21 Days

to Believe

In Miracles

FAYE ALDRIDGE

Copyright © 2013—Faye Aldridge

All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon request. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Emphasis within Scripture quotations is the author’s own. Destiny Image® Publishers, Inc.

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Parts of this book were previously published as Real Messages from Heaven 2, ISBN 978-0-7684-0324-4, copyright © 2013.

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

ONE WEEK TO BELIEVE IN HOPE

Day 1

An After-Death Visit in Iraq

Day 2

The Angel in Uniform

Day 3

A Heavenly Experience

Day 4

Two Deceased Relatives Came to Visit

Day 5

Between Life and Death

Day 6

Can You See Jesus?

Day 7

Grandparents’ Goodbye to April Sharp

CHAPTER 2

ONE WEEK TO BELIEVE IN SALVATION

Day 1

Angel in Oklahoma City

Day 2

God’s Secret Agent Angels in Lebanon, Tennessee

Day 3

Stephen Bard’s Story

Day 4

Unforgettable Ride Down Monteagle Mountain

Day 5

White Feathers

Day 6

A Servant’s Heart

Day 7

A Message of Hope

CHAPTER 3

ONE WEEK TO BELIEVE IN COMFORT

Day 1

She Was Changed

Day 2

Cemetery Visit in Hamburg, Iowa

Day 3

His Spirit Looked Like His Body

Day 4

Divine Comfort

Day 5

Holy Encounter in Pembroke, North Carolina

Day 6

Visitations

Day 7

I’ll Fly Away

CHAPTER ONE

ONE WEEK TO BELIEVE IN HOPE

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

We rely upon the Lord every day. He is with us at all times. But when we face life-shattering troubles—the death of a family member, the onset of illness—our faith is tested. The following stories tell of people who have faced these faith-testing circumstances and gotten through with the help of God and His miracles.

This chapter will demonstrate stories of hope. The people in these stories have experienced God’s incredible hand in their lives and seen the hope He can bestow upon us. Some have received encouraging messages from God in the form of deceased relatives, some have encountered angels, and others have glimpsed the Kingdom of Heaven that is waiting for all who wish to enter.

Witness these stories and the fingerprints God has left in each of these individual’s lives. Perhaps you will begin to see His mark in your own.

DAY 1

AN AFTER-DEATH VISIT IN IRAQ

When Lawrence Cheatham died, his absence left a void in his grandson’s life. Justin loved his grandfather more than he loved anyone. Lawrence was Justin’s hero. He was a big man, standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 240 pounds. Cancer reduced Lawrence to 168 pounds before he died at the age of 63.

Lawrence had a persona that was bigger than life. “I remember he wore the worst cologne I ever smelled. It was called High Karate, made by Old Spice,” Justin said. “When I was a kid, I always told him, ‘Grandpa, you smell like High Karate’ and he would playfully give me a karate chop across my chest!”

The two of them shared so many good times. When Lawrence died, a part of Justin died too.

“For three years after Grandpa died, I just didn’t care anymore. I took unnecessary risks. I did random dumb stuff. I did not do drugs or alcohol but I did stuff like base-jumping. That is where you jump off a tall building or a high cliff side with a parachute strapped to your back. I did extreme kayaking, under extremely dangerous circumstances…I had no fear anymore and perhaps a subconscious desire to be with my grandpa,” Justin Cheatham stated.

At the age of 19, Justin joined the U.S. Army. War was raging in the Middle East. Justin said, “I was a 19-year-old, just a scared little boy the first time I was in Iraq. It was a humbling experience, being that young, having someone hand you a gun and a medical bag, saying, ‘Here, you are going to war.’”

Before Justin flew out to Iraq, his dad visited him at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Justin expressed his fears and hesitancy to his dad. Eight people would be counting on him to keep them going if things went bad and he had never shouldered such responsibility. Justin’s dad reassured him and expressed his confidence in Justin and his abilities more than once. His encouragement went a long way with Justin, and Justin decided to give the assignment all he had.

When Justin arrived in Iraq, he froze up for some reason. He felt as if he was a kid again and his inner self screamed for some emotional strength and stability.

One night, Justin reached the end of his day feeling extremely tired. He went inside his barracks and he saw his deceased grandfather sitting on the side of his bed. The experience was as real as it could be.

Lawrence wore regular clothing as a deceased being, like the ones he wore in life. He wore a white tee shirt, old wrangler jeans, and red suspenders!

Justin said, “I noticed a fold in the blanket beneath him, caused by the weight of his body. I smelled his cologne, that High Karate I had not smelled in years! We talked, laughed, and joked over the next hour. We hugged and we both shed some tears. He looked as healthy and happy as he did in the prime of his life! The experience did not seem weird or strange and I felt no fear or anxiety. It was all so normal. I felt wonderful in his presence again!”

The deceased Lawrence said to Justin, “Justin, you are going to be all right. You are going to do some great things here and you are going home.”

Justin recalled, “Grandpa stood up smiling and started walking toward me. He raised his arm playfully as he did when I was a little boy. He positioned his arm for a karate chop and I expected him to chop me! Suddenly, Grandpa turned and he walked into thin air. He was gone. This is one of those things, when I am ninety years old, I may not remember my own name but I will remember what happened that night!”

Justin spoke to a respected family member back in the states three days later by phone. Justin was amazed when his relative said, “Justin, I want to share something with you. About three nights ago, I had a conversation with your grandfather.”

Justin said, “He and my deceased grandfather allegedly talked for several minutes.” Justin reasoned about the date and times and discovered the encounters occurred on the same date.

“From that point on, my life changed!” Justin said, “What happened to me was real; strange, but real. I knew I was going to be all right and I knew I was going home! I have never experienced anything like that before or since.”

Lawrence’s after-death appearance to Justin and his relative helped them understand the magnitude of God’s compassion and His love. Those encouraging words Lawrence spoke that night lodged in Justin’s heart.

Four days later, Justin was tested. His grandfather’s words echoed in his heart, when Justin responded to the crash site of a Chinook helicopter near Fallujah. Sixteen American soldiers died and twenty-six soldiers were injured that day. Military sources later determined that an SA-7 shoulder-fired missile slammed into one of the chopper’s rear mounted engines, causing the catastrophe.

Justin recalled rolling on the scene first with his group of GIs. He was the team medic. They got there first to secure the area because it was on the edge of a village. Justin went to work attempting to extricate the casualties from the rubble. He was able to keep some of them alive long enough to make it to the hospital.

The U.S. Army later awarded Justin Cheatham a commendation for his life-saving efforts that day and his accomplishments during his enlistment. The deceased Lawrence Cheatham predicted that Justin would accomplish a commendable act, and in a matter of days that prediction came true.

“Some of the stuff I did there, I don’t think I would be able to do again. Some of the things, they are not able to train you for. They cannot train you or prepare you for the devastation you encounter there. I performed like I had been doing that stuff for my whole life,” Justin stated.

“I had seven months left in Iraq when my grandpa came back to visit me that night in the autumn of 2003. After that, I went through the rest of my time without fear. I served the rest of my enlistment with courage and confidence. I was always cautious, naturally, but I knew without a doubt that I would be all right. I knew I was going home,” Justin stated.

A year after Justin completed his enlisted time in Iraq, he returned to Iraq for a second tour of duty. Later, he deployed to Afghanistan for two tours of duty. The Lord gave Justin peace and assurance of His divine protection under the worst of circumstances. God gave Justin the rare privilege of visiting with a deceased loved one, a privilege he will treasure for the rest of his life.

Devotion:

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).

Justin’s story shows us the amazing grace of the Lord. When Justin was beginning to doubt his ability to help his men, God sent his grandfather to encourage him. This new hope and strength the Lord lent Justin allowed him to do his duty with confidence and courage and save those who would likely have died.

The Lord gives us hope and strength when we are at our weakest. When we call to him, he sends us help.

Thought: Even in the most dangerous and frightening places, the Lord follows with you. Allow him to lend you strength and encouragement when you are going through difficult times. Who could God send you when you need hope?

DAY 2

THE ANGEL IN UNIFORM

Dawn Jordan had been looking forward to the well-planned afternoon where she would speak to the parents of football players and cheerleaders before handing out trophies to the children. Dawn was a team mom and she enjoyed participating in the activities of her children. A trip to her physician earlier in the afternoon changed everything for Dawn.

Dawn was 33 years old, a mother of three young children and living near Nashville, Tennessee, when she got the terrible news. She was not emotionally prepared for what the doctor told her. Dawn learned she had breast cancer, and for the rest of the day she tried to act as if nothing was wrong. She felt numb and distraught. Dawn felt tears stinging her eyes but she never gave in to her impulse to cry.

Dawn entered the hospital and a surgeon performed a partial excision of breast tissue that had an excellent chance of eradicating the cancer if caught in time. A short time later, doctors gave Dawn a clean bill of health and a good prognosis.

Seven years later, the cancer returned. Dawn was 40 years old at the time. Doctors advised a surgical breast reduction and chemotherapy. Dawn agreed to take the treatments because she had no alternative. The chemo was called Red Devil chemo and for a good reason.

Dawn experienced side effects of Red Devil chemotherapy— loss of hair, short-term memory loss, severe nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, relentless insomnia, and altered mental state with suicidal tendencies. The treatment affected Dawn’s body, mind, and spirit. Mentally, she entered a different place, like going into a shell where she could hear what was going on around her although she was unable to interact with those around her.

When Dawn was halfway through the chemo treatments, she reached the point of despair. She found herself in an altered state of mind and she saw herself through the eyes of pain and confusion. Dawn felt like a 14-year-old flat-chested boy because of the loss of her breasts and hair. She could no longer care for her children, and she felt like she was a burden to those caring for her. Dawn’s mom, dad, and sister were always there to help her and her three children. Dawn cried continuously, threw up repeatedly, and grimaced from relentless pain. A strong woman up until that point, Dawn could hardly believe that she was contemplating suicide. In her right state of mind, she would never have considered that as an option.

One night when Dawn could no longer tolerate the agony, she got into her van and drove to a remote place where there was a bridge located high above a ravine. She planned to drive her van off the road at that location because she knew she would not survive a crash from that bridge site.

Dawn parked her van and sat sobbing uncontrollably, contemplating her decision. Everything in her knew what she was planning to do was wrong, but she felt unable to fight the thoughts of self-destruction. Dawn wanted the misery to end. She had reached her lowest point in life.

Suddenly Dawn saw headlights behind her car; the car lights suddenly appeared from nowhere, the car did not approach her van. In the next moment, she heard a tapping sound on her window. A man dressed as a police officer stood next to her van and she lowered her window enough to hear his voice.

The man asked, “Can I help you?” He continued talking to Dawn and he seemed to know what she was going through even though she did not tell him. He knew her thoughts and her plan to take her own life. He said, “This is not what you need to do. You need to go home, because you have small children and they are going to need you. You need to finish raising them; they are young and they need their mother. You will be finished with all of this very soon and your life is going to get better. You are going to live; you will be fine.” The man then turned and walked away from the car. He did not drive away in the car. He and the car silently disappeared.

“God sent the policeman angel just in time.” Dawn confessed, “I did go home that night because I knew God sent an angel to me in the form of a man. God sent the angel to give me hope, to remind me that my children needed me, and to assure me that I was going to live through the ordeal. The Lord even sent the angel in a police uniform so I would feel safe until I realized he was a real angel sent from Heaven! The angel saved my life that night, then the car and the man vanished.”

“I lived through the rest of the treatments and I managed to pray for forgiveness. I asked God to allow me to live and raise my children and see my grandchildren, and God gave me everything I asked for,” Dawn said. “That is when I came to realize that I was not in control of anything. I understood that God was in control of everything, including me!”

Dawn survived the cancer that almost took her life, but her 30-year marriage did not survive. Dawn stated that her faith in God and God’s love for her sustained her during those trials she endured.

She shared her story because she wants others who are going through the same suffering to know without a doubt, “God is watching you and listening to you and He loves you. If you reach the point where you cannot go on, pray. God will help you and He may send you an angel like the one He sent to me. Never give up. God is our refuge and our hope.”

Looking back on her life, Dawn remarked, “In the good and bad times, life is all about keeping the faith in God in all circumstances; that is what it is all about.”

Devotion:

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Like Justin Cheatham’s experience in Iraq, Dawn Jordan was living the most harrowing times of her life. She, too, felt she couldn’t go on. The Lord saved her from committing an unspeakable act by reminding her of her value as a mother and a human being.

This story shows God’s compassion for all His people. Dawn was facing terrible pain from her illness as well as the knowledge that it might never stop. God sent her a message of hope that allowed her to face this pain for her children.

Thought: The knowledge that her children needed her gave Dawn the strength to keep on living, despite the unbearable pain she faced every day. What would give you the most encouragement if you were in Dawn’s shoes?

DAY 3

A HEAVENLY EXPERIENCE

October 22, 2011 marked the third anniversary of the passing of Michael Tropiano, Andrea Toanone’s father. She felt very sad when she awoke that morning in Woodbury, New Jersey, thinking about how much time had passed since she last saw her dad in earthly form. She was still lying in her bed when something very unusual happened. Initially, Andrea felt and heard simultaneously a powerful “swishing” sound! Intuitively she knew her soul was being swept upward and away from her body, that a transference of energy was taking place. She was about to take a voyage into eternity!

Andrea’s out-of-body experience began at 11:00 a.m. and ended at 11:30 a.m. Andrea said her spirit and body separated and a force lifted her up in the air. She traveled into and through a powerful bright light, as bright as the sun! She found herself in a place she perceived to be Heaven, the Kingdom of God.

“I saw Jesus, who appeared to be ten feet tall, wearing a dazzling pure white robe. He smiled at me with tenderness and gave me a hug! Under his arms were my father in the middle, my Aunt Yolanda on the left, and my aunt Rita on the right. They had their arms around my dad. Dad spoke, saying he was proud of me and that he loved me dearly. He asked me to tell my mom, Joan, he loved her,” Andrea said.

“I saw Aunt Nettie, Dad’s sister-in-law, and she was wearing a black sequined dress. She asked me to tell Uncle Vince, Dad’s brother, and their two children, Maria and Nicky, that she missed them and loved them. I also saw all of my four grandparents, wearing clothing of black and white. Both my grandmothers, Mary and Ella, wore old-fashioned ‘Mary Jane’ shoes and dresses from that same era. My grandfathers, Erich and Anthony, were similarly dressed in gray suits and tall hats. My maternal grandparents said to tell ‘Joanie,’ their daughter, that they love her. My Dad wore a gray suit, and then changed in a minute into his typical flannel blue and gray shirt with gray pants. My Mom’s friend Dora was there too and sent her regards to Mom.”

Andrea shared more details, saying, “People I had known on earth continued to appear before me and around me in that celestial setting. Eileen, mother of my brother-in-law Michael, appeared wearing a black dress and black necklace. She said, ‘Tell Mikey-Mike and Linnie-Lin (her children) I love them!’ My dad said to tell Michele (his daughter) and Katelin and Christopher (his grandchildren) that he loves them dearly. Others who appeared with messages for earthbound family members were Jack, my husband Hank’s dad, wearing a gray suit and top hat, and Edith, Hank’s grandmother. ‘I love you’ was the one common message that everyone there wanted to send back to loved ones here.”

