Yesterday I witnessed two miracles. One woman in our church had been suffering with a sore ankle from a pinched nerve. Her doctor had just told her she was going to need surgery to correct the problem. My husband prayed for her ankle and she felt warmth and tingles spread up her leg to her knee. She said it was beginning to feel better, about 20% she said. He prayed again and she smiled and said she again felt warmth and tingles in her leg and reported the pain was 80% gone. He prayed once more and she joyfully reported 100% pain free and demonstrated by jumping up and down on her foot. We told her to be sure to return to her doctor to have him check her out to be certain the problem is fixed.
About a half an hour later my husband and I were talking with his mother about the several miracles concerning her right hand which had been injured 31 years ago. Her hand had been accidentally shot off 31 years prior and reattached without a wrist as the wrist was completely shattered. The doctor had told her that she would never have wrist movement again. However, she had soon recovered wrist movement one day at a church meeting many years ago. The doctor was baffled and said she indeed had wrist movement where there should be none. She retold us this story. And then she was talking about how a year ago she regained movement in the joints in her fingers on that hand while watching a DVD by a minister giving testimonies of many healings. She hadn’t been able to individually move her fingers in 30 years; she could only move the four fingers as a unit and use the thumb with the four fingers to grasp things. Not anymore. She has very good mobility. Still due to the removal of her wrist 31 years ago her right arm was approximately 1 and ½ inches shorter than her left arm; a visible difference that also impaired her balance.
My husband asked her if she wanted God to lengthen it to be even with the other arm. We have never done this before. We have only heard stories of God growing out an appendage. She said yes. She extended both arms out and laid her hands on top of my husband’s open hands. We could see the shortness of the left compared to the right. We kept our eyes open as my husband spoke to her arm to grow in Jesus name. We watched as it grew approximately an inch and a half before our very eyes to match the other hand. We were all jubilantly excited. She said she had felt a gentle pulling in her arm as it took place. She ran around showing the other people in the church still fellowshipping after the meeting. When she returned home she showed her husband and other family members who knew her right arm had been shorter than the left arm for 31 years. Lots of people know it was short and all whom she shows are amazed to see the equal length of her arms. There had been no pain associated with the shortness, God in His good pleasure and loving kindness restored the length.
This is an eyewitness account of the power of God working through ordinary Christians today. This seems extraordinary, but compared to the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament, it isn’t out of the ordinary. I have heard hundred of modern testimonies of miraculous healings of all kinds. I am excited to be seeing them with my own eyes now!
52 comments:
I don't suppose that there were any objective, mentally-stable observers present to corroborate these claims, were there?
All her family knows and most her friends and co-workers can verify it was short and is not now for it is well known that one arm was shorter than the other. I saw it grow out as did my husband. I'd say we are mentally stable and objective. Others unrelated to her were in the room and saw that her arms were now equal length despite the missing wrist.
Karla, even if these 'miracles' happened how do you *know* that God is responsible for them?
Karla said...
"I'd say we are mentally stable and objective."
I'd say your not.
Cyber kitten, who else would have such an ability. My husband and I certainly don't. We asked Jesus to do it. You believe there is most likely nothing beyond the natural world, correct? Yet something supernatural happens in miracles. Miracles prove there is is a greater force at work.
Karla said...
"who else would have such an ability."
Ganfolb of Neptune?
karla said: Cyber kitten, who else would have such an ability.
Any number of things. But you discount them because of your faith in God.
karla said: Yet something supernatural happens in miracles. Miracles prove there is is a greater force at work.
No they don't. At best it shows that there are things we may not understand yet.
Alright, if that's how you all want to see it. A God who heals miraculously is consistent with the Bible. I have known Him all my life. I thought I would share my eyewitness story. I pray you will experience Him too one day.
Karla, I like you and I feel bad for expressing doubt, because I know you believe and I know how much this all means to you. If this hadn't happened to your mother in law, I would be more skeptical. I'm not accusing you of lying, but I know for a fact that many Christians do lie, just to further the kingdom of God.
