In 1938, Nicky Cruz was born in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, to a couple who had 19 children.
His parents practiced Brujeria—his father was a satanic priest, and his mother was a witch.
From a young age, Nicky endured brutal beatings from his parents, who often called him the "Son of Satan.
They often locked him in a dark shed, where aggressive birds pecked at him relentlessly.
Surrounded by pain and rejection, he grew up feeling unloved.
"I was raised to be a murderer.
My heart was so filled with hate that it bled onto everyone I met. I was like a caged animal throwing myself against the bars of my anger, frustration, and rage."
At 16, Nicky ran away from home to the streets of New York City. There, he joined the notorious Brooklyn gang, the Mau Maus.
Through a combination of fearlessness and brutality, he quickly rose through the ranks to become their warlord.
During his time in the gang, he was arrested 16 times for ruthless violence.
Eventually, a judge ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment.
The psychiatrist who evaluated him said, "Nicky, there is no hope for you.
You are so consumed by hatred, unlike other boys. You have no love in your heart. You're on a one-way path to the electric chair and hell."
In 1958, Nicky came across David Wilkerson, who began preaching in his neighborhood. When he told Nicky that Jesus loved him, Nicky pressed a knife against his chest and warned him to not come any closer.
Wilkerson then said, "You could kill me Nicky and cut me into a thousand pieces and throw them out on the street, and every one of them would be saying Jesus loves you."
Despite being beaten, spat on, and threatened, Wilkerson continued to reach out to Nicky with unconditional love.
Due to Wilkerson's relentless pursuit, Nicky and his gang members ultimately attended one of the crusades he organized.
While listening to the sermon, Nicky was deeply moved by the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
It gave him hope that he could leave his past behind and start anew. In that moment, he prayed, "Dear God, I'm the dirtiest sinner in New York, and I don't think you want me. But if you do, you can have me. As bad as I was before, I want to be that good for You."
The stone walls around Nicky's heart finally crumbled.
In his words, it was as if he had been admitted to a Holy Ghost hospital and rose from that encounter as a brand-new creation.
The very next morning, Nicky and his gang members marched into the police station, carrying their weapons—guns, bricks, and baseball bats—and turned them all in.
The police officers could hardly believe their eyes as one of the city's most feared gangs surrendered their weapons.
From that moment on, Nicky Cruz has been preaching the Gospel around the world, and he continues to do so to this day.
Nicky Cruz (1938-Present):
We are never closer to the heart of God than when we are forgiving someone. And we are never farther from it than when we are holding a grudge.
Jesus is the only way to a new life.
You don’t have to be in the streets, you don’t have to be in sin. Jesus is the way out.
The same Jesus who changed my life can change yours. His love is for everyone, no matter where you come from or what you’ve done.
When you are born again, your past is gone. It's washed away.
You become a new creation in Christ.
Jesus' love is so powerful that it can change the hardest heart and transform a life of violence into a life of peace.
There is no place so deep that God's love cannot reach.
His parents practiced Brujeria—his father was a satanic priest, and his mother was a witch.
From a young age, Nicky endured brutal beatings from his parents, who often called him the "Son of Satan.
They often locked him in a dark shed, where aggressive birds pecked at him relentlessly.
Surrounded by pain and rejection, he grew up feeling unloved.
"I was raised to be a murderer.
My heart was so filled with hate that it bled onto everyone I met. I was like a caged animal throwing myself against the bars of my anger, frustration, and rage."
At 16, Nicky ran away from home to the streets of New York City. There, he joined the notorious Brooklyn gang, the Mau Maus.
Through a combination of fearlessness and brutality, he quickly rose through the ranks to become their warlord.
During his time in the gang, he was arrested 16 times for ruthless violence.
Eventually, a judge ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment.
The psychiatrist who evaluated him said, "Nicky, there is no hope for you.
You are so consumed by hatred, unlike other boys. You have no love in your heart. You're on a one-way path to the electric chair and hell."
In 1958, Nicky came across David Wilkerson, who began preaching in his neighborhood. When he told Nicky that Jesus loved him, Nicky pressed a knife against his chest and warned him to not come any closer.
Wilkerson then said, "You could kill me Nicky and cut me into a thousand pieces and throw them out on the street, and every one of them would be saying Jesus loves you."
