you are strong and courageous. thank you for laying yourself bare… 

I love it. I believe in second changes too, Tim. Thanks for sharing.

You were part of that — you have led by example by being vulnerable on your blog.

I appreciate that, Tony.  Thanks

Yes, I agree with Alece… The world is wrong… Tim, your story is so beautiful… I have let the world tell me I am “too ____” for so long, your post is freeing.

Amazing story Tim!! Thank you having guts to share this. Thank you for using your voice to share the message of radical grace and the power of second chances. YOU ROCK!! 

I needed this so much today. You are so strong to share this and to live it. I am with you 100%!

It takes authentic courage to share your story…thank you for taking that leap of faith and expressing to the world God’s grace. Your testimony is inspiring.

Wow thanks for sharing. Your story will change the World!!!

Thank you for sharing this. I really needed to be reminded to refocus because the world tries to get the best of me. I admire your courage to share and lift others up.

God IS a God of second chances. Praying peace for you, Tim.

“When I am weak, I am strong”…thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your story. You are blessing others by doing that…

I feel the same way Tim! It is hard to be honest and open sometimes. But that is the only way that God can reveal His glory.

I have a story also that is hard to share. Lets make a pact… if you’ll be honest, I’ll be honest.

http://www.confessionsofthebroken-saved.blogspot.com

Melissa

GOD WILL NEVER WASTE A HURT!  We have to let people really see who we are and where we have been.  People have to know that we do serve a God of second chances.  

Tim- Thank you for this incredible post and for opening a piece of your life up.  You are a CHAMPION!

Thanks for sharing! I feel you on this and the fear of sharing your past.  Mine is a dirty and evil past and thankfully the Lord has flooded me with grace and allowed it to spill over on others coming out of similar struggles!  Much love and grace to you!

Thanks for your honesty, Tim. Such an important message. You rock!

Clearly this post is deeply honest and full of truth!  As children of God He is the one who defines and gives us our identity. So often we do look to the world to define us and it is not the truth.

that means so much to hear. wow… 

sweet redemption… 

wow.

bless you, brother!

if i were defined by my failures and sin – i’d be considered a murderer, i suppose. one not worthy or deserving of having children. 

God sees me differently. Praise Him!

So inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story!!!

Great post! The world cannot win because Christ has already won. Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world! Thanks for sharing your story Tim!

Thank you, Aaron.  We serve a great and redeeming God.

Love what you said, Greg, “God will never waste a hurt.”  Awesome words.  Thank you.

Its a deal, Melissa.  Love your blog.

Thanks, Karia

The world (and Satan) always goes after us and tries to tell us that we are losers.  We are not.  We are God’s children and there is no condemnation to those of us who are in Christ Jesus.

You are very kind, Brittany. Thank you

Awesome!

You are not alone, first in your experience. According to Google, I’m a former pastor, a former seminary professor, and a former husband who lost it all when I was arrested. I have the same fears about being recognized and those who don’t know what’s happened asking me what’s going on in life (or those who know walking by me as if I don’t exist). I am fearful of sharing my full name to someone new (a client, a friend, anybody) because they might Google me. Everyday in some why, there’s an element of fear, judgment, and being written off.

But in a much more important way, you’re not alone in that you have many voices in your life, including your own and mine, telling you what the voice of Jesus, the voice that matter, has to say about you. You are forgiven, you are holy, you are righteous, you are chosen, you are His.

This confirms what  a friend was telling me earlier. This is refreshing to read. I am so happy to know that there are so many real people out there. I grew up watching tv and idealizing about life, when life hit me for real, I really plummeted. Thanks for being a voice from the hope side of life. Your honesty is awesome. Please continue to define yourself by what God says and not the world. Remember the 29+ comments here and know you’ve made a difference in someones life.

Amen, Joe.  Joe, God  has good plans for you, plans to prosper you and give you hope and a future.  Our only job is to hang on to those promises.  Appreciate that there is someone else who knows almost exactly how we feel. God bless you, Joe.

Thank you for your honesty. Our world (not just our society) measures up sin and hands out grace as they see fit. According to our world, i’m a pretty good person but when i measure myself up to Christ, i am nothing but dirty rags. The same God that has forgiven me has forgiven you and oh what a saving power it is!!

Awesome testimony. I dig it.

Great post, Tim.  Second chances.  Radical grace.   Love.

Thanks, Julie. Keep up the good work on your blog.

Exactly, Revjml.  God bless you

Yes, all our righteousness is like dirty rags.  But, if we have Christ, we take on His righteousness.  Awesome and scary at the same time.  God bless you, Chelsea

Tim, Thank you for sharing your AMAZING Second Chance life with us!!! What we have defies anything that man can impose on, expect, or think of us!!! We have been given the key to the Kingdom; We are joint heirs; We are kids of the Risen King!!!

Amen!

I love it when God gets the honor for turning our messes into something great. He restores us, heals us and gives us freedom!! thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing this Tim. Thank God for His ravish gifts of grace.

Tim, I admire your courage to share your vulnerability and your story in so public a forum.  That is a sign of immense strength.  I’m proud to be POTSC alongside you!!!

Hey Big Guy!  Right back at you

Right on, Angela.  God bless you

What a freeing concept!! One that I need to embrace wholeheartedly… It’s so amazing how in our day to day lives we compare ourselves with what others think or say, when God’s opinion of us is the only thing that matters. We need to reject society’s claim on our worth & invest only in God’s claim on our hearts. Thank you for being vulnerable & for taking ownership in your adoption in Christ, His infinite power & His act of redemption.

     You know how much I already admire you and how far I’ve seen you come over the past year.  God has opened up so many amazing doors for you already.  I can’t wait to see what He has in store for you next.  We are all truly forgiven and free.  I started off the morning being reminded of that.  I hope you continue to be encouraged each and every day.  Great job on this post and all your writing.

This is a great word for all of us who are bound up and living in fear of our past. Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts. YOU ROCK!!!!

Amen, Lauren.

Tim, thank you for sharing from your heart. I too have been afraid to talk of my past as well. Former Bible translator, someone looked up to in the community, etc, etc….  Even though the last 6 years or so have been extremely difficult and painful, God is beginning to redeem that lost time. Restored relationships, beginning work on translation again, gaining a bit of credibility and trust. But I must admit, it has not been an easy path. Lots of emotional bruising that I did to people I love. And not just bruising but some deep wounding.
Thankful for God’s grace that has been running interference to satan’s lies. Thank you so much for your honesty. You have helped to open a number of doors for others who thought they had lost all, but are gaining back more. I too, have been given a second chance.Blessings in Jesus to you,David Ingraham