July 20, 2023 • 27 mins
What does it take to rise from the ashes of emotional turmoil and find redemption? Brandy Milburn, a resilient woman from Texas, graciously takes us on a riveting roller coaster ride through her life. She opens up about her turbulent childhood, the sting of her parent’s divorce, and the shadow of an abusive relationship that led her down a path of self-destruction. Brandy's candid account of her decision to have an abortion led her down a path of destruction. Her decision to turn her life around is an inspiration, demonstrating that no matter where you start, it's never too late to change your narrative.
From hedonistic living to finding her faith, Brandy's journey didn't stop at survival; it evolved into triumph. She bravely shares her transformation from a life of pain to one filled with purpose. A divine intervention led her to God, motherhood, and eventually, her life's mission after her brother’s untimely passing. Finally, I urge listeners to embrace forgiveness and discover peace from a relationship with Jesus. Indeed, Brandy's story reaffirms the power of faith, resilience, and the hope of redemption. Remember, you are loved and valued and blessed with the potential to rise above and beyond your life's challenges.
- If you would like to be a guest and share your story, click this link: https://thepromoter.org/story/
Thanks for Listening, and subscribe to hear a new episode each week!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Announcer (00:01):
It's time now to get the hell out of your life.
A weekly broadcast with realpeople sharing real struggles
and offering real hope.
Today's show will encourage,inspire and empower you to face
life's challenges with a boldconfidence and renewed hope.
Now let's join our host, ronMyers.
The promoter.
Ron Meyers (00:21):
Hello, my friends, it is so good to be with you
today.
Well, during my coffee withcheese is our I had a word that
kept coming to mind Courage andI said that is perfect to
describe the guest that I havetoday.
Courage Meaning strength in theface of pain or grief.
(00:43):
I think most of us can relateto that.
My guest today was a verycourageous young lady.
She went through abuse,rejection, had an abortion, had
her life turned upside down at avery young age and one day that
courageous young lady was facedwith a choice Get the hell out
(01:06):
of her life or suffer more.
And she did the courageousthing and you are going to be
encouraged and cheering for heras you hear her amazing story.
I'm so blessed to be able tointerview people that share a
(01:27):
story of hope, redemption andGod putting her on the path to
discover her purpose.
Brandy, welcome to the show.
How are you doing today?
I'm doing well.
How are you?
I'm doing well, brandy.
Tell the listeners a little bitabout Brandy.
Brandi Milburn (01:49):
Okay, well, brandy, melbourne again.
I live in Texas.
I am a full-time working singlemom and run a nonprofit in my
free time.
My story is at a really youngage my parents divorced.
I was 10.
So that's really the first timeI ever really experienced a
(02:10):
trauma and coming into somethinglike that happening and
thinking it's just a dream andyour world kind of falling apart
.
I didn't grow up with the Lord,so we did it.
I didn't know to pray, I didn'thave a relationship with the
Lord, and that's really when theenemy began just planting seed
of rejection and abandonment andnot really understanding what
(02:33):
love is and what that looks like, because to me it looks really
disposable.
My mother moved about threehours away from my dad and my
older brother, so at that pointI kind of became an only child
living with a single mom.
I wasn't promiscuous growing upat all.
Actually, it was the opposite.
I didn't trust men, I didn'tlike men, so I really didn't
(02:53):
date when I did.
I dated in high school and allof those walls came crashing
down with this one and then hebroke my heart and at that point
I decided I was going to saywho, I was going to say when, I
was going to say how.
And really, this rebelliousnessrose up in me about two days
after I turned 18.
I moved out of my mother's houseand that began my downward
(03:18):
spiral.
I didn't know how to make agood choice, I didn't know how
process decision making at all,landed myself in a severely
abusive relationship.
About a year, year and a half,into that relationship, I got
pregnant and I chose abortion.
By the grace of God, I came outof that relationship, but with
(03:43):
no self esteem, no self worth Atthis point.
I was completely isolated awayfrom my family.
I had no relationship with mydad, siblings, really, and I was
living this crazy lifestyle.
I began working in a strip clubindustry.
That became my lifestyle.
I literally put a price on myvalue and my work.
I mean that, like I said, thatwas my lifestyle.
(04:06):
Thank you.
Ron Meyers (04:07):
Before the divorce.
What was life like for littleBrandy?
Were you the typical girl thatplayed with the little Barbie
dolls and went to pageants, ordid the little things that
little girls do in theneighborhood?
Brandi Milburn (04:21):
No, we actually lived in the country so we had
farm animals.
We had chickens and pigs andhorses and dogs and cats.
I was usually outside runningthrough a pasture playing hide
and go seek in the woods with mybrother very outdoorsy.
Ron Meyers (04:37):
How was your relationship with your parents?
Could you go to them and talkto them about anything?
Brandi Milburn (04:42):
No, we were all kind of really emotionally
detached.
Now, looking back, I can seethat I think at that time, being
the little girl and 10 yearsold, what you have you think is
normal, you don't think.
You just don't think that whatyou have is outside of the box
or it's not normal.
So it was completely normal forme.
Now, looking back, there wasn'ta lot of emotional relationship
(05:05):
, there wasn't a whole lot ofnurturing and we did things but,
like I said, there was just no,there was no emotional
relationship.
Ron Meyers (05:13):
After the divorce.
What was your life like duringthat time?
Brandi Milburn (05:17):
I lived in the country and so I was totally
used to that kind of anatmosphere.
And when my mother moved, wemoved to Irving, Texas, so it
was culture shock for me.
And then she was a workingsingle mom, so we lived in an
apartment complex.
So then my life goes to beingin a town where I mean a big
(05:39):
city that I didn't, I didn'tknow anybody, and so I was
having to and I'm introverted,so introverts just don't go out
and meet people.
