The ambulance drove us home June 4th, 2009; Scott returning without having received the antibiotic intervention he needed for his lung infection. Scott had stayed at this same hospital for his Tracheotomy surgery just 2 months prior; on file they had the documentation of Scott’s Advanced Directives, Power of Attorney and P.O.L.S.T statement (Physicians Order for Life Sustaining Treatment). A checkbox within this statement informs medical personnel NOT to refuse antibiotics if life can be prolonged; Scott consented to all interventions, those were his wishes. Considered “Full-Code” his POLST was signed the month prior, incidentally, by the pulmonologist on-call who gave the orders to send Scott home without antibiotic treatment.

I could not comprehend the Emergency Room sending Scott home as if he didn’t merit any further efforts from the physicians-the qualified practitioners we all go to for assistance in times of health crisis. This experience was my first introduction to what is considered futile care “the belief that in cases where there is no hope for improvement of an incapacitating condition, that no course of treatment is called for.”

I spent the next several weeks after our hospital encounter in June delving into the arguments of Futility of Care and Passive Euthanasia. Futile Care could be defined as care that fails to achieve benefit. Although there is no generally accepted medical definition of “futile care” a physicians’ assessment allows a medical establishment to withdraw or withhold treatment measures and instead dispense only “comfort (palliative) care”. The same determination not to treat is also the criteria for initiating hospice care for persons with less than six months to live. Passive euthanasia is another term defined as “the withholding of common treatments, such as antibiotics, necessary for the continuance of life.”[1] Treatment decisions may be established on unexpressed assumptions about prognosis and quality of life, basing decisions and recommendations on the practitioner’s personal moral values. The patient’s life may be viewed as not “workable” or worth treating.

Both of these issues present personal and controversial ethics concerning social and religious values. Diminishing a person’s life and worthiness collides with my knowledge of God’s love for each living soul. I’m saddened at the awareness that many elderly and otherwise helpless people (and their loved ones) experience this harsh actuality and end-of-the-road realization many families have to face. I had not been aware of this cruel reality up until Scott was sent home from the hospital with no treatment although fighting an infection and unable to breathe. Room must be made for those who can be helped. Instead time, resources, insurance coverage and allowances dictate. We may acknowledge validity of these limitations; however, when your loved one is the one being refused care brings home the anguish that you are powerless to help and those that can….wont.

Most of our lives we don’t give much thought to these matters until we are made painfully aware because of the life threatening conditions of those near to us. Perhaps that’s why it hit me so hard; it seemed that Scott was being classed as a futile case although He has never been on hospice care. His spirit and his will to live was/is so strong. We simply went to the hospital because of Scott’s lung infection. Unfortunately, because of Scott’s terminal diagnosis and the interventions he has already had, I no longer have confidence to take Scott the hospital. I suspect the medical plan at best would be comfort or hospice care.

In the midst of my discouragement, I am reminded that God is the Great Physician and Scott is ultimately God’s patient. If He intends to continue to lengthen Scott’s days, HE WILL!

“that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us” 2Cor 1:8b-10 NASB

SCOTT BRODIE June 2009 Sent Home

Glennis tells of Scott being denied IV antibiotics and admittance to hospital

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[1] Wikipedia®, updated 14 August 2010

Why did Jesus ask the blind man, the lame man, and the leper what they wanted Him to do for them?

This was the same question Jesus asked me in the divine visitation I experienced while in Arizona in 1998, thirteen years ago giving me a life changing intervention of hope, purpose and future!

Overwhelmed in Jesus’ intensive love I somehow managed to answer His question “what is it that you want?” speaking through thoughts, not audible words, I gave Him my plea… “I want to be healed” Jesus immediately responded “Your healing has already begun.”  Initially, I thought this meant instant physical healing but have come to the awareness of Jesus wanting to give me a complete, thorough healing rather than the instantaneous manifestation of healing I was seeking. He wanted to heal my body, soul, mind and spirit beginning with my inner man; transforming my outer man. I had committed my life to God 15 years earlier and was growing in His Word but this thorough healing I barely knew I was in desperate need of.  God knows His own purposes for each of our lives and desires to glorify His Son in our heart and actions. I have always believed ultimate healing is found in heaven when we die and receive a new body. But healing reversals and deliverance does happen in the “now” while living on the earth. Praise the Lord, God is our healer!

