Help! I need a miracle!

Miracles at the Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival

2011-01-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night at the Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival when Evangelist Nathan Morris had a father testified about how his little boy being healed of cancer. That the doctors report verified that Jesus did a creative miracle. Jesus had removed the tumor,the cancer,the scar tissue in that little boys head along with sealing up the hole in his heart. It was then I was reminded of a miracle that happened many years ago in a tent,in Pinehurst Idaho. People in the tri city area had lost their jobs,homes and cars it was a mining community and they were hurting and desperate. This is the exact atmosphere that Jesus shows up in when we quit depending on our bank accounts,or on are own talents,our own abilities and look to the Redeemer of our soul.

One night while I was preaching I saw the greatest miracle I had ever seen in my life. There were 2 mothers who had been coming to the services for weeks bringing their mentally retarded children. How they happened to be there is weeks earlier they were together in their doctor’s waiting room discussing the miracles that were happening in a tent crusade in their community. Both mothers,were very desperate because they knew there was no cure for mental retardation, only a miracle from God could make there children normal.

I remember the first night I saw them enter the tent revival they put the little girl and boy on a baby blanket up front towards the platform. You see neither had walked or talked from birth they were 2 and 3 years old. The little 3 year old boy also had a desease where he could not eat anything hot or cold it had to be at room temperature. That night the tent was filled with pastors, nuns, and priest form 3 cities and there was no room for the mothers to sit with their children. After laying them down at the front they went toward the back of the tent to sit. I had only been ministering for about 5 minutes when suddenly I saw these 2 mothers stand up and start to laugh and began moving down the isle when suddenly they were frozen and began to cry. I was frightened because I had never seen anything like that before. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said it is me do not be afraid,an instructed me to tell them likewise to fear not this is the Lord’s doing.

They proceeded toward the front laughing walking,then crying and were frozen,this stop and go action only ended as they stood before me I told them what the Holy Spirit said. Instantly they were thrown to their knees frozen unable to move even their arms. Suddenly the little 2 year old girl got up for the first time in her life and walked. The mother still frozen could not even reach out to her as the little toddler walked into her mothers arms total made whole. At that moment the mothers arms were released by the Holy Spirit and she could hug her baby girl. Then the Holy Spirit told me what it was all about and to share with the people what Jesus had just done. He wanted them to know when they were weeping and frozen that He had made their bodies living prayers of intercession just as their children could not walk or talk, neither could they. When they were laughing and walking that was the Lord flowing with miracle power through their bodies. Later in the same week the boy received his miracle at home and could walk,talk and eat anything he wanted. The unsaved mother gave her life to Christ. Both mothers gave a glorious report, of the Lord doing the impossible making their two children completely whole. The Lord told me that there would be a great move of God in the future and that creative miracles would be displayed in mass.

The Bay of the Holy Spirit revival is the beginning of that move. He wants you to come with all of you cares,your problems and your sins and He will show you great mercy and grace. That He has saved the best for last. Nothing,but nothing and again I say nothing but nothing is impossible for Me,for I am The Lord God Mighty in Battle. Come,taste and see that I am good.Leave the land of heartache and come to My Healing Waters. I am waiting can you hear My cry!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/spirituality-articles/miracles-at-the-bay-of-the-holy-spirit-revival-3315135.html

Thanking God After a Miracle

2010-06-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

When God does something really wonderful in our lives, we usually forget to go back to him and say thank you. We get so excited about what has been done to us and forget the person who made it happen for us. This will actually close the door for God coming through for you in another day and time when you need him. Even us mortal men, need to be appreciated when we do something good for someone. It makes us feel good and motivates us to do much more in the future. When people do not appreciate your effort, you usually wonder what you did wrong and you actually don’t want to reach out to people in the future.

When Jesus healed the ten lepers, only one of them came back to say thank you. The other nine just disappeared without another thought of the man who made it happen for them. Jesus asked him, were there not ten lepers who were healed? Where are the nine? As the man glorified God and showed gratitude to him, Jesus was moved the more. He told him to arise and go his way for his faith had made him whole. This man did not just get healed from leprosy but he was made whole from all the things that were not right in his life. He received two miracles as a result of his attitude of thanks giving. Luke 17:11-19.

