Thank you note 7/22/17

22 July 2017 – There is a season – Devotion by Dorothy Callies

Thank you for your prayer.  Tony is improving slowly. Therapists are working hard to encourage Tony to walk more with walker. Tony and I are learning to focus on Jesus and God's strength in Tony's body. 

           

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season ... a time to every purpose under                                             the heaven.  

1) There is a season of a growing relationship with Jesus.

            John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you ..."

 2) There is a season of patience and waiting on God's timing.

            Psalm 25:3 "Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed ..."

3) There is a season of resting.

            Ps. 37:7 "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret (worry) not                                          yourself ..."

Thank You Lord for Your Word is a Sword of the Spirit in Jesus' name. Amen!  

Seasons of Preparation 7/17/17

17 July 2017 - Seasons of Preparation – Devotion by Dorothy Callies

What amazes me? God seems to have the answers for everything. I woke up before 3 a.m. and I thought, now what? Nothing seems to be improving! Holy Spirit urged me to look through the journal that I wrote since starting during the week of May 22, 2016. Watch God at work! Write the miracle! Don’t forget miracle! Looking through the journal that I had written, amazed me. Day to day, it felt like a plateau, like everything is like a “flat land” and “no lightning rod miracle” that I would like to see.

When I reviewed from last May and June journal, I saw the dates written on June 9^th, the nurses stopped using the machine that lift Tony from the wheelchair to bed and back the same. Tony started sits up on bed and nurses started guiding Tony from bed to wheelchair. June 30^th, he walked with walker ten feet.  On July 1^st, David and Ruby visited Tony and he walked to the sofa holding Ruby’s arm. July 7^th, Tony walked 70 feet more.

Then during the week of July 10^th Tony had some set back. I wondered why until I read about the book on one of the chapters on “Your assignment will require seasons of preparation” that was written by famous Evangelist.  The Evangelist introduced about Moses being 80 years of age was due to the first 40 years and second 40 years that had prepared him to lead the people at the right time.  Jesus spent 30 years preparing for His ministry (Luke 3:23). The Apostle Paul required preparation (Acts 23:6; Phil. 3:4-6).

Then the Evangelist listed “The 11 Seasons of Preparation for your assignment.” I will use only reference verses since they take up a lot of spaces if I type them. But I want you to notice the 11 seasons of . . . That was what impressed me along with the verses.

1. Seasons of Affliction – 2 Tim. 1:8; Psalm 119:71.

2. Seasons of Chastening – Heb. 12:6,11.

3. Seasons of Contention – 2 Tim. 2:23-24.

4. Seasons of Credibility – 2 Tim. 4:5.

5. Seasons of Disappointment – 2 Tim. 4:10.

6. Seasons of Injustice – 2 Tim. 4:14.

7. Seasons of Isolation – 2 Tim. 4:16.

8. Seasons of Persecution – 2 Tim. 3:11-12.

9. Seasons of Solitude – 2 Tim. 1:4.

10. Seasons of Suffering – 2 Tim. 2:12.

11. Seasons of Warfare – 2 Tim. 2:3-4.

The Evangelist quoted, “As I review the first half century of my life, I can distinguish the seasons.  In each season, I felt ignorant and unaware of the purpose of that specific season. I wondered, “How could God get any glory out of this situation?” Today, I see His Divine Design.” He then explained how the story of “The Karate Kid,” contains some powerful lessons and asked if we ever see this movie. I have several times.

But I never knew its valuable lessons of “The Karate Kid” until I saw “11 seasons of preparation for your assignment.” The Kid wanted to learn the art of fighting in a crash course.  The old mentor waited. Instead he had him to paint the fence and to wash, wax and polish the car. The kid was disheartened, discouraged, disillusioned and very disappointed. His thoughts were, “How will this help me in my future? How will this help me achieve my desire to be a great fighter?”

But the old mentor was secretly preparing each motion of his hands to develop the movements of a fighter.  The kid did not discern it until much later.

Then the Evangelist made it clear, “Your heavenly Father knows what He is doing with your life.” ‘But He knows the way that I take: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold,’ (Job 23:10). And “Some season you may not understand His workings.” (Job 23:8-9).

The Evangelist encouraged us: “Embrace the present season God has scheduled in your life.” “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,” (Heb. 12:12). “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me,” (Psalm 138:8).

When Tony and I read it this morning of July 17, 2017, we were encouraged to remember once again that God has a plan.  Moses was 80 years old when he led his people through the Red Sea and they saw the miracle of God, was the wall of divided waters. It is something I don’t forget, the wall of water . . . is really a miracle.

