God often calls us to things that we don't expect, at a time that we don't expect.
Cindi Veenstra shares her experience of serving in the Philippines where she finds herself in an emergency situation with her premature unborn baby. The way God provided for her during this time is simply extraordinary! I was beyond moved when I heard this miracle of God's provision, and I am so happy to share it with you!
Throughout our talk, Cindi said some profound things that stood out to me:
"The will of God will not take you where the hand of God cannot keep you."
"There is no need to fear or overthink. Acknowledge God is there. He has the control when you put it in His hands."
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Cindi, thank you for sharing your personal story with us! I was so happy to meet you and Jason, and hear how God provided for your family in what felt like a hopeless situation. Just amazing!
Have you ever had a series of numbers keep showing up in your life and wondered why? According to many Biblical scholars, there are patterns in the Bible with numbers that bear a meaningful significance. Jan Teel-Nealis shares what these scripturally significant numbers mean to her as she navigated through a painful grieving process. After sharing these findings with friends, she documented the experience in her book, Grieving by the Numbers: Glimpses of Glory.
Jan Teel-Nealis was 9 years old when she met Del. He was the only man she had loved. They enjoyed almost 40 years of a happy marriage together, until he passed suddenly with his first and only heart attack. Jan suddenly found herself a widow.
In this episode Jan shares how she coped, and how she found happiness again. She offers practical ways to help process grief, and she shares how her faith was a huge part of her healing. She states,
"Grief is a process. No person goes through it the same. Its an individual journey with no right and wrong. Understand that God has so much more for your next chapter. Your best days could still be before you."
Jan is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and owner of two successful real estate companies in the beautiful Carolinas.
"Instead of mourning what you've lost, celebrate what you had, and believe for something so much greater than what your heart could've conceived. I encourage you, instead of only carrying the burden and weight of grief, grab hold of hope. Hold onto Him (God), because He is holding on to YOU." - Jan Teel-Nealis
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (NIV). Psalm 34:18
Lance Malone was 24 and loving his life in Atlanta when he was diagnosed with acute-on-chronic liver disease, which is associated with organ failure and high short-term mortality.
His liver disease progressed quickly, within just a few months. In his lowest moments, the Doctors informed him he was possibly down to his last hours. Lance poured his heart out to God, "Why?" Miraculously, God answered Lance, making him a promise... that He kept.
The miracle of the promise was just one piece of this story. While Lance experienced lots of bumps in his road to transplant and healing, there were pieces of his recovery that the nurses and doctors considered miraculous as well.
Lance is presently residing in Cleveland. He is the Founder and Visionary for Become Better Ministries, and the Manager of HIV Services at Care Alliance Health Center. He is also a Motivational speaker and Prophetic teacher.
"Have FAITH! Whether your situation is medical, or financial, you've got to trust God when you can't trace Him, and truly you will see that He WILL provide. Your circumstance is not too small for the Lord to intervene. He is still in the miracle making business, and yours is on the way!" -Lance Malone
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
It's a complete miracle that this beautiful young lady was once referred to hospice and given no hope, and is now the picture of health.
Alyona was only 22 and newly married when she was told she needed to consult with a gynecological oncologist for the mass in her abdomen. What followed those next few years was a journey she could not have imagined.
At her most critical point, she was down to just 80 pounds and suffering from stage 3B ovarian cancer and class IV heart failure, not a candidate for heart transplant. The physicians saw no other options and referred her to hospice.
Tune in and listen to her beautiful testimony of faith and healing! It's simply extraordinary!
"This world, and everything in it, comes and goes. The one constant is our God. Make your faith a priority and lean on Him." Alyona Goncharov
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 NIV
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Thank you Alyona, for sharing your personal testimony with me! I am blessed to have met you!
