New Life Today Blog

Dear Me: Letter of Domestic Violence Survivor

2015-08-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

This a letter to myself to remind how beautiful I am and strong. I am a domestic violence survivor. This is to all those struggling! To my Domestic violence victim sisters! We are not just victims we are power too! We are strength together! There is help!

Top 10 Signs You Are In an Abusive Relationship

2015-08-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Source: YouTube

This is a quick video of 10 signs that you may be in an emotionally abusive relationship. Domestic Violence isn't always physical. Sometimes it involves Emotional and Psychological Abuse, Financial Abuse, etc.

Are You A Survivor of Abuse?

2015-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Source: YouTube

Targets of abuse can learn to use what has happened to them, i.e. the abuse and trauma they’ve experienced in their lives, and use the knowledge and the experience to turn their experience and life around to begin, and ultimately obtain healing, strength and recovery.

Susan Still Learns to Love Herself Again | Oprah's Lifeclass

2015-08-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

It has been eight years since Susan Still, a domestic abuse survivor, packed up her family and left her abusive ex-husband. Find out how she learned to love herself again.

Source: YouTube

Kemba Woods: A Domestic Violence Survivor Helping Others

2015-08-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Source: YouTube

Gasoline Attack Survivor Speaks Out against Domestic Violence -- Dr. Phil

2015-07-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Source: YouTube

Brianne - Survivor of Domestic Violence Tells Her Story: Inspirational Video Monday

2015-07-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Loveless Soundtrack

2015-07-18T09:33:00.001-05:00

Want to hear some contemporary gospel music to lift your spirits? Check out the soundtrack from the soon-to-be-released movie, Loveless. Written by Pastor DeChard Freeman, Founder and Lead Pastor of the Abundant LIFE Community Church in Austin, Texas, this soundtrack features up and coming gospel artists from the Austin area. With tracks reminiscent of contemporary gospel greats Mary Mary, James Fortune, and Kirk Franklin, too name a few, the sountrack also contains some ol' time religion songs, too. To sample or puchase the soundtrack, click here.

Inspirational Video Monday - Women's Empowerment

2015-07-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Source: YouTube

Inspirational Video Monday - Minister Kia Granberry Speaks Out

2015-04-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

Inspirational Video Monday - We are Women

2015-03-30T05:16:00.000-05:00

Sermon Sunday - "Fighter" Domestic Violence Video

2015-03-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Domestic Violence Video

Soundtrack: Fighter by Christina Aguilera

Source: Youtube

Prayer Works by Min. Michelle Goodwine

2015-03-17T05:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been so down, that you thought there was no way you could ever get up? Have you ever been unemployed, and you thought you would never get another job? Have you ever been faced with eviction or foreclosure, and it looked like the homeless shelter would be your next residence? Or maybe the doctor told you that your body was so sick, your chances of survival were slim? Well, I am here to tell you that no matter what your circumstances, no matter how bad things look, PRAYER WORKS!!!

Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." When your world is crumbling around you, and you don't see any way out, take it to the Lord in prayer. Time and time in my life, I have faced problems that seemed insurmountable - unemployment, broken relationships, financial struggles, just to name a few. And it seemed the more I tried to do to solve it, the worse the problem became. But when I realized that there was nothing that I could do, and it was all in God's hands, I would turn my problem over to the Lord and pray. And no matter the need, no matter what the problem, God would solve it. He may not have solved it the way I wanted, or as fast as I wanted, but He definitely solved it for my good. I have hundreds of examples of God answering my prayers, but today I will tell you about just one. Here is my testimonial:

In November 2009 my life was in shambles. My husband's abuse was becoming more violent, and I feared almost everyday that he was going to kill me. My 14-year old daughter was so stressed out about our dysfunctional home life that she suffered from major depression, and was told by her school not to return until her mental health improved. On top of that, the temporary position that I worked at a State agency ended. My world was crumbling all around me.

I went to the Lord in prayer, and begged for His help. I asked the Lord to tell me what I should do. And the answer he gave me was so unexpected. God told me to move quickly to another state. He told me that if I had faith, and put my trust in Him, He would take care of my daughter and me. I didn't know how we were going to make it. But what I did know was that time and time again, God had made a way for me out of no way. What I did know was that His word said that He would never leave me, nor forsake me. And what I did know was that I had no other option.

I prayed fervently for God's help and guidance. I prayed for Him to show me the way. And He did. My daughter and I moved across the country to escape my abusive husband. We went to a state where we believed we would be safe. We went where we had never been here before, we had no family here, and there was no reason for my husband to believe we would be there. And I am here to tell you that PRAYER WORKS!

When my daughter and I arrived in Austin, Texas on November 12, 2009, we did not have an apartment, I didn't have a job, and we were not certain that my daughter was well enough to attend school. Matthew 7:7 says "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will open". And that is just what I did. I asked the Lord in prayer for a home, and I asked the Lord for a job, and I asked the Lord for a school for my daughter. And He gave all those things and more to us. He answered our prayers. He put people in our path that helped us along the way. He blessed us through the kindness of others.

Within one month, God delivered all of the things I prayed for. My daughter was enrolled within a week of arriving in Austin at a private school that catered to artistic children who typically had problems socially at traditional schools. In addition, she had been award a partial scholarship. In about a week and a half we had moved from the cheap hotel we had stayed in since arriving in town to a 2 bedroom apartment that my sister and father helped us to afford financially. And within a month, I had a job. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." And He has.

We have been in Austin for almost 4 years now. And it hasn't always been easy. My daughter and I continued to endure trials and tribulations. But through it all, each time trouble comes, we know that God hears our pleas. Romans 12:12 says "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer". And that is what we have done. Do you know why? Because we know that PRAYER WORKS!

