Christians Here To Help You And Talk

[MtPockets]

BETH MOORE AT THE AIRPORT
For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters. This is one of her experiences: April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville, waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego. I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man. I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport...an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him. Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man. I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. "Oh, no, God, please, no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!" There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane." Then I heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair." The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man." Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair." I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?" God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?" "May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that." At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?" At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to." Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush." "I have one in my bag," he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?" He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride." Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft. I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?" I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!" And we got to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on, but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need! I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way..all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me. John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting, "Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!"
God Bless You, and Amen!
Big AL

[joelc]

Thank you for sharing this story! It blessed my heart immensely this Sunday morning!! I needed that - you can now feel like Beth felt!! With the pain and discomfort of muscle cramping I had this morning we were not able to go to Church. This was better than what would have happened at Church today - Thank you, it was for me!!
God Bless you!
Joel

[Patsy]

Thank you very much for that post. It especially reminded me of my old nursing days when I would follow his voice, some of my colleagues would wonder what I was doing at times and wondered how I always managed to know what my patient needed.
Patsy

[Al]

Very nice story for a Sunday morning but the title of the post scared the bejeebers out of me. I just quickly glanced at it and thought it was about HURTING Christians. Thought we'd been hit by anti christian hackers. Try not to scare me like that BigAL.

[BWk]

B. Al, Nice story, it would have taken me a week to type out that long a story, don't know how you do it! If we get another Al on the site what are we going to call him, just a random thought. Barry

[Al]

AL the third would be my guess or AL-111 or hey you.

[MtPockets]

Just thought the title might get more lookers and it did. Thanks everyone for the nice comments.


The bible says you will hear a small still voice saying this is the way, walk you in it. When God is trying to lead us in a particular direction.

But sometimes it's hard to separate the flesh from the spiritual, so I probably miss a lot of good opportunities to do good. Oh just try to do my best.

God Bless,
Big ALl

:)

[Al]

That's all any of us can do Big AL.

[dana]

Big Al,
What a great story. Beth Moore is an amazing teacher. I just finished a 10 week course of hers a month ago and am in the middle of another 10 week course. It's amazing how she really gets you to open up to the Lord and learn from Him. That story is an inspiration and I will remeber it next time someone crosses my path that may look out of the "norm."
Dana

[MtPockets]

Thanks all for all the great comments. Here is another short one of mans kindness to one another. A true story from my own family:

My oldest son who is about to graduate from Law school, years ago had a family, no job, no money, and an old car that was on it's last leg. He was trying his best, but one day in a rain storm had a flat tire with no spare. He was dressed in his old work clothes and had no idea what to do. He got out and kicked his car, and began to think how horrible things were going. The kids were hungry, he was in the middle of nowhere, what next could go wrong.

A man in a new big car, I think it may have been a Mercedes, stopped and got out and looked over the situation. He said get your family in my car and I'll take you to get your tire repaired. The man drove miles to find an open tire store and had them put a new tire on his rim, he took the whole family to a nice restaurant and told them to order anything they wanted from the menu. The kids were excited and ate until they were full. The kind man drove them back to their car and put the tire on for my son and then told him follow me back to the tire store. He had the tire store put on all new tires and make up a spare for him.

MY son was stunned and said I have no money sir to pay you for your kindness, you have no idea how much this means to me and my family. The man gave him some money and he tried not to accept it, but the man demanded. He said how can I ever repay you for your kindness. The Gentleman said JUST PASS IT ON.

Someday when you have a good job and see someone in need like you were just do what you can for them and I will be happy. Pass it on.

The bible says sometimes we entertain angels unawares. This man was an angel to my son and his family as far as I am concerned. I was not there to help him, but God took care of my loved ones when they needed it most of all.

God Bless
Big AL:)

[MtPockets]

Most atheists assume that a personal God would only create a universe that is both good morally and perfect physically. However, according to Christianity, the purpose of the universe is not to be morally or physically perfect, but to provide a place where spiritual creatures can choose to love or reject God - to live with Him forever in a new, perfect universe, or reject Him and live apart from Him for eternity. It would not be possible to make this choice in a universe in which all moral choices are restricted to only good choices. One cannot choose between good and bad if bad did not exist. It's an amazing simple logical principle.

