SHE SAYS: Who is He?

"Who is he, this King of Glory, The Lord Almighty - He is the King of Glory." Psalm 24:10

"Who is like you Lord God Almighty?

You LORD are mighty and your faithfulness surrounds you." Psalm 89:8

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

 As I consider God and who He is today, I am in awe. There is no one like Him.

He alone is mighty and He has proven Himself to be faithful.

HE SAYS: Are you REALLY dead?

Christians claim to be “born again”.  To be born again, one must first die.  The ritual of baptism is symbolic of the death of our old self and The Spirit raising us again to new life.

So… How do you know if you are REALLY dead?  Is the old you really buried and gone?

Aside from the obvious physical signs of life: breath, warmth, pulse, etc.  What is the evidence of spiritual life or death?

Paul said in Romans 14:

“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (NIV1984)

Your old self is truly dead and gone when it is no longer struggling for survival in this world.

·         When someone insults you, does your old self rise up in defense?

·         When someone takes something from you, does your old self rise up to take it back?

·         When someone oppresses you, does your old self rise up and seek an escape?

Jesus said:

Matthew 10:37-39 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (NIV1984)

If you do a New Testament search for the words: struggle, contend, strive, etc. you will find that they do not refer to the struggle for survival, but rather for the kingdom of God.

            John 6:28-30 ”The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (NIV1984)

What is your struggle for survival today?  What are you striving for?

Allow this world to finish off your old self.  You will never be truly alive until you do.

SHE SAYS: Rag Tag Warriors

In Revelation 19:11-16, John writes about the rider on a white horse, Christ Jesus (i.e. Faithful and True / The Word of God), who is leading Heaven’s army against the armies of the kings of the earth, Satan, the beast and the false prophet.

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

What a mighty band of warriors this must be that marches out to confront the enemy. But wait! As they come face to face with them, it is “The Word of God” Christ Jesus, who simply speaks with the sword of his mouth, and victory is accomplished.

This brings me to the thoughts I have been meditating on lately, both in wonder and rejoicing: That God chose me, a prideful, selfish, unloving woman with misplaced priorities. He has shown me my sin and has helped me endure the plowing it has taken to uproot much of it. I am thankful that this process has left me with much less of my “self”.  

Throughout scripture, God selected a bunch of unlikely characters, misfits and broken people who He then redeemed to himself through Christ. I continue to be humbled at the heart of our Savior and Lord. “The One” doesn’t need me or anyone else for that matter to win the ultimate battle, yet He is with me even now in my weakness and low estate.

As Isaiah 57:15 states, “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

He is here. With us. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul who considered himself the foremost of sinners, explains this in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, it is “God’s grace which is sufficient for us, that His power is made perfect in our weakness.”  

He goes on to say in 1 Timothy 1:12-15, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Have you been appointed by the King to become one of His band of Rag Tag Warriors. If not, now is the time and all you have to do is ask.

HE SAYS: Goodness Gracious!

Before I understood the meaning of the word, I would say, “Halleluiah” with a sarcastic tone, meaning: “About time!”.  Now I understand the word Halleluiah is a personal comment to God which literally means: Praise be to you God.  Not a good use of sarcasm….

In the same ignorant way, I would say, “Goodness Gracious!”  as an exclamation.  Now that I understand the undeserved gift of Grace,  I do not so easily profane the word.

I remember the first time the idea of “Salvation by Grace” was presented to me.  A Baptist colleague and I stood in a factory aisle for more than an hour debating the idea that salvation is a gift, and cannot be earned.  I rejected everything my friend told me.  I firmly believed that my efforts, my righteousness, or my works added value to my soul and, in a sense, purchased salvation.

I obviously had read Ephesians with blind eyes.

Ephesians 2: 7-9  King James Version (KJV)

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

God could not put this message in clearer language, but people the world over are still trying to climb the ladder to heaven.  James explains their thinking very well.

