Week of October 18, 2009
Here is the true story.
On a Monday, on my lunch hour, I had an appointment to see a doctor at the hospital.
I was bleeding and worried. All alonge and trying to be strong, I ventured to the hospital and before I entered I picked up my bible that I always carry in the car and I read a scripture.
As I walked into the hospital I heard God say to me, "Go speak to the man, he is an angel."
I looked up and saw a man sitting in a wheelchair. His arm was propped up in a brace, and his leg was emaciated but stabilized with a series of halos around it.
As I approached him his kind eyes looked into my soul and they took me backwards as he really saw into me. I said hello and he replied hello. I asked if would walk again and he said yes. Then I asked if he knew Jesus could heal hil. He enthusiastically said Yes as it letting me know that I understood and was good to point that out. I extended my hand and said, "My name is Sherry."
He paused, took my hand and said, "I"m Angel."
Then I went upstairs to my doctor and learned all would be OK. When I was walking out I noticed Angel was still there. I went back and let him know that God told me to talk with him, and that he was an Angel. All he said was "Oh." Yet he never denied it.
Curiosity got the best of me and (refering to his injuries) I asked how this happened, to which he said simply, "an accident." I said nice to meet you and God bless you Angel.
The footnote to this story is years later I was meeting with the Hospital Administrator on business and told him this story. He said it was peculiar as the entrance where he sat was an outpatient entrance and the staff never let anyone sit there for very long. Angel he been there for more than a half hour.
Sherry Sargent
Lido Key, Fl.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
It's a Small World
Week of October 11
In September '97 Hallett Prison Ministries held its sixth annual banquet and celebration. We invited a number of former inmates to minister in music and share their testimony. One of our guest speakers was Audrey.
The first time we ministered to Audrey was at Florida Correctional in Lowell Florida. Audrey was one of many women for whom we provided spiritual guidance and encouragement through message and song. At one of our services she made a recommitment to God. She began taking our correspondence Bible study.
Audrey completed her sentence and was released from prison. It was two years after her release, around the time we were getting ready to have our banquet, that she wrote me a letter to thank us for our ministry to her in prison. I responded and invited her to speak at the banquet. While at the banquet Audrey informed us that she had relatives in Tampa and that she was hoping to put in a transfer and relocate from her present job to Tampa. We all offered prayer for her transfer. Some time later, Audrey called us and told us that they offered her a position in Sarasota and she wanted to know what I thought about it. Well, I told her to take it as a stepping stone to Tampa. And so she did.
Audrey became involved with our church and we offered council and assistance where ever we could. She found a room for rent and began her new job. At this point, Audrey did not have a car so she used either a bus or a cab to get to and from work. However, whenever Mitch, my assistant, and I would go out of town, we would leave the ministry car that Mitch drove with Audrey and we would pick it up upon our return.
One time when Mitch went to get the car, he found Audrey sleeping in the back seat. After talking with Audrey, we discovered that her landlady had been locking her out periodically and Audrey was afraid to say anything for fear of causing trouble, so, she just slept in the car. I talked with my wife, Jill, and we decided that we would help Audrey get her own place. We invited Audrey to our home to stay until she raised enough money for her own apartment.
Making a decision to bring Audrey into our home was a big step of faith and obedience for Jill and me as we had done this before and things hadn’t work out as we had hoped. In fact, we said, "We will never do this again." But, "never say never" when you're controlled by a merciful God. All we knew is that Audrey needed help and we had the resources.
So, we gave unconditionally as Christ has given to us. Consequently, we continued to seek God for a sign that we did the right thing
After getting to know Audrey better we learned more about her. Audrey had been married to a professional football player for 17 years. They had two sons. During a very difficult divorce her sons, age 16 and 13 both committed suicide. At the time that we had met Audrey she was recovering from the loss of her sons and was finishing a 14 month prison term instigated by her husband who charged her with "grand theft auto" of their own car.
One day while out on a road trip, Jill called to say Audrey's mother died in Tampa and that Audrey was going to join her father and other family at the funeral. Audrey's father and mother were divorced. He was remarried and lived in Washington State.
