Earlier this year, while on our trip to Arizona, we observed the 1^st Anniversary of my husband’s tracheotomy surgery April 1^st, 2009. How awesome to celebrate this milestone under a Big Tent Revival Meeting in the Phoenix area. Our pilgrimage to Arizona seemed to be spiritually symbolic as if adding another stone to a pillar of promise given Scott in 1998. God significantly impressed upon him to reach people in the Phoenix area. Over the years, we both have wrestled with God to understand the full meaning of this discourse during his personal, divine encounter. By faith, Scott received a promise for his future, which has always kept him believing for healing and personal ministry in the face of his terminal diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease (in 1997). Scott’s tenaciously lays hold to the initiation of faith he received from his Savior.

I am reminded of a great patriarch in Scripture, Jacob, who wrestled all night with God for a blessing; and was forever changed by his encounter. It was at that place and time that Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel”. From then on Jacob always walked with a limp; continually keeping him mindful of his experience at the place he named Peniel (literally, ‘Face of God’). Jacob later became the father to the 12 tribes of the nation of Israel.

In our own lives, we can also recognize some struggles in our circumstances might reveal our struggle with God. Instead of wrestling with God, we can receive His blessing and find our Father in the place of intimate relationship. He will impart His grace and equipping when we surrender and trust Him. His Spirit is the One who changes and prepares us to our meet challenges in the face of conflict. Glory to God!

 “So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved ” Gen 32:30 (NKJV).

When a man or woman decides to become more like Christ they become the message!

Paul’s life had become the message of the Holy Spirit and power of what God could do in a heart; fully yielded to the plans and purposes of God. Paul spoke to the Corinthian believers, “We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings” (1Cor 4:9b). We are made by God a spectacle (qeatron). The word, like our theater, means the place of the show, and the spectacle shown at the theater is our lives exhibited before the whole world.

When we commit ourselves to fully following Christ, wanting our life to become a testimony, we say in our hearts to God; “I want to be used to reach the most souls for Christ! I’m tired of living for myself and only being satisfied with my own soul’s assurance of heaven. I want to follow you whatever the cost.”

You’re not on the backstage of the theater anymore; you step onto center stage before God, angels, demonic powers, men, and a great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). And Jesus speaks to your heart, “come follow me, I have the script to this drama of your life but you won’t be able to see it by sight but by faith. Trust me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge me, and I shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

When you go through adversity, suffering and hardship, the world will be watching how you react. When everything comes against you, will the love of Christ shine through you during these times? Don’t give away the testimony of Christ to fear, but rather glorify God because of the joy set before you (Heb 12:2).

Sometimes, when I get too weary and exhausted, I just want to walk off the stage of life, but that’s when my Heavenly Father lovingly puts his arms around me and says, “you’re doing great, I’m going to breathe new life into you so that You can go back out there Scott and demonstrate to the whole world that I Am the God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. I know your dream of wanting to be with my Son so I am preparing you through trials and adversity to be His Bride.  Jesus has no other desires or attractions in this world except to be glorified through your life.  Believe me Scott, you are the one I love so rejoice because very soon you and all those who love me will be going as my bride to a great feast I have planned, The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9).”

That’s why we endure, beloved friend, because of the joy set before us, looking forward to that day when we stand triumphantly with our King Jesus Christ as His Bride!

Special thanks to Lisa Buffaloe www.lisabuffaloe.blogspot.com and David Wikerson’s Sermon;”Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power” Oct 2, 2005.

On one hand I can get extremely frustrated because my voice is very difficult to understand. Unless I have enough energy and I’m in a super quiet environment then is there the potential for me to be intelligible, even if I do only speak one syllable words at a time.

On the other hand some pretty hurtful, boastful, arrogant thoughts don’t have a destructive effect because either my voice gets lost in the noise of the room or the translation of my speech gets messed up. Most times I just can’t speak plain fast enough to enter the conversation. I often praise God that he saved me from myself and from my own words that didn’t get the opportunity to be heard!

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.

God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few” Ecclesiastes 5:2

 

Feel like you can’t get a break in life? Tired of life’s constant struggles? Does it seem like circumstances are too tough – too insurmountable? Scott Brodie has a word of encouragement for you today.

This post is part of a series on assisted suicide – but don’t let that keep you from perusing. No matter the topic, these videotaped excerpts from the Brodie home will bless and encourage you. They encouraged me greatly!

Scott and his wife Glennis shared their inspiring story in Walking Through the Valley: The Scott Brodie Story. (Click here to watch.) Every time I catch a glimpse behind the scenes of Scott’s journey with ALS, I am instantly, deeply, eternally changed. My perspective is transformed. If you are walking through hardship great or small, come go with me to the Brodie home and be encouraged…

The Scene

From behind the camera comes a soothing, upbeat voice. If you were listening to the audio alone, you might think she doesn’t have a care in the world. One glimpse through the lens, however, reveals an entirely different picture.