Can any scientist say he does not believe in God, if he has not studied the facts involved in making the decision? Most of them postulate a theory, any theory, examine all the pertinent facts, and then draw a conclusion based on the facts. Not just take another person's opinion and make it a law in their hearts. Why is this decision about believing there is a God, so different? Maybe because they are afraid their beliefs are wrong?????

God Bless
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

2005/10/31 to see what she faced with her family, and how she handeled it. It was very sad, but I am proud of her and her efforts to reach out and help other people during this time.

You can go to the next entry by clicking the little green arrow on the right, in this box above her message

We have 4 children and 15 grandchildren. Almost all of them went through this mess, Elisa was the only one to post her thoughts online. Caution, some are depressing, and off color, due to her emotional distress and frustration after the hurricane. Considering all the stress, I think she did a great job of helping those who could not help themselves during this time. Now she and her son need our help and prayers.
God Bless
Capt AL

[CindyM]

My thoughts are with you and your family today, AL. Life just keeps throwing you guys curve balls and you keep rising to the occasion. I don't know how you do it. Cindy

[MtPockets]

Thanks Cindy,

My daughter just left here from having lunch with me and my wife. We are all doing our best to have a positive attitude about this whole thing as much as possible.

It just seems like since hurricane Katrina hit :twisted: , the waves keep rolling in, and you wonder what is going to be on the next one?

God Bless
Capt AL

[CindyM]

My blessings to the baby and her Mom. Don't forget to keep us informed! Cindy

[Peg B]

Hi Capt. Al,

Please know my prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Peg

[MtPockets]

You have no idea what it means to me and my daughter that you are supporting us with your prayers. It is at times like this when we really feel a part of the extended family of God.

Thank you, Thank you, So much.

If any of you would like to encourage her with an email she can be reached at:
mom@funnylookinghead.com
You also can leave her a message by signing her guest book at her website http://www.funnylookinghead.com/

Thanks AL for your wonderful comments and the all the others.

God Bless
Capt AL

[pmbenb83]

Hi Al,
I'm so sorry to hear about your little grandson. It sounds like the doctors caught it early, which is a good thing. I will say an extra prayer for your family and especially for little Daniel.

Take care.
Pam B in Va

[cheryilyn]

what a beautiful baby. my prayers are with you and your family.

[trustinggod]

Capt. Al,

I am sorry for all your family is going through.

You can count on my prayers for your grandson and your entire family.
I am going to forward the information on to our couples bible study group and ask them to pray as well.

Thanks for sharing the web site information.

God Bless you real good.
Jeanne

[MtPockets]

The Doctors are telling us now that they were able to catch it so soon, they will be able to do the surgery Laproscoply, I do not know how to spell that word, but you get the idea. They will not have to open his skull up all the way, but will go in and break the bones and spread them apart so his little brain can have room to grow.

He will still have to wear the head helmets. $2400 each, for years and will have to have numerous other surgeries. They are still concerned about him being under the anesthesia, since he is so young. We are having to get together blood for the operation this week, so they will have it on hand. They say it is a very serious surgery. So please remember him, Lil Daniel in your prayers.

If you can visit my daughters website at http://www.funnylookinghead.com (http://www.funnylookinghead.com)
It will mean a lot to her if you can sign the guest book. Thanks so much everyone.

God Bless
Capt AL

[Beebe]

Hi Capt Al, We here in New Jersey want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you , your lil grandson and family. It seems there is more and more illness among the young especially. We have a full plate here and know what you are going thru. Bless you. Fondly, Beebe

[MtPockets]

I want to thank you all for your e-mails and messages of concern and comfort for my grandson and my daughter. They have toucher her heart and helped lift her up when she needed it the most.

We finally got the blood ready for the surgery and did manage to get some insurance coverage for part of the procedures. The one main thing that still is a major problem is the cost of the helmets, $2400 each and he will need several as he grows, is not covered by the insurance. Also one of the major surgeons is asking for his money up front.

I just spoke with my daughter and she said someone from the forum had offered to help with the costs involved, but she did not feel like she can accept money from anyone who is facing ALS. She knows the expense of what we are going through is high and she said her conscious will not allow her to accept money from anyone who needs it for themselves.

So we appreciate the offer, and thank you for it, but I wanted to try to explain why she turned it down. She is believing God will open a door somewhere to meet the need, just like He has met every need we have had since hurricane Katrina. I hope you can understand how she feels about this.