Something beautiful that has developed during her healing phase is her fine tea shop that she has built with her sister, Birch Fine Tea. "Birch" is an homage to their Ukrainian roots and is a symbol of new beginnings. https://www.birchfinetea.com/
Alisha Brooks shares her personal story of infidelity and divorce, and how she overcame heartache and found healing and joy once again. She stresses the power of surrendering to God in times where life feels hopeless and uncertain.
"God knows where you are. He knows your pain, and He is going to sustain you." - Alisha Brooks
Alisha is presently happily married to Jonathan, who has also experienced this trauma, and together they have a ministry and are able to counsel others as they begin the healing process and find hope again (see link below).
"All those who know your mercy, Lord, will count on you for help, for you have not forsaken those who trust in you. He does not ignore the prayers of men and women when they call on Him for help." - Psalm 9:10
Alisha and Jonathan Brooks' ministry:
https://www.divorcerecoveryspecialist.com/blog
Alisha's resource recommendations: What to Do When He Says, I Don't Love You Anymore, by David Clarke, PhD His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage, by Willard F. Jr. Harley The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, by Gary Chapman (this is also a seminar you can find on Netflix)
Ms. Char Howard shares her very personal story of traumatic events and loss that spiraled her into an addiction to food. At her lowest point she finds herself wheelchair-bound, oxygen dependent, on multiple medications, and defeated, when she calls out to God to take her life...or save it?
"True healing of the mind, body, and spirit only comes through Jesus Christ." - Charlya Howard
The vision God gave her in those moments was the catalyst for something miraculous.
Today, Char is FREE from her wheelchair and oxygen. She is FREE from her addiction. She is filled with peace, joy, and love for God. With a background in mental health nursing, she is passionate about serving others and helping them find healing. She is employed at the Healing Care Counseling Center as their Administrative Assistant and scheduler, and she is planning to pursue her Pastoral license. She visits Weight Watchers to inspire others, and credits them with some of her successful habits. However, she primarily teaches the Daniel Plan as it incorporates faith, and is where her heart lies.
Told by her physicians that she would never walk again, Char has now has walked a 5k, 10k, and will walk in her first 1/2 marathon in June. She shares that her MRI still reveals a major spinal cord injury, and she does still have days where she experiences pain, yet her faith helps her to sustain her through those times. Her medications have decreased from over 40 to 7! What an inspiration!
"They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed." - Matthew 14:36 NLT
Please see and LIKE our facebook page for lots of photos of Char's progress during her journey, and to see the beautiful artwork that is a replica of her vision (Everyday Miracles Podcast Facebook page) https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/?modal=admin_todo_tour).
Diana Prykhodko is the child of a woman who suffered with mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse. She sustained such severe physical and emotional abuse during her mother's episodes that she felt the only way to escape was to live on the snow-covered streets in Kiev, Ukraine.
Through unexpected encounters, she found hope, and finally, love and healing. Hear her beautiful story of survival and transformation!
"Forgiveness is not for that person who offended you. It’s actually for YOU, to set YOU free." - Diana Prykhodko
Diana's story is in the works to become a film called, Scars of an Orphan. Her story is one that must be shared. Each one of us carries the potential to change a life in an instant, with even the smallest of acts.
Thank you Diana, for sharing your personal journey with me! I am honored to hear it, and to meet you!
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Learn more about Father's House in Ukraine: www.o-dim.org
Upon being diagnosed with the swine flu, Ken quickly became gravely ill. He was placed in a medically-induced coma for weeks during his treatment, and he suffered multiple serious complications that could have easily taken his life.
At the most critical point of his hospitalization, his physicians reported that he only had a 5% chance of survival. His blood pressure dropped precipitously, his family prayed, and he experienced something extraordinary.
"God's message to me was, 'I love you more than you will ever, ever know, and I have you in my right hand.' It brings tears to your eyes, the feeling of overwhelming love." - Ken Johnson
Millions of people globally are reporting near death experiences. According to John Burke's book, "Imagine Heaven," 1 out of 25 Americans has had a near-death experience. Although scientists have proposed multiple physiologic explanations, these theories fail to fully explain the phenomenon.
