Sunday, July 31, 2005

America's wake-up call

9/11 that day, life in America changed. The attack on America's sovereign soil was a wake-up call, and it certainly isn't over. We are, indeed, at war. We are engaged in Islam's "Jihad". Most Americans - and even most Christians - have no real awareness of the nature of Islam: its origin, its agenda and its methods. We each must understand the realities and not be blind-sighted by misleading propaganda. Get up-to-date on what is really happening. There is much to pray about.

But have we hit the snooze button?
Hal

Chronic pain relieved

On June 4, 1993, as I was walking off of a marine dock, my life changed dramatically. A large surge hit the floating dock. The ramp which rested on the dock and led up to shore was tossed up. In a flash, the several ton ramp crashed down on my foot and trapped me. The pain was excruciating. I felt as if I was being sucked into a black hole and drained of life. I began screaming, "God, please help me! Please help me Lord!" Many on-lookers raced to help lift the ramp and pull me out. But the weight was too much. I heard fragments of sentences - discussion of how to free me - "amputation". I was later told that I cried out for everyone to pray. As quickly as it happened, a large surge hit the dock a second time and I was pulled free. A doctor and a nurse ran down the ramp and took over until the rescue squad arrived. The nurse said she and the doctor were foot specialists and would administer my needs. I believe they were there to "minister" to my needs. They could not be located following my injury - not by doctors in the hospital nor by an article in the local paper. Could God have sent the second surge to free me as well as the angels to assist me? There is no doubt in my mind. The crush injury kept me in the hospital over a week. There was fear of loosing the foot, then the fear of skin grafts, and the fear of not walking again. None of these fears prevailed. I did however develop a nerve disorder referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It is an extremely painful condition that is something like putting an ice cube on an exposed nerve or having hot sauce run through your veins. There are no cures - just trial and error treatments. After several months, my husband and I moved to San Diego. I continued with physical therapy and began treatment at UCSD's Pain Clinic. My husband and I started attending St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Coronado - yet another blessing. Like a vine, God was weaving a path and leading me to Him. For months we sat in the balcony where I could cry and release my emotions undetected. The pain in my foot was taking over. I was exhausted physically and emotionally. I contemplated suicide. Yet, I still felt drawn to church and found some peace when surrounded by the beautiful music. Something we had not observed in the Methodist church before was healing prayer at the rail following communion. Some great impulse (!) sent me there - my husband by my side. I wanted the minister to pray for me. But as God would have it, Hal and his wife asked me to come forward. As I knelt at the rail they asked about my condition and need for prayer. I asked for "endurance of the pain". Hal responded, " we're not going to pray for endurance, but to be rid of the pain!" And in the name of Jesus as Hal touched my head, boom! I was laying on the floor in the most wonderful tranquility and lightness. My foot was tingling. Tears started to flow and I knew something was happening - something I didn't understand but could trust completely. As I laid on the floor, I could see my husband's questioning face as he leaned against the front pew. I knew what he was thinking. What's going on here? And if I had suspected what was going to happen, I doubt I would have gone for healing prayer. I didn't believe those preachers I had occasionally seen on TV. Well believe me! Jesus has given authority for others to practice what He demonstrated. And what a wonderful blessing! My pain was reduced significantly. It was not a total healing. However, I still believe that He will heal my foot 100%. However, what He gave me has changed my life. He has gotten my attention. And now I have an ongoing relationship with Him. The peace of knowing God as my Father and Jesus as my Savior weaves through every part of my life. His vine continues to grow with me - as long as I seek Him. I am so thankful that I can walk, that God is using Hal and others from the healing class to convey His word and promises to His children, that I am being lead to meaningful and fulfilling tasks. Currently I am a volunteer at a neonatal intensive care unit. I feed, rock, diaper and sing to premature babies. I pray for them and their families. I love my work. I pray that it is satisfying to my Father for He has given me so much. Something I would not have sought became my miracle and blessing. I know that God wants to share such with you. Seek Him for healing - whether physical or emotional. As you stay in His word and develop an intimate relationship with Him, you will find your blessings too. Frances Howard

Hal's Note: Frances subsequently received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Frances and her husband have since been transferred to Tampa, Florida. She graciously sent me this testimony to add to my homepage. It was at her instigation that our present prayer and healing class was started.
I have seen Frances recently and she is still doing fine.
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Something to ponder

If we have difficulty giving both God and our children quality time, why not combine some of both? Shouldn't we be training our children to spend quality time listening to God? Shouldn't it be a joint venture?

Why is this so?

If you want to know what page someone is on spiritually, suggest they turn over a new leaf.

