This past summer (2017) something unusual happened during one of these gatherings. The effects of prayer are always supernatural. We expect that. It isn’t uncommon. But that morning, an event experienced by me only (at least I was the only one I know of) was out of the ordinary. While I prayed that morning, I was standing in an open area, with my eyes closed, and suddenly felt someone pass by in front me. I'd not heard or felt them approach, "They" were just there in a moment, and passed by in front of me. I heard and felt the floor slightly depress with their steps and felt the air move as they passed. I opened my eyes, but I was still standing alone in my area. No one was near me, and the others were in the same places, in prayer, as they'd been when we started. After our prayer time ended, I asked the others if anyone had come into the room with us while we prayed. No one else had noticed anyone else joining us after prayer started. None of the women had gotten up, or walked in my direction while we prayed. A few weeks later...I love passing by our church (which is in our village) and seeing Greg and Marilyn Randol’s truck and travel trailer in the parking lot. If you know them, you'd understand why. They're Christian evangelists and they're wonderful folks. They have a tight schedule and minister to churches all over the country. Their travel trailer is their home and the few times a year we get to have them here is a treat. A few weeks after the prayer-room quandary, they were here. Greg was scheduled to speak during Sunday morning service. He's an awesome preacher and we were excited to get to to be in service with him and Marilyn. Alicia and I sat with her that morning. The service was excellent and before it ended most of the congregation left the pews and went to the front to spend some time in prayer near the altar. Some had needs and wanted to be prayed for, which is a common thing to do in churches like ours. When most everyone on our side of the church moved out of their seats to go to the front, I stayed behind. I wasn't feeling well that morning and neither was our friend Marilyn. She sat on one end of our pew, and I stood at the other. I was moved to pray for Marilyn. She's had some intense health challenges over the last few years, yet on she goes, ministering to others. She's a tiny lady, but the inspiration she births in others is enormous. With her on my mind, I “...had a little talk with Jesus,” telling Him how thankful I was to get to be in service with her. I asked for His mercy and grace to blanket her and for Him to deliver healing and strength to her fragile body. While I was praying, eyes closed, once again I suddenly felt a flutter of motion in front of me, to my right. Whatever, or whomever passed by, moving left, toward Marilyn. I opened my eyes immediately and not a single person, other than Marilyn, was nearby. There were only several empty pews between us, at the back of the church, and everyone else gathered at the front. Yet, I was (and still am) certain someone had stepped by me, ruffling the air in front of me. The presence felt huge! Moments later, Pastor Greg Morrison and his wife, Pam, came up the side aisle and stopped at our pew, near Marilyn. Gently, they each laid a hand on her, and began to pray. Wanting to assist, and happy the good Lord had moved others to lift our friend in prayer, I stepped to where they were, and joined in them. With all my heart I was hoping Marilyn was feeling as refreshed in her spirit as I was, and feeling strengthened in her body, too. A short time later... It dawned on me about the middle of the following week that I hadn't been feeling as short of breath as usual. I realized, I'd been able to breathe much, MUCH easier since Sunday morning service. So much easier, I was able to cut back a little on the organic med I've taken daily to help alleviate the symptoms of congestive heart failure for the last five years. Not only was I breathing easier, I wasn’t I wasn't having as much trouble with edema in my extremities. By the the following week I was able to adjust my medicine's doses from 400mgs a day to 100mgs a day. Since then, I'm maintaining with 100mgs when I take the med, and rather than daily, I only take it a couple times a week, if that. I often go many days without taking it at all. My breathing isn't completely back to normal yet, but it’s close, even when I’m working out I feel “normally” winded, rather than seriously truggling for air. When I get winded, I rest a few moments then go at it again. My recovery time is now much faster, even when I have allergy related congestion. Prior... The decreased need for the heart med I'd been taking is significant for two reasons. Over the five years I've been taking it, the dosage has had to be steadily increased. Five years ago I only needed 50mgs a day to breath easier. By mid-summer of 2017 I needed 400mgs a day and sometimes it still wasn’t enough. The med’s limit is 600mgs per day. I’d been praying things didn’t get worse ‘cause I was moving closer and closer to the maximum amount I could take. Gradual change... Why the healing is occurring quickly, but not instantly, I’m still VERY thankful for what’s happened. My reason for sharing this ongoing experience with you comes from a need to encourage others with the reality of Christ's compassion, grace and unparalleled love for us. ShoutOuts The wrap! Thank you for your visit. I pray you'll continue through this holiday season safely and with abundant blessings.
If you live in Southern Indiana, please remain aware that the African lions are still on the prowl, and that we have other big cats that have been sighted in the area as well. Since this hasn't been the norm for our part of the country in many years, it's just good to be mindful of our surroundings, especially in remote areas. Have a beautiful week... Angelia
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