While Andrea was in Heaven, she saw winged angels flying and singing over streets of gold. She entered Heaven through a golden, pearly entrance gate adorned with various kinds of gemstones in colors of sapphire, teal, fuchsia, and lavender purple.

The Heavenly Father told Andrea to “Come into the Light!” When she entered the Light, she was awestruck by what she saw. It was Jesus on His throne surrounded by exquisite, pure, holy, radiant Light!

Andrea moved freely about in Heaven from one location to another in a constant state of wonder and amazement! She saw an incredible building that can only be described as a mansion. All the doors to the mansion had crosses on them and each door opened wide to reveal comfortable dwelling places filled with enough beds for even extended families to sleep on.

Vast fields of a variety of splendid and magnificent flowers surrounded the perimeter of the mansion. Andrea recalled seeing sunflowers and recognizable flowers like those on earth plus rare and beautiful flowers that she had never seen before. A glorious and gorgeous rainbow spanned the entire sky above!

Andrea saw the disciples of Jesus Christ there along with Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus. “It was grand sight, but almost too much to comprehend, seemingly like a holy apparition too marvelous to behold! There is a beautiful river in Heaven and everyone there is able to walk on water as well as land.”

Andrea said, “The Tree of Life is located in the center of the Garden of Heaven. Magnificent peace was in and around everything and everyone; there was peace even in the precious sounds of the music I heard. The sounds of praise never stop in Heaven, and the music continually flows through the air like a sweet and gentle summer breeze. I heard three songs I can remember: ‘In the Garden,’ ‘Amazing Grace,’ and ‘How Great Thou Art.’ All songs were sung along with instruments, most memorably the harp, at the same time. The songs complimented each other, blending in perfect harmony, and pleasing precision.”

Michael, Andrea’s father, drew near to Andrea and he was holding luscious grapes in his hand. He smiled contentedly, offering some to Andrea, and then proceeded to eat some of them.

Andrea found herself perfectly content in that lovely celestial place of grandeur. She experienced indescribable peace and joy. Andrea was so pleased to be there with Jesus and her dad that she had no desire to leave. She noticed incomprehensible red and blue rays of suspended light radiating from Jesus’ heart and chest area, just before He told her she had to go back to earth.

God the Father conveyed to Andrea that she had to return to earth to fulfill her purpose in life, which was to tell everyone about God and to make a difference in the lives of the students she taught. He instructed Andrea, “Pay attention to the ‘signs,’ and when you are called—do My will. I will work through you. You must instill the love of learning about Jesus in others, and then you will be ready to return to Heaven, to be with Me.”

Andrea said after being in Heaven for thirty minutes (it seemed like eternity), her soul retracted into her human body and she was suddenly back on earth. She remembers much about Heaven and treasures each memory. She recalled, “I was myself there but in spiritual form. Our souls there are filled with the love of God and are illuminated by the light and glory of Jesus! I had wings and a halo above my head. I saw many others like me. We wore long robes of radiant, soft, white fabric, as Jesus wore.”

She went on to say, “I now believe we have a cord that attaches our souls to our bodies to facilitate us when God allows us to leave earth and visit Heaven on rare occasions. I am amazed by the fact that Heaven visits are possible! I would not have believed it before I experienced that out-of-body journey.

“When we leave this body for the last time, then the cord will fail to retract and our souls separate from our bodies completely and ascend heavenward. I find it extremely comforting to know that as a child of God, saved by Jesus Christ, I can hold fast to the knowledge that I will be with Jesus and my loved ones one day. There I will enjoy the sweet peace and love of God forever.”

Note from the author: I have heard of other stories similar to this one through research and through personal conversations with other highly-credible Christian witnesses. I find these personal accounts extremely encouraging!

Devotion:

Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as It was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7).

Andrea Toanone’s out-of-body experience shows us the Lord’s compassion in action. Andrea was feeling lost and alone without her father in her life, so the Lord reunited them for a short time. Andrea was able to see her father and other relatives happy and content in Heaven and experienced for herself the joys of being there.

This experience shows us what is waiting for the Children of God in Heaven: a glorious paradise filled with singing, light, and contentment. This is certainly a hopeful and encouraging sight.

Thought: Have you lost someone close to you? Take encouragement and hope from Andrea’s experience. Heaven’s gates are open to all those who give themselves to God.

DAY 4

TWO DECEASED RELATIVES CAME TO VISIT

Treva Ferrell and her husband, Eldie, lived in McMinnville, Tennessee. They owned and operated two businesses that required much time and work. Treva was a busy woman and she tried to dismiss the fact that she was sick until she awoke one morning and could barely breathe. Treva sought medical attention and her doctor saw that she was in trouble. He promptly admitted her to the hospital for treatment.

A short time after admission to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed Treva with congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, aggressive atria fibrillation, and pneumonia. Treva’s prognosis was grim. Her doctor said she would not live for more than two days.

Doctors aggressively treated Treva with powerful medication and she lived in spite of predictions. The third night of Treva’s hospitalization, she experienced something very unusual. Treva lay on her side, facing the wall of her hospital room. By her own admission, she felt like she was dying. She only wanted to be left alone so she could rest. She was quietly resting there in the hospital bed when she heard a voice coming from behind her.

A man’s voice whispered her name and she ignored it. She was too weak to talk to anyone. The voice called a second time and she still ignored it. The voice called her name a third time and Treva knew someone was standing just inches from her back. She reluctantly turned over to see who it was and what she saw shocked her! She found herself face to face with her dad and her aunt! Treva was shocked because her dad and Aunt Lee had been dead for years!

Treva’s dad appeared strong and large in stature, as he was in his younger days. She saw him as clearly as when he was alive. He wore his hair thick and combed straight back the same way he always did. He wore a black bowling shirt with pleats on the side and his name above the pocket. Treva noticed each detail.

Aunt Lee’s face was a bit hazy but her voice was the same. She wore a pink three-piece linen suit. Treva’s dad spoke clearly and he said, “Treva, come on,” indicating she was to go with him. Treva refused and her dad repeated his request. Each time, Treva refused and asked her dad to leave her alone. Her dad then spoke firmly to her and in a very demanding tone he said, “Come on, Butch!” Treva yelled in response and refused to go with him. Aunt Lee laughed in her jovial way before they both disappeared. Treva wondered why he called her Butch.

Treva called for a nurse and asked if any of her medication could cause her to hallucinate. The nurse assured her that was not the case and wanted to know who she was talking to earlier. Treva was upset but she no longer felt resigned to accept her death fate. Her fighting spirit emerged and she grew stronger from that point on. She was not going anywhere against her will! The nurse returned with two pills to help her calm down enough to sleep.

When Treva woke up the next morning, her husband, Eldie, was by her bedside. He said he had to know how she was. He went home the night before to get some rest. A conversation began and revealed that while Treva’s after-death appearances were in progress, two angels were visiting Eldie.

Two angels appeared in the room just moments after Eldie got into his bed. He saw two separate angels who were hazy in appearance but dressed in white. They spoke but Eldie did not understand the words they spoke. The angels disappeared as abruptly as they appeared and Eldie knew he should call the hospital. He thought they had come for Treva. Nurses told Eldie that Treva’s condition had not changed; she was no better and no worse.

Treva experienced a sudden change for the better following the after-death appearances. She left the hospital and recuperated at home, making a full recovery. Treva’s mom, Lucille McCluskey, came to her home to help care for her and they engaged in a very interesting conversation.

Treva learned her brother had a photo of her dad in the same black bowling shirt he wore the night of his visit. Lucille reluctantly admitted that her husband called Treva Butch when she was a tiny girl. Lucille convinced her husband to refer to their daughter by her given name and he stopped calling her Butch when she was very young. The conversation served as confirmation to Treva that her visit with her dad and aunt was real. Eldie’s encounter with two angels also served as confirmation that something supernatural had taken place. Treva remained in a state of awe for some time because she never realized such things were possible!

Treva had to admit, she reclaimed her fighting spirit to survive when her dad insisted that she leave this life with him. Before he came, resignation settled on Treva and she only wanted relief. She was ready to give up. Treva gained contentment from the knowledge that her dad knew exactly what to do and say to encourage her to fight the sickness that almost took her life!

Devotion:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18 NIV).

Treva’s visits from her deceased family members show us not only was Treva’s father safe in Heaven, he was still keeping an eye on her. When Treva was at her lowest point, about to give in to her illness, her father was able to send her the perfect message to keep her fighting.

Treva’s experience shows us that not only are our friends and family safe in Heaven; God allows them to watch over us and lending protection when we most need them. This is encouraging not only to those of us who have lost a loved one, but for anyone who wishes to keep their families safe after they have passed themselves.

Thought: Have you ever felt that a friend or family member was helping you from Heaven? Who would you want to watch over when you pass on? Who will God send to give you encouragement?

DAY 5

BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

John Crawford was a land surveyor, living in Orcutt, California when he became the victim of a massive heart attack. John lingered between life and death for nine hours and the ordeal transitioned him into another dimension that he described as “more real than life.”

“It was twilight and almost dark when I felt a breeze across my face and opened my eyes,” John said. “I was startled to see I was floating above my home and outside my body. I looked down at the gently swaying tops of the pine trees growing along Solomon’s Creek behind my house.”

At first, John thought he was dreaming, but he quickly realized he was fully awake! The fact that John was floating weight-lessly in the sky high above the treetops puzzled him. John looked down and discovered he could actually see through the roof of his home. He focused his eyes on the top of some person’s balding head as the man slumped over in an armchair. In an instant, John realized the person in the chair was his own body.

“How is this possible? How did I get up here and out of my body? Am I still alive or am I dead? How do I get down from here?” John questioned literally.

Slowly, John started ascending, not straight up but at an angle. He was frightened and he looked down as he passed over Casmailia Hills. He saw a bright band of silver and gold light shimmering in the darkening twilight far off above the western horizon of the Pacific Ocean.

John’s spirit moved upward and he traveled faster and faster until he almost panicked. He had no control over his movements and he did not know how to stop drifting away. His mind began racing and he thought about his wife, Cecile. She was blind and he had not said goodbye to her. At that moment, John cried out franticly, “Please God, someone help me!” He heard the crackling echo of his words disappear through space.

The journey continued and John entered a space of pitch-black darkness. He began moving incredibly fast as if in a vacuum tube or wind tunnel. He felt and heard the roar of wind rushing past him. John grew tired and he entered a sleep state.

After what felt like an hour or even two hours, a flicker of light awakened John. Soon, a small but solid beam of light appeared. The light reeled John in, like a fishing line drawing him closer and closer. The diameter of the light beam grew larger until it reached the same size of the tunnel that transported him.

Suddenly, the wind noise stopped, the darkness vanished, and John entered into the light. It was more brilliant than any light on earth. John sensed he had “popped through” a barrier into an atmosphere made of white light, brighter than earth’s daylight!

On the far horizon, John saw a panorama, a sanctuary with a great high wall, glistening like glass. Looking along the face of the wall in both directions, John estimated its length to be endless. The sanctuary was suspended in space and it cast an aura of shimmering golden light, radiating through billowing clouds that rolled continuously.

John willed himself to move forward. He discovered he could move about by controlling his thoughts. John reached the entrance walkway and he saw the source of the beam of light was a standing lion statue, which looked like molten glass infused with gold. The beam of light shut off as if its purpose had been only to guide John to the source of the light.

The pristine figure stood about six feet tall on a low marble pedestal in the middle of a thick, glass-like entrance walkway that was about twenty-five feet wide. The figure did not cast a shadow. John touched the lion and it began wavering, turning translucent and ghostlike. It seemed to be alive and John felt its powerful energy source while standing next to it.

John said, “Underneath the walkway, I saw blue and green colors resembling ocean water, illuminating and flowing lengthwise away from the sanctuary. A simple thought in my mind carried me up the glasslike stairway and across the porch to an open entrance.

“In my lifetime, I had seen some spectacular entrances but that was breathless perfection that one had to see to believe,” John exclaimed.

“High above the entrance was a wide stone lintel, supported by a number of white pearl pillars on each side. While standing there, I became mesmerized by the height and infinite length of the sanctuary’s massive stone wall, I estimated to be one hundred fifty feet high.

“The wall was golden tan colored and laden with crushed precious stones. They appeared to be emeralds. The sanctuary was constructed like a fortress from an ancient time, of an age I was not familiar with,” John continued.

John vividly recalled, “There was an inner sanctuary or refuge, similar to an open Greek portico, and its walk extended through a courtyard to a rotunda built like a domed Greek stoa. In the middle of the rotunda’s patio, I was surprised and even intimidated when I came to a deep emerald green headstone that stood about four feet tall. It had a clear jasper, yellowish nose that was rounded and oblong. The facial features were polished smoothly and were almost indiscernible, like a face covered by sheer tightly fitted clinging fabric.”

There was some unfamiliar script etched around the face and John was visually inspecting it, trying to read the letters, when he regained consciousness in the hospital. It was nine hours after the heart attack struck him.

John heard the voice of a doctor who was working on him exclaim, “He’s back; we’ve got him back! John, you have had a heart attack. You died when your veins collapsed from a nine unit loss of blood, and we are still trying to save you.”

John’s swift change of venues confused him, and the sudden realization of his diagnosis and prognosis startled him. He reached out for someone’s hand and gurgled, “I’m back, I’m back, please hold tight, and don’t let me go again.”

John recovered in remarkable fashion in a reasonable period. He began an in-depth study of the Holy Bible. He correlated the scriptures in the book of Revelation, the truth of Heaven as seen and described by St. John’s revelation, with what he saw in his near-death experience. John was overwhelmed by the similarities.

He was amazed again when he learned certain things St. John saw were also described by Moses, Ezekiel, and Micah in the Old Testament. Heaven was the place John Crawford believed he had traveled to on his amazing journey. What he read in the Bible simply confirmed it.

It was then that John began to realize the privilege God had given to him. The things he saw were incomparable reminders that strengthened his faith and confirmed to him that the Bible is true. John reaffirmed his belief that our life will continue and Heaven awaits those who sustain their belief in God.

John was humbled and thankful for God’s gift of “the visit” and for bringing him back home to his wife, Cecile, and family on earth until it is time to make the second and final journey to Heaven.

John said, “I thank God for boosting and reaffirming my faith by allowing me to visit His kingdom at the ‘wall great and high.’ His kingdom, built like the fortress at Jerusalem, was floating somewhere out there in the depths of space. I am not exactly sure where it is, but I do know without a doubt, it is there.”

John finished speaking by saying, “Everyone must listen. Believe in Jesus Christ. Be attentive to His end-of-days message given to His revered St. John in the last chapter of the Christian Bible. His revelation signals the return of Jesus. It signals the destruction of the evil one, Satan, who did not leave a message or a warning, because he wants to destroy you. This also trumpets the return of ‘Messiah’ who wants to help you through this lifetime, by way of the cross, to an eternal life in Heaven with God.”