Here's an interesting thread about a similar occurrence: http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=109872
Mike, I actually expected more skepticism because it was my mother in law versus someone I didn't know. I wanted to be honest though and give all the details including that it happened to her.
I don't know what else I can say, but I saw it. I would never lie, but there isn't anyway to prove that to you.
You asked me before if miracles I knew of were someone who knows someone who knows someone. I had said some where that, but others I had seen and one I had experienced first hand. However, this one blows my prior experience out of the water. I was not prepared to witness this, even my husband who studies and reads about the supernatural far more than I was incredulous and in awe of what God did before our eyes.
I wouldn't be doing Jesus or any of you any favors to make stuff up. God is really stretching my thinking in all this. I can't help but share, even if few believe me.
I just checked your link. Not sure what your getting at with it. There was nothing there that said that that event was false. It was just a bunch of people discussing what they thought about it.
Oh, I wasn't including the link to debunk your claim. Included it because it was discussing similar occurrences.
Oh, and I'd really like a miraculous cure for the sinus infection I am currently suffering from. I have three more days of antibiotics. I hope they work!
Of course, if I was healed I would probably just think the antibiotics did their job. ;-)
This year I developed allergies and then sinus infections for the first time in my life. This is also the year I proclaimed myself an atheist. Coincidence? ;-)
I don't think God's punishing you if that's what you mean. The Bible says that it is the kindness of God that leads us back to Him. When I was healed of that sinus infection it stopped my cycle of constant congestion and colds. I've had two minor colds and one bout with the flue in almost two years since that healing. This is remarkable for me. I usually get colds constantly all winter and throughout the summer. Whether the continuation of freedom from colds is divine or not, I thank Him for it. I do know that day I was healed by Him, I couldn't be more certain.
I hope you feel better.
Thanks!
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
CyberKitten,
I've asked her those same questions and she dodged them then as well.
Karla,
I suggest that your husband call up James Randi and see if you can win the challenge. It's not technically open anymore, but they did leave the possibility of opening it back up for something like this. There's a monetary reward, so you could win a lot of money that you could then spend on your ministry. If you are so sure that your husband and magically heal people, then put it to the test in front of science and the world. Think about it. If you succeed, it would be the greatest evangelism of all. So, how about it?
Oh, and BTW, I'm a different anonymous than the person who left comments above.
I'm not interested in winning any money. I won't market God. If an eye witness testimony isn't good enough I'm not sure a scientist can do anything better to prove it.
Also, how are you a different anonymous when you said you had already asked me the same questions as cyberkitten and claim I dodged them?
Karla,
It is interesting to me that so many people seem so angry because you are willing to give God the Glory for the healing of your mother n law's arm. I have known you since you were a baby I can vouch that you would never lie about something like this. You and I both have seen the good and the bad that this world can deal out. But like me you choose to focus on all that is good and God is good all the time. He gives us choices and our choices have consequences.
Therefore they can choose to believe and receive or not. But people lets try to keep it kind.
Karla,
"I'm not interested in winning any money. I won't market God. If an eye witness testimony isn't good enough I'm not sure a scientist can do anything better to prove it."
You could show god to many, many people and bring them to Jesus, which would be worth a lot to you I assume, so why are you resisting? If you are sure that you and your husband (or just your husband) has this power, why not use it to bring converts? Why not subject it to scrutiny and prove it, instead of simply relating stories on a blog?
And, showing it in front of scientific scrutiny would go a lot further than simply your word. First, we know your word isn't the most trustworthy. Second, science would bring empirical evidence to bear that is much harder for people to disregard.
"Also, how are you a different anonymous when you said you had already asked me the same questions as cyberkitten and claim I dodged them?"
You aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you? The two previous comments on this thread were not made by me. Do you get it now?
Terrie,
"It is interesting to me that so many people seem so angry because you are willing to give God the Glory for the healing of your mother n law's arm."
Yes, since we are atheists, we must be angry. Do you realize how bigoted this statement is?
