The Fractured Saint Project®

Pray for Presli

mikebacon247 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:39:08 +0000

It is at the request of an awesome brother and quarterback for the Denver Bronchos, Tim Tebow, that I bring to you the story of a courageous young lady named Presli Collins and ask for your prayers. In 2008, This beautiful 9 year old little girl was diagnosed with a crippling condition known as NF1 or Neurofibromas. For those of you who are unfamiliar with NF1, CTF.org (Children’s Tumor Foundation) defines it as :

Neurofibromas, the most common tumors in NF, are benign growths which typically develop on or just underneath the surface of the skin but may also occur in deeper areas of the body. Neurofibromas, which are composed of tissue from the nervous system (neuro) and fibrous tissue (fibroma), usually develop around puberty although they may appear at any age. The tumors are not contagious. Nodule-like surface tumors are known as dermal neurofibromas. Plexiform neurofibromas grow diffusely under the skin surface or in deeper areas of the body.

The presence of multiple neurofibromas is an important diagnostic sign of NF. Single neurofibromas may occasionally occur in people who do not have NF. The number of neurofibromas varies widely among affected individuals from only a few to thousands. There is no way at present to predict how many neurofibromas a person will develop. Dermal neurofibromas rarely, if ever, become cancerous. Such a change, called a malignant transformation, may occur, although very rarely, in plexiform tumors. Therefore, it is important that patients be in the care of an NF specialist. Some neurofibromas, depending on their location and size, can be removed surgically if they become painful or infected, or cosmetically troublesome. A new tumor sometimes appears where one has been removed, particularly if that tumor was not removed completely. There is no evidence that removal of growths will increase the rate of appearance of new growths, or can cause incompletely removed tumors to change from benign to cancerous…

This is just a little about what this young lady has to deal with on a daily basis, but she is dealing with it like a champion. If you go to CTF.org you can read more about this disease and learn about ways you can spread the word and how to help. The symptoms and the complications alone from this disease is enough to make a grown man weep. Little Miss Collins has a facebook page that brother Tebow has asked for everyone to join to show your support, prayers, and love with this awesome young lady. Her Facebook profile is http://www.facebook.com/prayforpresli . If you would like to send letters of support or any other correspondence, you can send them to: Presli Collins, 1312 17^th St. #116, Denver, CO, 80202.

Please show your love and support for Presli and her family as they deal with this life-altering illness. God bless you all. -Mike

Hold on: A Stand against Bullying

mikebacon247 — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:18:41 +0000

I have thought long and hard about how to write this blog and I figured the best way to do it is to just speak my mind and my heart and let the cards fall where they may. Recently, in the Atlanta area, there was a video on the news of a gay man being jumped and severely beaten by 8 men, yes I said 8 men. The worst part is that 2 of them stood aside, filmed it, and put it on the internet for the world to see. This has both sickened and enraged me to the point that it has taken me a week to simmer down enough to write this. Far too many times lately have I seen gays being beaten, maligned, mentally and emotionally eviscerated to the point that they either withdraw from society or worse yet, commit suicide. This must stop. I use the gays as a primary example because they seem to be incurring the majority of the hatred and abuse. It’s not just against gays, but against everyone. Bullying of any kind cannot and must not be tolerated. Nobody has the right to lay a hand on anyone whether they be gay, straight, white, black, yellow, purple, or otherwise. If I sound like it maybe a little personal to me, it is…very much so. I was bullied most of my youth simply because I was an above average artist and very smart. I know what it feels like to dread leaving the house because of the bullies. It continued on for several years, at least until I outgrew the bullies and never allowed it to happen again. Bullying leaves two potential outcomes. First, the victims grow up and out of it and become productive members of society or they turn their rage and pain inward, let it build, and then explode and kill as many people around them as possible, which was the case at Columbine a few years back. I was lucky enough to be part of the first example because my father was in the Air Force. I was able to move and start over again. Others are not so lucky. The fight against bullying must first begin at home. Unfortunately, there is a growing trend in this country where the epidemic of abuse is festered and nurtured by the parents who are supposed to be teaching their children to be tolerant of those who are a little different than they are. I have watched many videos on YouTube on the subject and have found more times than not, the physical and verbal and spiritual assaults are usually hidden behind some kind of religious bias. I am sad to say that I have seen so much of this kind of abuse coming from my fellow Christians, or at least those that hide behind the name of Christ to justify hatred and to my dismay, this behavior is learned and put into practice by their children. Since when did Jesus verbally assault or malign anyone? Since when have we ever been given the right to make anyone feel less than loved? There are far too many people who are destroyed in mind, body, and spirit for things that they can do nothing about. What sin is so much greater than another that gives people the right to think that they can hurt another human being? There is none. I have seen far too many news heading of kids taking their own lives or the lives of others because they can’t see any other way out. I have seen far too many stories of kids killing themselves because they think that nobody loves them or they are not good enough. I have seen far too many stories of churches turning their back on homosexuals simply because of who they love. Jesus loves them all. It will never stop until my fellow Christians teach their children that Jesus paid for ALL sin equally and that we need to love one another. Maybe that is too much to ask amongst such a flawed and arrogant people. I will not allow this organization to stand for anything other than love and tolerance. TFSP® stands for rebuilding lives, rebuilding hearts, rebuilding minds, bodies, and souls. If you are one of the ones that are being bullied or abused I say to you hold on. Please, for the love of God hold on. You are worth something. You are special. You are loved. Jesus loves you and says you do not have to be good enough. He will be good enough for you. Trust Him. I promise you that is you can do that, the things that you endure now will not compare to what He has waiting for you if you will simply trust on Him. I will leave you with one of the most relevant passages in all of scripture for me:

