ONE MONTH TO LIVE - THIRTY DAYS TO A NO REGRETS LIFE

I have been attending the one month to live challenge at my church, Victory Outreach and we just completed our seccion 6 and I loved It, I am a mother of 4 beautiful children and to think that I would only have one month to live has really gave me another prespective of life. Thank you for being a blessing God bless you amen.

I am 31 years young, mother of 4 beautiful children. I have had a very tough childhood. My mother seperated from my father when I was 2 years old he took off and never came back. I hated him for that. My mother was always working and she would leave me with my step father, when I was 3 I was molested and when I was 5 I was raped by my stepfather. Each night when my mother would go to work he would take me into his room and rape me, then he would beat me to keep me from telling momma, he threatend that he would kill momma if I did and I never told anyone.When I was 9 a teacher from school reported the physical abuse and I was taken into a foster home,but no one ever knew about the sexual abuse, at that moment I was scared but now that I am older I thank God because that took me away from the raping and beatings, but the harm was already done. I tried to commit suicide at the age of 12 and then at the age of 13 because I was so depresed, yet no one ever knew about it because I was always a very quite person, I had never learned how to trust anyone so I never spoke to anyone. At the age of 14 I got involved in a relationship with a man 10 years older than me, It was a very abusive relationship. He would abuse me physically, sexually,mentally and verbally. When I was 15 I became pregnant and at 4 months I lost my baby because of the beatings I would receive from him, yet my mother never cared to help me,when I was 19 I left him.1 year later I got involved in another relationship of whom I have 3 boys, he never laid a hand on me, but because of all the pain and hate and guilt of my past, our marriage ended. At the age of 27 I became addicted to drugs and alcohol. All the unforgiveness I had carried throughout the years pushed me into drugs. I didnt know how to handle all the guilt I had in my heart, all this years I beleived that I was responsible for the sexual abuse and the rape that occured to me as a little girl. By the age of 29 I was a drug addict, and alcoholic, I was uncontrolable, dangerouse because of my madness, I had lost my children, my family, my marriage and I had already experienced an abortion and I didnt know why I was still alive. On december 2005 I tried to end my life for the third time, And honestly now I know it was only because of God that Im still here. I gave my life back to the Lord on March 2, 2006 and it has been the best thing I have ever done in my life. Now my life has a meaning, now I know Gods purpose for keeping me here. I know that God didnt intend for me to suffer so much, but I know that he allowed it to happen so that I would become the strong women I am today, and I mean strong spiritually. It takes plenty spiritual health to be able to be an effective single mother, a wonderfull daughter, a great loyal freind, and a grateful servant. I know that God has brought me all this way so that I may reach out to all those women out there who are suffering abuse or abandonment, If you are one of those let me tell you that Jesus loves you and that Jesus never makes mistakes. Jesus is the best thing that ever has happend to me, and without Jesus I would have never experienced forgiveness. Now I can wake up everymorning and say "Thank you Jesus, for Loving me so much." because wihtout Jesus I know that I would be dead by long time ago. Now I can enjoy being a mother, even when my kids drive me nuts, I thank Jesus because I know that he has always been there even throughout the darkest hours of my life and I know that he will never leave me. Thank you for your time I really appreciate it, with much love, amalia.

Life changing...

What was your inspiration for this series?

Thanks 4 the inspiration to live life as if we only have 1 month 2 live. Last year '07 this thought became a reality to me. My friend and brother in christ died on March 19, 2007.Eddie was a man of great strenght and persistance, fighting a good fight of faith to his end. Through this experience it has caused me to have a different perspective about life. Our real purpose here is to know "GOD" and that he is the only one and only true GOD.Trust him completely because he's the only one knowing all things beginning to end.To enjoy life completely because everything else is vanity.Forgive others,instantly don't allow yourself to dwell on the offence/wrong.When you've seen a unjust action done towards another correct it by example of good. Don't ignore the suffering of others,show compassion even if it was a fault/choice of theirs.Study the Bible ,in it are instructions to live by;examples to follow;laws to obey;principles with reward;directions to destiny
LOVE!!! Let it grow as your knowlege/understanding becomes clear in the ways an thoughts of God(who is love).
Repent:to admit/acknoweledge a wrong way of doing things(thoughts,behavior,choice)

