BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

“Years ago, the Lord told me to pick up my cross and follow Him,” the man said. “I sold everything and I’ve been pushing this cart across America.” The cart was filled with Bibles. “I’m going to pray for you,” he told Todd, “and that thing that’s plagued you will never touch you again.” After the man prayed, Todd thanked him and walked back across the street. When he turned to look back, the man and his cart had vanished. For some time, Todd had been plagued by night terrors. After that prayer, they left—replaced by sweet dreams about a valley between two mountains. Over and over the Lord told Todd not to fear. Then, one night during the dream the Lord said, 'This addiction will never touch you again. Go and restore friends and family.' The next day, Todd called Pastor Dan and asked him to come get him. All the way home, Pastor Dan told him all the reasons he was going to make it—that everything was going to be all right. At home, Destiny came running outside and threw herself in Todd’s arms. “Daddy, something’s different about your eyes.” Jackie stepped outside. She wasn’t screaming. “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve put you through,” Todd said. “I love you and hope you can forgive me. I met Jesus and He really changed me. In time you’ll see that. I’m going to get a job and provide for my daughter.” New Creatures in Christ “I know you will,” Jackie said. “While you were away, I gave my heart to Jesus.” Pastor Dan had been pouring the gospel into Jackie and Destiny. “I can’t live here because we’re not in covenant,” Todd told Jackie. “Of course not,” Jackie replied. “We need to be married first.” “We’ll do it Sunday between services,” Pastor Dan said. Todd went through the house, cleaning out drugs, alcohol and pornography. He put everything in a trash bag, smashed it with a hammer, and then set it on fire. On Sunday, he and Jackie were married. The next day, Todd went to see Bobby. The day Todd left for Teen Challenge, Bobby had suffered a brain aneurysm. Now, he was on life support and not expected to live. In the hospital room, Todd apologized to Bobby for not being a better friend. “Bobby,” Todd said, “Jesus is real.” That night, Bobby died. “I was just crushed,” Todd recalls. “Jackie held me while I cried. ‘This is what happens when you don’t live your life out loud for Jesus. It comes from not living a consecrated life. This will never happen again.’” Bobby’s wife asked Todd to speak at the funeral. Standing in front of the casket, Todd shared that he had not been a good friend to Bobby. He said that real friendship means you lay your life down for your friends. When the minister gave an altar call, half the people responded, giving their hearts to Jesus. A Seed Full Grown True to his word, Todd got a job and began to support his family. He never touched drugs or alcohol again. He submitted himself to the local church and lived his new life out loud. “When I first got saved, I discovered Kenneth Copeland on television,” Todd recalled. “I watched his program, read his books and ordered his "Word of Faith Study Bible," which is still my favorite. He just fascinated me. I realized that he and Gloria were two of the greatest teachers I’d ever heard. I followed their ministry, always looking up to them.” One day, Todd was delivering ice on his job when he noticed a man limping to his car. “Sir, what happened to your leg?” Todd asked. “I had polio as a kid.” “Can I take a look?” “Why?” “Let me see your legs.” The man sat down and stretched out his legs. Todd could see one leg was several inches shorter than the other. “In the Name of Jesus,” he said, “I command your leg to grow.” Suddenly, the man’s leg grew to match the length of his other leg. “What just happened?” the man asked, with tears in his eyes. “I just prayed for you in the Name of Jesus,” Todd said. Then Todd shared his story with the man. “God delivered you from drugs?” “He sure did, but He healed you.” 16 : BVOV

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