Despite being beaten, spat on, and threatened, Wilkerson continued to reach out to Nicky with unconditional love.
Due to Wilkerson's relentless pursuit, Nicky and his gang members ultimately attended one of the crusades he organized.
While listening to the sermon, Nicky was deeply moved by the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
It gave him hope that he could leave his past behind and start anew. In that moment, he prayed, "Dear God, I'm the dirtiest sinner in New York, and I don't think you want me. But if you do, you can have me. As bad as I was before, I want to be that good for You."
The stone walls around Nicky's heart finally crumbled.
In his words, it was as if he had been admitted to a Holy Ghost hospital and rose from that encounter as a brand-new creation.
The very next morning, Nicky and his gang members marched into the police station, carrying their weapons—guns, bricks, and baseball bats—and turned them all in.
The police officers could hardly believe their eyes as one of the city's most feared gangs surrendered their weapons.
From that moment on, Nicky Cruz has been preaching the Gospel around the world, and he continues to do so to this day.
Nicky Cruz (1938-Present):
We are never closer to the heart of God than when we are forgiving someone. And we are never farther from it than when we are holding a grudge.
Jesus is the only way to a new life.
You don’t have to be in the streets, you don’t have to be in sin. Jesus is the way out.
The same Jesus who changed my life can change yours. His love is for everyone, no matter where you come from or what you’ve done.
When you are born again, your past is gone. It's washed away.
You become a new creation in Christ.
Jesus' love is so powerful that it can change the hardest heart and transform a life of violence into a life of peace.
There is no place so deep that God's love cannot reach.
❤21🔥2
These chicks are growing up, and getting feisty, especially the smaller one. Also, Friends of Big Bear Valley posted they believe chick number 1 was the one that did not survive the snow storm. They somehow came to that determination by their feet size. Chick number 2 and 3 are showing their pecking order already😆
https://youtu.be/CSc7ndC-9L0?
https://youtu.be/CSc7ndC-9L0?
YouTube
Clown Feet & Sibling Nibbles😍Smaller Chick Keeps Challenging Bigger Chick!🏆@FOBBVCAM 2025-03-20
Original live video courtesy of @FOBBVCAM https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/
The opinions presented on this channel do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOBBV.
The circus must be in town because there are clown feet EVERYWHERE! 😍 BC (Bigger Chick)…
The opinions presented on this channel do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOBBV.
The circus must be in town because there are clown feet EVERYWHERE! 😍 BC (Bigger Chick)…
❤11
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karaxlewis This was a very special encounter for me.
Nancy, you are a beautiful light! Thank you for sharing you story with the world even when it may be dificult 🙏🏽
Not only so, but we also glory in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. -Romans 5:3-5
❤️😭
Nancy, you are a beautiful light! Thank you for sharing you story with the world even when it may be dificult 🙏🏽
Not only so, but we also glory in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. -Romans 5:3-5
❤️😭
❤20😍1
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🎵🙌🏾🥰
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my redeemer lives
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my redeemer lives
❤24🥰7
Chick Naming Fundraiser Contest is On!
Hey friends, here is your chance to participate in naming Jackie and Shadow’s two eaglets.
There hasn’t been a naming contest for two years until now. Keep in mind this is a fundraiser.
Here are the options per the website:
Submit; One name =$5
Three names = $10 or
Ten names =$25.
It’s a great cause and helps preserve, educate and maintain the camera and live streaming of our beloved Jackie & Shadow and their family. Details below👇🏼
From Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam
Everyone is invited to help name Jackie and Shadow’s two eaglets! The contest to name them is online and waiting for you. Since we provide the livestreams of Jackie and Shadow’s nest cameras always free to the public (and free from advertisements), we have traditionally asked for a small donation along with chick name suggestions. To participate, you can go to our website homepage www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org
or directly to this link: www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/fobbv-chick-naming-contest-fundraiser.
The contest will be open for one week, so you have until 11:59 pm on Friday, March 28 to enter name suggestions. After entries close, a computer will randomly draw a finalist list of names.
We will deliver ballots with that list to the Big Bear Valley elementary schools for a final vote on April 1. Historically the final name selection has belonged to Big Bear’s 3rd grade students, since they study bald eagles during that school year. But this year the 4th and 5th graders will be invited to vote, as well.
