being led somewhere and the best thing that I can do is to keep my arms and legs inside the boat. I no longer need the medication I was taking for my diagnosis, and I laid down the alcohol (something I always thought I’d need in my life to cope).
Living By Faith
Now, I live my life completely through faith, which is something foreign to most people, it turns out. For example, my friend, who was concerned about me finding a place a few months ago, started chastising me for not being more active in finding something to live in. I wanted an RV instead of paying high rent that I could never afford. Being so far removed from materialism at this point, I chose to live in my car until I could find such a prospect. I had a job, just no savings.
My friend said to me, “Look, Mel. Enough is enough. You need to start figuring something out. It’s ridiculous, you living as you do.” I told him, “I’m not worried about it. Something will pop up as I’m on a path. God told me to be still.” My friend then said, “You think God is just going to give you an RV?” I, a little weary, replied, “Maybe.” A month later, someone that I happened to encounter gave me an RV. I was going to make payments to them for it. However, they decided to just give it to me. So, God did give me an RV. Faith. It’s all about faith. All I need to do is keep my arms and legs inside the boat. I do what I am told.
Finding CLI
A month ago, I went to Google to find free Greek language classes. I wanted to learn to read the earliest gospels of the New Testament as unadulterated as possible. That’s when I found the Christian Leaders Institute. That’s when the voice told me, “This.” I knew God had plans for me. However, I’ve been in growth mode for so long that I didn’t think I was ready to receive the task. I’ve spent this time moving through the modules at a snail’s pace. I just wanted to be sure God wants me to lead anybody. That wasn’t a part of my plan. But, I don’t make the plans. I just keep my arms and legs inside the boat.
I am grateful for God’s grace, and I am only at His service. Also, I am thankful for the free Greek and ministry classes at CLI, without which I wouldn’t be able to continue my journey.
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course. Then you can enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Lead Me, Lord, and I Will Follow
My name is Tracey Ludwig. My life belongs to the Lord and I want to serve Him. Currently, I am at Christian Leaders Institute to get an online Bible school education (Learn more about free Bible and ministry training online, Click Here).
My Story
I am from a small town in Tennessee, USA. I am a mother of nine children, some are biological, some step, and some adopted. But in the end, they are all mine. I have known all my life that God existed and was my Savior even when I was not truly raised in the church.
When I was young, the only way I got to church was if the family came and picked me up. My parents didn’t go and would not take us. When I got older, I went to church with some friends. Eventually, life happened. I lived in the world and did “fun” things that I shouldn’t have.
Living for God
When I turned 19, I moved out on my own as a single parent. and realized life was more than I had been acting like. I went to church and took my little boy with me as I was determined that my children would know who God is and would grow up in church. I had my second child at the age of 20. Then, later on, I met back up with my middle school sweetheart and married at the age of 23. We have been in church for about 20 years now. We have served in Sunday school, ministry team, Matthew 25 Ministries, and much more.
My dream is to continue to grow in God’s Word and follow the direction that He wants for me in life. I want to serve and lead people to the Lord. That is when I found the Christian Leaders Institute. Online Bible school has been great for me because I work so much that I do not have time to go to an actual college and take classes. This opportunity at CLI is a blessing!
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course. Then you can enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My name is Art Briles. I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute for free online ministry and ordination training (Learn more about free Bible and ministry training online, Click Here).
My Story
Born in California and moved to Colorado when small, I spent my formative years on a small farm on the east side of Denver. Then, it was engulfed by the urban sprawl when I was a teenager, so we moved to Aurora, Colorado.
I have worked in the Denver metro area for over 50 years, the last 30-plus years in Law Enforcement on the west side of Denver. I retired 2 years ago and moved back down to the family farm in southeastern Colorado.
My Spiritual Journey
As a young child, I was baptized and raised in the Presbyterian church. When I became a teenager I was able to talk my parents into not attending church. (My Father was working nights and weekends) Through high school and college, I drifted away from God and the church. However, I like many, continued to present God with my wish list of prayers, always for my wants and desires.
I worked my way through college working at a local grocery store while I pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Science in 1981. In the fall of 1982, I met a young lady at the store that would come in and pick up day-old bread and outdated items for her work. She was working as a counselor for Teen Challenge Ministries. We started dating in February of 1983. When I started talking about marriage, she said that she wanted to marry someone that loved Jesus and had Him as his Savior. In September of 1983, we married and began attending a church near our home. I rededicated my life to the LORD. By 1985, we led a home Bible Study for newly married couples.
My Journey Continues
In 1989, I started working in law enforcement. The schedule and demands of the job kept me from regular church attendance. I still studied as often as I could and prayed daily. When I was able to get Sundays off, I attended church on Sundays. I also participated in Bible Study on Tuesday nights. I served on the security team and as an usher. Further, I provided security for and attended several conferences.
My job exposed me to a plethora of religions, which lead me to start studying apologetics. I diligently searched the internet and bookstores for books on Christian apologetics. This helped me to understand the viewpoints of others, and I was able to defend and explain my Christian views. Lately, I have listened to podcasts by Michael Heiser.
When I retired, I moved to the family farm in southeastern Colorado and attend the local church. It has been without a pastor for several years and we currently watch sermons on YouTube. About a year ago, they asked me to teach the Sunday Bible studies at the church and occasionally give sermons. The church Board requires that their Pastor is properly trained and ordained. The online ministry and ordination training at the Christian Leaders Institute will help me to complete this objective.
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course. Then you can enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.