Good Morning LORD ♥

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- 11/16/2010:

Be strong and do not lose heart. Refuse to give up. The enemy would have you to believe in hopelessness, but he will not succeed as long as you maintain your position of hope. Give him no ground. Take the time and make the effort to exercise your faith and to believe Me and know that I have heard your prayers, says the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

In His Love,

 By His Spirit,

   I scribe His Heart ♥

Good Morning LORD ♥

The Anatomy of a Spiritual Person

By Vijai P Sharma, Ph D

Wayne Dyer, a renown contemporary psychologist says, "We all are spiritual beings having human experience.." We are physical, emotional and spiritual beings, a living proof of "trinity," in this case the trinity of the body, the heart and the soul....

To what extend we develop the spiritual or the other two dimensions depends on our environment, upbringing and self-cultivation.. Exceptional indeed are the people who are fully developed as spiritual persons and live their lives on the spiritual plane on a 24-hour basis.. All prophets of any religion, or at least the ones I have studied, were spiritual beings in the total sense of the world.. In common parlance, we sue the terms "spirituality" and "religion" interchangeably.. Although many aspects overlap, not all spiritual people are religious, and not all religious people are spiritual....

Relationship between mind and matter: Spiritual people know they are more than their physical bodies, and their awareness and knowledge are far greater than the sum total of information provided by their five senses.. Intuition is at its highest in them.. The "intuit" when a solution is beyond reasoning and thinking.. They believe they are more than their thoughts, memories, emotions and other mental faculties put together, and that lets them transcend physical limitation....

Relationship with one's own self: Spiritual people are at peace with themselves.. They feel the same compassion for themselves as they feel for all other beings.. They are secure in themselves in that they feel totally accepted by the loving force or being of the universe....

Relationship with others: Spiritual people see others too as more than their physical forms.. They believe the same invisible life force flows through others as it does within themselves, so they feel at one with others because of that connection.. Their eyes can pierce through hateful behavior and men words and see the beauty of the soul, so they often succeed in bringing that beautiful being out by their compassion and unconditional acceptance.. Their motive for all their actions is based on love and compassion for others rather than the motive for return or recognition....

Spiritual people seldom feel alone: The never feel lack of love because they feel they are being loved by the universe and that Universal Spirit all the time.. As a result of this unconditional, every-present love, they are peaceful, compassionate, open and loving to all human beings.. They believe in universal brotherhood and sisterhood, recognizing that all other definitions of people in terms of creed, color, sex, nationality and the like too often divide people.. They feel the same compassion and love for all without focusing on their faults and weaknesses.. They have no desire to control or dominate others.. They constantly endeavor to empower others....

Relationship with God (Universe): Knowing that there is an infinitely superior intelligence, they constantly seek the divine guidance.. While others look outward for solutions, spiritual people go within and meditate for guidance.. They experience a constant presence of God loving them and guiding them.. They seek answers to their questions only from the source of all intelligence and wisdom.. This relationship is experienced with an overwhelming feeling of joy and gratitude, which can take the form of the lover and beloved as with the Sufis, the teacher and disciple, the parent and child, or the guardian and ward....

Relationship with the universe: They have a spiritual connection with the whole world.. Spiritual people see the universe as part of a divine plan.. They see a purpose and inherent logic in all aspects and events of the universe.. Nothing is possible outside that plan and it's purpose,.. Though it may not be immediately discernible to the naked eye.. They are simply in awe of the mystery of the universe as they feel the divine presence in every atom of the universe.. They feel grateful for every event in the universe and often experience ecstasy in admiration and awe of how the whole universe runs with such perfection....

Good Morning LORD ♥

Even the Elect!

 

I’ve had this stirring in my spirit for the past two weeks over something that was discussed in confidence between me and the man that said he feels God is calling us together as one.

Now, before you all get uptight about me breaking a confidentially clause as counselor this time I felt warranted to seek godly counsel regarding what he and I discussed and also, when it comes to this ‘pastor’ me if I feel I can use whatever personal experiences I have gone through to help someone else I will. Besides, God calls us to help one another and at times that means we as the ‘counselors’ have to go through some things.

Now, I will not use any names or any 360 or other website links, I will just elaborate on what has transpired and what I have been shown.

I’ve been single and celibate for 10 years. I don’t go out and date or even look for men that ‘might’ and I stress ‘might’ be my future husband! I have spoken to God my heart’s desires regarding a forever mate and He has confirmed that He has heard my prayer so I press on and I don’t look back at what might be.

I’ve been on the internet for almost four years and I have met some very awesome people, I’ve also been approached by a few men that claim the old saying ‘God said’ we are to be together or you are my wife’. What I have found out from logical deduction, trying the spirit by the spirit and also much prayer, most times they are not the one!

Now, moving on. This is for all the single ladies out there, this blog is written for us! When you are approached by a man, in the physical realm or on the internet (I have NOTHING against the internet) some GREAT and powerful marriages were conceived here, make sure you counsel with him, a lot.

Do not fear to speak about everything that you need confirmation on and also what you feel the spirit of the Lord has spoken to you about him. Dig deep into the recesses of all his past relationships, if he has former wives, girlfriends or fiancés has he gotten over these former women, inquire what caused the break-ups or divorces. It’s your right to know! Most will say, and I quote, ‘the past is past leave it there’ NO you get the facts especially if this man has children with the former Mrs. Wonderful!