Sitting in a chair, her husband Scott cannot move his arms or hands. Underneath his shirt is a back brace that holds his head up. It extends from his lower back to the crown of his head. Although he can’t turn his head in the brace, thankfully it allows him to sit upright, walk and move around.

Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), has also affected Scott’s speech. Glennis has become accustomed to ‘interpreting’ over the years. (When I interviewed Scott and Glennis on camera in 2006, Glennis anticipated having to interpret Scott’s words – so only she was miked for sound. Surprisingly, Scott spoke the entire time and could be clearly understood.)

The tracheostomy Scott had last year reduced his ability to speak even more. At night, when Scott is on the ventilator, he cannot speak at all because the cuff is inflated. Glennis interprets as he spells letters with his foot. She’s very adept at interpreting. Sometimes Scott only has to sign a few letters and Glennis figures out the whole word…maybe even the entire phrase. Of course, it helps to have been married for twenty-five years. I suppose after all that time you could almost read your spouse’s mind.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a brief segment of Larry King’s interview with Jack Kevorkian. I was appalled. Absolutely sickened. God immediately gave me the idea of calling Scott Brodie to ask him to watch the next airing of the Kevorkian interview and share his thoughts with us.

I had forgotten, until I watched the next airing myself, that Thomas Youk – the man for whose murder Kevorkian was sentenced to prison – had ALS, like Scott Brodie. (Perhaps I was too sick when the conviction occurred to remember this key fact.) In typical fashion, God was working in the details. He knew Scott’s input on this topic would be invaluable.

Scott types with his toes and has an incredible blog. He maneuvers the mouse with his feet and accomplishes a great deal on the computer and the internet. I look forward to a true ‘guest post’ from Scott in the future – one without my words – but this week, in order to post a prompt response to a vital issue, this guest post became a collaborative effort between Scott, Glennis and me.

Below is video of Scott’s post – as well as a dialogue transcript that includes Glennis’ interpretations and elaborations. I’m glad she weighed in! Assisted suicide has become an appealing idea to caretakers as well.

A documentary about Kevorkian, the assisted-suicide advocate, began airing this week on HBO. A companion piece to the HBO movie “You Don’t Know Jack,” starring Al Pacino and Susan Sarandon, the documentary sparked a pro-killing media blitz across the nation. One would hardly recognize it as such, though, for killing is beautified – packaged as mercy at its best. The movie, documentary, interviews and press coverage have produced an innocent, enticing image of murder and suicide.

Who stands to be influenced? Strictly patients with a terminal illness? No. When the sanctity of life erodes, all life is cheapened. One sector of society gains authority to determine whether others’ lives are valuable enough to exist. Ultimately, it affects everyone – even you and me.

To whom does the idea of euthanasia / assisted suicide appeal? Well, to name a few groups:

• To busy people who don’t want to care for aging parents.
• To insurance and state healthcare agencies who prefer to fund assisted suicide rather than costly life-extending treatment.
• To someone who has a progressive disease, or is depressed, or is struggling financially or in chronic pain.
• Even to someone who is in despair over the future loss of a spouse, as in the case of Sir Edward Downes,

Once we slide further down this slope, the impact upon our lives and freedoms will be devastating.

If ever there was a time we needed to hear from Scott Brodie, it is now. As I watched the second airing of Larry King’s interview with Kevorkian, six questions came to mind. I emailed them to Scott right away, expecting a typed response. The video response He and Glennis chose, however, is much more illuminating.

If you are too overwhelmed by a season of suffering to be concerned with broader issues at stake, it is understandable. Scott’s messages below will be just the encouragement and truth you need today. (See also Walking Through the Valley: The Scott Brodie Story.)

Question #1

What has been the progression of your illness?

 

Glennis: “Scott was diagnosed with ALS in the Fall of 1997.” [Scott was given just two to five years to live – thirteen years ago!] “The symptoms began in his right hand, then traveled up his right arm to the left arm and to his neck. It has affected his voice, his ability to talk, as well. He is still walking.”

“Scott had to have a feeding tube placed in 2005, five years ago. He is on a liquid diet of canned things or things we can puree and concoct.

“This back brace was about that same year – 2005. It may have been completed in 2006. But Scott walks with this back brace, which goes all the way down to his mid-back. It’s underneath his shirt. It keeps his head supported. That way he is able to maintain his balance. It gets a little hot. He can’t really turn his head side to side, but he can move.

“April 1, 2009 he had tracheostomy surgery. That was a huge, prayerful step in the months and year prior actually. But now a year has passed and he is doing really well. He has had to fight a reoccurring lung infection. So that has been the biggest challenge, but we seem to have a God-given way to manage that right now. We praise God for that.

“Scott has no use of hands, which limits him from many things – there are many things he cannot do. No driving, of course. He’s at his computer most of the day, but he types with his toes and operates the mouse with his foot. Most everything has to be done with his foot.

“Sometimes he will spell the letters out if he is on his ventilator (which is over there on that side of the room; It’s a laptop vent). At night and in the morning when he’s over there, he’s not speaking because the cuff is inflated. He can’t speak when that’s up. So he will spell letters with his feet and then I get to interpret…and that’s a lot of fun for me,” she says laughing.

