Miracle at Asbury

WARNING: For obvious reasons, today’s edition has spiritual content. Move on down if you are only here for the jokes.

IT’S HAPPENING NOW

In case you haven’t heard, there’s an ongoing miracle at the Asbury University in Kentucky right this very minute. Thousands are rededicating their lives to God. Just do a search for Asbury Revival 2023 and you’ll see a whole lot of articles not covered by the main stream media. You should go if you are near the area. If not, there are other revivals sprouting out in other churches. Even if you are a doubter, go and check it out for yourself. When the Holy Spirit moves, no power on earth can stop it.

I asked my ol’ missionary buddy Ed about revivals. And he shared what happened to him some 40 years ago. Ed witnessed a revival first-hand. Along with thousands of other believers, he wept in his seat shamed by his arrogance and he spoke and encouraged the crowd on the 2nd day. Here is what he remembered.

1979 REVIVAL IN CANADA

In the fall of 1979, there was a spiritual tsunami at the Prayer Bible Institute in Three Hills Alberta, Canada. He said it started at 10 am.The speaker was supposed to deliver a prepared message but instead was moved to come clean with his shortcomings. A friend of his joined him on stage and they broke down hugging each other realizing how prideful they were. Pretty soon, others came on stage and they too humbled themselves and repented for their failures. Even after the prayer time was over, they all knew there was a magnificent force moving the events of the day and classes were postponed to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work. This lasted for 5 days. There was no leader … no one orchestrating the movement — there was just prayers and heavenly worship coming from broken human vessels deep in remorse.

Ed said revivals are for believers — for believers to reignite the flickering light — and they tend to be geographical. During the1904 revival in the shipping region of Wales, England, boatloads of people would come from all over to experience the phenomenon. Some were experiencing the movement even on board their ship. People had no clue what was going on but they knew it was good and powerful. One thing too about revivals (according to Ed): they don’t last long. Like sea waves, it peters out … but the effects can last for the rest of peoples’ lives. The revival changed the course of Ed’s life.

MY TAKE-AWAY

In our crazy world full of illogical and unbelievable political and social events it is comforting to know that the “Spirit” is moving to remind us of what is real, what is important and who is really in charge. He moves without permission, without hesitation and without favoritism. Like the wind, we cannot see the Holy Spirit but we know He is there. We can feel His presence and are brought down on our knees at His awesome power. Praise God for whom all blessings flow.

Revival — what a beautiful thing! TGIF people!

Raoul

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.’ — Acts 2: 1-4

Quotes of the Week

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Ed of Makati, Philippines

Videos of the Week

Thanks to Noel of Quezon City, Philippines who shared this TED video explaining why some people live longer than others.

The Mercy Me band singing: “I can only imagine.“
Have you ever wondered what it would be like when you’re face to face with Almighty God? Will you be able to stand? Able to even speak? Will you sing Hallelujiah? I can only imagine.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA.

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

I found these

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Miraculous Predictions appeared first on Traveling Archive.

A Parking Spot

[This article is a little religious so skip to the jokes if it makes you nervous please.]

There’s a joke about a woman looking for a parking spot during the frenzy of a Christmas Shopping. It’s so crowded that she makes a desperate deal with God: “I promise to give up my bad habits, forgive all my enemies and start going to church if you grant me a teenie weenie space.” Suddenly a spot opens and she looks up and says “Oh, never mind God, I found one!”

Many of us experience a miracle and we never even know it.

I don’t want to harp on my recent illness but it would be a crime if I didn’t thank you for your prayers. They truly helped in my most painful moments. For those who don’t know the history of my remark, I’ll try to explain as concisely as I can.

Almost 2 months ago my blood pressure (BP) went up and, because of the pandemic, I had to meet my doctor via zoom. My regular doctor was unavailable so a temporary doctor stepped in. She looked like she was still in intern school and I had little confidence on her prognosis. This “Doogie Howser” gave me 4 times my regular dosage of my BP medication. I reluctantly followed her advice. In a few hours, I got all weird inside — naueseuos, weak, muscle aches, exhaustion, chills — it was as if well-mannered Dr. Jekyll was convulsing into the sinister Mr. Hyde. Sure my BP went down but oooh! my body turned into a useless shell. I was literally thinking “is this where it ends?” My wife rushed me to the Urgent Care and then the Emergency Room. I was in pain but at least I wasn’t gonna die.

