Category: Dr. Robert Wise interview

MEET AGNES SANFORD—AGAIN!

BLOG 74 February 26, 2018 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE! 

Robert Wise explores the world of Divine intervention from an objective point of view. Can 21st Century people believe that the hand of God touches people in today’s world? Read and you’ll find new insights.

I’m sharing again some of my experiences with one of the most gifted people I’ve ever known. You can find the original blogs on Agnes Sanford back in September, 2017. However, I’m repeating some encounters that I think have important value for today.

Many people came to Agnes through the years, but not everyone was restored in some dramatic way. Some people went home the way they came. I wondered how she knew what to pray for all of these people. Agnes had an answer.

Before she prayed, Agnes listened to hear the mind of God. What intentions did he have for the specific person in need? If she felt healing was not possible at that moment, Agnes blessed the person. When she got a green light, she interceded for the specific need.

If you didn’t know Agnes, you’d think that her praying about the wind, earth, and sky was off the scale. However, she prayed about hurricanes, against wild fires, and for the rain to start and stop because she believed it was the will of God for humanity to do so

Once during a conference in Southern California with people seated outside, the rain started to hit. She looked up and said, “I’ve got five more minutes then you can start. Please wait.” The rain stopped. When she finished, Agnes looked up again and said “Okay, you can start now.” It did. The crowd stared. The issue was the will of God.

The same was true for dying. I knew that Ted Sanford had a powerful, pleasant dream about dying that occurred five days before his death. Agnes had suggested it might be prophetic of what was to come. When the end came, it was just as Ted had dreamed. Neither Agnes nor Ted were afraid of death as they lived in the light of the resurrection. When her friend and house companion Edith Drury called to tell me that Agnes had died, the same amazing dimension had been there.

Agnes came out of her bedroom one morning and told Edith that she believed the Lord was calling her to fly. Could Edith see if a glider might be found to take them for a ride? As she always did, Edith accepted the unusual request in stride and started calling local airports. A week later, Agnes came out as she always did with an adjusted request.

“I think I got it wrong,” she said.

“Really?” Edith answered.

“Yes. I don’t believe I’m suppose to fly in an airplane. I think it’s time for me to go. I believe I should die.”

“Are you certain? I mean – well, after all –”

“I think so. Please call the women in our prayer group to come over and pray for me. I think I’m supposed to leave on Sunday.”

Edith shrugged. “I’ll do what you tell me. Yes, I’ll call them right now.”

On Sunday, the small group of people gathered around Agnes’s bed and began to pray for her release. In a short time, she was gone. Agnes died on February 21, 1982, the day celebrated in many churches as the Feast of the Transformation. It certainly was hers.

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MEET AGNES SANFORD

BLOG 73 February 19, 2018 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

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Robert Wise explores the world of Divine intervention from an objective point of view. Can 21st Century people believe that the hand of God touches people in today’s world? Read and you’ll find new insights.

Agnes Mary White Sanford came out of a world that no longer exists. Her father Hugh Watt White and mother Augusta were Presbyterian ministers and missionaries in Hsuchoufu, China back in the days when the Western Church world saw that far off land as a place of mystery and romantic intrigue.  She wrote her own story in Sealed Orders and didn’t want some anonymous person adjusting her story or taking apart her personal theology. Consequently, this chapter is not about Agnes Sanford per se, but my experience of and with her.

I not only knew Agnes, but taught in her School of Pastoral Care. During that time, I became acquainted with Dr. Harry Goldsmith whose healing and emotional restoration laid the foundation for the healing of the memories ministry that had a worldwide impact.

While Agnes has been gone from this world for three and a half decades, her quest for the miraculous remains highly instructive. She has much to tell us about interaction with the heavenly Father and how we can access the miraculous realm. While her personal orientation was unusual, her devotion to discovering the pathway to prayers for healing remains anyone can follow.

The first time I came to Agnes’s home in Monrovia, California, Edith Drury opened the door and ushered me in. Edith believed she had been called of God to shepherd Agnes in her later years after Ted died. She ushered me into the living room where Agnes sat reading a book.

“Oh, Robert! Do come in and sit down.”

“I wanted to inquire further about your work with healing prayer. I’m concerned to know more about praying for sick people.”

“Excellent,’” Agnes repeated. “We can certainly talk about that subject.”

            We conversed easily and she rambled awhile about her life. Her pastor at the local Episcopal Church was Morton Kelsey who was to become internationally known for his writing. At that moment, little did I realize that I would in time become Morton’s bishop. We were simply talking, sharing our journeys, and eating sweet rolls.

