Category: Miracles

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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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE NEW YEAR

BLOG 69 January 22, 2018 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE 

ThresholdtoEternitybook

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.

Several years ago I wrote Crossing the Threshold of Eternity. The book resulted from a multitude of interviews with people who had near death experiences. These discussions came from some of the most fascinating research of my life time. People talked about their journey with what lays beyond this lifetime. From those moments on the other side of life, I found that their lives were changed by their supernatural adventures.

If you haven’t read Crossing the Threshold of Eternity, you might pick it up at your local book store. You’ll be fascinated.

Here’s another book worth your time. Mary C. Neal, M.D. describes her extraordinary experience of her death and what followed in To Heaven And Back. The encounter began when Dr. Neal was floating down a river in Southern Chile and was swept over a waterfall where her kayak turned over, trapping her under the water. Mary died.

ToHeavenandBack

During her remarkable trip to heaven, she encountered angels as well as people who went on before her. Mary Neal came to a new insight for why people often see a bright white light when they have a near-death encounter.  Eventually, she realized it was not her time to stay in heaven. To her regret, she returned to her life in this world.

However, Dr. Neal’s life was forever changed. She had gained a new understanding of her purpose on earth. During this time in eternity, the doctor experienced a deeper and more profound awareness of the meaning of her relationship with Jesus who she met in his glorified state in heaven.

Because she was an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Neal‘s writing style has a scientific undergirding. While she writes as an evangelical Christian, her story is compelling from an objective view point. If you would like a new source of inspiration for this New Year, read Dr. Mary C. Neal’s story.

You’ll be moved.

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WHEN CONFUSION MATTERS

BLOG 68 January 15, 2018 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE

angel-blue

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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A WONDERFUL SEASON TO ALL!

HOLIDAY BLOG CHRISTMAS DAY 2017

Jesus-Is-Christmas

May you, your family, and your friends, have a wonderful season of joy. As we stand on the eve of a New Year, our prayer is for 2018 to be the best year of your life. Let us pray that a world in turmoil and a divided nation will find a new center in the love of our heavenly Father.

We’re gone until after January 1st, but we’ll be back with more to come. Stay tuned as we begin another year wrapped in hope.

Robert L. Wise

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ANGELIC INTERVENTIONS SAVE THE DAY!

BLOG 63 November 27, 2017 

guardian-angel

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE: 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

As I wander around the countryside picking up experiences of divine intervention, I often ran into people who had encounters with angels – which is certainly miraculous. Recently, I ran into a story from Lynn Valentine about an encounter that happened to Sarah Loutner in Springfield, Tennessee. Today, Sarah Loutner is a dancer and performs routines with a Christian message. At the time, Sarah was only a small child.

The Loutner family lived in an old two-story farm house. Like any older house that had been built years before, the staircase was steep. As was the custom in by-gone days, the stairs angled up partway to a landing, then turned 90 degrees before going up the rest of the way to the top. Sarah had a special place upstairs where she played with her toys. On this afternoon, she tired of playing with the dolls and wondered what her mother might be doing. Probably, she was down in the kitchen where cookies might be waiting. Sarah pushed the playthings aside and hurried toward the steps.

Pre-occupied in thinking about where her mother might be, Sarah didn’t pay attention to the abruptly sloping stairs. Her feet got tangled up, and Sarah fell head first down the plunging steps.

Like a scene in a slow-motion movie, Sarah discovered a figure standing on the landing. The man towered above the steps. Big and powerful, he appeared to be surrounded by a shimmering glow. The light swirled around him and Sarah immediately felt reassurance that she didn’t have to be afraid.

To her total surprise, Sarah realized that she was not falling, but seemed to be floating toward the unknown figure on the landing.  Unseen hands carried her downward until finally her feet landed gently on the floor. She knew that an angel had intervened to save her.

When she looked up, the angel was gone. Sarah ran to tell her mother what had happened. She listened, but Sarah distinctly felt she didn’t believe her. Years later, when Sarah, her brother Aaron, and her mother got off on the subject of angels, Sarah recounted the experience. This time her mother was convinced a guardian angel had indeed intervened, but wasn’t sure why an angel would have secured her.

Sarah’s brother Aaron immediately added, “You’re a dancer! You were caught so you could dance for God.”

Just thinking about her brother’s response, makes Sarah want to dance today.

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AN ASPHALT DRIFTER TURNS HIS BIKE AROUND

BLOG 62 November 20, 2017

motorcycle

Ken Runnals is a big guy with a big faith, but he wasn’t always that way.