When I returned home Audrey told me that her father, James, thought he knew me. In fact, he referred to me as a "world traveler." I thought that was funny. However, I couldn't remember ever meeting him. Audrey said that her father told her he met me in Washington D.C. - My immediate response was, "the last time I remember living in Washington D.C. was about 15 years ago,” (and I truly hoped he did not know me then.) However, she said he had just recently met me. Well, as I searched my memory banks, it dawned on me that my last visit to Washington D.C. was in October '97 at the Promise Keeper Stand-in-the-Gap Rally.
But surely, in the midst of more than a million men, I could not have met her father.
Well, as the Spirit began to give me more memory. I recalled that there was an occasion when one of the speakers asked us men to turn to someone around us and get in groups to pray for reconciliation among ethnic groups. Consequently, Mitch and I turned to two gentlemen (one Caucasian and one Black) in back of us and began praying. We prayed for everything from ethnic reconciliation to family protection and good health. I never thought much of that moment except that I felt the power of God very strong in our prayers. The Caucasian gentlemen asked if we could take a picture to remember this time. I said, "sure, as long as you will mail me one." I had recently received that picture and it was still in the envelope on my desk.
I went to my desk and opened the envelope, then brought the picture to Audrey and said, "this is a picture of the people I met in Washington D.C."
As she looked at the picture her eyes open very wide as she pointed to the black gentleman and shouted, "that's my dad! that's my dad!" Well, the
hairs remaining on the top of my head were standing straight up. With tears in our eyes we knew that, "It's a small world after all, but we serve a great big God."
For Jill and me, this development was our conformation that Audrey was suppose to be at our home. For Audrey, her faith was increased and she knew that God was working in her life through the prayers of her earthly father. Since that moment, we have had some good times of prayer, fellowship and counseling sessions. Audrey became financially ready and she moved into her own apartment.
God has been faithful and He miraculously demonstrated his love for Audrey, He will do the same for each of us. I pray that this testimony will encourage you that God really cares for you and that He is interested in every facet of your life. Whatever you are going through right now, remember that God loves you and He is always in control. Nothing can happen in your life that God is not aware of and God will always work evil for our good, and good for our better. The key is to pray without ceasing and stay focused through the reading and application of His Word. Put all of your hope and trust in Jesus and He will never fail you.
“The Lord is Good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows those that trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)
Rev. Art Hallett,
Hallett Prison Ministries
Southwest Florida
In September '97 Hallett Prison Ministries held its sixth annual banquet and celebration. We invited a number of former inmates to minister in music and share their testimony. One of our guest speakers was Audrey.
The first time we ministered to Audrey was at Florida Correctional in Lowell Florida. Audrey was one of many women for whom we provided spiritual guidance and encouragement through message and song. At one of our services she made a recommitment to God. She began taking our correspondence Bible study.
Audrey completed her sentence and was released from prison. It was two years after her release, around the time we were getting ready to have our banquet, that she wrote me a letter to thank us for our ministry to her in prison. I responded and invited her to speak at the banquet. While at the banquet Audrey informed us that she had relatives in Tampa and that she was hoping to put in a transfer and relocate from her present job to Tampa. We all offered prayer for her transfer. Some time later, Audrey called us and told us that they offered her a position in Sarasota and she wanted to know what I thought about it. Well, I told her to take it as a stepping stone to Tampa. And so she did.
Audrey became involved with our church and we offered council and assistance where ever we could. She found a room for rent and began her new job. At this point, Audrey did not have a car so she used either a bus or a cab to get to and from work. However, whenever Mitch, my assistant, and I would go out of town, we would leave the ministry car that Mitch drove with Audrey and we would pick it up upon our return.
One time when Mitch went to get the car, he found Audrey sleeping in the back seat. After talking with Audrey, we discovered that her landlady had been locking her out periodically and Audrey was afraid to say anything for fear of causing trouble, so, she just slept in the car. I talked with my wife, Jill, and we decided that we would help Audrey get her own place. We invited Audrey to our home to stay until she raised enough money for her own apartment.