After talking for awhile, Agnes walked out on the veranda. Monrovia is set in the foothills above Los Angeles and her house was on a steep mountainside. Standing with a piece of bakery roll in her hand, she seemed oblivious when a bird flew down and landed on her wrist. The bird pecked off a piece of bread and then flew off. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“I thought I saw a bird land on you,” I said.

“Oh yes,” she said casually. “They do that you know. I’ve never seen that bird before.”

That experience was my introduction to the unusual relationship Agnes had with nature. Dogs, birds, snakes, animals loved her and she developed an extraordinary capacity to pray for the earth and wind. Her amazing relationship with nature plays a part in her healing work.

Next week, we’ll dig deeper.

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MEET MIKE AND BETH Part Two

BLOG 71 February 5, 2018 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE! 

Robert Wise explores the world of Divine intervention from an objective point of view. Can 21st Century people believe that the hand of God touches people in today’s world? Read and you’ll find new insights.

The ideas in this blog were first posted last summer, but the amazing event remains touching and are good for a second look.  During their work with the Vineyard Ministry, significant gifts from the Holy Spirit came forth for Mike and Beth. Prophetic insight helped to propel significant spiritual growth in Oklahoma City. Mike also began to experience a healing ministry.

During a conference in Monterrey, Mexico, Mike was working with local citizens who were “the poorest of the poor but the richest in faith.” During an evening service with robust singing and praise, a blind elderly woman was led forward for prayer assisted by two young people. A group of ministers assembled around Mike and all of them began to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to restore her sight.

As he interceded, Mike felt like he was being transported from Monterrey into a page out of the New Testament. While he was internally experiencing that ancient scene, the old woman began to cry.

“Yo veo!” the woman sobbed. “Yo veo?”

“I think she sees,” the minister next to Mike whispered.

Over and over again, the woman gave thanks and praise to Jesus Christ for healing her. As the service ended, she rushed out into the streets to tell everyone that she had received this wonderful healing. Her sight was restored.

As the evening ended, the teaching of Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 rang in Mike’s ears. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach the gospel … and the recovery of sight to the blind.” In the same way a gift of healing had become part of Mike’s ministry.

The divine interventions and miracles have continued through the years for Mike and Beth as they reach out to the needs of others.

What can we learn?

Since the Western World is living in an age that considers empirical data to be supreme, some of Mike and Beth’s accounts may sound over the top to hard-nosed secularists. The prevailing world view of the modern world insists on scientific data and demonstrable facts. Obviously, some of the foregoing does not fit the mold. So, what do we do?

I’d suggest we change our world view.

If we are to understand miracles and learn how to live with divine interventions, we need to make a paradigm shift. We must recognize that the transcendent dimension won’t fit in a test tube or calculate on a computer. God’s world and Word must be encountered in God’s terms. The failure to face up to this reality will keep the door shut that must be opened in order to have some insight into divine interruptions. Mike and Beth can teach us a number of things about the doors we often keep closed. They grew up with the door open.

Has the promise, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach the gospel … and the recovery of sight to the blind,” become out dated? Has the work of healing ministry stopped? Review some of these blogs and you’ll get the picture.

Miracles have never ceased!

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MEET MIKE AND BETH

BLOG  70 January 29, 2018 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE 

Robert Wise explores the world of Divine intervention from an objective point of view. Can 21st Century people believe that the hand of God touches people in today’s world? Read and you’ll find new insights.

I have known Mike and Beth for 25 years. We have worked together, socialized, debated ideas, and watched their children grow up.  Much of what I report about their ministry comes from moments of personal observation. The Owens can share important insights with us. We’ll learn some new aspect of miraculous ministry.

Michael and Beth Owen are both ordained Christian Ministers and have been in full-time ministry for 34 years. Merging their highly divergent backgrounds led them through ministry in the Baptist Church, planting a Vineyard Fellowship, and finally becoming clergy in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. Along the way they discovered a ministry with divine interventions and miraculous encounters. How did such occur?

Mike’s family always stressed the importance of church and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Mike struggled with such a decision. After praying for direction about being baptized, eight-year-old Mike crawled into bed. To this day, he still labors to grasp what followed.

In the corner of the bedroom, an angel in a bright white and turquoise robe floated above the floor. Tall and larger than life, the angel stood there smiling at him. Illuminated in a glowing light, the angel conveyed personal assurance to Mike. While there was no verbal communication, the angel’s smile answered his prayers. Mike knew what he needed to do in church the next day.

Today Michael prays daily, “Dear Lord please release your Holy Angels to watch over and protect my family and me and all those we carry in our hearts.”

Beth’s first angelic encounter came when she was fifteen-years-old and her aunt Barbara was dying. The family had already felt the impact of the death of her mother’s brother as well as two sisters and now another sister stood at death’s door. After an urgent phone call, Beth and her mother rushed to the hospital. As they stepped out of the elevator door, the announcement of a “Code Red” rang down the hall. Attendants rushed passed them but they were too late.