I scheduled a second zoom meeting with my regular doctor and I complained that I was too weak to even turn over in bed without difficulty. I would wake up with frozen fingers difficult to bend. I couldn’t work. A few minutes on the computer and I needed to rest. The doctor feared that I developed fibromyalgia and I would have muscular aches for the rest of my life. I researched on how to cope with the disease only to find there is no cure. I would never play the guitar again, I would never sing again … my squiggly writing told me I would never draw again. I blamed that young doctor who triggered my failing nervous system.

(I do have to mention that I could barely walk when I went to Dr. Wendy, a skilled chirpractor, who put my aching bones in place and allowed blood to flow correctly. She was amazing.)

Here’s the twist. What I thought was the Kiss of Death from the overdose turned out to be a blessing from God. Doogie Howser gave me a Matrix choice — the BLUE pill (weeks of nausea) or the RED pill (a heart attack or stroke and open heart surgery) — and I took the BLUE pill. I only now understood why they gave me an EKG and a brain scan. They were looking for a blockage. I should have had a heart attack.

My daughter (a nurse) said after living with abnormal hypertension all my life, my body was just adjusting to “normal.” I’ve waited patiently for almost 2 months since the start of my demise and today I went to my cardiologist for my cardio echo test (no results yet but I feel good about it). I believe I’m back! BP is OK and no more muscular pain. A miracle touched my tired body. God gave me a parking spot.

We have an amazing God who listens and answers prayers … YOUR prayers. I mean it guys, thank you.

TGIF people!
Raoul

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre for this timely gag.

Video of the Week

Thanks to Mel of Washington, DC who shared this video.
Somehow, working and slaving for retirement for
that Ferrari doesn’t cut it.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA

The post A Perfect Zero appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Recorded Miracle

I pondered about what to share this Friday before Christmas. I wanted it to be special. So, how about a miracle? Do you want to literally hear one?

Duane Miller was a pastor in Texas. He lost his voice after a bout with a virus that attacked his vocal chords. It took a lot of effort for him to speak and his raspy voice caused him to lose his leadership position in church. They say he went to 63 medical specialists but the sad prognosis was that he would no longer be able to speak in a normal voice again.

One Sunday, (over 3 years after he lost his voice) the regular Sunday school teacher was unavailable and Miller was asked to step in. The church fitted him with a microphone to help pick up his squeaky voice. He was to teach on Psalm 103 (about God’s forgiveness of sin and miracles). And then it happened — in front of 200 people, a miracle was recorded for all to hear.

CLICK HERE to listen to Miller’s voice before and after the miracle. Listen to him in mid-speech wonder what was happening and the crowd applauding in the background.

Isn’t it wonderful that our loving God is still in the business of granting miracles? There is no formula. There is no guarantee. There is only God who gifts our needs. In all miracles, the glory goes to God alone.

It’s the season of joy and miracles. This Christmas, there’s no harm in praying for the gift you’ve always wanted. I’m sure God already knows what it is. I believe He will grant you what you need … not according to your standards but His. He knows you better than you know yourself. And that’s a very good thing.

Be safe, be healthy, and remember: A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. TGIF people!

Raoul

“My soul, praise the Lord
and never forget how kind he is!
He forgives all our sins
and heals all our sicknesses.
He saves us from the grave,
and he gives us love and compassion.”
— Psalm 103: 2 – 5

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA  for sharing this joke.

Video: Another Kind of YMCA

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Video: Tom Cruise Impersonator

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA

Video: Mixing Fun and Exercise

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Don’s Puns

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC who sent this pun

Parting Shots

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA
Sensitive:

Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C.
Funny:

Thanks to Sang of North Dakota
Funny:

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
Funny:

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

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