As God gets you out of financial lack, health problems and other things that you might be fighting, do not forget to come back to him with a worship song in your heart. Say thank you for his goodness and mercies to you. When you are grateful for what God has done for you, he is even quicker to rescue you in the future.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/christianity-articles/thanking-god-after-a-miracle-929925.html

Walking Through the Storm Towards Your Miracle

2009-04-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

What is a miracle? If you stop and think about it, miracles are usually manifest in the midst of dire circumstances. In fact, you would not ask God for a miracle unless you or a loved one is facing a life and death situation, isn’t that right? A miracle is perceived to be instantaneous. In the Gospels we see Jesus pronouncing a person to be made whole, and “poof” an instant miracle. If Jesus did it then, and you believe that He has been and is doing it for millions of others today, then you might be thinking: “why not me?”

Let’s have a look at some Biblical miracles. The first one that comes to mind is how Moses, with his rod, performed the ten plagues. Yes, they were miracles. But with each one the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart more! Although the plagues were miraculous in nature, they were meant for a sign for Pharaoh and the Egyptians that the God of Israel was more powerful than their magicians. The real miracles were that while every person and beast in Egypt succumbed to the plagues, the Israelites in Goshen were completely spared each time!

God had His purpose for the Israelites. Why did there need to be ten plagues and why did Pharaoh have to be so hard-hearted? I can only surmise that it took the Israelites that long to get their faith level up high enough to believe that their God was about the deliver them. They had heard about how He had brought their forefathers to Egypt 400 years earlier. However, now they were in abject slavery and their faith must have been at an all-time low. (Exodus, chapters 7-12) By the time Pharaoh finally relented, they had marvelled at the sovereign Hand of God ten times. Now they were prepared for anything! They even were bold enough to ask for, and received, all the gold and riches from the Egyptians!

Did they suddenly get transported out of their misery and into the Promised Land? More often than not miracles are the culmination of a long process. In the case of the Israelites, they had to walk a long way and were followed by the army until there was no way out! With the army on one side and the Red Sea on the other, their orders were to keep walking! As they walked into the sea, Moses held up his rod, and the waters parted! (Ex. 14)

Are you waiting for a miracle that does not seem to come? Could it be that, although you think you have faith, you’re not really walking in faith? Are you sitting back and waiting for God to miraculously manifest Himself in your life? He could. However, no matter how bad the conditions surrounding you, He wants you to start walking! Walk in faith, expecting doors to open up before you, one at a time.

You won’t know how close you are to a major miraculous intervention in your life if you miss the hand of God in the little breakthroughs. Take every step in faith and thank Him for all the joys and benefits along the way. Then you’ll be well on the way to receiving your miracle. How do I know? I’m speaking from experience. He carried me, and helped me “mount up with wings as eagles (Isa. 40:31) through desperate situations. The more I learned to lean on Him with every trembling step, the greater my faith exploded inside me until suddenly trauma turned to triumph!

Yes, miracles really do happen. Expect them! Your purpose is to walk in faith with a heart full of joy and thanksgiving for all His wondrous works in your life. Miracles will be pursuing you! “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him; and honour him.” (Ps. 91:15)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/walking-through-the-storm-towards-your-miracle-73607.html

How to Pray: Forgiveness is Your Path to Miracles

2009-02-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

I’m a big fan and student of A Course in Miracles, but at first the text and Lessons seem quite difficult to comprehend because the Course is written in iambic pentameter! Through this series of articles, it is my intention to share in a simple, easy-to-understand way, some of the words, prayers and lessons that have inspired me within the Course.

For those totally unfamiliar with A Course in Miracles it is a self-study spiritual thought system with a central theme that teaches the best way to achieve peace in our hearts and in the world, is by forgiving ourselves and others. It teaches us to look at everything through the eyes of God, including ourselves and recognize that all relationships are holy – most especially our relationship with ourselves.

This article is about Lesson 78 which touched me because it deals with how we keep our miracles away from ourselves by holding grievances against someone else. This Lesson also speaks about forgiveness, which is a consistent theme throughout the Course.

The quote that particularly touched me in this Lesson is: “Let me behold my savior in this one You have appointed as the one for me to ask to lead me to the holy light in which he stands, that I may join with him.”

A bit of a mouthful eh? Don’t stop reading yet! Let’s break it down into sections and make it a little easier to understand.