My wife and I will be with her at Children's Hospital in New Orleans when Lil Daniel has the surgery on the 12th. I will try to keep you updated. They moved the surgery to this hospital instead of Oschners because the doctors there have more experience with this type of surgery.

Here is a picture of my granddaughter Isabella feeding Lil Daniel and one of him Laughing.

God Bless
Capt AL

[suebo]

I believe in the power of prayer. God promises to never leave us--even in the toughest of times. I wuill be praying for your family and grandson.

Sue

[CindyM]

What sweet children. Little Dan looks like he is bursting with personality. Does he by any chance take after Grampa? Cindy

[liz]

No way Cindy, he looks like trouble with a capital T to me.

At the very least, he's so cute it ought to be against the law! :-D

[Al]

Does anybody know any big shots in the SHRINERS or Masonic Lodge? They raise money for Childrens Hospitals and I would think this would be a good cause for them to jump in on.
AL.

[CindyM]

Great tip, Al! BTW< How is the weather up north? We are having summer-like days. I spend every minute I can on the deck to soak up what sun remains before the snows come! Cindy

[MtPockets]

The baby must take after his mother, I noticed he does not have a Grey beard like me, yet......

We have tried them all and so far no help. I thought it was for things just like this that we donated to the United Way and other groups over the years, but no one is coming forward yet, and the 12th is closing in on us fast.

He laughs a lot. He just seems to be a happy child. Wasn't it great to be that innocent at one time in our lives?

As you can see his next biggest sister loves to try to take care of him. They have 2 boys and 2 girls. The oldest boy is 16 year old.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Enjoy your families while you can.

God Bless
Capt AL

[Al]

Most of you foreigners are probably unaware that it is Thanksgiving up here in Canada this weekend. Monday is the actual day. We went to the Fall Fair yesterday and it was 85 and a bit humid. Very not normal. Today is cloudy and about 70. We have had snow flurries at the fair in other years. Maybe there is something to this global warming thing. We are trying a deep fried turkey today for the first time. Supposed to be good from what I here.
AL.

[CindyM]

Hey Al! Happy Thanksgivng to you and your family and all the rest of our Canadian PALS and CALS! Will you be having pumpkin pie with that turkey? Cindy

[elisadasilva]

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have visited our site and added Baby Daniel to your prayer lists. If you'd like to help, you can help by spreading his story to others online, to people you know, etc. We are still trying to raise the money for his helmet and are hoping that if more people know about it perhaps they will start to donate.

[Al]

Yes I had pumpkin and apple. Small pieces of each though.
AL.

[CindyM]

ALl- now I have a craving for apple pie! How did the deep fried turkey turn out?

[CindyM]

Elissa- thanks for joining us. So nice to meet another member of your wonderful family. I hope you raise a lot of awareness (and funds!) for Daniel's needs! Cindy

[Al]

Turkey was great. Crispy skin not greasy but juicy white meat. !5 lb bird cooked in under an hour.
AL.

[MtPockets]

Just to be sure you know, elisadasilva, is my wonderful daughter I have talking to all of you about. Lil Daniel and the family will be going to New Orleans Children's Hospital for his surgery on Friday, October 12th.

Please again, remember Lil Daniel in your prayers and of course my daughter Elisa. :)

You can read a lot more details about this in my blog, by clicking on the blog entries 1 under my rainbow over there on the left.

God Bless
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

My grandson went through the surgery and did really well on Friday morning. After the surgery he had a problem with vomiting for awhile, but they were able to control it and sent him home this morning.

My daughter just left my house with him and he is real active and seems to be handling the pain well. I'm sure she will post updates on her web page for those wanting to follow Lil Daniel's progress.

I just want to thank everyone for your prayer and support during this time in our family. It's one thing to know I'm dying but quite another to think I might lose a grandson. Scary to say the least.

Please continue to pray for our family as there are still many needs associated with Lil Daniel's situation.

God Bless
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

Just wanted to share an after surgery picture with you. This was taken about 30 minutes ago.

God Bless
Capt AL

[liz]

Ooooh, I just wanna give those cheeks a big SMOOCH!

