Tag: Jesus

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

Blog 202

June 21, 2021

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Robert Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. Can 21st century people believe the hand of God still touches people today? Read and you’ll find new insights.

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

When Janet Wagner awoke in the middle of the night, she had a head-splitting headache. Janet never had headaches and knew something must be wrong. Abruptly she started to vomit.  For the first time in her life, Janet felt like the top of her head would explode. Janet knew she was in trouble.

The next morning Janet was suppose to be a Bible Study Fellowship teacher, but she knew she could not make it. When she called the supervisor, Janet discovered the woman was a nurse who told her to immediately see the doctor. No telling what the problem might be.

The doctors immediately ordered an x-ray. The tests came back quickly. Three trouble spots on her brain looked suspicious. They had to be tumors and cancer was a real possibility. The internal medicine doctor sent her to a neurologist who quickly called for an MRI. The noise and the tight space of the machine left Janet feeling terrified.

Originally from Ann Arbor, Janet had lived in Denver, Colorado for years. She was raised a Methodist, but attended a Roman Catholic Girl’s prep school. When she grew up, Janet became a successful banker. A quite capable person, Janet Wagner wasn’t easily frightened. She was now.

To confirm his suspicions, the neurologist ordered a biopsy. The medical ateam would drill three holes in her skull to access what looked like tumors at the least. Janet was rightly terrified. Her friends gathered around her bed and prayed.

At 4:00 in the morning, she felt weight settling on her bed like someone sitting down. Instinctively she said, “Lord, is that you?” The voice said, “Yes.” Janet said, “I am really scared.”

“I know and I am with you to the end of time. You won’t have to have the biopsy.” Janet stammered, “Are you sure?” The voice answered, “Yes,” and was gone.

When the doctor walked in, he told Janet that he had changed his mind. An uncertainty had surfaced. They would wait and see what developed. Janet was sent home with some steroids.

Thirty days later, she returned for another MRI. This time they shot dye in her arm and the procedure  seemed to last forever but at least an hour and a half. Janet felt like she was in a coffin and began to be really afraid once more. Already knowing how to pray, she called out for spiritual help. When she looked up, Janet saw a figure standing by the machine. With brown hair to the shoulders and piercing eyes, she knew the person was Jesus. He said, “I am with you. Be not afraid.” And then he was gone.

The x-ray technician had been certain there would be a tumor or evidence of a stroke. He kept ex-raying. Nothing. The three tumors had simply disappeared. The doctor finally came in and said, “You’ve had a miracle! This just doesn’t happen.”

Janet still had the x-rays and showed them to me. I’m certainly no radiologists, but I could see clearly the before and after. The spots were gone;

Janet Wagner did have a miracle!

By the way, I’d love to hear your story if you’ve experienced a divine intervention.

Send it to me at Wise on Miracles@gmail.com.

Please watch and subscribe to my new YouTube channel MIRACLES NEVER CEASE, where I post interviews with people sharing their experiences with divine encounters!

Let the miracles begin!

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DEE DEE DIED?

Blog 199

May 30, 2021

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Robert Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. Can 21st century people believe the hand of God still touches people today? Read and you’ll find new insights.

DEE DEE DIED?

I’ve known Dee Dee Bailey since she was a high school student. As an adult with two children, she developed serious kidney stone problems and had to be hospitalized. The condition continued to worsen. Unfortunately, her doctor had gone out of town over the weekend and left oversight to another doctor. The alternate doctor forgot.

On Sunday morning her problem exploded. Dee Dee went into a coma. The negligent doctor rushed in, terrified she was slipping away. Somewhere in her emotional fog, Dee Dee could hear the nurse yelling, “We’re losing her!”

At that moment, Dee Dee seemed to leave her body and was floating up to the ceiling where she could look down on what was happening as the doctor frantically worked over her. Dee Dee became aware of two huge angels standing on each side. Without saying a word, they whisked her away. Like flying through a dark tunnel, she began to recognize a light shining ahead. As she glided along, she heard magnificent music with a sound like nothing she had ever heard before. Abruptly, Dee Dee landed in a very serene place and felt overwhelming peace. Standing in front of her was Jesus Christ.

She rushed forward and hugged this magnificent figure. Even though she had two little girls waiting at home, Dee Dee was ready to stay there forever. The Christ told her she had an unfulfilled life with her children and a work yet to do. She must go back.