Ken and I sat in a room in the Platte Canyon Community Church, Bailey, Colorado,  last August and talked about his life’s journey. With his heavy leather jacket, wrist cuffs, biker boots, and a demeanor that made you no  want to mess with him, he was actually a Teddy Bear at heart.

Several years ago, Ken hadn’t been in a church since he was 18. Just didn’t seem like a place where he could be comfortable so he checked out. Ken roared around the country on his motorcycle taking care of business and having a good time. And then his aunt died.

Ken knew he had to be there, but never expected what happened. The morning of the funeral, he was preparing for the service when he was certain his aunt spoke to him. Although he didn’t really believe in that sort of thing, he was certain the voice was hers.

“It’s time to rethink your faith,” Ken’s aunt said and then was gone.

Stunned, Ken went to the service with that encounter in mind. During the funeral, one of the attendants spoke directly to Ken. “It’s never too late.”

Those two messages touched Ken deeply and he immediately went to a Barnes and Noble Book store to buy a Bible. Once he opened the cover, Ken discovered the print was too small for him to read. Out of the blue, his aunt’s son called and Ken shared what happened.

“I’ll send you another Bible,” the cousin said. Again Ken was amazed. He was certain God was speaking directly to him.

Shortly after that call, Ken was speeding down the highway on his motorcycle when a deer stepped into the road. The collision happened so fast that Ken didn’t have time even to put his helmet on. He remembered yelling, “O God, help me.” The next thing he knew, he was in an ambulance being rushed to the hospital.

Ken’s son was a doctor and just “happened” to be in the hospital. He immediately called his sister and told her the situation didn’t look good. After the staff doctor looked at the x-rays and CAT scan, he concluded, “He’s got a skull fracture with blood on the brain. I can’t believe he’s still here.”

What couldn’t be seen was the hand of God continually working in Ken’s body.  The Holy Spirit was moving with great power. The next day, the same procedures were repeated. The doctor stared in disbelief. The results were normal!

“Can’t be!” the doctor muttered.

The staff told Ken he could go home it he walked from his bed to the nurse’s station three times. Ken did it seven times.

After completely recovering from the scrapes and bruises, Ken was re-baptized and committed his life to Jesus Christ. He knew God still had something for him – and practices the pursuit to this day.

GOT A COPY? “When There is No Miracle” is a newly revised and expanded edition that explores the meaning of suffering and pain, written by Dr. Robert L. Wise.

 

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The Carlson Family

BLOG 61 November 13, 2017 MIRACLES NEVER CEASE Robert L. Wise has interviewed people in many states about their experiences with divine encounters. Recognizing the secular mind set of many, he presents the evidence of miracles as he discovered them. Take a good look and see what you think.

behealedinJesusname

Richard and Jacki Carlson have been our dearest friends for decades. We were eating supper together the other night, when Jacki shared this story.  Their  son (now a grown man) was only nine-years old when he told his mother Jacki that he had a serious stomach ache. She put Chris to bed, but the condition worsened. After a few hours, Jacki and Richard Carlson realized their son was in trouble and took him to a nearby emergency room

After an examination, the staff insisted that he needed immediate surgery for a bowel obstruction. The intestine near the colon was twisted and tissue had been deteriorating. The matter was extremely serious and couldn’t wait. The surgery revealed blockage that turned out to be the size of a football and demanded a colostomy, bag and all. After the surgery, the doctor informed the family that around 10 inches of his colon would have to be removed a number of weeks later. Of course, taking out intestine from a nine-year old boy could create other serious problems, but the section of intestine was dead.

The Carlson were highly alarmed and called their church friends to begin praying. Their particular church firmly believed that the Holy Spirit would be important things and they pursued healing. A team of intercessors gathered around Chris’ bed. People with a gift for intercession prayed fervently. The family applied every insight they could find in scripture. Everyone sensed something important was happening.

Just before the surgery, Jacki told the doctor they were expecting a miracle. He smiled, nodded, but seemed more to be  pandering her. The surgeon expected to remove eight to twelve inches of the intestine in the area of the colon. The Carlson family settled in as the long surgery began.

When the doctor came out, he was shaking his head in disbelief.
Never seen anything like it, he said. That portion of the intestine that was twisted and dying had completely straightened and regenerated. The tissue was healthy and normal.

He didn’t have to remove anything.

“You got your miracle,” the doctor admitted.

Jack and Richard thanked God they had taken a stroll through miracle land.

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