Robert Decker endured more trials in his childhood than most endure in a lifetime.  His dysfunctional childhood included periods of neglect, substance abuse, and violence.  The years of sadness, pain, anger, and hopelessness culminated in a failed suicide attempt.     At his lowest point, Robert found himself in a hospital bed with multiple serious injuries, told he would never walk again.  He was handcuffed to his hospital bed, accused of a crime he did not commit.  It was in this pit of despair that God spoke to Robert in a powerful way.  With God's help, everything changed.  He was able to turn his story into one of forgiveness, understanding, and love. His desire is to inspire, encourage, and give hope to those who have had similar battles.   Today Robert is happily married and living in Colorado Springs with his two young children.  He is a husband, father, health coach, fitness trainer, inspirational speaker, and author.  He is passionate about helping others.   My favorite take aways from Robert:

• "You are NOT alone.  You are LOVED."
• "There is purpose and hope for all of our lives."  
• "In the midst of trials and hurt there is opportunity for growth."
• "Allow your heart to be changed.  Address the things that hurt so that healing can take place.  Forgiveness is HUGE."
• "Surround yourself with people that truly care about you."
• "DON'T give up!"
• "When you receive healing...go out and HELP other people.  There is nothing more gratifying than that!"

 

Thank you, Robert, for sharing this deeply personal testimony.  I am blessed to hear your faith (and healing) journey after so much heartache.  You are undoubtedly an inspiration to many!   Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe. - Psalm 107:2  NIV    For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.  - 1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV

A 15 month old baby girl is near death after contracting meningitis.  Her parents are given the grave prognosis and the physicians ask permission to discontinue life support.   The baby's father, Don Fallick, felt compelled to give her a blessing before discontinuing treatment.  Although he felt at a loss for words, he exercised his faith, and when his mouth opened, "In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to recover and be well!"  The presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that nurses were drawn into the room stating that they felt something shift.  What happens next is miraculous!   Don shares the "prefigured" prophetic piece in the choosing of his daughters name 18 months prior to this event and its significance.  He also shares more about this very spiritual experience and its blessings in the Children's Hospital Intensive Care Unit.   Mark 5:41 NIV  He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up!")   Don Fallick enjoys playing the guitar and he has created a site where you can download complimentary Gospel friendly arrangements:  https://mormonguitartabs.blogspot.com/2009/01/etud.html

Mary's parents died in a plane crash as they were traveling to her wedding.  Suddenly, Mary and James found themselves postponing their much-anticipated day for something they could have never imagined.

  Listen as they share the way God prepared them for this loss, how he comforted and blessed them through complete strangers, and how he miraculously healed her younger brother who was the lone survivor in the plane crash.
  Highlights from Mary and James: "There are a million ways everyday that God loves us. He gives us every breath we take and comforts us through loved ones and even strangers."  Mary Anderson "Look for the blessings hidden in all situations."  Mary Anderson "While our prayers are not always answered the way we would like, we need to trust that God has his wisdom.  It's up to us to trust and know he is good. Draw near to God."  James Anderson   Acts 17: 26-27  From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. (NIV, Life Application Study Bible, 1991)   Hebrews 11:1 NIV. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.   Romans 8:28 NIV  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.   Book recommended by Mary:   Trusting God:  Even When Life Hurts, by Jerry Bridges.     More about Mary and James: James is a follower of Christ. He is an electrical engineer who has worked in top-secret defense of our nation from 1980-1985. His focus has been in telecom the past 30 years. He currently works for a major telecom company in microwave design. He and his wife, Mary, have three grown children and two grandchildren. James and Mary currently live near Franklin, TN.   Mary has a degree in Deaf Education from UNC-Greensboro. She has taught Deaf children, as well as tutored, and interpreted educationally. Mary earned a Master's degree in Adaptive Special Education from Emporia State University in Kansas while she taught students in high school from 2008-2012.    James & Mary Anderson are active members of Harpeth Christian Church in Franklin, TN.  They enjoy time with family, studying the Bible with friends, hiking, kayaking, nature photography, gaming, the mountains and the beach.   To contact Mary or James Anderson:  [email protected] To contact Julie Hedenborg:  [email protected]