[Natalie: Scott has difficulty swallowing…even saliva. He went through the whole one-hour interview in 2006 without complications from swallowing or expelling saliva. You may have noticed that in the interview footage there are paper napkins folded between the cushions of the couch, positioned by Glennis for quick access. The napkins were there to use in place of swallowing. Scott never once needed them. Amazing! Scott hasn’t been able to easily swallow saliva for some time…not without creating a tendency to choke. Even when he could technically swallow food – just for a little taste – after the feeding tube, small bites of food would create too much mucous. He would have to be suctioned. Years ago, when I was in his home, it was a rarity for him to taste a bite of food, though he could technically swallow.]

Question #2

What symptoms do you have that others may consider grounds for taking their life if they had same symptoms:

Glennis: “The thing about Lou Gehrig’s – it has been a progressive loss. It never levels off. Apart from God’s Divine intervention and healing, that’s the course it would take. It continues to rob the body, so that’s what it’s done over the years. Scott, what do you think have been the biggest hurdles along the way?”

Scott: “Probably the feeding tube and the trach.”

Glennis: “Those were definitely the biggest. The feeding tube because some people think its artificial nutrition. But it’s really just another access to the stomach. Scott doesn’t have the pleasure of eating and the social aspect of eating – although Scott likes to gather with people when they are here and participate – but he has to be an observer and eat from his ‘sack lunch.’

“It was hurdle for Scott to use the wheelchair, even though he wasn’t dependent on it. This was before the feeding tube, when He had lost so much weight. He was 120 pounds at six feet tall. He didn’t have energy or endurance to walk far. So that was a big, big hurdle.

“It was a big hurdle when Scott could no longer work or drive—”

Scott: “Talking,” Scott adds.

Glennis: “That has been the greatest loss – talking. He has gone months without talking. When his cuff is inflated in his trach, within his trachea, he’s not able to push air over the larynx. So there is no use of the voice box. When he is talking, his enunciation is a little hard to understand – “

Scott: “Even for me,” Scott adds.

Glennis: “When Scott sees himself recorded, he doesn’t know what the guy is talking about,” Glennis laughs.

 

“So yes, there have been a lot of things we’ve had to bring before God and get his grace to know how to continue on, right?

 

Scott: “Yes. Amen”

 

Question #3

Have the losses caused you to feel that your life has lost meaning?

 

 

Scott: “They did. But God overcame them through His Word.”

Glennis: “He ministered His Word to you personally and intimately and gave you the-”

Scott: “–hope”

Glennis: “–loved you and gave you the hope to continue on.

Scott: “God does not see as man sees. God sees the heart.

Glennis: “God sees the heart. He’s not impressed by physical stature.”

Scott: “Or your vast knowledge. He sees the heart.”

Glennis: “When you got your diagnosis, I remember, you said–have said–that you weren’t ready. Of course, you were thirty-seven. You weren’t ready to consider dying, but you also didn’t feel prepared to meet your Maker, although you were a believer and gave your life to Christ when you were eighteen. But here you were at thirty-seven and you said, ‘I’m not done.’ You knew God had more. That was really a driving force also – because you didn’t feel that you had accomplished everything that He’d given you to do.”

Scott: “He has a race for me to run. It was not complete yet. He said, ‘Go back to your race and only look to me – because I am the author and finisher of your race. Do not look at your body. Look to me.’”

Glennis: “Because when you used to look in the mirror and you would look at the losses, that was really devastating.”

Scott: “True.”

Glennis: “Yes. It really impacted you. Then you used to always say, ‘I’m not not that man in the mirror’ – because you were referring to the fact that God sees who you are in the heart, not the reflection that is illuminated through the mirror and what other people see.”

Question #4:

Do you feel that your life has meaning? Please explain.

 

 

Glennis: “Scott continues to have an impact on our family, our friends and those he meets. Frankly, people, even strangers – he draws a lot of attention. He is part of an immediate family, an extended family and he is well loved. Any person has these ties to family. And it means a lot to the people that are close to an individual that has suffering, it means a lot–”

Scott: “But I really don’t suffer.”

 

Glennis: “You don’t feel that you suffer? Well, most people would call it suffering because you have limitations and you haven’t been able to get – you’re not what’s considered normal, I guess.

“Scott’s life has tried all of us actually, because we have gone through different seasons of having to trust God ourselves – for our security, for our capacity, for the fear that might want to grip us at times, especially at times when things have gotten very scary with his health. We don’t know one day to the next what will happen, but we’ve watched God’s faithfulness. We’ve learned and watched how God has cared and provided and it’s helped us to draw close in our walk with God – to know how much he loves each one of his creation. He’s made them unique and wonderful. Scott is able to minister through his life. As testament, he is able to shine the love of God through himself to others, and he does that with our family. He does that with our friends and also to people that we just meet.