After you have spoken about this then cover what are his expectations of you as a wife. Now ladies do not balk at the normal wifely duties. We all have come to know that the cooking, cleaning, and the other mundane tasks that the women’s libbers have been complaining about for years are within God’s will for us as wives, mothers and homemakers.

Ok, now if this man is just a wonderful and great mighty man of God then you are fine to proceed forward with what ever you need to speak to him about. But what happens if this man is a pastor of a church or possibly owns his own church? Do you feel you should also inquire of him some other more intimate details? Like what’s expected in the ministry of you as his wife, what are to be your duties? Do these duties change from day to day or are they an ongoing set routine that you will be exposed to daily? How does this man react to the members of his congregation? If he has children, how does he believe regarding them? The list is un-ending.

Now, just recently I met such a man. He said he had been pursuing me for three years, admired my ministry, felt my hurts and pains and even wanted me to move to where he is. However, he could not take responsibility for my going in the wrong direction and moving farther away from him. He knew I was out of God’s will but he supported me all the while.

Now, going back to Alabama I can agree with him, I was out of the will of God. However, my family and I were homeless and we were offered a place to stay with a friend so off to the belly of the whale we went! I admitted that he was right about that move, however, I could not agree with his statement that California also fit into the description of ‘out of God’s will’ as well. Allow me to explain.

While you are walking outside of the will of God, His provision will not stop for you, however, His voice will be quiet, your spirit will be dry and if you are like me you will feel as though He has left you. Nothing you do will seem to prosper and even acquiring the necessities will be like having to go through substantial warfare. Remember this is my experience and it may not be the same with everyone.

The move to California was miraculous. To say the least a great and mighty miracle. Right at the last minute full provision and then some. From God and man, all the way here it was like floating like we were not even driving on the roadway but floating. Once we got here, as with every new land, yes we have had some hardships and we have gone through some warfare but still, peace, miracles, God’s provision every step of the way! So I know I am in the right ‘state of mind’ and finally after eight long years the ‘right state’.

Ok, now that we have covered this, lets move on to the more intimate issues that face single, celibate, Godly women of today. Now I am not pointing the finger at anyone I’m just speaking about myself. NO not glorifying myself and some can think what they want it’s just the choice that I made and was right for (me). What is expected in the marriage bed? What are his desires and what does he consider (ok) with God? What I have found from the recent conversation with this wonderful ‘man of God’ is that his marriage bed desires do not line up with God’s Word.

I have a dear friend who is a pastor and after my discussion over the marriage bed issues I felt in my spirit that I had to call him and his wife and counsel with them. I also called my pastor from Louisiana and wanted her input. While over on my friend’s page I found this blog :

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-P0KPcm8ic7SxGT0uT9rytPwF.g--?cq=1&p=930

After you read this message you might want to check out the Word of God on this very subject! I did not divulge names nor did I betray a trust or gossip I simply stated what was said and in tears I might add.

At this point after confrontation between the two highly anointed men of God I have been made the escape goat and now after years of devotion, love and admiration I am now banished from this man’s life, he desires no further communication nor does he wish to have me in his life as a friend, fellow worker of the Lord or wife. I am a rumor starter, unstable as wife, friend and a Christian. He never knew me and prays and I quote (that Jesus doesn’t).

Now I ask, are these the ramblings of a stable, highly anointed, Apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher or missionary of God? What I have come to understand in this day and age some men do not like to be challenged on what they feel, practice and teach as truth. What we as people who love God and respect Him have to ask ourselves is, does this action bring Him glory? I had to sit back and question that for myself.

I will not submit to a man that wants to incorporate lewd acts into what God calls holy and also have the audacity to say that God approves as long as it is between husband and wife. Ladies there are some things that God does not approve of! All for the sake of marriage they say. I say no way; God will not ask you as wife to allow the devil’s acts and toys into your home or bedroom.

Be aware women of God, many will come with the beautiful words of the spirit what you have to take a step back and do is try that spirit. If that spirit is tried and you get the same results I got run … fast back to the Throne and seek God’s counsel!

If you are like me and waiting for that chosen by God mate, continue fervently and I can promise that God is preparing him even as we speak. Do not fret, just continue to stand firm and know that God has the best for us and all we have to do is be patient. I would rather be single forever and wait on Jesus than to accept the devil’s stand in and be miserable and end up divorced.

In His Love,

 By His Spirit,

   I scribe His Heart ♥

Good Morning LORD ♥

. . .

Many people have come into my life throughout these past 4 years. Many have asked me several times exactly what motivated me to write this book. There have been so many questions and even some speculations about my motives.

I wanted to take this time to finally discuss my passion not just for the blessing to be called an 'author', but also to be called a 'Scribe' of the Lord's.

I have always possessed the passion to write. However, is wasn't until the early summer of 2005 that I was actually able to visualize that passion as not only from my own inner being but also a heart's desire of mine and also of the Lord.

Many times along this road of brokenness I have come across a book or maybe an article or just maybe a selection of words on a page; and those words were either going to be death or life for my inner being. I know that many of us as we travel along our journey called 'life' have needed some encouragement.

I always find it easy to minister to those of mature age. However, my whole outlook towards encouragement took a major turn in another direction when the 'inspiration' for this book was brought into my life by nothing less than the miracle of 'birth'.

In May of 2005, in the heat of the southern summer, little Melody Grace was born and my life and the lives of all those that she was to meet have been changed, altered, rearranged and we have never been the same!

