Epistles from the Hand of Jonathan

Monday, August 2, 2004 began as a typical Monday for me. I was up early that morning and actually ahead of schedule. My name is Jonathan Alligood. As I write this in August 2004, I serve at Latter Rain Ministry (now called Crown & Glory Bible Center) in Wadesboro, NC as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, private school teacher, and praise team guitarist. For the past few weeks one of my pastors, Pastor Carla Rodenberger, and I had been going to Polkton, NC to minister to those who had an ear to hear. Typically, I had been arriving at Pastor Carla’s house in Peachland a little after 10:00 AM. I can remember thinking that morning as I was driving from my house in Lilesville, NC that I would make it well before 10 o'clock. Little did I know that I had an appointment to minister at 9:45 AM at the Brown Creek Bridge.

Interestingly, as I was going around a curve on Highway 74 in Wadesboro, I almost ran into a bumper that was in the middle of the right lane. I had to slam on brakes. There had just been a car accident involving a single vehicle. That car and a police car were just ahead. I had to slam on brakes because there was traffic in the left lane. As I stopped, I looked in the rearview mirror and saw a tractor-trailer truck coming up on me. Fortunately, he was able to get over in the left lane. This little incident was a sign of things to come.

I continued down the road. It was a little rainy that day. The road was slightly wet at the time, but conditions seemed to be fine. For some reason as I continued to drive I began praying in the Spirit—it may have been due to concerns for the body of believers that I serve or perhaps it was on account of what would occur ahead. As I came over the hill before you come to Brown Creek, I saw a white car, also traveling west, move from the eastbound lane through the grassy median and into a steel guardrail at the Brown Creek Bridge. I did not see the car when it first went out of control—only when it was traveling through the grass. It apparently went out of control in the westbound lane and for a short time went to the edge of the eastbound lane. The car came to an abrupt stop. It appeared as if the brakes were not applied as it careened into the guardrail. The rail just latched onto the car because of how the front left side of the car hit into the end of the rail. Although, the accident was extreme for the woman in the car, there were others that morning that may have been spared. Another witness told me how she pulled over to the side of the road to avoid a possible head on collision as she saw the car coming over into the eastbound lane.

As I pulled up to the scene, I pulled over into the median and without thinking I went to the wrecked car. At the time, it did not really register in my mind what an extreme circumstance this was for the accident victim. To stop in such an abrupt manner has dire consequences to the human body, especially the brain. Frankly, this is not something people typically survive. Perhaps my mind was clouded to the seriousness to shield me from any kind of panic. My mindset was very calm. The man who had been driving right behind the accident victim, stopped first. I believe he opened the door, where he soon found an unconscious woman sitting there with her head slumped to the right shoulder, breathing heavily and quickly, and bleeding from the right side of her head.

I came up and observed the situation right after him. I spoke to the man that she would be all right. Perhaps that was just from my optimistic nature, but I believe it was of God. As Christians, we must walk by faith, not by sight. To have a relationship with Christ means that I am made to sit in heavenly places. I must seek to have a heavenly view of things. Things are realized spiritually before they are realized in the natural. It just seems in hindsight that I had a peace that no matter how bad things appeared, she would be fine. The man may have been bothered by what he had seen or just in a hurry to get to work—he told me he had to go. The way he left made me grieve for his soul. I prayed for that man some time later that he come to know true life through Jesus Christ.

The woman was in her car seat with both front airbags released. She was in the seat with her head slumped over and resting on her right shoulder. She was breathing very heavy and quickly. Blood was coming from the right side of her head. I could not see the extent of her head injuries looking in from the driver’s side of the car. The other side of the car was bashed in.

It really did not register with me that her skull had been crushed. During this time a woman who had been going in the eastbound lane was there calling 911. I had been praying in my car before the accident, and I began to pray as I stooped there beside the hurt woman. I held her left hand in my left hand and put my right hand on her left shoulder. It was a new experience for me to pray with someone whose life was in this kind of jeopardy. It is hard to remember exactly what I prayed, but it was on the lines of her being kept and delivered from any harm that had come her way. In hindsight, I wonder if maybe I should have prayed with more boldness. But the Spirit took over. I started praying in the Spirit and in just a short time, a paramedic who had been driving by stopped and came up to me.

The paramedic immediately surveyed the situation to see what he could do while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The woman was breathing very heavy as we were with her. She seemed to be unconscious, but just in case she could hear, I tried to speak peace and assurance in the name of Jesus to her. A couple of minutes later she began to raise her head. The paramedic instructed her to be still and I tried to continue to reassure her and encourage her to be still.