“The contributions Scott makes are countless – just as any individual who is impacting people. But I would say that our children have only benefited because they now have compassion. They serve, they look for people that need help. They are more keen to notice the needs of others. In our family life there is a lot of cooperation because we’re not just the adult figures telling our children what to do. We have asked for their help. They are participants and together this family operates, we need each other. So there’s been an amazing effort from everyone.”

Additional insight from Walking Through the Valley: The Scott Brodie Story

In the 2006 interview, Scott shared about a time that he was tired of fighting and wanted to go to Heaven. God answered him – and in that answer God shows us what value our lives have, no matter our abilities.

In this segment, Scott and Glennis both mentioned “identifying in Christ.” What does that mean? They answer in this raw, unedited excerpt from the interview. (Excerpt not included in Walking Through the Valley.)

[Natalie: Scott’s life has value beyond what even he and his family are aware. I know for myself personally, Scott’s faith and perseverance – and frankly his positive attitude – have set an incredible example. His and Glennis’ life-examples inspire and challenge me each day. Just editing the video and transcript of this interview taught and ministered to me and centered my priorities right where they need to be – on eternal things. Anxiety, worry and preoccupations all vanished in light of eternity. Their impact is immeasurable!]

Question #5:

If the possibility of Divine healing on earth were taken out of the equation, would you consider assisted suicide? Why not? Would you have considered it in the past? Why not?

 

Scott: “No – because only God knows the time and I do not want to take that away from Him.

“He just asked me last year [a few weeks before Glennis called 911 and Scott was rushed to ER because of respiratory failure] if I did not get healing, would I still follow Him. I said, ‘Yes, Lord. Live or die, I am Yours.’ So God holds the keys to life and death. Not me. It’s only the grace of God any of us are alive today.”

Glennis: “Last year, Scott did consider the reality that he might [be on his way to heaven]—there was a different time last year before and after his trachestomy surgery, when he thought ‘maybe I’m not going to get my healing’ and thinking ‘I’m going to be going to heaven soon.’ And he was okay with that. There was no fear. He thought, ‘I’ll be with Jesus. No problem. I don’t have to hold onto this.’ Scott really has over and over again laid his life at Jesus’ feet. I think in the early years he really clung to God’s promise of healing and it has kept him very fervent for healing and to be back to the way he was. But now he wants to glorify God however God sees fit.

“Scott decided last year – I remember his prayer – that he had to abide under the shadow of God’s wing and just trust Him that His way is perfect. We had a tough year last year. A lot of weighty things … we thought we had already reviewed them, but I guess you have to come back and reaffirm.”

 

Scott: “You always have to surrender your life to God because he knows the best plan for your life.”

Glennis: Yes, because doubt comes in and you think, ‘Did we actually [hear correctly]?—God surely you didn’t mean this.’ So I guess we do examine, ‘Okay, this is a new place God. I didn’t bargain for this. I only thought so far into my future, but not this far.’ So we have to keep going back for His grace, for Him to enlarge us for the next step.

Question #6

If you had a friend who came to you and said, I have just been diagnosed with ALS; I want to end my life. What would you say?

Glennis interprets Scott’s words: “Oh I see what you’re saying. If they want to end their life, they’re talking to the wrong guy – because you would just want to encourage them. What would you tell them?“

 

Scott: “God loves you very much and you are very valuable to Him and to others. And just because a doctor tells you that you have ALS [or terminal diagnosis], that your life is over, that is not true. You may be alive for years and have meaning and purpose. So just let God love you.”

 

Glennis: “Let God love you right where you’re at. Yes, that’s good. I know that for years, all we could do was believe against hope. Abraham did that. He believed in hope. Against hope, he believed in hope. That was such a stable verse for us. We said, even if we can’t muster the faith to believe much, we can hope that God is good and that He does love us and He has our best interest and His glory in view as these things are transpiring in our lives. We have to draw near to Him to know what to do. So we’ve looked for His guidance. We’ve looked for His wisdom in the therapies that Scott has done, in the steps that we’ve made in our business.

“We have seen much in the last 13 years! Our wedding anniversary of 25 years was last September. Boy, we wouldn’t have thought that Scott would have seen that day.

“We’ve seen the graduation of our four kids. [Their youngest just graduated this year. She was six years old when Scott was diagnosed and given just two to five years to live.]”

“We’ve seen our daughters play volleyball in college.”

“Jessica [oldest daughter] graduated from college and got married. Scott walked her down the aisle [and danced with her at the reception].”

“Then Jessica became pregnant and we were like, ‘Oh, do we have those nine months? Will Scott see our first grand baby?’ And he did!

“Now [our granddaughter] is a year and a half and she comes and helps her Papa. She likes to help just like my kids like to help and they do what they can. She’s very cute. She comes and brings him a tissue and helps with the little things she can do. It’s so sweet.

“We’ve seen our son be raised up and take over the leadership of our business and we’ve seen expansion of our business into another state, into Arizona.

