Young Man's Walk from Addiction to Salvation - Personal Testimony of Adam Hudgins

Adam Hudgins at the site of his car wreck 5 years ago going 70 m.p.h under the influence of  alcohol and drugs.  

Adam Hudgin's Personal Testimony is introduced below by members of Mt. Celo Church.  The lives of this couple have been intertwined with Adam's life since he was a first grader in the wife's class to the present as a co-worker of the husband.  After the writing below, we invite you to listen to Adam tell his "Road to Damascus" conversion story in his own words.  (Acts 9:  Paul's Conversion)

     Several years ago, this handsome, bright eyed, and energetic young boy, Adam Hudgins, walked into my life as I became his first grade teacher at South Toe Elementary School. He grew up in a Christian home not far from the school and continued his education through the Yancey County Schools.

     After growing up, Adam drifted from Bible truths and joined in the darker things of this world. His deeds and actions were heartbreaking to his family. Adam's mother, Gloria, attended church with me at that time and she very often requested prayer for Adam. Gloria prayed several years for her beloved son, and finally reached the point that she just told the Lord that Adam belonged to Him and that she would release him into His care. With her releasing Adam to the Lord, she asked God to do whatever was needed to bring Adam to the realization that he needed the Lord. Gloria feels that this was one of the hardest prayers that she had ever prayed, but she could not handle the conerns for Adam any longer. She knew that she must turn her burdens over to the Lord.

     Just two weeks after his Morm released him into the care of the Lord, Adam and his friends were involved in a VERY serious vehicle accident. Through this accident, love, and prayers God changed the direction of Adam's life. At his mother's invitation, Adam went to church with her, and he opened his heart to the calling of Christ for his salvation. I must let you know that I was present the Sunday that Adam received the Lord as his Savior. That was a day of great rejoicing in that church. I witnessed the work that the Lord can do in changing a person. Adam's total being seemed to change right before the congregation. There was a total change in his countenance after receiving his salvation.

     Since that day, Adam has accepted invitations to speak and sing at several church services plus sharing in prison ministry. His testimony, along with his singing, have been well received by a number of people. The inmates have been captivated by his personal testimony, and they have been greatly touched by his singing. Some of them have requested that Adam return to the prison for additional ministry, and he has been placed on the volunteer list for further prison ministry. Adam's most recent speaking engagement was at High Pastures Christian Retreat where he shared his testimony with eighteen seminary students. God continues to open doors for him to share his love for the Lord.

     Adam now works with my husband who tells me that very often he hears Adam singing as they go about their work. My husband says that there is never a dull minute when you're with Adam. These qualities are truly a blessing in a working relationship.

     My husband invited Adam to share his testimony at Mt. Celo Church, and Adam did so on December 30th. We were blessed by his words on that day. We are now blessed once again because Adam has agreed for his message to be a part of the church blog.

     We pray that his testimony will bless you also.

CLICK "Young Man's Walk from Addiction to Salvation" under MINISTRY OF THE WORD, in the right sidebar, to hear Adam tell his story in his own words.

Life is Good--Day 19 Through the Bible

  Needless to say, I have experienced many things since this picture was taken.

    My life began with the need for comfort following my first cry. 

     My father comforted me many times 

     and as a believer my Heavenly Father continues to comfort me now!

January 19
I often see a bumper sticker or spare tire cover that says, "Life is Good". But, is it now? I sometimes think about the driver of the vehicle and wonder what they have experienced in life so far. Is life really always good for some? Will they perhaps experience a turn of events that causes them to remove this sign from their vehicle?

Jacob must have been devastated when he thought Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. He surely thought he could not survive his grief. The pages of Genesis so far have been filled with conflict, human struggles, and violence. It started off good. Adam and Eve were living the "good life" in the beginning.   However, as we have read, things changed drastically when they had their first encounter with sin--when they chose to go against God's instructions.

As the children of Adam and Eve, we are born into sin. We are not handed a "Life is Going to Be Good" guarantee when we enter the world. The majority of babies come into the world crying, many actually screaming. It's interesting that new born babies need to be comforted and soothed almost immediately upon entering this world. Could it be this is a preview of things to come? Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, writes in Ecclesiastes 7:1, that the day of our death is better than the day of our birth. In our youth, we would probably scoff at his "wisdom". However, by the time we reach old age, we may be seeing his point.