[Frizzel]

Liz! Our family uses that phrase as well for 'kisses'. That little guy looks like he's going to be alright. THanks for sharing your families progress with us Captain. Give him a smooch on those little cheeks from us, too....:)

[CindyM]

What a sweetie! He looks like he is taking everything in stride, too. CIndy

[MtPockets]

Thanks so much everyone. He is a blessing to us. I am about to go update my blog to give the link where you can view before and after pictures including an MRI to show what he faced during the surgery. Just click on the blog by my name.

God Bless
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

Do you need propping up?? I know I do. LORD, PROP US UP

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon, who always prayed,

Lord, prop us up on our leanin’ side.’

After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, ‘Well sir, you see, it’s like this....I got an old barn out back. It’s been there a long time, it’s withstood a lot of weather, it’s gone through a lot of storms, and it’s stood for many years. It’s still Standing, but one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn’t fall.

Then I got to thinking ‘bout that and how much I was like that old barn. I been around a long time, I’ve withstood a lot of life’s storms, I’ve Withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I’ve withstood a lot of hard times, And I’m still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, ‘cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning, at times.’

Sometime we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that We shouldn’t, so we need to pray,
‘Lord, prop us up on our leaning side,’ so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.
:):):)
God Bless
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

Quote from Ben Stein (God?)
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary
"Here with a few confessions from my beating heart:
I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife. Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.
I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW".
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards . honestly and respectfully.
Ben Stein"
He said it all for me
God Bless
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

I just wanted to share an experience I had a number of years ago.

I have found out the hard way that I am allergic to many drugs, especially pain medicines. Just a short list of the ones I have had reactions to are: morphine, deladid, stadol, duragesic, oxycontin, and codine. I also am allergic to some generic drugs, but not the name brands? Go figure?

The first time I found out I was allergic to anything, I was in the hospital and had just come out of surgery and they had given me some morphine for the pain. I began to feel weird, dizzy, and my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. Then my heart just stopped. They called a code on me and started CPR. After being jump started a few times and them giving me some medicine to counter act the morphine, my heart started back again.

During the time my heart was not beating, I felt absolutely no pain, no fear, time seemed to stand still. It seemed to last 30 minutes, but later I was told it was only a few minutes. There was a PEACE and an indescribable LOVE, like I have never known could possibly exist that was all over me.

I could see my wife and all the doctors working on me, but I felt none of it. My wife was at the head of the bed laying her hand on my head and crying out in prayer. She was saying AL you can not leave me alone to raise 4 children. When this happened our children were still small. She began to quote scripture, cry, and command me to come back to her. I remember her saying over and over, "Don't you leave me alone, AL Marble, I can not raise these children by myself."

THEN I HEARD THE VOICE. I COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS AUDIBLE OR JUST UNSIDE MY MIND. DO YOU WANT TO STAY OR GO HOME? WHAT? I HAD A CHOICE?

I listened to my wife's prayers and saw her tears and my heart was torn between the peace and love I felt at that moment and the future needs of my family without me. To me it was an easy choice. I said I wanted to go back. I knew that one day at a later time I would make this journey again, but for now my family needed me.

Immediately after saying I want to go back, I felt the sting of the shocks and the pain, of the pounding on my chest, I heard all the noise and confusion of everyone talking at one time. I was back in my body.

I heard the heart monitor beeping my heart rhythm. I felt pain everywhere it seemed. I was having seizers for a time and finally settled down. I was moved to intensive care for a few days.

Now maybe you can better understand why I have a peace about dying and the whole process. I've already had sort of a dress rehearsal I guess you could say.

I pray that somehow my experience can help build up your faith and bring you a measure of comfort for what lies ahead for us all. Also, I cannot stress enough the possible seriousness of a drug allergic reaction.

Have a great weekend.

God Bless
Capt AL

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/Animations/crossheart.gif
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/ATT158224311.jpg

[Icanmanz]

Hi Al! Loved it, just beautiful, and yes I believe you. I knew there was something about you, but I just didn't know what it was. Thank you for sharing that beautiful NDE (is that it?) with us. I am a bieliever in our Almighty Father, and yes i truly believe there is a Heaven. When He calls me Home, I'll be ready and eager to go! God bless you! Enjoyed it!

Irma

[trustinggod]

Hi Al,

Your experience reminds of of a book I read three or four years ago by Don Piper called
"90 Minutes in Heaven". Have you heard of it? When I read it I remember thinking "if only this book could get into the hands of non-believers . . . now I see it's made it to the New York Times Best Seller List and I hear people saying they've seen the author on daytime talk shows talking about his experience. PRAISE GOD!!