“So we’ve watched God provide in so many ways. Things that we would’ve though, ‘Okay, there’s going to be devastation. There’s going to be lack. We are going to be in hardship.’ We’re not saying there hasn’t been a measure of those challenges, but as we look back we see, Wow, God has made a way! So we praise God for all He has done.”

Closing Thoughts:

The Dance

Natalie: “A picture is worth a thousand words,” the saying goes. To me, one action of Scott’s speaks as loudly as his profound words. When I see Scott and his family on home video engaging in this simple activity, volumes of truth are conveyed. Much is revealed about how Scott and Glennis have responded to catastrophic circumstances – and in turn, how their children have responded as well.

What is this activity? Dancing. Yes, that’s right! In the face of hopeless circumstances, the Brodies dance. When others would be angry at God, they praise Him. When others could only focus on what has been taken from their lives, the Brodie’s focus on what they’ve been given. When negativity would encroach on another, the Brodies celebrate the simple joys in life. When many would paste a permanent grimace on their face, laughter constantly fills the Brodie home.

This last video clip briefly shows Scott’s decline from being able to speak normally and hold his head up to experiencing difficulties with both…yet he literally dances through through the storm. This is a must see! It will change your day!!

 

 

Last month June 12 (2010) I attended my daughter, Kylee’s High School graduation. Kylee is the youngest of our four children (our baby); she is a very patient, undemanding girl who has a very tender heart. Glennis and I are so very proud of her and the young lady she has become. Kylee will be continuing her education at Highline Community College where she was awarded a volleyball scholarship. This summer, she will be traveling for two weeks with her team to the  National Volleyball Training Center in Brazil. We are really excited for the new adventures before Kylee and for God’s direction in her future.

Hope against Hope
At the time of my diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease in 1997, Kylee was only six years old. I was given the 2-5 year death sentence with no possibility of recovery. Our oldest, Justin, had just turned 15yrs and was to graduate in 2001. We grieved over what the medical professionals had told us. There was little hope that I would see Justin graduate from High School.

BUT GOD
I have always believed that God could heal me and that is exactly what I told the Neurologist who insisted that I needed to get my “affairs in order”. We realized that he was doing the hard part of his job; delivering a terminal diagnosis and having to make SURE that the family knows how serious it is. The information was sterile, cold, unwanted and heartbreaking. There was no comfort, no avenues for treatment, no ray of hope offered.

THE God of ALL HOPE
Praise the Lord; I attended Justin’s graduation 4 yrs later in 2001, followed by our other two daughters. Jessica graduated High School in 2003 (and college 2007) and Ashley graduated High School in 2005 (and college in 2009). Now, with Kylee’s graduation this year, I feel as though I have graduated from the regret I felt thinking that I possibly would not be at these big occasions for my kids. God has worked beyond what we could ask, think or imagine was possible given the gravity of my health challenges. Although our faith had been shaken, we have always had hope in the One who loves us.

God is a great and greatly to be praised! He strengthens the weak and encourages the downcast. Through His word God asked us to believe that ALL things are possible with Him (Mark 10:27).

There have been other milestones; the recent larger occasions have been to walk my oldest daughter down the aisle and to be involved in her wedding (2007), to rejoice in the arrival of our first grandchild (2008), to celebrate with my wife our Silver Anniversary (2009). Each Birthday, Anniversary, Thanksgiving and Christmas I am so grateful that we get to enjoy them together. Everyday is a gift; I am thankful that God has extended my years to cover my family in prayer and decision making. I love God and receive great joy reading His Word and encouraging others. I have been given much and am so thankful God still uses me for His service in the land of the living!

Be inspired to find hope, peace, perspective and promise in Christ …

…no matter what you are facing!

He went from being a happy, healthy athletic husband and father of four to a man given a death sentence in a doctor’s office. His world turned upside down in a matter of moments. Would Lou Gehrig’s disease defeat him or did God have something else in mind?

 

---

Although we are awaiting the final edit of this moving interview with Scott Brodie and his wife Glennis, I can no longer wait to share this amazing story with you! No matter what trial you are facing today – frustration with your job, trouble in your marriage, financial challenges, job loss, illness, children addicted to drugs – Scott and Glennis’ story will give you hope!

“I told God I would rather die and go home to heaven – I was tired of fighting.” Scott Brodie was weary and depressed. Years earlier as a young man, Scott was an accomplished athlete.

His life really seemed to be taking off…especially after marrying Glennis, an aerobics instructor at the gym where they both worked. But soon after, Scott and Glennis and their four children faced something they never could have imagined …

Diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Scott was given just two to five years to live. For over 13 years Scott has maintained his faith and joy in Christ while walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

Yielded fully to God’s control, Scott has received peace and strength through God’s promises. As with Abraham, God has enabled Scott to hope in Him when circumstances contradict all hope. Walking Through the Valley presents the moving life story of Scott Brodie…

 

Be inspired to find hope, contentment and promise in Christ – no matter what you are facing!

