Everyday Miracles

Daytona shares a very personal story about a trauma she endured, and the journey of healing that followed.  Her father was stationed in Germany during the war, and she (a young teen) had to undergo surgical placement of an implantable cardiac device for an unstable heart condition.  There was hostility among the staff for Americans at that time, and Daytona endured the entire 2 1/2 hour procedure without any anesthetic, while being restrained by staff members.   Daytona shares candidly the highs and lows in her healing journey, and offers hope for others that are struggling with PTSD (Post traumatic Stress Disorder), and forgiveness.

Julie Kemp has 11 years of experience as a Grief Facilitator.  Additionally, Julie has personally experienced loss at the holidays, and she finds peace in helping others that are on a grief journey.   Julie lost her husband suddenly in a car accident in October of 1997.  While her son Landon (age 8) miraculously survived, he had a long road to recovery.  She spent Thanksgiving in the hospital, and got to take her son home the week before Christmas.  She shares openly what she experienced that first year, what helped her cope, and offers practical tips for those facing loss this holiday.  She also shares warning signs for trouble and how to intervene when help is needed.     Julie's recommendations for Thanksgiving:  Count your blessings!  Be thankful.  Create a gratitude list A-Z, anything that comes to mind.  Be thankful as you remember the many special ways your life was touched by your loved one.  You hurt so much because you loved so much.     Julie's top 10 Holiday Survival Tips: 1.  Allow yourself to break away from old traditions, or start new traditions, at least for the first year.  Even subtle changes can help you cope.  Make a plan. 2.  Give yourself permission to cry.  Don't apologize for your feelings or for your tears.  Grief is a process, and it is different for everyone. 3.  If you are going to a social function and are unsure you can handle it, take a close friend who can speak for you if the words become too difficult.  Make sure you have an exit if needed. 4.  Light a candle to remember your loved one.  You can create a special area to display photos to honor times together. 5.  Don't expect too much of yourself.  If you need to get alone, or leave early from an event, allow yourself that opportunity.  Set healthy boundaries for yourself. 6.  If you don't feel like listening to Christmas music or sending cards, then don't!  There will be a time when you feel like doing it again, but you can skip a year or two until you feel ready. 7.  Consider giving a gift in memory of your loved on to your favorite charity, needy family, or to an organization your loved one supported or belonged. 8.  Finding time to reflect and journal may be beneficial to you and help you deal with your emotions. 9.  Reading the Bible, particularly Psalms, can be beneficial.  Finding a good devotional book and setting aside a daily quiet time for prayer and meditation will be advantageous for your grief journey. 10.  ULTIMATE TIP:  Skip the elf, the reindeer, and the tree, and remember the real meaning of Christmas and celebrate Jesus' birthday, and remember that because of his sacrifice that we will be united again for eternity.     "Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Christina Griffin shares her very personal journey of thriving through unimaginable losses and trials.     "Embrace your faith in the trials, trust that God has a plan for your life."  - Christina Griffin   "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Tom was just weeks away from a trip to a 5 star resort in St. Croix when felt God calling him to minister to the homeless.  He canceled his trip and checked into the downtown men's shelter.     This call to love God's poor has evolved into a beautiful ministry.  Rev. Wheeler is co-founder of Hoskins Park Ministries, and the founder and executive director of Urban Outreach.   Tom shares some of his personal story, and we discuss how to approach those in need, as well a few resources that may prove helpful.   "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  Matthew 25:40   Tom has written 2 non-fiction books:  Second Wind, and Would You Have Fired Judas?  He has also written 1 fiction book, Mason, and is working on the follow up to Mason at this time.

At birth, Liz's parents were told they would not see their baby leave the hospital.  Liz was born with an extremely rare congenital birth defect where her kidneys and ureters were not connected normally, disabling urine to be removed from her body.  While Liz did survive, she has faced years of tremendous trials in her life.  She shares how vital her faith has been in this journey, and she wants to give glory to God for the miraculous ways He has moved in all of her trials.

Melissa Wood courageously shares many personal trials that she has endured and the importance of living a life deeply rooted in faith.   Reflecting on scripture, and her personal experiences, she proposes a four-step plan in preparing yourself for the storms of life.   "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.  You know under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.  So don't try to get out of anything prematurely.  Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."  James 1:2-4 MSG   "My prayer for you is that you come to live deeply rooted in your faith as I have learned to do.  Take the time now, while the storm is at bay, to plan, prepare and practice for your next storm.  Build your faith in the one, who when you seek him, will answer you and deliver you, from all your fears.  Jesus Christ is our living hope!"  -Melissa Wood   Thank you, Melissa, for sharing this beautiful testimony!

While we do not worship angels, or pray to angels, their work serves as an important part of God's Divine plan. Angels are spiritual beings created by God who help execute His work on Earth. They bring messages, protect God's people, offer encouragement, give guidance, bring punishment, patrol the Earth, and fight forces of evil.   There are both good and evil angels, but because evil angels are allied with Satan, they have considerably less power and authority than good angels. Eventually, the main role of the good angels will be to offer continuous praise to God.    In this episode, I share a few of the testimonies that I have received from my personal friends and guests, and a few favorites from specific texts (see sources below).   Believers, BE ENCOURAGED! Angels are real and they are fighting for us in the spiritual realm.  All glory to God!   "For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."  Psalm 91:11  NIV   Sources:  

• The Living Bible Life Application Study Bible NIV Angels by Billy Graham
• 7 Lessons From Heaven by Dr. Mary C Neal, M.D.
• Angels, Miracles, and Heavenly Encounters by James Stuart Bell

In January of 2015, Heather was en route to serve at her church when her vehicle was struck by a large SUV.  She sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken emergently for surgery with a severe traumatic brain injury.  The physicians worked diligently but did not see much hope for survival, or any possibility of life beyond a vegetative state. Heather's family and church surrounded her with prayer.  There were friends that lined the hallways to pray.  The entire ICU (Intensive Care Unit) was filled with support, food, and love from this Hillsong NY/NJ church family.  Heather's family stayed strong and expectant for a miracle.

In this episode, Heather shares MULTIPLE miracles that occurred, not only for her but for other patients and families receiving prayer during this time.  I am truly blessed to share this miraculous testimony! Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon formed against thee shall prosper." KJV "The love of God is overwhelming!  It's so much bigger than what we can even imagine.  He loves ALL of us and He wants each of us to be healed.  If something bad happens, don't imagine that He would ever want that for you.  We have an enemy, but God's love is all we need to survive." - Heather Strazza Thank you, Heather, for sharing this beautiful testimony of God's healing power, and the miracle of prayer!

Courtney Hauser is a Licensed Professional Counselor and ordained Pastor in Cleveland, OH.  She has shared her story on the TCT(Total Christian Television) Network, been featured in Kingdom Christian Magazine as a Woman of Influence, and recognized as Who's Who in Black Cleveland. She has written a book, From Victim to Survivor (link below), to share her story of healing after many years of trauma.  Courtney has also shared her story publicly in churches, women's conferences, workshops, and teen events. She is so passionate about helping victims find complete healing!

In this episode, Courtney shares a bit of her personal journey.  We discuss how she found healing after many years of enduring several types of abuse.  Courtney also shares insight on church hurt and spiritual abuse, and she shares many details about her upcoming Victim to Survivor Conference in Lorain, OH on August 23-24, 2019.