"But people lets try to keep it kind."
Like when you previously attacked me?
I tried to comment earlier, but when I checked back it hadn't posted yet so I thought I'd try again. I am thrilled that you were able to witness such an awesome miracle and I know you wouldn't say it happened if it hadn't! Perhaps you could ask your Mother in law to write a brief summary of her experience that you could share with us. Just a thought. :) Have a great Thanksgiving and take lots of pictures!
Karla,
I've had a healthy laugh over a developing situation here, but now conscience dictates that I disclose something I was previously unaware of. It seems anonymous, the one I am engaged with in the previous thread, is an acquaintance of mine. I began to suspect it around the time I began requesting him to reveal his identity. I sought him out elsewhere, and he confirmed my suspicion.
I don't think it's right for me to reveal his identity now, though. But I will vouch for him.
We have posted on other sites concurrently for quite some time. Initially, we were highly critical of each other, much like the previous thread, but soon developed what I would characterize as a level of respect--of course, he may wish to disagree :)
He's no doubt a fierce and dogged online persona, but based on my previous experience, I think that's more a function of his passion for his convictions, and the deliverances of reason, than for any nefarious intentions, hidden agendas, or general hatefulness.
No doubt, this post will not change his aggressive approach here; he still went right back after me on the other thread even though we had cleared the air between us :) And in a sense, I suppose it shouldn't. After all, we have such profound differences in belief. Getting along doesn't mean we have to agree.
I apologized to him in private for my behavior here, and I will reaffirm the apology in public now. And it doesn't really matter that I know him, I should not have acted that way whatever the case. After all, your rule does say "treating any question by a skeptic as valid and deserving of a respectful reasonable response."
At any rate, I felt compelled to disclose this. Ultimately, whether or not you agree with him or his style, I think he's a valuable contributor to a blog. He'll certainly keep you on the straight and narrow.
To the OP, then. Your post is astounding. I'm with Vicki...it would be interesting to hear your mother-in-law's testimony alongside yours, as well as any future developments. Sounds like there's a lot going on in your neck of the woods.
karla said: Alright, if that's how you all want to see it.
The problem is that you are presenting your beliefs as if they are facts - as you have been doing in most of our discussions.
Even if these so-called miracles are occuring (if we want to take your word for it) you might say that you *believe* that they are the result of God's handywork but you can't possibly *know* that. I'm struggling to think of any way to figure that out actually....
Hey everybody,
I know it is an incredible claim. Maybe you really have to see it to believe it. I am asking a lot for the people who don't really know me to believe I am reporting the truth.
Quixote thank you for the information. I have to say that Anonymous reminds me of someone I spent weeks talking to on a myspace forum under a different alias. But I have no way of telling if it is the same person. I don't mind being challenged. I don't mind disagreements. I am trying not to mind the animosity, but I feel it doesn't do any good to respond when there is animosity because I don't want to increase that animosity for any reason. Not because I can't take it, but because I don't think it is good or helpful to him.
I will talk to my mother in law about providing me her statement as well of the event. I'm sure she wouldn't mind writing it for me. I won't get to post it until after Thanksgiving.
Anonymous 2
It's not a special "power" exclusive to certain people. It is something God enables all Christians to utilize as He works through us. However, it has been missing from the church for a long time, and while there is historical accounts of this sort of thing in the revivals of the past, it is something God is restoring to become a normal part of the Christian life as it was meant to be. In many churches and ministries today miraculous healings are becoming a normal occurrence.
Cyberkitten,
We know it is Him because we have relationship with Him and we know for a fact it isn't by our own strength. It is something we can know. I'm sorry I don't know how to explain it better or "prove" it. I know what I saw and I know we asked Jesus to do it.
There are Christians who don't believe in this sort of thing happening today so I am not upset or anything that you guys don't believe me. I hope though that you will keep it in the back of your mind.
