DOCTORS GAVE DAD LESS THAN 1% TO LIVE – BUT GOD GAVE HIM 100%! Dr. Josh Krisher
DECISIONS, DECISIONS -The Girl Next Door-
My Miracle Testimony Dr. Bill Hanshew
WHO IS THAT BATBOY?
GOD’S PERFECT LOVE
Pastor Bill Krisher
Genice Fulton
AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS
THANK YOU FOR FAITH Rachel Cohen
A Husband…
Rev Leon Gosiewski
A Father…
THE OFTEN WINDING ROAD
A Grandfather…. A Friend…
Dr. Dan L. Corse
A Minister… A Duck Hunter…. A Dog Trainer….
And then, all of sudden, with no warning, the Doctor’s gave him LESS than 1% chance
of
survival!
What’s Happening? Was satan trying to wipe Bill out? Was Bill Krisher about to be eliminated?
See how GOD miraculously turned things around!
Something hurting you and you can’t seem to get past the pain? There are many testimonies and articles in this issue that I believe can help you know what to do with that pain. When people tell you to “turn it over to Jesus,” sometimes you just do not know how to do that. I pray this issue of Faith Unlimited will bring a brand new day and things will start looking brighter for you, beginning today! God Bless you! Faye Hanshew An additional note from the Editor: I am looking for a Christian Chef who would like to share some of his/her recipes in our magazine. Also, one of the new ideas we have is to screen and interview occasional writers who would like to submit an article from time to time. If you are interested in either of these, and would like this opportunity, you can contact me at: Faye.faithunlimited@gmail.com God Bless You! We appreciate any feedback you would like to share with us about anything that has blessed you.
Faye Hanshew
Dr. Bill Hanshew Co-Publisher Co-Editor
Faye Hanshew Publisher Editor
Articles Doctors Gave Dad Less than 1% Chance of Survival, but God Gave Him 100%! Dr. Josh Krisher Who is that BatBoy? Pastor Bill Krisher No Fear, No Doubt, No Unbelief – Let your Faith Be Bigger! Faye Hanshew My Miracle Testimony Dr. Bill Hanshew Thank God for Faith! Rachel Cohen An Encounter with Jesus Rev. Leon Gosiewski The Often Winding Road Dr. Dan L. Corse God’s Perfect Love Genice Fulton My Story Evangelist/Teacher Rick McKnight The Saga of the Thyroid as Big as Texas Rev. Kathy Weddle Teen Warriors Decisions, Decisions Grace and the Whiz Kids Summer Plan Tips 101
The Girl Next Door
Grace Martin
Books and CD’s The Three R’s of Revival and Awakening The Power of Influence, Being Fully Persuaded, The Power of Access, Decisions, Faith Worth Finding, and Works of Faith Wholeheartedly! The Fig Tree Has Sprouted, Awake! Rise & Glow, and Christianity Mis-Sold Spread a Little Love, God’s Love Quotes of Inspiration from the Heart of God Treasures of the Messiah Where Precious Gems Hide Destined to be Loved Matthew 4:4 The Crocked Legged Foal The Power of Grace Decisions, Decisions, and more Decisions What About Job? You Don’t Have to be Sick Anymore!
Dr. Dan L. Corse
Dr. Theodore Dones Genice Fulton
Leon Gosiewski Dr. Bill Hanshew Amos Long Katie-Anne Martin Rick McKnight Danielle Norris Dr. Larry Ollison Nick Schneider Tom Tompkins John Woolston
October 2015 started out like most any other month for our family. My dad and brother were working their jobs as carpenters, my mom was managing the café that our church was operating, my sister was in Portland, Oregon working as a stay at home mom, and I was busy as a teacher. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were soon going to find ourselves in the middle of one of the scariest times of our lives. About mid-way through the month of October, Dad started dealing with kidney stones. While kidney stones are definitely not the most comfortable issue to deal with, Dad was toughing it out and continued working, trusting God for healing. It’s
well known that passing kidney stones is very painful and can easily mask pain from other issues, which ended up being the case for Dad. As the kidney stones were working their way out of his system, they scraped along the urinary tract causing an infection. The infection then worked its’ way to his bladder, causing a bladder infection on top of everything else. Normally all of these issues cause noticeable pain or discomfort, but that was masked by what Dad believed to be kidney stones being passed. What we didn’t know, at that time, was that the infection ended up also moving into the bloodstream. At 3AM on October 22nd, 2015, I got a phone call from my mom, where she told me that dad couldn’t get to the restroom, and asked me to come help them. When I got to the house, I found that Dad’s breathing had become more of a labored breath. I immediately called my brother and asked him to come help me get Dad into the car to take him to the hospital. When we got to the hospital, they immediately rushed Dad into the ER. After about four hours, the doctor came into the room we were waiting in
PASTOR BILL KRISHER First day in the Hospital to tell us that the breathing pattern was called guttural breathing, and that the next step was death. As you can imagine, we just about lost it, and many tears were shed. We immediately went to the Lord in prayer, and while we were still unsure of what was going to happen, a peace began to fill us. In the ER, we learned that Dad was intubated and the first of what would eventually become nine different IV medications (at the same time) were begun. A short while later, Dad was transferred up to the Critical Care Unit, where the doctors found that his heart was not beating in the correct rhythm, so they shocked him
back to sinus rhythm. This all happened within the first few hours of us being at the hospital. For some time, Dad was not able to respond and make sense of what was being spoken about by the doctors. Proverbs 18:21 says that there is power of life and death in the tongue. With that being very true, we were firm in our belief that it was vital that Dad heard no negative reports until he was able to digest the information on his own. To prevent this, we told anyone who entered his room that absolutely NO negativity was allowed to enter. If the report contained any news about a step back, we asked that we step out in the hallway. We then asked that those things that were good reports be said
in the room, so Dad was hearing only the improvements. I strongly believe that this helps the spirit rejuvenate when good things are being spoken over a very sick person. At this point, Mom asked me to start calling family members to ask them to start praying for Dad. In situations like this, the old game of “telephone” can quickly spiral from people being concerned to frantic in a few heartbeats. We quickly realized that it was very important for any and all information about Dads’ progress come from one source. I took on that role to help ensure that no misunderstandings about Dads’ progress happened. The list of concerns that the
doctors were dealing with was long. For what seemed like an eternity, I would send out updates as they happened to help our family and friends across the country stay up to date with progress and what exactly we needed prayer for. Mark 21:21-22 tells us that whatever we ask for in prayer, and believe that it is going to happen, will indeed happen. This tells us to be specific in what we are asking. It did not fail! It did not return void! It did not fail to return the exact request that we had gone to the Lord with within a few days, most often, in less than two days. Over time, the doctors and nurses started seeing the power of our prayer and the God we serve.