So I was very secluded, veryisolated.
And then a few friends that Idid find in the apartment
complex, they just formed realgreat examples.
So I mean, that was it, but itwas just a complete culture
shock for me.
Ron Meyers (05:59):
Listeners.
I'm visiting with BrandyMilburn of Texas.
But, brandy, I've got to askyou you're in an abusive
relationship with a man.
Why did you stay with him whenhe was being abusive?
Brandi Milburn (06:13):
That's a really common question.
By the time, I will say, theenemy had already started
mentally beating me up and, likeI said, planting those seeds
and just confirming them.
So when I would you know, lookfor those things.
He would confirm the negativeabout me.
So by the time someone actuallythrows the first punch, you
(06:34):
absolutely believe that this iswhat you deserve and that's
where it was, is I?
I didn't feel like I deservedanything better than that.
Ron Meyers (06:42):
What would make you think, though, you deserve to be
abused?
Brandi Milburn (06:46):
Just when you have no self esteem or no self
worth and, like I said, thedistance between you know my dad
and my brother and my dadliving his life three hours away
there wasn't really anyconnection.
The visitation was hit or miss,there was no emotional.
So I had already picked up I'm,I'm not worthy and I'm not
loved and I didn't know whatpursuit looked like from a
(07:11):
father and and so I just had noself worth, no value, that I
didn't feel like I deserved tobe.
Think better, it was just, itwas a mental.
And then when I started makingthe decisions that I made, like
having an abortion I mean Ididn't tell anybody about that,
I was carrying that solely allby myself.
Ron Meyers (07:30):
After you had that abortion, because eventually you
broke up with this gentleman.
That kind of forced you to havean abortion.
So he goes away and all of asudden, Brandy, you're all alone
.
So during that time after theabortion and alone, you had to
be in a very vulnerable state.
Brandi Milburn (07:51):
And then they escaped that with a strip club.
So, as thick as it sounds, youcould go to a strip club and men
would give you money becausethey thought you were pretty,
and so at that point I wasliterally putting a price on my
value and my worth.
Ron Meyers (08:05):
The more money they give you and the more gentlemen
that want you, the more it justreinforces.
I am pretty, I am wanted.
Look at these men are giving memoney because I'm beautiful.
Is that what goes through yourmind?
Brandi Milburn (08:22):
It's what went through my mind.
This was affirmation that Ididn't get anywhere else, that I
got there.
Ron Meyers (08:28):
That's amazing.
That's amazing and thelisteners, as I said.
What courage for this younglady, brandy, to share her story
.
But this story is for somebodyout there listening, because
there's nothing worse in lifewhen you don't think you're
worth anything.
So before there was atransformation in your life,
(08:49):
brandy, you really had noself-esteem, no self-worth.
I bet you had a hard time evenlooking at yourself in the
mirror.
Brandi Milburn (08:59):
Oh, yeah, for sure, and I escaped with drugs
and alcohol, so I really didn'thave to be alone with me for
very long.
Ron Meyers (09:07):
Listeners.
It's time for a break and whenwe return, the conclusion of
Brandy's amazing story ofcourage, faith and purpose.
Announcer (09:18):
You're listening to Get the Hell Out of your Life
with your host, Ron Myers.
Real stories, real strugglesand real hope.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
It's your story.
We're looking for stories ofhope and overcoming life
struggles with God's grace.
Your story validates God's love, mercy, restoration and
forgiveness.
We want to help you share yourstory with the world.
Visit our website,thepromoterorg, and click on the
Share your Story link andsubmit your story.
(09:48):
Your testimony of God's amazinggrace will change a person's
destiny for eternity.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
Are you tired of scrolling through the same old
news feeds every morning?
Then switch things up withCoffee News.
Our publication is filled withinteresting stories, brain
teasers and uplifting quotesthat are sure to brighten your
day, and now you can accessCoffee News anytime, anywhere,
by visiting our website.
So whether you're sipping yourmorning coffee at your favorite
cafe or browsing online fromyour desk, we've got you covered
(10:18):
.
Get your day off right withCoffee News at
ReadCoffeeNewsOnlinecom.
Ron Meyers (10:45):
I am talking with Brandy Milburn today, and
Brandy's story is one of that.
She is sending SOS messages toGod through her loneliness,
through her lack of self-worth,her lack of self-esteem, and I
just have to believe, brandy,that something was beginning to
(11:06):
stir inside of you that wasseeking a change, something like
that starting to happen in yourlife at this point of your
story.
Brandi Milburn (11:18):
I don't know that I was necessarily seeking
the change, but I had a roommateat the time and you know, when
I didn't have dinner or whatever, her parents would cook for me
and I would go to their house,and so I had a relationship with
her dad and stepmom.
And one day I was headed out togo work at the club and he
showed up at my front door andtold me that the Lord told him
(11:41):
to turn around to come share histestimony with me, and he did.
He came in and told me how hehimself had devalued women and
started speaking to me about myworth and my value and invited
me to go to church.
They were doing a revival forthe next three weeks and he left
and I went to the club and Isat in the parking lot and the
(12:01):
longer I sat there the more Ijust had this ugh in my stomach,
like you can't go in, you can'tgo in, and I didn't.
I went to that revival thatnight and I sat in the church
and I remember sitting there andthere was a presence there that
I had never felt before and Iwanted.
I didn't know what was going on.
(12:21):
It was pretty radical and Ijust sat and I just watched and
I observed that that presencethere was so strong that night
that I never went back to thestrip club again.
I went to that revival everysingle night for three weeks.
Ron Meyers (12:34):
Oh, that's amazing, but you said something there I
just want to touch on just for aminutev because it is so
important for people to hearthis.
You had a roommate Now was he astripper.
Brandi Milburn (12:47):
No, oh she was.
