Refreshed In His Spirit
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Foreword Some people come into our lives and leave without any real effect on us. Others come into our lives and leave a huge, everlasting imprint in our heart. Allow me to share with you the effect Stephanie Gurley has had on me. I did not grow up in church. As a child and adult, I visited church and had always been that "visitor". It was absolutely no reflection of my faith in God; rather, I was living by example. The summer of 2009 was a turning point in my life. I was seeking a swimming instructor for my four children when word of mouth led me to Stephanie. I had heard she was an American Red Cross Certified First Aid, CPR and AED Water Safety Instructor, who also held camps for special-needs children. I contacted her, and little did I know that my life would be changed forever that summer. You see, I firmly believe our paths crossing was part of His big plan. I do not believe it was by any mere accident, just as I believe you reading this is by no mere accident. Stephanie always praised God during her lessons and gave all the Glory to Him. She shared her story of being "Refreshed in His Spirit", as she will with you in this book. One day, she invited us to church. Because of her powerful spoken and unspoken words, it was an invitation we couldn't refuse. God used her as His vessel to spread His word. Her light shined so brightly for Him, and I wanted some of that light for my family. After all, who wouldn't? My family and I visited the church one month and joined the next month. The most powerful impact God's vessel had on our lives was leading us to Jesus Christ so that we would be saved by our Lord and Savior. It was followed by stepping into the baptistery with my husband and children and being baptized. Everyone comes into your life for a reason, and sometimes for many reasons. As this book will show, you just have to open your eyes and your heart and see the path that God has laid before you. It is a perfect path to choose to run your race on as you endure the things life places before you. This will bring you to reaching for the crowns to lay at the feet of Jesus. Stephanie Gurley has an open-heart and has no selfish motives to fuel her kindness to others. Every blessing she extends to others is followed by giving God all the Glory. Once caught up in the worldly things this world has to offer, a devastating medical diagnosis of her having a brain tumor opened not only her eyes but also her heart. She freely shares her story with others in an effort to spread His word and share the blessings He has to offer. This book shares her inspirational story from a little girl scared to death of water, to a young adult caught up in all the world has to offer, to the devastating medical diagnosis that humbled this woman and led her to became "Refreshed in His Spirit". She continues to spread His word and touches the lives of others through swimming lessons and the actions she extends to others in her daily life. Her unspoken word is the most powerful, as it is reflected in how she lives her life. Stephanie shares the remarkable and uplifting stories of the special-needs children God has placed in her path and the many seeds that have been planted in her life. As Stephanie has had such a powerful impact on my life, I firmly believe this book can have a powerful impact on yours. It is a story of breaking the chains set forth by a society focusing on worldly things, a story of overcoming fears, unconditional love, and the seeds that were planted in her life that brought her closer to God and the plan He set out for her. She encourages you to "Grab hold of the seeds along the way and begin to bloom!". Enjoy her story, dive into the Scriptures, engage in thought provoking questions, and begin your journey one step at a time. See how "God can turn your greatest Fears into your greatest Joys!" Plant seeds in others, so they may grow, bloom, and flourish over time, reaping the greatest reward ever - being "Refreshed in His Spirit". Cindy Rutledge
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About the Book
Stephanie Gurley shares her story of living a self-absorbed life while trying to acquire her dreams. To acquire those dreams would require running a race daily as a wife and mother. Nearly at hand, her dream became her survival, as she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. God offered her the ultimate race to run in, a race that was intended for all to participate in. It was a race that took her far to overcome insecurity, wounds, and fears, as God transformed her prideful, hardened heart into moldable clay. It was a heart that began to desire the Word of the Lord and every morsel it had to offer. It was a heart that ultimately became refreshed in His spirit, leading her to the calling of writing this book. She obeyed the Lord. She was not to let her testimony sit on a shelf at home. She says, “Obedience is what matters.” Come with Stephanie to see some of the things God has shown her. You can begin your journey crossing one stepping stone at a time, whether it is in your spiritual walk, personal walk, or a ministry. It is her prayer that you will be led to become refreshed in His spirit! Grab hold of the seeds along the way, and begin to bloom.
About the Author
Stephanie Gurley, a brain tumor survivor, has a craving to impress upon others our purpose in life through God’s divine grace, mercy, and restoration. She has a passion for speaking, bible studies, teaching, writing, and for the special needs as their certified water safety instructor. She is a member of China Grove Baptist Church, WMAs and is a GMA counselor. She was raised in Mabank, Texas. She is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.