James 2: 17-20 King James Version (KJV)

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

We can have Faith without works,

We can have works without Faith,

In either case, there is no salvation.  The Faith and the works must be from the same source: God

Faith is a gift

Grace is a gift

Salvation is a gift

All from a loving heavenly Father, who eternally and perfectly loves us and cares for us in spite of our sin.

Halleluiah!

SHE SAYS: What’s that smell?

Wisdom that encourages a pleasing aroma .

Think about some of the smells that you really enjoy:  fresh baked bread, a freshly sliced watermelon, the smell of hyacinths in the spring. 

As I have considered these verses in 2 Corinthians 2, it has caused me to relive some of those moments as a parent with my children when they were little.  I loved their aroma as I rocked them to sleep, hugged them after a nap, or after I wrapped them in a towel fresh from the tub.  I remember nuzzling my face into their hair and breathing in their sweetness.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

This incredible picture begins in verse 14.  First that we are grateful captives, we who were once enemies of the King, are now joyful.  Why are we joyful?  Because but we are being led by God, our Creator in a victory procession of our King and although we are weak, we are triumphant because of Him.  And our task?  To tell everyone, everywhere, the reason for our abundance of jubilation, the gospel or great news about what Christ the King has done for us and wants to do for all.

This act creates an aroma and faithful Christ-followers are like a walking room freshener or that bathtub fresh child to God.  Our presence in this locker-room of a world brings God much delight. 

But scripture also gives us a very clear warning lest we become complacent:

“It will come about at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And I will punish the men who are stagnant in spirit, who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good or evil!’  Zephaniah 1:12 (NASB) 

Stagnant in Spirit?  The word stagnant is described in the dictionary as “not moving”, “inactive”, “dull”, “motionless” or “foul”.

Occasionally in the park where I walk in the morning, there are places where the water has been standing for a while and it is quite unpleasant to walk nearby.   In fact, if I have the option, I will walk on a different path to avoid the disgustingly foul smell. 

What a tragedy that we would allow ourselves to become so foul that someone would take a different path to avoid us, or we would be so motionless or dull that those around us would completely miss out on the Great News! 

Lord, help me not be complacent.  Work in me so that I am the child you desire to hold close, the beautiful aroma of Christ to those who are perishing.

HE SAYS: Prostitutes and Sinners!

I remember the first time I heard that the Bible talked about prostitutes.  I searched the scriptures to learn the truth.  What a surprise to learn that King David’s great-grandmother was a prostitute.

Matthew 1: 5-6 (NIV)  The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

   Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

   Obed the father of Jesse,

 and Jesse the father of King David.

Jesus, the perfect Son of God had a gentile prostitute in his lineage?

I spent the first 4 decades of my life worrying about choosing the correct activities, choosing the correct friends, and isolating myself from evil.  I was a firm believer in the saying, “Bad friends corrupt good people.”  Since, in my self-righteous and pharisaical mind, I considered myself to be a good person, I certainly didn’t want to mess that up.

As Christians, we are called to help the helpless.  Our mission should be to introduce the sick to the Great Physician.  Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 to be careful, but neither are we to hide ourselves away.  We are the light in a dark world.

These words in Matthew 21 are a constant warning to me that my over-inflated opinion of myself is a destructive force.

Matthew 21:31b-32 (NIV1984)

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

My Lord and Savior was condemned and crucified because the “good people” of the time could not believe the Messiah would associate with sinful people.  The sinners loved Him because he cared for them.  He not only cared for them, He saved them.

He has saved me.

Lord, please give me the strength and boldness to proclaim your praise from a high place.  May my life reflect your pure glory to anyone who has lost his way.

SHE SAYS: Gift Giving

I created this piece as a gift for my mom.

Have you ever thought about how you give gifts?  

Here are a couple of the ways I have given gifts:

• Giving a gift that I loved and would have quite liked to have kept for myself.
• Giving a gift that I found or made that perfectly fit the person that I gave it too.