How do we interpret these experiences, and more importantly, if they are truly visits to heaven, how does this change our current priorities and the choices we make each day?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Lindsay Hart was only 21 when she committed to an 18 month mission trip in the jungle of Bolivia.
She was excited and hopeful to share the light of Jesus Christ, and she quickly fell in love with the culture.
Months into the mission experience she encountered something that threatened her life, completely unexpected, and she found herself in some of her darkest moments.
Hear her testimony and how, in surrendering everything to God, that she not only overcame, but she found herself even stronger and more faith filled than ever before!
“God is aware of EACH one of us. He knows us so well, what we are capable of, how far we can be stretched. If we allow ourselves to stretch, to surrender, and go through really dark times, we can find how much lighter and brighter we are going to come out in the end.” - Lindsay Hart
Lindsay, thank you for sharing this experience! You are truly a beautiful person, inside and out, and I am honored to publish your story!
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
As a Nurse Anesthetist, I find it difficult to fully express the value of Hospital Chaplains. Many of my patients have received emotional and spiritual support during times of crisis, whether pre-surgery, traumatic events, or during their last moments of life.
Chaplains have also been valuable to comfort hospital employees and patient family members during emotional distress. They comfort a diverse population, all cultures and all faiths at their most vulnerable moments.
"Be open to the extraordinary. Don't get limited and distracted by Earthly activities."
-Chaplain David Carl, Senior Executive Director of Spiritual Care, Atrium Health
Chaplain David Carl has a Master of Divinity, and 45 years of experience! His background and his role is very unique, and I was honored to have a chance to spend an hour with him and capture some of his insight and his experiences. See below for what we discussed in our short time together:
Samantha August shares the story of her experience with a very rare syndrome that took her within days of death— on more than one occasion. She credits her survival to God, seeing Him move in her life in so many beautiful, and sometimes unexpected ways
Listen and hear about how her faith equipped her and sustained her for her trial.
"God has a purpose for your life. Look to Him. He will show himself to you in the most unexpected and beautiful ways." - Samantha August
Sam is now volunteering with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, and she also has plans to speak among several groups in hopes of promoting awareness of this rare syndrome. I love how she is using her trial to help and encourage others (like so many of my other guests)!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Denise Hammond was kicked in the head by her horse and thrown 40 feet one morning during her work on her farm. Shortly after, she received her CT results to find not only a severe concussion, but something much more serious, and completely unexpected. The journey that followed over the next 2 years was one of revelation, extensive surgery, complications, and rehabilitation, and an even stronger faith in a God who was with her every step of the way.
Listen and hear about how her faith equipped her and sustained her for her trial.
"It doesn't matter what your trial is, its significant to God. The key is to bring it to Him, allow Him to carry it. He allows it for a greater purpose." -Denise Hammond
Joshua 1:9 "Be Strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord is with you wherever you go."
We are often reminded to put our faith in God to find healing. On this episode we hear a testimony from Lynne Holcomb that highlights the necessity for faith in times of crisis. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer—one of the deadliest forms of an already lethal disease— Lynne has beaten what could have been a life sentence.
Through the constant reminder of God's grace from family, friends, members of her Church, and even strangers, Lynne has outlived her diagnosis and wants to use her experience to help others.
“Don’t give up. God doesn’t want you to give up.” - Lynne Holcomb
Lynne was in the shape of her life, working as a personal trainer and teaching kickboxing for 25 years when she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and given 3-6 months to live.
After receiving this life sentence, a nurse informed Lynne that faith could get her through the ordeal. Lynne recognized in this moment that the nurse was delivering God’s message of reassurance. In the three years since her diagnosis, Lynne has been reminded by her support system of God's ability to heal her. Additionally, she has had her own conversations with Him in which she has found great comfort. A clinical trial ended up not only stopping Lynne's cancer from spreading, it played a role in her healing.