Soon, another emergency worker that happened to be driving by stopped. Once she came on the scene, I let go of the woman’s hand and backed away from the car to give the paramedics room to work. I commend these people who took time out of their lives to help someone in need. Thank you Jesus for sending them. I can still remember seeing blood all over the woman paramedic's hands when it was all over. It was soon after that the ambulance arrived. As I backed off from the car, I was led to pray aloud, to proclaim the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ. That he was in control. I can not remember exactly what was said, I just know that I had a strong unction to proclaim the name of Jesus over the whole situation for all to hear. I remember hearing the woman witness say “Amen.” As Christians we are called to take dominion of life’s circumstances. This whole situation was new to me, but I just tried to do what Jesus called me to do. There is no doubt in my mind of the power of laying on hands and praying for those in need. I have a burden for those in need of healing, and it is common for me to pray over them in church and wherever else I may have an encounter. Jesus said that we would lay hands on the sick and see them recover. The power of God is incredible, but it lays dormant in the lives of Christians who have swept it under their rug of disbelief and religiosity. There are times that we have to “just do it.” Do it in the midst of those who do not believe and in any kind of circumstance. We have to go beyond our own feelings of inadequacy or fear. God works through his people.

It took a few minutes to get the woman onto the stretcher and into the ambulance. The paramedics had to be very careful to restrain her head and neck. As they put the woman into the ambulance, I saw her move her arms. I moved in closer to see if there was any movement in her feet. I was reassured when I thought I saw her toes moving. A patrolman showed up about that time and he had the woman witness and me to write out witness reports of what we saw. I learned from the officer that the hurt woman's name was Pamela Hart. From there, I went on to Pastor Carla’s house.

When I arrived there, I just sat down on the Rodenberger’s recliner without saying much. I was stirred up in the Spirit. It was some time before I opened up and started talking about it. Pastor Carla was there, along with a member of our church Dianne Martin. There were actually a lot things going on spiritually that day. The Rodenberger’s were dealing with a case of the shingles in their 6-year-old daughter Deanna. There were situations with our Latter Rain Ministry church members. Pastor Carla called us three to pray. We prayed for Pam Hart, Deanna and for other situations at hand. The Spirit was heavy in that room. We prayed for Diane. And in those prayers, the Spirit came on like a flood and before long Diane was laid out on the couch. God was moving and I felt comfort that he was moving on behalf of Pam Hart. I spoke to Pastor Carla that I felt Jesus was keeping Pam for a purpose. And for the record, Deanna had a quick recovery from the shingles, although there were some days of intense pain for her.

Later that day of the accident I kept thinking about Pam Hart. I called the Wadesboro hospital and found that she had been moved to the Carolina’s Medical Center. I learned that one of my church members had worked on her in his capacity as an anesthesiologist at the Anson Hospital. Later I learned that my other pastor, Pastor Don Rodenberger, had driven by the accident after others had already stopped and he had prayed. He had no idea I was there. On Tuesday I called CMC to find out what I could. All they could say was that she was in critical condition. It was still reassuring to know that she was alive.

Later on that Tuesday I received a call from Eleanor Roper, one of Pam Hart’s sisters. It was so great to hear from her. She found my phone number on the patrolman’s report. Eleanor told me of how Pam sustained head injuries, even partial brain exposure. She had been airlifted by helicopter from the Anson County Hospital in Wadesboro to the Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte. She was on the 5th floor of CMC in the trauma unit. When I learned exactly what the situation was, it really hit me of how profound it was that I came to be involved in the situation in light of my own similar experiences with a near deadly head injury.

The next day I was able to meet Pam Hart’s family. I can remember wondering if I could find them and how they would be handling the situation. This was a heavy situation and a new one for me. Well when I got to the fifth floor of CMC and entered a waiting room, I asked a woman if she knew of Pam Hart. This turned out to be one of Pam’s sisters. Immediately, I was greeted with hugs and made to feel as though I was part of the family. The family showed great faith. I know those were some difficult times for them to deal with. The family was eager to hear of what I witnessed the day of the accident and we were able to have prayer together. It was such a blessing to be able to spend the time that I have with Pam's family. The unity and love that they exhibited was very uplifting. Keeping in mind my own experiences, I knew that this was not a chance encounter. I can remember spending time alone with Carroll, Pam’s husband, after praying with the rest of the family that Wednesday. I felt even better about Pam’s situation when Carroll began praising the Lord. We praised Jesus and prayed together. His love for Pam was so evident and his compassionate heart was apparent. To be able to rejoice in the Lord in the face of adversity is powerful. Later I was able to lay hands and pray for Pam one more time in the trauma unit. I was struck by the strength I could see in Pam. She moved her legs about as I prayed. There was a strong will to get up and going. It was evident, however, that she was in critical shape. She had a respirator and God knows what other kinds of equipment hooked up to her. She was not a pretty sight at that time. As I will expound on later, this visit to the trauma unit was also a return for me to a place where my very life was saved in 1999.

The next day, Thursday, my pastors were able to visit with Pam and her family. It just so happened that one of my fellow church members, Debbie Orr, was having surgery on that very same fifth floor of CMC. So my pastors were there on that Thursday to be with Debbie. Ironically, she is the wife of the anesthesiologist that worked on Pam Hart at the Anson County Hospital. I was so pleased to hear that Pastors Don and Carla were able to lay hands on Pam and pray. There have been many miraculous recoveries wielded by God through my pastors, and I just know it was another divine appointment for them to have the opportunity to pray with Pam and her family. It is just so profound the covering that Pam has received by a cloud of witnesses from the very beginning of her accident. I know so many have poured their hearts out to God on behalf of Pam.