She worked at a shoe store.
Ron Meyers (12:50):
But her dad must have known you were a stripper
because he wanted to share histestimony, right?
Brandi Milburn (12:57):
He did?
I think he did.
We never really had theconversation that I'm sure he
realized.
Well, the point.
Ron Meyers (13:06):
I'm making and I need somebody to hear this that
this man, who felt led by God,invited you to his house, didn't
judge.
You had dinner because he sawsomething in you, your potential
, something that you hadn't seenyet, and then, at the right
time, he let God lead him to you.
(13:27):
And I say that that sometimes,christians, we need to make sure
that we don't start looking atpeople and judging them.
Why not begin a relationshipand start having a conversation
with people?
Because I think sometimesChristians can kind of get on
that judgment seat, if you knowwhat I mean I do.
So I guess you're going to tellus now that life started
(13:51):
changing because you had met God.
No, no, you mean there's moreto this story.
Yes, so what happened?
Brandi Milburn (14:03):
I got a job that paid regular hours and the
owner there was.
She knew where I was comingfrom.
She knew my lifestyle.
I would like to say I flippedthe switch and I was doing
everything I should have beendoing.
I wasn't.
I still partied on Saturdaynight, went to work during the
week, I would go to church onSunday morning, but I was still
(14:23):
very much living just this crazylifestyle.
I landed myself in anotherreally unhealthy relationship.
It was with a heroin addict.
I got pregnant.
This time I got put on bed restbecause I was having symptoms
of losing the baby.
It's the first time in threeweeks that I think I picked up a
Bible.
But I was on bed rest for threeweeks and so I didn't know
(14:46):
anything else to do other thanlay in bed.
I read Job.
I read all the way through Job.
After that three week timeframe of being on bed rest, I
went to the doctor and they toldme I had lost the baby.
I felt like God was punishingme because I had had an abortion
.
I quit going to church for afew weeks after that just
(15:07):
because I was really distraught.
I was really angry.
The relationship with the heroinaddict it ended.
He had really relapsed.
And there was one morning I hadwoke up about two in the
morning and I now I know it wasthe Lord, but I just had this
popcorn thought of check thebathroom trash can.
I went to the bathroom, checkedthe trash can and I took the
(15:27):
bottle and there were needles torun.
Just realizing he wasn't there,I went to look for my car.
My car was gone, my ATM cardwas gone.
So he had not only stolen mycar, he had taken my card and
overdrew my account by athousand dollars.
And about a week after that Ifound out that I was pregnant
again.
And it was.
It was at that point that Ilooked around.
(15:50):
I didn't have rent money, Iwasn't going to go back to the
club and I made it.
I mean, I just fell on my faceand I just cried out to God.
I said I don't know if you'rereally real, but if you are I
will know you and I will makesure that this baby knows you.
If you just let me keep thisbaby.
I didn't want to go through anymore loss.
I still hadn't agreed having anabortion and I was having to
(16:12):
feel every bit of, you know,being pregnant and losing that
out of my control, and so, beingpregnant with this baby, that
was my turnaround, and I justwanted to be able to have that
baby and I I begged.
I bargained with God, but Ididn't stop chasing after him
from that day forward.
That's really when I turned itaround.
Ron Meyers (16:33):
How old were you at this time?
Brandi Milburn (16:35):
I was 22.
Ron Meyers (16:36):
So 22, the the hell that you've went through.
You really compacted a lot ofhell in your life up to the age
22.
You fell on your face.
You just said I can't do thisanymore.
There's something in thattransparent.
So you became transparent andGod showed up in your life and
(16:58):
from what I read in your story,he's never left.
Is that true?
Brandi Milburn (17:02):
That's true.
I found a place, you know,several years into my walk and
and inner healing.
I went through a really intenseinner healing process.
When my little girl was firstborn, I went to some ministry
leaders and just told them thatI was sick and tired of me, that
I wanted to be different, andthat's really when I started
walking through the innerhealing and and getting free
(17:23):
from the abortion andforgiveness and grieving and and
all of the abuse and all ofthat.
And several years into that, Ijust found myself in this place
of contentment.
I was a mom, I was married, Iwas, I was doing all of these
things.
That it was just content.
And in 2012, my little brotherwas killed in a car accident and
(17:45):
it was in his passing.
I mean, I really kind ofspiraled in that too.
I just couldn't understand howsomebody's so good, how to leave
us.
Hmm, yeah, I'm beneficiado doesit each time, but it was in
losing him that the Lord, Ibegan praying.
I changed my prayers and begancalling out to God going.
(18:08):
I don't want to leave thisplace without walking out my
purpose.
Ron Meyers (18:11):
And the.
Brandi Milburn (18:12):
Lord began showing me that just that
everybody that's here isliterally him breathing life
into their lungs, and we allhave a purpose, and I didn't
want to leave here without mine,so he began opening up doors
after that to ministry for asingle mom.
Ron Meyers (18:28):
What an incredible, incredible story.
Listeners, brandy, brandy,somebody out there listening
right now is saying oh my God,that young lady is speaking my
language.
They have no self-worth,they're in an abusive
relationship, they've had thingsthat they've done in their life
that they've never told anyoneand they most likely think that
(18:52):
God just hates them, so theydon't even look at God.
You've got the microphone.
You can talk to that person,that lady, that man, right now.
What would you tell them?
Brandi Milburn (19:05):
I'll tell you, just like God has spoken to me
over and over again, that thereis nobody that will pursue you
like God.
There's nobody that wants tospend time with you like God.
There's nobody that thinksyou're more beautiful than God.
He is real and genuine and youdon't have to show up and look a
(19:28):
certain way, you don't have toperform.
Grace is really real and if youjust surrender and invite him
into all of those things, hewill show up.
He will not ever quit pursuingyou.