What a gift it is that God gave you your experience and peek into whats to come before
you were diagnosed with ALS. I do understand when you say that you have a peace about dying. Although I am not in your situation I too have no fear of dying or of whats to come. I could not have said that five years ago but I have seen the Peace that comes from knowing that God is with you even in the darkest hour. I have felt His presence so keenly and been steadied by his protective arm of comfort and strength
when I didn't think I could do what I knew He was asking me to do in my years of helping Linda. I'll never really understand why I was the one at her head wiping her brow, giving her comfort meds, telling her we all loved her and that it was okay to stop fighting as she was living her last minutes on Earth. But God knew and prepared me in advance to trust Him with my lack of experience, fear and total feeling of helplessness.
I now have a clearer picture of the situation and can see that God knew Linda had been praying for someone to "help" her family be able to be with her at the time of her death. She knew them well and understood their limitations. She trusted God to provide exactly what was needed at exactly the right time.

The experience has given me so much more confidence in God. Two verses that have helped me the most and are always before me are;

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

But he said to me, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9.

I want to believe like Paul did when he said in his letter to the Phillippian's, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". I am not "there" yet. When I suffer I have a hard time accepting it and using it to advance the gospel. I continue to pray that God would help me become more courageous and focused on Him and, I am like Paul, confident that "he who began a good work in you (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus".

[MtPockets]

Amen, and Amen.
I'm am nothing special. All glory goes to the Father for the things He has done. He will see us all to the end if we will only trust Him.
He never promised us that there would be no valleys, or storms in this life, but He did promise to be with us thru the storms of this life and I believe Him.
This is one of my favorite pictures. The promise of the rainbow in the midst of the storm.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/Christian/rainbowstorm.jpg

[Icanmanz]

nice pic al!


Irma

[sharona]

Hi AL,
The pic of the stairway to Heaven has been my screen saver for about 4 yrs. It will be 5yrs Jan 29 th that my son passed away with cancer.he was only 43. I was by my son's head tellling him to look for God's light & to go towards it, as I knew he would have peace because he trusted God's will. It was the hardest thing I have had to do But I knew that he would be with God & his Nonnie(grandma) & his grandpa ,who he loved so very much. I miss him everyday but I know he isn't suffering anymore. I too am not afraid of dying.God Bless everyone & I will continue to pray for a cure for all .
Sharon

[Icanmanz]

Sharon, you and I we have a lot in common, and like you my son taught me a lot of good and courage before he passed. He is my rock, and I will never forget him. May God bless you. May your sweet son rest in peace.

Irma

[cyberhart]

BETH MOORE AT THE AIRPORT
For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters. This is one of her experiences: April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville, waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego. I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man. I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport...an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him. Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man. I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. "Oh, no, God, please, no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!" There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane." Then I heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair." The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man." Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair." I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?" God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?" "May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that." At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?" At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to." Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush." "I have one in my bag," he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?" He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride." Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft. I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?" I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!" And we got to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on, but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need! I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way..all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me. John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting, "Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!"
God Bless You, and Amen!
Big AL

you have inspired me im guna be more aware of gods promptings and like obey no matter wat.. bless ya. see you there or in the air

[trustinggod]

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our live through.
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe.
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
But God hath promised strength for the day.
Rest for the laborer, light for the way.
Grace for the trials, help from above.
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
(Author unknown)

[trustinggod]

To my Forum friends,

I've been going through some old paperwork that has been
cluttering up my desk and came across a file I labeled "hope builders" from my days of helping my friend who had ALS.

Before I file it away I thought I'd share a few with all of you.

God Bless,
Jeanne

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors He weaveth
steadily,
at times he weaveth sorrow
and I in foolish pride forget he see the
upper,
and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent and shuttles cease
to fly,
shall God unroll the canvas and explain the
reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the
weaver's skillful hand,
as the treads of gold and silver in the
pattern he has planned.
(author unknown)

[trustinggod]

I'm trying hard to see the beauty,
in each moment of this life.

Sometimes it seems I'm overwhelmed,
by worries and with strife.

But I know there is a purpose,
For the trials in life we bare.

And even when the dark clouds roll
In my heart...I know God's there.

It's hard some days to get beyond,
Some hardships I've been through.