 

My spirit has been greatly stirred in the last months by  Sermons my wife and I have been able to listen to over the Internet. Particularly, David Wilkerson and Carter Conlin from Times Square Church website (tscnyc.org) and also sermons from various other Men of God.

The daily intake of these messages helps me to consider many things; allowing the Holy Spirit to prick my heart in many areas. I’m so thankful to the faithfulness of these preachers. Their sermons have been part of my spiritual breakfast, so-to-speak, giving me a lot to consider and creating a sense of urgency in me to reach out and share Christ with as many people as I can! I have found  great purpose in my life being a testimony to my generation for my Lord Jesus because we are truly living in the last days.  What an amazing time to be alive!

Many times our perspective of our life’s trials can be so relative to those around us, even cultural. We have expectations and standards that to us seem “normal”.  As we grow in our relationship with Almighty God, we can begin to see a larger viewpoint, in both our worldview and our eternal viewpoint. Trusting God is in control of my circumstances and that my life is in His hands, I can realize a peace in my soul. Knowing  and having confidence that His thoughts toward me are “yea and Amen”(2 Cor 1:20) “thoughts of Peace to give me an expected end”(Jer 29:11) and trusting that His “goodness and Mercy will follow me all the days of my life” (Ps 23:6).

If I find myself in adversity, I can be assured that although afflictions may seem like a weakness, God will use weakness to demonstrate His power. “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Cor 4:20). His Word is to be living and powerful, when the Holy Spirit gives us revelation; abundant life will spring forth—Life, life, and more life!  As we seek God’s plan for our lives our souls will greatly prosper.  Apparent weakness may be the vehicle that God uses to display His strength. You don’t have to be sick or physically challenged to be weak, it is a mindset that you’re not in control – God is!

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2Cor 12:10.

To quote Pastor David Wilkerson, “I have called on God for deliverance and I believe him for complete healing. Yet, while I go on believing, I continue to thank God for the present condition and let it serve to remind me how dependent on him I really am. With David I can say, “It is good for me” (Psalm 119:71).

God wants to give us much, much more than just a physical healing. He wants to give us a complete healing; Everything- spiritually and physically! If we only desire something in the temporal, physical realm we can limit God in His transforming and redemptive power.  The children of Israel expressed their unbelief and limited God. After He had miraculously led them out of Egypt, they immediately complained to Moses about not having enough meat and bread to eat. They grumbled to Moses saying God led them into the desert only to starve them to death (Ex 16:3-12). God gave them what they wanted….bread!…but sent leanness to their souls. Why do many only seek the physical blessings of health and wealth, which are temporal, and not live a surrendered life that glorifies God with its work of pure gold? This value system is eternal!! Why do we only want to survive but not enter into all that the LORD promised? “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Mt5:6). “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rm 8:32)

God  gave me a verse, back in the early years of learning of my diagnosis of ALS. He gave it though two people, out of state that I didn’t know very well, and He has ministered it to me in the quietness of my heart many times.

“This disease is not unto death but for the glory of God” (Jn 11:4).

I keep believing for the promise of physical healing. However, God has also given me the living application of that verse day by day,  He has extended my life so that He will be glorified. He has worked through this disease and has extended my life to praise and testify of Him. I am so grateful God has given me more time here on the earth to experience measures of both types of healings! It is by faith I can look for the substance of both.

I win either way! I can be an overcomer, so can you! We can rule over life because Jesus conquered the grave. God has already won the victory for us!  If I lose my life, I wake up with Jesus in my new glorified body, totally healed! Hallelujah! Brother and Sister it would be far better to lose your life physically than to suffer loss in your soul for eternity.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”1Co 15:55

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Charlie Wedemeyer dies

Charlie Wedemeyer, one of Hawaii’s most storied high school athletes who earned his greatest accolades for his dogged fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease, died this morning in California. He was 64. Wedemeyer had undergone two major surgeries in recent weeks.

His inspirational life story has been well chronicled, resulting in a PBS documentary, “One More Season,” a CBS movie, “Quiet Victory — The Charlie Wedemeyer Story” and a book he and his wife Lucy wrote, “Charlie’s Victory.”

In 1960, Wedemeyer was voted the Prep Athlete of the Decade. Last year, he was named one of the Hawai’i’s top 50 sportspersons in the 50 years of statehood.

Wedemeyer, a multi-sport athlete at Punahou School, was diagnosed 33 years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the degenerative nerve condition that killed baseball’s “Ironman” at age 37 on June 2, 1941. ALS is usually fatal within three years of diagnosis and only 10 percent of those afflicted live beyond eight years.

Despite Charlie’s illness, the Wedemeyers would make speaking engagements, with Lucy delivering his message by reading his lips and his eye movements.

In 1999, he visited O’ahu Community Correctional Center and quipped, “In a sense, I also have a life sentence.”

In 2005, the Wedemeyers made speaking engagements at Central Union Church and the Hawai’i High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor dinner.

In recent years, Charlie’s kidney failed and last March, he was hospitalized and underwent three surgeries.