Joseph's life also had a seemingly good beginning. He was his father's favorite son and received special treatment, including his famous colorful coat. Basking in his father's love and favor, Joseph perhaps was able to ignore his brothers' envy and dislike for him and may not have recognized the extent of their hatred. This changed, however, when he was suddenly attacked by them and thrown into an empty well. He was then sold into slavery and taken from his father's favor.

 I think most of us, at least in this country, view life as a pursuit of happiness and an opportunity to get all we can get and experience everything we can. However, it would be to our advantage to look at reality and ask God to show us the real purpose and meaning of life. In many ways, it is true that life is good. However, as we may have already experienced, life can also be painful and filled with grief.

Jesus has the power to remove us from this world as soon as we are saved. And, He could have protected Joseph and foiled his brothers' plot. However, God's purpose and plan evidently would not be served by either. Jesus prays for Believers in John 17:15, saying, "I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil".  As believers, we are subjected to evil and sometimes even death at the hands of evil. Do you think the American pastor who is suffering torture in an Iranian prison and waiting to go before "the hanging judge" next week thinks "Life is Good"? (Please remember him in your prayers.)

God doesn't want us to live in a fantasy world or be out of touch with reality. It is a fact of life--it is reality, that we live in an evil world. However, that is not to be our focus. God wants us to focus on Him--He alone who is Good (Luke 18:19). The good life Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden of Eden came from God. He was the Good in their lives. (Before their sin, they could have realistically hung up the sign that says, "Life Is Good!") The foundation of their good life was their relationship with God. When we are born into this world, we are separated from God because of Adam and Eve's sin--we inherited the curse that includes separation from Him. However, God has made a way for us to have our relationship with Him restored. Because of His tremendous love for us, He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of everyone who would ever live. He extends this promise of restoration to "whosoever believes in Him"
 (John 3:16).

Even as Joseph's captivity passed, this life too, will pass. God had a plan for Joseph all along. This holds true for our lives also. We can rest in God's plan when we trust Him at every crook and unexpected turn that our lives may take. And, just as God carried out His plans for Joseph, we can be assured that He is also carrying out His plans in our lives. In His desire to be with us and to comfort us, He gives us nothing less than His Holy Spirit, known as "The Comforter" (John 14:16). How wonderful to know that although our lives began with a cry, God has already provided a way for us to be comforted. (One of Jesus' names is also Counselor, and our daily reading in Proverbs 3:32 says, "But his secret counsel is with the upright".)

As believers, we are not of this world (John 17:16). Life is not always good regardless of our belief status. However, it is reality that God Is Good. We are encouraged in Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him". May we recognize and acknowledge the goodness of God in our lives as we trust in Him and continue our journey!

His Name, His Blood, His Word - Day 18 Through the Bible

ATRC - Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center - down the road from Mt. Celo Church

As a former volunteer in this deeply soulful place,  I am pretty sure there were times I felt the touch of angel wings.

Gleanings and a Quandary fromToday's Readings

1) Full Obedience - Jacob was told to return to his family (Gen. 31:13).  He didn't.  He only obeyed the "go" part but decided to live in Succoth/Shechem - not Bethel as God had said.  We saw the consequences of following his "eyes" rather than God.  We all make this mistake at times - turn our eyes to the world and away from God. 

2) Back on Track - now Jacob is communing with God again and is where he is supposed to be, doing what he is supposed to be doing- back in Bethel (Luz/Light). (Gen. 35: 9-14)  This is what I am to do as a believer when I get off track.

3) Separation/Purification/Cleansing/Division - Jacob said to his household and all who were with him -"Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments...let us arise...go up..I will build an altar there to God. (Gen 35:2-3) "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"  2 Cor. 6:14  Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand." (Matt. 12: 25)  We belong to God's kingdom - not the worldly kingdom.  

4) Know/Trust/Seek God - HE is our refuge, THE righteous and just Judge (we are not) who has finished the destruction of His enemies forever. (Psalm 9:6-10)  Fight on my knees in prayer, obey God in my will before Him prior to taking action against evil. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph. 6:12
5) Vertical Wisdom of God/ Horizontal Wisdom with Man.  "Do not withhold good to those to whom it is due, nor strive with anyone without cause, nor devise evil against your neighbor who lives by you for safety's sake..."(Proverbs 3:27-30)  "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."  Luke 6:31

6) In His name, through His blood, by His Word. Matthew 12:29: This is the believer's power and one of Charles Stanley's notes regarding Answers to Life's Questions - "Binding Satan."  "How can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man?" "And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.  John 16:23; But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17—"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
7) The Unforgivable Sin - "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men."  Rather than a lesson learned, this is something I will continue to contemplate through the year of study.  Dr. Stanley says this sin is unforgivable because it prevents repentance - but that God will never reject anyone who is truly repentant.

