I can't talk enough about God

Hello my name is Jasper and I'm a quad.

I have no feelings in the lower part of my body at all. This may seem as quite an issue to some, but it doesn't worry me as much as I thought it would for I know and I believe that God is still in control of my life. Sometimes we all get thoughts that are not quite positive- I noticed that lately I've been getting thoughts that are not quite in line with what God wants. Thoughts of what I used to do in the past. I've been a quad for going on 5 years now- I haven't been able to even touch a female for those 5 years. I can't play with my grandchildren the way I used to. In short there are just a lot of things I love to do but can't do anymore. That gives the enemy an avenue in which to attack me through my thoughts. When I find myself thinking of relationships with females, I know it’s the enemy that’s taunting me. Then that’s when I remember that the Lord says, fornication is a sin in the eyes of God. This helps to keep my mind, my thoughts, on the right path. Thinking of things I cannot do anymore is another way the enemy attacks me but again I say God can do anything that he wills for my life. He can turn a situation completely around if he desires. I don’t worry about a lot of things. The thoughts that come are not only from Heaven, but are also thoughts from the enemy. I learned to separate and understand the two. Even though I'm physically challenged I still know that I am a blessed man. I still know that I have favor with God because of what he does for me each and every day. First of all I wake up at his will, I have the blessing of being in my right mind, I can breath, I have my eye sight, my hearing, and although I don’t have much movement I still can turn my head. I can move my upper body and that is a lot more than what some quads can do, and I thank the Lord for that. He starts me on my day. I have many people that I associate with and a lot of people that know me. I have friends, good friends that I have been with for some 30-50 years, and that is a blessing. I have a wonderful family. I have healthy grandchildren that I am able to see and show love. All of that is God's will for me. I have only him to thank because I could have been dead, but he chose to let me live. So look at the bright points in your life when you are feeling negative. It's only a ploy by the enemy to upset your life. Focus not on your thoughts, but rather focus on God. Praise and worship him and your life will be fruitful.

Again, my name is Jasper and I am a quad. Thank you.

Let God Take Control

Hello my name is Jasper and I'm a quad. I live in a rehabilitation center so I often see crippled bodies, people who are much worse off than I am. Some cannot move at all, some cannot speak, and some have emotional issues. But I say to you today, that the Lord is still in control. We must learn to look to him for our strength and the desire to go on. I don't know why he hasn't healed me or some others, but I still believe that he can and he will in his time as he sees fit. I'm thankful just to be alive because I know had it not been for the Lord I would be dead. I survived a life of drug addiction, and two near fatal car crashes, and I know in my heart that it was the Lord who saved me. I don't worry very much, I don't worry pretty much at all. Why should I be disturbed over things I can't control? Instead I just praise the Lord for what I do have. I can think, I can talk, I've been blessed with a wheelchair so I can move around, go places, and interact with people. I'm still blessed. So when you feel down and out, just remember you don't have to worry because the Lord who loves you is in control. If you talk to him, He will answer you and He will take care of any situation you may be in. You have to believe that.

My name is Jasper, love you, goodbye.

Don't fall Into the Trap

Hello my name is Jasper and like most of us I have issues in my life. Little things that just pop up that annoy us. But don't let the little things in life distract you from what you should be focusing on. You may own a business or desire to own a business, you may already be in some school, or raising a family. These things require all of our focus if you are to succeed. Don't let little things such as someone telling you you "can't do it", doors that are closed in your face, setbacks and failures. Don't let these things stop you from your goal, these are just traps set up by the enemy to throw you off. God wants only the best for us, he points us in the right direction and he has a gift or a blessing at the end of our labor. But the enemy throws obstacles in our way to throw us off track. People that don't like me, people that hurt my feelings, feelings of inadequacy, feelings of failure thinking that certain things are for other people and not you. These are things that come to our mind because that's where the enemy attacks us. We must look past this and understand that if we give it our best, the Lord will do the rest. He only wants success and joy and happiness in our lives. We must come to a point where we understand this and that will increase your desire to press forward. It's good to know that the Lord has our back and that He will always be with us to help us, to guide us, if we allow Him to. He said in his word that "If I be for you, who then can be against you?" This should be a great comfort and support to you in life. You can do whatever you desire to do, because He will give you the strength to succeed. "I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me". Believe it.

Don't Sit, Rise Up!