Devotion:

Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade” (Mark 4:30-32).

John Crawford’s visit in Heaven is another glimpse at what happens when this life ends and the next begins. He describes the beautiful, mysterious kingdom that awaits us. This vision reignited his passion for bringing others to Christ and sharing the hope he felt when encountering the next life.

John’s experiences allow us a peek at what awaits all those who give themselves over to God. It is a glorious place that he describes, and the knowledge that this awaits all those who wish to enter is a hopeful message to all of us.

Thought: God’s kingdom is awaiting all of us, and it certainly takes away the sting of death knowing that this awaits anyone who wishes to enter. John’s vision awakened the need for him to minister the Lord’s word to the rest of the world. What would seeing the Kingdom of Heaven awaken in you? How can you share this with the world?

DAY 6

CAN YOU SEE JESUS?

My father was only twenty-five years old when he began experiencing unusual debilitating symptoms. He was a very active man. His employment required strenuous physical exertion. He pushed himself to keep working as long as he could because he was the only wage earner in the family.

In November 1953, the day came when Daddy could not get out of bed one morning. He retained so much fluid that he could not even make a fist with his hands nor bend his legs at the knees. His face became very swollen and he had difficulty seeing because the tissue around his eyes became terribly swollen, almost forcing his eyes shut.

Our family lived in a small farming community in Holmes County, Mississippi. As a last resort, Dad was taken to a small hospital for emergency treatment. A general practitioner, Dr. Roy L. Smith, treated him at the hospital and admitted him for testing and treatment.

Each day, Dad grew sicker and more swollen despite efforts by his doctor to make him better. All signs indicated he was dying. Each day, friends visited my father in his room and many of them told him about God and Heaven. He knew he could not continue to live in his condition. He began looking forward to seeing those who visited each day with their Bible stories that gave him hope. He remarked one day, “I didn’t come to the hospital to be sick. I came here to have church!”

My mom was at a disadvantage because she had to care for three small children miles away. She did not have access to a phone or a car and she could only go to the hospital when she could get a ride there. It was an incredibly difficult time for the young wife and mother who had to assume all the care and responsibility for her family under those dire circumstances.

Dad’s Aunt Louise, the wife of a minister, lived in another town many miles away. Louise offered to come and stay with Dad for several days. While she attended to her nephew, Louise made it her business to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with him and he accepted Jesus.

One night in early December, Dad’s condition declined rapidly. His kidneys stopped functioning and he realized he was dying. There was no cure for his disease and dialysis was still unheard of in those days. Kidney failure meant certain death.

Dr. Smith was a compassionate man, he stayed in the room with Dad and Louise as the time of death neared. Penicillin was a relatively new drug at the time and Dr. Smith administered a penicillin injection to his patient not really knowing if it would help at all. Minutes later, Dad’s lips began swelling and he complained of difficulty breathing.

He experienced a severe allergic reaction to the penicillin that actually hastened his death and shortened his time of suffering.

Dad told Dr. Smith, “It’s feels like I am under a heavy cloud and I can’t breathe because the cloud is pressing down against my chest.”

Dr. Smith replied compassionately, “Don’t worry, I promise you that cloud is about to lift and you will be able to breathe in just a minute.”

Louise asked my dad, “Can you see Jesus yet?”

He replied, “Yes I see Jesus, He is right there, can’t you see Him? He’s right here in front of me.” Daddy died moments later, while looking into the face of Jesus by his own admission. Dr. Smith and Louise did not see anyone else in the room but both of them believed the dying man saw the Lord!

My parents had three children and I was the youngest child. I was one year old when he died. I did not know the story about my dad’s conversion until I became an adult. I went to work for a general practitioner in Durant, Mississippi, named Dr. Roy L. Smith.

Late in the afternoon, we usually experienced a lull in the flow of patients. When that happened, Dr. Smith frequently came into my office with a cup of coffee. He ordinarily sat in a chair near the front of my desk and each day, he told me a story. He served in the U S Army and was one of the courageous soldiers that stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II. Sometimes, he shared a war story with me. Other times, he shared accounts of patients he had cared for during his many years of medical practice.

One day Dr. Smith sat quietly, looking out the window, and then he began his story. I enjoyed hearing what he had to say and I respected and admired him very much. Dr. Smith began by saying, “One time, I had a patient and his last name was Moss. Can’t remember his first name. He was just a boy.” Dr. Smith knew me only by my married name. I said nothing to indicate to him that my maiden name was Moss and he continued.

“The man was as sick as he could be and he stayed in the hospital quite a while before he died. He had chronic pyelonephritis. I gave him a shot of penicillin one night, thinking it might help him. Didn’t know he was allergic to it but he was. The penicillin actually killed him but it was a blessing in disguise. He was dying a slow and miserable death, and he just died a little quicker after the penicillin shot. I spent the evening with him, because I knew he was close to death.”

Dr. Smith went on to tell me about the cloud my dad saw and how Jesus came for him. He said, “His Aunt led him to Christ.”

I said nothing until Dr. Smith finished telling me all the details. At that time I told him his patient was my father. I remember Dr. Smith’s face frowned a little and he was silent. After a long pause, he looked at me and said, “You don’t say.” That was one of his favorite phrases. I nodded my head, yes. I assured him I was glad to know what really happened.

Looking back, God’s hand guided me to go to work for that doctor or I would never have known about Dad’s conversion experience. I visited my Great Aunt Louise much later in life and she gave me her account of Dad’s last days. Dr. Smith has gone on to be with God now. I miss seeing that sweet man who shared so many of his memories with me.

Divine intervention led me to work for Dr. Smith so I could learn about my father’s last minutes on earth! God wanted me to know what happened. I have no memory of my dad but I have the knowledge that he was saved. With that knowledge came God’s assurance that I will meet him one day in Heaven!

Devotion:

But as for me, I trust In You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies’ sake (Psalms 31:14-16).

Life can be full of pain, especially towards its end. It can seem like there is very little left aside from suffering, but we must always remember that the Lord is watching and lending His hope and comfort to us.

This experience shows us that, even so close to death, the Lord can reveal Himself as a beacon of hope to His believers. This revelation lets us know that there is something better waiting for us in the next life, and our friends and family members are there to greet us.

Thought: If you are suffering through a long-lasting and debilitating illness or you know someone who is, take hope from this story. The Lord has prepared a place for you and you will see your loved ones again there.

DAY 7

GRANDPARENTS’ GOODBYE TO APRIL SHARP

PART 1

April Sharp of Lebanon, Tennessee, recalled with sadness the early morning that her grandfather died. Joe Watson entered the hospital in January of 2003, seeking treatment for congestive heart failure. He was a very sick man. The last Friday he was in the hospital, Joe repeatedly remarked that he wanted to go home. His family naturally assumed he wanted to leave the hospital and return to the home he and his wife shared. Later, they realized Joe was readying himself to go to his heavenly home. Somehow, he must have known his death was imminent

April intended to go to the hospital to see her grandfather over the weekend; however, Joe died suddenly before dawn on Saturday morning before she got the chance. April felt terrible about not being able to see Joe before he died. She was sad that she did not get to say goodbye.

Several days after the funeral, April stayed up late one night cleaning her house while her husband and boys slept. As she worked, April talked to her grandfather quietly even though she knew he was gone. She asked him to forgive her for not getting to the hospital in time to see him before he passed away.

Walking from the kitchen to the living room, April stopped abruptly! There in the entryway of her home stood her deceased grandfather, Joe. Joe looked vibrant and much younger than he was at the time he died and he smiled broadly at April. She noticed he was standing up tall and straight, not stooped over, as he had been later in life. Joe did not speak words. There was really no need for words! The fact that April could see her deceased grandfather standing in her home was an incredible experience for her!

His presence conveyed joy and peace to April. She did not attempt to speak to him. Joe did not linger long and when he was certain that April had seen him, he faded out of sight. April felt as if an angel had touched her! She missed her grandfather after that encounter but she no longer felt guilt. Instead, she felt a peaceful assurance that all was well and her grandfather was safely home in Heaven.

PART 2

April’s grandmother, Jessie Watson, died in December of 2010 in McMinnville, Tennessee, from heart failure. She died one week before Christmas. In life, Mrs. Watson shared her faith, her kindness, and her generosity with family members and friends. Everyone loved Mrs. Watson! April lived beside her grandmother most of her life and the two of them were very close.

Soon after Mrs. Watson died, April got out of bed one night to check on her young son, Eli. She noticed a light was on in the dining room. She discovered one light was glowing from the chandelier. That little light being on was very strange because the chandelier had never been connected to an electrical source. It was not functional; it was for looks only. April recalled her grandmother’s familiar habit of keeping a night light on every night. She did not see her grandmother at that time but she felt strongly the light incident was in some way related to her deceased grandmother.

Each individual light on the chandelier could work independently of each other. In order to make one light work, someone had to climb a ladder to remove the candlestick from the chandelier, twist the connecting battery end, then replace the candle back in the base. No one in April’s house caused the light to turn on. One week later, the same light turned on again with no human assistance.

April found the incident very comforting and was convinced her grandmother came to say goodbye and used the night light to make her presence known. In the months that followed, April repeatedly heard noises coming from the dining room when no one was in that room. The noise was a creaking noise, as if someone was walking around in that room. She did not hear the actual footsteps, only the noise that might have been the result of the weight of a person walking back and forth there. April attributed those noises to visitations from her deceased grandmother since there was no other logical explanation for the noises. She even recorded the noise on one occasion. The noises stopped after that.

Mrs. Watson had a strong affinity for red birds! Her family placed a lovely red bird in her funeral floral arrangement because they were all aware of her affection for them. Soon after the funeral, April became the recipient of numerous red bird visits. The first red bird appeared in a tree next to her patio. Snow fell the night before and when April opened her window blinds the next morning, she saw a gorgeous red bird perched on the snowy bough of the tree, looking at her. She felt certain that God sent the bird as a sign, to remind her that her grandmother was safely in His care.

From then on, the red bird became a part of April’s life. She has seen the two-legged winged animal in times of trouble, sickness, and sadness in various locations, at home and away from home.

Eli, April’s young son, asked one day, “Mom, why did we never see red birds before Grandma died?”

April acknowledged that she did not recall seeing red birds before the funeral either and she replied, “It must be God’s way of making us smile when we think of Grandma.”

Devotion:

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).

April Sharp’s messages from her deceased grandparents are messages of hope to anyone who has recently lost a loved one. Losing someone we love is one of the most difficult times in life, and a small measure of comfort can go a very long way. The Lord saw April’s discouragement and allowed her grandparents to send April signs that they were happy in Heaven in the form of lights and birds.

Messages from Heaven are not as rare as you might believe. They take any number of forms, so keep your eyes open for the messages of hope that could be present in your life.

Thought: What messages of hope have you felt in your life? Are there any unexplained changes that could be messages from beyond the grave?

CHAPTER TWO

ONE WEEK TO BELIEVE IN SALVATION

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (Psalms 46:1-2).

It can be easy to forget that the Lord is a very real and “present help” in times of trouble. Sometimes it seems we only feel His presence in an emotional or spiritual way, rather than a physical one.

This chapter tells the amazing stories of people who have been saved by God’s love, both spiritually and physically. They have felt the Lord in their lives and been saved by His presence. These stories are those of salvation in two senses of the word. They were saved from their sins and also from physical peril, be it a car accident or a terrorist attack. They live, quite literally, thanks to the Grace of God.

While reading these stories, think over your past experiences. Perhaps you will find physical evidence of God’s grace in your own life.

DAY 1

ANGEL IN OKLAHOMA CITY

On April 19, 1995, a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City happened at 9:02 in the morning. It was a hazy day, having rained the day before, and rain was in the forecast for the next day. Jacqualine Mitchell worked near the Will Rogers World Airport, about ten miles away, and she heard the explosion. She initially thought a plane crashed at the airport.

Jacqualine had no idea that her dad and stepmother had gone to the Social Security Office at the Federal Building that morning. She was shocked when she heard reports that the bombing had turned the area into a scene resembling a war-torn third world country. The deafening, earth-shaking explosion blew windows out from the structure while walls and ceilings came crashing down. Concrete reinforced floors collapsed, falling on top of each other, reducing the front of the building to an enormous pile of debris and rubble. Cars burned in the surrounding parking lots. Smoke plumes rose as hysteria sent bystanders running for cover in every direction.

In front of the building, shattered glass, pieces of sheetrock, concrete, metal cables, and debris spilled forth, mounding up to two stories high and spilling over onto the adjacent street and parking lot. Frightened, confused, and bloody survivors poured out of the stairwells of the building. The structure was nine stories tall. A hundred and sixty-eight adults and children died from the devastation. A childcare center was located on the second floor just thirty feet from the explosion. Only six children survived the bombing. The explosion injured more than 680 people that day. The explosion was massive, demolishing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and destroying or damaging 324 buildings over a sixteen-block area!

Josie Mitchell, accompanied by his wife, Leigh, left home that morning, heading for the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Josie had business to attend to at the Social Security Office on the first floor of the Federal Building. The couple waited in the reception area for a few minutes before an employee called Josie’s name. Leigh remained in the waiting area near the front of the building when Josie proceeded to an office closer to the rear of the building with the Social Security employee.

Mr. Mitchell needed additional information he had left with his wife and he was in a hallway walking toward the front of the building when the explosion occurred. The horrific explosion plunged Mr. Mitchell into pitch-black darkness. Thick dust, vapors and debris filled the air, making it nearly impossible to breathe. Walls and ceilings collapsed, crashing down, burying many of the people who did and did not survive in the rubble.

Mr. Mitchell found himself lying dazed in the rubble, bleeding, hurting, disoriented, and nearly deaf. The shock wave from the explosion injured his eardrums, leaving him with a deafening ringing sound in his ears. He felt blood trickling from his head and something hit him in the right eye. Mr. Mitchell’s ability to hear and see was diminished instantly. He could see nothing around him.

Mr. Mitchell landed in a small space beneath one wall that collapsed, leaning against another section of wall. The fact that he was in a hall-way was a blessing, because one wall supported a portion of the falling wall and kept it from crushing him. Mr. Mitchell struggled to breathe in the thick dust. Electrical wires dangled from overhead. He felt his surroundings there in the darkness but he did not know what he could safely touch. Mr. Mitchell could not imagine how he would get out of the pile of rubble that enclosed him.

Suddenly Mr. Mitchell saw a woman dressed in dazzling white standing near him. In his confusion, he thought it was Leigh. The woman called him by name and Josie was able to hear her plainly in spite of the persistent ringing in his ears.

She said, “How are you Joe?”

Josie replied, “Doing all right, how about you?”

The woman continued talking, saying, “If you will follow me, I will get you out of here.” The woman dressed in white did not walk ahead of Mr. Mitchell; she floated ahead of him as she took the lead.