Making a decision to bring Audrey into our home was a big step of faith and obedience for Jill and me as we had done this before and things hadn’t work out as we had hoped. In fact, we said, "We will never do this again." But, "never say never" when you're controlled by a merciful God. All we knew is that Audrey needed help and we had the resources.
So, we gave unconditionally as Christ has given to us. Consequently, we continued to seek God for a sign that we did the right thing
After getting to know Audrey better we learned more about her. Audrey had been married to a professional football player for 17 years. They had two sons. During a very difficult divorce her sons, age 16 and 13 both committed suicide. At the time that we had met Audrey she was recovering from the loss of her sons and was finishing a 14 month prison term instigated by her husband who charged her with "grand theft auto" of their own car.
One day while out on a road trip, Jill called to say Audrey's mother died in Tampa and that Audrey was going to join her father and other family at the funeral. Audrey's father and mother were divorced. He was remarried and lived in Washington State.
When I returned home Audrey told me that her father, James, thought he knew me. In fact, he referred to me as a "world traveler." I thought that was funny. However, I couldn't remember ever meeting him. Audrey said that her father told her he met me in Washington D.C. - My immediate response was, "the last time I remember living in Washington D.C. was about 15 years ago,” (and I truly hoped he did not know me then.) However, she said he had just recently met me. Well, as I searched my memory banks, it dawned on me that my last visit to Washington D.C. was in October '97 at the Promise Keeper Stand-in-the-Gap Rally.
But surely, in the midst of more than a million men, I could not have met her father.
Well, as the Spirit began to give me more memory. I recalled that there was an occasion when one of the speakers asked us men to turn to someone around us and get in groups to pray for reconciliation among ethnic groups. Consequently, Mitch and I turned to two gentlemen (one Caucasian and one Black) in back of us and began praying. We prayed for everything from ethnic reconciliation to family protection and good health. I never thought much of that moment except that I felt the power of God very strong in our prayers. The Caucasian gentlemen asked if we could take a picture to remember this time. I said, "sure, as long as you will mail me one." I had recently received that picture and it was still in the envelope on my desk.
I went to my desk and opened the envelope, then brought the picture to Audrey and said, "this is a picture of the people I met in Washington D.C."
As she looked at the picture her eyes open very wide as she pointed to the black gentleman and shouted, "that's my dad! that's my dad!" Well, the
hairs remaining on the top of my head were standing straight up. With tears in our eyes we knew that, "It's a small world after all, but we serve a great big God."
For Jill and me, this development was our conformation that Audrey was suppose to be at our home. For Audrey, her faith was increased and she knew that God was working in her life through the prayers of her earthly father. Since that moment, we have had some good times of prayer, fellowship and counseling sessions. Audrey became financially ready and she moved into her own apartment.
God has been faithful and He miraculously demonstrated his love for Audrey, He will do the same for each of us. I pray that this testimony will encourage you that God really cares for you and that He is interested in every facet of your life. Whatever you are going through right now, remember that God loves you and He is always in control. Nothing can happen in your life that God is not aware of and God will always work evil for our good, and good for our better. The key is to pray without ceasing and stay focused through the reading and application of His Word. Put all of your hope and trust in Jesus and He will never fail you.
“The Lord is Good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows those that trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)
Rev. Art Hallett,
Hallett Prison Ministries
Southwest Florida
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Wheelchair Story
Week of October 4
My flight to Sarasota is canceled because of bad weather in the Northeast. I call my wife and tell her the bad news.
“Well, do God’s work,” she says, “look around and see who you can help.”
As she says this I notice a man in a wheelchair staring at his flight ticket. I ask him if I can be of help. He nods explaining his flight has been canceled and he needs to be rebooked. We make our way through the concourse to the appropriate counter and stop behind a line of disgruntled travelers.
The agent looks up and notices my friend in the wheelchair and waves us forward. I wheel Earl forward(we are on a first name basis now.) The agent takes his ticket, taps rapidly on a keyboard for a minute or so, and hands him a new ticket.