Since that time, Pam has undergone miraculous recovery. I am thankful for Jesus that he is answering so many prayers, and I know he has answered mine for Pam. Anyone who is interested can see the miraculous progress she is making by checking out the website
www.caringbridge.com/nc/pamchurchhart
(there is a link at the top of this page)
It is just so uplifting to read of her restoration and to see all the support that she is receiving. The above website will give you a better picture of what she has gone through since that first week than anything I could write. I have not personally seen Pam since laying hands on her in that trauma unit in Carolina's Medical Center. In light of my memory of her condition on that day, I have been blessed by phone calls from her mother Cornelia telling me of her continual progress and by reading the caringbridge website. Pam's recovery is nothing short of a miracle.

Incredibly, I myself survived a similar situation in similar manner as Pam at the very same hospital. On October 2, 1999 around 11 PM, I sustained a massive head injury to the back of my skull. I was in attendance at a wedding party that proceeded the wedding reception of two of my dear friends, Clay and LeAnn. That night I decided I would kill a fifth of gin. Before the night was over, I almost did, and it almost killed me. You see, I went outside at some point, and somehow fell backwards on a slab of concrete. My skull was cracked (some say that they actually heard it), and I was bleeding from the ears and skull. If you know much about head injuries, you probably know that bleeding from the ears is not a good sign for life thereafter.

At that time, I did not have a relationship with Jesus. He was drawing on me at that point in my life, but I really did not want the commitment. God had intentions for me though. At the time of my near fatal fall on the concrete, I was outside by myself. I have no memory of it, but I feel that due to evidence on my shoes that I had went outside because I was feeling sick. Incredibly, a motion sensor turned a light on where I fell. Some women who were on the deck at the country club spotted me. I was fortunate that there were some paramedics at the party. They knew what to do as they waited for an ambulance. That sounds similar to Pam’s experience. God used so many along the way to keep me. I heard much later of all those who did what they could to help. Those willing to get blood all over them, just like the ones who stopped to help Pam. The elevation of my head gave me some extra time. Just like Pam, I was taken to the hospital in Wadesboro and then airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center. During all this, there were so many that were praying for me. The word went out that night. I know there were many who went sleepless that night.

I came to know a couple of weeks after the accident of how I nearly died on the helicopter. I ended up in the trauma unit like Pam Hart did. I praise God for Dr. Mark Redding who was on call that night around 12:30 AM or so. He just happens to be a leading neurosurgeon in the nation—an innovator in new techniques of surgery. (http://www.carolinaneurosurgery.com/physicians/redding.html) A nurse at the hospital told my parents that I was blessed to have the surgeon that I did. Of course I also praise the staff at Carolinas Medical Center. God used them all. They immediately drilled four holes in my skull to relieve the blood pressure on my brain that was about to kill me. They cut a rectangular piece of skull out and mended the blood vessels that were severed. After stopping the bleeding, there was only to return the piece of skull. It was put back using titanium strips to hold it in place.

The surgeon told my parents that he had no idea what mental state I would have when I came to that morning. I can still remember doctors being around me as I became conscious. They were truly compassionate and hopeful that I would have my mental capacity. Miraculously, I woke up that morning just wanting to get up. I soon fussed about the respirator down my throat. I was choking. I signaled for a piece of paper on which I wrote something on the order of “Get this stupid thing out of my throat now!” I still remember my sister Martha trying to talk in a comforting way, and I responded by pitching a fit. Everyone was glad to see me come around. I can remember being glad to find out that the accident only involved me, and that I did not cause anyone to die due to my drunkeness. At the same time I was bothered because I knew that I had ruined my friends' wedding night. Clay and LeAnn were right there along with my family when I awoke. That meant a lot to me. There were things that took months to heal, such as ringing in my ears, but for the most part, I was spared the ordeal that Pam has had to go through in her recovery. My mom worried for some time that I would be cranky for the rest of my life, but I have even overcome that, except late at night. In about 2 1/2 weeks, I went back to work. I was scheduled to go to the rehab center, but I called them and told them it would not be necessary. During the next couple of years after the accident, I did suffer two grand mal seizures that stemmed from my head injuries . Jesus has since cured me of that as well.

God kept me that day of my head injury. I am blessed. And now I have come to know true life in Jesus Christ. I could go into more of my testimony, because it took a couple more years to accept the Lord. I had other close encounters with death (near drowning and seizures). The thing is, I was kept. God has purpose. I am now completely healed and Jesus is conforming me to who he created me to be. Pam is being kept and restored. She and her husband Carroll have great purpose ahead together in Christ. God has great purpose in that whole family. God is real. We can question why such things happen, but it only reveals that we need to come to know and understand our Creator Jesus Christ. Does he want us to go through such devastating circumstances? I do not think so. But in those circumstances he will bring about his purposes. We go through afflictions and tribulations in this temporary world. The Apostle Paul is a great study of one who never lost sight of his redeemer in the midst of all adversity. As a mature Christian, he looked at life’s circumstances from a spiritual view. He knew that no matter what he was going through, his footsteps were ordered of the Lord. We are commanded to walk in the spirit. That is to be in step with God. To be led by him—to worship him in spirit and in truth. The following passages come to mind that the Apostle Paul wrote.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
(Romans 8:16 through Romans 8:19)