There isn’t enough space for me to tell you about all of the amazing things that our God did in my Dad’s life and body, as it literally was one miracle after another for more than three months while Dad was in the hospital recovering from this. One of the more prominent miracles has to do with his heart. When doctors where trying to assess all of the possible issues with Dad’s body, they noticed an anomaly on one of his heart valves. That anomaly turned out to be a “vegetation” of MRSA that had taken root on one of the valves. This was discovered around the first week of Dad’s stay in the hospital. Immediately, the infectious disease doctors were telling us that the heart
valve needed to be removed, and because they, at the time, couldn’t get the infection under control, they could not risk putting a new valve in to replace it. This would have meant permanent disability, and drastically reduced life expectancy and quality of life. Because Dad was weak, the surgeon refused to attempt the removal out of concern for his safety. This proved to be a God thing. This gave us enough time to go to the Lord in prayer against the infection and for the full recovery of the valve. It also gave God an opportunity to show just how mighty he is, and that no sickness can overcome. It took some time, but in the end, the vegetation dissolved, leaving no trace and the valve is still where God put it in the womb!
In time, the infectious disease doctor shared with my parents that they had originally given Dad less than 1% chance of survival. Initially, this was a bit of a shock. No one expects to be told that God’s amazing grace literally brought you back from the brink of death. We, again, rejoiced in the goodness of our Father in Heaven. I want to finish by saying this. The expressed, spoken faith of a believer is powerful. We have the promise from the Most High that when we bind things in Heaven in prayer, it is also bound on Earth and when we lose things in Heaven, it is also loosened on Earth. When we speak out against or for specific things in prayer, mountains can be moved. Exercise your faith!
When asked to tell my story, I kind of felt like the batboy for the Kansas City Royals when they won the World Series last year. Yes, I played a part, but it was the Manager and the players who won the series. So let me tell you a little bit about my Manager. The first day I was introduced to Him, He stopped everything and introduced me to everybody. He said to the players, “gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the most important member of the team.” Imagine how I felt when both current and former players stopped what they were doing to welcome me to the team! Over a period of time, I actually started feeling like I wasn’t just a bat boy, but that I really was part of the team and the part I play was indeed important and they were counting on me to do my part. Everything was going pretty good if I have to say so myself until one day I tripped and stumbled coming out of the dugout. The next thing I knew I woke up in the hospital with a bunch of hoses sticking out of me! They tell me when I woke up, I was singing take me out to the ball game! But enough about me; when I fell, several of the ball players dropped everything and came running to help me, including the afore mentioned Manager! The Manager never left my side over time even players from different ball clubs came to see the batboy. So you see, it’s not really about me. The story should, and always will be, about my Manager, Jesus Christ and my fellow players and how they loved the batboy! 2011
PICTURES TAKEN BEFORE THE SICKNESS
2012
2013
!
There are many situations that can attempt to bring fear, doubt, or unbelief into our lives. It can be tough when someone close to you has something go wrong with them…maybe in their bodies because of a sickness, or someone you know and love is in a bad car wreck, or even when a family member is ready and makes peace with God and they are ready to die and just waiting. What do you do in these situations? How do you handle it? If you have read the featured story by Dr. Josh Krisher, you can see what this family went through when Josh’s Dad, Pastor Bill, was in the hospital. Our family and Pastor Bill Krisher’s family have been very close friends for several years. To hear that the doctors said he has LESS than 1% chance to survive could give way to fear. So, what do we do? Do we agree with the doctors and say, “Well, I guess it is just his time?” Or, as I have heard so many say, “I guess God just needs him in Heaven.” What??? Our God is so small that he needs to kill someone and take them to Heaven? I DON’T THINK SO! The ONLY, and I say ONLY time that we can say it is a person’s time to go on and be with the Lord is if that person has told us that they have had a talk with their Father God and agreed TOGETHER… Maybe they are older or very tired, and believe that their work for God here on earth has been completed and they WANT to go home. Then, and ONLY then can we truly say that it was their time. This is the current situation with my Mother-In-Law. She is now in her last moments of life and I’m sure if we could hear her thoughts, she is very excited about meeting Jesus face to face and no longer worrying about the house that needs dusted, the laundry that did not get washed or the next meal that needs to be cooked, because she has told us that it is her time, and she is ready. When we read the word of God, let’s read it with the help of Holy Spirit. If we do not have Holy Spirit with us, we cannot truly understand exactly what the scriptures are saying. In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” In this situation, Jesus was about to leave the earth. He knew those near and dear to him would be sad without His words of encouragement, so He told them not to be afraid that He was leaving Peace with them. But what about those times when we have not had Jesus audibly tell us? Let me relate a story from the Bible about a man, Peter, who got his eyes off Jesus and began to allow fear and doubt to come in and what happened to him. Matthew 14:24-32 says: “24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” When we allow fear to creep in as Peter did, we also allow doubt to come in. If we allow fear and doubt to control our life, we are not trusting in God that the situation will be taken care of. We can see here that the disciples cried out in fear and even after Peter walked on the water, he still became afraid. When he allowed fear to come in, Peter began to sink. What do we do when fear comes in and grips us? We do as Peter did, we turn away from the fear and put our eyes back on Jesus and put our total trust in Him. When you are facing something like Pastor Bill Krisher’s family was facing…they had to be the faith for him, the strength for him, and the belief for him. They could not allow fear, doubt, or unbelief to even get past their thoughts. As Kenneth Hagin once said, “When you’re talking about “Healing” you have to deal with fear first, in some cases before you get people healed. And even though they get healed, as long as they’re going to fear – then fear will open the door – and the miracle will never be consummated.” How is it that fear gets in? If we walk by sight, and not according to the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” No matter what the circumstances look like, if we have God’s will on the situation, we MUST speak His will. If we know it is the will of God for someone to live and not die, then we must, through every circumstance think, believe, and speak only faith about that situation. In a simpler situation, I was at work one day and we had a threat of a tornado. It was so bad that we were told to go into the hallway away from windows. When I walked into the hallway, I felt fear literally grip my heart and I began to shake inside. I knew this was not right, so I dismissed myself from my friends and found a place to myself and began to pray. I told the Father I knew fear was not from Him, and I rebuked the fear and said I would not allow fear to control me, but that I put my total and complete trust in my Father God. I spoke to the storm and commanded it to desist and that no one would be harmed in our town. I walked back to the others, smiled, and told them that we would be ok. They looked at me like I was crazy, but I just smiled. In fact, I walked to the front door, and it looked like the tornado was just across the street and headed directly for us. I took a picture of it, and just smiled and said, “Nothing will happen here because
God is our protector in Jesus name!” It wasn’t long before the tornado was gone, with no damage in our town. After that I thought of the name, “Spiritual Storm Stoppers.” But that does not just have to do with weather. If you have a storm in your life of sickness, finances, hurt, depression, anything….be the Spiritual Storm Stopper for your situation, your family, your town and turn it over to God, and keep your total trust and faith in God. Do not allow satan to change your mind. Do not even give him a second thought…because it is only in your thoughts that he has the ability to work on you. If you dismiss him before he plants those thoughts, he has nothing to work with. God is good. God loves us and he will never do anything to hurt us. John 10:10b, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” Never listen to people who try to tell you that God is putting you through something for a reason or to process you. God loves you more than you could or will ever know. Joshua 1:9 says, “9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” This scripture is talking about all the situations you face in life. He is with you. You have no reason to be afraid, but rather should be strong and courageous! Keep your eyes on Jesus!
God Bless You! (Just hours after writing this article, my Mother-in-Law left us here on earth. But even through this sorry, we will continue to walk by Faith, and allow God to heal our hurts.)
by: Dr. Bill Hanshew
Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” There are those who have requested to hear my miracletestimony, so I am sending it briefly by way of this devotion. In 1996 I had an injury and was in need of a miracle. I had injured my back, went to many doctors, only to find myself getting worse. I felt like the woman in the Bible “who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up” (Luke 13:11). But Jesus came and spoke a word to her and she was healed. Knowing about the sacrifice of Jesus and God’s love for me, I knew healing was mine too. After the injury, having been bedridden for nearly three years, I continued to grow worse and was in a great deal of pain. I was unable to straighten up like the woman in Luke 13. Finally, I consented to have back surgery. After surgery, I was upright and began to improve. I appreciate the knowledge God has given doctors, and I acknowledge their work. But I also recognize the healing power of my God.
After having gone through an extensive back-surgery, recovery and a lot of physical therapy, I still faced several setbacks such as paralysis in my legs due to pressure on my spine. I have had severe spasms, with twisting of my back along with other complications. However, even with these complications, I continued to improve again and again. In 2003, I arose from the bed one morning and once again, I could not straighten up. One afternoon I stood up out of my chair and I began to have symptoms of difficulty in moving my legs. In a few hours, I was paralyzed from the waist down. I could not move my legs and much of the pain was back after I had already begun to make progress. I ended up in the hospital once again, seeing many doctors and having no clear diagnosis. They even did a spinal tap to test for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but praise God the tests came back negative. Finally, I was sent home to a hospital bed, with the doctors having no clear word stating when I might walk again. But my trust was in Jesus, and I knew not to accept words of defeat. It was not long until I was out of the hospital bed
(Praise God!) and walking again. However, we know satan does not stop ‘trying’ to get us down and he had not stopped on me either. Once again, I got up one morning and found myself bent over and was soon back in a back brace and leg brace (I had experienced nerve damage to both my legs as well). Even though the lies of satan ran though my mind, I knew he has been defeated! During this time, I stayed in the Word, especially the Healing Scriptures! One verse of scripture I confessed over and over again was Psalm 107:20, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” In April 2003, my father-in-law was living out what were his last days in our house. As I was going to bed on a Wednesday evening, I stopped by to see Faye’s Dad in his room. I went over to his bed and said, “Hello Dad.” He looked up at me and said
these words, “BE HEALED” and that was it. The next morning Faye woke me up early and said, “Dad’s gone.” I got up and put on my back brace and leg brace as usual and went on with the day, except the symptoms seemed to be better. By that afternoon my foot started hurting to the point that I had to take the leg brace off and found that I was able to move my foot more than I could since the surgery in 2001. Then, that same day, my back brace started bothering me, so I took it off as well. All the problems had not changed, but by that evening, I was almost pain free!! Praise God!!! I have preached for many years saying, “I AM NOT THE SICK TRYING TO GET HEALED, BUT I AM THE HEALED RESISTING SICKNESS—IN ANY FORM.” Today I continue to confess & declare that my God, is a healing God. Matthew 8:7-8 says, “7And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” The last words, my father-in-law spoke to me
was a healing word, just like Jesus said to this centurion. Through my father-in-law, God sent His word and healed me, delivering me from destruction. I continue to Thank God for the complete restoration in my legs and back by thanking Him every day for His Healing Power! And since my God does not show partiality to anyone, He can do the same for you. The question is, will you believe His word today? … Think about it!