Dorothy: The movie, “the Karate Kid” who would ever thought that there was a valuable lesson to learn from this.  It is like a modern day parable that Jesus might use to help us understand our Heavenly Father is like “an old mentor” who secretly knows what He is doing with Tony and me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being our mentors, how awesome to know that You really know what we are doing with our lives. We love you and thank You for Prayer marathon that our friends are praying for us. And that Tony is seeing their names being added. And each time I printed out the list of names and share with Tony in short prayer time as he lay his hands over the names, he is remembering that they are praying for him. Thank You heavenly Father for giving Tony an encouragement and love from them. It is awesome to know that You plan this prayer of unity.  We give you the praise and glory in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God bless you,

Dorothy

Prayer Marathon 7/14

14 July 2017 - Prayer Marathon – Special Devotion by Dorothy Callies

Last Tuesday, his Orthro Doctor said that Tony should be able to go home soon as he is able to get out of the wheelchair. Although he has improved by standing up and use walker to 70 feet or more, yet therapists said that it is a slow process and the doctor said that it would be up to therapists to release Tony. It would take a miracle for Tony who wants to be home by July 31^st.

Yesterday afternoon on July 13^th, at four p.m., I visited Tony and I saw him sitting on his wheelchair alone at the dining table and the food doesn’t serve until around 5:30 p.m.  My heart break for him and I went up to greet him, hug and kissed him. He was so glad to see me.  I asked him to join with me at the lobby room and we chatted. We prayed earnestly and claimed Isaiah 40:29, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength,” and that God would give Tony the strength to heal completely in Jesus’ name.

 I asked him if he would like Dairy Queen for hamburger, French fries and chocolate shake and that we both would share a meal. He was delighted and after I went to pick up the food, we went to the “Sun Room” which is beside the dining room that allows visitors. Tony said to me, “I really appreciate your taking time to see me.”  Oh, that really touched my heart.  At evening, the nurse put him to bed, and I stayed with him until it was almost 8 p.m. We prayed again for same earnest prayer for Tony.

This early morning of 3:25 a.m., I asked the Lord to speak to me from devotion since Tony and I need a message of encouragement. I read the Daily Bread written by Poh Fang Chia, on “Prayer Marathon” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray continually” (NKJV). I thought to share with you what Poh Fang Chia wrote.

“Do you struggle to maintain (keep) a consistent prayer life? Many of us do.  We know that prayer is important, but it can also be downright difficult.  We have moments of deep communion with God and then we have times when it feels like we’re just going through the motions.  Why do we struggle so in our prayers?

The life of faith is a marathon.  The ups, the downs, and the plateaus (a stable level, period or condition. In ASL, “same thing”) in our prayer life are a reflection of this race. And just as in a marathon we need to keep running, so we keep praying. The point is: Don’t’ give up!

That is God’s encouragement too.  The apostle Paul said, “pray continually” (!Thess. 5:17), “keep on praying” (Rom. 12:12 NLT), and “devote yourselves to prayer” (Col. 4:2).  All of these statements carry the idea of remaining steadfast and continuing in the work of prayer.  

And because God, our heavenly Father, is a personal being, we can develop a time of close communion with Him, just as we do with our close human relationships.  A. W. Tozer writes that as we learn to pray, our prayer life can grow “from the initial most casual brush to the fullest, most intimate communion of which the human soul is capable.” And that’s what we really want—deep communication with God.  It happens when we keep praying.” Dear Father, we often struggle to spend time with You.  Help us to make the time, and help us sense Your goodness and presence. There is never a day when we don’t need to pray. End of Poh Fang Chia, Our Daily Bread.

Dorothy: The quote of A. W. Tozer is difficult to grasp so I interpret to mean this. If I learn to pray, my prayer life can grow from the (initial) beginning to (casual) happen unexpectedly or by chance; (brush) to move quickly past without stopping; (fullest) by having the rich quality or fully mature; (intimate) having a very close contact with and by a warm friendship developing through a long fellowship; (communion) friendly communication.  Human soul is capable means having the qualities (as physical or mental power) to do or accomplish something. [Dictionary: Merriam-Webster]

Through this, it means that God must have the goals for Tony and me to grow together spiritually and allowing God to “brush” as if He is “painting our lives” to become more like GOLD.  Job said, “. . . when He has tried (tests) me, I shall come forth as gold.” Peter said, “… trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold …”

The other day, God spoke to me about the “GOLD.” Then reading the “Prayer Marathon” seems to fit what He was trying to tell me this morning. God wants my deep fellowship with Him so prayer is keeping on my communication with God. So I am asking you to join with me in this special time of prayer for Tony and me for deep healing in relationship and spiritually and that we grow into the fullness of Christ.  

Prayer: Father, I want to thank You for this revelation to me and to be able to share with those who takes the time to read this. I want to thank You for the rich truth that comes from Your heart, gold. You value my faith and Tony’s faith, being much more precious than gold. I cannot imagine that, Father. Only You know what You are doing. You want my faith in You. I felt revived by the Holy Spirit. I felt encouraged by You and I thank You for that devotion, Prayer Marathon. You are saying to me: keep on praying and don’t give up. Thank You, Father, I love You. I praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Dorothy: I would appreciate if there is a chance that I could develop a sheet of Prayer Marathon with your names on it so every one of us would sense of prayer of unity. There’s power in prayer unity and I pray for the anointing upon your name. If you pray for Tony and me FIRST, I believe God will meet your personal needs automatically.