Mr. Mitchell focused on the white dress in the darkness and he crawled after the woman with great difficulty. He attempted to slow the woman down by saying to her, “You better be careful in all of this debris. You can’t see where you are going and you could get hurt.” He struggled but managed to keep up.

In a few minutes, Mr. Mitchell saw a ray of light ahead of him and he concentrated on making his way toward the source of the light. Strangely, the woman disappeared at that time. He reached a door located in the rear of the building that was slightly ajar and he wobbled through the door and emerged into the arms of a rescuer.

The first thing Mr. Mitchell asked his rescuer was the whereabouts of the woman in the white dress. The man assured him that no one came out of that door ahead of him. The worker who led Mr. Mitchell to triage assured him he would have seen anyone who exited there.

In the following days, Mr. Mitchell learned his wife did not survive the blast. The initial explosion killed her and workers discovered her body days later. The whole world changed that day for Josie Mitchell, but he did survive to tell the story about the angel that God sent him that saved his life.

In the days that followed that terrible event, numerous people questioned Josie about his miraculous survival. He was quick to share his faith and to give God all the glory for protecting him and for sending an angel that helped him escape.

Mr. Mitchell told family members, “I don’t know why God spared me, but I know He did spare me for a reason. I am trying to find my way back to see what it is that He wants me to do.”

Mr. Mitchell entered full-time ministry and shared his testimony on numerous occasions until the time of his death in 2007. His family members speak lovingly of him. They remember Josie as being funny, outspoken, and a wonderful man of God with a deep desire to share his steadfast faith with others.

Devotion:

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him (Luke 24:13-16).

It is amazing that, even amidst the carnage of a terrorist attack, God can show His love to those who believe in Him. Josie’s testimonial demonstrates God’s love for His children, and His devotion to protecting them.

The Lord sent an angel to guide Josie away from the wreckage of the Oklahoma City bombing, but Josie did not recognize her until the rescue worker told him that he hadn’t seen her. Have you ever been guided out of a difficult situation by a kind stranger? Perhaps you, too, have not recognized the Lord in our midst.

Thought: Think back over difficult times when you were helped or comforted. Can you see the Lord working in your life?

DAY 2

GOD’S SECRET AGENT ANGELS IN LEBANON, TENNESSEE

Aaron White took his time crawling out of his nice warm bed that cold, rainy morning. By all appearances, February 29 was shaping up to be a typical wintery day in Lebanon, Tennessee. Aaron chose warm, layered clothing that morning. He got dressed, then went into the kitchen to eat breakfast.

Aaron’s grandmother, Jan, was already in the kitchen having her third cup of coffee when Aaron sat down at the table. Jan’s devotional lay open on the table and the reading for February 29 was very prophetic. Before the day was over, the devotional reading would echo in Jan and Aaron’s hearts in a powerful way!

The exact wording of the devotional reading was, “God has His own secret agents—angels. God’s angels never fail in their appointed tasks. We will never know how many accidents were avoided because God’s angels protected us.”

For He will give His angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways (Psalms 91:11 RSV).

Aaron and his sister had an uneventful ride to school that morning. When Aaron prepared to leave school in the afternoon, he learned his sister had made plans with a friend and would not be riding home with him as usual.

Aaron drove to the home of a relative where his dad, Randy, was making a repair on a car. They talked a few minutes before Aaron decided to drive home. He was only 17 at the time and the road condition was wet and slippery. Randy chose to follow Aaron to make sure he arrived home safely.

The road home consisted of several turns and traffic lights and one very significant curve. One traffic light detained Aaron’s dad, creating a slight distance between the father and son. Aaron drove a white 1997 Camaro that day as he approached the curve. Aaron’s car fishtailed on the wet pavement, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

Aaron heard a horrific crash of metal crushing metal and glass breaking. When Aaron lost control, his car swerved to the left, placing him in the immediate path of an oncoming black Camaro traveling at 50 miles per hour. The oncoming car struck Aaron’s car in the center of the passenger side.

Sheer terror overwhelmed Aaron as he looked around in shock, trying to figure out what just happened. He looked down and noticed his feet were bare. The impact knocked his socks and shoes off his feet! All the glass in the car was broken out except for one window. Aaron unbuckled his safety belt and he managed to crawl through a window to free himself from the demolished car.

When Aaron stood up, he realized something was very wrong. He was extremely weak and shaking but he did not realize the extent of his injuries. He sustained fractures of the shoulder, the pelvic bone, and jawbones. The left side of his face suffered severe lacerations and the broken bones of his jaw protruded through the gaping facial wounds. Aaron clung to the side of his vehicle attempting not to fall down. Waves of nausea flooded his body.

Suddenly, an older man appeared next to Aaron. The man looked to be around 60 years old. His hairline receded and his hair was gray. He needed a shave. The Good Samaritan stood quietly and very close to Aaron. He placed the palm of his hand against the center of Aaron’s back. Some unexplainable force joined his hand and Aaron’s back. The force of energy from his hand strengthened Aaron and steadied him, giving him the ability to remain standing with strength that had not been present only moments before.

Aaron frantically looked around and for the first time, he caught sight of the car that hit him and he saw the female driver of that car lying on the pavement. The woman’s car caught on fire. A wave of panic surged through Aaron and the silent man spoke for the first time, saying, “You’re going to be okay, son; you’re going to be okay.” The quiet stranger rubbed Aaron’s back and the kind gesture soothed and comforted Aaron. A strange peace filled Aaron’s mind and the panic subsided.

Randy arrived moments later and he ran to his son. He later stated that he saw no man near Aaron. Aaron turned to find his helper had vanished. He was gone. Aaron’s dad could not imagine whom Aaron was talking about when he tried to explain about an angelic man who calmed him and helped him through those first terrifying minutes.

Aaron landed in the trauma center at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville where surgeons worked for eight hours to reconstruct his face. Prompt medical attention and time healed Aaron’s other broken bones over a period of several weeks. The driver of the other car lived and recovered from her injuries. Aaron’s sister survived that day because God protected her and He redirected her path the afternoon of the accident.

Aaron never doubted that God spared his life and an angel cared for him because ordinary people cannot just disappear! The old man who needed a shave did not have wings nor did he wear white garments. Angels come in various forms but they are still angels. God really does have his own secret agents!

Devotion:

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalms 18:2).

God sends help to those who need it, but sometimes His angels are difficult to identify. Not all angels are clothed in white and glow with a supernatural light. Some may even look like they need a shave, as in Aaron White’s experience.

Even if you haven’t seen haloes, or experienced a white light, the Lord is still protecting you. He can send His secret agents as covert help in times of need.

Thought: Have you ever been helped by a Good Samaritan in difficult times? Could it be your guardian angel was undercover?

DAY 3

STEPHEN BARD’S STORY

In August of 2010, Stephen Bard was living a happy and successful life in Washington, DC. He was earning a great salary and he had all the material possessions anyone could hope to have. Stephen believed in Jesus and he prayed to God, usually when he had a need. Most of the time, he felt self-sufficient and he preferred taking care of his own affairs.

Stephen lost his mom that summer because of complications arising from a barrage of health problems. Cancer, respiratory problems, and heart problems assaulted Donna Bard from the time she was 27 years old. Donna was a woman of great faith and her family received comfort from knowing she surely went to Heaven when she died. Stephen would never have guessed how the loss of his mother would affect him in the months that followed!

Three months after Donna died, Stephen’s sister, Jill Beattie, called Stephen and encouraged him to consider moving back home to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, to take care of his dad. That was a life-changing decision. Going from busy independent living in Washington, DC back to his childhood home in the role of a caregiver was life-changing.

As soon as Stephen arrived in Pennsylvania, he began searching for a job. He was surprised when his search turned up only two employment possibilities for which he was qualified. The first one was a position working for a large book publishing company as a sales representative. The publisher was a large Christian publishing company. That job would afford him the ability to work with Christian authors and bookstores all across the country. The second option was for a management position in an adult bookstore. That job would afford him the ability to work with people who were less likely to be Christians. His job would be selling products that adversely affected the very souls of his customers.

Stephen told himself, “This is no coincidence! I can go to work for the Lord or for the devil.” He felt he was being tested to see if he would choose good over evil. Stephen moved quickly and the Christian publishing company hired him. His past work history clearly indicated everything he had done so far had shaped and molded him for working in the publishing industry. Stephen sensed a strong force pulling him in a predetermined direction.

Enthusiasm filled Stephen each day when he began working at his new job! On the home front, Stephen’s dad grew more distressed and anguished each day. Stephen found it increasingly difficult to deal with all the memories in his childhood home without his mother. Donna Bard had been a pillar of strength to her family and her absence became less bearable as time went by. Each day of Stephen’s life was like a roller coaster ride, filled with highs at work and lows at home!

The people Stephen worked with had no knowledge of his mother’s death or his home life situation. He struggled to focus and was not able to do the job he knew he was capable of doing. Weeks passed and feelings of hopelessness and despair steadily crept into Stephen’s mind. He struggled to smile and fought the urge to sit down and cry many days. The intensity of the distressing mental anguish confused Stephen. Stephen experienced inner turmoil that led to exasperation. This genuinely caring man found himself caught up in an emotional and spiritual tug of war.

Stephen engaged in several conversations with a client who lived in Mount Vernon, Missouri in his early days at the publishing house. The man was known as the Rambling Rabbi and Stephen knew him as Rabbi Eukel. They always talked about books and the rabbi’s radio show but never about Stephen’s personal life. Stephen managed to keep everyone thinking all was well in his world!

Something happened on March 14, 2011, that greatly affected his relationship with the Lord! That day was the second worst day of his life since his mother passed away. The night before, for the first time, Stephen had a vivid dream about his mom. In the dream, his mom walked up to him, kissed him on the cheek, and told him she loved him. He woke up somewhat startled. The dark stillness coupled with the reality that his mom was gone left Stephen feeling brokenhearted.

Stephen prayed to God in earnest, asking Him to take away the extreme pain and distress. He realized he could not endure one more day without help and he asked God to do something to make things better; he was desperate! Soon Stephen fell back asleep and dreamed the same dream a second and a third time! He was convinced his mom had paid him three distinct visits in the night. Stephen awoke before daylight in a great deal of emotional pain. He petitioned the Lord for help only God could give to end the unbearable suffering.

Stephen worked out at the gym that morning before arriving at work heavy-hearted, empty, and confused. Soon after he settled into his work routine, he received a call from Rabbi Eukel. Automatically, Stephen snapped into his performance role as the enthusiastic salesman and answered with, “Gooooood morning, Rabbi Eukel!”

He replied, “Shalom, Stephen, and how are you today?”

Stephen answered, “Wonderful, Rabbi, what can I do for you today?”

“Well, I’m not really sure,” replied the Rabbi. “I’m sitting here with my wife in a doctor’s office. I noticed a book published by your company on the table in the waiting room. I took one look at the book and I heard God’s voice speaking clearly to me. He said I was to call you, Stephen, because you are having a very hard day. God told me that I was to pray for you this morning.”

All the pent-up emotions inside Stephen suddenly dissolved as tears trickled silently down his face. The sadness melted away and pure joy filled the empty place inside him. Stephen knew God had heard and answered his prayer! He was convinced beyond doubt that God was speaking directly to him through a stranger who had no earthly knowledge about him. The rabbi had no way of knowing about Stephen’s inner turmoil or his painful situation. Only God could have caused Rabbi Eukel to call on that particular day, at that specific time, after that desperate prayer for emotional healing!

When the phone call ended, Stephen was elated because the pain and despair was gone! He was completely aware that healing and restoration had filled him supernaturally, straight from Heaven! God changed Stephen from that moment on! The fact that God spoke to him through a stranger, whom he had never personally met, was the defining moment!

“If someone at work had seen my anguish and offered to pray for me, I would not have believed that was God talking to me. I could not deny it was God speaking to me when a man whom I had never met called me from across the country, unexpectedly, offering to pray for me out of obedience to God’s instruction.

“Until that day, I was a skeptic that God would speak to an ordinary person like me. I am just one grain of sand in the universe. Now I know with all certainty that God did talk to me that day through Rabbi Eukel. The peace of God filled me up! It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I know now, God really is with me every minute of the day and night,” Stephen said.

Stephen said, “I use to think success was measured by how much I earned, the people I knew, and what I owned. When Mother passed away, none of that mattered to me anymore. When you leave this life, you take nothing with you except your faith in God and the certainty of Heaven. I finally understand the only thing that matters is knowing Jesus Christ as Savior. He gave me perfect peace and God is caring for my mom right now! My Heavenly Father brought my heart home again to Him and to my family.”

Devotion:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

The Lord sees His people’s distress in every circumstance, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. When Stephen Bard pleaded for God to take away his pain, the Lord sent a message to Rabbi Eukel to talk to his friend.

Sometimes the Lord’s help isn’t as tangible as an angel or a Good Samaritan, but that does not mean He isn’t intervening in your life. The Lord knew Stephen needed more than just a split-second vision—he needed the emotional support of a friend, and sent a message to Rabbi Eukel to provide that.

Thought: The Lord can work through friends and family to help you in times of need. Has a close friend or family member called you out of the blue when you really needed it? Or perhaps you have felt called to reach out to others and found them in need of your help?

DAY 4

UNFORGETTABLE RIDE DOWN MONTEAGLE MOUNTAIN

Monteagle Mountain is not technically a mountain; however, it appears to be a mountain to motorists crossing over it. Monteagle is a section of I-24, between Chattanooga and Nashville, Tennessee. It stretches over the Cumberland Plateau. Monteagle is often referred to as one of the most perilous stretches of interstate in the United States.

Louise Rader[1] was well aware that Monteagle Mountain lay ahead of her. She did not mind going up the mountain; it was the steep downhill grade that troubled her. She was an excellent driver but had never driven that stretch of road in an unfamiliar, manual transmission rental truck loaded to capacity. Louise’s mom and dad moved to Florida when they retired, searching for a warmer climate. Her dad died suddenly only months after the move, leaving her mom alone in a strange environment. Louise offered to move her mom’s home furnishings back to Nashville if her mom could hire movers to load the truck.

The estimated twelve-hour trip turned out to be an exhausting journey. Louise discovered she was not as confident behind the wheel of the fully loaded big truck as she thought she would be. The going got tough but Louise had no choice except to keep going.

Daylight was fading fast when Louise reached the beginning of the incline on Monteagle Mountain. She was apprehensive and drove very cautiously. She had heard stories about professional big rig drivers who encountered trouble on that treacherous road and that knowledge was unsettling. Traffic was light and that was in her favor.

The downhill slope seemed to get steeper by the second and the weight of the load she was carrying did not help matters. Louise attempted to slow the truck down but her efforts were futile. She picked up speed in spite of all her efforts slow down. The brakes alone simply could not stop the truck and Louis knew she was in for a horrific crash! She smelled burning rubber and she wondered when the brakes would fail completely. Her white-knuckled hands locked on the steering wheel.

Louise could only think, “Daddy would know what to do!” Sheer panic seized her and she screamed aloud, “Daddy help me!”