Have questions about the Book of Revelation? Do not understand the angels, the beasts, the candlesticks and many more things? Join Dr. Bill in “TAKE ANOTHER LOOK” to discover what you may have been missing!
Twenty years ago, when I was a little kid, I laid in a hospital bed, not knowing if I’d wake up from a very rare heart surgery. I very vividly remember the bishops from the church coming over the night before praying for me. We even took family pictures, not knowing if it would be my last. As a child, this was the first and, maybe only time, I saw faith demonstrated in a lifestyle of little faith. I had no idea but, behind the scenes, my mom was praying. Crying out to God to save my little life. Finally, she gave me up to God. Completely surrendered. Can you imagine a mother giving their child to the Lord? THAT is faith. Because of my mom’s faith, I am alive today and healthier than what doctors said was possible. Every doctor I’ve been to since is astonished by how perfectly the surgery was performed. Writing this brings me to tears because sometimes I take my days for granted. God’s plans are bigger. 2016, I never thought I’d ever see you.
by: Rachel Cohen
1
by: Rev. Leon Gosiewski
As a teenager of fifteen years of age I joined, what was in those early days, a boys’ youth group called the Covenanters. Some years later, it also introduced girls and became a mixed youth group, mainly in the UK. The national Covenanter Union boys’ youth group had nothing to do with the Scottish Presbyterian movement of the seventeenth century. It was originally founded by a former military officer to help churches across Great Britain to bring boys into a personal relationship with Jesus, and to equip them to live a positive Christian life, and then to go on to serve in the church. I had the rare privilege of meeting the founder. By the time I met him, he was a saintly elderly gentleman who was affectionately known as Skipper. I will never forget his words, ‘there is something very special about this young man’. My local Covenanter youth group leader was a man whom I grew to admire and love; a teacher at my school, Keith Elliott who
through his Christian example and commitment made an impact, not only on me but many others like me. But, initially unknown to me in these early days of my youth, there was more for me to give thanks for. The church I attended, of which the Covenanter group was a vibrant part (the largest in the UK), also had an elderly gentleman member whom I latterly discovered had been praying regularly for me. It was many years later that I discovered that the man I knew as Mr Flood was actually, Major Percy Flood MBE, MC, a leading founder of the Brunswick Boys Club, which in many ways was similar to the Covenanters but on a smaller scale. The Brunswick Boys Club was initially birthed during the time that Major Flood was held prisoner by the Germans during World War 2, and on his release, he and others with him carried out their vision to help boys come to faith in Jesus. Few ever knew, but this quiet, gentle and humble man of God had actually
been featured on a television programme called, ‘This Is Your Life’; a programme that honoured the life of people, especially those from ordinary, everyday, normal background that had quietly achieved remarkable things in their lives to help and serve others. I did not know it, but there were some powerful men of God that were influencing my destiny. As a teenager, I heard the Gospel message being taught and saw it being lived out in the lives of these leaders and men of God around me. I have come to learn that our influence on others is often the very thing that shapes how others see Christ crucified and the power of His resurrection in their lives. We cannot underestimate or belittle the impact of Christ living
in and through us, ‘Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’ (James 5: 16). The prayers of righteous men certainly had their powerful impact and effect on me. One night, as I lay in bed I spoke to the Lord. I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, but I was a little confused because I was given instruction about the need to read the Scriptures, but there were different versions of the Bible, which should I read? As I asked this simple question, ‘which Bible version should I read?’ On asking, Jesus came to me. I remember vividly to this day that He was beautifully clothed in coloured robes or garments, radiant white, sky blue, red and purple. On investigating these colours sometime later I discovered: White represents light, purity and holiness Blue represents God, service to God and godly living
Red represents Blood, fire and God’s vengeance against sin Purple represents Royalty and majesty Jesus told me which version of the Bible He wanted me to read and He also spoke these two words to me. Trust and Obey. Over the years since this time I have seen and spoken with the Lord, and He with me, on many occasions and in many circumstances and ways. His apparel has differed and I have seen His face several times, but, the wonderful thing is, I cannot tell you what He looks like. The radiance is something that we do not see in the world. I am blessed that Jesus still comes and communes with me to this very day; sometimes just simply with arms spread wide and a smile on His face. The words of Scripture are true, ‘What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means!’ (Romans 3: 3, 4). If we would only trust and obey, the fullness of Christ in us would also be
the fullness of oozing out of us.