It seems the walls are caving in,
And there's nothing I can do.

I struggle and I try to change,
The outcome on my own.

Until I finally realize,
I'm never all alone.

I only need to seek God's face,
Just go to Him and pray.

If I just put my trust in Him,
Then he will guide my way.

That's when the clouds are lifted,
And my soul can rise above...

No doubts and fears can ever pale,
The beauty of God's love.

By: Melissa Rivers

[MtPockets]

Thank you everyone for your comments on this thread. They are such a blessing to me.

To those that read, but might be afraid to make a public comment, please do. We need more people on this thread who will stand with us in our last days to encourage us and help us make this journey.

We are not alone I know it. Please show it, not just for me, but for all the others that read this but fear to make a comment. :)

May God Richly bless you,
Capt AL

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/Christian/Angels.gif

[MtPockets]

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

[MtPockets]

This is a post I made some time ago that I feel others might identify with here on this thread.

Fact verses fiction:

THOUGHT: Sure I'm dying but everything is fine, wonderful, just great how about you. Ever feel like asking someone that? Don't answer.

I know how you feel. We all go through this. Some get mad at the world, God, friends, family , everybody and just make themselves a pain in the butt basically. You get to chose how YOU will react.

I usually try to put on my "I'm ok your ok face" when around others. I try as much as possible considering all that may be happening to have a positive approach and outlook to live every day to it's fullest. And it's amazing how many people believe I'm doing great, when inside I'm ????. It changes all the time. Some days I do not know from one minute to the next how I'm dealing with this, it's overwhelming.

I do that mostly to help my loved ones, to be a source of hope for others, yet like tonight I can't sleep because of pain, spasms, and having a pity party, but no one came to the party.

Well maybe God. I think he understands when I get in these moods, swings, bad times, and just have to let it out and vent. I laid in bed crying for awhile, but could not sleep so got online instead.

But somewhere deep in my heart I know God loves me and you, and this will work out, I will make it through with God's help and strength. After it is all over I will be with him forever, no pain, no fears, no mood swings, no spasms, no pills, finally complete PEACE, believe me it will be worth it all, to finally see my lost loved ones and walk in the presence of Jesus Christ.

That is my rock that I hold onto, to get thru the lows, and to make me truly believe I WILL BE ALRIGHT THIS DAY. Not tomorrow, next week, next month, just this day.

I can only live ONE DAY at a time and make the absolute most of that day to help myself and others. There is no second trip around. This is it folks.

Do you have anything to use as your rock? Your strength? To get you through this.

Have you given thought to how God fits into your life? Now might be a very good time. You have some time left to consider it, before it's too late. Please, I'm serious, God really does love you and He said if anyone comes to me I will in no way cast them out. I respect your choice, but remember you will live with it forever.

I feel your pain, may God Bless and keep you.
AL

[MtPockets]

Do you have questions for Christians to answer or help you to look at this from a Christian viewpoint?

Please this is not meant to be a place of arguing about God, but of openly sharing our beliefs and faith with others in a time of desperate need. Many times on other threads people have been offended when spiritual issues are talked about. Perhaps here we can discuss them openly without arguing, PLEASE.

I hope that all Christians will feel free to share with others here about how you are dealing with this disease with faith and the word of God.

God Bless

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/Animations/crossheart.gif
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/ATT158224311.jpg

[vmd]

Redemptive suffering, a concept that we Catholics are very familiar with.

[Icanmanz]

Nice thread there, Al! I am praying to God you will get some good reponses. I am sure you will. Intersesting thread, and I am waiting!

Yes, I do believe in our Father. I believe in Him, because He had given me peace and comfort. Have a good day, Al. Thanks, and God bless!

Irma

[vmd]

Thank you for starting this thread. People can either take advantage of your offer or not without anger. I am striving to be a better Catholic during this season of Lent. My situation is very difficult and I need God's help because I am seemingly getting worse and I need to continue to provide for my family. Your prayers will help greatly!

[Al]

Hi Al.I moved your thread down here for 2 reasons. First it will probably be PALS looking for enlightenment not the odd person just looking for information in the General Discussion section. Second 1500 people have read your other thread and know where to find it. Makes sense to me to keep things of the same topic in the same forum. Hope you don't mind.
AL.

[MtPockets]

Thanks AL good idea. :-D

I was not sure where to put it for the most effect.
I hope all is well with you.