I must also admit that I have given gifts that were less than what I would have liked to give, because the cost to have purchased the ideal gift would have been too great.

But think about this. God has done this for us. He gave us a gift that He would have liked to have kept for Himself, a gift that was perfect for us, and a gift that was so costly. But He spared no expense.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

What is this gift of which Paul speaks? The gift of Jesus Christ crucified and risen. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Why?  So why would God give up his only son unto death when he could have given us anything else? 

In Psalm 50:12, God says “If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.” 

This is the wonder and glory of the gift. God could have given us anything, but only Jesus, his son, was the “perfect” gift. His gift required and incredible sacrifice. His sacrifice was unblemished, without sin, and His sacrifice is eternal, once for all. It is truly indescribable, immeasurable, amazing – all because He loved us.

So what should I do with this knowledge? 

I must first accept the Gift, not because I deserve it, but because God loves me (which I admit is sometimes hard to comprehend why). And then comes gratitude. I can assure you that once you have received this Gift that you will be thankful to the Giver continually.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

My heart overflows with thanksgiving and praise! Thank You for the perfect Gift…thanks to my Savior, Lord, and King!

HE SAYS: Misfits!

I watched a grown man, husband, and father be baptized today.  It was a powerful moment, and I postulate that choosing to be a Christian is a significant act of bravery.

If one does an internet search for lists of greatest fears, the words loneliness, rejection, ridicule, and failure are on nearly every list.  Humans fear rejection.  It is painful, and destructive, and our natural inclination is to avoid it at all cost.

Jesus commands us to reject that fear:

Luke 6:22 (NIV) “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”

Instead, in the next verse, He tells us to rejoice in our rejection:

Luke 6:23 (NIV) “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.”

Approximately three years ago, Sharon and I professed our faith in Christ and Christ alone, and rejected our former faith in a system of religion.  Since that time, we have been rejected, insulted, and excluded by many family members, and most of our former friends.

Inexplicably, those three years have been the most joyful and friend-filled years of both our lives. 

Halleluiah!   Jesus promised he would not leave us alone.  John 14:18

Praise be to you God!  You ask us to do the impossible, and then you give us more than enough strength to accomplish it.

SHE SAYS: "He is Risen!"

 It is because of this that we have much to rejoice and celebrate today and everyday!

“The Lord is risen indeed"  Luke 24:34

*********

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:3-9

HE SAYS: Miracle Number 4 Poison Blood!

Psalm 68:19-21 (ESV) "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up;

    God is our salvation. Selah

Our God is a God of salvation,

     and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death."

I mentioned in Miracle two that I thought all the antibiotics given to me when I was 2 weeks old had caused problems later.  Approximately between the ages of 5 – 10, I suffered from a rare problem.  It was first discovered when we noticed a heavy red streak running from a cut on my thumb up my arm.

Mom and Dad took me to the emergency room, where we learned that I had blood poisoning.  It had moved all the way up my arm and had started toward my heart.  The infection moves approximately one inch per hour.  The doctor estimated that I had only 6 hours before the infection reached my heart and became fatal.

For the next several years, I was treated for blood poisoning many times.  The treatment was:

1.        A tetanus booster (Yes, the ones that force you to sit on only one buttock for three days)

2.       More antibiotics

3.       A bag of Epsom salts water sealed around the infected wound.

My Dad finally devised a home remedy for the condition.  Every time I created a new cut, abrasion, laceration, etc… Dad cleaned the wound with hydrogen peroxide and kept it covered.  We used a lot of hydrogen peroxide.  (I was a very prolific wound generator.)  However, I did not need any more tetanus boosters, and I did not need to go to school with a bread sack taped to my arm.  Yay Dad! 

For what purpose is God saving you?

Why are you still here, alive, and aware?

SHE SAYS: "It is finished!"

“It is finished.” 