The Holy Spirit persuades and enables men to accept Christ and enjoy the saving benefits of the gospel [John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; Acts 7:51], but if anyone refuses to submit to the Spirit's gracious constraint, preferring to call good evil and evil good, how can the gospel avail for him? The deliberate refusal of the grace of God is the one sin which by its very nature is irremediable" F.F. Bruce, Answers to Questions

Godly Direction--Day 17 Through the Bible

                                          Roan Mountain is located in nearby Mitchell County
                                        and offers Nature Trails, picnic areas, spectacular views,
                                                 as well as never ending photo opportunities.

January 17
I would like to pose a question to begin today's blog. Are we acknowledging God in our decisions? And, if so, to what extent?
One of my favorite Scriptures is found in Proverbs 3:6, and we can see the principles found in this verse  played out in today's study. This verse says, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths". There will no doubt come a time in our lives when we recognize a need for God's help and direction. It could be when a doctor tells us there is nothing else he can do for us, or we might be facing financial ruin, old age, the loss of our spouse, an unexpected loss of a loved one, the loss of our eyesight, or facing consequences of bad decisions. There is no end to scenarios where we may need God's help and direction either at present or in the future.
Jacob endured Laban's deceitful tactics for twenty years. To Jacob's credit, he did what was right and was faithful in conducting himself with integrity and honesty toward his father-in-law. Jacob acknowledged God. Finally, God told Jacob He had seen what was happening and that it was time for Jacob to leave and return to his own family. Without God's involvement at this point in Jacob's life, Jacob may not have left this trying situation.
The fact that Jacob had a relationship with God and that God was involved in his life, opened the door for God to direct his path. God assured Jacob he would be with him, just as He assures us He will never leave us nor forsake us (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).
In chapter 34 of Genesis, our study brings us to an example where God was not acknowledged and Simeon and Levi (Jacob's sons) took matters into their own hands. They did what they thought was right and hatched a deceitful plot, making themselves murderers and bringing reproach on Jacob's family. While it is true their sister was mistreated, vengeance belonged to God, and would have been better served had it been left to Him. Not only did they not seek God's direction, they failed to even bring the situation before their father, Jacob. (Sometimes in reading Scripture, we tend to think that because it is in the Bible, God sanctioned it.  The account of Dinah and her brothers’ act of revenge is merely an account of events and says nothing about God directing them to the actions they chose.)
Acknowledging God (period) is the first step in coming to the realization that God's Word is truth. Once we get into His Word, we then discover the fact that vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19), along with many other truths. We are overstepping our bounds whenever we seek vengeance. We are leaving ourselves to our own devices and leaning to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) when we do not acknowledge God.
In the final verses of our daily reading in Matthew, I found it interesting that Jesus also made a decision to leave a situation. Once again, acknowledging God and His plan played a part in this decision. Jesus was God in the flesh and He knew it was not time for Him to die. Therefore, when the Pharisees began seeking a way to destroy Him, "Jesus withdrew from there" (Matthew 12:15).
Acknowledging God in all our ways gives us an advantage. We can avoid experiencing the failure and adverse consequences that may come from doing it our way. He can help us to see clearly what it is that we need to leave behind (perhaps it is a vengeful spirit). God has insight that we do not have access to unless we first have access to Him. He loves us so much He "fixed" the sin thing that separates us from Him. He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place so that we can enjoy a relationship with God for eternity! Our part is to believe in Him so that we might not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

The Transformed Life - Day 16 Through The Bible

Mountain Farm is a sustainable 24-acre lavender, blueberry, dairy goat farm just up the road from Mt. Celo Church.  The annual Lavender Festival in the early summer is attended by thousands of visitors.

Lessons and Applications from Today's Readings


1)  Deceiving Jacob becomes the deceived - for 20 long years - by another family member.  The trials and sufferings transform His life and impact the world for God's kingdom.