In the early part of her second year with us we discovered some social issues. It seemed as though she was withdrawing into herself. She no longer would verbalize her needs and she was pulling away from all outside contact. I knew some about what I began to perceive we were facing, but I could not get the 'back-home' country doctors to do any type of testing on this precious child!

I began to notice her likes and dislikes. I also began to notice that she adored music. Not just any kind, but worship music. Even though she would not verbalize her delight; whenever that music was on she would just light up and crawl over to the stereo and dance. She was 14 months old and was not walking nor talking, however, that never stopped her from reaching the source of that music.

Over a period of 31 days the Lord began to give me divine insight into how to reach this tiny girl with His love and His heart. That desire has always been on the top of my heart and I began to just sit and listen to the Holy Spirit. Each day brought a new devotion and a new way of learning for Grace and for me.

I had been a student of the Lord's for a long while before Grace entered my life. What I learned through these expressions was I had somewhat ceased to be amazed at the awe of what the Lord was doing. Not only in my own life, but also in the lives of those that He sent across my path to minister to.

My heart had not grown cold towards Him but I had become somewhat religious in my perception of His Majesty and majestic ways. God has never been just a 'so so' thing in my life. He was my life and the reason I was alive.

What I discovered was that my passion for the things of the Lord had become lack. I felt that I had seen and experienced everything that could utterly amaze me so I was in that place of complacency and my 'child-like' faith and love for His miracles had grown cold.

My first lesson came even before I was to begin writing the book. I was to define a miracle in my own terms. What I perceived as a miracle was transformed completely under His glorious majesty and revelation.

The World's Greatest Miracle happened 2000 years ago on Calvary when God so unselfishly gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins! Jesus is a miracle, and so was the birth of this little baby.

What Grace brought back into my life was the 'child-like' wonder of the ways of God and His wonderful love and compassion for all that need Him. At that very moment it seemed as though a light when off in my head. Come to me as a little child, not like a child but 'as' a child. See Me with the 'child-like' wonder that amazes each and every little-one.

I was lacking that child-like faith, wonder and amazement in my life that causes 'us' His children to just stand in awe of even His simplest of miracles. Not 'childish' but child-like. I finally received the revelation and during those times in the front yard with Grace under that beautiful southern sky God revealed Himself to me is such a beautiful, easy way that I was more than able to teach Grace all about Him, and learn ever more myself.

What I’ve learned from writing these inspirations is that most time when we wish to hear God we are listening for a ‘loud’ voice when all we really have to do is be receptive of His faintest whisper.

God speaks through all that He has created. Not only through the thundering harshness of a turbulent storm , but also through the gentle flutter of the hummingbird's wings. We have to be open to hear whatever He speaks in the manner He chooses for us in the way that gets His point across.

God is simple, we make Him complex. Nothing that He has created is beyond His miracles. I found those miracles so amazing. Everything took on new meaning. The sky, the birds, the grass and trees. The wind, the sun, the birds flying in the breeze. Even the wind took on new meaning!

To see His face, to feel His touch, to stand in awe of His glory through all He has created was the beginning of my own restoration of that part of me that was lost sometime before the 'birth' of this tiny little girl. A new beginning, a new outlook and also a new 'in' look reflected in the eyes and the life of that little girl. His glory from heaven here on earth to change the world's view of how simple and wonderful our Father truly is.

Meet My Motive ... My Inspiration ... My Grace!

Grace Through The Years!

Casting Crowns

In His Love,

 By His Spirit,

  I scribe His Heart ♥
 

Good Morning LORD ♥

Our Autism Journey!

A Look Back 12 Months Ago!

Above, September 2007 When Animals Were Her Only Friends!

              Below, September 2009 Holy Spirit Intervention! Meet Cayden Her First Friend!

I read a blog just this morning written by a wonderful lady and her precious daughter Athena! Her daughter was severely injured by the mercury in her infant vaccinations. My grand baby traveled this road as well! Almost step for step but she was not in this way because of vaccines she was just left unattended in the womb for a very extended period after my daughter's water broke! 52 hours to be exact!

When we arrived here in California from Louisiana 2 years ago Grace was 26 months old, she barely spoke 10 words, did not make any eye contact, stayed hidden under chairs and desks most of the time and could not climb stairs or run. She was pulling her hair out by gobs, biting herself until she removed skin and never responded to anything we spoke. We also went through all the tests and saw all the doctors. To no avail!

Then we were referred to a treatment facility that was the forerunner in 'Autism' diagnostics we were told. After a 2 hour battery of tests, away from Mommie and Grandie, they diagnosed her as 'mild to moderately autistic' and proceeded to  tell us basically 'not to invade her space' this way we would hold down the number of self injury episodes she would have during the course of a day. They then referred us to another pediatrician that would medicate her for the different conditions she had and then because she was sooooo close to 3 they would not be able to do anything more with or for her.

I told them to stick their suggestions in their ear and I sought the Holy Spirit's help with Grace. With the guidance of a great new physician we started an intensive ‘hands on treatment’ routine with Grace that consisted of drawing her out of her self with things she adored, like Athena, Grace adored praise and worship music and also adored animals.

We bought her some head phones, recorded all of her greatest and most favorite tunes and then while she was sitting staring we popped those head phones on and watched her come to life! She’d be staring out the window or just sitting quietly and day after day we’d notice she’d tap her foot, smile, move in rhythm to the beat of the music or just close her eyes. We were consistent with the daily routines and we watched a most wonderful flower bud begin to unfold!

