Hal Franklin

I went to church with a man named Hal Franklin. He was blind when I met him. He loved to sing the old hymns every Sunday. I worked with the youth group, so I tried to play some updated music on some Sundays, and he told me that he sure didn’t like the music on those Sundays.

Hal enjoyed being around the youth, so he tried not to complain. Our church talked him into doing things you never thought a blind man could do. He played parts in skits, participated in youth outings and Bible School, and taught Sunday School. He was such a sport, and the kids loved him. His health deteriorated, and he was eventually in Hospice in his final days.

I had started a new job when I got a call from my pastor asking if I would come to the Hospice House and sing some of Hal’s favorite hymns with others from our church. (In the middle of the day). I asked my girl boss, and she looked at me and said, That is the most precious thing I have ever heard. Yes, Go!

BRING ME TO LIFE

Lyrics, BY EVEANCE

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core
Where I’ve become so numb
Without a soul
My spirit’s sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Wake me up inside (save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark (wake me up)
Bid my blood to run (I can’t wake up)
Before I come undone (save me)
Save me from the nothing I’ve become

Now that I know what I’m without
You can’t just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring (bring) me (me) to life

Wake me up inside (save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark (wake me up)
Bid my blood to run (I can’t wake up)
Before I come undone (save me)
Save me from the nothing I’ve become

Bring me to life
I’ve been living a lie
There’s nothing inside
Bring me to life

Frozen (frozen) inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only (only) you are the life among the dead

All of this time, I can’t believe I couldn’t see
Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me
I’ve been sleeping a thousand years, it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul
Don’t let me die here
(There must be something more) bring me to life

Wake me up inside (save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark (wake me up)
Bid my blood to run (I can’t wake up)
Before I come undone (save me)
Save me from the nothing I’ve become

Bring me to life
I’ve been living a lie
There’s nothing inside
Bring me to life

Everyone Wants Something

The 1-year-old wants its mommy. The two-year-old wants its toy. The three-year-old wants to do it all” by myself.” The four-year-old wants to play 24/7. The five-year-old wants a bike. The ten-year-old wants a phone. The 13-year-old already knows everything there is to know. The 14-year-old wants privacy (Leave me alone). The 15-year-old wants to be with friends 24/7. The 16-year-old wants a car. The 20-year-old wants to be 21. The 21-year-old wants it all. The 25-year-old wants a career. The 30-year-old wants to join a gym. The 35-year-old wants to move back home. The 40-year-old wants to look 29. The 45-year-old wants a sports car. The 50-year-old wants to complete their bucket list. The 60-year-old wants a nap. You get the gist, don’t you? There is always a desire deep down inside or right at the tip of your fingers.

It is impossible to be satisfied unless you are tight with Jesus. Somehow, those things you want aren’t so important anymore. You begin seeing others who have far less than you. This discovery causes the heart to soften and the mind to become instantly creative in fulfilling a need for someone else. You will discover what “JOY” really feels like when this happens.

Caution:  The actions described above have been known to become addictive. If you decide to participate in this activity, you will be judged and deemed guilty of being GENEROUS!! 

Beware:  There is no cure for this addiction.  

A Mother’s Dream

I WAS LISTENING TO TD JAKES ONE MORNING WHILE I WAS EXERCISING. I CLOSED MY EYES AND HEARD HIM SAY; TOO MANY OF US WANT TO JUMP IN THE RING WITH THE ENEMY. HE POINTED OUT THE SCRIPTURES OF WHEN HIS DISCIPLES SAID, “THE LORD REBUKE YOU.” ALL WE NEED TO DO IS THROW A FEW SIDELINE PUNCHES (SCRIPTURES) AND LET THE LORD FIGHT OUR BATTLE.

I find myself wondering what life would have been like if my son had chosen a different path in life. Unfortunately, he chose the dark path that led him to drug addiction. The enemy is sneaky, lies, tricks, and plots out such wickedness to destroy people. Once someone believes the lies, they fall into the traps. It is hard for family members to watch their loved ones struggle through life and eventually spiral out of control. They hit rock bottom while the wicked laugh at how well their plan worked.

In a dream, I saw myself enter my son’s room to wake him up. He started to argue with me, but he realized I was frantic. He reluctantly followed me down a long dark hall where my friend Jesus sat by a fireplace. I put his hand into Jesus’s hand. Jesus gave me a look as if this is not how it works. I got on my knees, covered my ears, and closed my eyes. I whispered; then how?

Amazingly, my son spoke to Jesus, saying, my mom talks about you all the time, but I never believed her. Jesus said it took your mom a while to figure me out.” You know she loves you and prays for you often? He said, I know, but why did I turn out this way?

Jesus said the choices you have made up to this point are why you are struggling. It bothers me that you didn’t ask me for help. I do remember you asking for money. Do you think money has helped you over the years? My son dropped his head. Jesus said look at your garments. He looked and saw that they were dirty, raggedy, and stained. Look! Floating in the air was a nice over-the-top outfit with white sparkling Jordon shoes. My son smiled. Jesus said which would you rather wear? My son pointed to the sparkling threads in the air, and instantly they were on him. He was amazed at what had just happened. My son began to check himself out. Jesus asked my son how it feels to be fresh, clean, and looking sharp? He said I have never felt this good about myself before. I’ve always thought I was dumb, stupid, and never fit in. Smoking weed always made me feel normal. I feel more comfortable being around people and having conversations after smoking pot.