At that moment, Louise heard her dad’s voice. She turned toward the sound of his voice and was startled to see her deceased dad sitting in the seat next to her. His calm voice reassured her, telling her, “You can do this, Louise, I know you can do this. Stay calm and do exactly as I tell you to do.”

Louise listened and obeyed each command he spoke, clutching and downshifting in accordance with her dad’s instructions. Finally, the out-of-control truck slowed down to where Louise was sure she was in control of it again. She released her clenched jaws. She could breathe again. Her heart was racing and Louise knew God just sent her dad and He saved her life. Taking her eyes off the road for just a split second, Louise glanced over to say thank you to her father. The seat was empty. Her dad had disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.

Louise drove the remainder of the descent in a lower gear and maintained control of the vehicle. For the rest of the trip, Louise thought about her dad! He was dead but he was alive, and he was in the cab of that truck with her for a brief time. She came close to dying that evening and she knew God sent her dad to talk her through the steps she needed to take to slow the truck down.

When Louise saw her dad’s face and heard his voice, she regained her confidence and composure. She could hardly comprehend it all. Louise could not stop smiling! She prayed, offering many thanks to her Heavenly Father that night. She reminded herself, in life or in death, “I will always be Daddy’s girl!”

NOTES

1.  This is a true story, but the names were changed to comply with a privacy request.

Devotion:

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3).

The Lord answers prayers, but sometimes He uses someone else’s voice. Louise Rader heard her father’s voice telling her exactly what to do, and navigated the dangerous road with his help.

The Lord saved Louise through her father’s spirit and voice. Louise’s father was the Lord’s envoy in Louise’s time of need.

Thought: Have you ever remembered a choice piece of advice, or heard a family member’s voice when you needed their help? Perhaps the Lord is sending His envoys to you as well.

DAY 5

WHITE FEATHERS

I hugged my 16-year-old grandson just before he left the church and handed him a BP gas card. Jacob owned his very first car and had been driving for less than a week. He grinned and thanked me. Jacob kissed me on the cheek before he drove away that morning on his way to see his girlfriend.

After attending early service, I went into my Sunday school room for class. After class, a young woman ran to me and said, “Jacob has been in an accident! Have you heard?” My heart skipped a beat, and I ran to my car to find my phone!

I learned that Jacob was traveling on an unfamiliar road in search of a BP gas station when the accident occurred. Jacob in his car and a woman in her car both arrived at an intersection at precisely the same moment. They were traveling at speeds of approximately 45 miles per hour when they crashed. Both vehicles were instantly totaled! Each car contained one occupant, the driver. Only by God’s grace, each driver walked away from the accident without a scratch.

Jacob’s mom, Donna, arrived at the scene of the accident shortly after it happened. My daughter hugged her son and looked him over, making certain he was all right. She looked at Jacob’s demolished Volvo in horror. The safety airbag deployed on impact.

My grandson said, “Mom, I never knew airbags were filled with feathers!”

Donna replied, “There are no feathers in airbags! They are filled with air. Why do you think they are filled with feathers?”

“When I crashed, I saw white feathers all around me! White feathers were flying everywhere and were all over the seat!” Jacob exclaimed.

Donna said the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, filled her at that moment.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Donna explained to Jacob, “Since you started driving, I having been praying for God to keep you safe, and each day I plead the blood of Jesus over you—and I claim the 91st Psalm over you!”

Jacob jokingly but truthfully remarked, “So angels really do have feathers! White feathers!” Jacob was amazed when he realized God’s hand of protection had surely saved him and the other driver! The presence of the white feathers seemed to stress the fact that God wanted Jacob to remember who saved him!

Upon further inspection of the car, Jacob’s mom noticed a small crushed section in the lower passenger side of the wind-shield. It appeared that a passenger’s head had landed there, except for the fact there was no passenger! Jacob and our family believe an angel was riding with him at the time of the crash, and for that we are forever grateful to God!

Devotion:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust!” …He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge…. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep [guard] you in all your ways (Psalms 91:1-2,4,11).

Jacob’s experience shows us that, though sometimes God wishes to be covert, other times He wants to show us the proof of His intervention. In this case He showed Jacob the feathers of his angel protecting him.

Jacob’s mother’s prayers were answered by a guardian angel protecting him from the car crash. This shows us that no prayers are sent to God in vain. They are always answered.

Thought: The Lord answers all your prayers, even if the answer is no. Let the Lord have your worries and surrender your cares to Him. He may wish to demonstrate His very real hand in your life.

DAY 6

A SERVANT’S HEART

A sense of freedom and purpose stirred in Jaimee Under-wood as she traveled toward Knoxville, just east of Nashville, Tennessee, on Interstate 40. She was a single mother of two small children and a successful criminal defense attorney living in Franklin, Tennessee. Jaimee was a strong-willed woman who recently survived a painful divorce and premature death of her father whom she dearly loved. She went through some tough emotional times, but with much determination she seemed to be getting her life back on track.

Instinctively, Jaimee focused on the positive, looking forward to a great weekend. Her thoughts drifted toward the anticipated reunion with her six-year-old daughter, Alexa, and her two-year-old son, Lawson. They had spent a week with their dad and Jaimee was anxious to see them.

The date was July 19, 2004, and the time was approximately 6:30 in the evening. Jaimee was driving in the far left lane of four eastbound lanes of traffic when she ran over a small object that punctured her tire; she pulled the huge SUV to the left shoulder of the road into an extremely narrow space between the heavy traffic and a large, concrete barrier. The flat tire was on the passenger’s side, nearest the oncoming traffic. Jaimee realized the danger of her situation. She reported her predicament to her motor club and contacted the Tennessee Highway Patrol for assistance.

Police officer Christy Dedman responded to the call. She pulled her patrol car close behind Jaimee’s vehicle and activated the emergency lights of the cruiser. Everything was by the book— the scene was a textbook example of safe procedure employed in an effort to divert traffic around the disabled SUV long enough for Jaimee to change the tire.

Jaimee looked into the smiling face of Officer Christy Dedman, and they both tried to remain calm in the face of their precarious dilemma. Seconds later, Jaimee found herself lying flat on her back, dazed, confused, and in excruciating pain. An eastbound tractor-trailer rig, traveling at approximately 70 miles per hour, crashed into the back of the patrol car, which in turn crashed into Jaimee and Officer Dedman.

A 250-pound piece of the demolished police car pinned Jaimee against the pavement. Her breathing was limited and her pain was indescribable.

An off-duty truck driver came to Jaimee’s aid. He knelt down beside her and noticed she appeared to be unconscious; however, her eyes were open. Small pieces of crushed glass filled her motionless eyes. He could not believe she was alive. The stranger gently picked the glass out of Jaimee’s eyes with his fingertips.

An off-duty paramedic emerged from one of the cars in the traffic that backed up for several miles due to the accident. Jaimee feared she was dying, but the paramedic assured her she would be all right; the expression on his face said otherwise. Jaimee began praying she would live long enough to say goodbye to her children and family. The paramedic stayed with Jaimee until help arrived, holding her head so she could not see the body of Christy Dedman lying motionless beside her. The impact of the crash killed Officer Christy Dedman instantly.

An ambulance arrived and transported Jaimee to the trauma ward at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. She was critically injured and losing blood at an alarming rate; however, she remained awake and aware during the entire ordeal, resisting the ever-present urge to allow darkness and oblivion to render her unconscious.

Jaimee sustained a traumatic brain injury, lacerations to her spleen, liver, and kidney, and an “open-book” pelvic fracture that shattered her pelvic bone into three pieces. The internal bleeding was profuse, requiring numerous blood transfusions. Jaimee’s pelvic fracture necessitated surgery. Large screws and metal rods affixed to her pelvic bone literally held her together. After suffering a collapsed lung on two separate occasions, Jaimee’s condition stabilized.

One of Jaimee’s nurses was exceptionally kind; she went beyond the call of duty to be helpful. One morning shortly after the accident, the nurse shared an extraordinary account with Jaimee. “When I was with you in your room last night, I felt Christy Dedman’s presence very strongly. I finished cleaning you up, and I went to the sink to wash my hands. When I looked in the mirror, I saw Officer Christy Dedman standing behind me. She was standing there, smiling at you! She was dressed in her uniform and hat.” The nurse told Jaimee, “When I turned from the mirror, Christy vanished.”

Jaimee’s nurse reported seeing Officer Dedman in Jaimee’s room on several occasions over the next few days. Christy appeared calm, and she smiled whenever she appeared. Each time, Christy vanished when the nurse turned to look directly at her.

Morphine, a strong painkiller, was used to control Jaimee’s relentless pain, leaving her thinking somewhat impaired. Jaimee wondered if her impaired thinking was the reason Christy appeared to the nurse instead of her.

To make matters worse, Jaimee suffered terribly from survivor’s guilt; she was emotionally devastated. She could not understand why God spared her life and not Christy’s. Jaimee’s grief was tremendous and she felt responsible for Christy’s death because Christy died helping her.

Christy’s after-death appearances offered comfort to Jaimee and Christy’s family. The appearances helped Jaimee understand that Christy did not blame her, and that Christy forgave her! Jaimee was able to deal with her grief over Christy by knowing she was still very much alive and in a far better place.

Jaimee’s recovery did not happen overnight, but she did recover. Jaimee said, “The experience was a powerful thing that changed my life. Before the accident, I acknowledged God; however, I did not appreciate or serve God. I have come to a point in my life where I have truly accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. I accepted Jesus and received baptism at the age of fourteen, but I drifted away from my spiritual life. The wreck was a turning point. Because of all that happened to me, I have reconnected with Jesus in a profound way! I ‘get it’ now!”

Jaimee attends regular worship services and believes she is a better mom, a better lawyer, and a stronger Christian because of the adversities she has faced in her life.

Officer Christy Dedman died at the age of 35, leaving behind her parents, a brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. She was the second female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in Nashville. The Nashville Police Department posthumously awarded Officer Dedman the highest Medal of Honor bestowed by the Nashville Police Department—the Medal of Valor. Today a simple cross on Interstate 40, just east of Nashville, marks the place where Christy’s life in this world ended tragically.

Devotion:

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

Jaimee’s experience is another story of miraculous salvation the Lord shows His children, and how the Lord’s path for us does not end in death. Jaimee was saved and comforted by God’s grace and Christy Dedman’s presence, and Christy was able to protect and comfort Jaimee even after her own death.

Though the Lord did not save Christy’s life, His devotion to her is clear in this testimony. As a state trooper, Christy had devoted her life to the protection of others. In death, she was able to do the same. The Lord allowed her to continue her mission even after her earthly life had ended.

Thought: If you were to die today, how would you want to serve God in the afterlife? Would you protect others like Christy? Be a comfort to your friends and family? Have you ever felt the comforting presence of those who have died? Perhaps they, like Christy, were fulfilling an after-death mission from God.

DAY 7

A MESSAGE OF HOPE

Laura[1] grew up in the Church of Christ. She knew about Jesus and had often heard the message of salvation. However, Laura spent most of her life running from God, refusing to accept His free gift of new, abundant life through His Son.

Determined to live her life according to her own rules, Laura ran headlong into a lifestyle of self-destruction. She became a drug user and, ultimately, a drug addict. When her funds were exhausted, Laura became a prostitute to fund her habit. Tomorrow was never on Laura’s radar; she spent her days in efforts to feed her growing addiction.

Circumstances intervened in Laura’s wasted life when she learned she was dying of cancer. Impending death cast a shocking clarity to her shattered life and meaningless existence. Laura was filled with shame and regret. She began to realize her need for God. Laura’s bruised and hardened heart became more tender and open; she was ready to accept God’s salvation—she was ready to follow Jesus.

Laura’s doctor admitted her to Baptist Hospital for treatment to prolong her life. Chaplain Lewis Lamberth visited her often during her stay. He spent time getting to know her and telling her about Jesus. He explained to her how Jesus died on the cross for each of us so our sins would be forgiven; he told her the blood of Jesus covers all sin. Understanding began to dawn on Laura; God’s truth became a beacon of hope. Finally, Laura prayed a simple but heartfelt prayer. She asked God for forgiveness and accepted Jesus as her Savior and Lord.

After Laura committed her life to Jesus, she wanted to do all her newfound Lord required. Having never been baptized, Laura felt a strong need to do so. She wanted to make a statement about her decision to follow the Lord and to confirm her new life in God. Chaplain Lamberth was more than thrilled to comply with her wishes.

Soon after her baptism, Laura left the hospital with a new hope in spite of her dire prognosis. She lived for only a few more months before returning to Baptist Hospital to die.

After Laura’s death, her sister-in-law contacted Chaplain Lamberth and told him an interesting story. She and her husband were lying in bed asleep on the night of Laura’s death. It was about ten o’clock in the evening when she awoke to see Laura standing near the foot of the bed. She looked 20 years younger than her actual age and she was dressed in white clothing. Laura said, “I’m okay, don’t worry!” She said nothing further before she faded out of sight. Laura’s sister-in-law immediately phoned the hospital. The nurse informed her that Laura died only minutes before.

Laura’s sister-in-law knew Chaplain Lamberth was instrumental in Laura’s conversion. She believed Laura wanted him to know that she had indeed made it to the other side and was in Heaven, doing just fine!

Chaplain Lewis Lamberth Jr. is still doing God’s work. Today he is the Director of Pastoral Care at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

NOTE

1.  A fictitious name was used to protect the identity of the deceased.

Devotion:

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know (John 14:2-4).

Laura’s story shows to us the ultimate example of God’s Salvation. He is willing and eager to save all who repent and ask for His help—no matter what their pasts. Through her death, Laura was saved, and reserved a place in Heaven. The Lord even saw fit to send a comforting message to her sister.

Sometimes salvation comes in the form of death. But death was only the beginning of a glorious place in Heaven for Laura.

Thought: Remember that whatever mistakes you make in life, it is never too late to ask for salvation. The Lord’s love is infinite, and that is the true miracle of this book.

CHAPTER THREE

ONE WEEK TO BELIEVE IN COMFORT

This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. (Psalms 119:50).

Sometimes it is not in God’s plan for Him to spare us from the difficulties in life. However, we can take comfort in the fact that everything is in God’s control, and He loves and cares for His children.

The following stories show the Lord comforting His people after they have endured a tragedy. Some of the men and women in this chapter witnessed a message from a relative already in Heaven, letting them know that they are happy in paradise. Some saw a suffering loved one leave behind their body and the physical pain that accompanied it. Some even found God’s word in the seemingly most unlikely of places—a sign or a car door.

These stories demonstrate how, when everything else seems to go wrong, the Lord can still show us His love. Each of the people in these stories experienced His comfort, and perhaps you have too. Examine your past experiences; maybe you have not recognized the comfort He is lending you.