In March 2019, Melanie was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer.  Her physician shared that it was inoperable and stated her prognosis as 3-6 months.  Nearly a year later her scans miraculously show, "no signs or evidence of disease."   Melanie shares how this healing journey has taught her some valuable lessons.  Before her diagnosis, Melanie asked God to teach her about love.  Looking back over the last year, Melanie realizes just how loved she is, and has learned about the power of FORGIVENESS, GRATITUDE, and real, unconditional LOVE.  She is passionate about letting others know that they are worthy of love, they have a powerful Savior who will fight for them, and that they have seeds of greatness in them!   Some highlights: 12:51 BIG MOMENT!  Melanie encounters Jesus in the hospital (a second time) and tells her that she is healed.  15:18 Melanie and her father are both hospitalized simultaneously.  They have a special moment before his passing. 17:00 Forgiveness is the path to healing! 18:00 A focus on gratitude after Melanie's mom's passing is helpful in finding peace.  Melanie shares how gratitude can completely shift one's existence. 18:45 Love is the third great lesson for Melanie in this journey.     Melanie's hope for you: "Claim who you are as a child of God.  He is a mighty King and he is here for us!" "You are LOVED more than you can imagine!  Open yourself up to it!" "You have seeds of greatness in you!  Step into your greatness!"   Genesis 50:20 NIV "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done..." Thank you, Melanie, for sharing your very personal journey with us today!  You are truly an inspiration!

Kaylah's life was forever changed on her first mission trip to Haiti with Bless Back Worldwide in the summer of 2017.  She instantly fell in love with the people of Haiti.  God planted a passion in Kaylah for empowering educators with the ultimate hope of eliminating poverty.  This passion blossomed into a nonprofit organization, Go Teach Be Love, which empowers educators in under-resourced and developing countries in order to foster innovative and sustainable educational environments.   In this episode Kaylah shares her experience in Haiti (Oct 2019) during a hostile time when unrest was escalating, roads were barricaded and violence was erupting.  She was faced with attempting to evacuate under life threatening conditions when she received a random, divine text from a friend back home reassuring her that God would not set her feet in a place without a plan (he was completely unaware of what was happening at that moment).  Listen as she recalls the miraculous way that God cleared the way for her! 

Jane shares her most beautiful blessing she has experienced in her life.  During her hospitalization for 5 1/2 hours of surgery she literally walked with the Lord.  She was blessed to hold his hand and considers it a gift to share whenever possible.  She wants you to know that God is real and he is ever present!   In this episode she shares the vivid details of her encounter with the living Jesus Christ, and how it blessed her during her time of struggle with colon cancer.  She also shares how the enemy invaded her home after this glorious blessing, and how prayer helped to restore peace.  "Its important to let people know what struggles you are experiencing so they can pray for you."

How did a demonic testimony become a catalyst for launching a YouTube channel that would share God's glory in over fifty countries around the world, and nearly 400,000 views in a matter of months?   In this episode I reflect on how God called me, some of the lessons learned along the way, and I offer a few simple tips and encouragement for you to say a big fat YES to whatever God is stirring in your heart.  He has a beautiful plan for each of us.  Don't underestimate what God can do with the even the smallest thing that you give him! 

Bryan was in the prime of his life.  Excelling in his law enforcement career, his beautiful wife Meg was expecting, and it was days before Christmas.  Responding to a dispatch to an icy condition on a steep hill, Bryan got out of his patrol car and started to walk around the front of the car and that was all he remembered.  Witnesses state that his feet slipped out from under him and he landed on his head, breaking two of his cervical vertebrae and sliding down the road.  Life changed for Bryan and his family in a mere moment.    Bryan candidly shares his very personal ten year struggle that followed, the lowest point at which he felt he could not bear to live, and the path that led to much needed inner healing and the MIRACLE that is undeniable in the return of the function of his right hand and his right leg.

Jo is in a state of distress as she realizes her mother's passing is imminent.  She calls out to God for strength.  Suddenly there is an unexpected knock at the door.  Raphael is not one of the regular staff members with whom she has become familiar, but she is grateful for help and she welcomes him.  His visit is timed perfectly and his presence provides peace and comfort as her mother's vital signs become unstable.   Listen as Jo recalls the experience, the events that come full circle leading into this appearance and the final sign from above affirming the promise that Jo made to Raphael.  Just beautiful!   "When you feel so far away, that's when he is the closest and is pursuing you the most!  When you look back on your situation, you can see how his hand was in it the whole time."  - Jo Grieco   "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."  Psalm 91:11

Brittany Akinsola shares her experience serving with Samaritan's Purse as an ICU Nurse in Mosul, Iraq (the modern day Nineveh).  She is faced with caring for a mix of patients simultaneously...a critically wounded child, a female civilian, an Iraqi soldier, and an ISIS fighter.     Hear the challenges she faced, the shift in perspective that she never anticipated, how it impacted her faith, and how God provided a miracle conversion in the most unlikely of converts.   "Let me give you a new command:  Love one another.  In the same way I loved you, you love one another.  This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples--when they see the love you have for each other."  John 13:34-35 MSG   Brittany's lesson in God's limitless grace and mercy: "If God can work through someone like that, someone who has done unspeakable acts...this was the impossible, and God did it.  It grew my faith."