Through it all, the family remained incredibly upbeat.

“God is so good. We have been blessed,” Lucy said last year.

Charlie and Lucy Dangler were high school sweethearts at Punahou, where Charlie played quarterback and halfback and was a three-time all-star in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

In 1964, he was named ILH Player of the Year, and played in a playoff game against Kamehameha that was televised throughout the state.

At Michigan State, Charlie was a receiver for the No. 2-ranked 1966 team that played No. 1 Notre Dame to a 10-10 tie in college football’s famed “Game of the Century.” It also was the first game televised live to Hawai’i.

After getting married and graduating, the Wedemeyers settled in Los Gatos, a small town about 15 miles southeast of San Jose. They had two children, Carri and Kale, and Charlie began a successful career as a math teacher and football coach at Los Gatos High.

Then in 1976, he started dropping the chalk when writing math problems on the chalkboard in class. After similar difficulties with his hands, he went to see a doctor, and eventually he was diagnosed with ALS.

Lou Gehrig’s Disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. The result is a loss of muscle control and movement.

ALS, which affects one out of every 50,000 people, accelerates quickly and many patients totally succumb within two or three years of diagnosis.

In Charlie’s case, he was given one year to live.

But the Wedemeyers did not focus on what was taken away.

“In the beginning we didn’t see anything positive about it, but then we renewed our faith in God and realized we are a tool that can be used to help other people,” Lucy said in a 2005 interview with Advertiser sports writer Wes Nakama. “I think Charlie realized what an awesome responsibility he had been given, that there is a plan and purpose for everything.”

In the early years of his illness, Wedemeyer prayed that he could get to see his two children grow up to graduate from high school and then college. They did.

Carri runs the website for the Charlie Wedemeyer Family Outreach program, which raises money for ALS research, while Kale is a doctor in private practice.

“God is so good. We have been blessed. Our two children are both happily married and live close to each other, and 4.2 minutes from us, but who’s counting?” Lucy told Advertiser writer Bill Kwon last year. “We are thrilled to be grandparents. I think it is our greatest accomplishment.”

One of the most versatile athletes locally, Wedemeyer, who was 5 feet 7 and weighed 164 pounds, earned nine varsity letters in high school. He was a first-team all-star with teammate Norm Chow when Punahou won the ILH basketball title in 1964, and played second base on the school’s 1965 ILH championship baseball team.

Wedemeyer played in the East-West Shrine Game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, and then came back home to play in the 1969 Hula Bowl. He played two years of semi-pro football for the Lansing (Mich.) All-Stars.

Charlie’s greatest accomplishment, though, came as football coach at Los Gatos High School, winning seven league championships and posting a 78-18-1 record — after he was afflicted with ALS. In 1985, his team won the Central Coast Section Championship with Lucy, on the sidelines again, reading his lips and relaying his plays to assistant coaches.

“I think it’s important to remember that we will all be confronted with adversity that may seem insurmountable,” Charlie said in 2005. “When it does happen, we have to remember that God has given us the freedom of choice: We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves, be bitter and angry, and cause everybody to be miserable. Or we can become a stronger and better person for it.

“Pain and suffering are inevitable — we all experience it. But misery is an option.

“We do get to make that choice.”

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser  | June 4, 2010

Charlie Wedemeyer:
February 19, 1946 – June 3, 2010

Charlie Wedemeyer Family Outreach http://www.cwfo.org/

by Dr. Michael Brown

It happened in the vestibule at ten one Sunday morn;
A haggard-looking church-goer sat plaintive and forlorn.

Then suddenly he rose and found a hungry-looking Christian;
He took his hand, took him aside, and asked him a straight question:

“You’ve read the Word; you know the Book; the promises are clear.
But have you seen the living God? Have you found Him here?

Have you experienced holy fire, the Spirit in His power,
A mighty wave, a rushing wind, a flame that does devour?

Is there something more you’re seeking, so high, so wide, so deep?
Do you find yourself frustrated? Is church putting you to sleep?

Then listen well, you heart is ripe; my tale I will tell.
This story is your story too, and it’s your tale as well.

For thirty years I’ve been in church, it seemed like a good show.
But now I’ve got to meet with God, do you know where to go?

I’m trapped in mundane worship times, the praises have grown cold;
The preaching’s dry and dusty. The teaching is stale like mold.

Each service feels like a rerun, the songs all sound the same;
The prophecies so hollow, not worthy of the name!

Words, more words, they’re everywhere, but oh there is a stink!
Words, more words, they’re everywhere, but none to make us think!

We lack the heavenly Presence, it’s clear we’re in a rut;
I’m desperate for revival, it burns within my gut!

I’m love-sick for my Jesus, so hungry for my Lord;
Just longing for my Savior; God knows that I’m so bored!

Is there someone who can help me, who’s touched the real thing?
A man who’s heard from heaven, with a word from God to bring?

Are there prophets burning with fire, servants who are ablaze?
Anointed and overflowing, appointed for these days?