“You are on the next flight to Philadelphia with a connection to Dayton. It should be boarding in about forty minutes.”
He then asked for my ticket. “Oh we are not together, I’m trying to get home to Sarasota.”
He looks at my ticket and returns to the computer. There is more incessant tapping on a keyboard. Finally he says, staring at the computer, “I can’t get you to Sarasota today but I can get you to Tampa, would that help?”
My wife drives the 45 miles from our home to Tampa International and we have dinner together that evening because I took her wise suggestion and helped someone in need. By serving others we our served.
Mal Salter
Sarasota, Fl.
My flight to Sarasota is canceled because of bad weather in the Northeast. I call my wife and tell her the bad news.
“Well, do God’s work,” she says, “look around and see who you can help.”
As she says this I notice a man in a wheelchair staring at his flight ticket. I ask him if I can be of help. He nods explaining his flight has been canceled and he needs to be rebooked. We make our way through the concourse to the appropriate counter and stop behind a line of disgruntled travelers.
The agent looks up and notices my friend in the wheelchair and waves us forward. I wheel Earl forward(we are on a first name basis now.) The agent takes his ticket, taps rapidly on a keyboard for a minute or so, and hands him a new ticket.
“You are on the next flight to Philadelphia with a connection to Dayton. It should be boarding in about forty minutes.”
He then asked for my ticket. “Oh we are not together, I’m trying to get home to Sarasota.”
He looks at my ticket and returns to the computer. There is more incessant tapping on a keyboard. Finally he says, staring at the computer, “I can’t get you to Sarasota today but I can get you to Tampa, would that help?”
My wife drives the 45 miles from our home to Tampa International and we have dinner together that evening because I took her wise suggestion and helped someone in need. By serving others we our served.
Mal Salter
Sarasota, Fl.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Surprise Visitor
Week of September 27
The family had gathered for the funeral of my wife, their mother, mother-in law, grandmother or great grandmother as the case might be. Several of us were seated in the family room when the back door leading to the garage swung open.
A large dog, that none of us had seen before came into the house as if he lived here. He walked through the kitchen, dinning room and down the hallway toward the bedrooms. My son-in-law Joe was cautiously following him not sure what to make of this visitro. He was thin, but not starved, he had a collar but no identification tags and a long nose with graying hair.
At the end of the hall our visitor turned abruptly, walked past Joe and back through the dinning room and kitchen and entered into the family room where he proceeded to lay down between my recliner and the chair where mom usually sat.
He made himself right at home. Everyone sat in stunned silence staring at him.
I looked down at the dog and ended the silence. “Mom always said, ‘Paul keep the garage door down and the back door locked, otherwise anything could walk into this house.’ I guess she sent this guy to make her point.”
We were expecting a pastor to arrive at any minute so Joe led the dog outside by his collar. When Joe released him the dog made no attempt to leave. Joe sat on the front step and the dog joined him. They sat there together for several minutes. A cat ambled us the front walk and stopped when he saw the dog. Neither moved. Then the cat came up the rest of the walk and sat next to the dog. Joe, who lives in the neighborhood, had seen neither animal before. The cat stayed awhile and then walked away. The dog remained with Joe.
That evening Joe took the dog home with him fully intending to try and fine its owner in the morning. He put the dog in the garage for the night with some water.
The next morning he fed the dog and then let him out in the yard with his own smaller dogs. The three seem to get along fine. Then the stranger dog walked to the edge of the property, looked back at Joe as if to say farewell and walked away.
You can read in to this. Go figure.
Paul Tuck
Newfield N.J.
The family had gathered for the funeral of my wife, their mother, mother-in law, grandmother or great grandmother as the case might be. Several of us were seated in the family room when the back door leading to the garage swung open.
A large dog, that none of us had seen before came into the house as if he lived here. He walked through the kitchen, dinning room and down the hallway toward the bedrooms. My son-in-law Joe was cautiously following him not sure what to make of this visitro. He was thin, but not starved, he had a collar but no identification tags and a long nose with graying hair.
