Thursday, April 24, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Prayer ... It Causes Miracles
The Prayer of Healing
My brother Forrest and I are extremely close and when he is not
feeling well, it totally grips at my heart. We call each other
“Twin” because growing up everyone use to say we looked just alike and our
souls are connected. This past month Forrest has been in the
hospital at some points he was in the ICU. Needless to say, when he
is in pain, my heart hurts immensely.
In looking back over my faith walk and understanding the power of
prayer, one of my first instances of prayer that I saw God move was with
Forrest. Years ago, when Forrest lived in Miami he called me and
said that he wasn’t feeling well with some desperation in his voice. I
will never forget that night, when I fell on my knees, with all of my faith and
prayed to God to make my brother feel better. The next morning I
called him and he was singing to me and was in great spirits. That
was my first real testimony in seeing God’s healing power through prayer.
Three weeks ago I received a call that said Forrest wasn’t doing well
and was in the ICU. My friend Lisa and I was at a board meeting
together and we decided to hit the road to go and see Forrest. For
some reason that day my heart was so heavy and I couldn’t shake the feeling of
possibly losing my brother. It was all so clear to me of who he is
in my life and the joy and sunshine that he brings to me and my family and the
thought of losing him was like taking a piece of my heart. Honestly,
it was one of the moments where I was feeling desperate. I’ll never
forget Lisa said it will take us three hours to get there so by the time we get
there, we are going to pray through this and we will rejoice because he is still
here. (Thank you Lisa for being by my side that day – it
was truly a gift from God)!
On our three hour journey we prayed, sang old time hymns, told
stories and came to the conclusion that Forrest would be saying to me, “Get
yourself together Dedra and come to visit me with a heart shining with the love
of Christ.” I rallied all of my prayer warriors (friends,
family, bible study sisters, etc.) to join us on the battlefield because we had
some work to do. After our three hour drive, I got out of the car to visit my
brother and the heaviness that was on my heart was lifted and God’s love and light
was in full effect. I walked into the hospital and the Holy Spirit
was moving through me and I was on a mission to pray my brother back to
health. I remember walking into the room and seeing him at such a
vulnerable state and knowing that prayer without ceasing was our only way
through this.
I prayed fervently over my brother that day, pleading that by Jesus’
stripes he is healed. I moved my hands over his body from head to
toe with the Holy Spirit leading me. I prayed over the nurses, the
doctors, visitors and the room itself. Talking about faith building and life changing, that
particular day is etched in my heart forever. I learned
that day, to never be desperate and to walk in peace knowing that God is in
control.
Forrest has a wonderful story to tell and he believes that
God is using his testimony to bring people closer to him. I
truly believe that you all will hear him tell his story one day. His
story encompasses how God works in your life and even when things may look
bleak or sometimes hopeless in the eyes of man, because of Gods unconditional
love for us he can change things for the good. 28 And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose. Roman 8:28
Forrest is a loving human being with a
giving spirit and God is continuing to use him even while he is recovering in the
hospital. He told me the other day that God said to be his light in
the hospital. He has been praying over nurses and patients even
while he continues to recover himself. Here is what I know for sure,
God can use you no matter where you are in your life.
Through this experience, my relationship with God has grown, my
faith is stronger and my purpose is even clearer. Most of all my love for my sisters and brothers is
deeper. Siblings Day was celebrated over a week ago and I was
travelling and couldn’t give my “Daniel 5” their shout outs. I love
each and every one of my siblings … Angela, Corlessia, JD & Forrest with
all of my heart and soul. I have always said that I was blessed to
be the youngest of this fabulous crew because I learned from the best. I
am truly blessed by each and every one of them.
Life is precious, love deeply, love with passion and always
forgive one another and let God’s love shine. Forrest is continuing his road of recovery, I humbly ask that you
continue to lift my precious brother up in prayer!
With love,
Monday, April 14, 2014
0031 ICOD Rev. Dr. Denise Wilson Interviews Professor Dedra Faine on th...
Interview with Rev. Dr. Denise Wilson with Professor Dedra Faine - Discussing the Gifts of Hospitality. Enjoy and I hope you are blessed by the message.
Love,
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Spring 2014
11 For,
lo, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone; 12 the
flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the
voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land; Solomon 2:11-12
Spring time is the awakening of our spirit after a long
winter's nap. It is bright sunny mornings
when birds are chirping and you rise with wonder and excitement for what this
glorious season will bring. I often
think of spring time when I was a young girl at my Grandmother Marlow’s
home. I think of the beautiful trees
outside of our bedroom window where the sweet chirps of the birds filled the
air. I think of awakening to the
sunshine gleaming through our window kissing our faces after a night of
slumber. I love how this season embodies
the rebirth of Jesus Christ. The love and hope that it brings is wonderful
for our souls.
This past winter has been long and steady. Throughout the many snow storms that we have
encountered, I constantly reminded myself that this was God’s way of allowing
us to nest and take the time to get ourselves centered and focused on him. I think of my cousins from Pennsylvania and
how they use to sing “Get your Heart Right with God,” and how that always stuck
with me. I am happy to say that this cold winter allowed me to sit and be quiet to listen and convene with my Heavenly Father. My soul has been restored, my heart is in the right place and I am now entering into this new season walking fully in God's grace and love. I am eternally grateful for this winter and
am equally thankful for the hope that this new season of spring brings. For this is our time to blossom and share what
God has planted in our hearts. Just like
he does it for the beautiful flowers and trees, he will do it for you and me.
Be blessed ~ Love,
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