I'm sorry we as the Church haven't been moving in this to a greater degree so that it would be common place and evident to all you who are seeking to see authentic evidence of God's existence. One of Jesus disciples didn't believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw him with his own eyes and put his hands in the wounds on Jesus. The way I see it, it's okay to want to see.
But remember to see through everything is the same as not seeing at all. Something has to be self-existing. Something has to not be doubted eventually so that all the rest of what you can come to know can rest on a firm foundation. Or else you can never know anything for certain and that's not a very fulfilling or authentic way of living and thinking.
"It is something God enables all Christians to utilize as He works through us. However, it has been missing from the church for a long time, and while there is historical accounts of this sort of thing in the revivals of the past, it is something God is restoring to become a normal part of the Christian life as it was meant to be."
You don't mean entirely missing do you? I can't ever recall a time when there haven't been claims of miraculous healings.
No it hasn't been entirely missing, just missing as a normal part of Christian living versus a person with a special annointing or a break out of a revival. The accounts have been isolated to revivals or to particular people for the most part. Today there is a wider movement of laymen doing these kinds of things. Bethel church in Redding California sees a whole lot of this on a regular basis. So do many other churches and ministries.
Anonymous....you said "Yes, since we are atheists, we must be angry. Do you realize how bigoted this statement is?"
I didn't know you were an atheist but don't you think it would be better to promote your religion by being kinder? Why do you have to put Karla down and say such negative things. Could you prove your religion (that there is no God )by giving facts instead?
karla said: We know it is Him because we have relationship with Him and we know for a fact it isn't by our own strength.
No you don't. You are confusing *belief* with *knowledge*. You believe that it is Gods work because you believe that He can and would do such a thing and you believe that you are not capable of doing such things on your own. What about the possibility that the sick are in fact healed by the strength of their *own* beliefs?
There is such a thing as the placebo effect where people on medical tests are given fake pills without them knowing. Rather surprisingly a percentage of these people get better as if they had taken the real drug because they believe they had done so. Could faith healing be a similar thing? If they believed enough that God was healing them maybe (just maybe) that belief would be enough for the body to heal itself - without any supernatural intervention.
karla said: Something has to be self-existing. Something has to not be doubted eventually so that all the rest of what you can come to know can rest on a firm foundation. Or else you can never know anything for certain and that's not a very fulfilling or authentic way of living and thinking.
Actually I think that skepticism is the best way to lead an authentic life. We *can* never know anything for certain. Personally I find that a more realistic stance than beliving something just because it makes me happy or 'fulfilled'. It is only by facing reality (rather than how we *want* the world to be) that we can truely live authentically. Anything else is mere wishful thinking.
I believed that God could grow out an arm, I was not confident that that would be the result when we prayed. I am not sure believing really hard could ever grow out an arm.
"Believing" and "Knowing" can be two different things. Do you think I merely believe my husband exists? Or can I know that he does?
karla said: Do you think I merely believe my husband exists? Or can I know that he does?
Now *that's* an interesting philosophical question [grin].
Put it this way... I *believe* that I exist - but I'm not absolutely certain about it.
Cyberkitten, hmm well it seems you don't have epistemological grounds to "know" anything. So it follows you would tell me I can't "know" God exists. However if He does exist then I have ontological grounds to support my knowing.
Karla....
Huh?
e⋅pis⋅te⋅mol⋅o⋅gy
–noun a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge.
on⋅tol⋅o⋅gy
–noun 1. the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such.
2. (loosely) metaphysics.
However I like laymens terms better.
Never been one for metaphysics myself....
Thanks for the definitions...
Thanks Terrie. The laymen terms would be:
epistomology: knowing and how we know
ontology: being
I just wanted to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving. I doubt I will be back on my blogspot until Friday. Something I wrote today will post automatically tomorrow. Have a happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!
karla said: The laymen terms would be:ontology: being
Meaning what exactly?
Terrie,
"I didn't know you were an atheist..."
Who do you think you're kidding? I was born at night, but not last night.
"... but don't you think it would be better to promote your religion..."
Atheism is not a religion.