So the first section — “Let me behold my savior in this one” – yes, THAT one – the one that might have just sprang to your mind. It may be “the one” that usually springs to your mind because you’ve never quite reconciled “that” situation, or comment, or experience. Or perhaps it is something that someone just said to you that you didn’t like, or that driver that cut you off on the freeway. The situation or circumstance doesn’t matter – what does matter is that you have been giving him/her your power and your energy by holding on to your thoughts about the situation. And in that holding on – with two clenched fists – you can’t reach your hands out to receive your miracles can you?

Hmmmmm . . . new idea? Did you perhaps just let out a big sigh that you didn’t know you were holding?

Continuing with the next section: “you have appointed as the one for me to ask.” I really like this because it allows us to view the situation from a completely different point of view . . . that God, in His Infinite Wisdom, and the Divine in each of us in our Infinite Wisdom, has created this person, this situation, as an opportunity to reclaim our divinity, which we have obviously temporarily forgotten.

This one, this person, this situation, this circumstance offers “to lead me to the Holy Light in which he stands” . . . because of course, in Truth, that person is a Child of God JUST LIKE ME AND YOU. Your Divine Self knows that and issues you an engraved invitation “that I may join with him.”

There you go – a bridge to the miracle in one holy instant! By viewing this situation through the eyes of the Divine, then you get to make a choice to have your very own miracle! Which in and of itself is a miracle wouldn’t you say? By choosing to see the Good, the God, the Divine, the Holiness in that person’s heart, or situation, YOU get the GRAND PRIZE! The Gift!! The Miracle! You get to reclaim your divinity AND join with another in theirs! Does it really get any better than that?

In summary we have broken down this quote: “Let me behold my savior in this one You have appointed as the one for me to ask to lead me to the holy light in which he stands, that I may join with him” and now understand what a true gift it offers. Instead of seeing a conflict with another person, I can choose to see that I have an opportunity to see the Go[o]d in this person, which allows me to join with him and realize that we really are at one with each other because of the Go[o]d within each of us. And suddenly, I am no longer separated from my good, and neither is he. A win-win if ever there is one!

At the end of the day, the best way to bring the good into your life, is to unclench your fists, change your mind and allow your heart to open. All we have to do is recognize that every experience is an opportunity for our greater good, as long as we make the choice to see it that way.

May you always let miracles replace your grievances.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/how-to-pray-forgiveness-is-your-path-to-miracles-461746.html

Executive Mansion miracles of 1926 fire

2009-01-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas was a family affair when Gov. E. Lee Trinkle occupied the Executive Mansion in Richmond.
Trinkle, who served from 1922 to 1926, had three lively children who relished the holiday and the large Christmas tree that traditionally graced the ballroom.
After the Trinkles' final Christmas at the mansion, first lady Helen Trinkle asked the butler to pack the decorations and discard the withering tree. She wanted the ballroom cleared for official receptions during the family's final weeks in the house.
The butler began the task the morning of Jan. 4, 1926. While he worked, the Trinkles' son, Billy, who was to turn 5 in a few weeks, played nearby. The butler lighted a holiday sparkler to keep the child amused.
"Billy whirled a brilliant sparkler near his big Christmas tree," the next morning's Richmond Times-Dispatch said. "It might as well have been a magic wand."
More than 60 years later, William S. "Billy" Trinkle, who died in 2002, recalled for The Times-Dispatch that he threw the sparkler on the dry tree, which erupted in flames. "I ran out back and hid under the smokehouse," he said.
The butler tried to extinguish the fire with his hands, but flames spread quickly to furnishings and woodwork. He alerted the first lady, who phoned the fire department.
The first lady stood outside with others while firefighters pumped water onto the rapidly spreading fire.
She knew Billy was safe, and she knew her daughter, Helen Sue, was in school, but she suddenly realized her oldest child, son Lee, who had been asleep upstairs, was not among the evacuees.
"While men looked on appalled, and one ran to forcibly restrain her, she dashed into a roaring furnace, gained the staircase and staggered through smoke and flames to the room where her 15-year-old son was asleep," The Times-Dispatch reported. "The son awoke as billowing smoke and tongues of flame followed his mother into the room."
The first lady collapsed, overcome by smoke and heat. Her son assumed the hero's role.
Lee Trinkle dragged his unconscious mother to a rear window. He raised the sash and held her until fresh air revived her.
Her screams brought firefighters to the back of the house. But because of the mansion's greater elevation at its rear, the only available ladders stopped 10 feet short of the window.
Fire Capt. G.D. Rust stood as near the top rung as he dared and lifted his arms. "Lee insisted that his mother be the first to go," the report continued. "He helped her through the window and she hung suspended from the window." She let go.
Helen Trinkle fell into Rust's arms. A bone in the firefighter's shoulder cracked. He lost his grip but grabbed the first lady's ankle before she fell head-first to the paved courtyard below.
"How he held on under such circumstances is another one of the near-miracles which were crowded into a breathless 10 minutes," The Times-Dispatch said. A firefighter on another ladder beside Rust snagged the first lady and carried her to the ground.
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old swung from the window, pushed himself away from the building and sailed toward the ground. The butler's outstretched arms broke his fall. Neither was hurt.
The governor arrived from his Capitol office just as the blaze was extinguished and in time to accompany his wife to a hospital. She suffered firstand second-degree burns and recovered without scarring.
The mansion recovered as well but not in time for the new governor's arrival. The family of Gov. Harry F. Byrd Sr. stayed at The Jefferson Hotel until restoration was completed in April.