We instituted word games, color games, writing skills etc. We had a different activity for each skill that she needed help on and in such a short time she just began to blossom. Day after day she just zoomed in her life skills and the home worker that visited her once a week could not imagine what happened in such a short time.....Like you, I exclaimed, "Nothing but the blood of Jesus and direction from the Holy Spirit".

We also decided that she needed a companion. So the Lord blessed us with a sweet spirited, mild mannered beautiful jack Russell / rat terrier mix breed puppy (she) yes she named Rockie! He was sent through the companion animal program and he gained his badge and quickly became our best tool for drawing her outside and into the ‘great outdoors’. He follows her everywhere and even though today she has 90% come out of her shell he still remains faithfully by her side each time she is awake, asleep or every time she ventures outside for one of their daily games of hide and seek or chase!

We were just reevaluated by a neurologist on February 23rd exactly 1 year from the time Grace was diagnosed with 'autism'....he was blown away by her test scores from before and the test scores now! He's a 'Christian' doctor and he new that hands on intensive treatment the way my daughter and I had learned from the help of the Lord was the exact course of treatment Grace needed!

Even though she has been diagnosed with a seizure disorder, it seems that the medication for the seizures has almost alleviated her anxiety attacks and nearly alleviated her seizures! I sit and rejoice with you because I know where we were just a short time ago! This is when 'God's~Gentle~Care’ Teaching Program and 'The Winds of GRACE Learning Place' was established! Grace is the first pupil and from her experience many were able to be taught right over the phone and through the internet what means and what measures were working for us!

Today we see Grace in the Light of the Glory of the Lord! She can do almost what other 4 year olds can with the exception of cognitive recollection and some socialization tweaks! Which means since she does experience the seizure disorder she still has a difficult time with memorizing. However, she runs, jumps, skips, talks and reacts just like all children her age with a few exceptions. She is still experiencing some speech issues, however, her vocabulary is infinite and even though her speech is slower than most because it takes her brain a little bit longer to produce what she is thinking she scored far beyond her 48 month tests!

I have learned so much from this tiny child and I thank the Lord for her "AWE"tism! Because I still stand in awe of His "AWE"someness!

My heart goes out to each mother, grand mother, and families represented here! However, we know that Jesus is the name above all labels! Hallelujah! Praising God with you all!

In His Love,

Children with disabilities Advocate/Counselor/Pastor and Grandie {CeCe}

Let’s Make Autism A Thing Of The Past

Educate / Advocate / Alleviate

 

Please Enjoy!

'Find Your Wings'

Mark Harris

In His Love,

 By His Spirit,

   I scribe His Heart ♥

Good Morning LORD ♥

The Puppy Talks…..

It still amazes me how the Holy Spirit continues to comfort us even in our dry places. For some time now that’s been where I have been. I’ve been waiting for the rain to come and the dryness to be quenched by His total engulfment of my spirit and every dry area soothed by His gentle rain. Psalm 143:6, “I lift up my hands to you in prayer; like dry ground my soul is thirsty for You.”

Then, just in that instant you seem unprepared, swoosh here comes the flood of His Spirit. You are frantic for anything that you can grab to write on. And then, you hear that sweet, gentle, whisper … “Nothing is needed just listen.” Job 26:14, “These are only glimpses of what He does. We only hear a whisper of Him! Who can understand the thunder of His power?"

 

For several weeks now Grace has been praying for a puppy. I keep telling her, “We have Ruth and she’s your puppy.” She’s persistent, somehow she knows that Ruth is not a puppy and that’s what she has her heart fixed upon. One day about 2 weeks ago her Grandma came to visit and she had a new puppy that someone had just given her because they could not take care of the dog any longer.

 

Here’s this 3 year old child, whose been taught about prayer since she could understand standing out in the middle of her front yard and she just looks up to heaven and says, “Deesas I have puppy too peas. I promust I take care of it. Tank You Deesas.” I’m gazing at the sky with her, because she always says, “Dandie you pray wit me.” As we were praying for that request our landlords son drives up, just to say hello to his momma.

David speaks about the puppies he and his wife have for sale. Well of course these are a little out of our spending limit, but God’s resources are unlimited. He happens to ask us why Grace does not have a puppy and I casually say, “Well she has Ruth and maybe when Ruth gets a bit older we will get her one.” Of course this man is no fool, so he inquires about Ruth’s age. “She’s a young 10,” I exclaim. He just smiles.

 

Well he begins to tell us about the puppies they have for sale. I really was not listening; you know how the devil kinda blocks your hearing when the Lord is trying to speak in your behalf? Well I got kinda perturbed and I said, “David we appreciate you getting Gracie excited about puppies however, we are not in the financial range to purchase one that has a $350.00 price tag.”

 

He replied, “Well ours are sold but I will definitely keep my eyes open for a small pup that will be perfect for Grace.” Now I’m hiding my face in shame. After he leaves I was speaking to his mom who by the way is also our landlady. She says, “CeCe you are just going to have to lay down that old pride of yours and allow God to move in that baby’s behalf.” … “She prayed and believed God for a puppy and by God she will get that perfect one.”... “You just stay out of God’s way!”

By this time I am feeling this lump in my throat; however, I just suck it in and go on. Next afternoon we hear this horn blow and my daughter and ‘oh yes Gracie’ run to the front driveway to see who our visitor is. A couple minutes later my daughter runs in toting this puppy and leash. She says, “Momma look at what Mr. David gave Grace!” I took one look at this puppy and I immediately got concerned with ‘pooping in the house’, ‘extra food’, you know all the ‘important’ things about having a dog came to mind ‘tsk’, ‘tsk’.

