Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Nothing Less Than Raising The Dead





.......It was September 10, 1977 somewhere mid morning around the lunch hour. Two women dressing to go to Women’s Aglow meeting. One full of the Holy Spirit and walking in her calling, and one lost and undone, broken who’s life held nothing good except the two little boys laughing and romping in the house with their cousins. There life, like hers would never be the same after that day.

.......Oh, it was no accident that she would be in that place at that time. It was a divine appointment and HE was waiting. The few months leading up to this day was full of amazement for her but mixed with horror and fear and turmoil. Her third marriage was so very broken and she was physically and emotionally abused on a daily basis. Oh, she was raised in church and head all the stories of God and how HE intervened in the lives of people but she did not fully understand the love that God had for her, she would soon find that out.

.......She found herself quickly in trouble with the third marriage and somewhere in the night, alone and crying she broke. Standing by an open window with her fists clenched, she yelled out to the God that she could not see but somewhere in the depth of her soul knew He was listening. “Why in the world do you allow this to continue” she cried as she shook that fist in the face of God. She would soon learn that HE was listening and HE was moving closer to her.

.......Some would call it coincidence but she will tell you today that it was divine intervention. Some would call it happenstance, she will tell you that it was Holy and without hesitation.

.......Through a process of events she found herself being moved to Anadarko Oklahoma in the middle of nowhere except that she did have a cousin living there. Tisha and Harold. Because of her troubled life she did not have close contact with her family much, some due to the shame that she felt and just no desire to live more than from day to day and energy for something else was too much to bear.

.......The Todd family, Tisha and Harold had three children of their own and living in a modest little home with just three bedrooms. They embraced that woman with her two sons and husband with the love and the spirit of giving that you would expect from these people. It would prove to be the best of times and the worst of times.

.......Tisha Todd that morning while in the shower heard from the Lord. As I remember it HE spoke and said “Today is Denise’s day” She will correct me if I am wrong but I am sure that was the spoken word that day. I remember she was so excited and told her husband Harold but she spoke nothing to me for fear that I would decide to stay home and not attend this women’s ministry. But attend I did.


.......That was 31 years ago today September 10. It has not been a walk in the park since that day and the trials would prove to be more than I could have even imagined.


.......I worked in the shop most of the day yesterday and found myself in tears most of the day. Each year at this time the Lord always bring back to my mind and my remembrance of that day. As I write this for you today I find myself in tears. It is as real today as it was that day in that room on a second floor of a small café. His presence is as real to me today as it was the instant that my spirit man was born again. It is as real to me today as I sit and pen these words for you as it were in the instant after all things became new in my life.

.......We look for miracles, we read about the miracles in the New Testament. We hear about the blind eye being opened and the lame walking. We hear about the miracles in other places and we watch for those miracles in our own lives. What we fail to understand that for a life that is broken and undone to be made new and a spirit that is dead being made alive is nothing short of a miracle.

.......Some people have said that the age of miracles is over……….. I need to disagree……..

.......He took a broken heart and made it new…….. He took hate from my heart that day that was embedded into my very soul……. How did HE do that? HE walked up to me and breathed the breath of life into my spirit and I came alive. HE gave me a new name and wrote my name in the Lamb’s book of life. HE sat me in heavenly places and moved me from death to life. I have entered into my eternity and I will never die……… How did HE do that?


.......What HE did that day is nothing short of raising the dead and making the blind eye see….. I am nothing short of a miracle. You are nothing short of a miracle! Remember that

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very Very POWERFUL!! Thank you. Welcome back I missed you:)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

So thankful for the look back and for the magnificent grace of Calvary that carried you all the way to our Father's arms.

Yours is a beautiful witness to the power of God's continuing miracle...

that of a changed heart and life.

Thank you for sharing, and I love the new look of the blog. The colors are fall fabulous!

peace~elaine

Denise said...

I have missed you sweetie. Thanks for sharing this precious testimony.

Mary said...

Denise,

As soon as I started to read this post, I knew that woman was you. I'm so glad that you attended that meeting and that God guided you to Him. This is an awesome testimony. Miracles still happen today. I have seen it with my own eyes.

I am FREEZING, girl. It has been going down in the 40s here overnight and our furnace will NOT come on. The man is coming to fix it tomorrow. It is only 3 years old and under guarantee. We have had very cool weather here since the first of the month. When I was young, it got cold here in September, but hasn't done so for many years. Everyone is bringing in their plants because it is close to frosting.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony, my friend. You are an inspiration.

Love and blessings,
Mary

MelanieJoy said...

Happy "Birth"day!!!
What an amazing testimony you have.
Thanks for sharing and for being of encouragement to us all...
Love you...

Sharon Brumfield said...

In some way my story is similar to yours. He was watching but waiting for me to come....I guess the events in my life were building a frame for me to be able to see Him better.
I too am glad you had a face to face with Him.
It is a powerful story and it is important to remember where we have been.
Love the new look!
And I love that you were able to change the font. Blogger just does not have much available in that area. And I have been too chicken to try anything else.
Glad to hear from you....was thinking of you this morning and praying for you.

Tracy said...

What a beautiful post Denise. My soul cried with you joys of happiness that the Lord is so wonderful. Hugs my friend.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story!! PTL! Yes, He still performs miracles!!! I believe!

Thanks for visiting my blog again -- I was blog-hopping for a bit last night but I missed yours. Sorry! I ran out of time but I was looking for your link when DH came home for dinner...glad you found me!

Have been thinking about you -- wore my t-shirt the other day & was amazed yet again at your talent! ((( hugs ))) D

kansasrose said...

Oh sister in Christ! Thank you thank you for your witnessing of His Love/Works in your life...you have no idea how this is speaking to my spirit today. Someday we will share more...but I am REALLY struggling right now. I know that Jesus is reaching out.... The Holy Spirit that resides in you dear Denise...is ministering. HE makes us whole again! He HEALS the broken sinners! God is working miracles through you dear friend.... reading your words of hope and victory. Love you.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

WOW!! Thanks for posting this today! I am so glad that God showed you just where He wanted you. Yes, I believe that there are still miracles today..How do we NOT know that a miracle was performed in our lives? We might have been spared something that we have no idea about. You were just fortunate to see when it really happened to you. I believe in miracles too..Sandy

Mimi said...

such a beautiful and meaningful testamony..it is such a blessing to hear how God has worked in your life to bring you from broken to full blossom...
thanks for the testamony,
Mimi

Mississippi Songbird said...

Thanks you for this beautiful post.. God Bless you and have a good weekend.

Talk..to..Grams said...

I loved reading your precious testimony! He found you and made you whole! It doesn't get any better then that!!!!

I have a nice Award for you to pick up over at my blog!! Love and Hugs, Grams

Connie Barris said...

wow...and more wow...

I love this...

I saw your heart laid in the palm of our Lords hands...

Thank you so much

love ya girl

Anonymous said...

NOW I understand your reference to the Samaritan Woman. It's no wonder it holds a very special and precious place in your heart. No doubt, you will go on to encourage others who have walked a mile in your shoes.

Mary said...

Denise,

Hope all is well with you girl. I haven't heard from you in a while, but know you are busy. Please stop by my Writing Nook and pick up a little something that is posted there.

Blessings,
Mary

Mama said...

whew.

What a post, Friend. Each time I read your heart, I feel myself growing closer to you. I treasure you!

Chris said...

Amen Sister!!! What a beautiful powerful moving amazing loving awesome story! Praise Him! Worship Him! Thank Him!

Joyce said...

Very nice...thanks for baring your soul.
Joyce