At that moment, Dee Dee went flying backward and was once again on the ceiling of her hospital room watching the doctor and nurse working frantically over her. Suddenly she descended into her body. The nurse screamed, “She’s coming back! Thank God! She’s coming back!”

I had not seen Dee Dee in several years when we discussed this experience. I knew she had moved to Norman where the University of Oklahoma is located. Her recovery had gone well and her two girls were doing fine. I asked her what she was doing.

“I’m teaching a class of college students about healing ministry and staying in touch with God’s plan for their lives. I’m helping them learn to pray.”      

By the way, I’d love to hear your story if you’ve experienced a divine intervention.

Send it to me at Wise on Miracles@gmail.com.

Please watch and subscribe to my new YouTube channel MIRACLES NEVER CEASE, where I post interviews with people sharing their experiences with divine encounters!

Let the miracles begin!

 

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A LIGHT FROM BEYOND

Blog 195

May 2, 2021

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Robert Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. Can 21st century people believe the hand of God still touches people today? Read and you’ll find new insights.

A LIGHT FROM BEYOND

When Jana Branson was four-years-old, she had an usual playmate. Actually, she thought he was her brother. They would sit and talk. If she became afraid, he would always comfort her. Even at night as she was going asleep, he would sit on the bed as she dosed off. At one point, he told her someday Jana would become an Episcopal Church priest. Oh, yes, his name was Jesus.

As Jana grew up, her friend faded away and she realized he was not as real as some of her other acquaintances. Nevertheless, Jana knew he had been a reality in her life and took him seriously. When she told her parents about wanting to be a priest, they informed her that such didn’t happen in the Episcopal Church. One had to be a man. Of course, Jana was angry. However, with the passing years, that rule changed and today woman are clergy.

Much later in life with grown children, Jana went to seminary and became an Episcopal priest. Her childhood relationship with Jesus continued to guide her life. While the revelations might have faded for a time, the special dimension remained in the back of her mind. Today, it is difficult for her to put these discoveries into words, the numinous is in many ways beyond words. Nevertheless, spiritual openness has guided her life.

More than interesting, you may find Jana’s experience to be helpful to you. Perhaps, you’ve had something similar and doubted the reality. Jana’s continuing spiritual encounters can help you find reassurance. I’ve found that experiences with God break in unexpectedly for many people. Here’s more of Jana’s story.

When Jana begins to reach beyond her daily experience, a bright white light often appeared. While she could only see an outline of a figure in the bright while light, she intuitively knew that once again she was communicating with Jesus of Nazareth. She was touching an adult expression of her childhood experience. The bright light guided her away from some detour situations. These flashing moments were revelatory and got her back on the right track again.

When Jana prayerfully meditates on her life’s decisions, the light often breaks in and brings insight. Today, one of the most important moments comes as she is officiating during Holy Communion. The Sanctus prayer proclaiming “Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might …” can become a moment of encounter. During the prayers of consecration when the celebrant prays, “With Angels and Archangels and all the company of heaven who forever sing the hymn…” is such a special moment. Often the white light breaks in and Jana will see parents, friends, people who have passed on standing around her as she prays. In these moments of Holy Communion, heaven opens its doors to Jana.

Seeing the unseen? That’s been Jana’s life experience. She doesn’t talk about it often, but it has defined her sense of reality.  Jana’s special ability gives us encouragement in our own journey forward. We may not see what she does, but we can have the same assurance of what is there.

That’s what divine interventions are all about.

By the way, I’d love to hear your story if you’ve experienced a divine intervention. Send it to me at Wise on Miracles@gmail.com.

Please watch and subscribe to my new YouTube channel MIRACLES NEVER CEASE, where I post interviews with people sharing their experiences with divine encounters!

Let the miracles begin!

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FALL RERUNS: MIRACLE IN A GARBAGE DUMP

BLOG 170

October 5, 2020

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE

Robert Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. An Archbishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Church with a Ph.D., Rev. Wise relates his interviews with persons who experienced divine interventions.

Now it’s Fall. So, here’s Fall Reruns!

MIRACLE IN A GARBAGE DUMP

Rick Thomas usually wore cowboy boots and a big Texan hat. Living in El Paso, Texas, just across the border from Juarez, Mexico. And always colorful, he was known as an exceptional friend to the poor. When he died, Rick Thomas was buried in a homemade plywood coffin. A thousand people pressed into the church to say goodbye to a man who had lived love and spirituality. Father Rick Thomas, S.J. had been a Jesuit in the Roman Catholic Church.