 

In comes Grace squealing, “Gandie, Gandie ook at my poppy, Deesas give me dat!” NOW how are you going to reason with that statement? I stayed inside the house, contemplating all the extra work now we have 2 dogs instead of 1 and the larger cabin is not ready yet so ‘oh my my’ what are we going to do? Just then David comes in, Gracie at his heels, dog in tow. And here I sit, wanting to crawl into the nearest crack in the floor and then this man speaks something I will never forget.

 

“CeCe, I hope you did not mind, but after I left the Holy Spirit dropped into my spirit that I needed to give Grace the puppy that I had chosen for myself because she is a special little girl and she needs a special puppy,”… “This dog was mine and I wanted her to have him, he’s 3 months old, he won’t get any bigger, he’s outside trained but should not be hard to inside train, he’s a miniature pincher / rat terrier and he’s a great watch dog.”

 

So how do you follow that one? You don’t! I was speechless. All I could say was, “Thank you so much for thinking about her.” He leaves and I still have this focus in my mind that this is not the dog that I envisioned. Just then the Holy Spirit whispered, “It was not for you my child but for ME to grant the request of that child.” … “If you can remember she asked ME for a puppy NOT you.”

Now I am in tears, I glance over to where Grace has this tiny puppy in her arms. He’s looking so lovingly into her eyes as she pets his head and says, “Tank You Deesas, he is booteful.” And she blows Him kisses. His name? Rockie!

 

Over the next few days this young puppy gains so much appreciation from me. He follows her everywhere. She has his leash and he just toddles around wherever she leads. What I begin to notice is the conversation between the two of them. Grace talks constantly with Rockie and he just looks up at her as if he understands. She shows him all the good places that he is allowed to go and also shows him the bad places he is not to go. All the while just toddling around beside her.

Then this morning, in one of those most indisposed places ‘boom’! Revelation! Have we forgotten how we are supposed to always listen to our Master? Just like Rockie was listening to Grace. Intently listening to each and every word He speaks. Never questioning His authority just simply following His commands and obeying His Word. Allowing Him to show us the good and also warn us of the bad. Always staying close to Him as Rockie stays close to Grace. Turning down the audio so we can hear His whisper.

 

Now those of you who are advanced passed this stage of revelation praise God! I chose a long time ago to allow the Lord to use anything He had to get my attention and also speak His messages. This time he used a tiny little girl and her tiny little dog….. What a powerful message that was for me!

Father God, thank You once again for Holy Spirit revelation. Lord at times we are so concerned with the cares of this life that we often forget the ‘simple’ things and we do You an injustice by not listening to Your every word! Please Father forgive our busyness and release upon us that ‘child-like’ spirit of understanding and submission. In Jesus Name…..Amen

May you see Him in the simple things and may the simple things excite you enough to expect to hear Him where ever you are!

Late-Night Lesson:

 

Thank God for Every Midnight Call

So I close by saying this to you who are taking up the service of the winter. Thank God for every call that reaches you. Thank Him for the opportunity of toil. The hour may come for you when it is midnight, just as it came to the host in our parable. The hour may come when heart and flesh are weary, and hope is dim, and courage is decayed—and in that very hour, for aught I know, the hand may be heard knocking at the door. But if these claims awake you to your weakness, and make you feel anew your need of God; if they send you out from your own self-sufficiency to lean upon His grace and on His love; why then, my brother, all your happy holiday, and all your remembrances of the purple heather, will not be such a blessing to your heart as the burden and the service of today. "Commit your way to the Lord .... and he shall bring it to pass." Come now, and cast your burden on the Lord. Take up your service, whether in church or city, no matter how impoverished you feel. There is One whose store is always overflowing, and He is willing to give you of His best; and men will be blest in you and call you blessed, just because they make you lean on God.

In His Love,
  By His Spirit,
    I scribe His Heart ♥

Good Morning LORD ♥

From Tragedy to Triumph … My Testimony

 

Being able to write this testimony and this book is a miracle only by the grace of our Lord. On Saturday morning December 6, 2003 my youngest daughter and I were leaving to go and pick up my son who had spent the night before with his Dad. We live about 60 miles from where my son was. Our church family was having an outing for the boys in the youth group and my son was invited.

 

We left our house on what seemed to be a glorious day. It was the typical, sun shining, birds singing and cool breeze blowing kind of day. It was clear and absolutely gorgeous outside. We lived in a rural part of the state of Louisiana in a very small town called Iota. As we proceeded down the familiar road we had traveled many times in the past five years nothing seemed different. We had a new car. My oldest daughter who was in the military at this time gifted me with the car on my 40th birthday in July of the same year. I was so excited and very blessed because I had never had a new car. The car was small but very roomy. And it was just a blessing. As we approached the familiar intersection that we’ve passed a million times in the last five years something this day would occur that would be life changing and life rearranging. I now have a greater respect for the saying, ‘life as we knew it was over and a new life has begun.’

 

One moment in time we were driving and the next moment we woke up in a rice field. We had been involved in an automobile accident. Not just a fender bender, but a traumatic accident that changed our lives forever. I was told later by my daughter (Megan) that a vehicle crossing the intersection ran the stop sign and broadsided our vehicle at 65 miles per hour. We were driving a very small Ford Focus and the other vehicle was an SUV and was as strong as a tank. After impact our car spun around three times, took a leap into the air and went air born, then took a nose dive full force into the embankment of a twelve foot ditch and finally it came to rest in a rice field located on the opposite side from where we had been traveling.