First off I just want to say thank you to Pastor Kerry and Chris. My husband and I became members of Fellowship of the Woodlands about 6 months ago and now we have experienced some long awaited changes in our lives that I felt compelled to let you know about it. My husband and I were honestly a little skepical at first about letting go of all of our control and making the necessary changes in our lives to really experience the One Month to Live challenge. After praying about it and discussing it we decided to really analyze ours lives... their was one huge thing missing, our full devotion to the Lord. Once we FINALLY devoted ourselves blessings started happening, Just this week I've found out that my temp job has now been made permanent (which was a huge financial struggle for us) and I've been accepted to be a permanent volunteer with the Community Blood Center and I've overcome my fear of needles (which seems a little silly), and have donated blood commitedly. And the biggest blessing of all is that my marriage and family has never been better. I have never felt so fulfilled from my average life, but now I believe that once you really let go, you will reap the gifts from the Lord.

I saw Kerry and Chris on James Robinson's show late last night. I was so amazed at how genuine they are. I myself have been married 26 years, my husband has filed for divorce. I am devastated, but the Lord has been so faithful to myself and our 3 children. We are struggling and want my husband,(dad) to come home. We have been praying for about a year now that The Lord will bring Mike (husband) back to HIM and then back to us. Praise God, he is going to church again!!! Please pray for our family to be restored. I have thought about what if something happened to him or to me or one of the children, I tell my children that I love them and I send him emails to let him know I love him unconditionally. None of us knows how much time we have, I have learned to not take anyone or anything for granted.

Thank you for your message,"One Month To Live." After the program, I got up from my chair, got
my poster outline of the gospel and went up the block to my parents home. I then turned off their TV and began sharing the gospel outline with them again to make sure they understood. They still have
been hanging on the Catholic traditions and haven't seem to fully understand the free gift of Eternal Life. I just got back & it was a good session with them. I feel they better understand the
gospel of salvation. This was my first step to my
"One month to live."
Thank you

Hi,
Just switched off the Telly AFTER watching you and your wife speak. Amazing stuff and so well put together ! I wish you would put key ideas of your talk on the front page of your site. I have recommended your site to total strangers ! But the site is not as informative as your talks. so please do something fast. ALSO , do you cater to the world wide church? I am in India so how do I order?
Thanks and God bless
Sarah

I have had numerous surgeries since retiring from the U.S. Navy and when facing my 25th in November of 2006 I faced this exact question. I accepted Christ in 1972, but didn't start serving Him until 1984 and through the years have finally found the "Peace that passes all Understanding." Being comfortable with my relationship with Christ and facing the prospect of not making it through my surgery, I sat down and looked at my life and relationships. My first and most important was to visit my brother and his family. Living 1000 miles apart really makes it difficult to really know my neices and nephews so that was first and foremost in my list. Second was to go to an away game of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I was born and raised in Nebraska and have been a die hard fan for 30+ years. So it was off to the 2006 Championship game in Kansas City. Obviously, I made it through that surgery and God is starting to reveal to me what "My place is" in His world. It has at times been scary, though I know that My God is not a God who instills fear, that's the human element in me. Anyway, I have decided to read your book and follow it as closely as I can and allow God to reveal even more to me. Blessings from Omaha, NE.

When i tried the one month to live .. i felt different. It opened a new door for me and helped me understand what God wanted me to do with my life . . I feel like God has showed me I shouldnt take life for granted. It really has changed me in every way. Thank you!

The One month experience is interesting from several perspectives...however, many are too ill or are on heavy medication or treatments to fully appreciate their last 30 days in this plane of existence...so perhaps we should learn to live each moment as though it were our last...since we are not guaranteed the next moment...