Father Thomas still has insight for us about the world of divine interventions.

One of his significant places of ministry was the garbage dump for El Paso- Juarez. The sheer squalor of this sprawling pit of filth remains overwhelming. Poor Mexicans struggled to survive by living in the trash pit, having children here, and scratching out an existence in the midst of the debris. An untold number of the poverty-stricken live in cardboard shacks made from boxes tossed out in the trash. Fr. Rick regularly marched into the muck to hold religious services for them.

On the occasion of a visit to the United States, Sister Briege McKenna went with Fr. Rick to the dump. Sister McKenna was born in Ireland and entered the order of the Sisters of St. Clare where she became widely known for her ability to pray for the sick. With hesitancy, she walked into the worst squalor she had ever experienced. Sister Briege couldn’t see how any dignity of worshp could be manifest in such filth.

To her shock, nearly a thousand people had already gathered when they arrived. The contrast was staggering. These people literally had nothing. Setting up an old table for his altar, the priest went to work.

An old woman walked up, carrying a bundle in her arms. When she unfolded the cloth they saw a little child completely burned from head to foot. The dirty child was filthy and screaming. As she was crossing the mountains, the woman had found the child smoldering and picked him up. She handed him to Fr. Rick.

Sister Briege and Fr. Rick stared at the child that was nearly skinless. Finally, the priest suggested that they place the child under the table during the Communion Service. The service began and the congregation of the poverty stricken prayed with fervor. The Sister could feel the reality of the Holy Spirit descending across the mass of people.

Sister Briege began to weep and wondered if her faith might not be as strong as theirs.

As the Mass ended, they realized the baby had long since stopped crying. The child had crawled out from under the table. Sister Briege gasped! The little boy was happily playing in the sand – totally healed.

The Sister hurried over to the woman and ask, “What happened to him?”

The old woman looked at her with skepticism in her eyes. “What you mean what happened? Didn’t Jesus come?”

While the poor received the Mass, the child received new skin.

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A CALL TO PRAYER

Blog 166
August 31, 2020

praying-hands

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!
Robert Wise  explores the world of Divine intervention from an objective point of view. 

A CALL TO PRAYER

Obviously, I believe in divine interventions. The past week I discovered such an event that I believe demands your attention. Archbishop Russell McClanahan is an executive in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches and a substantial leader. Bishop Russ is not given to transcendent experiences or excessive claims. Like the rest of the nation, he is aware we are living in a time of catastrophic upheaval on every level. From the pandemic to the 500 fires in California to the worst hurricane in history, on to political chaos. this country has been rocked.

Against the backdrop of these debacles, Bishop McClanahan had this experience. Russ was almost asleep when he saw the face of Jesus Christ approaching him and becoming larger and larger. The crucifixion began to unfold before him and he felt like he was participating in the scene. In the mist of the agony, the voice of God spoke. “The cup of my wrath is almost full and unless your nation repents and turns to Me, the four horsemen standing at the gate will be loosed. Tell my people to return to my principles, to repent of having ignored and broken my laws. Tell them I have given to them examples in generations past of my love and discipline and to remember how I warned and continued to warn Israel in generations past that they would bring judgement upon themselves.”

Scenes of brokenness, loneliness, evil, and destruction flashed before Russ’s eyes He felt himself engulfed in God’s grief and longing for people to return to Him. Words failed to fully express what he felt as Russ touched the heart of God.

As I listened to Russ’s experience, I was profoundly moved and thought of II Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

In this time of chaos, uncertainty, and despair, I believe God is calling His people to turn to Him again and to pray. Therefore, Russ and I are calling on people to join us in praying once a day for America. We ask you to commit yourself to do so for the next year. Would you covenant with us to do the same? Possibly, such an action might be the most important thing y could do for your country.

Think about it. One prayer a day for the next year.. Would you stop right now and begin to pray? America needs your faithfulness and God will bless it.

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MIRACLE AROUND THE BEND

Blog 150
February 24, 2020

bus

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

 Robert L. Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. Can 21st century people believe the hand of God still touches people today?

Read and you’ll find new insights.