I was trapped inside from the force of the impact. There right side of the vehicle now rested against the steering wheel. I could not move my right arm or anything from my shoulder down to my right knee. The door of the car was crushed against my body. What transpired in the next hours would be nothing but miraculous! My daughter Megan was driving and was thrown from the vehicle. She was belted in and still she was thrown. She flew three hundred feet. This journey took her across the rice field; the she proceeded to roll across the road way and finally ended when she landed face down in the ditch on the opposite side of the roadway we were traveling on. I am recalling for you the recollection of events as they transpired as they were spoken to me.

Only by the grace of God was my daughter able to crawl up out of the ditch, cross the road and then completely across the field, heading backwards in time, so it seemed towards what was left of me and the car. She showed no panic and immediately began praying and bound the spirit of death and commanded in the Name of Jesus the spirit of life to return into my body and then she smacked me in the right cheek with all her might. I was dazed and confused. My tongue was resting on my chest, blood was pouring from a head injury from where I had hit the windshield and cracked my forehead. I had no idea what had happened. I felt no pain; I remember asking God if I were dead. I remembered that Jesus is sensitive to grief and pain. I knew that if God is God anywhere He has to be God in this accident even in the face of death. I knew Jesus was my only hope and then John 11:25 came flooding into my Spirit, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me though he may die he shall live. And whomever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” I felt the Holy Spirit was telling me, if I believe I would see the Glory of God. In an instant I felt everything. I had never experienced pain in all my forty years of living like that. My mind raced and I imagined how Jesus felt on that cross. I recalled the words He spoke and remembered He said He had taken all our pain upon Himself that day and I thanked God for taking that pain. Instantly, all pain subsided and I could feel this peace come over my whole body and spirit.

As I laid there trapped inside the car the paramedics and the first response team began to arrive on the scene. The first team assessed my daughter and immediately called for Life Flight to transport her to the nearest hospital which was twelve miles away. She was lying on the ground in tremendous pain and I recall hearing them say she had broken her back in two places and her physical reactions were like people who have injured their spinal cord. I immediately went into a deep intercessory prayer. I prayed like I had never prayed before. I took authority over those words spoken over my child and commanded in the name of Jesus for them to fall to the ground and never take root and for satan to release her because he had no right to her because she was a child of God.

 

I commanded every part of her body to come in line with the Word of God and be made whole. I had no idea what my condition was my focus and greatest concern was on my daughter. As I lay there in the car waiting for them to cut me out with the Jaws of Life, scripture upon scripture came flooding into my spirit. I knew when the enemy comes in like a flood God will raise up a standard against him and I claimed that. I called upon Psalm 18:1-3, “I love you, O lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” I knew God was with me. I knew I was coming out of this victoriously. Not somehow but triumphantly I was going to make it through.

 

As the first response team cut through the mangled car I had no idea what the extent of my injuries were. I did know that I could feel my right leg all the way from my upper thigh to my foot. However, I knew something was wrong with my left leg because I had no feeling from my upper thigh all the way down to my foot. I somehow knew it was attached because I could feel the existence of a shoe but the physical feeling just wasn’t there. I pounded my right foot to get leverage on the car floor board but when I attempted to do that on the left side I got nothing. This began to scare me however; God had placed at my side someone whom I knew for a very long time. He was a police officer in our little town and he just so happened to be off duty on this day. Mike stayed by my side the whole time the rescue team worked to get me out of the car. I questioned him as to why I could not feel anything in my left foot. He got up from where he was kneeling down by my daughter’s side of the car and looked down at the floor board on my side. What he told me really did not surprise me so I wasn’t shaken by his words. He said for me not to pound my left foot down on the floor board any more because it was broken.

I listened and agreed and then took authority over broken bones in the foot. What I was to learn about my foot later really came as a shock and blew my mind. They finally got me out of the car after three hours of being trapped and transferred me into the ambulance and once again God placed someone at the scene that I knew well. Pastor Enoch Delaphouse was there and I remember him asking me what I wanted him to do. All I could tell him was pray! “Pray Mr. Enoch just please pray.” While in the ambulance I did not recall much except that everything was gray. It appeared that a great big gray cloud hovered just directly above me. In fact I could almost break a piece of that cloud off and hold it. If I wanted to see clearly what was going on in the present I had to look down beneath the cloud. It really was amazing, but I had this sense of peace. A peace I was accustomed to. But today that peace seemed magnified.

The paramedics were scurrying around frantically trying to stabilize my condition and I wasn’t even aware of what my condition was. I had great peace, I felt wonderful, and I was riding in the back of the bumpy ambulance. I wondered why the paramedics were so worried. I had no idea. I just had this sweet and comfortable peace.

When I arrived at the first hospital everyone was racing everywhere. They were calling for what seemed to be a million x-rays and blood and fluids and only God knows what else. My greatest concern was my child. She had arrived there about three hours before me. That was really surprising. It felt like five minutes, but I was told three hours. It took two hours to get me out of the car and on the way to treatment. Later I was told by the state trooper that it was an hour before he arrived at the scene because the person that called this accident in reported it as a fatality. I was amazed.