We pray, believing that He is willing, in the communion of prayer, which includes listening, I must co operate with the voice of the Holy Spirit as He leads me. Those of us who have extended trials, are in good company with other biblical accounts such as Moses, Abraham, Joseph, Paul and other patriarchs & apostles. Countless other Christian disciples have waited with perseverance and endurance for their answer. We must not grow weary but need to keep our confidence, trusting God. He tells those who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him and He will give them rest for their souls (Mt 11:28). He describes himself in this passage as one meek and lowly. We often forget that our Savior God was a man of suffering acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53),  the chastisement of our PEACE was upon Him. We must strive to have the peace and rest of God; He calls us beside these still waters. For you who struggle, do you seek to know the Father’s heart and His thoughts toward you? He is touched by our feelings of infirmity. By sending His Son to reconcile the world to Himself, He has defeated the enemy and met the demands of His justice. We can come boldly to His Throne of Grace to find help in the time of need.

I continually sought God for relief from my circumstance. The enrollment in the school of patience and suffering began to materialize true substance of faith in my life. There was for me hidden manna for nourishment and sustenance feeding my spiritual hunger and living water to quench my thirst. God continues to provide for me a table in the wilderness where my needs are wonderfully supplied.  The Father’s ways are so completely different than our ways. Where we may have once depended on religious formulas or church doctrine; we now come to rely on our daily communion with Him. We learn to hear His voice saying “this is the way, walk ye in it” (Is 30:21). God is infinitely beyond our total comprehension, He deals with us uniquely, knowing His plans for us and the thoughts and intents of our heart. In our urgent and desperate need for answers during affliction and trials, we need to draw closer to hear His voice, not led about in confusion by every wind and doctrine. God will speak to our souls making His Word come alive, empowering us to many acts of faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” Heb 11:6

In my vision, I was also asked by Jesus if I had any additional requests. I answered that I only desired to serve Him. Jesus’ response has perplexed me ever since that day. He said “where?” I thought; “wherever you want me to Lord, you already know.” He again said, “Where”? I thought “wherever I can reach the most souls.” He again said, “Where?” Because the Lord had to ask me the same question three times, my spirit grieved within me. Then suddenly I understood that Jesus was initiating and referring to a physical location. As soon as I had this revelation in my spirit then I responded to His question, “Phoenix, Arizona.” I do not know why I said Phoenix, Arizona, but He seemed happy with my answer and gave an expression of agreement. Since that time in 1998, my wife and I have been to Phoenix three times and Flagstaff twice for short ministry trips of 3-4 days. We have also expanded our small service business into the Phoenix area in 2008. I have not been able to put behind me nor forget the words of promise and assurance that saturated my soul. The experience gives me cause to believe that there is something yet unfilled for me to effect in Phoenix.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”  2 Cor 2:9

My wife and I are praying, purposing and planning to go to Arizona again this year. This time, we are intending to stay for an extended period of time to see how God leads. We want to see God’s potential through our lives if we cooperate and fully trust Him. The persistent leading of the Holy Spirit does not let me ignore or deviate from this call. I sense His conditional proposal to step out with a heart to reach the lost, my response in faith is required. Although I cannot physically make anything happen by myself, Christ can open the doors and make the way.  Having exercised patience to wait for God’s timing, I believe  restraint has been lifted and it is the time act.  Time to cast off any fear of our welfare and trust the Lord with all our hearts, not leaning on our own insight or power (Prov. 3:5,6). Intensely conscious of our total dependence on God for everything, we are preparing to take hold of this personal promise because He has given us an expectation in His love.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” Jer 29:11

Apr 25^th  2011,  4:00 am

In my dream I saw my grandma, she died in 1989 and has been in other dreams I’ve had.

I was with her in heaven and I wanted to know if it was her and I asked “how did you get here?”  She said “salvation is by grace through faith”. ((Eph 2:8-9)) 

We were at some type of gathering and there were a lot of people but I knew there were some missing, people who had gone on before. Grandma said “there are many that are missing”. Then I heard the Spirit say clearly “He spared not the angels but cast them into hell.” ((2 pet 2:4))

The truth of what my grandma said about “grace through faith” was still resonating with me. We have been given the grace of God to receive salvation but our part is to believe in Him through faith. We must have faith in God, accepting the sacrifice of His Son who God sent to die on our behalf so that we might have peace with God.

Although, a basic tenet of Christianity and being what we first understood when receiving Christ as Savior. At this moment, I had more of an understanding of God’s sovereignty to allow people to enter hell by rejecting His grace in unbelief. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” He 11:6

It was a real blessing to finally meet Retah McPherson from South Africa  last October.  I had been corresponding with Retah and her office manager, Judike, for over 3 years by e-mail. Retah graciously decided to forego a much-needed rest in between flights from Dallas to Canada and stop in Puyallup so she could visit and minister. Glennis and I picked Retah and her friend up at the airport where instantly Retah began ministering to me by wiping my face from excess saliva and leaning over to hear my words. I’m aware that many people shy away from me because of how I look and talk but not Retah McPherson! Retah shares her story on her webpage www.rethamcpherson.com

I was very inspired  after watching a series of recent video messages that Retah and her son Aldo did. What strikes me most about these videos is the interaction between Retah and Aldo. Retah  patiently waits for Aldo to complete speaking a word or sentence before she continues teaching the Word of God. Also she said, “I learn so much from you Aldo!” This is a beautiful illustration of how our Abba Father lovingly draws us out from the world and sets us apart to serve only Him. He is patient and gentle creating within us a capacity to draw near to Him.