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
(2 Corinthians 4:6 through 2 Corinthians 4:18)

I refuse to be angered at my God. As one matures spiritually, you get past all those questions of "Why Lord? Why did this happen to such a good person? Why is this happening to me? ..." Since I have come to know him I have pursued him with vigor. He has faithfully revealed, healed, and used me in so many circumstances. He is all I need. I now have such peace and comfort knowing that my footsteps are ordered of the Lord. So now when I go through the shadows of death, I know there is purpose. On that day after the accident, I told Pastor Carla that Pam Hart was being kept for a purpose. At that time I had no idea of who Pam was, but God did. I believed then that she was being kept, and it is only more evident now as I hear of how her recovery is confounding the doctors. God is all about confounding the wisdom of man. At the time of the accident it just seemed that the words of the Lord came to me, "I still have purpose in this child of mine."

You know God has called us to stand in the gap for those in need. He is ever interceding through those who choose to be useful vessels for his glory. I did not mention this before, but I had a work friend named Tony that also survived head trauma at Carolina’s Medical Center. He suffered a brain aneurysm. This happened shortly after I had been saved spiritually by Jesus in December 2001. Earlier that year I had two different friends die of head injuries due to car wrecks. When I accepted Jesus, I came to realize that he had kept me, and that most people do not live through the type of injuries that I had. Before crying out to God, I can remember being emotionally torn up by the death of one of those friends in December 2001. He was in a coma for a week due to a car accident. At work when I heard of his wreck, his coma, and his prognosis I just broke down and wept uncontrollably. Many could not understand why I would be so deeply affected. This man, Robbie was his name, had offered me a ride home the night that I busted my skull. The morning of my accident, he was one of the first at the hospital. I know that he felt sort of bad that he had not insisted on taking me home that night, but I assured him later that he should not feel any guilt. Robbie died from head injuries similar to mine. Now a few days after this I came to cry out to Jesus and accepted him as Lord at age 35.

Soon after that my friend Tony, almost died from an aneurysm. I can remember praying hard for his recovery. I can remember calling him at the hospital and finding out that he could not walk. My prayers became fervent after that. Some weeks later he surprised me when he came walking into the office where we both worked. I know that I surprised him by the exuberance I showed in seeing him at that point. I had prayed so hard for him to be able to walk. I hated to see someone else go down with a head injury. He has since recovered. I know that the Lord kept him, and I pray that he comes to have a close relationship with the one who saved him.

I continue to pray for Pam Hart and know that she is in the Lord’s hands. Jesus has great intentions for her and for each of us. I thank him so dearly for keeping all of us. Whether we acknowledge him or not it is only by Jesus that we live, move, and have our being (see Acts 17:28). Some of us have near death experiences to remind us of how we are blessed to have life, but the fact is that we only live by his mercy and grace. It should not take an encounter with death to get real with Jesus. Our purpose in our unredeemed life is to come to know Jesus—to come to have an intimate relationship with him in spirit and in truth. Then our purpose is his purpose. If I had died that night from my drunken fall, I would never have known my creator. I would have eternally been separated from God, which is the true meaning of death. My heart goes out to the walking dead, those who have no idea of the supernatural power of God. He is supernatural, which means you will never know him through your natural intellect. I personally thank him for pulling me out of the clutches of hell and saving me. I can never repay him, but hopefully I can bring joy to Jesus by being a humble, useful vessel for his glory.

God wants to use each of us. We experience as much of him as we allow in our lives. It is an honor to be used by God. He has delivered me from much and so much is expected. In just 2 ½ years my spiritual understanding has been greatly expanded. But along with that revelation, I seek to be used by God in a demonstration of his power. We truly have a powerful God, but we never experience or demonstrate that power until we step beyond our flesh and our preconceived notions of who Jesus is. He is not about our religion and routine. We have to get real with Jesus. God is a spirit. True worshippers will worship him in spirit and in truth. Lord I love you and thank you for acting on behalf of Pam Hart. Thank you for responding to all the prayers that have been poured out by people all over on behalf of Pam. I ask that you continue to use her, bless her, and reveal yourself to her in ways that she has never known. I pray that you be lifted up Jesus. That glory is given to you. That others come to know you in an intimate way through all this. Help us to see in the midst of adversity in this temporary world the opportunities to manifest your power and to bring honor to you Jesus. Thank you Lord Jesus!

