*** Friday's Rollcall ***

Hey Gang, I have been out for a while. You are always on my heart and in my prayers though. I am so sad to learn about Randall's wife. It seems so sudden. It really makes you think. Has anyone heard from Becky S. lately? I tried going back and the last post I saw from her was on 12/27. Her profile has not been updated since before her surgery. I know she was out of the hospital on 12/27 but I am wondering how she is doing since she was so sick. I am doing great. Just very busy. I finished the sergeant's assessment center last week. We have been told the final scores will be out some time today. If all goes well, I should promote next month. QOD: I just have one but its a doozy! In light of Randall's wife passing and other friends who have been having a hard time with surgery, this question comes to mind. Have you ever had a near death experience and what did you learn from it? Ans. I probably wasn't actually near death but while I was so sick after my surgery, I did have one day when I really felt like I was going to meet the Lord soon. I remember feeling very guilty about leaving my husband and children. I also felt terribly guilty about putting my mom through it (she also was sure I was going to die). I am very grateful for the experience now. I have learned that every moment with our family is precious and I have a WHOLE new appreciation for my mom. She is the best! I asked her to pin my sergeant's badge on during the promotion ceremony and she was so excited. I hope everyone has a Jesus filled day! Love, Jacinda

Good Morning Jacinda! And Everyone! It is good to hear from you Jacinda! I will be praying about your sergeant's assessment and your promotion! How exciting! I am on my way to work at Curves and decided to stop in for a moment as I am drinking my protein drink. My heart goes out to Randall and his children and I am praying that the Lord Jesus surrounds them with His love. Joie is safe in the arms of Jesus now but it is hard on the ones who are left. Lord, please be with this family as they move through the next few days and weeks of sorrow. Amen Answer for today's question: Have you ever had a near death experience and what did you learn from it? Just last week when I had that really bad kidney stone attack out on the 6 lane freeway in rush hour traffic. Thank you Lord that I was able to somehow get over and call 911 before passing out. That was my 7th ride in an ambulance. God is so gracious to me because I know that there have been numerous times when I honestly thought that my time was up. What did I learn? Well this is a biggy in my life - through these times I have learned that God is in control - He is Sovereign! We cannot stay the hand of God nor can we push the hand of God. My time to go was predestined from the beginning of time. There is so much comfort in that because it is an appointed time that I have absolutely no control over. I put my trust in my Lord and Savior, Jesus! That is why I probably have full confidence even at my age to go skiing and enjoy life. I believe by remaining active, moving through life, and being active in ministry I am honoring Him. Life to the fullest!! I love all of you and may God meet you at your greatest need! God Bless, Lynda Phil. 4:8

Hi, Prayers for the Culpepper Family today Question answer: I am bold enough to say that before I was a Born Again Christian, I was living in Germany, very depressed due to being overweight, and took a whole bottle of pills with a bottle of wine. While I was "wanting to die" I distinctly remember 2 people in the locked bathroom with me. I somehow knew they were angels and I was mad that everytime I started to "pass out" one of them would lean me back up, and I was yelling at them, and God to let me die! They would not, and they stayed with me until morning. I know in my heart of hearts now, that I am Born Again, they were angels, and that God knew then how much I would love Him now. His mercy and grace saved me that night, for something special. I do not know what that something special is, perhaps I have fulfilled it, or perhaps there is something I have left to do...(I know there is ) and He literally sent angels to be with me that night. It gives me goose bumps to think back and know that the living and real God loved me so much before I even loved myself or Him, that He would do that! That is my testimony to God's love. Praise His Holy Name!! What an Awesome God we serve!! By the way, it was about one year later when we moved back to the USA that I went to church and gave my life to Christ. Every now and then, like today, He reminds me of how far I've come, and it amazes me! I love that song, "Your Love is Amazing" I can't remember all the words though. God Bless, Love to all! Deb