Ron Meyers (19:42):
Beautiful words, brandy, let me just first say
that your story of what you wentthrough and that it just broke
my heart.
Somebody should have to gothrough that kind of hell.
But the good news, there isgood news.
The good news is that God isnow showing you your purpose and
(20:02):
you have a mission.
Now you want to help otherwomen who might feel like you
used to feel, and you want tohelp them with the life of
purpose.
What is the name of yournonprofit and how can people
find out more information aboutyou and your nonprofit?
Brandi Milburn (20:22):
Nonprofit is Lighthouse Acres Ministries at,
llc, and you'll find it justlike that on Facebook.
Our website islighthouseacrescom.
Our mission is to provide ahome for women who are
experiencing unplannedpregnancies.
I was gracious enough to have amama who let me come home, but
not everybody has that, and sowe are actually currently
(20:45):
working for land and landdonations to start building, and
so right now we are doingministry within the community
with single moms, so yeah, Well,you are a blessing, brandy.
Ron Meyers (20:58):
And Brandy, what made you want to share your
story with literally thousands,maybe millions of people around
the world?
Brandi Milburn (21:09):
Number one I know where real change came from
and that was the hearttransformation when I invited
Jesus into it.
And when you look at the worldtoday and all the the crazy and
just the dark, if I can be alight for just one person, for
that one person to say, hey,there is a God and he is real
(21:30):
and and that one life be changed, then my life's not wasted and
that's my legacy.
That's what my legacy to be.
I don't want to leave here andnot have used everything that
you gave me.
Ron Meyers (21:40):
Well for his kingdom .
You are a beautiful young ladywith a beautiful spirit, with a
beautiful gift and a talent, andNot only will I be praying for
you in your awesome destiny andfor your child, but for the
Hundreds and hundreds of womenwho you will touch.
Brandy, thank you for visitingwith me today.
(22:02):
God bless you.
Brandi Milburn (22:04):
Thank you for having me.
Ron Meyers (22:05):
Well, I took a lot of notes during that
conversation In the beginningwhen she said that she did
alcohol and drugs because thenshe never had to be alone with
herself.
Wow, you really have a lot ofUnworthyness and lack of
self-esteem when you do not wantto be alone with yourself.
(22:28):
I Was that way years ago.
I had a friend called marijuanaand it kept me occupied.
The other thing she said thatwhen she walked into church she
felt a presence she never feltbefore.
God never created us to be alone, and that's why so many of us
(22:51):
have a void in our life becausethe presence of God is not there
.
There's another thing I think alot of us can relate to.
She thought she had aMiscarriage because God was
punishing her.
God doesn't punish us for doingthings.
We reap what we sow.
There's consequences to what wedo, but God is holding his hand
(23:13):
out to us all the time.
And Then she said somethingthat I'll always remember Nobody
will pursue you like God.
That is so true.
You have a purpose.
You have a destiny.
Brandy's story is a story thatneeds to be shared.
If you know someone that couldbe blessed by hearing Brandy's
(23:35):
story, please share it with them.
Listeners one more time.
Brandy's website is alighthouse.
Acres calm.
Announcer (23:45):
You're listening to get the hell out of your life
with your host, ron Myers.
Real stories, real strugglesand real hope.
Speaker 6 (23:54):
Do you believe there's no such thing as
absolute truth?
If you say yes, then you aremaking an absolute statement.
We believe that unchangingmoral truth does exist.
It comes from God, who lovesyou and gives it for your good.
In fact, he went so far as todie for you and offer you
forgiveness you cannot otherwisefind.
We want to help you learn thetruth about heaven and what it
(24:17):
means to have a personalrelationship with Jesus.
Call her Texas at 888.
Need him to learn more.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
Ron will be back in a moment to wrap up today's
conversation.
Did you know what Ron didbefore he discovered his destiny
?
He was a promoter of secularentertainment and, by his own
admission, he promoted anythinghe could make a buck at.
At the pinnacle of his success,he walked away from it all so
he could follow Jesus anddiscover his God-given destiny.
That was over 20 years ago andhe has never looked back.
(24:46):
Today he's an inspirationalspeaker on a mission to empower
individuals just like you todiscover their God-given destiny
.
Ron put his story in a novelentitled the promoter and he
wants to give you a copy.
Here's what a few readers havesaid.
I could not put it down.
I cried, giggled, gasp andlaughed out loud.
Ron has written a novel andself-help book all in one.
(25:10):
This book is a message of hope.
To request your frequency, torequest your free copy, visit
our website at the promoterorg.
Ron Meyers (25:20):
Now back to Ron Friend, I would love to send you
a copy of my story.
I hope you were encouragedtoday by Brandy's story.
Brandy's story of totalforgiveness from Jesus, all the
things that she had done, justlike you and I have done in our
life that when we come to Christ, they are totally forgiven past
(25:45):
, present and future.
No guilt, no shame and nocondemnation.
You see, friend, I know yourpotential.
I know what God can do withbroken people.
I've talked to hundreds of them.
I know what he did in my life.
So today my message has you goout this week, spend some time
with Jesus, share your heartwith him, give him your heart.
(26:09):
He will give you totalforgiveness.
He will give you peace, he willgive you encouragement.
He will give you your purpose.
You can never lose your purposein life because of things
you've done in your past.
You are totally forgiven.
You are free to become theperson he created you to become.
So when you look in that mirror, you see value.
(26:33):
You see somebody that God haschosen for.
This time in your life, jesuswill affirm every day in you
that you are loved, you havevalue and that you are totally
forgiven.
Now, if that doesn't excite you, rewind it and listen to it
(26:53):
again, because this is your time.
I'll be back next week withanother great episode of get the
hell out of your life.