	Opportunities to Manifest the Works of God Everyday Christians walk this earth. Everyday opportunities are before us. Everyday we have a choice. Are we to be vessels to be used by Jesus, or do we walk our own way? We have been called to take dominion of this earth, and by the word of God, there will be a day when his church is a powerful representation of him. Recently I was a witness to a serious car accident in which a woman received what seemed at the time to be a deathblow to the head. The following is a stream of consciousness testimony about that accident and the manifestation of the power of God. The accident occurred on August 2, 2004, and this piece was written a couple of weeks after that. Halfway through this written piece, I describe my own very incredible survival with a head injury that occurred October 2, 1999. It is amazing that five years later I would be walking with Jesus and find myself at the scene of this car accident.		Epistles from the Hand of Jonathan My Lord and my God! Jesus IS Lord!
	Witness to an Accident		*Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:3)*
	Walking Miracle!!! Pam, 3 months after accident see updates on Pam see article about accident click here for easy print text Monday, August 2, 2004 began as a typical Monday for me. I was up early that morning and actually ahead of schedule. My name is Jonathan Alligood. As I write this in August 2004, I serve at Latter Rain Ministry (now called Crown & Glory Bible Center) in Wadesboro, NC as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, private school teacher, and praise team guitarist. For the past few weeks one of my pastors, Pastor Carla Rodenberger, and I had been going to Polkton, NC to minister to those who had an ear to hear. Typically, I had been arriving at Pastor Carla’s house in Peachland a little after 10:00 AM. I can remember thinking that morning as I was driving from my house in Lilesville, NC that I would make it well before 10 o'clock. Little did I know that I had an appointment to minister at 9:45 AM at the Brown Creek Bridge. Interestingly, as I was going around a curve on Highway 74 in Wadesboro, I almost ran into a bumper that was in the middle of the right lane. I had to slam on brakes. There had just been a car accident involving a single vehicle. That car and a police car were just ahead. I had to slam on brakes because there was traffic in the left lane. As I stopped, I looked in the rearview mirror and saw a tractor-trailer truck coming up on me. Fortunately, he was able to get over in the left lane. This little incident was a sign of things to come. I continued down the road. It was a little rainy that day. The road was slightly wet at the time, but conditions seemed to be fine. For some reason as I continued to drive I began praying in the Spirit—it may have been due to concerns for the body of believers that I serve or perhaps it was on account of what would occur ahead. As I came over the hill before you come to Brown Creek, I saw a white car, also traveling west, move from the eastbound lane through the grassy median and into a steel guardrail at the Brown Creek Bridge. I did not see the car when it first went out of control—only when it was traveling through the grass. It apparently went out of control in the westbound lane and for a short time went to the edge of the eastbound lane. The car came to an abrupt stop. It appeared as if the brakes were not applied as it careened into the guardrail. The rail just latched onto the car because of how the front left side of the car hit into the end of the rail. Although, the accident was extreme for the woman in the car, there were others that morning that may have been spared. Another witness told me how she pulled over to the side of the road to avoid a possible head on collision as she saw the car coming over into the eastbound lane. As I pulled up to the scene, I pulled over into the median and without thinking I went to the wrecked car. At the time, it did not really register in my mind what an extreme circumstance this was for the accident victim. To stop in such an abrupt manner has dire consequences to the human body, especially the brain. Frankly, this is not something people typically survive. Perhaps my mind was clouded to the seriousness to shield me from any kind of panic. My mindset was very calm. The man who had been driving right behind the accident victim, stopped first. I believe he opened the door, where he soon found an unconscious woman sitting there with her head slumped to the right shoulder, breathing heavily and quickly, and bleeding from the right side of her head. I came up and observed the situation right after him. I spoke to the man that she would be all right. Perhaps that was just from my optimistic nature, but I believe it was of God. As Christians, we must walk by faith, not by sight. To have a relationship with Christ means that I am made to sit in heavenly places. I must seek to have a heavenly view of things. Things are realized spiritually before they are realized in the natural. It just seems in hindsight that I had a peace that no matter how bad things appeared, she would be fine. The man may have been bothered by what he had seen or just in a hurry to get to work—he told me he had to go. The way he left made me grieve for his soul. I prayed for that man some time later that he come to know true life through Jesus Christ. The woman was in her car seat with both front airbags released. She was in the seat with her head slumped over and resting on her right shoulder. She was breathing very heavy and quickly. Blood was coming from the right side of her head. I could not see the extent of her head injuries looking in from the driver’s side of the car. The other side of the car was bashed in. It really did not register with me that her skull had been crushed. During this time a woman who had been going in the eastbound lane was there calling 911. I had been praying in my car before the accident, and I began to pray as I stooped there beside the hurt woman. I held her left hand in my left hand and put my right hand on her left shoulder. It was a new experience for me to pray with someone whose life was in this kind of jeopardy. It is hard to remember exactly what I prayed, but it was on the lines of her being kept and delivered from any harm that had come her way. In hindsight, I wonder if maybe I should have prayed with more boldness. But the Spirit took over. I started praying in the Spirit and in just a short time, a paramedic who had been driving by stopped and came up to me. The paramedic immediately surveyed the situation to see what he could do