My son asked Jesus, Do I get to keep the threads? Jesus said it’s up to you. Do you want to keep your life, or would you like to try living a different/better life? He said I don’t fit in with crowds. I thought I would have to do something to live this kind of life as he stretched out his arms, looking at his sparkling outfit? Jesus said, Nope, you can’t earn this life; it’s a gift. My son said I thought I had to go to church, pray, and do all this other stuff to live a better life.” Jesus said,” You will want to do those things, eventually.” My son asked,” What if I say yes, but I can’t do it?” Jesus said,” Ahhh…That’s where I come in to give you strength and courage, fight your enemies, and increase your self-worth and confidence to overcome addictions. I will always be there whether you say yes or no to a better life. My son says I want a better life. I want to be happy. I want someone who will love me and encourage me to be a better man. 

Jesus says you already have that. Your mom and dad have loved and inspired you all your life. If someone else encouraged you, would you have listened?” Jesus called his name and said, Son, life is short. Your parents will not always be here with you. When you decide to invite Me into your life, we can make some decisions to get you pointed in the right direction. What a glorious day that will be~ God is waiting anxiously for you! My son said Jesus; I want you in my life. I believe!

Suddenly, there was a rumble, and smoke swirled around them. God spoke; he said, music to my ears! Instantly, a silver bucket appeared above my son; the blood of Jesus began to run down and cover every inch of his body. It was at that moment my heart turned a flip in my chest.

WOW!!

updated 4/22/24

A Conversation That Never Took Place #1

Have you shared your story of how Jesus has worked in your life?
Many people don’t feel comfortable telling others about how they came to know Jesus.

I often thought about these two questions: How would I feel if the people I love were not waiting to greet me when I arrived in Heaven because I never told them? What if every name He counted on me to introduce to His Son, Jesus, was written on a wall?
Enjoy This Story

There were four sisters (Connie, Brenda, Luann, and Susan) who were close and did everything together. When Susan got older, she decided she was getting out of this town to what the world had to offer. She ventured out and began to live life as a prodigal. Two years later, she woke up and decided to get her life together and reunite with her family.

Another year went by before the sisters were all together again. All four sisters love to shop, attend home parties, talk on the phone, and plan trips together. They were so happy to be together again. Susan was ashamed to tell her sisters of the life she led while she was away. She desperately wanted to share with them how she met Jesus. Susan decided to wait for the perfect time to share her story. After a couple of months of being together, Susan died instantly in a car accident. As the three sisters (Connie, Brenda, and Luann) planned Susan’s funeral, they reminisced about all the good times they had all spent together. At that exact moment, each sister looked at the other with a blank stare. Connie asked, “Did either of you tell Susan how you invited Jesus into your hearts and that HE is our Lord and Savior?” They never thought to share Jesus, God’s unconditional Love, mercy, and grace, and how they invited Jesus into their lives with their dear sister, Susan. They never told her she was the daughter of a KING. At that moment, their hearts sank, emotions took over, and guilt began to cripple them.

The sisters could hardly manage to do what needed to be done to plan Susan’s funeral. After the funeral service, a strange man approached the sisters and shared his connection with Susan. He was the pastor of a church where Susan had lived the two years she was away. Susan had hit rock bottom. She was penniless, homeless, and desperate. I found Susan crying, shivering from the cold, and alone on the church steps early one morning. I took her inside to warm her and offered her something to eat. Susan began telling me everything she had done wrong and how she wanted to live her life right and reunite with her sisters. I listened as she sobbed.

The next day, she paid another visit to the church. Visiting the church became a daily routine for Susan. It was in that church that she met Jesus. Her life began to turn around, and her joy was contagious. She shared her story with the congregation one morning. The community came together with offers of odd jobs, casseroles, clothes, gift cards, and all the Love she needed to heal. One family invited her to live with them until she could get on her feet. Your sister, Susan, brought our town to life. The church seemed to be lacking enthusiasm and was not growing. Attendance had dwindled to only the elders of the church. Then, Susan showed up. That girl went from house to house, knocking on doors with enthusiasm to invite, remind, and challenge the people to come to church. The ones standing over there by the tree are people she convinced that Jesus is real. Susan shared all she had learned about God’s unconditional Love with everyone who listened. She explained that all they had to do was believe and receive. Your sister, Susan, will never be forgotten. The worst days of her life turned out to be the best days in the whole town.

All three sisters had tears streaming down their cheeks as they listened to this man tell them how Susan loved Jesus and how Jesus used her to bring life to a church and a town that was on the verge of dying. Then he said, “There is no doubt Susan is with Jesus celebrating her life!

God is so Good!

Prayer For Friends

Jesus,

A Prayer For Friends

I lift up all those who call me their friend for going over and beyond the expectations of what a friend can be and do when one of your/our flock needs tender love and care. I ask that you would bless them over and beyond all their expectations.