Remember this God loves you, Ilove you, and when you give
Jesus your heart, he will giveyou total forgiveness and a
brand new heart.
Announcer (27:23):
Get the hell out of your life is underwritten by the
Christmas City gift show.
We invite you to come shop withover 260 vendors from all over
the united states, november 10ththrough the 12th inside the
coast convention center locatedon the beach in Biloxi,
mississippi.
You can find more informationat christmascitygiftshowcom.
If you would like to share yourstory of God's amazing grace or
(27:45):
listen to previous episodes,please visit our website,
thepromoterorg.
Join us next week for anotherepisode of Get the hell out of
your life real stories, realstruggles and real hope.
It's time now to get the hell out of your life.
A weekly broadcast with realpeople sharing real struggles
and offering real hope.
Today's show will encourage,inspire and empower you to face
life's challenges with a boldconfidence and renewed hope.
Now let's join our host, ronMyers.
The promoter.
Ron Meyers (00:21):
Hello, my friends, it is so good to be with you
today.
Well, during my coffee withcheese is our I had a word that
kept coming to mind Courage andI said that is perfect to
describe the guest that I havetoday.
Courage Meaning strength in theface of pain or grief.
(00:43):
I think most of us can relateto that.
My guest today was a verycourageous young lady.
She went through abuse,rejection, had an abortion, had
her life turned upside down at avery young age and one day that
courageous young lady was facedwith a choice Get the hell out
(01:06):
of her life or suffer more.
And she did the courageousthing and you are going to be
encouraged and cheering for heras you hear her amazing story.
I'm so blessed to be able tointerview people that share a
(01:27):
story of hope, redemption andGod putting her on the path to
discover her purpose.
Brandy, welcome to the show.
How are you doing today?
I'm doing well.
How are you?
I'm doing well, brandy.
Tell the listeners a little bitabout Brandy.
Brandi Milburn (01:49):
Okay, well, brandy, melbourne again.
I live in Texas.
I am a full-time working singlemom and run a nonprofit in my
free time.
My story is at a really youngage my parents divorced.
I was 10.
So that's really the first timeI ever really experienced a
(02:10):
trauma and coming into somethinglike that happening and
thinking it's just a dream andyour world kind of falling apart
.
I didn't grow up with the Lord,so we did it.
I didn't know to pray, I didn'thave a relationship with the
Lord, and that's really when theenemy began just planting seed
of rejection and abandonment andnot really understanding what
(02:33):
love is and what that looks like, because to me it looks really
disposable.
My mother moved about threehours away from my dad and my
older brother, so at that pointI kind of became an only child
living with a single mom.
I wasn't promiscuous growing upat all.
Actually, it was the opposite.
I didn't trust men, I didn'tlike men, so I really didn't
(02:53):
date when I did.
I dated in high school and allof those walls came crashing
down with this one and then hebroke my heart and at that point
I decided I was going to saywho, I was going to say when, I
was going to say how.
And really, this rebelliousnessrose up in me about two days
after I turned 18.
I moved out of my mother's houseand that began my downward
(03:18):
spiral.
I didn't know how to make agood choice, I didn't know how
process decision making at all,landed myself in a severely
abusive relationship.
About a year, year and a half,into that relationship, I got
pregnant and I chose abortion.
By the grace of God, I came outof that relationship, but with
(03:43):
no self esteem, no self worth Atthis point.
I was completely isolated awayfrom my family.
I had no relationship with mydad, siblings, really, and I was
living this crazy lifestyle.
I began working in a strip clubindustry.
That became my lifestyle.
I literally put a price on myvalue and my work.
I mean that, like I said, thatwas my lifestyle.
(04:06):
Thank you.
Ron Meyers (04:07):
Before the divorce.
What was life like for littleBrandy?
Were you the typical girl thatplayed with the little Barbie
dolls and went to pageants, ordid the little things that
little girls do in theneighborhood?
Brandi Milburn (04:21):
No, we actually lived in the country so we had
farm animals.
We had chickens and pigs andhorses and dogs and cats.
I was usually outside runningthrough a pasture playing hide
and go seek in the woods with mybrother very outdoorsy.
Ron Meyers (04:37):
How was your relationship with your parents?
Could you go to them and talkto them about anything?
Brandi Milburn (04:42):
No, we were all kind of really emotionally
detached.
Now, looking back, I can seethat I think at that time, being
the little girl and 10 yearsold, what you have you think is
normal, you don't think.
You just don't think that whatyou have is outside of the box
or it's not normal.
So it was completely normal forme.
Now, looking back, there wasn'ta lot of emotional relationship
(05:05):
, there wasn't a whole lot ofnurturing and we did things but,
like I said, there was just no,there was no emotional
relationship.
Ron Meyers (05:13):
After the divorce.
What was your life like duringthat time?
Brandi Milburn (05:17):
I lived in the country and so I was totally
used to that kind of anatmosphere.
And when my mother moved, wemoved to Irving, Texas, so it
was culture shock for me.
And then she was a workingsingle mom, so we lived in an
apartment complex.
So then my life goes to beingin a town where I mean a big
(05:39):
city that I didn't, I didn'tknow anybody, and so I was
having to and I'm introverted,so introverts just don't go out
and meet people.
So I was very secluded, veryisolated.
And then a few friends that Idid find in the apartment
complex, they just formed realgreat examples.
So I mean, that was it, but itwas just a complete culture
shock for me.
Ron Meyers (05:59):
Listeners.
I'm visiting with BrandyMilburn of Texas.
But, brandy, I've got to askyou you're in an abusive
relationship with a man.
Why did you stay with him whenhe was being abusive?
Brandi Milburn (06:13):
That's a really common question.
By the time, I will say, theenemy had already started
mentally beating me up and, likeI said, planting those seeds
and just confirming them.
So when I would you know, lookfor those things.
