I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Eight years ago today, on July 23, 2007, my cell phone rang in Gloucester. It was Bernie who called with the horrifying news that he was in the intensive care unit, hospitalized in New York City. He said, "I love you, "as she shared that the doctor had just told him that he would not survive the night. His extensive traveling schedule had caused blood clots to form, moving from his leg to his lungs and six “giant” pulmonary embolisms threatened to take his life. BUT GOD !
When I received the news, there was a moment of fear, which was quickly replaced by anger that the enemy was going to try to take Bernie out, followed by a fierce determination that God would have the last word.
Bern's pulse ox was under 60, he was on pure oxygen and still unable to get his breath. Over 60% of the tissue in his lungs was damaged. Even though the doctor's prognosis was, "No hope," we prayed. God gave us a promise from Psalm 118:17. Despite the fact that they told Bernie that he would die, God said, “You will not die, you will live, and declare my glory to the nations."
The most critical clinical finding was that Bernie's right side systolic pressure (It should have been 30) was tremendously elevated. A right side systolic of 50 is critical. Sixty is fatal, At that pressure cardiac tissue fails and the heart explodes. Bernie’s right side systolic pressure was not 65 or 70, it was 86, 26 points past fatal but God, in His faithfulness, raised him up out of that hospital bed. I am still SO GRATEFUL for all of you that joined us in prayer as we watched God do the MIRACLE!
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When he left the hospital, on oxygen, in a wheelchair, the doctors reminded us that we would now face a total lifestyle change. Because of the damages to his lungs and heart he would never be able to travel extensively or fly in an airplane again.
The doctor reminded us, “If he boards a plane, when the aircraft reaches altitude, his heart will burst. Not only that, he reminded us that we really did not have much time. In 80% of the cases, life expectancy following a right side systolic pressure over 60 is less than three years. But God. |
We went home believing God. Within six weeks diagnostic tests began to confirm that God was doing a miracle and on September 6, 2007 Bernie flew to Cuba on his first mission trip after the embolisms. Our God is AWESOME!
I am not sure what report you have been given, not sure what you have been told, not sure what THEY said.
To be honest, I'm not sure what you're facing today, but I DO know that you do not have to face it alone. Right now Bernie is in Africa and the team he is working with has seen over 20,000 decisions for Christ this week. We travel almost 100,000 miles together each year. God is still not done with us.
God is faithful and His promise is true. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Not just 8 years ago, but over and over and over, God has been so LOVING-and so FAITHFUL! And we are so GRATEFUL! Whose report will you believe? We will believe the report of the Lord. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
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