while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The woman was breathing very heavy as we were with her. She seemed to be unconscious, but just in case she could hear, I tried to speak peace and assurance in the name of Jesus to her. A couple of minutes later she began to raise her head. The paramedic instructed her to be still and I tried to continue to reassure her and encourage her to be still. Soon, another emergency worker that happened to be driving by stopped. Once she came on the scene, I let go of the woman’s hand and backed away from the car to give the paramedics room to work. I commend these people who took time out of their lives to help someone in need. Thank you Jesus for sending them. I can still remember seeing blood all over the woman paramedic's hands when it was all over. It was soon after that the ambulance arrived. As I backed off from the car, I was led to pray aloud, to proclaim the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ. That he was in control. I can not remember exactly what was said, I just know that I had a strong unction to proclaim the name of Jesus over the whole situation for all to hear. I remember hearing the woman witness say “Amen.” As Christians we are called to take dominion of life’s circumstances. This whole situation was new to me, but I just tried to do what Jesus called me to do. There is no doubt in my mind of the power of laying on hands and praying for those in need. I have a burden for those in need of healing, and it is common for me to pray over them in church and wherever else I may have an encounter. Jesus said that we would lay hands on the sick and see them recover. The power of God is incredible, but it lays dormant in the lives of Christians who have swept it under their rug of disbelief and religiosity. There are times that we have to “just do it.” Do it in the midst of those who do not believe and in any kind of circumstance. We have to go beyond our own feelings of inadequacy or fear. God works through his people. It took a few minutes to get the woman onto the stretcher and into the ambulance. The paramedics had to be very careful to restrain her head and neck. As they put the woman into the ambulance, I saw her move her arms. I moved in closer to see if there was any movement in her feet. I was reassured when I thought I saw her toes moving. A patrolman showed up about that time and he had the woman witness and me to write out witness reports of what we saw. I learned from the officer that the hurt woman's name was Pamela Hart. From there, I went on to Pastor Carla’s house. When I arrived there, I just sat down on the Rodenberger’s recliner without saying much. I was stirred up in the Spirit. It was some time before I opened up and started talking about it. Pastor Carla was there, along with a member of our church Dianne Martin. There were actually a lot things going on spiritually that day. The Rodenberger’s were dealing with a case of the shingles in their 6-year-old daughter Deanna. There were situations with our Latter Rain Ministry church members. Pastor Carla called us three to pray. We prayed for Pam Hart, Deanna and for other situations at hand. The Spirit was heavy in that room. We prayed for Diane. And in those prayers, the Spirit came on like a flood and before long Diane was laid out on the couch. God was moving and I felt comfort that he was moving on behalf of Pam Hart. I spoke to Pastor Carla that I felt Jesus was keeping Pam for a purpose. And for the record, Deanna had a quick recovery from the shingles, although there were some days of intense pain for her. Later that day of the accident I kept thinking about Pam Hart. I called the Wadesboro hospital and found that she had been moved to the Carolina’s Medical Center. I learned that one of my church members had worked on her in his capacity as an anesthesiologist at the Anson Hospital. Later I learned that my other pastor, Pastor Don Rodenberger, had driven by the accident after others had already stopped and he had prayed. He had no idea I was there. On Tuesday I called CMC to find out what I could. All they could say was that she was in critical condition. It was still reassuring to know that she was alive. Later on that Tuesday I received a call from Eleanor Roper, one of Pam Hart’s sisters. It was so great to hear from her. She found my phone number on the patrolman’s report. Eleanor told me of how Pam sustained head injuries, even partial brain exposure. She had been airlifted by helicopter from the Anson County Hospital in Wadesboro to the Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte. She was on the 5th floor of CMC in the trauma unit. When I learned exactly what the situation was, it really hit me of how profound it was that I came to be involved in the situation in light of my own similar experiences with a near deadly head injury. The next day I was able to meet Pam Hart’s family. I can remember wondering if I could find them and how they would be handling the situation. This was a heavy situation and a new one for me. Well when I got to the fifth floor of CMC and entered a waiting room, I asked a woman if she knew of Pam Hart. This turned out to be one of Pam’s sisters. Immediately, I was greeted with hugs and made to feel as though I was part of the family. The family showed great faith. I know those were some difficult times for them to deal with. The family was eager to hear of what I witnessed the day of the accident and we were able to have prayer together. It was such a blessing to be able to spend the time that I have with Pam's family. The unity and love that they exhibited was very uplifting. Keeping in mind my own experiences, I knew that this was not a chance encounter. I can remember spending time alone with Carroll, Pam’s husband, after praying with the rest of the family that Wednesday. I felt even better about Pam’s situation when Carroll began praising the Lord. We praised Jesus and prayed together. His love for Pam was so evident and his compassionate heart was apparent. To be able to rejoice in the Lord in the face of adversity is powerful. Later I was able to lay hands and pray for Pam one more time in the trauma unit. I was struck by the strength I could see in Pam. She moved her legs about as I prayed. There was a strong will to get up and going. It was evident, however, that she was in critical shape. She had a respirator and God knows what other kinds of equipment hooked up to her. She was not a pretty sight at that time. As I will expound on later, this visit to the trauma unit was also a return for me to a place where my very life was saved in 1999. The next day, Thursday, my pastors were