Peace N God Bless

FCP

I went today to visit my 11 month old German Shepard today at these peoples house that have been holding him for me for 3 months and when I arrived they told me they are keeping him and I have wanted that type dog all my life and he had perfect markings etc.. Its hard to let go but what you mention about a month to live I need to move on and find a better home and more acerage and then get my dream back in another German Shepard maybe 2...my German Shepard is almost 1 year old and the 7 first months we spent with him will not be forgotton. My depression is barley hanging on and I get mad just reading books to help me or religous and end up crying or something else worse. I just cant imagine the one month part cause everyday I wonder if I will wake up..cheryl

I saw your show and sent for your dvd and am going to try your idea. I may have a hard time since I have severe depression and several medical problems . I am 59 yrs. old now and feel like life is already over so its hard to get myself to think the other way...cheryl

What an eye-opening experience this is going to be. Thank you very much. God bless :-)

I LOVE the OMTL concept! I am going to start tomorrow, my first day back at work after a week off from illness. I work at a VERY stressful job and this promises to be quite an experience! I do want to be accountable so am joining this blog. I agree with another post that the first thing I WOULD do is quit my job and spend time with my family and loved ones. I have to work 6 days a week, 10-14 hours a day. Quitting is not an option at this point, and they do not grant time off. I am going to put in for a transfer to another location today. Any other suggestions? Thanx and may our Awesome Father bless all of our endeavors, and may we bless Him.

I want to start by saying that we are blessed to have Pastor Kerry and Chris Shook in our lives. I thank God for both of them. This month has been a difficult one for my family. On October 9th, my husband was in an auto accident where a man ran a stop sign and ran my husband and our truck into a tree head on. My husband only had a few scratches on his arm, muscle pain, and a headache and, thank God, my husband didn't sustain serious injuries. The person who hit my husband left the scene and also didn't have insurance. It was a hit and run. This really got me to thinking about the "one month to live" message that we received the following Sunday at Traditions. Was God sending us a message to think about how we live each day and to live each day to the fullest? Also, just a few days ago, a small truck backed into my car while I was at a traffic light. I'm not certain why my family has been the target of auto accidents this month, but I pray to God every day that he protect my family. My husband and I have always focused on our three girls and spending time with them. We will continue to spend time with our girls and family. I receive much joy and love by being close to my three girls who are now old enough to be on their own. I have also pre-ordered the "One Month to Live" book by Kerry and Chris Shook. I'm looking forward to reading their book. Thanks for reading my message and take care.

Big 2 News or Big News 2 You? I have been trying to get my head around what I would do if I had only one month to live. I am healthy, happily married, love my children, enjoy my work, and I take good care of my elderly mom. I feel like I could live another 40-50 years! I started thinking about the people around me. A friend was diagnosed with cancer yesterday. The mailroom boy at work lost his baby daughter when a drunk driver hit their car. My mom and step-father both have dementia and had to be separated; they don’t remember telling each other good-bye.

This morning I was watching Big 2 News before work and a young boy was killed in a drug war, a teenager was killed in an automobile accident and fires in California. Did these people know they were going to die today? I started wondering who the last person the saw was before they died. What if I was the last Christian you saw before you died? Was I nice to you? Did you know I was a Christian? Could you tell by the way I walk?

I came to work today with a different enthusiasm. I can make a difference. I am working for God. If you see me on Big 2 News you will know I was ready. If you were the last Christian I saw I hope you were nice to me too.

Pastor Kerry and Chris, I accept your challenge to live as tho I only have OMTL. I will start to journal; not something I've been very good about in the past.
I am a relatively 'new' Christian, having accepted Christ as my personal savior and being baptized in 2001, when I was 64. That has completely changed my life, on a daily basis and has allowed me to enjoy each day w/o regret.
I have already made amends to those I have hurt in the past and have re-defined my relationship with my wife and three sons. There is a lot of love in our family and with five grandchildren, that's a true blessing for all of us.
If I truly only had OMTL, I would stop driving into Houston everday to work in one of my client's offices (I'm self-employed). I would continue to work, b/c that's what fulfills me professionally. I would also give my time to be with those less fortunate; whatever that might be. I would let God direct me in that activity. There's no shortage of children and adults who would enjoy the company of a friendly person who was able to 'serve' them in whatever capacity they needed most.
With Christ in my life, I no longer fear dying, so I would use the last 30 days to do God's work as much as I could and not get caught up in my own situation.
Thank you for inviting us (FOTW attendees)to join you on this incredible journey, of life and OMTL.