MIRACLE AROUND THE BEND

One of my good friends is a clergyman in Jacksonville, Florida. Sean Yost has led an exciting life. Earlier he worked in Africa and today is an instructor for Youth With a Mission. During his training, Sean learned how to use scripture to build a resilient faith that has carried him through an important ministry. Recently, I was with Sean in Tulsa, Oklahoma and he shared the following experience.

Sean had gone to Kenya to help minister in a school for the blind. Joe Masci had been there for some time working as a missionary and also bringing help to the children in the school. As a young man, Sean assisted in such projects. Sending time in Africa was right up his alley.

Because the setting was rural, there were few roads in and out. The country was mountainous with deep ravines cutting through the tree covered jungle countryside. Sean and Joe had set out on a mission to travel down one of those narrow dirt roads to carry out their ministry.

They were driving down the roadways that twisted and turned around the mountainside chatting and talking about their work. Ahead of them was a large bus that they hoped to pass eventually, but the road was so narrow they had to be cautious. Just as they were coming to a turn, the two men realized that another bus was trying to pass on a curb and both buses had completely blocked the road. A collision was unavoidable!

Masei’s car was going far too fast to make any significant slowdown. On one side was a steep mountain side shooting straight up. The other edge was a steep cliff that shot down far below into a valley. Neither alternative offered anything but disaster. There was simply no way to get around. Seeing that a deadly collision couldn’t be avoided, both men threw up their hands in front of their faces to avoid flying glass. Sean remembers crying out in desperation, “Jesus! Jesus!”

Sean and Joe closed their eyes and prepared to enter eternity. They could do nothing.

When they opened their eyes, their car was behind the bus that had been in front of them and the other bus had gone on down the road. Impossible! There was no way around and yet there they were alive! Sean could find no explanation for how their car had been in one place and ended up down the road, missing the two buses.

I pressed him to explain. They couldn’t have gone up the hillside. Turning off the dirt toward the ravine would have been suicide. And yet there they were! Safe and sound!

I recognize that such a rescue sounds like one of those Twilight Zone stories, but even more so. How could such be?

If you turn to the New Testament, the accounts point to stories like Jesus walking on water or turning water into wine. Impossible? Sure. Just like Sean’s car passing through an impossible barrier to avoid an impasse and a car pileup.

But did it happen? The incident happened decades ago and I talked with Sean last week. Gives you something to think about.

You might find my collection of Holy Land experiences to be helpful.
BIBLE LANDS: An illustrated Guide to Scriptural Places
Barbpir books Publishers

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CRUISING FOR A BRUISING!

Blog 148
February 17, 2020

intervine

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Often, I hear from people who have experienced miracles or divine interventions. I look forward to receiving these accounts as they deepen our understanding of how these experiences occur. Could you be like that? If so, please share your story with me. Contact me at revwise@att.net.

CRUISING FOR A BRUISING!

Cathy Sanders and I became friends when I helped her work on the untold story of how the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed. Her two beloved grandchildren Chase and Colton had tragically been in the Day Care Center underneath the building when the bomb exploded. The tragedy was unspeakable then and remains so today.

One never recovers from such a loss, but you just go on.

As a tribute to those lost children, Cathy set out to uncover what were all the untold clues about the bombing. For a year and a half, I worked with her, interviewing Terry Nichols and Lana Padilla, and a multitude of other persons, including lawyers, policemen, and citizens effected by the blast.

In time, Cathy moved to Arkansas. She and her husband loved to sail across the lake in their pontoon boat during beautiful weather. They had just come in from a ride when Cathy began to hook up the wrench on to the boat to bring the craft up out of the water. Unfortunately, the boat moved backward and she needed to catch it. Cathy reached out with her foot to pull the bow closer. The boat jerked further back, throwing Cathy off balance. She fell from the pier landing onto the top of the boat. With such a significant drop, she landed like being hit by a speeding car.

Cathy’s lung blew up like a balloon and she could feel two broken ribs. The pain swallowed her as if she had been dropped into an abyss of black agony. She was sure there was no hope. Cathy prepared to die. She knew her life had been good and she could go on.

At that moment a golden cloud appeared. The covering descended over her and the nightmarish suffering evaporated. Next, an aquamarine light seemed to be leading her forward. While she had not seen His face, Cathy was certain the blue beam was leading her to Jesus. With her painfulness gone, Cathy was filled with excitement and anticipation. Always a religious person, she was eager to see the person she called her Savior.