At the end of the hall our visitor turned abruptly, walked past Joe and back through the dinning room and kitchen and entered into the family room where he proceeded to lay down between my recliner and the chair where mom usually sat.
He made himself right at home. Everyone sat in stunned silence staring at him.
I looked down at the dog and ended the silence. “Mom always said, ‘Paul keep the garage door down and the back door locked, otherwise anything could walk into this house.’ I guess she sent this guy to make her point.”
We were expecting a pastor to arrive at any minute so Joe led the dog outside by his collar. When Joe released him the dog made no attempt to leave. Joe sat on the front step and the dog joined him. They sat there together for several minutes. A cat ambled us the front walk and stopped when he saw the dog. Neither moved. Then the cat came up the rest of the walk and sat next to the dog. Joe, who lives in the neighborhood, had seen neither animal before. The cat stayed awhile and then walked away. The dog remained with Joe.
That evening Joe took the dog home with him fully intending to try and fine its owner in the morning. He put the dog in the garage for the night with some water.
The next morning he fed the dog and then let him out in the yard with his own smaller dogs. The three seem to get along fine. Then the stranger dog walked to the edge of the property, looked back at Joe as if to say farewell and walked away.
You can read in to this. Go figure.
Paul Tuck
Newfield N.J.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Grandmother's Advice
Week of September 20
My grandmother gave me a Bible when I went off to college. She said, “Read it when you feel down or need a lift.” I thanked her politely, packed it away and frankly went on with my life.
Years later, after a marriage, several children and many job changes, I found myself in a bad place. I was really down, lacking direction in my life and I was bordering on serious depression. I really needed to change.
I was rummaging through a closet, I’m not sure why now, and I moved a towel and there was the Bible my grandmother had given me when I was leaving for school.
I stiffened and I felt the hairs standup on the back of my neck. I heard the voice of that gentle sweet lady as if she was standing beside me. “Read this when you feel down or need a lift.” I took her advice right then and there.
A few days later, I was visiting my parents and I told them about finding the Bible and what grandmother had said when she gave it to me years ago.
“What day did this happen,” my mother asked?
When I told her my mother nodded slowly and this knowing smile came over her face.
“That is the anniversary of when you grandmother died,” she said.
I can say the advice my grandmother gave me did a lot more than give me a lift, it has changed my life forever.
James Cooper
Sarasota, Fl
My grandmother gave me a Bible when I went off to college. She said, “Read it when you feel down or need a lift.” I thanked her politely, packed it away and frankly went on with my life.
Years later, after a marriage, several children and many job changes, I found myself in a bad place. I was really down, lacking direction in my life and I was bordering on serious depression. I really needed to change.
I was rummaging through a closet, I’m not sure why now, and I moved a towel and there was the Bible my grandmother had given me when I was leaving for school.
I stiffened and I felt the hairs standup on the back of my neck. I heard the voice of that gentle sweet lady as if she was standing beside me. “Read this when you feel down or need a lift.” I took her advice right then and there.
A few days later, I was visiting my parents and I told them about finding the Bible and what grandmother had said when she gave it to me years ago.
“What day did this happen,” my mother asked?
When I told her my mother nodded slowly and this knowing smile came over her face.
“That is the anniversary of when you grandmother died,” she said.
I can say the advice my grandmother gave me did a lot more than give me a lift, it has changed my life forever.
James Cooper
Sarasota, Fl
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A Glass of Wine
Week of September 13
A pastor related an amazing incident that happened while he was dinning out with his wife. her best friend and her husband.The guy was an atheist, a cynic and was always poking fun at the pastor and his beliefs.
The waiter came to their table and asked for their drink order. The skeptic orders a class of the house wine and the others ask for soft drinks.
When the waiter leaves the man says, “Reverend too bad Jesus isn’t here, he could turn my cheap glass of wine into the best vino.”
The pastor says to himself, I’m not going there." He ignores the comment and the ladies immediately engage in a conversation about something else.
The waiter returns with the beverages and says to the man, “ I’m sorry sir but we are out of our house wine. My manager apologizes and said to give you a glass of our best wine with his compliments.”
“Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he isn’t wise in his own eyes.”
(Proverbs 26:5)
As told by:
Paul Kirbas
San Francisco, Ca.
A pastor related an amazing incident that happened while he was dinning out with his wife. her best friend and her husband.The guy was an atheist, a cynic and was always poking fun at the pastor and his beliefs.
The waiter came to their table and asked for their drink order. The skeptic orders a class of the house wine and the others ask for soft drinks.
When the waiter leaves the man says, “Reverend too bad Jesus isn’t here, he could turn my cheap glass of wine into the best vino.”
The pastor says to himself, I’m not going there." He ignores the comment and the ladies immediately engage in a conversation about something else.
The waiter returns with the beverages and says to the man, “ I’m sorry sir but we are out of our house wine. My manager apologizes and said to give you a glass of our best wine with his compliments.”
“Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he isn’t wise in his own eyes.”
(Proverbs 26:5)
As told by:
Paul Kirbas
San Francisco, Ca.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Yard Sale
Week of September 7
It wasn’t your typical yard sale. For me it was a desperation move.
I was down to my last six dollars. I needed gas to get to work, the electric bill was overdue and my water would be shut off if I didn’t pay it by Monday. It would be another week before I received another paycheck and I was already one month behind in my rent as well as my other bills.
My wife and I were separated and I had recently been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I really was at the end of my rope. I needed this sale to survive one more day.
A friend arrived for moral support and I asked him if he would pray with me. We stood together in my empty living room. He prayed, “Lord bless my friend and help him though this situation. Without you we are nothing but with your blessing we know we can get through anything. You said Lord, ‘Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.’ We are here Lord and we need your help, Amen.”
Everything I owned was out on my lawn except my mattress, clothes and the computer on which I couldn’t make the payments.
During the first hour I sold $80 worth of furniture including my couch, end table and some lamps.
The flow of potential buyers slowed considerably during the second hour and I took in just $20 more. During a lull in the next hour the phone rang and I dashed into the house to answer it.
The lady on the phone said, “You gave me a quote to paint my house several months ago. Does your offer still stand.”
“It sure does.”
“How soon can you start?”
“Lady I’ll be there this afternoon for the one third
down payment so I can buy your paint.”
I rushed outside to retrieve my kitchen table and chairs from the lawn. Then I told my friend.
“I made a bid to paint a lady’s house six months ago and she calls me today of all days. Go figure.”
My friend looked at me with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes and said, “That call was prompted by the Lord.”
Patrick Lavilla
Kountze Texas
It wasn’t your typical yard sale. For me it was a desperation move.
I was down to my last six dollars. I needed gas to get to work, the electric bill was overdue and my water would be shut off if I didn’t pay it by Monday. It would be another week before I received another paycheck and I was already one month behind in my rent as well as my other bills.
My wife and I were separated and I had recently been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I really was at the end of my rope. I needed this sale to survive one more day.
A friend arrived for moral support and I asked him if he would pray with me. We stood together in my empty living room. He prayed, “Lord bless my friend and help him though this situation. Without you we are nothing but with your blessing we know we can get through anything. You said Lord, ‘Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.’ We are here Lord and we need your help, Amen.”
Everything I owned was out on my lawn except my mattress, clothes and the computer on which I couldn’t make the payments.
During the first hour I sold $80 worth of furniture including my couch, end table and some lamps.
The flow of potential buyers slowed considerably during the second hour and I took in just $20 more. During a lull in the next hour the phone rang and I dashed into the house to answer it.
The lady on the phone said, “You gave me a quote to paint my house several months ago. Does your offer still stand.”
“It sure does.”
“How soon can you start?”
“Lady I’ll be there this afternoon for the one third
down payment so I can buy your paint.”
I rushed outside to retrieve my kitchen table and chairs from the lawn. Then I told my friend.
“I made a bid to paint a lady’s house six months ago and she calls me today of all days. Go figure.”
My friend looked at me with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes and said, “That call was prompted by the Lord.”
Patrick Lavilla
Kountze Texas
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