‘Miracle Boy’ wins battle with bacterial meningitis

2008-10-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

FAIRBANK –Doctors in Iowa City have named him “The Miracle Boy.” Hunter Fuller, the four-year-old from Fairbank who was airlifted from Waverly Hospital to University Hospitals in Iowa City with the onset of bacterial meningitis on Sept. 23, went home Wednesday.

While he is still months away from returning to the active preschooler he was, doctors felt it was time to grant him his wish to go home. His family is happy and relieved to have him home again, as well.Hunter’s mother, Amber, reported that Thursday he was putting Halloween stickers on the living room window.“He’s been doing a lot of walking around with his little walker,” she said, explaining that Hunter has to reclaim his walking skills after the disease ravaged his body.

“He has watched some TV, but is still sleeping quite a bit due to the number of medications he is still on. He’s really happy to be home and sleeping in his own bed again — we all are,” Amber said.For 29 days, Amber and Jason Hunter barely left their son’s bedside in University Hospital.

While he lay in a coma-induced state, his parents and other family members and friends prayed for his recovery. They brought in his two-year-old sister Leena to talk to him, knowing that although he couldn’t respond, hearing his sister’s voice would stimulate brain activity, another critical point in recovery. They played his favorite TV shows in the room as though he were watching them and read stories aloud.

“We did a lot of praying and reassuring ourselves that everyday he was still alive. That was the most important thing, even though he couldn’t communicate — he was still alive,” Amber said.

His grandmother Deb Schaefer of Oelwein said doctors told her that most children who contract bacterial meningitis don’t make it to the hospital. Of the few that make it to hospitals for treatment, survival is truly rare. She said doctors credit the Waverly Hospital staff with saving Hunter’s life by administering antibiotics immediately, even though they were not positive of a diagnosis. Those antibiotics slowed the progression of the bacteria enough to buy Hunter the precious hours needed.Schaefer said her grandson will go to dialysis two times each week in Iowa City, where the only pediatric dialysis center in the state is located. She said doctors are not offering any guarantees his kidneys will return to full function again, but they are really optimistic about it.

“His body can rebuild itself, it just takes time. His kidneys are working, just not up to full capacity,” she said.Trips to dialysis will be accompanied by physical therapy sessions three times a week at Covenant Rehab Center in Waterloo. Hunter has had some skin grafting that means therapy is also necessary toward recovery.

The good news is Hunter will probably never get this strain of bacterial meningitis again because his immune system survived this battle. And he keeps getting a little better each day.

Those who wish to see what a child suffering from bacterial meningitis looks like can view photos from his hospital bed that the family has posted at carepages.com.

After signing in on the website, go to hunterfuller. Viewers should understand they will see the extremely graphic nature of Hunter’s condition when the disease was at its worse in his body.

Olympic Stabbing Victim's Recovery a 'Miracle'

2008-08-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

The woman severely injured in an Olympic stabbing attack that also killed her husband is making an "incredible" recovery – and is now walking and talking in the hospital, her family says.

"The daughters have referred to her as a miracle," the family of Barbara Bachman say in a statement posted on the Internet.

"She is able to sit in a chair for a couple of hours a day and is starting to walk short distances. Fortunately, she is in a condition where she is comfortable to hold conversations so we can cope and grieve together."

Bachman, 62, is recovering at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota following the Aug. 9 attack, at Beijing's 13th-Century Drum Tower site. Her husband, Todd, also 62, was killed by the knife-wielding Chinese man, who then leaped to his own death.

