Hi Joshua! I really enjoyed hearing your testimony today at Accenture. I am reaching out to see about getting a copy of your book. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for the simplicity and clarity of the message of the truth of the Word that you shared; 'renouncing everything' of this world to follow Christ Jesus. You blessed me today.
Your message really moved me this morning and I loved listening to you. Your story is incredible. You reminded me that our God is such a wonderful God and He is in control of our lives.
What are the chances you will succeed? What are the chances you will overcome the obstacles you are facing right now in your life? What are the real numbers? The chance your marriage will last, you will get the promotion you so desire, your kids will turn out right, you will find true love and a meaningful life? What are the chances?
Decisions are made every day based on numbers...statistics. Sometimes we let those numbers tell us whether to keep trying, whether to continue or drop out, whether to even get up in the morning or stay in bed. If you lose "hope" you are in for a deep, dark journey. My number was zero. It doesn't get any lower than zero! Not a fifty-fifty chance I would make it, not a twenty-five percent chance, not even a ten percent chance. Zero! Think about that.
At the age of only four, I was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. The doctors told my parents I had only one week to live, and my chances of survival were zero! That was 50 years ago, so it's been a LONG week! After many months of surgeries and treatments, and two long bouts with the disease, the cancer was eventually gone, but it left me with many obstacles to overcome. My vocal chords were paralyzed, my growth was stunted, and I was faced with new daily challenges and difficulties that would remain with me for the rest of my life.
Humanly speaking, my life was destroyed by this cancerous monster that had disrupted it. I had every right in some people's eyes to be mad at God for bringing this into my life. However, I soon learned that God wasn't destroying my life by giving me cancer, He was creating my life.
Today, when I stand in front of an audience speaking about overcoming life's difficulties, finding true happiness, developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, or whatever the topic for that event may be, I look out and see tears coming down the faces of many who are listening. I hear people come up to me afterwards and say things like; "Joshua, your story just changed my life!". And then I realize God knew all along what He was doing when he gave me cancer 46 years ago. I now have a story to tell of how amazing and awesome God is, and that no matter how "dark" our trials may be in this life - they are all part of His perfect plan, and He knows exactly what He is doing!
When I first started speaking, people told me; "Joshua, you can't do this....you have all these problems, you have physical disabilities, etc.," And they were right. I can't do it in my own strength. However, the Bible tells us, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13). And through Him, we can bounce back even when our chances may be zero!
At public schools, private schools, churches, and youth events all over the United States, God has used my story to reach people who need to hear a message of hope, of encouragement, and of inspiration. Contact me today about sharing my story with your audience anywhere in the world.