DAY 1

SHE WAS CHANGED

John and Elizabeth Shuford considered themselves enormously blessed to have found and married each other. They were very much in love with each other and they understood that love and life are gifts from God. John’s dad died when John was only thirteen and his mom died when he was seventeen years old. He learned about the pain of loss and grief at an early age, but John also learned about blessings at an early age. John realized how very much he lost in those two wonderful parents. The loss showed him just how blessed he was to have known them and to have shared a portion of their lives as their much-loved son.

John and Elizabeth learned all about a different kind of love when their two sons were born. Jack and Bradley were born as perfect as they could be. They were beautiful and happy babies! Their mom and dad showered them with love and attention. Each family member complimented the other in ways they could never have imagined until they found themselves living together in a home, as a family!

The Shufords began a new chapter of their lives when doctors diagnosed Elizabeth with colon cancer in 2006 at the age of 39. They experienced shock, disbelief, anger, and acceptance as they searched for the right path to take. Elizabeth entered a difficult world when she embarked on an aggressive course of action, attempting to defeat the cancer invasion of her body. It was not easy on her or John for they waged war on their enemy by committing to a plan of treatment. The treatment came in the form of an attack on the cancer by way of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and blood transfusions.

The Shufords traveled to various doctors in various places seeking every reasonable treatment they could find. Treatment began in South Carolina and expanded to Houston, Texas. John worked to earn a living; he became Elizabeth’s caregiver, learned new parenting skills in caring for Jack and Bradley and performed cooking and housekeeping. John wore many different hats during those difficult days.

When Elizabeth’s condition worsened, John and Elizabeth kept the faith and held the family together one day at a time. The cancer metastasized from Elizabeth’s colon to her brain, lungs, liver, and adrenal glands. Some of the treatments Elizabeth endured were almost as wretched as the disease was. She suffered from nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, dizziness, and lethargy. There are no words to describe the physical and emotional toll the wicked disease thrusts upon the patient, the spouse, and the children. Elizabeth endured the treatments because she wanted to live for her boys and for John.

John and Elizabeth’s church family and friends bombarded Heaven with a barrage of prayers on their behalf. They helped the family in so many wonderful ways with generous and genuine acts of kindness. John discovered how closely his family drew to the Lord as the situation worsened. He made the assertion that, “Without the pain, most people just don’t get it. Those who go through their whole lives with relative ease and no trials and adversity often end up without a clue as to what life is all about. They may even go to church every Sunday but how can they understand what God is trying to teach us? Sometimes, our loss is God’s gift to us. The struggles keep us very dependent upon God. He is our strength and provider.”

In November of 2007, cancer claimed the life of Elizabeth Shuford. Her greatest concern in leaving this life was the pain her loved ones would feel in her absence. Jack was eleven and Bradley was eight years old when she died. Not all the words in the world can ease the pain of separation in two young boys when their Momma has to leave them behind at such tender ages. Elizabeth was that special woman to her husband and to her two boys. Everyone saw the light in Elizabeth, the caring and doing for others before herself, the sweetness, the unconditional love she exuded, and the emptiness that her departure created in all those who knew her.

The day after Elizabeth passed, John was sifting through her belongings and he noticed an inspirational book that lay on her bedside table. He fanned through the pages of the book and a neatly cut 3 by 3 inch piece of paper fluttered out from between the pages and landed on his shoe. He picked it up to find typed words from the first chapter of the book of James in the Bible. He read, “Consider it all joy…when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4 NASB).

John wept. He knew God was talking to him. The next day in the mail, John received the weekly newsletter from his church bearing those same precious words from the book of James. It was God’s confirmation, reminding him that God was aware of what was happening and He would never leave them. There were many similar confirmations throughout their trial

On March 18, 2008, John went to sleep needing rest, reassurance, and solace. He rarely dreamed, and when he did he was vaguely aware he dreamed and remembered none of the details. That particular night, Jack had his sixth grade play. He played the role of Judas and it was quite a significant role. Jack gave a fantastic performance and John could only imagine how proud Elizabeth would have been if she could have been there. John fought the tears that evening for it was an extremely touchingly occasion.

When sleep did come, John entered a most unusual state of slumber. Sleep was the vehicle that transported John away to the divine location the Heavenly Father had prepared for John and Elizabeth to experience a spiritual meeting of the minds. Upon arrival in that perfect place, Elizabeth descended gracefully from above and she floated toward John. Elizabeth’s smile was one of pure joy and her eyes swept slowly across his face. Elizabeth wore radiant white and she was more beautiful than John had ever seen her before. Her skin had the faintest golden glow, while her entire being glowed from the brilliant white light surrounding her!

John said, “The first thing I noticed was that she was so much more than me. She had a powerful presence that captured my attention. I was in awe of her. Humility and enlightenment describe what I perceived to a small degree. She possessed a sacred knowledge and confidence because of her enlightenment.”

“The second thing I noticed was the absence of verbal communication. We were able to converse with our minds, not our mouths. I ‘sensed’ all that she was and all she had become as a holy and perfect child of God in Heaven. I knew she was changed, having been in His presence.”

Elizabeth drifted toward John, never taking her eyes off him, and her smile affected him, holding his gaze. Suddenly, Elizabeth was within his reach and John placed his hands around her lower waist. Elizabeth embraced John and kissed him innocently. Her touch was not a sensual touch but one of deep and sincere love.

With the embrace came a connection by magnetism or electrical energy. A powerful flow of communication flooded John’s mind as Elizabeth showered him with her sentiments and her thoughts. Waves of thoughts flowed from Elizabeth, entering John’s mind, as she told him, “I am so proud of you, you’re doing an amazing job with the children, I am so proud of our kids, and I am so pleased with how things are going.” Her thoughts continued, “I love you; I am so happy for you; I am so happy and excited for our children. Most of all, I am so happy where I am. It is wonderful and amazing and I can hardly wait to see you here.”

John stated, “Elizabeth appeared to be perfectly content with everything including her present state. She was not interested in returning to earth, as there was no need because she was with us in spirit. There was so much love; there was an outpouring of love emanating from her. It was entirely evident that she was elated with her heavenly existence and her heavenly environment. I understood she was happy about all things—where she was, where the kids and I were, and where we would be in the future. She knew it all. There was no sadness in her, only love, joy, peace, and heavenly, extraordinary contentment.”

“In an instant, she broke away, and immediately I sat straight up in bed, wide awake with my heart pounding! It was as if I had heard a door slam! I looked frantically around the room, daring to hope she would be standing beside the bed. My brain naturally began the adaptation process, evaluating the reality or lack thereof of the amazing encounter I just experienced,” John exclaimed.

John said Elizabeth’s after-death visitation that God so generously allowed affected him in a profound way. “That event is the single most important spiritual moment of my whole life. There is no doubt in my mind about its purpose or its realism. It almost seems like mockery to describe it as a dream. God gifted me by allowing Elizabeth’s spirit to visit mine! I can hardly wait to see her again!”

Devotion:

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4 NASB).

We know from the Bible that the Lord feels our grief as painfully as we do. It is important to remember that God, too, has felt the pain of losing a family member when He sent Jesus to die for our sins. So when we lose someone close to us, it is comforting to remember that even the Creator of the universe has felt what we feel.

Knowing the feeling of losing a family member could be why the Lord allows deceased family and friends to send us messages of comfort from beyond the grave. John Shuford’s wife was able to check on him and their children even after her death, and it was a great relief for him to know that she is in Heaven waiting for him.

Thought: The Lord has felt all the pain of a father and wishes to alleviate as much of that pain in His children as possible. Look for His comforting messages in your life. He may be showing you that He is holding your deceased loved ones in His hands.

DAY 2

CEMETERY VISIT IN HAMBURG, IOWA

Gail Clover was only 14 years old when she experienced the loss of one she truly loved. Mabel Haith had raised Gail’s mom, Barbara, in the absence of her real mother. Gail thought of Mabel as her grandma. Mabel died of a heart attack. She was a very special woman with endearing qualities. Mabel was loving, generous, and kind. Her passing was a great loss to those who loved her so much.

On Memorial Day in 1963, Gail accompanied her mom and her grandfather to visit Mabel’s grave. They drove to Mabel’s home in Auburn, Nebraska to gather flowers from Mabel’s garden to take to the cemetery in Hamburg, Iowa. Gail walked through the garden, picking flowers and remembering how much she loved and missed Mabel.

Gail prayed, saying, “Dear God, please let Grandma know we are bringing her flowers today.” Gail and Barbara picked a very large bouquet of red, white, and pink peonies and placed them in the trunk of the car before they drove away that day.

Beautiful blue sky and an occasional strip of white stratus clouds high in the sky captured Gail’s attention. The distant beauty caused her to think of Heaven and Grandma Mabel. The family arrived at the cemetery in Hamburg. Gail and Barbara were talking and taking in the beauty of the surroundings when Barbara abruptly paused. Looking toward Mabel’s gravesite, she exclaimed, “Gail, who does that look like to you?”

Gail looked directly at the spot where Mabel’s body was buried; seeing Mabel standing near her own grave startled Gail. Mabel’s eyes were downcast and she appeared to be admiring the existing flowers on her own grave. Gail sat still; she was awestruck!

Floyd, Gail’s grandfather, watched in disbelief and started to cry as he stared at Mabel in amazement. Barbara, Floyd, and Gail watched in silence at first. The deceased Mabel turned and looked at her family with a peaceful expression. Gail could not take her eyes off her Grandma as she attempted to comprehend how she could be looking at a woman whose funeral she recently attended.

Gail noted that Mabel was wearing a black and brown striped housedress, identical to one she had worn in life. There were large buttons down the front of it. She carried her purse tucked under her arm, which was characteristic of her. In life, Mabel always stood erect with shoulders back in a regal manner and she stood that way by the grave. Her hair was the same beautiful auburn color.

Barbara and Floyd got out of the car and began taking flowers out of the trunk. Barbara asked Gail to get out of the car and Gail refused. She could not understand how her grandma could be both dead and alive. Barbara responded to Gail’s refusal by saying, “She wouldn’t hurt you when she was alive, and she is not going to hurt you now.” Barbara may not have understood what was going on by the after-death appearance, but she did not doubt that Mabel was somehow very much alive at that moment.

Reluctantly, Gail exited the car and they gathered all the flowers and closed the trunk of the car. All three of them began walking toward the grave and as they walked, Mabel vanished. She was gone.

Three witnesses saw Mabel Haith standing beside her own grave. Three people agreed that it was no apparition, that Mabel was real and alive. Her facial features were clearly defined and vivid. All three observers described the clothing Mabel wore and all three observations were identical. Each of them saw her beautiful auburn hair. Barbara, Gail, and Floyd left the cemetery shaken and stunned because of what they experienced. Not one of them could explain it but they would never doubt they saw it. They never forgot what they saw.

Many years have passed since that miraculous day and Gail looks back on that encounter with great appreciation and enthusiasm! She remembers her simple prayer in the flower garden. Gail asked God to let Mabel know they were taking flowers to her grave. In answer to that prayer, Gail believes the Lord sent Mabel to see the flowers, as confirmation that He heard and answered her prayer! Gail has often wished she could see her grandma again; however, that day was the first and last after-death appearance by Mabel Haith. Gail is ever mindful of the reunion in Heaven that awaits all who believe!

Devotion:

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:13).

Gail Clover, her mother, and several other people witnessed Gail’s grandmother standing at her grave. She had prayed to the Lord and God answered the prayer, sending her Grandmother to see the flowers and the relatives she left behind on earth.

This is a message of comfort to everyone who has felt the pain of losing a loved one. The Lord allows the people we love to visit us when we need comfort. Perhaps when we in turn go to Heaven, we can check on our living relatives and let them know we are alright.

Thought: Have you ever felt the comforting presence of someone who has gone on to Heaven? Who will you wish to comfort when you pass on?

DAY 3

HIS SPIRIT LOOKED LIKE HIS BODY

Carole Smith[1] returned to middle Tennessee in early winter because her father was gravely ill with lung cancer. Her dad, Carl, had struggled to breathe and he courageously endured the increasing pain because his wife and three daughters wanted him to live so badly. The truth was, he was tired of fighting and he wanted to go home to Heaven.

Carole’s dad had decided to request pain medication to make him comfortable so that he could die in peace. His doctors had informed him there was nothing else they could do to help him. They agreed with the decision he made to ease the pain.

After spending one afternoon and one night with her dad, Carole understood his decision and she wondered how he had endured as long as he had. She loved him very much and she did not want him to suffer beyond what he could stand. When nurses began administering the strong painkiller, Carl slipped into a quiet sleep and he did not awaken during the next two days.

It was late afternoon when Carl’s family noticed his breathing pattern had changed. His heart rate slowed and changed significantly. They knew his death was imminent. Carl’s wife and their three daughters sat near the bed. All the words had already been spoken. There were silent tears and heartbreak as they watched the life slip away from the one they loved so much.

Suddenly, Carl sat straight up in the bed. At least that is what his family initially thought. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat looking at his wife. He smiled without saying a word. He turned to Carol and smiled at her, and then he turned to each daughter and smiled. He spoke no words.

Carl placed his feet on the floor and stood up. His stunned family watched in disbelief, because at that moment they could clearly see that Carl was also lying flat in the bed and he appeared to be dead.

Carl’s spirit stood up and walked between them, walking directly toward the wall near the foot of the bed. When he reached the wall, he did not slow down. He walked through the wall and the family saw him no longer. His human body remained in the bed and they quickly comprehended that his spirit just left his body and smiled at each of them before he left the room. His spirit looked exactly like his body!

Carl’s family could not speak for several seconds because they could not believe what they just saw; however, all four of them saw the same thing! The supernatural vision they just saw made them feel overjoyed while they were still feeling the pain of losing him.

Later on, each family member felt incredibly blessed by the experience. They were not sure others would believe them. What they saw was real and the memory comforted them in an amazing way through the months that followed. The women no longer have any fear of death. They are Christians as Carl was, and they look forward to going to Heaven when it is time with no apprehension.

NOTE

1. This is a true story, but the names were changed to comply with a privacy request.

Devotion:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

Sometimes the death of a loved one is sudden and traumatic, but other times it is long due. In Carl Smith’s case, it was a relief to leave his earthly body behind and move on. After so much pain, he was ready to leave life behind.

Carole’s experience of seeing her father leave his body and become alive in the spirit was a great comfort to her and her family. It allowed them to see him happy again, released from the pain of his body and becoming a being only of the spirit.

Thought: Take comfort from Carole’s story. The Lord will take away all of our pain, whether it is physical or emotional. The only answer is to be patient.

DAY 4

DIVINE COMFORT

Dr. Michael Culbert was born in May of 1930 in the mountainous area of Molleystown, Pennsylvania. He graduated high school as Valedictorian in 1948. He attended college, earning his Bachelor of Science, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in the discipline of music. Dr. Culbert served in the military during the Korean War. He met his future wife, Esther, when she was only 16 years old and later married her. He spent most of his career at Clearview Regional High School in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, as a well-loved and creative instrumental music teacher and band director for 32 years.