God Bless
Caapt AL

[Al]

I'll keep an eye out here and maybe make it a sticky if we need to. I'm not bad. Hands and arms getting weaker. Legs too. Fell last week going from walker into w/chair. Don't think I broke anything. Foot and ankle sore and colored real nice but able to put weight on it so It'll mend eventually. Going to start Lithium in March when I get back to clinic. That's about all going on here except my office carpet is about half soaked. Rained so much here yesterday got up today and water had come in wall somewhere. Have to wait til son in law comes home later to suck it up. Fun wow.
AL.

[MtPockets]

Thanks for the good positive comments and encouragement, Irma, AL, Cindy, and VMD.

Sounds like the old days with our Lawn Mowers, :-D:-D:-D:-D WHEEEEEEEE what fun that was, rolling over and over and over. Oh well.

Awe how time flies. Spend most of it waiting on someone else to do what we use to always do ourselves, and then wonder to myself, "Why are they doing it that way"?
Why if I were doing it...................... Oh shut up and be thankful that it is getting done, self. :):)

Left hand going fast, swallowing getting harder. Same o same o.

??Didn't your little Icon use to pump more water? It must be sick too.

God Bless
Capt AL

[MtPockets]

Update on my condition and why I have been absent.

My Doctor put me on Hospice care about a month ago now. That is one reason I have not been on the forum much. The pain levels in my legs had gotten too high for me to be able to get any sleep.

Now they have me on the pain patches and liquid Lortabs to control the pain. So at least I can now get some sleep at night.

The hospice people have been great to help me get things and organize things to where they work much better, I now have a wheel in shower chair for baths, new pressure stockings for the swelling in my legs, and they have given me much needed information on products for the handicapped and caregivers.

If you are even considering their help ask your Doctor to recommend them.

God Bless
Capt AL

[Icanmanz]

Al, I was wondering what happened to you! I am glad they put you on Hospice, (pst,pst--a miracle would have been better). Yeah Al, you beat me, I was fixing to ask these folks about you when I saw your post. Keep up the good work, you are doing great sharing your beliefs and knowledge. God bless!

Irma

[Frizzel]

I was just praying this evening for different folks I had met on the forum and you came to mind. Thought I'd check in for a minute. Life is getting harder and brighter. Kind of like a cluster of diamonds. May the Lord reflect in us, the hope we have from the inside out.

I've been traveling some with my husband. Finding ways to keep the spasms and cramps eased up some so I can at least stay mobile most of the time. I've started to have fascilations and weakness after 9 years with the PLS.

Set up an air temperpedic bed in our old van so I can lay down not having to sit up the whole trip. Use a heated back and seat vibrator which also helps with traveling. Finding other ways to enjoy life. It was the turtle to won the race wasn't it? hee hee. I move like turtle. Hey, I also take time to appreciate the journey. Right?

Hope your ears were burnin! All the best! Keep the faith my friend.:-D

Frizz

[MtPockets]

A new idea someone shared with me that helps get my mind off of my problems.
I keep a chart where each day at the end of the day I write down one thing that blessed me that day, or that made my day a little brighter. Hang it or put it someplace where you can see it often, like maybe on the refrigerator.

Example:

This morning I wheeled out on the back porch to watch my dog run around the yard. As I sat there the sun began to rise over the clouds and many birds were coming to my bird feeders. Then one bird landed in a tree near me and Begin to sing the most beautiful song. It was so loud and pure and beautiful. I felt like that bird had been sent just to sing to me and cheer me up for the day ahead.

At the end of the day you and your spouse, friend, whoever, can compare each others experiences, and see what was a special moment during that day. After about a week of doing this you will find yourself looking for the special things of God all around you every day, that we have grown to take for granted. It makes me appreciate the beauty around me and forget the ugliness of the world and ALS.

Try it and let us know if it helps. :-D
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/ALsmokey.jpg

[Frizzel]

I'll take this to the support group I go to. You continue to teach us.
Thank you.

[MtPockets]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t172/ShakeyMarble/DecoratedHelmet.gif
Update on the tuff guy.
He is doing really well. Trying to sit up now and doing most things normal for a baby his age.
Thanks so much for your prayers and concern.

[Al]

Newest (14 months) granddaughter walked across room to me yesterday. Cute as heck. Now that's a reason to want to hang on as long as possible.
AL.