As they were leaving the hospital, Beth and her mother were standing at the street corner when Beth looked up. To her astonishment, she saw two massive white angels hovering above them. The angels stood on each side of Barbara.

Beth exclaimed, “Look, Mom! They’ve come to take Barbara home!”

Taller than the city street light, Beth could see the massive size of their bodies, legs, and feet as they ascended vertical upward. As they disappeared out of sight, Beth knew her understanding of God’s loving care was forever changed. The comfort of an all comprehensive peace settled over them.

These early experiences caused Michael and Beth to anticipate divine interventions in their ministries. Their ministries have encompassed a number of miraculous events.

Stay tuned. More to come next week.

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WHEN CONFUSION MATTERS

BLOG 68 January 15, 2018 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE

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Robert Wise explores the world of Divine intervention from an objective point of view. Can 21st Century people believe that the hand of God touches people in today’s world?

Read and you’ll find new insights.

Followers of this blog have figured out by now that I am challenging the current social view that all we have is a physical world. Week after week, you’ve been presented the evidence for another dimension that breaks in with power and renewal. Moreover, my research further suggests that no special class or type of person is required to experience the empowerment of this additional realm often called eternity. In fact, the major requirement is not expertise or special capacity. The issue usually is need.

Don’t worry. These blogs will continue walking down that path.

A less obvious insight is the discovery that often people experience confusion in understanding what the wind of God is blowing their way. They may have the right answer without grasping what the heavenly response actually means. We have to work at understanding what the impact from the “other side” actually means. It IS worth the effort.

In previous blogs I’ve talked about the ministry of Leslie Draper, the counselor who works with angels. Leslie works with the eternal dimension everyday of the week. Recently, she shared a story with me that makes the point.

Mary was a lovely woman who needed a word from the Lord. She wanted to know if the angels could tell her anything. This was her first session and she waited quietly for Leslie to say something, anything.

Leslie kept hearing, “Mother Theresa” and was sure she was misreading the situation. She paused to reassure Mary that the angels were pleased that she had come and were thankful she was so kind and generous to people in need. As Leslie was talking, she once again heard, “Mother Theresa.”

Leslie felt frustrated and didn’t know what to say because she couldn’t conceive of any connection between Mary and Mother Theresa. Finally, Leslie threw up her hands and said, “I don’t know what to say, but the angels keep saying ‘Mother Theresa.’

Mary reached over and gently patted Leslie’s hand. She said, “My mother is Theresa.”

Mary went on to learn that the angel was conveying her mother’s love and appreciation  for her being a caring, compassionate, and selfless person. Mary was blessed by the exchange.

Don’t give up practicing listening, receiving, and believing. What today seems obscure will in time become clear.  You know that old saying, practice makes perfect.

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DORTHY, ARE WE STILL IN KANSAS?

BLOG 66 December 18, 2017 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE 

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Followers of this blog know that Robert L. Wise has traveled across many states collecting stories of miracles and divine interventions that confront the contemporary secular mind. Read and see what you think.

This isn’t about the tin man, the cowardly lion, the scarecrow, and Dorothy, but it did happen in Kansas with friends who live in Hutchinson.

In previous blogs, you have probably noticed that people were praying fervently when someone was in trouble. I have observed that often people practice two types of prayers. One variety tells God to pay attention because he’s not aware of the disaster they are facing. The other kind calls on the Holy Spirit to descend on the person in need. Intercessors consider their prayers to be conduits for the power of God to flow through them into the dangerous situation at hand. Here’s an example.

Quinton Moore is the Presiding Bishop of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. I’ve know him, his family, and their daughter Heather for years.  I didn’t know that Sean and Heather were expecting another child. As part of the usual pre-natal car, Heather went for her regular check-up. The doctor took some x-rays that stopped him in his tracks.

“Heather,” he said soberly. “We have a serious problem.” He held the x-ray up for her to see the disaster. “The fetus has Spinal Bifida.”

Heather, Sean, and the extended family were crushed. Their response was immediate. “What can we do?”

The doctor suggested they go to Wichita, Kansas to a specialist. Their questions would be critical and the Moore family needed the most competent help they could find. An appointment was set up for two days later and Quinton began praying. Calling Sean’s family to join with them, they went into a constant day and night intercession.

The examination in Wichita began. While Heather was undergoing a complete diagnostic regimen, the two families in the waiting room continued their prayers. Quinton paced back and forth asking the Holy Spirit to intervene with power and healing.

Eventually, the doctor came out, holding two x-rays. He began a rambling discussion of the condition and their procedures. Finally, Quinton interrupted him.