Lord, Friends, teach us how to step up and do what needs to be done when a true friend is in need.

 Thank you for bringing us all to a place in the spiritual realm where our hearts come together as one, for one,  which creates a power that can and will wipeout evilness, sickness, troubles, struggles, and we agree in the name of Jesus that we believe in the power of Jesus name, his blood, our prayers, our praises, and your Word.

 Thank you for the spiritual armor that you have provided for us to protect ourselves. Remind each of us to get dressed and pray for one another through the good days and the not-so-good days. Thank you for blessing each friend abundantly with blessings that show up in all areas of their lives for all they do for You! 

In Jesus Name…Amen



He’s Not Your Dad

When you are told that one of your parents is not really your parent.

25) God will repay you for the years the locust has eaten.

When I heard those words the other day, I thought of you. All the years that you didn’t know the truth. God is going to repay you for those years.
Lost years can never be restored, literally. Time once passed is forever gone. You can’t get your time back, but there is a strange and wondrous way in which God can give back to you! First of all, God does not make mistakes! HE CREATED YOU!

People created your circumstance. Don’t dwell on anything that you feel you might have missed out on. Dwell on those times in your life that left impressionable imprints on your heart (lessons learned, experiences, relationships.) We all crave love, affection, acceptance, approval from people especially our loved ones. When we feel like we aren’t capable of earning that love we begin to judge ourselves and wondering what is wrong with me.

Going through life with the absence of a love that you may have desperately wanted and needed could cause one to measure themselves, confusion, detachment, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem….and so on and so on. This could then cause one to go through life in a state of unconsciousness, tranquilized, numb to block the pain of disappointments, doubts, fears, voids, the unknown. Living in a state of unconsciousness could cause life to be stagnant, boring, unfulfilling, uneventful.

John 10:10 says: satan came only to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came so that we may have a real life, eternal life, a life better than we could ever dream of.
Unfortunately, satan stole your worldly identity, but he can never steal your real identity. You are a child of God! You belong to Him! Our daddy is loving, kind, faithful, generous, compassionate and He is rich.
~Encouragement is oxygen for the Soul~

I Wonder

Where do anger and frustrations come from? Do adverse reactions appear when our life story skips over some good stuff or adds in scenes we didn’t dream up? Are we blaming other people for making us angry because they didn’t act out their part according to our script? 

Based on our perceptions, we have already decided what is right and wrong. Is this why people argue? Oh, what about fear and anxiety? 

Have you already created an internal movie on the outcome of how these two caused this uncomfortable event that was not planned? Whose fault is it? Where, Why, and How did all the emotions appear in the perfect script I imagined? Who are these people who are causing me such misery? Wait a minute… Am I the cause of my own suffering? Why would I blame other people? What is it that is making me so miserable? NO! It couldn’t be me! Why would I make myself miserable? This is insane! I don’t believe that it is my fault when I get angry, frustrated, or anxious, or is it? This is crazy! You’re telling me~ I do all this stuff I hate ~ to myself? 

NO WAY!

Why is Life so Hard?*

God: People struggle through life and make it difficult for themselves because they believe they can do life all by themselves. They set out to prove to themselves and others that there is no need for any assistance. They have it all figured out.

. 1 Peter 5:8 Most importantly, be disciplined and stay on guard. Your enemy, the devil, is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone.

God: My Love is unconditional. My Son, Jesus willingly demonstrated the depth of My Love for ALL! My desire is for All to experience My unconditional love and for All to love unconditionally. Receiving love is difficult for some. When one’s love is without conditions, the struggle is over. It is to experience, not to accomplish.

A Healing Prayer

OH JESUS!

We call on your name, the name above all names for your miraculous healing powers to sweep through Terry’s body, mind, and soul.  Allow Your blood to run through her veins and wipe out all the damage that has been done to her fragile body.  satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but you came to give her life.  Life in an abundance of love, joy, peace, and good health~ Her family claims this life for Terry,  the life that you died for her to have!

Rebuke every unclean spirit that would attempt to operate in Terry’s life!!!!!! Break down every wall erected by the enemy against her good health~ (Ezek. 13:14) Rescue her body and soul from destruction (Psalm 35:17). Give your angels charge over her, and deliver her from this sickness (Psalm 91:11) Let the angel of the Lord chase the enemy (Psalm 35:5) Let the angel of the Lord persecute the enemy (Psalm 35:6) Let Your angels fight for Terry in the heavens against the principalities (Daniel 10:13) Father, keep her from all evil (John 17:15) All souls belong to You, O Lord (Ezek. 18:4) Lord, restore her soul (health) (Psalm 23:3) Let peace come into this family like a river ( Isa. 66:12)  I pray that every family member will see/experience the Glory of God~~ Give us something to shout about!!

MERCY+ GRACE+LOVE+PRAYERS ……. Releases the FIRE of GOD & destroy any evil plans against Terry, the child that You created for a purpose~  Restore her to excellent health through the blood of Jesus~ Let any sickness rooted in her body be rooted out in the name of Jesus!!  Thank You, Jesus, for Your miraculous healing powers!!

AMEN!