These were the final three words recorded in John's gospel as Jesus died on the cross.  The rest of John 19:30 says that "he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Think of it.  Jesus, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God offered himself up as the sacrifice offering once and for all for our sins.  Amazing. 

So now I must boast.  Just like Paul wrote in Galatians, I feel the need to share this amazing gift that I have been given.  The gift that Jesus bought with his blood - my forgiveness, salvation and eternal life.

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."  Galatians 6:14 NIV

 So why was Christ crucified?  Because Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  1 Corinthians 1:18

So therefore I rejoice and I hope you do too.   "In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name"  Psalm 32:21

HE SAYS: Miracle Number 3 Daddy!

Romans 8:15 (NASB) "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!””

When I was about two years old, I became so sick with diarrhea that I was placed in the hospital again.  I was given IV fluids and antibiotics for several days.  I was extremely sick.  I could soil seven diapers in one try, a feat I have never been able to match.  However, I understand I will get another chance in a few years.

The nurses did not want me to have any visitors so I would rest.

Dad came to check on me one night and was standing outside my room.  He could not go in for fear of waking me.  He was standing there looking at his sick little baby boy when I suddenly woke up and saw him.

Daddy!

I would not let him leave until he came in and comforted me.

What is your relationship with God?  Is he your Daddy?  Do you long for his comforting presence?

Praise be to you God! 

You exchange our sorrow for peace.  You replace our pain with comfort.

SHE SAYS: "Long Live the King!"

It is fitting to share this piece as today is Maundy Thursday, which marks the eve of the crucifiction of Jesus. (By the way, in case you are curious like me, I have learned that the word “maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which translates to “commandment.”)

This is referring to the new commandment is found in John 13:34-35 that was given by Jesus as he was washing his disciples's feet on the evening of the Last Supper.  He says to them:  

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

As the events of that evening continue, Jesus departs with his disciples and goes to pray about the events he knows are imminent.  John 18 begins as he is finishing praying: 

"Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.  So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.  Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?"

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. 

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)

When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

I think this is an incredible display of the deity of Jesus.  These armed men of war drew back and fell to the ground when Jesus spoke those three little words.  Three little words that carry the full power and authority of Almighty God, Jehovah, "I AM".

(Exodus 3:14 - this was how God identified himself to Moses in the burning bush). 

The scripture used in mixed media collage above is from John 18:37 and is part of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate, the Roman governor, as the Jewish leaders seek to have him executed. 

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came

into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

As you most likely know, events led to Jesus being flogged and crucified, perfectly fulfilling prophesy.  He did it for us, out of love, to free us from our sins by his blood.  And he rose again as declared in a glorious resurrection.  Our Savior lives!

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever."

He Says: FOR FUN!

Sing these lyrics to the tune of Boston’s Long Time

Hell is such a long time

But I think I could be goin’ Aaah!

Life holds no joy for me

It’s  just so borin’

Seekin’, life’s perfect pleasure, yeah!

I keep on reachin’ so far

The dream I cannot capture

There must be something more than this

Well I’m runnin’ my life

And I’m gonna go far

You’ll read all about me

When I'm a big star

And I don’t need no God

I don’t want no judge

just hope he doesn’t hold a grudge

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Hell is such a long time

Hell is such a long time

It’s dark and lonely livin’ life without you

But in my heart, deep in my heart

I know that I still owe you

Good friends and parties that distract me

I’m tryin’ to ignore your love

And make life all about me

But You always seem to find me

Well I’m runnin’ my life

And I’m gonna go far

You’ll read all about me

When I'm a big star

And I don’t need no God

I don’t want no judge

just hope he doesn’t hold a grudge

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Hell is such a long time

Hell is such a long time

Hell is such a long time

But I think I could be goin’ Aaah!

My life holds no joy for me

It’s just so borin’

Seeking, life’s perfect pleasure, yeah!