Christ
When times are hard and beating against me I remember the example of Job’s love for God. His faith and faithfulness that brought him to this point; ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him’ (Job 13: 15). Today, the calling on my life is very much in line with what I experienced when I first met Jesus; to preach the truth of Scripture. In particular, my calling is to talk and write about repentance, holiness, godly living, the fire of the Spirit and preparation for the soon coming of Jesus. All of this requires trust and obedience. What I have come to realise is that when I trust and obey, He is faithful, even to the point where I only had to lift a hand toward someone and they would fall under the power of the Spirit. But when I have not trusted and obeyed, the Lord has been silent and seemingly away from me. In these times, I do not abide with Him, and He does not abide with me. I can honestly say, He has never abandoned me. I may have felt it at times,
but the truth is, it was I who abandoned Him. I am very ashamed to say that there have been times that I have used the Lord; coming to Him when I had a need, but forgetting Him when all was well. The truth is, a close relationship with Jesus requires total abandonment of self and yielded lifestyle. As Paul so eloquently put it, ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Galatians 2: 20).
THE OFTEN WINDING ROAD
by: Dr. Dan L. Corse
John 10:10 (NKJ) – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Due to the effects of sin, ours, in many ways, is a beleaguered planet. The veracity of that being so does not escape most of us, as we have experienced those beleaguering effects. With some of us, those effects were experienced at birth. Such was true with me, as my birth did not come without complications. My mother, who knew she would deliver me sooner than the medical staff predicted, was unexpectedly left alone by the nurse who was supposed to stay with her until my birth. Alone in that room and unable to contact the nurses’ desk, my breech delivery began. Unable to breathe due to the nature of my delivery, I began to turn blue. No doubt, the passing moments seemed like an eternity to my mother. Finally, a nurse appeared in the room and summoned the doctor, who was capable of overseeing my full extraction and reviving my lifeless body, warning Mom that I might have suffered brain damage due to the lack of oxygen I experienced. Thankfully, no effects of brain damage ever appeared, though those who have been less than enamored with me over the years might argue otherwise. With a troubling birth behind me, I was taken home by two parents whose lives on many levels were diametrically opposed. My father, an intelligent and in some ways charming man who was not an atheist but neither a Christian, also struggled with the effects of sin. His struggle, as his father before him, was with alcoholism. My mother was a woman who had
come to know Christ as Savior in childhood and at age seventeen experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. So intense was her love for God that she envisioned herself spending a life in service to Him. Yet, Dad’s aforementioned charm and perhaps Mom’s fear of becoming an old maid in her mid-twenties at a time when women were expected to marry young were used by the thief to sidetrack my Mother’s dream of uninhibited service to God. So she entered marriage with a man whose life in many ways did not reflect her greatest priority, a healthy desire to serve God.
of Jesus or Christianity in general but all about the siren voices of the thief deceiving me into believing that life with Jesus at the helm would be far less fulfilling than life with me at the helm.
As can be expected, I experienced a great deal of parental conflict during my childhood. Life for my older brother and me often consisted of Mom taking us to church three times a week and verbal battles, thankfully seldom physical battles, between Mom and Dad, most often over his drinking. In the midst of these conflicts I developed a love for God, but not one based on the spiritual experience of knowing Christ as Savior. Thus, as I entered my teen years, the siren voices of the thief bidding me to reject the faith of my mother found greater acceptance.
So, with me at the helm of this increasingly troubled ship that was my life, let us fast forward to my late teen and undergraduate college years. Life more and more became about my following the pathway of Dad, though my forays into altered reality encompassed more than alcohol, as pot and other drugs became an increasingly central aspect of my life. However, the siren voice that most engaged my attention was alcohol. So it was that by my early twenties I entered the realm of early stage alcoholism. But thoughts of altered reality via alcohol did not solely occupy my thinking.
However, at the age of fifteen, finding the church we attended a boring, social club that was long on rules but short on compassion, I quit attending church. My quitting was not without recognition that God was drawing me to make Jesus the Lord of my life Yet, as is so often true with so many of us, my desire to be lord of my own life eclipsed any desire I had to make Jesus Lord. That desire was not based on my dislike
My thinking also focused upon the more substantive questions about our existence: Is there a purpose to life? If so, what is that purpose? More specifically, what is my purpose? Unknown to me then, He who came to give us life and to give it more abundantly was calling me. He was calling me from the atheism I had chosen to embrace in my third year of college, that choice producing much consternation for Mom. He
was patiently calling me back to the choice I had rejected at age fifteen, that choice being to make Jesus Lord. Making Him Lord is a choice we must all make if we are to experience the abundant life that He desires us to experience. Yet, there is always that siren voice of the thief to contend with, the voice of he who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. More and more, the alcoholism that progressed in my life was the tool used by the thief. That tool robbed me of significant relationships and the potential for others. That tool left me making excuses for my often-wild behavior when under the influence. That tool made the potential for success in so many areas dismal. So pervasive were the effects of that tool that I found myself habitually longing for deliverance from this progressively encompassing alcoholism, but I had no idea from where that deliverance would arise. Yet, He who desires that we experience life and that we
experience more abundantly knew from whence that deliverance would arise, Himself. First, He had to free me from the choice of atheism. This He accomplished via a softening of my attitude about His existence. Re-focusing upon my choice to embrace atheism, I came to the conclusion that I could not prove that He did not exist, so I came to embrace agnosticism as a more viable and intelligent choice. Though this may seem like an insignificant choice to some, it was highly significant in that it opened the door for the Holy Spirit to work in my life. That working included the Holy Spirit revealing to me via revelation as only He can that there were two beings of which I was unaware. Though I did not know who to call these two beings, it was not long until I discovered that as well. Still averse to attending church, that did not prevent me from being beyond God’s reach. It was at a funeral that I was formally introduced to one of the beings, Jesus Christ. That occurred when a pastor shared with the funeral attendees the gospel, the power of God unto
salvation for those who believe (Rom. 1:16). Though I had heard that message probably thousands of times as a child, the significance of this time rested on the fact that I was tired of being lord of my life and was ready to let Jesus take that rightful throne. Not fully recognizing what had happened that day, I found myself more and more fixated on thoughts of God and, surprisingly, even found myself desiring to once again attend church. Over time, I experienced deliverance from the bondage of alcoholism (I was last drunk in 1979 and my last drink was in 1980). Almost 38 years have come and gone since my funeral home encounter with Christ. I am consistently thankful to Him, a Savior who never leaves nor forsakes those of us who place our trust in Him (Heb. 13:5-6). He is also faithful to empower us to deal with the destructive strategies of the other being God revealed to me, Satan, the thief that comes into our lives to steal, kill, and destroy as we travel the often winding road that is life.
