A TRIP TO HEAVEN 

Blog 232

February 7, 2022

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 Churches with a Ph.D., Rev. Wise relates his interviews with persons who experienced the touch of God.

A TRIP TO HEAVEN 

I just got through talking with Ron Carte, formerly a banker in Edmond, Oklahoma overseeing four banks. A most engaging person, Ron wants the world to know what happened to him when he died … and came back.

Ron had just left for the office when he got to 2nd and Coltrane Streets, his heart stopped. He passed out but the car kept rolling and crashed into a tree. Becoming barely conscious, Ron smelled gas and feared the engine would explode. He fumbled for his cell phone and got a 911 call to emergency.

The paramedics knew they had to get him immediately to the heart hospital. In addition, to the severe heart problem, his ribs had been broken in the wreck. In severe pain, Ron was rushed through the emergency entrance and a pacemaker was diagnosed. The doctors didn’t hesitate to begin the procedure.

Ron’s wife had arrived by this time and had once received a pacemaker herself. Knowing the amount of time should take, she began to worry as three hours passed. Finally, the medical team came and told her they were sorry, but Ron had died on the table.

But here’s the rest of the story—

When Ron opened his eyes, he had no idea where he was but saw a large oak tree in front of him. The leaves drifted down on the old garden around the tree. A cobblestone path wound down to a what looked like an older man with long hair standing by a gate.

“Ronnie, come here,” the man called out.

When Ron reached the gate, the man reached over and put his hands on Ron’s head. The pain of broken ribs vanished.

Amazed, Ron asked, “Am I in heaven?”

“Yes,” Jesus said.

“Wonderful!

“But you can’t stay Ron. You’ve got business to take care of back there. You know how I’ve spoken to you in the past through the scripture? I want you to share that knowledge with your children and your grandchildren. I want people to know I’m real. I’m going to send you back to share the message. Tell people heaven is real. Let them know I was born to Mary, that I walked on the earth just like you do. “

“But I want to stay,” Ron protested.

“It’s not your time,” Jesus said. “Everyone has a purpose and yours isn’t completed. You must go back.”

***

As soon as Ron returned from the hospital, he gathered his family around him, and shared his experience as he knew Jesus had instructed him to do. His grandson Grant was a seminary student, studying to become a priest. When Ron contacted him through the internet, he saw on his wall was a picture that had come from a nun who had a similar near-death experience. She asked three artists to help her portray the Jesus Christ she met in heaven. The face was exactly what Ron saw in his encounter.

Ron’s story is an encouragement to everyone who hears about his journey beyond death. He came back so you’d know, too.

Remember to expect the unexpected.

I have a new book coming out.

MAN ON FIRE can be ordered on Amazon or at your local book store. 

           

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!

A NEW YEAR WITH HOPE

Blog 227

January 1, 2022

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 Churches with a Ph.D., Rev. Wise relates his interviews with persons who experienced the touch of God.

A NEW YEAR WITH HOPE

During the last twelve months, I have been blessed to run into people who have experienced the hand of God touching their lives. What a divine accident! Over and over, I’ve bumped into recipients of a touch of grace. Subsequently, these encounters inspire me to look to the coming year with hope.

At the same time, I know the holidays are difficult for people with losses that can never be recovered. Good people are out there still searching for God’s intervention. My experience says, “Don’t give up and stop hoping. The best is yet to be.”

Here’s an example. The Christmas story ends with Joseph having an inspired dream, guiding him to leave Israel with Mary and the baby. Joseph would tell us to keep dreaming because God often speaks through our dreams. Of course, most of our dreams are only our thought processes ordering and reordering our waking experiences. However, don’t discount your dreams as an avenue to the miraculous.

My next-door neighbors Wiley and Carrie found this to be true. Born with a heart defect, their son Garret struggled through eighteen-years of medical issues. He actually lived more than three years longer that most children with this problem. Nevertheless, Carrie was devastated when Garret came to the end of his life. A woman of strong and determined faith, she was heartbroken.  Struggling with the meaning of his death, she had this dream.

Wiley and Carrie were standing on a bridge holding baby Garret. As they crossed the bridge, Garret began to grow until when they reached the other side and he had become a full grown eighteen-year young man.

Carrie looked in front of them and saw another bridge, old, broken, virtually destroyed. She couldn’t imagine how they would ever get across. Garret would have an impossible time on that worn span.

Abruptly, Jesus appeared standing next to Garret. They smiled and suddenly both were gone. Disappeared!