The attack was witnessed by the couple's daughter, Elisabeth McCutcheon, 30, wife of the U.S. men's indoor volleyball team coach.

After surgery in Beijing, Barbara was airlifted to the Mayo Clinic, where "All in all, Mom is making incredible progress," says the family statement from Elisabeth and her sisters Sara McGregor, 36, and Susan Bachman West, 34.

"Words cannot express how much we all miss our Dad," say the three daughters. "We are still trying to comprehend why this happened to such a lovable, generous, and heroic man."

They say that funeral arrangements were still pending "until Mom is strong enough to attend the funeral services," they say.

"It has been difficult dealing with this tragic and sad event so far from home. We are so grateful for all of the love, prayers and support that have been sent our way!"

Jessie Hall takes big step toward recovery from brain surgery, returns to Aledo home

2008-08-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

FORT WORTH – Jessie Hall's walk is a little stilted, though spirited.

Jessie Hall's progress is 'a miracle,'' said her dad, Cris (left). Half of Jessie's brain was removed after she was diagnosed with Rasmussen's encephalitis. "

"Jessie Hall's progress is 'a miracle,'' said her dad, Cris (left). Half of Jessie's brain was removed after she was diagnosed with Rasmussen's encephalitis.

She smiles as she teeters and straightens her gait as she lets go of her father's hand and walks without assistance.

Not bad for a 6-year-old who has had half her brain surgically removed.

"It's amazing," her father, Cris Hall, said Thursday. "There's no memory loss. She's the same Jessie all the way."

Jessie was diagnosed last year with Rasmussen's encephalitis, a rare disease that eats at the brain and induces seizures. The sometimes fatal disease is common in children younger than 10.

Two months ago, doctors at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore performed the risky hemispherectomy.

Last month, Jessie was brought to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth where she had to learn to walk again.

On Thursday, she was finally allowed to return to her Aledo home, after a brief celebration at the hospital.

She left the hospital decked out in pink, her favorite color.

"I miss my dog," she said in the hospital's lobby surrounded by family, doctors and other hospital workers.

"They've been nice and stuff," she said of the hospital staff. "My therapist's name is Amber, and we do activities. Amber rocks."

Jessie is anxiously waiting for her hair to grow back and cover the scar on the front of her head.
A year ago, the bright, funny kindergartner began having seizures. They increased in intensity and frequency, her parents said.

"It's been incredibly frightening," Mr. Hall said. "When we started on this journey, there weren't a lot of families that have gone through this."

After months of consultations and research, he and his wife, Kristi Hall, agreed to the risky surgery, convinced it would stop the seizures and give Jessie a chance at a normal life.

The decision, he said, was the correct one.

He called Jessie's progress "a miracle of medicine and God."

Jessie is not only walking; she is laughing, joking and talking in complete sentences – just as she did before, her mother said.

"She's well on her way," Mrs. Hall said. "Everything is healing up nicely."

The spunky youngster has won the hearts of many since she began her courageous battle, and friends and supporters plan to throw her a big welcome home party next week. Many in their hometown have sponsored fundraisers to assist the family with medical expenses.

The Halls said they were so moved by the outpouring, they established a scholarship for other children who have had hemispherectomies. For more information, contact the Jessie Hall Hemispherectomy Scholarship, P.O. Box, 1239, Aledo, TX 76008 or e-mail scholar ship@hemifoundation.org.

In the meantime, Jessie is looking forward to putting some normalcy back in her life, including a return to Stuard Elementary School where she is enrolled in first grade.

"Every day is a miracle," Mrs. Hall said. "The biggest miracle for me is she's not twitching anymore."

Interrupted by the Voice of God!

2008-07-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

My ex-girlfriend and I broke up after a long relationship, and I was really tore apart inside... I started getting heavy into smoking pot.... I would look forward to going home just to get high... I would do it everyday, literally. I was going on my 6th month straight of this routine, when one night I was laying in bed completely baked... I had just bought a new ounce (which cost me over $80) and everything just came crashing in on me. I started feeling really bad about what I was doing and went back and forth for about a half hour debating in my mind whether I should just flush the whole ounce. I finally decided to do it...