Lynne beating stage 4 pancreatic cancer is a reminder that miracles do happen, and she is passionate about sharing her story to remind others of God's ability to heal. Indeed, her own journey was paved with reminders from others of His grace. Though a harrowing experience, Lynne's ordeal should be a story of hope to all who hear it. Even when all odds seem to be stacked against us, God has the power to help us. What must keep fighting, and continue to have faith.
At the time of her diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, Lynne Holcomb had been a personal trainer for 25 years.
Lynne's certifications include:
NASM CPT AFAA CPT Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor TRX certified An avid sports fan, Lynne sought the first medical advice (which would lead to her diagnosis) while at a sporting event. Since seeing amazing results from a clinical trial to fight the cancer, Lynne aims to inspire others to live life to the fullest. She also strives to highlight the importance of faith to get through life's challenges.
After a traumatic experience, you have to remember to take care of your emotional wounds, as well as your physical ones. It’s easy to experience anger, misery, and resentment, but you have to let those things go if you want to find peace and joy. How do you go about doing this? How do you process and heal the hurt?
On this episode, I reflect on my own experience of forgiveness and share some of the things that have worked for me. Ultimately, forgiveness is a decision.
God draws close to the broken hearted. I share just a few of the examples of how He was there for me in the midst of things, how prayer was an important piece of the healing, and how he used me to bless others even when I didn't see it coming.
Colossians 3:13 " bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
In July 2015, what I thought was a strain in my neck, following a chiropractic manual neck adjustment, was actually bilateral vertebral artery dissections and an aneurysm, that could have taken my life. If it wasn’t for a miraculous message I received, I may have experienced a fatal stroke. In this episode, I share the supernatural experience I had, and how it rescued me and deepened my faith.
"A flood of urgency washed over me, and I just knew I had to go to the ER." -Julie Hedenborg
Vertebral artery dissections can be fatal. If it weren’t for that feeling I had in my kitchen that made me rush to the ER, I might not be here to share this story.
I believe God saved my life that day. I believe He is bigger than any threat we can possibly face on this Earth.
Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
One thing we learn is the importance of holding onto God during our darkest times, because that’s where we’ll find strength and healing. On this episode, Evalee Egan shares her incredible story about being diagnosed with one of the rarest cases of cancer with a low chance of survival. She talks about how she put her faith in action, how God melted the cancer away, and why she is so grateful for her life.I believe in prayer. I believe that God can do anything.
"He can touch your body and heal, no matter what it is or how far gone it is."-Evalee Egan
Evalee explained how a persistent cough that she thought was just asthma turned out to be a symptom of stage 4 lung cancer. She was turned away from clinical trials because doctors thought she was too far gone. She also shares the moment she felt God touch her, and the wonderful moment the doctors told her she was cancer free. Evalee also shared on the miracle of people and how they helped her through her illness.
Evalee Egan’s story is a powerful testimony of God’s power and a potent reminder that God is able to heal, give us hope, and help us through our struggles. No matter how big a challenge is, if we cling to His word and remember that He is able, there is nothing we can’t overcome.
In July of 2015 I found myself in an ambulance unsure that I would survive (see episode 3). Over the next 3 days in the Neurovascular Intensive Care Unit I had lots of sleepless hours to think about things. I reflected back to my own days working as ICU Nurse and I remembered all of the miraculous things that I witnessed. I had shared some of those with people, but not enough, not nearly enough.
In this episode I share the story of the very first time I witnessed a patient have a cardiac arrest (clinically dead for maybe 4-5 minutes) and come back and accurately describe everything that had occurred in the room as he lie pulseless and blue "floating up near the ceiling" at the end of his bed. It was a life changing moment for me, as I was questioning my faith at that time.
I feel a certain peace now, sharing all of these things, that in my next potential final moments I can now reflect back and know that I tried to share with people that God is real and life certainly does not end here on Earth as we now know it. I want to give glory to God. He is the only reason I am still here, and I cannot express how grateful I am for how He has worked in my life.