Inspirational Video Monday - Fearless Women

2015-03-09T05:16:00.002-05:00

Testimonial Tuesday: Teen Dating Violence

2015-02-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

Inspirational Video Monday: Teen Dating Violence Prevention VIdeo

2015-02-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention Awareness Month

2015-02-09T05:30:00.000-06:00

February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention Awareness Month. In observance, there will be several posts on this subject on NewLifeTodayBlog.com. It is hoped that the focus on the issue of teen dating violence will ultimately result in a reduction in teen and adult domestic violence.

Sermon Sunday: Dr. Traci West, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church

2015-02-08T11:02:00.000-06:00

Dr. Traci West preaching about domestic violence at

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaHY26Kwz-M

Testimonial Tuesday: My Abuser Meant To Harm Me, But God Meant It For Good by Candy Goldie

2015-02-03T05:53:00.002-06:00

This is the testimony that I shared at Safe Harbor's Candlelight Vigil in October of 2009, upon being honored one of the volunteer's of the year. It is a testiment of how God provides, gives purpose and deliver's. Every single ounce of this testimony is to glorify him.

First, I want to give God the praise and glory for he knew the plans he had for me even back when I felt no hope that I would survive my own ten year battle with domestic violence. I know now that when I cried, God was catching all my tears with his loving hands. He even knew the number of hairs that my abuser yanked from my head. I use to ask God, "Why does this have to happen to me?" He didn't answer that question until this Summer (2009).

In June 2009, all of the Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter Volunteers were given a tour of Harbor Hill; The new permanent housing apartments for victims of domestic violence. I couldn't wait to see what it was all about. As soon as I walked into the first apartment, chills ran down my whole body and I felt as if a wave had crashed all over me. I had to help! Immediately I signed up to adopt a one bedroom apartment. I chose a small apartment because I thought it would be the easiest to furnish. I began praying and fasting for God's will to be done and for his blessings to fill that apartment so full that it would overflow into other apartments.

A week later, I found out that because of shelter overcrowding, all the one bedroom apartments were taken, so I chose a two bedroom apartment. By this time my church had embraced the idea and partnered with me to help.

From the very beginning, God pressed upon me to do this project without a budget, so for six weeks I collected donations of new or used household items from various sources. I received NO MONEY! We set up three separate decorating days. The first was for small stuff, the second for large stuff and the last day was for making final touches. Many of the women and children from my church helped to bring this apartment together. My Pastor also came by to pray for the future of it's first resident.

By the second decorating day, we began to notice that not only did we have everything that we needed to furnish the apartment, but we had collected so many items that we could share them with several other apartments. That was an answer to my prayer. But God also threw in an added bonus, everything that we had collected also matched; enabling us to have pretty themed rooms.

By this time, we found out that a victim and her two daughters had toured our apartment and chose it to be their new home. All they would have to do is move in and start living. Their move-in day was to take place as soon as we finished up on our last decorating day. During the final decorating day, this sweet precious lady kept calling the property manager to see if we were finished yet. I can only imagine that she was in knots the night before as she thought about the brand new life that she and her daughters were going to have the next day. The property manager shared with me, a statement from this victim that I will never forget. When she walked into her new bedroom, she laid back onto her bed, cried and said "I can't believe, all this for me!" Those words are going to be etched on my heart forever.

I don't know how God could ever bless me more than he did through this project. Because he finally revealed to me the reason why I had to be a victim of domestic violence. For his divine purpose and glory. You see, my abuser meant to harm me, but God meant it for good. He knew I would answer his call and use the talents and passion that he gave me to help bring all that together, JUST FOR HER.

Thank you (Safe Harbor) for the precious honor of being one of the 2009 Volunteer's of the Year. I consider it to be another blessing from God.

Adapted from www.faithwriters.com.

INspirational Video Monday - The Lord is On My Side by Katherine Burton

2015-02-02T07:52:00.001-06:00

Bible Study Wednesdays - John 10:10

2014-05-14T06:35:00.000-05:00

For the next 12 weeks, New Life Today Blog.com will study one verse each Wednesday.

The following is a selection of scriptures and her interpretation on a variety of issues that may be of importance to a woman: roles of husbands and wives, parenting, divorce, understanding true religious conversion and seeking shelter.

Here, Jesus is saying that some people come among us to hurt and destroy others. Jesus came so that we might know fullness of life and feel safe and happy. When He promised abundant life, He was referring to spiritual abundance. Primary to this spiritual abundance is feeling safe and unafraid in your own home, knowing hat you are loved and respected for who you are. This is God’s will for you and your children.

Survivor Profile: Tara...Domestic Violence Survivor

2014-05-08T06:25:00.001-05:00

Bible Study Wednesday - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

2014-05-07T06:22:00.001-05:00

The following information has been taken directly from the book “Keeping the Faith: Questions and Answers for the Abused Woman” written by Reverend Marie Fortune, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

For the next 13 weeks, New Life Today Blog.com will study one verse each Wednesday.

The following is a selection of scriptures and her interpretation on a variety of issues that may be of importance to a woman: roles of husbands and wives, parenting, divorce, understanding true religious conversion and seeking shelter.

You are valued in God’s eyes; your whole self is regarded by God as a temple, a sacred place. Just as God does not want a temple defiled by violence,

neither does God want you to be harmed.

God’s spirit dwells in you and makes you holy.

You deserve to live without fear and without abuse.

New Life Today Blog: Kia Granberry - Domestic Violence Testimony

2014-05-06T06:50:00.001-05:00

New Life Today Blog: Kia Granberry - Domestic Violence Testimony

Kia Granberry - Domestic Violence Testimony

2014-05-06T06:42:00.002-05:00