MOM, I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU

 

I know I always use the same picture of my mom for Mother's Day. I have later pics prior to her passing on New Year's Eve 1992. Those pictures make me sad. I watched this beautiful woman get overtaken by Rheumatoid Arthritis throughout her body. She would cry out in pain. I stood by her side when my dad left her for another woman after 32 years of marriage. I saw her lose all but about 30% of her vision to Glaucoma back in 1969. She lost 75% of her hearing from a fungal ear infection that was treated wrong. She was riddled with Osteoporosis and started breaking bones in her 50's. By the age of 65 she had Dowager's (sp) Hump so bad it looked like her head was coming out of her chest. She went from a walker to a wheelchair. Then in 1990 she had a severe stroke that left her paralyzed totally on the right side. She spent the last two years of her life in a nursing home that she hated because she needed 24/7 medical care. Through all of that, over all those years, my mom never lost her faith in God. She never complained and never asked God "why." She never let a day go by that she didn't pray for all of us kids and grandkids. My mom taught me to trust God no matter what comes my way, good or bad. She left me the greatest legacy a mom could leave. Total faith in a God who never leaves or forsakes us. I miss her now, but I will see her again and we will be together forever. Happy Mother's day Mama, from your baby girl, Bobbi

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HAPPY EASTER,

GOD'S MIRACLES NEVER STOP

Coming up on Resurrection Day, we are reminded of the glorious miracle of the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It it were not for those events, we would be lost with no hope.

I have a wonderful miracle to share that isn't as far reaching as that of our Lord's, but it is a testimony that He is still in the miracle business and it still brings Him glory.

Here is my story of the true miracle that took place yesterday:

My husband had a bowel resection in June 2011 in which is entire Sigmoid colon was removed. They were able to reattach, praise God. Things were going along fairly well until around the holidays 2011. At that time, he began to have trouble getting his body waste to pass through. With the help of many laxatives, stimulators, and fiber products, he was able to eliminate enough it kept him from seeking medical attention.

His condition worsened until he was becoming more confined to the house and was having increased pain in the area where his colon was reconnected. It was time to get to the doctor. His PCP sent him for a CAT scan. When the results came back it stated that there was a significant stricture at the prior surgery site. My husband called his Gastroenterologist and told him what his symptoms were and what the CAT scan revealed. This doctor got him in for an appointment the next day.

While we were in the Gastroenterologist's office, he came in and said he had studied the CAT scan and saw a severe stricture that looked like it was not allowing anything but liquid (and that in small amounts) to eliminate. He said this had to be taken care of as soon as possible. He had us wait in his office while he went to make a call to the surgeon who had done my husband's prior colon surgery. The surgeon said get him in my office in the morning by 7:45 am.

We were in the surgeon's office at the designated time. He told us he had gone over the symptoms and had studied the CAT scan. He said there was a definite stricture there and had to be stretched or removed. He wanted to do the surgery the next day but wanted it done at the hospital because surgery was highly possible and he needed to have access to everything needed to take more colon out and try a reconnect again. He told us it might not be possible to reconnect, which would mean a colostomy bag. If the stretching procedure tore the colon, it could result in death.





After we got home, we prayed asking God for healing, but letting Him know we would accept whatever His will was. On the 5th of April, yesterday, we were at the hospital, my husand had prepped just like one does for a colonoscopy. The surgeon scheduled my husband last because he wasn't sure what he was going to have to do: either do the ballon stretching to open the stricture which would take about 15 minutes or perform sugery to remove the stricture and reconnect if possible which would take at least 2 hours.

After 40 minutes the "surgery" was done. The surgeon took me in a room and showed me a picture of the colon where the stricture was seen in the CAT scan. He said, "I don't understand it. There is nothing there. This is one of the most heatlhy colons I have ever seen. There is no stricture there. I dont' get it, because the CAT scan definitely showed a stricture there." He said the rest of his colon was very healthy and this procedure is being considered just a colonoscopy. He walked out shaking his head in amazement.

The Lord did a total miracle on my husband between the time of the CAT scan and the surgery yesterday. There is no other explanation for it. Today he is doing great and having no symptoms.



My husband has learned that God loves him and his faith has grown over this time of having so much trouble. The surgeon learned that there is a Higher Physician who bypasses the surgeon's hands to provide healing. This experience has brought glory to God, healing for my husband, and a stronger bond between my husband and me.