•   There is a personal effort vs. scheming now - regardless of the consequences - "You know that with all my might I have served Laban...yet he has deceived me and changed my wages ten times". Gen. 31: 6-7  

•   There is acknowledgement that God is Sovereign and Providential in his life - "God has been with me; God did not allow him to hurt me; God has taken away from and given me; God has seen my affliction". (Gen. 31)

•   There is communion with God and obedience to Him - "The Angel of God spoke to me in a dream (v.11)...arise, get out, return (v 13)...Jacob rose...to go". (17-18)

•   There is covenant-making and humbling with those who have wronged him and with those whom he has wronged (v 44, Gen. 32) - and, most importantly, a humbling before God: "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant..." (Gen 32:10)

•   There is now wrestling prayer with God (Gen 32: 24-30) where there was once anger instead of prayer (when Rebekah could not conceive and demanded a child from him.) Gen. 30:2

2) There is a reason for the term "Prayer Warrior".  Sometimes the hardest battles are fought in our wills before God.  This is another lesson and model we will see in our year through the Bible - persevering prayer.

3) Wrong deeds are not always punished immediately; blessings do not always come on the heel of obedience.  God's timing is not ours, but sins do have consequences, and "all things do work together - not always singly - for the good of them that love the Lord - for those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

4) Father of a Nation - the deceiver Jacob becomes the father of the 12 tribes of Israel and is given the new name, Israel. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Cor 5:17.  Most NT Biblical scholars think the "Man" with whom Jacob wrestled was the Pre-incarnate Christ. We are no longer the same persons once we have seen Jesus. 

5) The Psalm is an interesting parallel to Jacob's tending of the flocks and God's abundant blessings on Jacob in this:  "You have made him to have...You have put all things under his feet...All sheep and oxen, even the beast of the field...(Psalm 8:6-9).  The Proverb is an extension of this:  The LORD by wisdom founded...by understanding He established...by His knowledge the depths were broken up... Prov 3:19, 20.  It is all about God, from God.  All glory and praise belongs to Him.

6) God considers us, as believers, greater in His kingdom of heaven than even John the Baptist ("among those born of women there has not risen one greater"), according to Jesus.  We are so very loved by the God of the Universe - eternally, assuredly! (Matthew 11:11)

7) And this soul-comforting invitation from Jesus:  " Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-29.  This is our time to come alone to God - like Jacob; this is our Peniel - when we study, wrestle, learn with Him, let Him lead us with His yoke (His Holy Spirit) into that rest (confident trust) in Him.  These are my most treasured moments.

Personal contact with Jesus alters everything...The attitude of coming is that the will resolutely lets go of everything and deliberately commits all to Him.  Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His HIgh

A Smorgasboard of Food for Thought--Day 15 of Through the Bible

                                         These teens are "happy" as they enjoy South Toe River 

                                       at Carolina Hemlocks in Yancey County, just a few miles

                           south of Mt. Celo Church, and a popular attraction during summer months.

January 15  

The depth of the contents of each day's Bible study is amazing when it is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit in minds that are being made new by Christ Jesus (Romans 12:2)! I gleaned so much from this study and want to mention a few points along with some in-depth comments.

--In Genesis 29, it was more than coincidental that Jacob & Rachel arrived at the well at the same time. (I think this happens in our lives all the time and reveals God's involvement. Recognizing God's hand in our lives and giving Him praise is definitely something God wants us to experience. It gives us an awareness that has the potential of crossing over to full blown "expectation"--a waiting and looking for God in our lives.)

--It is a fact of life that people let us down—Laban failed to be a man of his word & deceived Jacob. Laban had his own agenda (as we all do). (God warns us about putting our trust in people rather than in Him, in Psalms 118:8).

--God “saw that Leah was unloved” in Genesis 29:31, and gave her 4 sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah.

Leah’s feelings were evidently important to God. In a way, she did not have a lead part in this story. Jacob and Rachel were the main characters. Most of us fall into the category of being a Leah. It is encouraging for me to realize God is concerned about each of us--we don't have to be beautiful or famous in order to enjoy His love and blessings! God cares about our emotions, even as He cared about Leah. He sought to comfort her in her unique situation. When reading this story before, I must admit I have felt badly for Jacob--Laban deceived him and gave him Leah instead of Rachel--he did not know the difference until the next morning and had to work seven more years for the woman he loved. However, consider Leah! She was being used as a pawn by her father and she probably knew the love she was receiving from Jacob on her wedding night was intended for her younger sister! Many times, we think we are alone with our most intimate feelings, yet this account reveals that God is very much aware of our emotions and despair and often seeks to comfort us. How wonderful! Hopefully we recognize His hand in our lives and that blessings during these times are from Him.