For the next two weeks or so after that, a lot of weird things started happening. I would see situations around me, and have strong feelings to do things for those people. A lot of the time I didn't even want to do it, but the feeling inside was so strong I had to. I had been telling my ex-girlfriend all these weird things I was going through... Anyway I found out my Aunt had a brain tumor and was getting surgery for it, so I thought I should pray for her. It had been a LOOONG time since I had prayed before, but as I was finishing, I had this thought enter my mind that was basically along the line of, "you're going to go to church tomorrow, and when the pastor calls for people to go down front, you go down front." I didn't think much of it, and just passed it off.

Well it turns out my ex girlfriend had been telling one of her friends all that stuff I was going through, and that friend went to a church in Malibu. Her friend actually called me that day and invited me to go on Sunday to her church. Needless to say I was a little tripped out, I thought it was strange, and I guess that's why I said okay.

So Sunday morning I headed out for Malibu. I was really late, and had almost decided to just turn around and go home, but I decided to keep going.

I was right at downtown LA...with all the skyscrapers right there when all of a sudden I heard this voice. It was an audible voice, just as if I was speaking out loud to you. He said "Joshua, see that dove, that's for you" and as soon as I heard it, I saw a white dove start to fly as if someone had just dropped it.... AS SOON as I saw the dove, this bolt like electricity shot through my body. It didn't hurt or anything, but I just broke down and started to cry. I pulled off my sunglasses because they were getting all fogged up, and I heard the voice again...as clear as day, and He said, "Joshua, see that man on the side of the road, He's one of my angels." And I looked, and saw kneeling on the side of the 10 freeway a man with very dark skin, and pure white clothes...so white they almost seemed to give off their own light. Again, as soon as I saw him, that same "electricity" shot through me.

Now everything was happening so fast, and my mind was reeling trying to connect everything.

Before I was able to, I heard His voice again, (and it was the last time I heard him audibly) and He said, "Joshua, my love is all around you and my signs are everywhere" and after he said that, I saw a white balloon rise straight up from the freeway directly ahead of me. This all happened in a matter of seconds, although thinking back on it now, it seems like it took an hour. But after the balloon, everything hit home and I realized it was really God!

That night I went to the church again, and at the end of the service, sure enough, the pastor called for people to come down front if they wanted to. I ran down front and stood eagerly expecting something to happen....5 minutes go by, then 10, I said forget it, and turned to leave just as someone came up and started praying. It was a quick little prayer, and then they left. So I thought, okay, I'm outta here, and as I turned again to leave, I felt Him very strongly say, "No, I'm not finished yet...just stand here and be patient." So I stopped and waited.

Almost 20 more minutes went by and by that time I couldn't be patient anymore so I turned to walk out. Again, just as I did, another man came up and started praying for me. All of a sudden I started to feel that electricity again...really subtle in my feet. But then it started getting stronger and it felt like it was filling up my whole body until I couldn't even stand anymore.

So there I was on the floor, feeling this energy flowing through my body in waves... I started getting freaked out... I thought this was all wrong and I was even starting to be afraid. It felt like something was literally rising out of me...this really made me afraid but then I heard His voice again. It was so clear, I couldn't even tell if it was audible or not (I don't know if the people around me could hear it, but I doubt they could). But he said "Joshua don't be afraid... I'm cleansing you of your sins... I'm taking away all of those things of the past" and I just remember the comfort that flooded my body as soon as He spoke. I wasn't afraid anymore. Then He said, "Joshua, I'm holding your hand right now."

And as soon as He said that, my left hand "exploded" into the most intense feeling of the electricity I have ever experienced to this day... It didn't hurt at all, but it was so intense... I could feel His power... and I KNEW He was holding my hand! Then He said "Joshua, now you know I am real...you've heard about me since you were a kid...I am Jesus...I am the living God" Then my mind started flooding with memories from all through my life....moments where He had protected me and been with me, and I had never even known it.

It was absolutely incredible!!

All of that happened June 13, 1999...my life hasn't been the same since! :)
Now I have an awesome relationship with Him...although some times are better than others.... We talk a lot, but now it is inside...between my spirit and His....I hear him in much the same way you hear these words within yourself as you read this letter. That voice is your own spirit and it exists independent of your flesh and blood body. That part of you which really makes you who you are, is immortal...it will live forever. Jesus was and is fully God... what He represents as a man was the full consciousness of God, entering into this world... His creation... being plugged in and taking on all the physical aspects of you and I.... and when Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice on the cross, it was to be a covering for each and everyone of us... to wash away all of our sins that keep us separated from God. When Jesus rose from the dead, it was a promise to all who will believe in Him, that they too will be risen and break free from the chains of death.