“Look doctor. Just tell us what the bottom line is. That’s all we want to know.”

The doctor took a deep breath and held up the two x-rays. He pointed to the spine area. “This first one clearly shows the condition.” Then he held up the second x-ray they had just made. Again, he pointed to the spine. “Look! It’s gone. The fetus does not have Spinal Bifida.”

The family cheered.

“Did the first doctor make a mistake?” Quinton asked. “Did we have a miracle?”

The doctor shook his head. “Just can’t say. “Miracles as good a word as any.”

“We’ve had a miracle!” Quinton declared.

In The Wizard of Oz, the lion got a heart, the scarecrow a brain, etc.etc., but none compare with Heather’s gift. Yes, Dorothy, prayer works.

 

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THE UNEXPECTED IN CUBA

BLOG 65 December 4, 2017 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE 

Followers of this blog know that Robert L. Wise has traveled across many states collecting stories of miracles and divine interventions that confront the contemporary secular mind. Read and see what you think.

Although I knew little about their work, I had heard of the Crusades that T.L. and Daisy Osborn began in 1949 that had stretched around the globe. Possibly, this is all news to you because the work of the Osborn family had been almost entirely outside of the United States. However, I had first run into reports of T.L. Osborn’s work that had been revolutionary in the Netherlands immediately after World War II.  Both T.L. and Daisy have passed away, but LaDonna Osborn continued the ministry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Recently, I met LaDonna Osborn

LaDonna had a light in her eyes that sparkled with a penetrating and unique glow. Although, I came knowing virtually nothing about her, I quickly knew she was an extraordinary  individual with a passionately devout faith. As we talked, LaDonna shared the story of the family’s work in a multitude of countries.

In the ‘50s, T.L. Osborn held a meeting in Camaguey, Cuba. A woman who had been totally blind came forward to proclaim a total healing. Her eyesight was completely restored. While startling, this was nothing new to the Osborns. In their meetings that encountered thousands, they had come to expecte such results.

One young man who had been blind since birth was walking across a field toward the services when he suddenly crumbled to the ground. The people around him thought he had died. Actually, he had received a vision of the risen Christ that was so overpowering that he was struck to the ground. When he finally regained consciousness, he stood up and proclaimed loudly, “I have seen the Lord, and now I can see. I was blind, but now I see!”

How does such happen? I ask LaDonna how she explained such occurrences. She quickly answered, “The Bible says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What he did in the past, he continues to do today. We preached Jesus, people believed, and Jesus confirmed the message with his miracle power.”

Over the years, the Osborns documented an almost incalculable number of miracles. Their message was simple; the results were profound.

Stay with me. There’s more to come next week.

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RIGHT OUT OF THE MOVIES

BLOG 64 December 4, 2017 

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Robert L. Wise has interviewed people in many states about their experiences with divine encounters. Recognizing the secular preoccupation of many, Wise presents the evidence of miracles as he discovered them. Take a good look and see what you think.

Possibly, you will be surprised to learn that according to the Pew Research Center eight out of ten Americans believe in miracles. Even half of those not affiliated with any particular faith still say miracles are possible. Belief in miracles is on the rise because people are frantically seeking meaning. With the political nonsense that is omnipresent and increased talk of nuclear weapons in North Korea, citizens need hope as seldom before. Miracles supply an answer for that desperate need.

The recently released movie Miracles From Heaven touched that vacuum in many hearts. The story came from a true life experience that happened in Burleson, Texas on the Beam family farm.

Kevin and Christy Beam had a nine-year-old daughter Annabel. Devout Baptist, the Beams believed in the possibility of miracles, but didn’t think one would happen to them. Of course, they prayed everyday and considered miracles as probable, but that was it.

Annabel had been out climbing in an old hollow cottonwood tree when her food slipped. She tumbled headfirst down 30 feet. Unconscious in the bottom of the tree, no one was sure how to get her out. A rescue team struggled to find the best way to free Annabel. Finally, they broke her free while a helicopter waited to fly her for emergency treatment. The child remained unconscious.

Kevin and Christy prayed liked never before in their lives.

The doctors immediately began numerous scans to identify where surgery or similar treatment should begin. They stopped and repeated the process. They could find nothing wrong. The next morning Annabel and her stunned parents went home.

What had happened with Annabel Beam could only be described as a miracle.

If you want another jaw-dropping experience, read the Eben Alexander, M.D., account of his near-death experience in his book PROOF OF HEAVEN. A scientific and well documented account of recovering after seven days in a coma. The doctors were about to discontinue treatment when Eben opened his eyes. His journey with angelic beings will encourage your faith.

Are miracles happening today? Everywhere!

 

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