GOD’S PERFECT LOVE
by: Genice Fulton
I am so excited about this month’s submission because I always enjoy testimonies about God's perfect love and I love seeing others walking in victory! (1 John 4:18, Revelation 12:11) 1 John 4:18New King James Version (NKJV) 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. Revelation 12:11 New King James Version (NKJV) 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. I excitedly pondered my article for this month and wondered, do I write about: All the times God has healed me when I was sick. How He has supernaturally and suddenly removed pain from my body. All the times He has provided for me when I was “so poor I couldn’t pay attention”. The many ways He has delivered me from precarious situations. How He healed my heart and blessed me with two amazing, intelligent, beautiful,
loving girls when I was told I couldn’t deliver a healthy child. All the ways He has saved my marriage (numerous times) and blessed me with a marriage that gives me days of Heaven on earth. How He continues to increase our business beyond anything we could ask or think and He even increased our businesses in a recession. All the ways He continues to prosper me and my family in every area of our lives above and beyond our wildest imaginations. While all those testimonies are amazingly phenomenal, there is one that is my favorite testimony of all. And that is when He brought me out of darkness into His marvelous light! (1 Peter 2:9) He picked me up and placed me on solid ground! (Psalm 40:2) And because of His great love, He will never leave me, He will never forsake me, He will never abandon me, and He loves me with a perfect, unfailing love! (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 36:5-7) His perfect love is the greatest testimony of all! (Romans 5:8, John 15:13-14, Romans 8:35-39, 1 John 3:1, Ephesians 2:4-5)
DECISIONS, DECISIONS!
-The Girl Next Door-
Hey my friends! Let me be honest with ya. I struggled with deciding on what to write about this month. Then it hit me! As teenagers we are in the process of growing up. Which means we have a lot of decisions to make on our lives and in school. Things like that can really put a lot of pressure on you. I know that when it comes time to choosing classes it stresses me out lots! Sometimes I feel like I've got to know what I want to do right now! You've also got a lot of other things to think about. For example, your priorities. You've got so many decisions and questions to make and ask. Let's see if I can maybe answer some for you. Question 1: How am I supposed to know what I want to do at this age? Answer: You're not supposed to just know what you want. No one should expect you to know right now! God has a plan for everyone. Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.� That verse is literally saying that God has a plan for your future and it's going to be good! If you really want my opinion, I would say leave the stress and the worry up to God. Don't fret about your future at this age. It's never too late to start praying about your future. Question 2: What if I change my mind about what I want to do later in the years?
Answer: That's 100% normal! If you change your mind, then you are leading a normal teenage life! I've changed my mind a lot. If it's not God’s plan for you, then your mind may change again. Proverbs 16:9 says: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” God is providing the steps for your planned future. It's up to you to listen and follow in those steps provided. This last question is from me to you. Unfortunately, I won't be able to read comments or anything like that, but you can email me your answers and I will try my hardest to get back to you! Question: Do you ever feel pressured by family or friends to know what you want to do right now? Answer: Email me! Send it to Faye.faithunlimited@gmail.com and in the subject line put ‘The Girl Next Door’ otherwise I might not get it! I hope to hear from you guys really soon!! Have a fantastic August and keep your faith, hope, and love bright!
Evangelist/Teacher Rick McKnight
I received Christ as my Savior when I was 14 years old while attending a Baptist camp in California. I did not make Him my Lord until I was 23. Like many, I lived a life that was not conducive to a Christian for 9 years after I got saved. I was totally ignorant of God’s Word. When I was 19 years old I joined my older brother Johnny in singing in night clubs for 3 1/2 years in Southern California. We attended my grandmother’s funeral in June of 1967 and God reminded me of my prior commitment to Him. I rededicated my life to Christ at that time. To make a long story short, through my own wrong decisions, I found myself on the verge of divorce from the love of my life, Bonnie (Webb) McKnight. My wife and I separated for 8 months. I came to the edge of suicide. A horrible, fearful place to be. I later found out that John Wayne (The actor) said “Life is tough! But it is real tough if your stupid”! I was stupid! Unless you have been there you can’t imagine the mental torment! Guilt and Fear!