In the spirit, our sins are clearly seen to anyone who would look at you. So that means that every dark dirty little secret you have within you, that you wouldn't want anyone to know, would be naked and exposed when you are purely spirit (like when you die and leave the body) except when we are in the spirit things are much, much clearer, so even little secrets you may have now would bring an incredible amount of shame and embarrassment there.

People will literally run and hide in the outer darkness, to be as far from the light as possible. God is light...to be separated from Him, and be fully aware of all our sins would be absolute torment in the spiritual world. Hell is real.

Jesus' sacrifice actually washes away all of those dirty secrets...and they disappear....you will have nothing to hide...no embarrassment or shame. You will be able to sit in the infinite creators' lap, as His child... filled with His love which is beyond words to describe how wonderful it is.... you will be able to explore the infinite mystery of His creation... to travel to worlds without bounds... to move at the speed of thought... to exist outside of time, and talk with people from all ages of the world... and then Heaven.... a place so amazing and wonderful that the least aspect of it is beyond any man's ability to even imagine how amazing it will be!! And it is all given freely to whoever will recognize their own sin and ask for forgiveness...

To ask God to come and live within their own hearts, and to fill them with His love. The only way one can be absolutely positive in their future after this world, is to know the One who can transform your mind and present you faultless before the throne of God... and that One is Jesus... living within your heart... who you get to know better than your closest friend.

That's what this is all about for me. If it was just religion or just church, it couldn't change my life. But Jesus is REAL... He is ALIVE and active in our lives already... He is my most precious friend... to make the next step and actually meet Him would transform your life. It's amazing and it's so simple!!!

All you have to do is talk to God... I'm not going to write a fancy prayer or tell you exactly what to say... It's between you and God... just be real with Him... Admit that you have made mistakes and have sinned, then ask Him to come inside your heart and wash all of those things away. Just pour your heart out to Him, and thank Him for sacrificing Himself for YOU... All it takes is an honest and sincere heart which recognizes it's own brokenness, and cries out for help. God is AWESOME!! And He LOVES YOU with an EVERLASTING LOVE....

If you would like to talk or share your own experiences with me... or if you would like to have someone to pray for / with you, please write me!
joshw@mirageinkjet.com

I Believe in Miracles. Do You?

2008-07-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about my experience with a group of 3-year-olds and how I managed to convince them (it was not a hard work at all and it was a lot of fun) that they had magic in their little hands. It was magic that from that moment on, those young kids used their small hands to comfort each other and felt very powerful.

I remember a childhood story about a teacher who wanted to make her young students happy by planting a “bubble gum bush”. She planted some bubble gum wrappers with the kids and when they came two weeks after, they found a small bush with bubble gum hanging from its branches.

I talked a lot about this story with other teachers. We wondered whether those kids would have felt betrayed or if they would have felt the love and happiness she wanted to give them.

Let me tell you when it came to my turn with the seeds and my kids’ magic hands making them grow, the look on their faces as they watched the seeds grow was worth the risk for me.

There is a wonderful story of a young girl who believed in miracles and I thought it was a good idea to bring it here and give you the opportunity to read it too.

A miracle for a dollar and eleven cents

A little girl named Tess went to her bedroom and pulled her piggy bank from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the piggy bank and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall’s Drug Store with the big Red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at that moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally, she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

“And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen in ages”, he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

“Well, I want to talk to you about my brother”, Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone, “He’s really, really sick, and I want to buy a miracle”.

“I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist.

“His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?”

“We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you”, the pharmacist said, softening a little.

‘Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs”.

The pharmacist’s brother was a well-dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?”

“I don’t know”, Tess replied with her eyes welling up, “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money”.

“How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago.

“One dollar and eleven cents”, Tess answered barely audibly.

“And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to”.

“Well, what a coincidence”, smiled the man, “A dollar and eleven cents - the exact price of a miracle for little brothers”.

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand, he grasped her mitten and said, “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the miracle you need”.

That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neurosurgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.
“That surgery”, her Mom whispered, “Was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?”

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost - a dollar and eleven cents … plus the faith of a little child.

Kids are in our world to carry the magic and spread their magic powder on everyone around them – they do it effortlessly, they only need to believe.