To God be the glory!  Happy Resurrection Day! God bless,



LISTEN TO THAT INNER VOICE

How many times have we ignored that inner voice telling us to do something that seems pointless, odd, or impossible? It's time for us to listen to that inner voice. Wouldn't we rather be embarassed that we were mistaken about it than to find out in eternity that we ignored and prevented a wonderous miracle of God? Watch this brief video of a doctor who listened to the inner voice.

http://www.godvine.com/Man-Dies-and-Returns-to-Life-on-the-Operating-Table-420.html
Watch More Christian Videos on GodVine.com

SEEING GOD

Normally, I don't like to submit a blog that consists of someone else's article, but there are times when I read something that just hits me in the core of my soul. I don't feel I can hide this article in my own soul as I will burst. I have to share it with anyone who will take time to read it and let it sink in to their hearts. This article was written by Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Counselors. All credit for this article goes to him and to our Lord Jesus Christ for giving Dr. Clinton the anointing to write it. God's grace and mercy are everlasting. - Bobbi

SEEING GOD by Dr. Tim Clinton, President of AACC

November 1 – November 7

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things…” Psalm 119:18

By the “createdness” of things, man knows there is a God…

Too often we fail to see God. We miss out on seeing the sacred that He has placed right in front of us.

Helen Keller, whose only ability to "see" was through touch once wrote:

“I, who cannot see, find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf.

I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough shaggy bark of a pine….

I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle… is revealed to me.

At times my heart cries out with longing to see these things. If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be revealed by sight.

Yet, those who have eyes apparently see little. The panorama of color and action which fills the world is taken for granted….

It is a great pity that, in the world of light, the gift of sight is used only as a mere convenience rather than as a means of adding fullness to life.”

The gift of sight – being able to “see” what’s around us – and I’ll add, more importantly, spiritually seeing Him!

On a flight home recently, as we began our final approach, I glanced out of the window. The late evening sun highlighted fall’s vivid colors all along the Blue Ridge Mountains. I closed my iPad, put away my notes, and took in the breathtaking canvas that only our Creator-God could paint.

Unfortunately, the press of life, and the pressure of deadlines have caused me to miss many “God-moments”.

Romans Chapter 1 contains a profound truth. “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God hath shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (19-20 ESV)

Approach life with a “Spirit of Expectation” — to see Him!!

God’s Invisible Attributes.

His Eternal Power.

His Divine Nature.

Clearly evident and visible in His Creation.

“The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 ESV

Has the pace of life robbed you of enjoying His handiwork? Are the pressures of your daily grind stealing His eternal power from your soul? Has pain left you feeling that His divine nature could never fill your hurting heart?

If so, slow down. No – STOP! Whatever you are doing right now, just stop.

Get outside. Enjoy a “Festival of Fall” in your life. Play in the leaves with your kids. Pick some apples. Take a “Sunday” drive through the mountains. Enjoy His handiwork.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God” — because He is!!

Allow the precious gift of sight to add fullness to your life.

It just might turn your life around.

By Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Counselors

http://www.aacc.net/2011/11/01/seeing-god/

DON'T BE DECEIVED

I was given a book to read by a former female minister of a mainline denominational church. She has delved into different religions including Buddism. She avows that the god this book describes is a god she can believe in. I am appalled at her lack of spiritual discernment and her fall into deception. This book is beyond a shadow of a doubt New Age and is contrary to the Word of God. It is a #1 best seller on the New York Times List. Don't buy this book.

Conversations With God - Neale Donald Walsch

 Here is a note from James Dobson about the book. There is also a book out by the same author called Conversations With God for Teens.

From James Dobson:

Educators, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, please pay special attention not only to what your kids watch on TV and in movie theaters and the music they listen to ... but we must also be alert regarding the books they read.

Two particular books, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale Donald Walsch sound harmless enough by their titles alone. These books have been on the New York Times best seller list for a number of weeks. These publications make truth of the statement "Don't judge a book by its cover/title". The author purports to answer various questions from kids using the "voice of God." However, the "answers" that he gives are not biblically based and in fact go against the very infallible Word of God.

For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "why am I a lesbian?" his answer is that she was born that way because of genetics just as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc. Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong."

Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply - "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone. I do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong because the rule is 'Judge not lest ye be judged'." And the list goes on. Not only are these books the false doctrine of devils but in some instances even quote (in error) the Word of God. These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children (The Scholastic Book Club) and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children. Our children are under attack so I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your kids the true Word of God and guarding their exposure to worldly media because our adversary, the devil, "roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). And how many of us know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.

 

Pass this on to every believer you know.
God bless.

James Dobson, Ph.D.

http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/dobsonwalsch.html

LISTEN TO THE TRUTH

Our lives are surrounded with flashes of fear and seemingly hopeless situations. The Lord is teaching me day by day to keep my eyes off the tribulations in my personal life and in this world. He is showing me how to keep my eyes on Him so that I don't become immobilized for fear of the future or become overwhelmed at what goes on around me. He brings His Word to my mind and instills it in my heart so that I can keep going on with courage and peace.

 

I have family relationships that are very troubling. I endure physical problems that no end can be seen. I am aware of the condition of this world and the direction it is headed. All these things could so overpower me that I would be useless as a witness and encourager of my fellow Christians.

 

Thank you Lord, for giving me Your Word that You are in control, that I don't have to be afraid. All I have to do is believe and keep walking in Your grace.

 

 

Lyrics to "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crown

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
You you'll never win

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth

For more inspirational posts click on the Spiritual Sundays icon on my sidebar to the right. God bless,