TESTIMONIES
"The day I told my pastor the painful story of our 11-year beleaguered marriage, and that my wife had waved the white flag surrendering our marriage to the legal world of divorce, he suggested I do 3 things. First, he said, if I still believed that God's best plan was for us to be married (which I did), I needed to tell her, even if she didn't listen or even laughed at the notion. Second, he said I needed to decide not to 'move on' with my life for convenience or any other reason less than to pursue God's best. Lastly, he said, "You need to meet Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs."
Four days later I was in their home having dinner and also feasting on a "God-meal" that included overwhelming portions of love, compassion, wisdom, kindness, and an understanding that was born of having been right where I was. They listened to my story, and then openly and in such a truly authentic way shared theirs. I left that night not knowing exactly what happened because I felt like had known the Scruggs my entire life. Now I know I had encountered Christ in them in such a real way that I have never been the same since. A hope was born in me that night that has grown strong as God has used the Scruggs in profound ways to continue growing my faith as our friendship has deepened.
Now, almost four years later, with that friendship intact--one I consider one of my life's richest blessings--I am still priveleged to feast regularly on these "God-meals" as they continue to love, disciple, mentor, encourage, listen, and counsel me as aim to stay surrendered to God's call on my life to stand for the reconciliation of my relationship with my one-flesh mate, the restoration of our covenant marriage, and the reunion of our family that God joined and formed with our four children.
What is so amazing is the level of passion and true, authentic, biblical Christianity that is lived out in their lives day in and day out as they breath truth and grace into the lives of many, many people. They are truly the real thing. Jeff's gentle strength and Cheryl's passionate and insightful wisdom combine with their deep and shared convictions to bring life-changing impact on all those they have the opportunity to influence. Because their relationship was tap-rooted and tempered by the fires of God's testing and shaping them through the adversity of their marriage, divorce, and remarriage, they speak truth powerfully from their unique perspective and experiences.
I have rarely seen a couple so devoted to each other, their two amazing daughters, and to marriages. Because I have an unqualified confidence in their commitment and have witnessed it up close and personally, I have personally introduced them to numerous other friends who have themselves found God transforming them and their marriages through the selfless devotion of the Scruggs to the cause of holy, healthy, happy marriages.
People of all ages and stages of marriage, whether in crisis, cruise control, or just curious need to hear from Jeff and Cheryl because they are living witnesses to the power of Jesus' ministry of reconciliation that He has given us all. Just as many listen to the powerful witness of people like Corrie Ten Boom whose dying sister challenged her to tell others what they had learned during their living hell surviving a German concentration camp, people will listen to and believe the Scruggs because they've been there."
Dan Garrison
"After God surfaced my sin of adultery, our pastor recommended that my husband and I meet with Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs. We came to meet with them at their home, feeling a lot of apprehension at the thought of letting total strangers into our lives. We left knowing that we had forever friends. We made an immediate heart connection and knew that we had found a safe place. Cheryl and Jeff were real, “live out loud” kind of people who welcomed us into the depths of their lives immediately. They told us their story and we were amazed to see where God had brought them. They gave us no feeling of “having arrived”, but let us know of their total dependency on God. We left with our hearts full of hope and had a clear picture of what God could do ultimately if we would consistently surrender ourselves to Him. We met many, many times with the Scruggs to talk. It was clear that this was more than a couple entering our world because they were doing a favor for our pastor or because they were just “taking on another couple”. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they truly loved us into a place of healing. Our marriage, as a result, is not only in tact, but thriving! We continue to invite Jesus into the deepest parts of our lives, we are utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit, and we have a fresh understanding and passion for all God intends for us. We have had a “live and in person” example in Jeff and Cheryl that the tragedy in our lives can be transformed into something that will be life-giving for others. As a result, the multiplication factor of their investment is staggering…we are now involved with marriage ministry ourselves and have seen many other couples come to a place of healing and of knowing what God fully intends for them. We are honored to know and do life with Cheryl and Jeff. They saw us in light of eternity, and we are quite sure of their commitment to stand with us until we see Jesus. We take every opportunity, still, to breathe their air and learn from their lives.
Cheryl Scruggs represented a picture of hope to me from the moment I met her. On the days when I thought I would die from the pain of my sin, she understood my sorrow like no other woman could, and continually encouraged me to take the next step toward truth and healing. She was honest about her own sin and failures…never a struggle shared, though, without the accompanying story of God’s overcoming, redemptive work that went along with it. Cheryl was able to speak from a heart that had been where I had been, but she helped me move beyond my sin to the miracle of God’s grace, and the restorative, healing work that He was waiting to pour out on me. When I became discouraged at times from seeing how BIG the journey of healing looked ahead, Cheryl always encouraged me to look at just how far the Lord had already brought me and my marriage, and she constantly reminded me to look forward with great expectation to what the Lord could bring to my life as a result of a repentant and surrendered life. My beautiful sister, Cheryl, has touched my life in ways she will never know till she sees Jesus. She has lived out a truth that I have learned in my restoration process…that my sin does not define me, but that it can be used to refine me, if I will only let it. This woman…this friend…exemplifies one of the verses that I long to live out every day…"Psalm 34:5..."Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."
Cynthia Record Jehl
"We had spent thousands and thousands of dollars on couples counseling before God led us to Cheryl and Jeff. I was deeply hurt, hard-hearted and was experiencing such profound sadness and depression that I couldn't even reach out and ask for help. My husband was guilt-ridden, withdrawn and drowning in a sea of lies. Although we were separated for many months, we never stopped loving each other but the anger and resentment and put a mounting wedge between us. Forgiveness, trust and commitment seemed impossible. And on our own they would have been, but God had another plan for us. God used Jeff and Cheryl to share His desire for our marriage. They opened our eyes to the practical, Biblical principles that God commands us to obey to create a Holy union. Through their love, support and shared experiences our marriage is on God's path. We honor God by honoring each other. The wedge is still there, but with God's divine intervention it gets smaller everyday."
P.
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