I believe in miracles. Do you?

Premature triplets are little miracles for parents

2008-07-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

JOSHUA, Thomas and Luke are three of life's little treasures.

To parents Nancy and Angelo Gheno, they are their three little miracles and a genetic freak of nature.

The identical triplets were born 13 weeks prematurely, weighing less than 3kg combined.
Luke was heaviest, tipping the scales at 920g. Thomas was 910g. Tiny Joshua was just 780g when the boys were born at the Royal Women's Hospital on October 11.

Mrs Gheno was nine weeks pregnant when a scan revealed she was expecting triplets and as the babies were sharing one placenta it was known immediately they were identical.

Some experts have claimed identical triplets occur once in every 10-20 million births. But there are at least three sets in Melbourne, including two born in the past year.

"I was shocked but my husband was delighted -- he thought it was the greatest thing that ever happened," Mrs Gheno said yesterday.

Because the three shared one placenta, there were fears she could lose them.

Mrs Gheno spent three months in bed rest at home, and three months in hospital before the boys were born at 27 weeks gestation.

Doctors decided to deliver the boys when they saw Joshua had stopped growing and had lost size and weight.

Despite their size, the feisty trio fought from the very start and encountered a few minor -- but no major -- setbacks during 13 weeks in hospital.

The boys came home on January 8 -- the day they were supposed to be born.

Since then, the Gheno family have been in and out of hospital, with all three boys suffering bronchiolitis and respiratory infections common in babies but dangerous for premature infants.

The family have received support from Lifes Little Treasures, a support group for parents of premature babies. Spokeswoman Parool Shah said it was important to provide support, education, guidance and an opportunity to meet other parents.

The number of premature births in Victoria continues to slowly increase, with about 5700, or 8.2 per cent of all births, occurring prematurely in 2006.

This Friday is National Premmie Day to raise awareness of premature births.

Patrick Swayze: I'm a miracle!

2008-07-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Patrick Swayze: 'I'm a miracle'

Monday, July 21, 2008
Swayze said he was a 'miracle'
Patrick Swayze seems to be in great form after telling onlookers: 'I'm a miracle.'
Swayze was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year but is reported to be responding to the treatment well.
When asked how he was feeling the actor said "He was cookin'. I'm a miracle dude, I don't know why.'
He arrived at LAX Airport wearing a cap and sleeveless hoodie with 2 pairs of glasses round his neck.
After taking off his boots for the screening process he waited for his bag before jetting off to film 'The Beast', his new tv show.

Critically injured boy makes 'miracle' recovery

2008-07-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Critically injured boy makes 'miracle' recovery

Brody Upton recovers in a New Mexico hospital .

The family of a New Mexico boy critically injured in a car crash says they are witnessing a miracle.

Brody Upton, 9, was severely hurt in the crash in Alabama three weeks ago. But since coming home to New Mexico, his family says the boy has gotten stronger each day.

Doctors in Alabama said Brody's brain stem had been severed and it was only a matter of time before he died. But after doctors at UNM Hospital evaluated him, they discovered his brain stem had not been severed and told Brody's parents Brody may one day lead a normal life.
Wendell Upton is Brody's father. His two sons were involved the June 30 accident. One son, 11-year-old Rippen, died hours after the collision.

Upton was told Brody's injuries were so severe, the boy would likely die. Doctors said if he survived, Brody would remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.
"We were already making the decision on what they were telling us there--that it was over, we weren't going to let him live in that state, there was no quality of life," Upton said.

The family fought hard to get Brody home so he could die surrounded by his family. UNM's Life Guard Air Ambulance flew him home Wednesday.

Almost immediately, Brody showed signs of improvement, his father said.

"He has his eyes open, he can look around the room, he can't quite make out everybody yet. As far as verbal commands, you can tell him to move his arm into a certain position and he can do it," Upton said. "He's moving his feet, his legs, he can move his head."

Brody is doing so well doctors have moved him out of intensive care and into the regular pediatric unit. Brody could be moved to Carrie Tingley to begin rehabilitation as soon as this week.

Doctors say one day Brody will likely be able to walk and talk again, but the family says the road ahead will be tough.

As they try to deal with the death of Rippen, they have Brody's fight and courage to lift their spirits, the family says.

"We have hope now that at least something can come out of this," Upton said. "We salvaged something and that is all I can hope for and be thankful for," Upton said.