As Carried dreamed the scene, she realized that her son no longer had to face a destructive bridge, a struggling life with a broken body. Though it was a severe mercy, her heavenly Father had spared Garret and the family found a devastating journey.  Even with their heart-break, the family had encountered God’s love intervening.

What would Carrie tell you as you face the coming year? Don’t stop dreaming and hoping, God is always there even in unseen and unexpected ways. Not always understood, miracles keep happening.

And for you? Remember to …expect the unexpected!            

I have a new book coming out.

MAN ON FIRE can be ordered on Amazon or at your local book store. 

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!

THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL

Blog 226

December 26, 2021

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 Churches with a Ph.D., Rev. Wise relates his interviews with persons who experienced the touch of God.

THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL

In all the hub-bub of rushing through departments stores, worrying if the packages you sent got there, and fighting the traffic, it’s easy to forget what Christmas is really all about.  Trading presents, watching the Christmas tree lights sparkle, and fixing a turkey for the family gathering can obscure one of the most important insights of the season.

Christmas is about the greatest miracle of all.

Let’s push the school Christmas pageants aside and close our eyes to the football bowl games for a moment. The story begins in a stinking barn with the pungent smell of stale hay that would make a pregnant woman nauseated. Probably, Joseph had to find a shovel to push the animal manure out of the way. Animals would have watched indifferently while two strangers struggled to find a soft place for the woman overcome with pain to lay down because the birth would wait no longer. Poor people trying to survive on the outskirts of the world.

And what does it all mean?

We are all poor people living precariously on the margins of this world. The nativity remains a parable of the human condition before redemption has been born in us. The forlorn dirty barn is a construct of our situation, our emptiness in an indifferent world. While we like to think of ourselves as the prosperous, the conquerors, the almighty, people with big bank accounts, but that Bethlehem barn is the true portrait of our poverty and limitations.

And yet in our bleakness and bareness, God comes. His appearance has absolutely nothing to do with all those things we consider to be so important. Where does God meet us? In the emptiness of our broken lives.

And therein is the miracle.  The God of love asks nothing but our love. So, a baby is born in the cold of a winter night and 2,000 years later the world still comes to the manager. In the midst of our need, there is really no other place to go. We can stand up because we first bowed down.

What a strange story. What an unexpected story. What a miraculous story.

Remember to …expect the unexpected!

I have a new book coming out.

MAN ON FIRE can be ordered on Amazon or at your local book store. 

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!

A DOUBLE DOSE OF LOVE  

Blog 208

August  2, 2021

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 the touch of God.

A DOUBLE DOSE OF LOVE  

Sherre Ishmael had been deeply wounded by someone she loved. The pain had cut to her soul. Consequently, she came to a Service of the Healing Christ carrying that burden. This particular type of worship offered the reconciling work of the Holy Spirit and people came for many different needs. On this particular night, Sherre was struggling to restore the vessel of love that had been broken inside her.

To compound her problem, Sherre had always been a pragmatic person who approached situations in a logical manner. At times, she had felt the need to develop a greater ability to love people but let it pass. On this particular evening, she came forward wanting to experience the love of Christ in a new depth, hoping to be enabled to share His love with others.

A team of three intercessors were waiting as Sherre knelt in front of them. They laid hands on her and began to pray for a new gift of love to be given. The experience became electrifying.  Sherre began to realize that Jesus the Christ was pouring his love into her. Far from a sentimental emotion, she was discovering a practical, sacrificial kind of caring.  A desire to help others bubbled up inside her.

As that realization grew, in a new way, Sherre accepted the fact that Jesus Christ really did love her personally in a way she had failed to recognize. She discovered that he was calling her to a wholeness. Sherre realized she didn’t need to be perfect or exceptional, just available and obedient to what the Holy Spirit was calling her to do for others. Sherre knew God would be continuing to work in her life and He did!

Shortly, after this prayer experience, Sherre discovered that her arthritis had disappeared. A spin-off of more love in her life was a physical change that was also liberating.

Many times, we don’t think about the love of God being poured into our lives. We live in a highly competive world where the prime objective is to exceed others. From childhood, many of us have received injuries that keep us from caring about other or wanting to be helpful to others. The idea to suddenly be empowered with a greater depth of caring has never crossed our mind. Possibly it’s time to reconsider what our most basic need really is.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Eagerly desire the greater gifts. I will show you the most excellent way….these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (I Corinthians 12:31- 13:13) The love Paul was describing is a gift that only God gives. Could you seek a greater healing than to receive this gift?”

Don’t be hesitant to reach out.

Remember: Expect the Unexpected.

Also, 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!

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!

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!

 

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!

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.