Since Jackie and Shadow did not have chicks the past two seasons, we thought it would be nice for the students who were in 3rd grade those two years to participate in the naming process this time. Jackie and Shadow and their family are very important and special to the local community.
We will announce the new chick names on our official Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, www.instagram.com/fobbv.official, www.youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM and website and other social media channels on the evening of April 1st.
We are soliciting names for only the two surviving chicks, since the oldest eaglet, known as Chick 1, passed away during the recent snowstorm. We will be naming that chick ‘Misty,’ in honor of a very dedicated FOBBV volunteer Kathi Misterly who was lost to cancer and is still very missed.
Thank you all for your beautiful dedication to Jackie and Shadow and their family. Best of luck in having your favorite name selected!
—Sandy
Friends of Big Bear Valley
P.S. Keep in mind gender neutral names are preferred since the sex of the eaglets is not known.
Hey friends, here is your chance to participate in naming Jackie and Shadow’s two eaglets.
There hasn’t been a naming contest for two years until now. Keep in mind this is a fundraiser.
Here are the options per the website:
Submit; One name =$5
Three names = $10 or
Ten names =$25.
It’s a great cause and helps preserve, educate and maintain the camera and live streaming of our beloved Jackie & Shadow and their family. Details below👇🏼
From Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam
Everyone is invited to help name Jackie and Shadow’s two eaglets! The contest to name them is online and waiting for you. Since we provide the livestreams of Jackie and Shadow’s nest cameras always free to the public (and free from advertisements), we have traditionally asked for a small donation along with chick name suggestions. To participate, you can go to our website homepage www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org
or directly to this link: www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/fobbv-chick-naming-contest-fundraiser.
The contest will be open for one week, so you have until 11:59 pm on Friday, March 28 to enter name suggestions. After entries close, a computer will randomly draw a finalist list of names.
We will deliver ballots with that list to the Big Bear Valley elementary schools for a final vote on April 1. Historically the final name selection has belonged to Big Bear’s 3rd grade students, since they study bald eagles during that school year. But this year the 4th and 5th graders will be invited to vote, as well.
Since Jackie and Shadow did not have chicks the past two seasons, we thought it would be nice for the students who were in 3rd grade those two years to participate in the naming process this time. Jackie and Shadow and their family are very important and special to the local community.
We will announce the new chick names on our official Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, www.instagram.com/fobbv.official, www.youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM and website and other social media channels on the evening of April 1st.
We are soliciting names for only the two surviving chicks, since the oldest eaglet, known as Chick 1, passed away during the recent snowstorm. We will be naming that chick ‘Misty,’ in honor of a very dedicated FOBBV volunteer Kathi Misterly who was lost to cancer and is still very missed.
Thank you all for your beautiful dedication to Jackie and Shadow and their family. Best of luck in having your favorite name selected!
—Sandy
Friends of Big Bear Valley
P.S. Keep in mind gender neutral names are preferred since the sex of the eaglets is not known.
🥰3❤2
Also, I thought it would be fun to have our own naming contest here on Call To Battle, and you don’t have to donate money either!
So let’s think like grade school children and maybe guess what names they would pick. Share as many names you would like in the comments.
And for those of you that have grade school kids, or grandkids, maybe ask them what would they name the two eaglets. 🦅🦅
I’ll keep track of the submissions for our channel.
If you happen to guess the correct names the grade schoolers pick…well you just might win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes….just kidding, but you will get honorable mention.😁
Have fun!
—Paula
So let’s think like grade school children and maybe guess what names they would pick. Share as many names you would like in the comments.
And for those of you that have grade school kids, or grandkids, maybe ask them what would they name the two eaglets. 🦅🦅
I’ll keep track of the submissions for our channel.
If you happen to guess the correct names the grade schoolers pick…well you just might win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes….just kidding, but you will get honorable mention.😁
Have fun!
—Paula
❤7👏1
Me: “Lord, what do You want me to know today?”
God: “There will be situations in your life that are difficult to get through because you can’t see what lies ahead. Remember that I am right here beside you, and I will lead you in the direction you need to go, in order that you may fulfill the purpose I’ve planted in your heart, even if you don't know yet what that is.