 “I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love” Ho 11:4

We are born into this world and naturally attached to it. Not seeing our need for Christ or anything in Him worth coming for. God supernaturally attracts and draws us out of our present state and circumstance to look to Him. Not against our wills by force and compulsion nor by mere moral persuasion but by the invincible power of His grace; sweetly working in us and attracting us. He does this by revealing Christ to us, in the glories of his person and in the riches of his grace. Sweetly alluring us by His tender mercies, by engaging our soul’s need for Christ we commit ourselves to him and enter into His everlasting love.

 ^“No one is able to come to Me unless the Father who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me…” Jn 6:44

“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet 1:3-4a).

Scott’s most profound promise from God, years ago, impacted him greatly. He has always referred to his encounter of ’98 as his call from God encouraging him to share the gospel to thousands. In Scott’s visitation, his petition for healing was received, Scott heard the answer that “his healing had already begun” as if it was no big deal for Jesus. Scott was surprised that more time wasn’t spent talking about his healing since that was his weightiest burden. Instead the dialogue continued as to what else was on Scott’s heart.  He felt drawn to make other requests. We have always carried the conversation Scott had with Jesus during this night in our hearts. We desire to understand the depth of what was being communicated and imparted. God has continued to give greater revelation of  His Will as we have come to know Him through His Word.

“We are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Heb 6:9b, 11-12 NIV).

In the Halls of Faith in Hebrews Chapter 11, not only those that believed the promises did mighty exploits for God but others that held the promises by faith; although they did not obtain them in this lifetime. It was still by faith they had the victory. By faith these heroes discovered the mind of God and were fully persuaded of Truth. They embraced the Word and confessed by their obedience and obtained a good testimony through faith.

The patriarchs, Jacob and Joseph, who requested their bones be carried out from the land of Egypt, saw something afar off and were assured of them (Gen 49:29-50:14). Also, Abraham and Sara were promised an innumerable inheritance born as the sand of the seashore (Heb 11:8-12). David saw faith accounted for in righteousness fulfilled centuries later through the New Covenant promise (Ro 4:6). He had a revelation of grace that was unparalleled in the Old Testament.  Whether, at a future time on this earth or in Eternity, the promises of God we cling to will be fulfilled.

By faith, Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible (Heb 11:27). We do well to “hold fast to our confidence which has great recompense of reward” (Heb 10:35). In the following verse we are exhorted that we have need of endurance, that after having done the will of God, we may receive the promise (vs.36). The race set before us is the analogy of our lives, we are reminded to run with endurance (Heb 12:1b) being mindful of the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. We are to cast of every weight, looking to the finisher of our faith, Jesus!

In Hebrews 11, verses 30-39, we read of those that overcame. Some subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, escaped the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle.  Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance…mocked and scourged, in chains and imprisoned, being stoned, sawn in two, tempted and slain with the sword. Still others wandered about being destitute, afflicted, and tormented “of whom the world was not worthy” (vs.38a).  “…All of these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (vs. 39-40). This seems to be a mystery of our resurrected life to come; hard to comprehend the revelation that these overcomers lived and died by.

Some of these saints did not obtain their promise in this life but they laid hold of it by faith, without wavering. God’s promises never perish for the One who promises is faithful. These saints, having been made spectacles by reproaches and tribulations knew that they had a better and enduring possession for themselves in heaven. We also are not to cast away our confidence which has great reward but we need endurance, so that after we have done the will of God, may receive the promise (Heb 10:35-36).

 “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as  always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Phil 1:20-21

I have few words but save them for you my beloved! I remember telling you, “I would not be alive if not for you!” without hesitation you said it was God not you. Another time I said I cannot go on but you gave me Gods promise and told me Gods not done with us, we are a team! That has always been you, Giving God glory and never giving up. We are a team, faith and fight! I marvel at how selfless and giving you are. No matter the challenges you face whether it’s our kids, finances, needs of others or health you always find a way to pour yourself out and help someone else! You never seek recognition or honor but continually lay your life down and serve others. How blessed and undeserving I am to be called “your husband”. Not only on this earth but in the ages to come I hope I would be granted the privilege of washing your feet! I LOVE YOU! YOUR LOVING HUSBAND scott. 1/20/2011