He would confirm the negativeabout me.
So by the time someone actuallythrows the first punch, you
(06:34):
absolutely believe that this iswhat you deserve and that's
where it was, is I?
I didn't feel like I deservedanything better than that.
Ron Meyers (06:42):
What would make you think, though, you deserve to be
abused?
Brandi Milburn (06:46):
Just when you have no self esteem or no self
worth and, like I said, thedistance between you know my dad
and my brother and my dadliving his life three hours away
there wasn't really anyconnection.
The visitation was hit or miss,there was no emotional.
So I had already picked up I'm,I'm not worthy and I'm not
loved and I didn't know whatpursuit looked like from a
(07:11):
father and and so I just had noself worth, no value, that I
didn't feel like I deserved tobe.
Think better, it was just, itwas a mental.
And then when I started makingthe decisions that I made, like
having an abortion I mean Ididn't tell anybody about that,
I was carrying that solely allby myself.
Ron Meyers (07:30):
After you had that abortion, because eventually you
broke up with this gentleman.
That kind of forced you to havean abortion.
So he goes away and all of asudden, Brandy, you're all alone
.
So during that time after theabortion and alone, you had to
be in a very vulnerable state.
Brandi Milburn (07:51):
And then they escaped that with a strip club.
So, as thick as it sounds, youcould go to a strip club and men
would give you money becausethey thought you were pretty,
and so at that point I wasliterally putting a price on my
value and my worth.
Ron Meyers (08:05):
The more money they give you and the more gentlemen
that want you, the more it justreinforces.
I am pretty, I am wanted.
Look at these men are giving memoney because I'm beautiful.
Is that what goes through yourmind?
Brandi Milburn (08:22):
It's what went through my mind.
This was affirmation that Ididn't get anywhere else, that I
got there.
Ron Meyers (08:28):
That's amazing.
That's amazing and thelisteners, as I said.
What courage for this younglady, brandy, to share her story
.
But this story is for somebodyout there listening, because
there's nothing worse in lifewhen you don't think you're
worth anything.
So before there was atransformation in your life,
(08:49):
brandy, you really had noself-esteem, no self-worth.
I bet you had a hard time evenlooking at yourself in the
mirror.
Brandi Milburn (08:59):
Oh, yeah, for sure, and I escaped with drugs
and alcohol, so I really didn'thave to be alone with me for
very long.
Ron Meyers (09:07):
Listeners.
It's time for a break and whenwe return, the conclusion of
Brandy's amazing story ofcourage, faith and purpose.
Announcer (09:18):
You're listening to Get the Hell Out of your Life
with your host, Ron Myers.
Real stories, real strugglesand real hope.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
It's your story.
We're looking for stories ofhope and overcoming life
struggles with God's grace.
Your story validates God's love, mercy, restoration and
forgiveness.
We want to help you share yourstory with the world.
Visit our website,thepromoterorg, and click on the
Share your Story link andsubmit your story.
(09:48):
Your testimony of God's amazinggrace will change a person's
destiny for eternity.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
Are you tired of scrolling through the same old
news feeds every morning?
Then switch things up withCoffee News.
Our publication is filled withinteresting stories, brain
teasers and uplifting quotesthat are sure to brighten your
day, and now you can accessCoffee News anytime, anywhere,
by visiting our website.
So whether you're sipping yourmorning coffee at your favorite
cafe or browsing online fromyour desk, we've got you covered
(10:18):
.
Get your day off right withCoffee News at
ReadCoffeeNewsOnlinecom.
Ron Meyers (10:45):
I am talking with Brandy Milburn today, and
Brandy's story is one of that.
She is sending SOS messages toGod through her loneliness,
through her lack of self-worth,her lack of self-esteem, and I
just have to believe, brandy,that something was beginning to
(11:06):
stir inside of you that wasseeking a change, something like
that starting to happen in yourlife at this point of your
story.
Brandi Milburn (11:18):
I don't know that I was necessarily seeking
the change, but I had a roommateat the time and you know, when
I didn't have dinner or whatever, her parents would cook for me
and I would go to their house,and so I had a relationship with
her dad and stepmom.
And one day I was headed out togo work at the club and he
showed up at my front door andtold me that the Lord told him
(11:41):
to turn around to come share histestimony with me, and he did.
He came in and told me how hehimself had devalued women and
started speaking to me about myworth and my value and invited
me to go to church.
They were doing a revival forthe next three weeks and he left
and I went to the club and Isat in the parking lot and the
(12:01):
longer I sat there the more Ijust had this ugh in my stomach,
like you can't go in, you can'tgo in, and I didn't.
I went to that revival thatnight and I sat in the church
and I remember sitting there andthere was a presence there that
I had never felt before and Iwanted.
I didn't know what was going on.
(12:21):
It was pretty radical and Ijust sat and I just watched and
I observed that that presencethere was so strong that night
that I never went back to thestrip club again.
I went to that revival everysingle night for three weeks.
Ron Meyers (12:34):
Oh, that's amazing, but you said something there I
just want to touch on just for aminutev because it is so
important for people to hearthis.
You had a roommate Now was he astripper.
Brandi Milburn (12:47):
No, oh she was.
She worked at a shoe store.
Ron Meyers (12:50):
But her dad must have known you were a stripper
because he wanted to share histestimony, right?
Brandi Milburn (12:57):
He did?
I think he did.
We never really had theconversation that I'm sure he
realized.
Well, the point.
Ron Meyers (13:06):
I'm making and I need somebody to hear this that
this man, who felt led by God,invited you to his house, didn't
judge.
You had dinner because he sawsomething in you, your potential
, something that you hadn't seenyet, and then, at the right
time, he let God lead him to you.
(13:27):
And I say that that sometimes,christians, we need to make sure
that we don't start looking atpeople and judging them.