 

As the hospital technicians administered their test I was told things that I really could not believe. It was here that the extent of my injuries would be revealed and how blessed I was feeling in spite of their words. I had two broken ribs the first two right below the sternum, a concussion caused from my forehead smashing the windshield which had caused a bleed into my brain, burns and lacerations to my face and neck from the seat belt during our flight in mid air, multiple massive bruises all over my body, my kidneys were crushed, my liver was lacerated almost in half and my spleen had exploded. And if this wasn’t enough my left femur was fractured and my left foot was severed from my body and was hanging on by two inches of skin. There were eight pieces of my foot missing and I had no visible sign of my left ankle. The only evidence of an ankle being there was bone dust. I had bled many pints of blood into my abdomen and also out of my body and my prognosis was bleak.

As I lay there on the stretcher finally, I heard my daughter’s voice. I was so excited. She was fine! She was telling me what my foot looked like and I was rebuking her words! I’ve had the pleasure of hearing her voice every day for nineteen years but on that particular day it was not only a blessing but also soothing to my inner man. I remember hearing the doctor calling for them to prepare the operating room. I questioned him “why” and his answer was met with one of the strongest rebukes I had ever issued.

He stated the operating room was being prepared for amputation. I turned and looked at him and said in the name of Jesus I don’t think so. I rebuke that and I am not receiving that curse. He told me, Ma’am, your foot is in pieces, in fact eight pieces are missing and it is no longer attached to your body. I told him, “Can you fix it?” He said, “no.” Amputation was what he recommended. Well I said you can put the pieces into a bag and send me where they can repair this foot. I watch ‘Lifeline’ and I know there has to be a doctor that can reconstruct even this. He went on to say, “There are many pieces of your foot missing and you have no left ankle”; amputation is the only way to repair.” I said sternly, “God will grow the bones”, and that was all I had to say to him. The words of Mark 11:24 came flooding into my spirit, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

 

I believed that God would grow new pieces for my foot or even give me a new one and that was what I was standing on. I told that doctor that we serve and awesome and mighty living God and I knew what He is capable of. What was not accomplishable with man God would and could do! So they bagged me up and sent me and my daughter packing into another ambulance and headed for a larger town with greater trauma and medical facilities.

I was amazed that my daughter who had flown in Air Med to the hospital with a broken back had just climbed into this ambulance and was at my side. She was bruised and very sore but completely whole! I had no doubt our Lord had heard my prayers for her and according to the words of life spoken in Psalm 72:12-14, “He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight.” He healed her.

 

The Longest Second Ride

 

As we traveled twenty six more miles headed towards Lafayette Louisiana which was a much larger city with greater trauma facilities I could still feel this peace around me. A peace that seemed like I was not here on earth, but elevated above what was taking place. The paramedic that road in the back with me happen to remember me from high school. I had no idea at that time who he was but he assured me that he knew me. He never once indicated how dire and extremely serious my condition was. My daughter continued to be a source of joy and laughter. Her jokes about the condition of my clothing and the look of my hair took the edge off the criticalness of what I had gone through. It seemed like this twenty six mile ride was taking forever. I knew where the source of my comfort was. Psalm 119:50 says, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”

 

I knew God was in control. God has ordained that His Word, made powerful by the Spirit, will bring comfort, hope and strength to His faithful as we experience trouble and sorrow. Because God’s Word is living and active, it has the power to revive and restore us who abide in it and in God. When in trouble, turn to the Lord and His Word and wait for His Spirit to impart His life and peace to you. I felt as though I was transported on a cloud. In Psalm 34:7, 17, it says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them.” I knew God had appointed His angels to protect and rescue us from spiritual and physical harm. This promise of divine intervention is reserved for everyone who trust in God.

 

The paramedics continued to concern themselves with my pain and blood pressure. I actually felt no pain. And even though my blood pressure was extremely low I felt wonderful. Upon arriving in Lafayette, the trauma center had been alerted. When they wheeled me into triage the nurses and doctors were amazed that someone in my present condition had even lasted this long.

While we were at the accident sight a very dear woman from our home church was alerted in the Spiritual realm to pray and intercede for me. I was not able to speak to this woman, but her brother was on the First Response team that cut me out of the car. He immediately called his sister Charmaine, who is a number one intercessor, close personal prayer partner and friend of mine. Even before I arrived at the first hospital she had been in deep intercessory prayer. My daughter had called my Pastor, Joe Gall of the Haven Church and he and Wanda a great intercessory prayer leader met us at the hospital. I was really blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of Holy Spirit filled intercessors. The church, though few in number, was able to make great waves in the Spiritual realm with their deep and unending intercessory prayer. His wife, Pastor Sue Gall was on prayer alert at their home.

 

By the time I arrived at the second hospital it seemed like the whole world knew what was going on except me. My daughter placed a call to my Spiritual Mother, Pastor Mary Ann Cole of New Testament Outreach Ministries. Pastor Cole, whose mighty ministry lies in Spiritual Warfare, then alerted all the prayer warriors from her ministry as well as some prayer warriors from the other surrounding ministries. If you ever need prayer these people are the ones that need to be standing in the gap for you. I knew the prayer covering was intense because I had such a great peace about the whole situation. I was and am a firm believer in the power of prayer. I was always taught that prayer was not preparation for the battle, it was the battle. I really don’t think these people were aware of just exactly how critical the situation was, but I know God was on the scene.

The doctors decided that the first order of business would be to get my blood pressure stabilized and to prepare the operating room so they could piece back together the pieces of my left foot and my calf bone. I would later learn that this fracture was caused from the tremendous force from the impact on the front of the car when it took the nose dive into the side of the ditch. It was a multiple compound fracture that exited out of the skin. I was told by the doctor that she did not know if she could save my foot. I was also alerted that she did not even think I would survive the operation. I had no idea what she meant I just knew that I was not going to die.