Today I thought about my one month ticking away as I left the Woodlands with only 50 minutes to get to the galleria in rush hour traffic for a HUGE work meeting which could mean a lot of money for me. Before - I would have been very anxious and really freaking out about being late. I would have been very upset with my exhusband for leaving me to be a single mom. Today - it didn't really matter. I asked God to get me there on time and safely - and I did, with 10 minutes to spare. (I listened to the CD replay from this past weeks message and that really helped me calm down.) All throughout the day when I'd get worried about something and start getting that old, anxious feeling I verbally told myself "I choose to be calm today. I choose NOT to be stressed out. What is the worst thing that could happen if I am late or if I screw up?" As a result, I got every where (basically) on time, had a happier day, was in a GREAT mood on the way home. I had a wonderful evening with my daughter and our little lab puppy. I even said a little prayer with my daughter tonight for her dad - and I meant it. That is a miracle.
- Denise

THANK YOU FOR SUCH AN EYE OPENING MESSAGE. IF I HAD ONE MONTH TO LIVE I WOULD GET CLOSER TO GOD, PURCHASE MY DREAM CAR A CANDY APPLE RED CONVERTIBLE MUSTANG ,& DRIVE,& DRIVE, I WOULD PRAY THAT MY GRAND CHILD WOULD BE BORN BEFORE MY ONE MONTH WAS UP.I WOULD SPEND AS MUCH TIME WITH MY FAMILY AS POSSBILE JUST TELLING THEM HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM

Pastor Kerry and Chris

Pastor Kerry and Chris
The whole time during Saturday’s message all I could think about was my dad. To me he was the greatest man in the whole world and the greatest father too. My father never got mad never raised his voice never complained about not being able to get a new car every 6 months, he was just a joyous man. My father died in august of 2003 because he could not get a liver transplant, the doctor told my dad that they did not know why he was still alive because he only had 10% of his liver still working, but I know why I was at school when he was taken to the hospital the final time and in my mind he needed to see me and I will always think that. And after the massage I got to think about my life if I could just live like my father I would die a happy man. Thank you for the Beautiful message! ! ! !

I have grown up surrounded by a Christian atmosphere... I shared my faith for the first time today not knowing how i'd be responded to (I've shared my faith before...but not when the odds were so against me). I for the first time let go and stopped controling... and just let God work. And it was absolutely incredible. Every day should be this powerful!

Kerry and Chris,
Great service this past Sunday.OMTL really does change your view of the things that matter in your life. We were excited and started explaining OMTL to our 27 year old son Sunday afternoon. His comment " Good luck ".(with a smile) We aren't sure what that meant, but we are going to buy 2 books, one for us, one for him.

Dear Pastor Kerry Shook & Mrs. Chris Shook,

We want to first thank you for having the tenacity to pose such a pointed subject. This is really dear to our hearts, for my husband I, because we have been going through some trying events in our marriage. We couldn't really understand what was going on with us. Why were things happening like they were. We discovered we had become complacent with one another and began to take one another for granted as though we had time and not 30 days. Just the day before we had an in depth discussion on where do we go from here. And at Emerge, we knew that God had ordained the subject and book because so many people like ourselves need to live life to its fullest, as though it was our last. Well, because of what you have said, through prayer and faith, God has begun to mend our lives together. Every morning we now tell each other we love them. I have been cooking everyday. We send each other messages throughout the day to tell each other how we are feeling.
My mother and I even carpool so that we can spend time together. My family bond with my in-laws has become better because we have expressed to each other how we feel. And most importantly my prayer and devotion time with God has increased.
It’s an everyday process. So, I'll keep you posted on how we are progressing each day.