“Commune with Me. Ask Me to show you what your greatest purpose on this earth is. Listen for My voice. Read My Word and memorize it. Act upon every nudge I give you. Watch your greatest fears become your greatest triumphs. I will guide you and cheer you on, every step of the way. My best plans for you will mesh beautifully with your greatest dreams and desires when you entrust all of this into My care.”
Is. 25:1 (NIV) ~ “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
God: “There will be situations in your life that are difficult to get through because you can’t see what lies ahead. Remember that I am right here beside you, and I will lead you in the direction you need to go, in order that you may fulfill the purpose I’ve planted in your heart, even if you don't know yet what that is.
“Commune with Me. Ask Me to show you what your greatest purpose on this earth is. Listen for My voice. Read My Word and memorize it. Act upon every nudge I give you. Watch your greatest fears become your greatest triumphs. I will guide you and cheer you on, every step of the way. My best plans for you will mesh beautifully with your greatest dreams and desires when you entrust all of this into My care.”
Is. 25:1 (NIV) ~ “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
❤19🕊2
"Call me crazy but I was counting money this morning and came across these two quarters. God said "Hey, do you realize that they're both worth the same even though one is bright and shiny and the other is so dirty you almost can't tell what it is?"
I feel like He wanted me to share this for someone. It doesn't matter if you think you're as dirty as the dumpster in the alley, you're worth just as much to God as the shiny person who looks like they have it all together. " ❤️❤️❤️ ☕
~Will Blackwell~
I feel like He wanted me to share this for someone. It doesn't matter if you think you're as dirty as the dumpster in the alley, you're worth just as much to God as the shiny person who looks like they have it all together. " ❤️❤️❤️ ☕
~Will Blackwell~
❤31
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Testimony Tuesday
This gentleman is John Burke. He wrote the book Imagine Heaven (which I would love to read someday.)
He was a guest on Shawn Ryan’s podcast on Youtube that I watched…it is four hours long. I listened to the entire podcast while I was working on a sewing project. Worth listening to.
This gentleman is John Burke. He wrote the book Imagine Heaven (which I would love to read someday.)
He was a guest on Shawn Ryan’s podcast on Youtube that I watched…it is four hours long. I listened to the entire podcast while I was working on a sewing project. Worth listening to.
❤5
Here is a small clip from the Shawn Ryan Show with John Burke as he shares a testimony of an NDE (Near Death Experience) about a Hindu man.
https://youtu.be/C8yQwBLOU7g?
https://youtu.be/C8yQwBLOU7g?
YouTube
Hindu Man Dies and Sees the Kingdom of Heaven
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join
Support the Shawn Ryan Show for $5 and get the chance to watch the shows AD FREE, with the exception of Shawn's personal reads, before they release!!…
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join
Support the Shawn Ryan Show for $5 and get the chance to watch the shows AD FREE, with the exception of Shawn's personal reads, before they release!!…
❤3
Forwarded from Carli • Saved by Grace
Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are lots of reasons she may do this. If the shepherd tries to return the lamb, the mother might even kick the baby away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.
These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with their little necks. Their spirits are broken.
These lambs are called "bummer lambs."
Unless the shepherd intervenes, that little lamb will die ~ rejected and alone.
Do you know what the shepherd usually does?
The shepherd will take that rejected little lamb into their home, hand~feed it and keep it warm. They will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to their chest so the little lamb can hear their heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.
That sheep never forgets the shepherd's love and care when their mother rejected them. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess which sheep runs first? That sheep knows the shepherd's voice.
The bummer lamb isn't loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it. It trusts the shepherd because it has experienced love from the shepherd.
Many of us are bummer lambs. Rejected and broken. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat.
We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd who will never leave us.
These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with their little necks. Their spirits are broken.
These lambs are called "bummer lambs."
Unless the shepherd intervenes, that little lamb will die ~ rejected and alone.
Do you know what the shepherd usually does?
The shepherd will take that rejected little lamb into their home, hand~feed it and keep it warm. They will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to their chest so the little lamb can hear their heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.
That sheep never forgets the shepherd's love and care when their mother rejected them. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess which sheep runs first? That sheep knows the shepherd's voice.
The bummer lamb isn't loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it. It trusts the shepherd because it has experienced love from the shepherd.
Many of us are bummer lambs. Rejected and broken. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat.
We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd who will never leave us.
❤31💯6