Faces in the Crowd

3 Responses »

1. Kyle Butler says:

   December 27, 2011 at 3:30 am

   “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”—-Jeremiah 29:11

   I have been wrestling with some things for a couple of weeks now and finally feel compelled to get them written down, to share. I feel that others should know that they are not alone in their struggles. So for about 6 months from mid January of 2011 until I left for a summer running camp in mid July I was sober, growing in Christ, and just living a joyful life. I was on cloud nine. A year prior I had no idea who Jesus Christ was. I knew almost nothing about the Bible. Spending time around all these amazing people in the Fort Bliss community that were seeking after Jesus everyday was truly inspiring to me. But when I left for running camp in North Carolina I had what you might call a “relapse”. See without the structure of the Fort Bliss community I began to make excuses for why I could drink again. I justified hanging around certain people when I got back from Camp. For the next 2-3 months I began a slow spiral back into drinking, lust, and many other sins I had been fleeing from for the better part of 2011. I had lost track of what I was really after. I went back to being a people pleaser. I still am learning what it means to follow after Christ. I still mess up daily. I still battle with the urge to want to drink. It gets frustrating. I have built these horrible habits for the better part of 22 years and they don’t go away as quickly as I would like. I am tired. Tired of living such a fruitless, faithless, life. I want more. I want to be that guy that soldiers can turn to when they are struggling. That guy that can point them to Jesus. I wanna be able to put my hand on their shoulder and say “Hey man, I have failed in every way that a man can fail. And when I sought God every day that is when I succeeded.” In 2 weeks I will be moving in with Wally, a leader of one of the Bible Studies at Fort Bliss. I was very hesitant to make this decision because I knew it would mean an end to my old ways. But now I am excited. I believe I have an opportunity to make a great change in my life. And if there is any chance at success it will be living around Godly Men, like Wally. I owe a great deal to the Navigators of Fort Bliss. They saved my life. I WANT Jesus. I want him to be in every part of my every day walk. I want to point people to him. To show them the love he showed me. There is hope in my life. A hope that can transcend generations. I LOVE JESUS CHRIST. I look forward to discovering him more in 2012 and beyond. I have failed….and that is why I succeed. HE is why I succeed.

   “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”—-Jeremiah 29:11

   Reply
   • UndefinedChristianAthletes says:

     December 28, 2011 at 11:50 am

     Hey Kyle,
     Thank you so much for sharing your testimony with us. It’s incredible to see how God is working in your life. Jesus is with you at all times, and it’s amazing to see how passionate you are to lead others to him. 2012, is going to be a great year for you! Sarah and I are praying for you!

     -Tyler

     Reply
     • Kyle Butler says:

       December 28, 2011 at 9:52 pm

       Thanks Ty! Good luck to Sarah and you!! I look forward to watching this site grow!

       -Kyle