"...by being kinder?"
Flies, honey, vinegar, got it. Unfortunately, I've tried that and gotten absolutely nowhere. So, now I point out the mistakes and errors that Karla is prone to, as well as when she misleads others. It's a public service to point out when people are seeking to disseminate false information.
"Why do you have to put Karla down and say such negative things."
Because she misrepresents herself and the facts. There is not much lower than that in a discussion-type setting such as this.
"Could you prove your religion (that there is no God )by giving facts instead?"
I find it ironic that you are saying this to me now. On another thread, you chided me with this gem:
"Hey Karla, I think anonymous thinks too much with his mind and not at all with his heart."
So, by giving facts before, I was attacked by you, and now, you want facts? Sorry, but it's ringing hollow.
Besides, here are the facts. There is no support for the arguments Karla is making. There is no support that god is involved in anything or even exists. The only "support" is the belief of those who adhere to the religions being proselytized, which is not true support. The god of Xianity has been disproven logically, as the attributes given to this god have been shown to be logically contradictory. Why do I sense that you don't give a lick about any of these facts?
Karla,
I still don't see why you won't open up this event to scientific scrutiny. You complain that we don't take you seriously, but then you are unwilling to allow us to scrutinize it. Why is that? Is it because you are afraid that you will find out that what you are witnessing can be explained?
And, your responses to CyberKitten are as hollow as they were when you tried them with me. You can't authentically know that god is doing these things, even though you really want that to be true. Even if we grant, for the sake of argument, that something supernatural is occurring, it's not clear to me how you could discern the actions of one supernatural being from another. Supernatural beings are, by definition, beyond the natural and therefore would be alien to us in every sense of the word. Being able to definitively say that you have been visited by the god you believe in and that you can know this and know every time this god contacts you and know that it is him and not some counterfeit (or that every encounter you have had has not been counterfeit) is to stretch the bounds of reason to a degree that is un-recoverable. IOW, you can't know that to any degree of certainty. None.
Anonymous,
You said "Atheism is not a religion. Religion by definition means something one believes in and follows devotedly. You follow atheism or the belief that there is no God. No matter, I just have one question. Why do you stay anonymous? Don't you have a blog? If not why don't you start one and that way we can understand what and how you believe better.
I am too old to change after 60 years of experiencing what I truly believe is the Alpha and the Omega. I have three grown children and three grandchildren. I have experienced the good things in this life and the bad things. I will sing praises to God and Jesus Christ until the day I die.
I will not respond to your comments anymore because you can't see my eyes and see the love behind them. I would never want to hurt or offend anyone. I just want to share God's love and I find myself being protective of Karla, but she is a big girl and really enjoys a debate. Have fun...keep it fun....and enjoy life.
Terrie,
"You said "Atheism is not a religion. Religion by definition means something one believes in and follows devotedly. You follow atheism or the belief that there is no God."
Incorrect. Disbelieving in your god (and all others gods) does not mean that I am positing a positive belief system with which to form a religion around. But, perhaps you can explain to Karla that she is part of a religion, since she claims she isn't.
"Why do you stay anonymous? Don't you have a blog?"
Because I got tired of posting my name after every comment.
"I am too old to change after 60 years of experiencing what I truly believe is the Alpha and the Omega."
You are never too old to throw off the shackles of irrationality and unevidenced belief. Imagine if someone was in falsely accused and sat in jail for years. Would you think it compelling to come and tell that person, well, you're not guilty, but you've been in here too long for it to matter now if you serve out the rest of your term?
"I have experienced the good things in this life and the bad things. I will sing praises to God and Jesus Christ until the day I die."
This is called counting the hits and ignoring the misses. The good things you attribute to god, the bad you don't. But why? If god is omni-max, then god is responsible for all, the good and the bad. By only giving credit for the good, you are showing confirmation bias.
"I will not respond to your comments anymore because you can't see my eyes and see the love behind them. I would never want to hurt or offend anyone."