--Dr. Stanley says in verse 35, that Leah eventually came to the realization (as we hopefully will) that “lasting contentment can be found only in an intimate relationship with God”. (Nevertheless, her saga continued and will be addressed later in this post.)

--In verse 21, Dr. Stanley mentions that Isaac prayed for Rebekah (Gen 25:21) in her distress. However, there’s no mention that Jacob prayed for Rachel. Rachel blamed Jacob that she was childless & he was angry with Rachel. It does not say he prayed for her. There is definitely a message in this passage for married couples--we need to replace anger with prayer and not fall into the trap of accusing one other. (Our enemy desires to divide husbands and wives so that he can succeed in conquering the family. He is also known as "the accuser". When we play the "blame game" we are signing onto his evil tactics!)

--Laban “learned by experience that the Lord blessed (him) for (Jacob’s) sake”~Genesis 29:27. (Oh, to know that God has blessed others because of me! )

--Moving on to Psalm 8, in light of all that God has created, (and as He watches us squabble and compete & find ways to take advantage of one another--a flashback of Jacob's family problems, as well as our own), we can understand the question of the Psalmist: “What is man that You are mindful of him?” We are hopefully humbled when we view photos of the magnificent Universe! Yet, we too, are the creation of God, and He has crowned US (squabblers, accusers, etc., etc.)--with glory and honor!

--Prov 3 begins with the word “Happy”. True happiness comes from "knowing our place"--this comes from wisdom and understanding regarding WHO God is and who we are! RETAINING wisdom & understanding is quite a challenge, as they border on the heavenly and we are notorious for continually resorting to that which is earthly. Verses 14-18 include a list of the proceeds/benefits of wisdom and understanding. They are: long life, riches, honor, pleasantness and peace, a tree of life to those who “take hold of her”, and “happy are all who retain her”. I find it interesting that Leah named one of her sons "Happy" (Asher). Evidently, her happiness was short lived as she found a loophole to once again pursue happiness with Jacob (when Rachel begged her for the mandrakes). Her focus on God (when she named a son Judah) was seemingly short-lived. As human beings, we cannot totally disengage from our physical desires. However, as Christians, the struggle must continue until our lives on earth are finished. Matthew 10, continues this thought when Jesus says, “But he who endures to the end will be saved”. If we TRULY KNOW JESUS, we are going to continue the struggle--nothing will serve to permanently deter us. Psalms 37:23-24 (NASB), verifies this: "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand". It is because of Jesus—and ONLY because Jesus holds our hand that we will endure to the end of our lives! It is only by His Grace as Ephesians 2:5, tells us.

--Jesus once again encourages us not to fear (Matt 10:26)! He instructs us to proclaim His message without hesitation! Then He tells us to remember how valuable we are to Him—nothing will happen to us unless it is His will (not even a little sparrow falls to the ground apart from our Father’s will!) God even knows how many hairs are on our heads—this is astounding! We just do not comprehend the extent God is involved in our lives! This brings tears to my eyes and puts a prayer on my lips that God will help me understand how much He loves me and wants to be involved in my life!

--We tend to be surprised when we face less than perfect or less than peaceable situations. At these times, we would do well to go back and read what Jesus says in v. 34 of Matt 10: “Do NOT think that I came to bring peace on earth, I DID NOT COME TO BRING PEACE BUT A SWORD” (emphasis mine).  But, what about the verse in Luke 2:14, that says, “Peace on earth, good will toward men”? Actually, this verse is more clearly translated as: "peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased" (New Living Translation). Note that Scripture always sheds light ON other scriptures—it NEVER takes away from, but always adds to the intended meaning. We DO have a “cross” to take up, however, Jesus says in Matthew 11:30, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light”. Jesus says, if, as His disciples, we give a cup of cold water to a little one—we will by no means lose our reward! This simple act may seem insignificant to us—yet to God it is evidently significant! 

Lastly, let me say there is a difference in "salvation" and a "reward": Salvation is NOT a reward—Salvation is a GIFT (Romans 6:23)—we can do nothing to earn it (all we earn is death--that is our wages as verse 23 tells us). We cannot buy or earn salvation! Yet, the Bible teaches we will receive rewards (Revelation 22:12) and this is totally different from salvation.