Hello my name is Jasper.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when we are challenged by certain events. It may be an auto accident or the death of a loved one, or you may be fired from a job, maybe going through a divorce- all of which are life changing events. Even though sometimes we may be knocked off our feet by an event I say that's not the time to sit, that's the time we must rise up and meet the challenge. We've all had the wind knocked out of us at some time or another, but staying down or throwing a pity party or sticking your head in the stand will avail you nothing. It is this time we must rely on God above to pull us through and we rise up and find answers to our problems. If we just believe that God will help us we feel better, we feel encouraged, we find new strength, we also find doors will start to open when we apply ourselves. There have been lots of people that have gone through life changing experiences and learn to overcome. I remember reading about a blind man who was a mountain climber. A girl who had her arm bitten off by a shark yet she still surfs. Christopher Reeves who became a quad did not stop his life because of his circumstances; he became an advocate and helped change the lives of many. You see with God as your guide you have an unlimited source of strength and power. All you have to do is rise up and tap into that power. You will find that you can go further than you ever expected. The enemy only wants to blind you and confuse you by bad events that happen in you life, but God will take those very events to groom you and make you stronger. So I say don't sit, and focus on your circumstance, but rather RISE UP and tap into the source and move on.

Thank you my name is Jasper.

Words of encouragement!!

Hello my name is Jasper and I am a quad.

Sometimes when I sit and reflect on my life I can't help but feel a great sense of thankfulness. I owe all my thanks and gratitude to the Lord. Some of you may not believe but I know had it not been for him showing me grace and mercy I would not be here. There was a time in my life when I was crippled as a child, I've been through an addiction to drugs, I survived two car crashes, one which took the life of my wife, and I am still here. I don't worry about a lot of things today because just as Jesus said, these are meaningless and they will pass away anyway. The most important thing that we should be concerned about in our lives is preparing for your spiritual life. Make no doubt about it God is still running things, I have no control over anything. I must look to him for everything. The air I breathe, every time I swallow, my thoughts, waking up in the morning is all due to his grace. So I don't fret over what people think of me or financial matters, because I know that he will work it out for me in the end. So I encourage you that no matter what you may be going through, no matter how hard it is, look to the Lord and he will surely make a way for you. Easter is coming up soon and we should all focus on what Easter is really about. He died for us, he paid the ultimate price so that we may have a right to life. So that we will one day life with him in his kingdom. He loved us that much and that's something we should never forget or take lightly.

Again my name is Jasper and these are my thoughts.

Keep your chin up

Hello my name is Jasper and I am a quad.

I have been a quad since April of 2009 and although I live in a very nice recovery center, adjustment hasn’t been easy. I try to stay positive- I smile a lot, I talk with other clients. I know just about everyone by name, yet sometimes my situation still gets the better of me. As best I can I try to follow the routine that’s laid out for me. I have even been told by a Pastor that I would hear from God one day and he would tell me to get up and walk. I’ve had more than one person tell me they’ve been in my condition and now they’re up and walking. Still sometimes it’s a bit much for me to bear. So many complications to get past. Lately I’ve been having a lot of anxiety coupled with a touch of pneumonia. I try to smile and be positive and tell myself one day it will pass. I am saying all of this because you may be going through something as a result of your injury, but holdfast, be strong as possible, and above all be positive. Even though we have setbacks God spared us, that means we have some more living to do. Children that need us, parents need us, friends who love us, and at all times remember God knows best! Keep your chin up and continue on.

My name is Jasper and I am a quad. Good-bye

Think Positive

Hello my name is Jasper and I am a quad.

I've written a number of blogs and in all my blogs I try to create a positive image. It is said "as a man thinks", so is he so if we think positive we will be more likely to do positive. I try to find something positive or humorous in everything I do. As I ride through the hallways in my recovery center I speak to everyone I can, try to remember each person by name, and always greet them with an uplifting attitude. This is just a small thing but it has a lot of meaning, not only for me but also for the people I speak to. We no longer can do a lot of the things we used to so we have to think of new ways to fill our days. It can be by participating in things we have never done before. I never used to play BINGO a lot because I consider it to be an “old folks” game, but that’s one of the activities that are offered here. At first I wouldn't play but with some encouraging from the staff, I began to play and now it is one of the activities that I most look forward to. I also try to join in whatever is going on at the center- it helps to not only fill my day but gives some meaning to my new life. So my message is stay uplifted, don't be afraid to change, try new things, and above all stay positive.

My name is Jasper, good-bye.