For we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; Cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction , which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight in glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things that are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2Corinthians 4: 8-18 KJV

I hope this can serve to inspire and bless you. –Mike

Please Hold on. It will get better.

BallCaps, Skullies, & Life Journals

mikebacon247 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:11:36 +0000

In an ongoing effort to expand TFSP®, we are introducing 3 new items to our new online store at http://fracturedsaint.storenvy.com The first is the TFSP® Moleskine® Life Journal and sketch book. The second and third are the first of what we hope to be many TFSP® hats that we have up for pre-order. Life Journals are in limited stock and the hats should be in stock on the 16th and ready to ship so get yours reserved asap. All proceeds are going to fund our incorporation so we can do much bigger and better things to help those in need.

Don’t Look Away

mikebacon247 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:43:58 +0000

I saw something the other day that bothered me and it got the gears of my brain turning for this blog. I was driving home when I got stopped at a red light. I was in the middle lane of a three lane road about 6 cars from the light when I noticed to my right, a gentleman in a kind of beat up little old ford pickup trying to turn out of the drug store into the lane to my right. From behind me comes a larger truck with an obnoxiously large advertising banner displayed in the bed. Now, instead of the woman in the larger truck stopping far enough back for the gentleman to pull out, she looked over at him and then looked in my general direction and moved her truck up blocking the drive so that the guy couldn’t pull out. Keep in mind that we were stopped and nobody was going anywhere, but the thought of him getting out in front of her was too much for her to handle. This got me thinking… How many times in our lives have we seen someone who needed a little assistance to get out of a bad situation and we simply pretended not to see them and just kept about our business? How many times have we seen an elderly person struggling to get their groceries into the trunk of their car and kept walking by or seen a person with their arms full, needing help to get a door open and people keep walking by and won’t even look at them. How many people walk past a homeless man or woman and ignore them and excuse it by calling them a drunk or a druggie just so they can be excused from caring. Every one of these situations could have been avoided with a simple little random act of love. Know this. When Jesus Christ was hanging on that cross, broken, bruised, and bleeding for you, he didn’t turn a blind eye from your depravity! He could have simply turned his head and said that your problems are not His. He could have just as easily said, ” to heck with this, they don’t deserve this”, but He didn’t. He stepped into your places and bore the punishment for the past, present, and future trespasses of the world so that you would stand blameless before God almighty. He didn’t do it because He would get something out of it. He didn’t do it so he would have something to hold over your head. He did it because He knew that you could not do it for yourself. He did it because He loves you. Knowing that no man or woman is better than the other, why do we pretend as if we are. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 KJV). Don’t help people because you want to get something out of it. Help people because it is right. Let nothing be done out of Vain glory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3 KJV). I challenge each and every one of you to become more aware of the people around you. Watch them. Study them. Learn to anticipate their needs. Feel what they feel. Make a conscious effort to keep your eyes up and to seek out those who you can help with something as simple as an open door or a warm smile. Look for those who are in pain. Look for those who are in need. Look for those who are lost. Look for those who are broken. Remember what you looked like when you were in their shoes and you will find them. To lead, you must first serve. We at The Fractured Saint Project® want to accomplish nothing less than the supernatural changing of lives. It’s all about rebuilding broken lives and showing people that there is a God that loves them and showing them that they are not alone. This is our way of living a life of gratitude to the one that didn’t turn a blind eye to our suffering. I hope this blessed and inspires you to not look away. God bless you all. -Mike, TFSP ®