Thank you for the inspiration.

I have made a commitment to spend time with God. I always say I am going to do it but in living the OMTL lifestyle "going to" is no longer good enough. It has been two days since we began this project and things are so much better than before, mostly because my perspective is different.
I want to be the wife and mother that God has called me to be and that means meeting my husband's needs and then my children's.
I made breakfast for him before he left for work, something I never do. I feel so much closer to him and I know that God is doing something good in our life.

Sunday morning was was very thought provoking for me. I have been struggling with trying to forgive my unfaithful husband. We have been married more than a decade and have children. The infidelity was a one time event that was almost one year ago. I have been very closed off to him and have stayed because of the children. I do love him, but I haven't really liked him lately. I hate what he did. He has been very remorseful and (up until last year) has been the model husband and father. I have to try to come to terms with the notion that one mistake doesn't define someone.

If I had one month to live, I would want my husband to know that I DO love him. I have forgiven him for his mistakes. We have built something really great together in our family.

I have not told my husband any of this. I have merely changed my attitude toward him. It has NOT been easy!! But I have noticed a change for the better. When I start to have those feelings of bitterness and anger, I tell myself, "30 days". It's a small thing, but its made a big difference.

This ordeal is far from over, but I feel more optimistic.

Thanks for doing what you do.

walking out after the saturday night emerge service my fiance and i started talking over the question y'all asked, and our thoughts were pretty close as to how we'd spend the time. i'm sure first off i'd be in a bit of shock & wonder. but knowing it's all apart of his plan would make it okay. we have our wedding planned for march in hawaii, so that would definately be bumped up. our immediate family is attending as well, i'd make sure they all know how much i care for them. i'd spend as much time as i could with stephen doing things we always talk about, like voluntering at church or at an animal shelter. just doing some good & having fun together. i always say it's all about the little things.

I made a commitment yesterday at church to live the next 30 days as if it were my last. This morning several individuals tried to get under my skin and push my buttons but it didn't work. I left work and decided to go surprise my 8 year old son at his school for lunch. It was an unbelievable experience. His face lit up when I walked around the corner. We sat and talked about everything and laughed like no one was looking. It was exactly what I needed today. His class lined up to go back to their room so I decided to walk with them. He reached over and grabbed my hand as we walked. It was hard for this dad to fight back the tears of happiness.

I have been praying and seeking God on divorcing my husband. If I had one month to live, I would hope that I would try harder to understand him and help him. This would be a hard one to do.

I went home this Sunday and thought about the changes that I would make if I only had one month to live. As a newly reborn christian, the list at times seems endless. A few months ago I finally accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and opened my heart fully to God. The person that I thank the most for standing by me is my eight year old son Keagan. He has always been so faithful, never doubting God. Even when I would tell him that I did not believe in God, he held steadfast. He has showed me how to believe and how to love unconditionally. So Sunday I went home, put everything else aside and spent "quality" time with my son. We made smores on the back porch, snuggled up together, and talked about some of the things that we would do if it were our last month together. Keagan's insight and ways of explaining things sometimes awe me. My little eight year boy has shown me the path to God. Keagan and I will be baptized together next month at Woodlands Church East, and we are both so excited.
Last night as I was tucking him in, he had picked up three polished stones that I had bought that each had a cross stamped into them. He asked if he could have one and I told him Yes. He examined each of the stones because each was unique and selected a dark colored stone with several colors swirled in. He picked the one with a ribbon of red stone that seemed to flow down one side and said that he liked this one because the red part would remind him everyday that Jesus sacrificed his own blood to save us when he was crucified. Keagan amazes me everyday. I could spend everyday of my last month listening to him and sharing with him.

IF I had one month to live I would hold my family and friends and tell them just how much I love them. I would take every second of the day and plant great memories with my kids to last them a lifetime. Today I start living as if I have one month left, and I start with making god first in my life. Not only do I need to show my family and friends how much I love them but I need to show the lord my love for him as well.
Thank you, for opening my eyes to life!