I believe that most people are good, and have been hoodwinked by our culture into thinking that religion (especially Xian religion) equals good. This is not the case, however.
"I just want to share God's love..."
Is it god's love when he orders the slaughter of a whole ethnic group of people? Is it god's love when he wipes out almost the whole entire planet? Is it god's love when he knows that people will go to hell if he creates them and then goes ahead and does it anyway? Again, it's confirmation bias. You believe that god loves, and then fit everything to that a priori belief. If you actually read the Bible without your a priori belief, you might see a different picture. The genocide, murder, rape, subjugation of women, etc, is truly horrible and barbaric, and can in no way be considered loving, just, or moral.
"...I find myself being protective of Karla, but she is a big girl and really enjoys a debate."
Actually, she needs the help.
Terrie said: Religion by definition means something one believes in and follows devotedly. You follow atheism or the belief that there is no God.
So people who are devouted fans of pop/rock groups are practicing religion?
Oh, and I agree with Anon. Atheism is *not* a religion. For one thing it is not a belief system but actually the *lack* of belief in God - and not a belief that God does not exist.. although some Atheists (including myself from time to time) might say this.
Also I would hardly know how to follow my Atheism 'devotedly' - I'm confused at what you would possibly mean by that.
re·li·gion (rĭ-lĭj'ən) Pronunciation Key
n.
1.
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
By the dictionary definition, Christianity is a religion. What I mean when I say it is not a religion is that it is not about the things 99% of religions are about. Sometimes some groups or individuals make it (Christianity) into something it's not making it about rules and rituals instead of a relationship with God. Jesus taught us how to be united with God without having to earn favor or work up deserving His love. He showed us we are already loved by the Father and we can enter that love freely if we so choose.
The word "religion" today carries a great deal of negative conotation. It is that that I am trying to differeniate from by using other words to explain what Christianity is about. Loosely speaking it falls into the definition of "religion" but practically it isn't what most people think of when they think of "religion." Most might think it is, but in reality at it's core it is far from such a thing.
By this blog I hope to help clear up some of the misconceptions and answer for some of the injustices that often get in the way of people seeing the true nature of Christ.
I don't seek to debate. I used to be the kind of person who did. I want to provide a Christan perspective and I really want to know what people think about us and how I can help answer those concerns. This is why if the conversation ever seems to become argumentative or debate oriented instead of an informative discussion I will withdraw.
Anonymous this is why I, at times, stop conversation with you. It's not because I don't have more to say, but because I want to respect you more than I want to win you over to my side of the "debate."
I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.
Karla,
"By the dictionary definition, Christianity is a religion. What I mean when I say it is not a religion is that it is not about the things 99% of religions are about."
Translated: I know Xianity is a religion, but I say it isn't because I don't like how other people worship.
"The word "religion" today carries a great deal of negative conotation."
No it does not. Please point out where you can find negative connotations towards religion (outside of atheist publications).
"Loosely speaking it falls into the definition of "religion" but practically it isn't what most people think of when they think of "religion.""
Actually, it's no different. Whether you call it a "relationship with Christ" or something else, there's no difference, and the dictionary definition fits quite well.
"Anonymous this is why I, at times, stop conversation with you. It's not because I don't have more to say, but because I want to respect you more than I want to win you over to my side of the "debate.""
I don't believe this for one second.
Christians use the word "religion" or "religious" oftentimes to mean something contrived by man to earn the favor of God through rules and rituals versus belonging to God through a free relationship through Jesus without having to be earned by rules and rituals. When we say someone is being "religious" we mean they are being legalistic or are all about rules and regulations and the letter of the law. Maybe that use of the word is "Christianeese" and doesn't translate well. Most non-Christians I have encountered believe Christians to be "religious" in the sense Christians use the term as being all about rules. Some others use the term more in it's dictionary definition to mean belief in God and following God.
What's your point?
I was merely explaining the different uses of the word "religion" depending on the group using the word.
That different groups misuse words doesn't concern me. Atheism is not a religion. Xianity, including your version of it, is.
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