Coincidence?? I think not.

   The coolest thing happened to me yesterday. Well actually it was weird then, but looking back it was awesome! Let me tell you my story.

   About two o'clock yesterday I got the idea to text a friend to see what she had been up to. Apparently, I had forgotten that my friend changed her phone number. However, God remembered. So my conversation started off like this. . .

Me: Hey _____, how are you?
Other Party: Uh, who is this?
Me: It's Dana, who is this?

Up until this point I am thinking that my friend knows who I am, but is messing with me because I haven't talked with her in a while. Wow, I was so clueless.

Other Party: My name is Carla.
Me: Hi Carla, I am sorry. I must have the wrong number. My friend used to have this number and I am guessing  she got a new one. Sorry if I bothered you.
Carla: It's no problem. I will talk to you if you want me too.

At this time, I'm still a little skeptical about what is going on, but I figure I will roll with it and see what happens.

Me: Ok sure, what do you want to talk about?
Carla: Don't know, what about you? What do you want to talk about?

I tried to start off basic with questions like where do you live and do you have any children? She answered my questions and then asked some like did I have and kids and how old I was. Not sure what it was, well yes I do know who it was that made me ask the next question. But I am so glad that I did.

Me: Do you go to Church anywhere?
Carla: Yes, a church in __________, Oklahoma.
Me: That's great.
Carla: Do you go to church? and if so, where?
Me: Yes I do. I go to a church here in town called Beyond Church. You can check it out online at            Beyondchurch.org. 
Carla: I will do that. Sounds neat.
Me: We really like it.
Carla: What religion is this church?

Ok. This question my new friend asked me kind of caught me off guard. I was thinking, how do I explain my church without someone automatically forming an unjust opinion. (Kinda funny looking back, cause at this point I didn't know what she believed. Or what "religion" she was.) So I begin to tell her about our church and our awesome pastors, all the while explaining to her that we considered ourselves more of a "word church" because we are taught more of the Bible than actual religion. (It was a very in depth conversation with her asking very personal questions, and me giving personal answers back.) Come to find out, she attended a church very similar to ours.

Carla: I go to a nondenominational church also.

Those words were just an adrenaline rush to my spirit. The conversation was on. Not only was I able to be led into witnessing to her over a text, but I was used to invite her to our church. I know you can't tell a person's emotions over a text message. But I am believing that she left our conversation just as pumped and stirred as I was. My new friend Carla has told me that she really wants to come visit our church sometime. I am going to hold her to that.

I am so glad that Carla was on the other end of my text yesterday. And even more so that I obeyed!!
Thank you Lord for using me!

*I didn't share all of the content of our conversation to protect Carla's privacy.

I am healed!

  This week has been a challenge for our family. All of us have been "under the weather" to some degree. However, in the midst of junk, I am so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness. Even when I didn't feel like singing, the Lord placed a song in my heart. All week , and still now, I can't help but hum or sing it.

I am the God that healeth thee
I am the Lord your Healer
I sent My Word
and I healed your disease
I am the Lord your Healer

You are the God
That healeth me
You are the Lord my Healer
You sent Your Word
and You healed my disease
You are the Lord my Healer

                               

                             Artist - Don Moen 

  I love the lyrics "I sent My Word and I healed your disease". It doesn't say that He will heal, no it says I HEALED. That means He HAS HEALED  me already. I am so glad that God loves me enough that He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross. Not only that I would be saved, but that I am healed and can live a life of health. Hallelujah!!