In the video testimony found below, successful and talented Christian singer Russ Taff, describes his difficult upbringing with an alcoholic Pentecostal preacher dad and abusive mother.
Taff relates that he was belittled by his dad whose constant message to him was "you're not worth anything."
Meanwhile, his mother beat him for telling anybody what went on in their home.
Later, when he left home at seventeen, Taff states, "The last thing my dad told me was 'you'll never make it.'"
Taff went on to disprove his dad by becoming a multi-GRAMMY winner — successfully performing to sold out crowds with the renown Christian bands, The Imperials and the Gaither Vocal Band — as well as having a very successful solo Gospel career.
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| Russ Taff - Screen Capture From His Video Testimony (Found Below) And Inset - Performing With The Imperials (2nd From right) |
Taff tried to to forget what happened to him in his childhood, but he relates that for seventeen years (while growing up) he had heard a thousand times that he wasn't "worth anything," and he says, "After a while you begin to believe it."
It might not be surprising then to learn Taff then began his own struggle with the "sins of his father" — and for eight or nine years struggled with alcohol abuse — something he kept hidden from his audiences, band mates, friends, and even his wife.
He felt guilty about being a Gospel singer and trying to numb his feelings by drinking — leading to the cycle that people trapped in addiction experience — and he admits with sadness that he began to pull away from and treat his wife as he had been treated.
Taff relates that he wasn't able to enjoy success as a result of his own struggles and because of the messages he received as a child — which combined to cause him to believe he wasn't the kind of person his Christian audiences "expected."
Then, in the mid 80's his "world collapsed" and he just couldn't take it anymore.
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| Russ Taff — Screen Capture And Quote From The Video |
He shares that one night before a sold out concert performance he wept his eyes out, and cried out to God saying he just couldn't go on the way he had been living anymore.
It was then he completely surrendered to God and said to Him, "I will do whatever it takes."
Taff then sought out a therapist and Christian counselor and began confronting childhood trauma that had never been addressed before.
He states, "I wasn't a bad person trying to get good — I was a sick person that needed to be well" — and he began the long process of recovery.
One day God led Taff to an older Christian man who looked just like the singer's own dad, and that man offered to pray for him — and as he did he said words of compassion and healing over Taff that finally broke the chains that had been holding him for so long.
Later when Taff's wife saw him, she immediately noticed a change in him without either needing to say a word.
Taff believes that God used that man in the role of an earthly father to affirm him and help restore and make him whole.
It is such a Blessing to hear him share about his journey from trauma and addiction to freedom through our Father in Heaven!
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| Philippians 3:12-14 |
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I pray, in the name of Jesus the Savior of the world, that God will touch and heal whatever physical or emotional scars and pain you or someone you love is suffering from.
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If you don't already know Jesus as Lord—you can learn more about how to start your new life with Him below. ✝
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Thanks for stopping by—
May God Richly Bless you!
Jesus is LORD!
Time is growing short!
Seek Him!
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✝ Romans 10:9-10
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
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If you've made this decision—believed it in your heart and confessed it with your mouth—let God speak to you by reading the Bible—and seek out fellowship with others who also believe.
Pour out your heart to God in Prayer (simply speaking to Him in reverence)—asking Him to reveal Himself to you and to provide for your needs.
Life in Jesus is the best decision you will ever make.
God Bless You!
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| Luke 4:16-21 - Photo: Kunal Baroth |
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