Dr. and Mrs. Culbert were very athletic; the two of them and their family enjoyed many camping and hiking trips in almost every national park in the country. The two of them later backpacked the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail that spans from Maine to Georgia. In 1995, at the age of 65, the duo bicycled 4,300 miles across the entire United States from Oregon to Virginia. After that, they toured Ireland and Scotland on their bikes. They also hiked in Wales and Scotland. Their adventures took them to Alaska, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Michael became a legend within his own circle of family, friends, and students. He served as a church organist and director of choirs for a span of 38 years, and continued to be very active in church life through his eightieth year. He touched the lives of countless youth, children, and adults in both his school and church positions in very positive ways through his love for God, family, and community.

On July 5, 2011, Dr. Michael Culbert suffered a stroke at his home in Sewell, New Jersey. An ambulance crew came to assist him and transported him to the hospital. Dr. Culbert’s final journey was underway. From that day forward, he was never able to return to his beautiful, peaceful home surrounded by wildlife and trees. It was his home for 52 years, the place he had shared countless happy times with his wife and family. Dr. Culbert’s daughter, Peggy Culbert, had several unusual experiences during those heart-wrenching weeks and months of change. Each experience served as an affirmation of God’s presence and power in her life.

The stroke affected Dr. Culbert’s ability to give or receive communication, leaving him in a small, secluded world of his own. Peggy had a difficult time adapting to her dad’s incapacitated state, and she became discouraged. On the night of July 10, 2011, as Peggy slept, she became the recipient of a rare supernatural manifestation of a presence that engulfed her entire body. The presence affected Peggy like a holy aura, surrounding her being, and in moments she recognized the presence was her dad! Peggy focused on the presence, and she was able to see her dad’s smiling face. He was the way he was before the stroke, at his best! He expressed his earnest desire to protect, love, and care for his daughter before he disappeared. Dr. Culbert did not speak with his mouth, but he imparted a message to Peggy. He expressed to her, “Be calm; everything will be fine. Have no fears.” The extraordinary experience comforted Peggy greatly!

On August 25, 2011, Peggy drove her usual forty-minute route to work at an elementary school south of her home. She planned to ready her classroom in preparation for the new school year that began in September. By that time, her dad was experiencing his fourth move following the initial hospitalization to a rehabilitation center. The entire ordeal had taken a toll on Dr. Culbert, Esther, and Peggy.

Peggy made every conscious effort to keep her spirit strong. She surrounded herself with the things of God; she prayed and listened to uplifting music. Still, Peggy’s concern grew for her mom who suffered from deep anguish about the ongoing circumstances over which she had no control. Dr. Culbert and his wife Esther were intertwined in each other’s lives even now, at the ages of 80 and 81.

Peggy realized her immediate situation had not escaped God’s attention and she knew it was a fine time to walk by faith and prove the power of faith. She began to trust God, expecting Him to evidence His presence to her in uncommon ways. Before the wonderful faith experiment was over, God revealed Himself to Peggy in four separate messages in one day! Peggy was extremely appreciative and she knew the messages were gifts from her Heavenly Father.

The first message appeared as Peggy drove toward her work-place. A huge truck traveled ahead of Peggy and she focused on the words written on the back of the truck trailer. It was a Bible passage from Romans 8:31. She could hardly stop smiling when she read, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (KJV).

The second message appeared when Peggy drove to a convenience store to buy a couple of items. She parked her car facing the highway. Just before she drove out of the parking lot, a truck passed by her. To Peggy’s surprise, she saw encouraging words displayed on the side of the trailer in large print. She read, “In God We Trust.”

Peggy was quite pleased by the messages she accepted by faith as divine messages! She arrived at the school and completed her work, then headed home by a different route. She planned to stop at the rehabilitation facility to visit her dad on the way home. The third message of the day also appeared on the back of a large trailer of a big truck. Peggy could hardly believe it when she read the words, “Praise the Lord!” At that moment, Peggy began literally praising the Lord aloud in her car! She clearly understood that God was communicating with her in ways that only He could have orchestrated at precisely the right moments!

Peggy visited with her dad a while, then departed for home, traveling on Chapel Heights Road. She smiled, receiving yet another encouraging word from the road sign. She took it to mean, “We can reach wonderful heights through chapel (God) worship!” While Peggy was still smiling with a grateful heart, she drove past a church and noticed the words on a marquis. “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” from Matthew 11:28 (KJV).

Peggy said, “It was like receiving a letter from God saying all the right things to lift a heavy heart to His way of thinking! God is an understanding Father, knowing that His children need to see Him sky-write words at times to sustain us in times of turmoil, and He is willing to provide in astonishing ways!” Peggy’s faith experiment worked extremely well that day.

On Sunday, March 25, 2012, Dr. Culbert went home to Heaven at the age of 81. His family—wife Esther, daughter Peggy, sons James and Edward, two daughter-in-laws, and six grandchildren—took comfort in the fact that at the time of his passing at 11:50 a.m., his church congregation was singing “Lift High the Cross” as the concluding hymn of their worship service. In addition, the choral anthem that day was “Surely He Has Borne Our Grief and Carried Our Sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4), which also comforted the family.

In the days following her dad’s passing, Peggy felt very sure in her spirit that she would receive a Divine supernatural sign or manifestation from Him if she asked God with all her heart for it. In this instance, however, she refrained from asking. She felt as if God had given her so many affirmations and confirmations throughout the prior year that it would almost seem as if she was ungrateful for blessings received if she asked for more. A bit reluctantly, she resigned to “leaving well enough alone.”

Then, three days after her dad’s passing, she received a special surprise! Her good spiritual friend, Denise Ibbotson, reported to her that as she was typing a letter of condolence to Peggy that day regarding Dr. Culbert’s passing, she experienced a clear vision manifestation of him! Denise recognized him since she had met him briefly several times in the years prior to his passing. The deceased Dr. Culbert appeared to Denise along with her own father who had passed away many years prior to this time. The two men had never known each other on earth, but had apparently become acquainted in Heaven, knowing that their daughters were close spiritual friends.

Denise wrote, “I can literally see our dads becoming friends as I am writing this, and the two of them talking about their daughters to one another. They are smiling (beaming!) and proud and so happy that we share a friendship here. There is bright light all around them.”

Peggy was so comforted. The “smiling” and “beaming” part of Denise’s vision was important to her. Denise did not know Dr. Culbert sufficiently to realize that his smile was his trademark. Peggy knew, however, that throughout his entire life, Dr. Culbert was perhaps best known for his radiant smile, making Denise’s vision affect her powerfully.

Dr. Culbert’s funeral was scheduled for three days after that day, and Peggy felt led to play the piano and speak at the service. Her friend’s divine vision of comfort fortified Peggy in a big way! She was able to participate in the funeral as planned, armed with a supernatural “blessed assurance” that the world cannot give!

One month passed, and then Peggy received one more very special divine surprise! Another good spiritual friend, Andrea Toanone, called her excitedly to report that she had an after-death visit from Dr. Culbert on May 3, 2012. Andrea reported that she had felt very ill that day and was becoming very concerned about a disconcerting unresolved health issue. In the midst of this, Andrea experienced a profound vision manifestation where she saw the deceased Dr. Culbert along with her own deceased father. Andrea, like Denise, had met Dr. Culbert briefly on several occasions in the years prior, and recognized him instantly.

Andrea was convinced that her own dad appeared to comfort and reassure her about her own condition and that Dr. Culbert appeared to her because he knew Andrea and Peggy were very close friends. He apparently knew that Andrea would share the details of the visit with his beloved daughter, Peggy.

Andrea’s deceased dad appeared first, saying, “Nothing is impossible with God!” Next, the two dads, both whose first names were Michael, appeared together, each with an arm draped over the other one’s shoulder. Jesus appeared with them, surrounding them with His mighty arms of love! The two Michaels said they were happy to meet each other for the first time in Heaven, and expressed how proud they were of their daughters.

The deceased Dr. Culbert said to Andrea, “Tell Peggy how proud I am of her and how thankful I am for all that she did to help Esther and me. Please tell her to be happy and enjoy life.”

When the experience was over, Andrea scrambled for a pen to write down the communication before she forgot any of it. She grabbed the first thing she could find to write down the words. It was a free catalog she received from a store a short time before.

Andrea felt led to write the communication on a page next to a page bearing the likeness of broadly smiling Mickey Mouse with his arms open wide. He looked like he was made of crystal and he had a beautiful otherworldly appearance. When Andrea conveyed the experience to Peggy, she asked her if Mickey Mouse had a special meaning to Dr. Culbert, seeing the notes written next to his likeness.

Peggy exclaimed, “Yes!” Dr. Culbert grew up in the mountains of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, until the age of 18, when he went away to college. From the time he was born, everyone there called him “Mickey,” short for Michael. He and his sister, Dawn, had matching plates with “Mickey and Minnie Mouse” on the center of the plates, which they had received as gifts in early childhood. Both had kept those plates as treasured items, even to the present time when both siblings were in their eighth decades of life. Dr. Culbert’s relatives from the mountains never ceased calling him “Mickey.” Peggy was amazed once more by God’s power, wonderful “coincidences,” and affirmations!

Peggy concluded, “The clear supernatural manifestations of God’s presence and power were a wonderful divine comfort to me during this difficult time beginning in July of 2011. At that time, dad changed dramatically after being an unusually strong, healthy, intelligent, and multi-talented man for an extraordinary eighty years. I believe that his transition served as a healing for him and that he is presently happy, healthy, and active at his new residence in Heaven. I look forward to joyously meeting him again on the day that God chooses to call me Home!”

Devotion:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

Peggy’s story shows us another aspect of God’s comfort to His children. Peggy was not able to communicate with her father. She had no idea what was going on in his mind. God gave her several messages from her father, reassuring her that he was alright and that he loved her very much.

This story shows us not only God’s love, but His concern over our insecurities. Dr. Culbert’s inability to communicate left Peggy unsure about how he felt, both physically and emotionally. The Lord allowed him to communicate—first through a heavenly presence, then from Heaven itself—and lay these doubts to rest.

Thought: The Lord revealed Peggy’s father’s thoughts to her when she was feeling the most unsure about his feelings. This kindness relieved Peggy’s fears for her father’s comfort. Communication can be the best gift of all. Have you ever gotten a feeling or message that told you a family member or loved one was happy? What would you want for your family or friends to say after they have passed?

DAY 5

HOLY ENCOUNTER IN PEMBROKE, NORTH CAROLINA

PART 1

Eartle Jane Strickland was a Lumbee Indian, born in June of 1934 in Robeson County, North Carolina. One day from her childhood stood out from all the rest. Her mother approached her quietly one morning and asked if she would like to accompany her on a trip to town. That day was the first day the mother and daughter had ever spent time together without all of the other children around.

Eartle was only six years old and she was very excited to get to go into the town of Lumberton. Serious segregation (Jim Crow Laws applied to Indians in Lumberton) existed in that town in those days. The public drinking fountains, bathrooms, and entrances were marked with signs that clearly divided people into three separate categories, white, black, and red, segregating all three races in public places.

Eartle and her mom’s skin was fairer than most Lumbee Indians. For that reason, no one questioned them when they entered the drugstore that day and ordered a cherry coke to share. Later they shopped for fabric to make all five girls new dresses, and Eartle helped her mom choose the material.

The two of them returned home later and Eartle smiled broadly when the other children teased her about being so special and going into the drugstore. The drugstore did not knowingly permit Indians to enter. The day would stay in Eartle’s mind as a freeze frame for all her years to come. The time she spent with her mom that day was one the best times of her life!

It was customary for her mother, Lillian Oxendine, to gather her children around her feet each night and read the Bible to them before bedtime. That night was no different. The children drew near their mother and eagerly listened while she read to them. Their mother’s nearly floor length hair was loose that night and the children draped her long tresses over their heads having childish fun. Lillian said her head was hurting badly so she took down her bun hoping to ease the pain.

Without any warning, Lillian died in her sleep that night in the early morning hours of May 6, 1941. Her family buried her in the family cemetery near their home. They mourned Lillian’s death and her children never forgot their mother’s tender love and kindness.

PART 2

The night of May 6, 1996, was one of the nights when Eartle stayed in the home of her sister, Emma, in Pembroke, North Carolina. She had been staying with her sister for the three previous months due to serious health concerns. Eartle suffered from severe congestive heart failure, diabetes, and kidney failure and she had been very ill. That particular night, Eartle felt unusually good and the two sisters laughed, joked, and reminisced about their childhood and fond memories of their mother, whom they had not made mention of in decades.

Like her mother, without warning, Eartle passed away that night in her sleep during the early morning hours, just as her mother did and just a day after the anniversary date of her mother’s death. Emma went to awaken Eartle the next morning and could hardly believe it when she realized her sister had passed away.

Nancy Strickland Fields, Eartle’s daughter, received the news later that morning after she went to work in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte was a little over a hundred miles from Pembroke, where her mother was staying with Emma.

Nancy and Eartle shared a very close and loving relationship. There was an extra special mother-daughter bond between the two of them. Eartle had helped Nancy raise her daughter, Kierra. The news devastated Nancy. Nancy and her friend, Stacy, drove to Pembroke later that afternoon.

That night, darkness and sadness settled over that home in the country like a heavy veil. As Nancy and her Aunt Emma gathered clothing and other things to take to the funeral home, Nancy decided she wanted to bury her mother with her mother’s ring and her wedding ring. While Emma and Eartle were talking the night before, Emma noticed that Eartle had taken the rings off. That was her routine after her evening round of dialysis because her fingers had a tendency to swell. Nancy and Emma began looking around the room for the rings.

The futile search for the rings and the reality of her mother’s death overwhelmed Nancy. She sat in a chair in the bedroom where her mom had died, looking through a small basket of her mom’s personal belongings, thinking perhaps she had put the rings in there. The rings seemed to have disappeared. Nancy took a deep breath and glanced up toward a window that faced the front of the house. She noticed a brilliant shining light the size of a silver dollar gently hovering in the lower left-hand corner of the window.

The unusual light immediately caught Nancy’s attention. At first she thought it was from an approaching car, perhaps a flashlight, or a reflection from something inside the house, but that was not the case. Close inspection revealed it was a light within itself. The shimmering white light moved slowly to the center of the window where it continued to hover slightly, as if alive. At that moment, Nancy felt a touch on the top of her head that ran from the front of her hairline to the back of her head. It reminded her of how her mom used to part her hair with her long fingernail before she braided it when she was a little girl. In that motion, she felt her soul open up. It felt like God had lifted a pitcher over her head filled with peace and was pouring it into her body.

Nancy experienced holy, warm, otherworldly peace flowing into her body through the top of her head, moving slowly downward through her neck and shoulders. It was an extremely intense feeling—but at the same time the most calming, comforting sensation she had ever known and words seem to be inadequate when describing it.

Nancy was exhilarated! When the extraordinary peace filled her chest, she experienced a powerful rapid-fire question and answer session permeating her being as if God in Heaven was telling her answers to all of creation. As the feeling intensified and slowly moved through her body, she instantly received some profound knowledge. She heard words that were powerfully spoken, “Is there a God? Yes! Is there a Heaven? Yes! Is there a hell? Yes! Are you going to be okay? Yes! Is your Mother in Heaven? Yes!” The sound of the word “yes” coursed through her entire being! Then these words came to her: “This is what your mother is feeling right now.” There was no fear; only a sense of pure joy and sincere reverence!