One sleepless night I flopped open my bible. It landed on Proverbs 3:15 (Actually the 15th verse through the end of the chapter) 18. “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth!! Let her be as the loving hind and the pleasant roe. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times, and always be ravished with her love”. This was God’s divine mercy and grace (God is merciful especially to young Christians who don’t have a clue as to where to look in the bible for help with their particular need!) I prayed Psalm 51 on the advice of Pastor Lyle which reads: Psalm 51 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before thee. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness...... 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and
uphold me with thy free spirit. Needless to say Bonnie, my daughter Kara, and I were back together in a few weeks! We went on to have three other children. Richard Jr., Tanya, and Johnny-Wayne. I am forever grateful to God! (Just in case you are wondering, I did not commit suicide!) GOD IS FAITHFUL! Hallelujah! GOD IS FAITHFUL AND MERCIFUL! Bonnie, Kara, and I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in July of 1968. There we joined a little Southern Baptist church in North Tulsa. In 1969 Bonnie and I moved from North Tulsa to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. On the day we moved I felt sick, so I went to the Doctor. I went to the doctor and he asked
for a urine sample. When I gave it to him, he immediately, and bodily, shoved the nurse beside him out of the room! I had Hepatitis…. the most contagious, dangerous kind! I asked him what was the cure for this disease, and he said “There is no cure. You must go to the hospital and wait, and hope it will go away!” The doctor arranged immediately for me to go to a hospital! I said “Dr. I just got a job, and I have to go to work!” He said “Go to the hospital or you will die!” I replied “How do I get there!” I was hospitalized in a private room for nineteen days! Later I received a bill from the doctor saying “Paid in Full!” He did not charge me a dime! His name was Dr. Franklin. I then received a bill from the Hospital saying “no charge!” God was taking care of me, not because I asked, (I didn't feel like praying!) but just because of His Love for me! Hallelujah! CALLED TO PREACH! The Lord began talking to me about preaching the
Gospel. It was a few weeks later that my mom was attending a home Bible study in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and she invited me to go. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST One night the teacher spoke on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. You shall be baptized in the Holy Ghost not many days hence and you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. I have learned that believing the bible is more important than whatever, or whoever, taught me differently! If my doctrine, or my denomination goes cross wise with God’s word something has to change! And God never changes! I heard an evangelist telling of a conversation with God! God told him “You and I are incompatible….and I don’t change!” That pretty well says it all doesn’t it! I heard about this baptism in the Holy Ghost for the first time in my life at a home
bible study in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. I believed what I heard. It was in the bible! That night I sat in a chair that was reserved in the middle of the room for those who wanted prayer, and they prayed for me to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, in a flash the prayer was answered and I found myself speaking in an unknown (to me) tongue! (Regardless of what many of my Pentecostal brethren say, I did not have to “tarry!”) I thank God for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit! Now! I am biblically equipped to preach the Gospel with God’s power! (Although I did not fully realize this at the time!) Just a few weeks later, during a Sunday service, I walked forward at the end of the service and “Surrendered to preach.” When I spoke to the Pastor about my calling I quoted this scripture “There is no glory unto me if I preach, but woe unto me if I don’t preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!” The Pastor took me at my word, and said “O.K. then you will be preaching in this pulpit next Sunday night!” I certainly was not expecting that response! But I “preached” my first
“sermon” with fear and trembling that next Sunday! It was exciting to me! (If to no one else!) Right after I received the baptism in the Holy Ghost I was leaving the home bible study. As I walked past the bible teacher standing at the door, he grabbed me by the collar, pulled me into his face and said “Woe unto
you if you don’t preach the Gospel.” I remembered the scripture “In the mouth of two or three witnesses let everything be established”! Hallelujah! This was the 3rd time I had heard this scripture! In January 1970, I was ordained to preach by the Southern Baptist Church. I have since then
graduated from Kenneth Hagan’s RHEMA BIBLE SCHOOL in 1975. I have been preaching the Full Gospel since 1970! What a time I am having! What a thrill to see people saved, healed, and baptized in the Holy Ghost, and delivered from the powers of darkness!
THE SAGA OF THE THYROID
AS BIG AS
TEXAS!
Rev. Kathy Weddle
During most of 2013, I was steadily losing weight. There was no reason for it, and because I’d been overweight so many years, I was quite happy about it. I foolishly did not pursue the reason. Of course, that’s also what happens when you don’t have insurance and you are trying desperately not the be the financial ruin in your family. How’s that for faith! By fall of that year, I really started slowing down. My stamina just wasn’t there, and I’m normally very active. I wasn’t sleeping well, starting not to eat well. I just didn’t feel good. I trudged through the beautiful fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, always my favorite time of year. Not only was I preparing the holiday meals, decorating for the various seasons that piled themselves one on top of the other, but as one of the Music Ministers in my church, I was leading the rehearsals for a Christmas program. Busy, busy, busy. I was actually thankful when it was over. The fact I kept up with all that is in itself a miracle. In January of 2014 things started getting interesting. I started having flu-like symptoms come and go. For a day or two, I’d be fine, then a few days of barely dragging myself around. Also, I had
two good sized places in my neck I’d been trying to ignore, again trying to save us financially. Ever notice you don’t think well when you are sick? My family repeatedly tried to get me to go to a doctor. I was determined to “stand in faith” that there wasn’t anything to worry about…. except…. they kept growing. At one point, I actually put a pillow behind my shoulders and let my head fall back on the bed to open up the airway to the fullest. In February, things got serious. I had several “sets” of symptoms coming and going, along with my strength waning more and more. Then, toward the end of the month, I found myself unable to eat. Nothing would go down or stay down. I had great pain in my esophagus, and my mouth was full of what I eventually discovered was thrush. On March 3rd, 2014, I sat with my head in my hands at my desk at home, barely able to think. I was in a fog, a nightmare. My husband had already decided I was going to the doctor no matter if he had to hogtie me. But it didn’t get that far. In a clear, and I’d swear audible voice I heard my Jesus speak to me: “Get up
and go to ER right now. Don’t worry about the bills, I will take care of it.” If I’d had the energy, I’d have had “Holy goose bumps” because it was so real. But instead, I used the last of my energy to call my husband. I discovered he was standing at the door, ready to pick me up and carry me, if necessary. Really, I thought they’d give me some kind of shot, and a prescription, and send me home. Not so. I discovered I had so much wrong that the first hospital we went to sent me to their sister hospital who was better equipped to take care of my “you’re too complicated for us” issues. Actually, they gave me a ride in the ambulance. They “wanted to keep an eye on me” they said. They insisted.