 

Back Together …. So I Thought

 

When I awoke from the surgery I really don’t remember what I said or did. I was not aware of anything, nor did I recognize anyone who was with me. The ventilator tube prevented me from talking and I remember an excessive thirst. I made it through the first night and then in the morning December 7, 2003 I was reminded of God’s promise in, 1 Peter 3:17-18, “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body and made alive by the Spirit.” Even though my physical body felt like I was dead, I knew that my Spirit was alive and kicking (so to speak).

 

Suddenly, my blood pressure began to drop drastically once again. By this time my whole family was there. My church family, close relatives and life long friends. The doctors alerted the operating room that I was coming down again. All symptoms pointed to a major internal bleed from somewhere. They alerted my Dad that I was not going to make it. I was literally dying. They told him to contact everyone that was not there and let them know. My son was with his Dad in a near by city. They told him over the phone that his Mother was in a very serious car accident and my injuries were so severe that I was not expected to make it through the surgery. I praise God that they spoke to my ex-husband who was now a powerful man of God and he took those words and shot them back in the devil’s face and basically told him where to go with them.

 

My Dad contacted the Red Cross in order to get an urgent message to my daughter Olivia who was in the military and stationed 2500 miles from us. I praise God to this day that this particular call never made it through. It seemed like everyone I’ve ever known was at the hospital. I remember some, but most of the people I thought were there weren’t physically there but spiritually there. The whole situation was amazing to me. The doctor told me he held no hope of my coming through the operation. I remember asking him why he thought like that. He replied, “Because your blood pressure is 70/30, and you have surgery ahead of you”, and for some reason I was bleeding out every pint of blood they put in me and they had no idea where it was going. I looked at him and asked him if he knew his business. He replied, “He was the best in the business.” So I told him just as boldly as I could, “Then get to your business I am not going to die...I died yesterday.” I said I loved you to all my family and friends and miraculously four and one half hours later I was back in ICU. Back on the ventilator and back on the critical list. During the surgery the doctor discovered that my spleen had burst, and my liver was lacerated quite extensively almost in half to be exact. I was given many more pints of blood and they removed what was left of my spleen and repaired my liver.

 

I hated that ventilator. I can remember trying my best once I was more alert to pull that thing out of my throat. Four days after the second surgery I pleaded silently with God to help me get this thing out of my body. I can remember petitioning and pleading with Him for what seemed like days. Once, when my son and daughter were visiting with me I tried to pull the line out. The nurses scolded me but I was determined to be released from that bondage. I lay there silently for four days unable to speak or write and I had had enough. I motioned for them to get the doctor and get this thing out! When you breathe normally you take quicker breaths than the ventilator was allowing so during the lapse in breaths it feels like you are suffocating.

 

The doctor came in and decided since I was breathing on my own that they could take the line out. I was never so grateful. When they removed the line that held my throat bound I felt as though I had gone through deliverance. The first thing I remember saying was, “It’s about time!” They were amazed at how well I could speak. I told them it was because I had been having a long argument with God about this thing. Although I was still dazed, confused and drugged on pain medicine I really felt wonderful. I had a two foot long scar and 175 staples on my abdomen and my foot was bandaged extensively. I had cuts on my forehead and neck and I was bruised everywhere. What really upset me was that the hospital staff did not even clean me. I laid there with dried blood and dried mud everywhere. I was later told they were not going to bother cleaning me and let the funeral home do that job. I told them, the devil is a liar.  Now you can clean me.

With all my vital signs stable and my pain under control they decided after fours days in ICU to move me to the critical care floor. The transition went fine. My bed was comfortable and I had no problems rolling from side to side. The staff of this hospital were amazed that I had made it through what seemed like a death sentence. I know there were people out there that were upset that I had pulled through. However, the one being that was really mad was satan. He really thought he had me this time. Psalm 70:2-3 says, “May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, Aha! Aha! Turn back because of their shame.”

Before wheeling me into surgery the doctor spoke to my Pastor, my friend Wanda and my daughter Megan and basically told them the same thing she told me. I was so very thankful that those words were commanded to fall to the ground and never take root. They took authority over the situation in the name of Jesus and commanded Satan to loose his hold on me.

The surgery to repair my foot took six and one half hours; I was given eight pints of blood and put on the critical list. What was left of my left foot and shin bone was now a mess of metal plates, rods, hinges and screws. My shin bone was sawed down to fit my new ankle and the torn muscle, ligaments, tendons and tissue were reattached. Due to the construction of the hardware, adjustments were needed. I was transported to ICU and put on life support systems. My condition was listed as extremely critical. I was given less than a 50/50 ‘chance’ of survival. I praise God that ‘chance’ is not in His vocabulary!

After 2 months in the hospital and another 10 months of not being able to walk I am here today, complete through Christ, with 12 pounds of titanium in my left foot and leg, and scars that tell the testimony of 'Who's' I am I am able to give God the glory every day of my life! Only by His grace was I redeemed from the curse of an early death because Jesus holds the keys of death, hell and the grave! I can still hear Him saying to satan, "Not now devil, this one is mine." Watch for this miracle testimony to be available in print with my next book, "From Tragedy to Triumph" 'The Accident'.........These days I spend my time encouraging those in these situations as well as other situations to reach for His hand and look up not down because we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Christ our Lord and the Lifter of our heads!

In His Love,

  By His Spirit,

   I scribe His Heart ♥