A deep comprehension filled Nancy, imparting to her mind that she was a part of a vast heavenly power! The peace flowed down through her torso, legs, and feet. Almost like an echo, there was confirmation, “You are a part of it!” Nancy was amazed, knowing she was truly feeling what her deceased mother was feeling in the heavenly realm! As she began to understand the enormity of the experience, Nancy was touched deeply. A sense of humility filled Nancy, along with the reality of God’s grace and a new perception of His incomprehensible love for His children. Nancy Fields was caught up in a rare and magnificent holy encounter with the Almighty living God!

As if through spiritual telepathy, Nancy comprehended that if she continued her life on earth seeking God through her Christian faith that she too would enter into the holy miraculous peace at the end of her life. Nancy focused her eyes on the small floating white light and she nodded her head as if to say, “I understand.” The light moved upward and slightly to the right then faded into the darkness of the night. As the holy feeling gently exited her body through the bottom of her feet, she sat in the chair in complete awe of what happened. It all lasted approximately two minutes, but in a sense it was like an eternity!

Nancy had an intense desire to share everything that just transpired, and at once she went looking for her friend Stacy. Nancy began by saying, “I have something to tell you and I have to say this out loud, now. I don’t care if you believe me or not—it does not change the truth about what just happened. I saw a light!”

Stacy looked straight at Nancy and raised her hand. Her thumb and index finger formed a circle and Stacy said, “You just saw a light and it was a brilliant light the size of a silver dollar.” Nancy’s eyes widened and she was puzzled at first. Stacy continued, saying, “I am your confirmation because I saw it too. It was a light within itself. I was sitting here and this light appeared to me and I felt this wonderful peace and it communicated with me that you were about to have an experience and I was to be your confirmation that this happened. In the years to come, Nancy, you will not doubt what you saw, heard, and felt.”

That phenomenal occurrence strengthened Nancy and sustained her through the emotional funeral process during the next few days. In the following months, life without her mom proved to be extremely difficult. Nothing could have prepared Nancy for the tremendous heartache and aloneness she experienced. Settling her mother’s estate proved a daunting task and a traumatic undertaking. Nancy needed reassurance as she proceeded through the grieving process. Nancy found herself asking God for a sign that her mother still loved her on two occasions.

God generously complied both times. Once he sent a white pickup truck with tinted windows that drove beside Nancy for a prolonged period in very slow traffic. The word “Ertle” in large black letters on the passenger door loomed before her eyes. Her mom’s name was Eartle. That reassured Nancy she was not alone. That is an unusual name and Nancy never saw the name anywhere else before or after that day. (The spelling was slightly different, but the name was the same.) It had to be from God!

A second time Nancy got a sign was when she went to her attorney’s office to finalize the estate proceedings. She left there and entered a jewelry store. She looked up asking and promising, “Lord if You will just give me one more sign that Mama knows I handled the proceedings the best way I knew how, I will never ask You for another sign as long as I live!”

Nancy looked down into a ring display and saw a ring bearing the initials EJS. Her mom’s name was Eartle Jane Strickland! Nancy bought the ring, placed it on her finger, said “Thank You, Lord,” and left the store!

Nancy recalled, “All of this really happened and it was so compelling and persuasive that it still moves me to tears even after sixteen years have passed. I truly know the meaning of humility in comparison to God’s awesome power from that experience! God shared a tremendous gift with me that day! I carry that gift with me today and I will carry it with me for the rest of my life. I share my personal testimony with anyone who will listen to me tell of God’s grace and promise to His faithful children.”

Devotion:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Nancy Strickland Fields’ story is encouraging to anyone who has lost a loved one. She was able to feel the Lord’s confirmation that her mother was in Heaven. This was incredibly comforting for Nancy, and she continued to ask for confirmation that her mother was looking down and approving of her actions.

God’s continued messages to Nancy show the Lord’s incredible love and devotion to His people. Nancy was in need of a great deal of assurance, and the Lord was willing to provide it.

Thought: In addition to Nancy’s experiences seeing the heavenly light, she was able to find messages in the seemingly most unlikely of places. She saw encouragement in signs, truck doors, and jewelry shops. Have you had experiences like Nancy’s, where you saw something that you dismissed as coincidence? Could God have been talking to you through ordinary objects?

DAY 6

VISITATIONS

PART 1

Gary and Peggy Ferrell of Gallatin, Tennessee, had been married 48 years when Peggy passed away on August 12, 2003. She suffered several strokes over a five-year period from a serious platelet disorder.

Gary was an ordained minister with the General Council of the Assemblies of God and had pastored five churches through the years. He had a very strong faith; however, losing Peggy was the most difficult circumstance he had ever experienced.

The first holiday after Peggy’s death was Labor Day, and Gary’s children, Lori and Tom, suggested they all get together for a cookout that Monday afternoon. Gary realized holidays were always going to be painful without Peggy because he would face them alone, but he decided he would deal with holidays later.

He chose to spend the afternoon working alone in his yard, trimming shrubs, and cutting the lawn, etc. Gary got his tractor and trailer out to pick up the limbs and debris he cut. His tractor was a John Deer 445 and the engine produced a significant noise. Gary worked from the backyard toward the front as he beautified the yard.

An unusual bird appeared shortly after Gary began working and the noisy tractor failed to frighten the bird away. The bird was very beautiful and it was the size of a pigeon. The bird’s feathers were bluish gray and it had unusually large, brown-colored eyes. Gary had never seen a bird like it before.

Everywhere Gary went, the bird followed him, repositioning itself within a few feet of him. The bird watched him with its head tipped a little sideways. Gary at first waved his hand to shoo the bird away, but the bird showed no fear of him. It was persistent, staying close to Gary until he completed his work that day.

When Gary finished his chores and turned off the tractor engine, he knelt down and extended his hand to the lovely creature. The bird hopped over toward his hand, stopping just inches from Gary. Gary spoke softly to the bird, saying, “Come to me little bird; I won’t hurt you.” The little animal inched closer and closer, turning its head from side to side, steadily gazing up into Gary’s face.

Gary spoke, saying, “I’m all right, don’t worry about me, everything is going to be okay.” Gary thought of Peggy’s beautiful brown eyes as the bird studied him with its own brown eyes.

The bird lingered seemingly understanding every word he spoke as Gary continued, “I miss you very much Peggy. I will see you again someday.” When he spoke those words, the spell appeared to have been broken. The bird turned and hopped away a short distance. It looked back at Gary one last time, and then flew high into the eastern sky never to be seen again.

Gary felt certain that God sent him an angel that day in the form of a beautiful bird, to encourage him and to remind him that he was not alone!

PART 2

Several months passed and Gary adapted to living his life alone after Peggy died. He was sitting in his home office one day when without warning, Peggy appeared in the hall near the great room. Gary stared in disbelief at first as he focused his eyes on his deceased wife! He was startled!

Peggy looked beautiful! She appeared to be very young, about 18 years old, and in perfect health! She wore a white garment that shimmered with a golden sheen. The robe-like garment did not reach all the way to the floor but it was long. Peggy’s hair had no traces of gray; it was a brown color as it had been when she was very young.

Peggy spoke to Gary and she only said his name, “Gary,” in the same special way she had spoken it during their many years together.

Gary spoke one word in reply. He exclaimed, “Peggy?” He could not believe his eyes, because Peggy was very much alive, young, healthy, and perfectly beautiful! In a moment, Peggy vanished from sight and Gary sat still and silent. He tried to comprehend that he and Peggy had just made contact in a supernatural way over which he had no control.

Gary called to mind some of the funerals he had preached and he remembered one of his favorite comments. He often asked the question, “Is death where we go to sleep or where we wake up?” The Lord had imparted that powerful statement to him years before. His perspective changed greatly after he saw his deceased wife. The fact that Peggy seemed to want him to know she was all right and doing well gave Gary a great sense of peace!

PART 3

Gary enjoyed being a grandfather and he welcomed visits from his little granddaughter, Carle, who affectionately called him Poppy. Carle loved her Poppy very much and she enjoyed keeping close company with her favorite pacifier at all times! Peggy was the one who went searching for the “passee” when Carle misplaced it. She would shush Gary when he suggested Carle “throw that thing away.”

One morning after Peggy died, Gary readied himself for work. He was the chaplain for the Hendersonville, Tennessee Police Department and he was running behind schedule. Carle spent the night with him and he hurried about to get her back to her mom’s house before he went to work. Carle’s sweet voice rang out in her endearing tone, “Poppy, I need my passeeeee!”

Gary told her to “come on,” saying he would just buy her a new one because he could not find the darned thing! He hurried Carle into the small hallway near the door as the housekeeper entered that morning.

Gary was puzzled when he looked at a chair in the hallway where Peggy often sat. He saw a clearly defined impression on the seat of the chair, as if an invisible person was sitting there! The back chair cover had fallen down toward the cushion as it always did when Peggy sat there. The cushion gave way to an invisible source of weight. Gary watched in amazement! The passee rested on the arm of the chair.

Knowing the answer full well, Gary asked his housekeeper, Joann, “Did you put that passee there?” She replied saying she did not, that she had not entered the house, and she did not even know the pacifier was missing.

Gary smiled and shook his head slowly as he recalled a sermon by one of his associates who preached many revivals on the topic called, “Your loved ones are closer than you think.”

Devotion:

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him (Exodus 15:2).

Gary Ferrell missed his wife dearly after her death, and God knew his pain. The Lord sent Gary the hope and encouragement he needed to keep on going when his wife died. Gary received visits from his wife in the forms of a beautiful bird, as well as a younger version of herself.

Gary needed this encouragement to help him go on living without his wife. The Lord proved to him that he was not truly alone because God was always there, watching, helping, and sending His comfort.

Thought: You, like Gary, are never truly alone. Remember that not only are these visions of loved ones, but they are helpful messages from God telling us that we are never alone, even in our most difficult times.

DAY 7

I’LL FLY AWAY

I met Debbie Matthews, a music executive, one cold, gray November morning. A fine and foggy mist filled the air. My Monday required some rearranging because of an appointment cancellation. I thought of a music business matter I could handle, considering the fact that I suddenly had a free morning. I experienced a holy prompting to go at once! I went online, seeking the address for a publishing company, then drove toward Nashville with directions on the seat beside me. I headed for 25 Music Square East on Music Row.

Parking places on Music Row are nearly nonexistent, so I decided to find the building then park somewhere in the area and walk back to the business. I located 23 Music Square East but did not see 25 Music Square East. I circled the block a second time; I still did not see the number 25, and no parking space was in sight. I circled the third time and discovered a vacant parking space at the end of a row of parallel-parked cars at 23 Music Square East. I claimed that spot at once and noticed a woman four cars ahead of me, standing outside her car. She appeared to be looking for something.

I approached the woman and made an inquiry about the missing street number, and she smiled and said, “That business has moved. If you will come inside with me, I will help you find the new address.” We entered her business called Valhalla Music Group. We exchanged introductions and business cards. She looked at my card and she asked me several questions. When she realized I write about people who have experienced divine intervention in their lives, she said, “I think maybe the Lord sent you to me today!”

Debbie went on to tell me it was her first day back at work after a six-month break. She took the time off to run for a Senate seat. Her run was unsuccessful, and her faith was sorely tested during those months. She was weary from the good, the bad, and the ugly things she encountered in the field of politics. She needed to be reminded that God was real and still in control.

Debbie said, “When I drove into Nashville this morning, I parked outside this building in the very spot where you are now parked. Something told me ‘not yet.’ I pulled away from the curb and circled the building. When I approached the building the second time, I passed up your parking spot and parked where you found me, then I could not find my keys. I saw the keys as soon as you said, ‘Pardon me.’”

I laughed and said to Debbie, “God more than likely caused you to do that because He knows I can’t parallel park!” I said jokingly, “My insurance company forbids me to do that ever again! God must have hidden your keys until I reached you.”

God’s timing never ceases to amaze me! God had her park there and save the spot for me then move out of the spot at precisely the right moment so I could park there. God spoke to Debbie and to me that day; we both heard Him and obeyed Him!

We laughed, yet both of us knew our meeting was not by chance! Holy manipulation orchestrated our meeting! I ventured out and asked, “Do you perhaps have a story for my next book?” Debbie smiled and nodded yes. She shared with me the story about her mother’s death. Sometimes, the way I get my stories is almost as amazing as the stories!

Debbie’s mother, Beverly Jean Chapman, died from oat cell carcinoma of the lungs. She died 15 months after she learned she had cancer. Beverly’s nickname was “Jackie.” She was a beautiful person and an elegant woman. Jackie’s eyes were green, and her smile was contagious; she never met a stranger. Everyone who knew her loved her. Debbie loved her mom very much.

Early in the morning on the day of Beverly’s death, Debbie left her home in Columbia, Tennessee, to have her hair cut. She left her mom at her home under the care of a hospice nurse. Later that morning, Debbie received a call to return home; her mom’s death appeared imminent.

Debbie returned home as fast as she could! Many visitors and a minister surrounded her mom, so Debbie asked them to leave the room; she wanted the death experience to be a personal and private matter. Debbie’s husband, Jason, and one hospice nurse remained in the room. She asked her singer/songwriter husband to sing, but he couldn’t because of the tears. Jason loved his mother-in-law very much; sadness overwhelmed him.

Debbie quickly found a CD and pressed play. The voice of Vern Gosden singing “I’ll Fly Away” filled the room with song and praises in a final farewell to Beverly. Everyone joined in and started singing the song! Debbie contemplated the suffering she saw in her mom with lung cancer; then she visualized the heavenly realm she was about to enter. Debbie looked into her mom’s beautiful jade green eyes as her mom looked back at her. Her mom communicated without speaking a word. Words poured from Debbie’s spirit through her mouth as she affectionately cried out to her mother, “Run, Jackie, run!”

At that moment, Debbie saw with her eyes her mom’s spirit actually leaving her body. A white mist, a white sweeping vapor, soared from her body then swirled upward and away from her motionless body. The spirit appeared to be running! Debbie never questioned the experience; she felt great comfort from what she saw. There was no fear! She knew her devout Christian mother was now completely healed and Heaven bound!

Devotion:

…He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:3-4).

Debbie’s story shows us that even in the darkest moments of our lives there can be worship. Debbie’s mother was dying of a debilitating and terrible disease, and yet this story is not one of sadness, but one of joy.

The Lord showed Debbie her mother’s spirit on its way to eternal happiness and it made what is often a grief-filled experience into one that is lovingly remembered and shared as a source of comfort for all.

Thought: Death is only the beginning. Debbie’s story shows us that even though it was the end of her mother’s life, it was the beginning of her time in paradise, and she would be eternally happy. Remember this in times of grief and know that Heaven’s doors are open to all who accept Jesus into their hearts.