Friday, July 29, 2005

The Scriptures on which our teaching is based

Our Website Scriptural Doctrine

The Great Exchange:

John 16:7-15 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, cause they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. KJV

Invitation:
John 7:37-39 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

A Promise:
John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. KJV

A Command:
Acts 1:4-8 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. KJV

A command:
Mark 16:15-2015He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; .... they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

A Promise:
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. KJV

A command:
James 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deeds.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Heart miraculously healed

August, 1998
A few weeks ago, my heart went bad. I had a diagnosis of arterial fibrillation. I was in the hospital emergency twice in less than two weeks. The first time I blacked out, and was taken to the hospital emergency. I got all the treatment a heart patient gets, the machines, wires, patches, etc. The cardiologist was called in. He put me on a blood thinner and other medications. He told me, there was a 2-out-of-3 chance I would have a stroke before morning! The cardiologist came in the next morning, looked at the blood test, and checked me over. My heart was back to normal. The blood thinner was working, I could go home and continue all medication. I was warned: If there was any pain around my heart, any weakness, to get to emergency quick! He would see me in 2 weeks otherwise. I was home 3-4 days and started to bleed inside. I went back to emergency. The doctor didn't know where the blood was coming from, but they did know they couldn't stop it. The blood had to be thickened and that would take time. So they did blood test all night, like every 2 hours till the blood thickened. I was released from the hospital with warning: don't pick up a knife, don't shave your legs, don't ride in a car etc....For if I cut myself or fell and hurt myself, they could not stop the blood.

I was told to stay in the house until the blood stopped. I was released from the hospital on Friday. I noticed Saturday, the blood was less.

Then Sunday morning there was hardly any blood. So I said, "I'm going to church." I had to walk about 2-3 blocks, but I felt I could make it. I wore flat shoes and walked slow and I made it. I always sit in the same seat in church each Sunday, with a friend. She already knew about my heart problem and was asking me about my health, when a friend of hers stopped to say hello to her.

This is when I met Becky Hitt. My friend asked me to tell Becky about my heart problem. I did. It was close to time for church services to start. Becky was going to sit in another spot. But she said to me, "I will pray for you!" (At this time I didn't know that Becky did healing prayer) I thanked her. I thought she meant she would remember me in her prayers next week. I thought what a kind nice lady she was to pray for me. I sure needed all the prayer I could get!!

So I sat through the services, but began to get very tired, and little pains were all around my heart. I had been told by the doctor, that this might happen. If so, I was to get to emergency fast. I thought I was on my way. I was leaving my seat when Becky, the Prayer Lady, came and touched me on the arm. She said, "my husband Bill and I would like to pray for you." She caught me off-guard. I liked the idea of prayer very much. But I didn't know it was to be now, in the church. And too, I had this pain all around my heart like fine needles sticking in the flesh. My mind was saying, "Should I go for home and the hospital, or prayer?" I went for the prayer!! Bill & Becky prayed for me. Then Bill asked me, "How do you feel?" My mouth flew open. I said "The pain around my heart is gone!! Bill, Becky & I all said, "Praise the Lord!!" I walked home a little faster, than I had coming. I felt fine, all the next week.

On Sunday, I waved to Bill & Becky that I was okay. Then the Friday of the next week I saw the cardiologist, for a follow-up visit. This would tell the story. What they would add to, take away, what medications I would take, etc. ( I did dread this visit). The nurse saw me first, she took my blood pressure. She said, "looks good." Then the doctor did what he does, checked the pulse, lungs, then moved to the front of the chest, then moved to the back. He would listen in one spot then move to another spot, move back and listen to the same spot again. (I would think he had found something). When he came around where I could see his face. There was a big smile on his face, he said "Everything is just perfect. Your heart is so in tune, I could set my watch by it." Then, he said "I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to take you off all medication, and put you on one small aspirin a day. We will try you on this, but if there's any problem, I will put you back on the other medications, but in smaller doses." I said, "Oh, no, no, the aspirin is going to be just fine. Everything will be okay!! For I am getting some very effective prayer for me at the church." The doctor looked at me and smiled. He said, "I will see you in 6 months."

Praise the Lord!
Ms. W.C.L.

This testimony may be used as long as it is not altered or edited.


Chicken soup for the mind

PRECONCEPTIONS
To be able to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, we should be able to find at least two biblical references to support every belief, or discard it. To hold to a belief for any other reason is one aspect of being enslaved. That is why it is important to read the Scriptures daily. It will show us the things in our doctrinal closet that need to be discarded. Scripture says, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." This is a command and is therefore something we must do! This requires us to examine our traditional beliefs, our preconceptions, our prejudices, and bring every thought, idea, and mind-set to the Holy Spirit for judgment. This requires us to allow Him to delete from our theology anything that is contrary to whatever the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through us. The computer literate might think of their preconceptions as a write-protected file. If our preconceptions can make us deaf and blind to the new things of God, they also can make us deaf and dumb and blind to the truth.