TFSP® Testimonial: Crystal aka Suga509

mikebacon247 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:44:35 +0000

Official Fractured Saint Project® Store !

mikebacon247 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:05:38 +0000

In an on going effort to prepare ourselves for our impending incorporation, we have set up a storefront for the future purchase of TFSP® products and inspirational materials. Since the TFSP® Moleskin sketchbooks have been such a hit lately, we may even add them to the store sometime this week. Please feel free to visit the storefront under construction and follow now. Get in on the ground floor of this fantastic venture. The store is located at http://FracturedSaint.storenvy.com As always, thank you for your continued support. God bless you all. -Mike

TFSP® Testimonial: Mike aka Reset2Day

mikebacon247 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:29:36 +0000

TFSP® Testimonial: Eric aka SchmumpkinII

mikebacon247 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:27:16 +0000

John Basedow for #socialfitness Shorty awards

mikebacon247 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:30:47 +0000

In keeping with our ongoing theme of rebuilding lives both in body and in mind, We would like ask you to go Vote for our friend and brother John Basedow for the Shorty Award in Social Fitness. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Shorty awards, they give recognition to the best producers of short content through internet and social media. John has achieved fame and much acclaim for his ongoing commitment to helping people improve their bodies and their lives through physical fitness. You may have seen his infomercials for Fitness Made Simple. To support him simply click the link here http://ShortyAwards.com/JohnBasedow . You can also visit his Fitness Made Simple website in the Health and Fitness links in the sidebar. I am sure that he appreciates all the votes you can throw his way. Hey John, by the way, thanks for tossing out a mention for Fractured Saint. God bless. Mike

Circumstance, bad thinking, and life beyond your label.

mikebacon247 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:07:58 +0000

Ever since I started the little journey that I am on, I have searched aimlessly through the Bible and the internet for stories of triumph of Spirit and glorious tales of overcoming obstacles and I have found many. Those, however, are not the ones that resonate in my heart and in my mind. I have seen people who have become so focused on their obstacles, so focused on their shortcomings whether they be mental or physical, that they cannot see beyond their circumstances. I have found those who are overweight or crippled talking about how this is the hand they have been dealt and they have no other choice but to live with it. I have seen people having pity parties for themselves, blaming others as well as God for their misfortune adn this bugs me, so I figured i would just put down a couple of words on the subject. If you are one of those people who have been wallowing in self-pity, groaning about how much your life stinks, let me ask you one question…what are you doing about it? If my tone sounds a little stern then GOOD. I only say these things because I know what God has put in you. I know what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it and when you realize that Jesus Christ is your strength. That is the key. You must change your mind. For those who are depressed, you must change your mind (Romans 12:2 KJV) Self pity and depression are basic results of not trusting God. You have 2 choices. You can follow human viewpoint and react emotionally or you can follow the Word of God and step out in faith. He has put inside of you everything you need to survive and to overcome any obstacle that life puts in your path. Cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you. You were never meant to live this life alone. You were never meant to live this life apart from Him. The Lord has put everything you need to know in His Word. Whatever the obstacle you have in life, lean not on your own understanding, but lean on Him and His Word. Self pity, discouragement, fear, anger…these are all byproducts of bad thinking. You can choose to live a life of discouragement, despondency, and despair or you can step out in faith and life guided by thanksgiving which is a byproduct of stepping out in faith and trusting that the Lord will do what He says He will do. Maybe you have had bad things happen to you, you are angry, and you blame yourself or you blame God. Don’t internalize your shortcoming, embrace them. Instead of wallowing in your infirmities, try boasting in them and rejoice who God has made you in Christ and use it to move beyond this crude flesh (I’m sorry if I sound like Yoda). God has a habit of taking the destitute and the small and the weak, and turning the into giants. We are more than the labels that we are given: fat, crippled, blind, or whatever your label is. If you don’t believe, go into the old Testament and look at the story of Rahab the prostitute who because of an act of stepping out in faith, became the head of a lineage that led to King David and later to the Savior of the world. It is your choice to be confined to your label or push to live beyond it. So a man thinks, so shall he act. You will find that when you step out in faith, your emotions will support that action and put you at peace. I am not going to say that God has a plan for your life because that has become too cliché, but I will leave you with this little video about a young man named Nick Vujicic (pronounced Voy-a-chich) who was born with no arms and no legs, but gone beyond his label to minister to people around the entire world. If you can still sit and feel sorry for yourself and blame the world or God, then I don’t know how to help you. I know I am not the best writer, but I hope this helps. I hope this blesses you. -MikeBacon247