And then, Cathy remembered something that was highly important to her. For five years she had been working on a book and now she would not be able to finish writing it. The realization was the discovery of something important remaining unfulfilled and she needed to complete the task.

At that moment, the forward journey ceased. Cathy discovered she was back on the boat with a punctured lung and broken ribs. Medics appeared and had to take her back across the lake to a marina to load her in an ambulance. The pain returned.

While her trek into eternity hadn’t been completed, Cathy’s convictions about eternity and the reality of heaven were more than confirmed. Today she is doing well.

Divine interventions often come unexpectedly. Cathy certainly didn’t have time to ask for her deliverance, but her life called for the experience. I think today Cathy Sanders would tell you that the worst pain can surprisingly become the best gift.

You might find my collection of Holy Land experiences to be helpful.
BIBLE LANDS: An illustrated Guide to Scriptural Places
Barbpir books Publishers

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THE HOLY SPIRIT IN IRAN?

Blog 148
February 3 , 2020

Master+Film+Poster+Alt+Layout

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Robert Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. Can 21st century people believe the hand of God still touches people today?

Read and you’ll find new insights.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN IRAN?

Some years ago, I was in Damascus, Syria eating breakfast in a hotel when a couple from Iran came over and abruptly sat down across from me. In whispered tones, they told me that they wanted to escape from Iran and wanted to know if I could help them. I ask why they were wanting to flee. The couple said the leadership of our country is crazy. Interesting?

Recently, I found a report that gives insight on both political and religious happenings in a country where Islam is enforced at the point of a gun. The Western World is keenly aware of the fanaticism inside this country that is the largest supporter of terrorism in the world. Look at what I discovered.

A two-hour documentary called Sheep Among Wolves, seemed to support their conclusion and reported, “The fastest-growing church in the world has taken root in one of the most unexpected and radicalized nations on earth. A revival is taking place inside Iran. The report said, “The Iranian awakening is a rapidly reproducing discipleship movement that owns no property or buildings, has no central leadership, and is predominantly led by women.” The documentary was produced by Frontier Alliance International (FAI), which supports disciple-making teams targeting the “unreached” and “unengaged.” There is a mass exodus leaving Islam for Christianity within Iran, according to FAI.

“What if I told you Islam is dead?” one unidentified Iranian church leader says on the film. “What if I told you the mosques are empty inside Iran? What if I told you no one follows Islam inside of Iran? Would you believe me? This is exactly what is happening inside of Iran. God is moving powerfully inside of Iran.” Many of the ruling class still follow Islam, “because that’s where the high paying jobs are,” according to the film, but the majority of the ordinary people love God and recognize that Islam is the problem.

“What if I told you the best evangelist for Jesus was the Ayatollah Khomeini?” an Iranian church leader asks. He maintains the ayatollahs brought the true face of Islam to light and people discovered it was a lie, a deception. “After 40 years under Islamic law — a utopia according to them — they’ve had the worst devastation in the 5,000 year history of Iran.”

Efforts by the ayatollahs to destroy Christianity have backfired, but have served to refine and purify the church. “What persecution did was destroy the church that were not disciples, and destroy the church that were about converts,” the Iranian church leader noted. “All these church planters found out that converts run away from persecution, but disciples would die for the Lord in persecution. “So our model inside Iran is that we don’t convert to disciple, we disciple so we can convert.” Often a disciple making movement (DMM) begins the first moment someone comes into contact with an unbeliever. “Everything is foundational on prayer. We find people of peace through prayer. We even find locations through prayer,” the Iranian church leader noted.

“When we do DMM, Jesus has gone faster than us. He has come in their dreams or he’s come miraculously in their lives. When we hear this, we know that Jesus has gone ahead of us.” Surprisingly, their emphasis is not planting churches; it is making disciples. “He is letting unbelievers lead other unbelievers to himself and the kingdom of God. If you plant churches you might make disciples. But if you make disciples, you will plant churches,” the Iranian church leader said.

“One thing powerful with DMM is that it is obedience-based discipleship. It is based on the authority of Scripture and every time you read the Scripture you must obey it. This is how people become conformed to the image of Christ and sanctified. They are not just reading the Bible for information. They are reading the Bible to get transformed.”

About 55% of the disciple makers are women, according to one Iranian leader. Such a report certainly gives you something to pray about!

You might find my collection of Holy Land experiences to be helpful.
BIBLE LANDS: An illustrated Guide to Scriptural Places
Barbpir books Publishers

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