Why not begin a relationshipand start having a conversation
with people?
Because I think sometimesChristians can kind of get on
that judgment seat, if you knowwhat I mean I do.
So I guess you're going to tellus now that life started
(13:51):
changing because you had met God.
No, no, you mean there's moreto this story.
Yes, so what happened?
Brandi Milburn (14:03):
I got a job that paid regular hours and the
owner there was.
She knew where I was comingfrom.
She knew my lifestyle.
I would like to say I flippedthe switch and I was doing
everything I should have beendoing.
I wasn't.
I still partied on Saturdaynight, went to work during the
week, I would go to church onSunday morning, but I was still
(14:23):
very much living just this crazylifestyle.
I landed myself in anotherreally unhealthy relationship.
It was with a heroin addict.
I got pregnant.
This time I got put on bed restbecause I was having symptoms
of losing the baby.
It's the first time in threeweeks that I think I picked up a
Bible.
But I was on bed rest for threeweeks and so I didn't know
(14:46):
anything else to do other thanlay in bed.
I read Job.
I read all the way through Job.
After that three week timeframe of being on bed rest, I
went to the doctor and they toldme I had lost the baby.
I felt like God was punishingme because I had had an abortion
.
I quit going to church for afew weeks after that just
(15:07):
because I was really distraught.
I was really angry.
The relationship with the heroinaddict it ended.
He had really relapsed.
And there was one morning I hadwoke up about two in the
morning and I now I know it wasthe Lord, but I just had this
popcorn thought of check thebathroom trash can.
I went to the bathroom, checkedthe trash can and I took the
(15:27):
bottle and there were needles torun.
Just realizing he wasn't there,I went to look for my car.
My car was gone, my ATM cardwas gone.
So he had not only stolen mycar, he had taken my card and
overdrew my account by athousand dollars.
And about a week after that Ifound out that I was pregnant
again.
And it was.
It was at that point that Ilooked around.
(15:50):
I didn't have rent money, Iwasn't going to go back to the
club and I made it.
I mean, I just fell on my faceand I just cried out to God.
I said I don't know if you'rereally real, but if you are I
will know you and I will makesure that this baby knows you.
If you just let me keep thisbaby.
I didn't want to go through anymore loss.
I still hadn't agreed having anabortion and I was having to
(16:12):
feel every bit of, you know,being pregnant and losing that
out of my control, and so, beingpregnant with this baby, that
was my turnaround, and I justwanted to be able to have that
baby and I I begged.
I bargained with God, but Ididn't stop chasing after him
from that day forward.
That's really when I turned itaround.
Ron Meyers (16:33):
How old were you at this time?
Brandi Milburn (16:35):
I was 22.
Ron Meyers (16:36):
So 22, the the hell that you've went through.
You really compacted a lot ofhell in your life up to the age
22.
You fell on your face.
You just said I can't do thisanymore.
There's something in thattransparent.
So you became transparent andGod showed up in your life and
(16:58):
from what I read in your story,he's never left.
Is that true?
Brandi Milburn (17:02):
That's true.
I found a place, you know,several years into my walk and
and inner healing.
I went through a really intenseinner healing process.
When my little girl was firstborn, I went to some ministry
leaders and just told them thatI was sick and tired of me, that
I wanted to be different, andthat's really when I started
walking through the innerhealing and and getting free
(17:23):
from the abortion andforgiveness and grieving and and
all of the abuse and all ofthat.
And several years into that, Ijust found myself in this place
of contentment.
I was a mom, I was married, Iwas, I was doing all of these
things.
That it was just content.
And in 2012, my little brotherwas killed in a car accident and
(17:45):
it was in his passing.
I mean, I really kind ofspiraled in that too.
I just couldn't understand howsomebody's so good, how to leave
us.
Hmm, yeah, I'm beneficiado doesit each time, but it was in
losing him that the Lord, Ibegan praying.
I changed my prayers and begancalling out to God going.
(18:08):
I don't want to leave thisplace without walking out my
purpose.
Ron Meyers (18:11):
And the.
Brandi Milburn (18:12):
Lord began showing me that just that
everybody that's here isliterally him breathing life
into their lungs, and we allhave a purpose, and I didn't
want to leave here without mine,so he began opening up doors
after that to ministry for asingle mom.
Ron Meyers (18:28):
What an incredible, incredible story.
Listeners, brandy, brandy,somebody out there listening
right now is saying oh my God,that young lady is speaking my
language.
They have no self-worth,they're in an abusive
relationship, they've had thingsthat they've done in their life
that they've never told anyoneand they most likely think that
(18:52):
God just hates them, so theydon't even look at God.
You've got the microphone.
You can talk to that person,that lady, that man, right now.
What would you tell them?
Brandi Milburn (19:05):
I'll tell you, just like God has spoken to me
over and over again, that thereis nobody that will pursue you
like God.
There's nobody that wants tospend time with you like God.
There's nobody that thinksyou're more beautiful than God.
He is real and genuine and youdon't have to show up and look a
(19:28):
certain way, you don't have toperform.
Grace is really real and if youjust surrender and invite him
into all of those things, hewill show up.
He will not ever quit pursuingyou.
Ron Meyers (19:42):
Beautiful words, brandy, let me just first say
that your story of what you wentthrough and that it just broke
my heart.
Somebody should have to gothrough that kind of hell.
But the good news, there isgood news.
The good news is that God isnow showing you your purpose and
(20:02):
you have a mission.
Now you want to help otherwomen who might feel like you
used to feel, and you want tohelp them with the life of
purpose.
What is the name of yournonprofit and how can people
find out more information aboutyou and your nonprofit?
Brandi Milburn (20:22):
Nonprofit is Lighthouse Acres Ministries at,
llc, and you'll find it justlike that on Facebook.