I keep on reachin’ so far

The dream I cannot capture

There must be something more than this

I’m running my life

I’m doin’ it alone

I’m running my life

Just leave me alone

I’m running my life

Doin’ it all alone

Just ruinin’ my life…

HE SAYS: Miracle Number 2 Singin’ the Blues

Exodus 14:30 (NIV) "That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore."

Have you ever thought about the things from which God has saved you?  If you are already a Christian, you must realize that God saved you bodily long before he saved your soul.  This is, in part, the miracle of my life.  God saved my life many times before he saved my soul.

Two weeks after I was born, my Mom noticed that I was turning blue occasionally.  This is probably why I have never really liked the color blue.  She had no idea what was wrong, but she was concerned and took me to the pediatrician, Dr. Pennington.  While I was on the exam table, I turned blue again.  Dr. Pennington, realizing the seriousness of my condition, picked me up and immediately had me admitted to the hospital for congestive heart failure.

The doctor later determined that I had a concurrent bacterial infection from Strep and Staph.  I was so sick that my heart would become tired and quit beating.  After a brief rest, it would start beating on its own again.

I spent a week in the hospital on intravenous antibiotics.  I suspect that all these antibiotics in such a small, undeveloped body caused some other problems later, but that will need to be the subject of another blog post.

This day:  In what way(s) has the Lord saved you?

HE SAYS: I Should not Have Been Born - Miracle 1

I promised to write about the miracles in my life, so tonight is miracle number one titled: 

I Should not Have Been Born

My parents agreed early in their marriage that they would only have two children.  My older brother, Mark was born two years into their marriage.  A couple of years later my mother was pregnant with their second and last child.

However…

Her pregnancy was an Ectopic (tubal) Pregnancy which ruptured.  Mom and Dad lived about two miles out of town, and about 15 miles from the nearest hospital.  Except for the quick, effective action of Fire Chief Kelly, Mom would have bled to death on the living room floor.

I am the second and last child who was not to be.

Tomorrow, Singin’ the Blues

SHE SAYS: He loves me!

HE LOVES ME

Ok, ladies, admit it...you too spent some youthful moments in the backyard pluckin' the petals off of a daisy or dandelion hoping to learn if the guy you had your latest crush on really liked you or not. Unless you found some creative method to assure better odds, like getting distracted with three petals left and starting up at "he loves me", the odds were only 50/50 that you'd get the answer you hoped for.

This mixed media collage canvas piece that I created recently depicts a powerful promise from our Lord and Savior.

"This is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10

The daisy of God's love is a sure deal - 100% guarantee that HE loves us. And to prove it, he sent Jesus to die on the cross for me and you (a.k.a. sinners).

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:7-9

And as a believer in Christ and in his atoning sacrifice and resurrection, this assurance is priceless and worth reminding myself of often.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

I hope that the next time you see a daisy or a dandelion that you are reminded that the God of the Universe loves "you"...yes even you!

HE SAYS: Welcome to our blog!

This blog belongs to Allan and Sharon Sudduth.  We were once dying in sin like the man who was attacked on the road to Jericho.  If not for the kind and unexpected intervention of believers, we would have stayed in that condition.  This blog is our way of sharing God’s gifts to others.

Our communication may take any form, but Sharon prefers art and I like to write.  Our hope is that this space glorifies God.

It is difficult deciding what to write about first.  Since no one is reading this yet, I’m just going to do some free writing. 

Why am I a Christian?  I did not start out in life as a Christian or even believing in a higher power or God.  Atheism made perfect sense to me when I was naïve and uninformed.  However, the true reason I am a Christian is miracles.  My life has been miraculous, and there is only one explanation for my existence, for my joy, for my feeling of completeness.  My Dad is the King of the Universe!  This set of stories must be the topic of another post, because it is too much for this post tonight.

The message I want you to hear most of all is:  The supernatural is not a Hollywood fantasy.  The supernatural  happens every day because of God’s work in human lives.