That was the first indication that things were much worse than I originally thought, when I could think at all. My mental adding machine was racking up an ER bill, an ambulance bill, all the tests (many), and more to come, but instead of panic, I had TOTAL peace. Absolutely no worries. More than that, all my responses to their comments of the dire situation I was in were positive and Scripture based, at a time when I could barely think. When they finally finished all the tests; they had discovered severe anemia AND severe hypo-thyroidism, Epstein-
BEFORE SURGERY
Barr, which, due to running so long unchecked, caused a system wide infection, which caused a yeast infection in my Esophagus and thrush in my mouth. It also caused my liver, spleen, and lymph nodes to enlarge. I was also severely dehydrated from not being able to eat or drink (I lost 85 pounds all togetherstarting in 2013, which is when it apparently started). It took the equivalent of 17 pounds of fluid to bring the fluid levels back to safe levels. In addiction my white blood cell count was flat, so I was diagnosed as being neutropenic. My immune system was so compromised I couldn’t have the pretty flowers my friends and family had brought me in the room. I saw a lot of caps and gowns and masks for a while. Everything in me was SEVERE. They said they found “markers in my blood” for Cancer and Rheumatoid Arthritis. We discussed the cancer markers first. I had one
statement. “I don’t have cancer”. They insisted that markers don’t lie. But I know a Name that is ABOVE EVERY other name. They threw around a few names, thyroid, lymphoma, bone. No. No. No! So the testing and treatments to get my levels up to a healthy place continued. One test after another they gave me to “find” the cancer. But it wasn’t there. I was so out of it most of the time, but the Father placed the neatest anointing on me. EVERY time anyone from the medical profession came in to take blood, give shots, change an IV, or the many, many doctors that visited me (it was a teaching hospital), I came alive, talking to them about how they got into their line of work, their family, working my way into talking to them about Jesus. Always with a smile. I actually became somewhat of a phenomenon. Please understand, this is not about me, it’s about the wonderful things I got to be part of as Jesus worked through me. During the course of exploring my body to find “what wasn’t there” I got a bone marrow biopsy. The head of Hematology/Oncology came
AFTER SURGERY
in my room with several students to perform what I understand is a very painful procedure. My daughter came around to the side of the bed I was facing as they began to prep my backside (they draw the marrow from the hipbone) and asked what she could do for me. I said “sing”! “What?”, she said. “Worship songs!”. So for the 45 minutes long procedure, while the doctor slammed repeatedly into my hipbone to get to the marrow, we
worshiped. Yes, we worshiped. And I felt no pain. The best part was, this wonderful doctor was Muslim, so we were in effect witnessing to him. The Presence of the Holy Spirit in that room was tangible. Later he would tell me how much his entire staff had enjoyed being part of my care. I KNOW we planted seeds. I EXPECT to see him, and several of his staff in Heaven! When they could not find conclusive evidence of cancer in my bones or marrow, they turned to my thyroid. The reason I call my testimony “The Saga of the Thyroid as Big as Texas” is because by now, the left side of my neck was the size of a softball and the right
side the size of a good sized grapefruit. It was impressive indeed. And, by now, was clearly beginning to impinge on my throat. The decision was made, obviously, for it to be removed completely. Again, they were sure they’d find it riddled with cancer, even though a fine needle aspiration showed nothing conclusive. Again, my surgeon insisted they’d find cancer and again, I reminded them about that Name above every name. His response was “Well, we’ll slice it and dice it and see what we come up with”. The peace, that marvelous peace, remained. Throughout that spring and early summer, they worked to bring all my levels up to a healthy level and prepare me for surgery. On June 25, 2014, my entire thyroid was removed. On June 26th my 2 Surgeons came to my room for a visit. I asked the main surgeon what had they found? He dropped his head, and admitted, “nothing”. They found nothing. Of course not! I went home. Just like that. Praise my Jesus! Oh yes, about those bills. I’d joined a medical cost sharing group the previous fall. They are there in case of catastrophic medical expenses and because at that point I didn’t have insurance,
it was a good substitute, and covered the requirements of Obamacare. I was given a 30% early pay discount even though the bills were NOT paid “early”. They were all submitted to the Medical cost sharing group and by the time it was over, they had paid nearly $100,000 out. We were left with nearly nothing to pay. God is amazing! In October of 2014 I pinched a nerve in my neck, which caused severe pain from my shoulders down. Playing worship piano is my first calling (after winning people to Jesus, of course) and as much pain as there was, it never stopped my playing. Even though pain was subsiding gradually, in May of 2015 the rheumatologist
decided I surely did have RA, and put me on a biological and steroids. In October of 2015, based on what the Lord directed, I got off the steroids, (they’d caused weight gain, but we’re getting a handle on that now), and began weaning off the biological, since I have NO indication of RA!
AFTER SURGERY AS I Throughout all that, I was able to BEGAN TO HEAL testify in updates on joy in full. There is nothing Facebook. There were so He cannot do, if we can just many “little miracles” and let go and trust Him. Nothing. opportunities to testify, and in all of it, the Father kept my
If you are traveling and in the area of any of these ministries, feel free to drop in and worship God with them. If they do not have a church, you might want to have them preach or use their services and be a blessing to them.
CALIFORNIA
MISSOURI
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Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I confess with my mouth. I believe in my heart that you are the Son of God. I believe you are the Lord and that God raised you from the dead. Please, forgive me of my sins. Wash my heart clean. Come live in my life. Be the Lord of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to walk with you and live for you the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me and for giving me the gift of eternal life in Heaven with you. Amen.