These past few years God has been carrying me and my kids through some really rough times. I have often asked Him to reveal what His purpose for the remainder of my life could be.

If this were my last month on earth, I would love to spend it in the mission field, especially working with children and showing them the joy of God's salvation. My (quite grown) children wouldn't, perhaps, be ready to part with me for the last month, but it would be even more fulfulling to me to have them join me.

I have been lucky enough to have had several once in a lifetime experiences. One such experience: My son and I were fortunate enough to ride the first week of the Tour de France in 2004. One memorable moment of many on the trip came about when we were dozing our way through a three hour dinner after a long day on the bike in a French chateau with our Trek Travel group of 15. Everyone's water glass was empty two hours into dinner, so I took the liberty of grabbing the liter water bottle from a side tray and began to pour water into the empty glasses. My pouring hand was grabbed firmly and unceremoniously from behind by the head waiter, obviously insulted by my american impatience and lack of propriety. I handed
the waiter the bottle, and he followed up by continuing my initial round of refills. After refilling several glasses, he arrived at my location at the table with an empty water bottle. My son and I were the only ones to let out loud guffaws about this inside joke as I was left thirsty with an empty glass for the remainder of the lengthy meal. The laugh was definitely worth this priceless piece of humor! The waiter didn't bat an eye as he was only fulfilling his time-honored role of impeccable French culinary service. This kind of memory would surely bring a smile to my face with a month to live.

Kerry and Chris, Todays message was an eye opener for me. Like Chris's mom my father passed away at a very young age. He was a great man, Very loving and caring for his seven children. He also was involved in little league football and baseball.
I have chased the mighty dollar my whole life, Always wanting what my parents couldn't afford me when I was a child. Today I realized that my fathers life had more meaning than my own. Sometimes we just need to smell the coffee. Thank you both for changing my life as of today 10/14/07.
Gary Willis

If I had one month to live what would I do. The past couple of years have been VERY hard for me and my son. I want to live more openly and let others in. I want to tell others about my experiences in my life to help them. I want to be remembered as the girl who made a difference in someones life.

We began our challenge to live the next month like our last. It didn't seem like vacuuming the living room was half as important as playing Power Rangers with my son. Vacuuming can be done later...

Today, my wife came home from getting groceries and she kept saying, "One Month, one month." she was holding 2 bags of apples. I was puzzled trying to figure out the connection between the two. She had a plan to make home made carmel apples. We had never done this before. The look on the kids eyes was priceless. After supper, we all chipped in and had another great bonding moment. Thank You..to be continued

Dear Pastor Kerry & Chris,
The first thing I thought of If I.H.1.M.2.L was too sell my Star wars collection and donate it to Generations. This past weekend, my kids and I went to the Conroe crawfish Festival. At $10 a person just to get in, I told my kids that it would cost $30 just to walk through this gate! We all agreed that it was too much. So we just walked around the outside tring to get a good view of any worth while entertainment. When we stumbled across an opening in a fence. After much debate (1 min) I said come on! We managed to sneek in. My kids and I felt this neat little rush. Afterwards we walked along the rail road tracks just after a train passed by. We were about Oh 30 feet away from it, safely on the side. We have never been that close to a moving train before. We enjoyed walking on the rails back to our car which was parked about 200 yards down.These may have been rebel like memories, but memories none the less. Every morning I x-ray patients lungs in I.C.U, and as they lay there helpless with some of them not having any chance to lead a normal life again, I wonder and hope that as they lay there in dream land, that they created oodles of memories in their life to think about. Because that is all they will have left.

I today i decided to try what pastor shook suggested and its been hard but the joy i have seen on my boys faces have made it worth while ...thank you .

I would quit my job....move closer to family and friends. Let my son know how much I truly love him. Make amends with my ex-husband. Tell him how much he meant to me. I would want to experience simple things in life...and above all else give praise to God!