Hello Jacinda and everyone! So glad its Friday! Hope you hear soon that you are to be promoted! Enjoyed hearing about your experiences, it is amazing how many ways the Lord will use. So fantastic that he cares about each one enough to help us our pain, or extreme need. I have not had a near death experience but will share something that happened to me when I was still quite young (early 20's) My grandmother died and she was the first person very near to me that had died plus I am her namesake and was close to her. I was praying and asking the Lord about her and what it was like for her to die. That night I had a dream in which I was standing with a couple of my aunts and just talking. In my dream I felt something hit me on the back of my head and then nothing else until I was above my body looking down on myself laying on the ground with my aunts bent over me. My thought was "oh! I've left my body, I must have been killed by whatever hit me". Just at that moment I awoke and also felt the strongest impression, almost like a voice speaking to my heart that said 'thats what its like to die'. After All these years I continue to feel that the Lord either gave me that dream or used that dream to answer my prayer when I was so troubled and wondering what death had been like for my grandmother. (By the way, at this time I don't believe I had read of anyones near death experiences or knew that others who were near death had found themselves outside their body) great question Jacinda. I look forward to reading back later to see what others wil have to say.

Hi Jac and all~ My heart has been super heavy for Randall, his friends and family. Not one day goes by where I am not praying for them all. I can't imagine the pain. Jac, you are a dear heart for asking. I am doing fine. Actually this week is the FIRST week I am doing better!! But, my faith has been faltering and I feel awful coming here and posting when my heart isn't where it should be. But, I have come to a conclusion (thanks to my Bible!!) Romans 8:38-39 says For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation (INCLUDING MY OWN SELF!!!), will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Not even my own sinfulness and stubborness will keep Him from loving me and THAT is a blessing indeed. I got both my tubes out and I feel alot better. I may even update the 'ol profile today...who knows. But, mostly, I just thank God for your friendship and support. OH Christianity board is truly a bit of heaven on earth. Blessings~ Becky PS: I didn't have anything neat happen to me. But, I did feel TOTAL PEACE about going to be with Jesus DURING my dark hour. That was when my kidneys weren't working and the doctors were fearing the worst. It's just been as I am healing that my faith has been shaken.

Hi Becky! It is so good to hear from you! You have been in my prayers and thoughts! I love that Romans passage and it is so true that even ourselves can't separate us from the love of God. It seems through my lowest times that's when the reality of my faith hits the hardest and even though I can't in the moment sometimes thank Him, I most certainly can looking back. I am praying that God will use this trial you have been going through in a very precious way in your life. You are a dear sister and I love you! God Bless, Lynda Phil. 4:8

Thanks Lynda~ You are such an encouragement to me and everyone here. You are doing so well in your journey too!! What an inspiration! I love you too!! I also appreciated what you said about looking back. That is my prayer. That even though RIGHT NOW I am having trouble praising Him, that one day I will look back and do so. Meanwhile, I am trying really hard to praise Him even in the valleys. Because He is ALWAYS God, ALWAYS on the throne and TRULY good!! I love Him so much and just want to spend each day serving Him. It's hard when your thoughts/the devil stand in your way. Blessings and SO MUCH LOVE~ Becky

Hi everyone! Becky I didn't know you had so many problems. I am glad you are getting better. I will be praying for you. You are right that NOTHING can separate you from Gods love. He will remain faithful to you no matter what. I believe God is going to use the results of this surgery for His glory! And that you are a vessel for that!! I have never had a near death experience either. But I have an angel story. When I was about two years old I was with my family and another family at Stone Mountain Park in GA, at a picnic area. One side of the area was a steep hill with nothing but trees. I had apparently wandered away and my mom could not find me. Everyone started looking for me. My mom saw a young girl who looked about ten years old holding my hand and walking me up the steep hill area. My mom was so relieved she grabbed me up in her arms. When she went to thank the young girl she was gone. My mom will tell you to this day that that was my guardian angel. I thank God that He has a reason for keeping here. I pray that I will do His will.

It's Friday! I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Hey Jacinda! I'm so glad to see you back doing Roll Call! Hi everybody! It's still Friday, so here is my answer: Have you ever had a near death experience and what did you learn from it? I have never had what the "media" calls a near-death experience. However, I have been near death a couple of times and have experienced it! My past two surgeries were very serious. I was in the hospital for 11 days the first time and 20 days the second time. What I learned is that there is an abundance of love in this world! God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, because He loves us so much. My family and friends and I had the opportunity to share our love for each other. What a blessing to be able to just soak it all up and give it back. Life is short. We are so aware of that, especially this week with the passing of Joie Culpepper. I am grateful for each breath I take, and I want to continue to serve my Lord and Savior until my last breath. God bless you all. Love, Peg