Art 4 God Moment

Let's see...My near-death experience? In 2005, I was hit with pancreatitis. Doctors believed that it was from a botched gall blader surgery. I was put into the hospital to run tests. In the middle of running tests ,turned blue. There was an emergency surgery. I was told that I was going to have a 50-50 shot of surviving. I woke up in ICU with 18 tubes and wires sticking out, including the ventilator and a line for a future feeding tube. This happen in June 2005 causing my family to cut a vacation short because of my problems. Here is where God pops in....

While on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN, right before my world caved in, I had visited the artist community.I went into a shop called Art4God. It's run by a man who paints Jesus in modern situations.I picked up a few small prints, including one of Jesus as a boxer. While in ICU and on the vent, I had written a note to my wife to bring me that picture from home..

After a week or so in ICU, I was moved to a regular room. The doctors told me that recovery would take around six months in the hospital and the rehab unit. That meant that I might be home by Chrismas/New Years'.

About two nights after I was moved from ICU to a regular room. The lights were off, room was as dark as could be. That picture was on the shelf by the television. I had a CD that I was listening to U2's "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own". That song includes the line "let me take some of the punches for you tonight."

When the song came on, it was as if a spotlight hit that picture. The light stayed on the picture the ENTIRE time that the song was playing, and then vanished, It was dark in my room once more.

Two days later, six months became three months. A few days after that, three months became three weeks.

I had my emergency surgery around June 9, 2005 and was back home by July 3. My road to recovery was long including home health nurses, feeding tube for 3 or so months, 15 or so surgeries and more to go, I never worried after that experience. I knew that God had his hand in the deal--thanks to my U2 Art4 God moment--I knew that God wasn't going to heal me just halfway.

I've been surgery-free this whole year. Last year I had three of them suckers! So this is my story.

I love my little story, especially when I'm in discussions with non-believers.

"So how do you know God is real?"

"Saw Him"

Discussions don't go too much further...LOL.....

Written by: Mel LeCompte...His personal testimony of his road to recovery to become also a published author...

Mel is the author of "Sharpened Iron" soon to hit the shelves. It is a story that uses a football game to bring a town together. He has also authored a book for children.

Check him out sharpenediron@gmail.com

CLOSET CHRISTIAN

When we think of a closet, we think of what is INSIDE of it. It usually has allot of things that we don't use anymore, or what we think we may eventually use again.

The New Webster's Dictionary definies it as, a recess built into a room and shut off with a door, or a small room for storing things.

This story has been weighing on my heart for awhile now. It is not supernatural, but it is the truth that I have not wanted to write concerned that some may be offended. With the signs of the times approaching so fast these days, we as Christians need to take and stand and start VOICING our concerns in these troubling times.

I am sometimes in awe of how church going people will hide their christianity from the world and take it out for others to see ONLY when it is a convenient thing for them to do. I am one who likes to clean out and give away items that are not being used often. My wardrobe is very basic. In my closet you will find mostly t-shirts and a couple of pair of jeans on one side. In the middle hanging you will find some work basic clothes. To the right is all of my dressy clothes. I am not a shoe fanatic, but I do have more than one pair, mostly black or brown, casual or dressy. ONE closet is enough.

My grandmother would say "I may not have all that I want, but I do have all that I need". As I get older I am understanding more and more of why she had shared this with me. Another saying was, "If you have God and a good name, then that is all you need to get what you need." I have tested out this theory and she was right.

In these days I have run across many people who used to be devout church attending members who are not going to any church now. Most of the reasons given are because they have been offended in some way. These are people who I thought would never STOP going to church, but more people are doing this these days.

We are supposed to WALK the walk and not just TALK the talk. Someone once told me many years ago that they had been accused of using CHRISTIANITY conveniently only when it would benefit them. It dug deep into my spirit, because it did have some truth to it. I have known some people like that.

Once you walk out of your home, is it like walking out of a closet and shutting the door and leaving all the junk behind? Are you a totally different person OUTSIDE for others to see? We may be hiding our issues from the world, but God SEES all. Are you following your faith, or are you just going through the motions of pretending to be a christian?

If our life inside of our homes does not line up with the will of God, then it is time to do some house cleaning. It is time to take the trash out of our lives and take a true stand as bible believing CHRISTIANS.

2 Corinthians 5:17...Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
(NIV Study Bible)

How much of your old world is still in your house? Which master do you represent? Don't be that closet christian...

Story written by Angel Writer
praisemusicpro@peoplepc.com