Our website islighthouseacrescom.
Our mission is to provide ahome for women who are
experiencing unplannedpregnancies.
I was gracious enough to have amama who let me come home, but
not everybody has that, and sowe are actually currently
(20:45):
working for land and landdonations to start building, and
so right now we are doingministry within the community
with single moms, so yeah, Well,you are a blessing, brandy.
Ron Meyers (20:58):
And Brandy, what made you want to share your
story with literally thousands,maybe millions of people around
the world?
Brandi Milburn (21:09):
Number one I know where real change came from
and that was the hearttransformation when I invited
Jesus into it.
And when you look at the worldtoday and all the the crazy and
just the dark, if I can be alight for just one person, for
that one person to say, hey,there is a God and he is real
(21:30):
and and that one life be changed, then my life's not wasted and
that's my legacy.
That's what my legacy to be.
I don't want to leave here andnot have used everything that
you gave me.
Ron Meyers (21:40):
Well for his kingdom .
You are a beautiful young ladywith a beautiful spirit, with a
beautiful gift and a talent, andNot only will I be praying for
you in your awesome destiny andfor your child, but for the
Hundreds and hundreds of womenwho you will touch.
Brandy, thank you for visitingwith me today.
(22:02):
God bless you.
Brandi Milburn (22:04):
Thank you for having me.
Ron Meyers (22:05):
Well, I took a lot of notes during that
conversation In the beginningwhen she said that she did
alcohol and drugs because thenshe never had to be alone with
herself.
Wow, you really have a lot ofUnworthyness and lack of
self-esteem when you do not wantto be alone with yourself.
(22:28):
I Was that way years ago.
I had a friend called marijuanaand it kept me occupied.
The other thing she said thatwhen she walked into church she
felt a presence she never feltbefore.
God never created us to be alone, and that's why so many of us
(22:51):
have a void in our life becausethe presence of God is not there
.
There's another thing I think alot of us can relate to.
She thought she had aMiscarriage because God was
punishing her.
God doesn't punish us for doingthings.
We reap what we sow.
There's consequences to what wedo, but God is holding his hand
(23:13):
out to us all the time.
And Then she said somethingthat I'll always remember Nobody
will pursue you like God.
That is so true.
You have a purpose.
You have a destiny.
Brandy's story is a story thatneeds to be shared.
If you know someone that couldbe blessed by hearing Brandy's
(23:35):
story, please share it with them.
Listeners one more time.
Brandy's website is alighthouse.
Acres calm.
Announcer (23:45):
You're listening to get the hell out of your life
with your host, ron Myers.
Real stories, real strugglesand real hope.
Speaker 6 (23:54):
Do you believe there's no such thing as
absolute truth?
If you say yes, then you aremaking an absolute statement.
We believe that unchangingmoral truth does exist.
It comes from God, who lovesyou and gives it for your good.
In fact, he went so far as todie for you and offer you
forgiveness you cannot otherwisefind.
We want to help you learn thetruth about heaven and what it
(24:17):
means to have a personalrelationship with Jesus.
Call her Texas at 888.
Need him to learn more.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
Ron will be back in a moment to wrap up today's
conversation.
Did you know what Ron didbefore he discovered his destiny
?
He was a promoter of secularentertainment and, by his own
admission, he promoted anythinghe could make a buck at.
At the pinnacle of his success,he walked away from it all so
he could follow Jesus anddiscover his God-given destiny.
That was over 20 years ago andhe has never looked back.
(24:46):
Today he's an inspirationalspeaker on a mission to empower
individuals just like you todiscover their God-given destiny
.
Ron put his story in a novelentitled the promoter and he
wants to give you a copy.
Here's what a few readers havesaid.
I could not put it down.
I cried, giggled, gasp andlaughed out loud.
Ron has written a novel andself-help book all in one.
(25:10):
This book is a message of hope.
To request your frequency, torequest your free copy, visit
our website at the promoterorg.
Ron Meyers (25:20):
Now back to Ron Friend, I would love to send you
a copy of my story.
I hope you were encouragedtoday by Brandy's story.
Brandy's story of totalforgiveness from Jesus, all the
things that she had done, justlike you and I have done in our
life that when we come to Christ, they are totally forgiven past
(25:45):
, present and future.
No guilt, no shame and nocondemnation.
You see, friend, I know yourpotential.
I know what God can do withbroken people.
I've talked to hundreds of them.
I know what he did in my life.
So today my message has you goout this week, spend some time
with Jesus, share your heartwith him, give him your heart.
(26:09):
He will give you totalforgiveness.
He will give you peace, he willgive you encouragement.
He will give you your purpose.
You can never lose your purposein life because of things
you've done in your past.
You are totally forgiven.
You are free to become theperson he created you to become.
So when you look in that mirror, you see value.
(26:33):
You see somebody that God haschosen for.
This time in your life, jesuswill affirm every day in you
that you are loved, you havevalue and that you are totally
forgiven.
Now, if that doesn't excite you, rewind it and listen to it
(26:53):
again, because this is your time.
I'll be back next week withanother great episode of get the
hell out of your life.
Remember this God loves you, Ilove you, and when you give
Jesus your heart, he will giveyou total forgiveness and a
brand new heart.
Announcer (27:23):
Get the hell out of your life is underwritten by the
Christmas City gift show.
We invite you to come shop withover 260 vendors from all over
the united states, november 10ththrough the 12th inside the
coast convention center locatedon the beach in Biloxi,
mississippi.
You can find more informationat christmascitygiftshowcom.
If you would like to share yourstory of God's amazing grace or
(27:45):
listen to previous episodes,please visit our website,
thepromoterorg.
Join us next week for anotherepisode of Get the hell out of
your life real stories, realstruggles and real hope.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.