Do they carry the Spirit’s burden, and breathe the Lord God’s breath?
Are they set apart and holy, obedient to death?

I hear the words of the Master, ‘Come follow Me,’ He said.
If some Christians go their own way; I’ll go with Him instead!

Oh please, don’t do as I have done, and waste so many years.
Don’t wait and wait for endless months; move on, outgrow your fears!

Forget the twelve step programs; a seminar won’t do.
You need a touch from heaven, to fill you through and through.

There must be change in your life, a work of God that’s real.
Don’t fool yourself with worn clichés, don’t let the devil steal!

Don’t miss out on God’s Presence or let those hours pass;
Don’t stop your soul from hungering, get out of the morass!

Dear friend, you are not crazy; dear saint, you are not mad;
There truly is a problem, it’s true, you have been had!

There’s more! There’s more, Believe it! There is that place in God.
There are holy visitations, new paths that must be trod.

Will you get up like old Pilgrim, and seek that better way?
Will you go forth on that journey no matter what men say?

Will you go out now and meet Him, and leave the crowd behind,
Forsaking dead traditions, if Jesus you will find?

It’s not in another meeting, a nicely packaged hour;
Another harmless service, devoid of heaven’s power.

It’s not in another teaching, three points to fill your head.
The Word is always vibrant; but this stuff is so dead!

We need God to send His Spirit, to fully take control,
To transform every member, to come and make them whole!

Enough with man’s religion; enough with earthly plans;
Enough with our new programs; produced by fleshly hands.”

Just then in strode the pastor his calling to fulfill;
Just doing his weekly duty, then he became frozen still.

For astir was that parishioner he grasped the preacher’s clothes,
And grasped the preacher’s soul as well, and in that grasp he froze.

“Oh pastor, enter the prayer room and shut yourself inside.
Be emptied of competition, and crucify your pride!

Pray for holy visitations, caught up alone with Him,
Consumed with heavenly vision, that’s where you must begin!

You won’t find Him in a textbook, buried on page twenty-two.
He is the living God who acts, He wants to move in you!

It’s not only the ‘apostles’, He’ll bless and send and use;
He will saturate your own soul, if you will not refuse.

So arise, get up, and pursue Him, Jesus your true best Friend!
He is worthy of devotion; He’s faithful to the end!

Why should you starve on crusty bread, and crawl along the ground?
Your Savior is your source of life, see Him, let joy abound!

Renew your life, refresh your heart, press in, take hold, pray through.
Put first things first, make God your goal; what else have you to do?

Your Bible schooling stole your zeal, church life has drained you dry;
You used to have such childlike faith, now budgets have your eye!

You used to be so passionate, so innocent and free.
Now you’ve become professional; you’ll preach for a good fee!

Oh, set your sights on higher goals and not on dollar bills,
Live in the light of Judgment Day; ambition always kills!

Let Jesus be your daily Guide, put Him where He belongs;
And soon His presence will arrive; His praise will fill your songs!

Simplicity will be your style, devotion your new goal:
Communion will become your aim, God’s life will flood your soul!

Oh, take your eyes off numbers, church growth can be a trap!
Go out and make disciples, go out and bridge the gap!

Pour out your life for broken lives, let God your heart break too.
Take up the cross, deny yourself; just live His will to do!

Wake up, be brave, be honest; today – oh hear His voice!
Be ruthless with your schedule; seek GOD. Make that your choice.

You won’t find Him in your planner, no committee has the key.
You’ll find Him when your soul cries out, ‘There must be more for me!’

‘There must be more than building funds, and sessions past midnight,
And endless talks with leadership, disputing who is right.

Somehow I know I’ve been misled; the model doesn’t work.
I’m not called as executive, nor should I be a clerk.

I’m called to be a man of God, a man who’s Spirit-led,
A healer of the sick and lame someday to raise the dead!’

And with that cry new life will rise, your heart will be revived;
Heaven’s light will flood your soul, you will not be denied!”

The parishioner then turned his gaze away from flesh and blood:
He looked to Him who sends the showers, to Him who sends the flood.

“Today, oh Lord, do you hear our voice, and pour Your Spirit out.
Saturate the thirsty ground. End this spiritual drought!

Revive us with Your Presence, renew us from above;
Touch the flock called by Your name; come fill us with Your love!

Do greater works in our day than that which you have done.
Bring the fullness of Your rains, and glorify Your Son!”

That old church-goer spoke no more. Another voice was heard.
Yet not the voice of flesh and blood: It was our Father’s word.

And if you listen closely, beyond this little rhyme,
You’ll hear Him speaking clearly: “MY CHILDREN, IT IS TIME.”

“Lord, thou dost show thy power by my frailty, so that the more feeble I am, the more fit to be used, for thou dost pitch a tent of grace in my weakness. Help me to rejoice in my infirmities and give thee praise, to acknowledge my deficiencies before others and not be discouraged by them, that they may see thy glory more clearly.”[1]

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[1] From The Valley of Vision,  a collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Banner of Truth Trust, 1975