able to visit with Pam and her family. It just so happened that one of my fellow church members, Debbie Orr, was having surgery on that very same fifth floor of CMC. So my pastors were there on that Thursday to be with Debbie. Ironically, she is the wife of the anesthesiologist that worked on Pam Hart at the Anson County Hospital. I was so pleased to hear that Pastors Don and Carla were able to lay hands on Pam and pray. There have been many miraculous recoveries wielded by God through my pastors, and I just know it was another divine appointment for them to have the opportunity to pray with Pam and her family. It is just so profound the covering that Pam has received by a cloud of witnesses from the very beginning of her accident. I know so many have poured their hearts out to God on behalf of Pam. Since that time, Pam has undergone miraculous recovery. I am thankful for Jesus that he is answering so many prayers, and I know he has answered mine for Pam. Anyone who is interested can see the miraculous progress she is making by checking out the website www.caringbridge.com/nc/pamchurchhart (there is a link at the top of this page) It is just so uplifting to read of her restoration and to see all the support that she is receiving. The above website will give you a better picture of what she has gone through since that first week than anything I could write. I have not personally seen Pam since laying hands on her in that trauma unit in Carolina's Medical Center. In light of my memory of her condition on that day, I have been blessed by phone calls from her mother Cornelia telling me of her continual progress and by reading the caringbridge website. Pam's recovery is nothing short of a miracle. Incredibly, I myself survived a similar situation in similar manner as Pam at the very same hospital. On October 2, 1999 around 11 PM, I sustained a massive head injury to the back of my skull. I was in attendance at a wedding party that proceeded the wedding reception of two of my dear friends, Clay and LeAnn. That night I decided I would kill a fifth of gin. Before the night was over, I almost did, and it almost killed me. You see, I went outside at some point, and somehow fell backwards on a slab of concrete. My skull was cracked (some say that they actually heard it), and I was bleeding from the ears and skull. If you know much about head injuries, you probably know that bleeding from the ears is not a good sign for life thereafter. At that time, I did not have a relationship with Jesus. He was drawing on me at that point in my life, but I really did not want the commitment. God had intentions for me though. At the time of my near fatal fall on the concrete, I was outside by myself. I have no memory of it, but I feel that due to evidence on my shoes that I had went outside because I was feeling sick. Incredibly, a motion sensor turned a light on where I fell. Some women who were on the deck at the country club spotted me. I was fortunate that there were some paramedics at the party. They knew what to do as they waited for an ambulance. That sounds similar to Pam’s experience. God used so many along the way to keep me. I heard much later of all those who did what they could to help. Those willing to get blood all over them, just like the ones who stopped to help Pam. The elevation of my head gave me some extra time. Just like Pam, I was taken to the hospital in Wadesboro and then airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center. During all this, there were so many that were praying for me. The word went out that night. I know there were many who went sleepless that night. I came to know a couple of weeks after the accident of how I nearly died on the helicopter. I ended up in the trauma unit like Pam Hart did. I praise God for Dr. Mark Redding who was on call that night around 12:30 AM or so. He just happens to be a leading neurosurgeon in the nation—an innovator in new techniques of surgery. (http://www.carolinaneurosurgery.com/physicians/redding.html) A nurse at the hospital told my parents that I was blessed to have the surgeon that I did. Of course I also praise the staff at Carolinas Medical Center. God used them all. They immediately drilled four holes in my skull to relieve the blood pressure on my brain that was about to kill me. They cut a rectangular piece of skull out and mended the blood vessels that were severed. After stopping the bleeding, there was only to return the piece of skull. It was put back using titanium strips to hold it in place. The surgeon told my parents that he had no idea what mental state I would have when I came to that morning. I can still remember doctors being around me as I became conscious. They were truly compassionate and hopeful that I would have my mental capacity. Miraculously, I woke up that morning just wanting to get up. I soon fussed about the respirator down my throat. I was choking. I signaled for a piece of paper on which I wrote something on the order of “Get this stupid thing out of my throat now!” I still remember my sister Martha trying to talk in a comforting way, and I responded by pitching a fit. Everyone was glad to see me come around. I can remember being glad to find out that the accident only involved me, and that I did not cause anyone to die due to my drunkeness. At the same time I was bothered because I knew that I had ruined my friends' wedding night. Clay and LeAnn were right there along with my family when I awoke. That meant a lot to me. There were things that took months to heal, such as ringing in my ears, but for the most part, I was spared the ordeal that Pam has had to go through in her recovery. My mom worried for some time that I would be cranky for the rest of my life, but I have even overcome that, except late at night. In about 2 1/2 weeks, I went back to work. I was scheduled to go to the rehab center, but I called them and told them it would not be necessary. During the next couple of years after the accident, I did suffer two grand mal seizures that stemmed from my head injuries . Jesus has since cured me of that as well. God kept me that day of my head injury. I am blessed. And now I have come to know true life in Jesus Christ. I could go into more of my testimony, because it took a couple more years to accept the Lord. I had other close encounters with death (near drowning and seizures). The thing is, I was kept. God has purpose. I am now completely healed and Jesus is conforming me to who he created me to be. Pam is being kept and restored. She and her husband Carroll have great purpose ahead together in Christ. God has great purpose in that whole family. God is real. We can question why such things happen, but it only reveals that we need to come to know and understand our Creator Jesus Christ. Does he want us to go through such devastating circumstances? I do not think so. But in those circumstances he will bring about his purposes. We go through afflictions and tribulations in this temporary world. The Apostle Paul is a great study of one who never lost sight of his redeemer in the midst of all adversity. As a mature Christian, he looked at life’s circumstances from a spiritual view. He knew that no matter what he was going through, his footsteps were ordered of the Lord. We are commanded to walk in the spirit. That is to be in step with God. To be led by him—to worship him in spirit and in truth. The following passages come to mind that the Apostle Paul wrote. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:16 through Romans 8:19) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:6 through 2 Corinthians 4:18) I refuse to be angered at my God. As one matures spiritually, you get past all those questions of "Why Lord? Why did this happen to such a good person? Why is this happening to me? ..." Since I have come to know him I have pursued him with vigor. He has faithfully revealed, healed, and used me in so many circumstances. He is all I need. I now have such peace and comfort knowing that my footsteps are ordered of the Lord. So now when I go through the shadows of death, I know there is purpose. On that day after the accident, I told Pastor Carla that Pam Hart was being kept for a purpose. At that time I had no idea of who Pam was, but God did. I believed then that she was being kept, and it is only more evident now as I hear of how her recovery is confounding the doctors. God is all about confounding the wisdom of man. At the time of the accident it just seemed that the words of the Lord came to me, "I still have purpose in this child of mine." You know God has called us to stand in the gap for those in need. He is ever interceding through those who choose to be useful vessels for his glory. I did not mention this before, but I had a work friend named Tony that also survived head trauma at Carolina’s Medical Center. He suffered a brain aneurysm. This happened shortly after I had been saved spiritually by Jesus in December 2001. Earlier that year I had two different friends die of head injuries due to car wrecks. When I accepted Jesus, I came to realize that he had kept me, and that most people do not live through the type of injuries that I had. Before crying out to God, I can remember being emotionally torn up by the death of one of those friends in December 2001. He was in a coma for a week due to a car accident. At work when I heard of his wreck, his coma, and his prognosis I just broke down and wept uncontrollably. Many could not understand why I would be so deeply affected. This man, Robbie was his name, had offered me a ride home the night that I busted my skull. The morning of my accident, he was one of the first at the hospital. I know that he felt sort of bad that he had not insisted on taking me home that night, but I assured him later that he should not feel any guilt. Robbie died from head injuries similar to mine. Now a few days after this I came to cry out to Jesus and accepted him as Lord at age 35. Soon after that my friend Tony, almost died from an aneurysm. I can remember praying hard for his recovery. I can remember calling him at the hospital and finding out that he could not walk. My prayers became fervent after that. Some weeks later he surprised me when he came walking into the office where we both worked. I know that I surprised him by the exuberance I showed in seeing him at that point. I had prayed so hard for him to be able to walk. I hated to see someone else go down with a head injury. He has since recovered. I know that the Lord kept him, and I pray that he comes to have a close relationship with the one who saved him. I continue to pray for Pam Hart and know that she is in the Lord’s hands. Jesus has great intentions for her and for each of us. I thank him so dearly for keeping all of us. Whether we acknowledge him or not it is only by Jesus that we live, move, and have our being (see Acts 17:28). Some of us have near death experiences to remind us of how we are blessed to have life, but the fact is that we only live by his mercy and grace. It should not take an encounter with death to get real with Jesus. Our purpose in our unredeemed life is to come to know Jesus—to come to have an intimate relationship with him in spirit and in truth. Then our purpose is his purpose. If I had died that night from my drunken fall, I would never have known my creator. I would have eternally been separated from God, which is the true meaning of death. My heart goes out to the walking dead, those who have no idea of the supernatural power of God. He is supernatural, which means you will never know him through your natural intellect. I personally thank him for pulling me out of the clutches of hell and saving me. I can never repay him, but hopefully I can bring joy to Jesus by being a humble, useful vessel for his glory. God wants to use each of us. We experience as much of him as we allow in our lives. It is an honor to be used by God. He has delivered me from much and so much is expected. In just 2 ½ years my spiritual understanding has been greatly expanded. But along with that revelation, I seek to be used by God in a demonstration of his power. We truly have a powerful God, but we never experience or demonstrate that power until we step beyond our flesh and our preconceived notions of who Jesus is. He is not about our religion and routine. We have to get real with Jesus. God is a spirit. True worshippers will worship him in spirit and in truth. Lord I love you and thank you for acting on behalf of Pam Hart. Thank you for responding to all the prayers that have been poured out by people all over on behalf of Pam. I ask that you continue to use her, bless her, and reveal yourself to her in ways that she has never known. I pray that you be lifted up Jesus. That glory is given to you. That others come to know you in an intimate way through all this. Help us to see in the midst of adversity in this temporary world the opportunities to manifest your power and to bring honor to you Jesus. Thank you Lord Jesus! click here for easy print text		More Epistles Precious Spirit In the Zone! New Covenant Circumcision Letter to the Lost (Bob) What Price Will You Pay? Comments or Questions *about the author ...* And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel 2:28-29)
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