I have witness this with a friend who drove a long way just to have prayer from me. But Holy Spirit instructed me to ask that person to pray for me first because I had headache at that time.  This person was shocked and said that he didn’t feel worth to pray for me. Yet, I persuaded him to obey the Holy Spirit to pray for me FIRST. He did prayed by laying hands on my head. In a few minutes, he felt the power of God shot through his body, and he went out in the patio, dancing up and down with God’s power for an hour. The Deaf man was simply delivered.  I rejoiced in the work of the Holy Spirit.

“Believe God, believe also in Me,” Jesus said in John 14:1. So my friend, be blessed in Jesus’ name. Amen! 

Dorothy

Faith is He! 6/30

30 June 2017 - Faithful Is He – Devotion by Dorothy Callies

Today is a remarkable day that I need to share this with you. I went to visit Tony and it was close to lunch time.  During Tony’s break, he was lying down for a rest from the therapy labor that morning. The nurse came in his room to prepare his wheelchair beside Tony’s bed. Tony got up from the bed by himself without any help and he sat up. The nurse put on Tony’s shoes.  Then she brought out the walker and set it in front of him.  Tony's held one hand on the walker and the other hand push himself up and stood tall and straight.  He turned half way to enable him to sit on the wheelchair by himself.   

I was so surprised and I looked at the nurse in awe.  The nurse said to me that he is now doing it all by himself and he is doing good. Several nurses told me that they had seen him doing more things than before. Several nurses were impressed with Tony's progress.  I told Tony that he was actually glorified God by the way he was doing. God is working.

Then Tony and I came into the Sun Room for a bit before he goes into the dining room for lunch which was too early.  So we took the chance for me to read to him. I came across another surprised at this part of the story that I felt you need to see this. Tony’s testimony was during his college year of 1966 and it was when he became very ill. 

“One day I became very ill and I stopped at the post office on my way to see the nurse.  I got an unexpected letter with a check in it.  I wondered why the money was given to me when at that time I did not need money.  After seeing the nurse she told me that I should see the doctor and to get a shot and medicine.  The whole cost for the doctor and the medicine was exactly the amount of the check.  Praise God for His faithfulness.”

            Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thes. 5:24 KJ

I looked at Tony and said in awe, “God already planned ahead and gave you the check even before you didn’t ask for it or didn't even know that you would need it.  That is a miracle. God truly took care of you during your college years.” So we quoted the Scripture again, “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.”

I shook my head in wonders and realized why God wants us to remember what He had done for Tony and God will do it again.  So we sang together out of memory.

Expect a miracle … when you pray ...

Expect a miracle … every day …

When you expect a miracle … God will find a way …

To perform a miracle for you … each day …

I see why God encourages me to write the daily journal so I would NOT forget the miracle that God has done today.  God is glorified when He performed a miracle.

May God bless you.

Dorothy

Give Thanks 6/28

28 June 2017 - Give Thanks – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” To me in ASL “the will of God” is more like “God has a plan.”

The theme, “God has a plan” has always been clear to me of what God was working on. I remember a vision of God’s office what it looks like . . . bee hives designed with so many scroll of papers inside the hives. When I was praying and fasting at that time in 1973, I saw God’s hand pulled out the scroll of paper from one of the bee hives and opened them. He looked at me as if this was a plan that He had already set up.  I wanted to take a peek at the scroll. God nodded His head as "no" and said, “Huh, huh, trust Me . . .”

From what I understood that it was through prayer and fasting that enable God to do the work He has called me and Tony to do.  Looking back those 50 years of our marriage (1967) brought memories what God had done with Tony and me.  I started reading the book called, “God Chosen Vessel” to Tony yesterday (June 27). I would read a small part at a time each time we meet in the morning and in the evening.

The story that Tony wrote when he born and he had umbilical cord around him and they had to cut it before birth. This made me realized that Satan must have tried to destroy Tony and God had spared Tony because God had a plan for him. So I pray each time, I would read the part of the book to Tony, it will stir inside of his spirit, the gift of God. As Paul said from . . .

2 Timothy 1:6, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou “stir up the gift of God,” which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” Also Verse seven, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (strong mind).

In that book, Tony talked a lot about miracles of God that has happened throughout ten years of our ministry from 1967 to 1977.  I pray that this will stir our hearts to give thanks to our God for miracles that we had forgotten about. I remember the song that came from Oral Robert’s Crusade that my mother and I had attended. It was something like this from memory when I was young in my teen.

Expect a miracle … when you pray …

Expect a miracle … every day …

When you expect a miracle, God will find a way …

To perform a miracle … for you each day …

I look for a miracle even in the fresh of the morning … to me a miracle was the earth is hanging in the space of universe. And also I have seen a tiny miracle of improvement in Tony each time I saw him. Yesterday, I saw a note someone had written on the white board to Tony, “You are doing real good.” God promised from Ruth 4:15 that He will restore Tony of his life and a nourisher of his old age.  

I am learning to thank God in tiny things that I often overlooked. Paul said, “In everything, give thanks …” It makes me feel good to trust God that “God has a plan.” I love that phrase, “God has a plan.”  Thank you for praying for Tony and me. 

Dorothy 

Count It All Joy 6/11

11 June 2017  Count It All Joy – Manna by Dorothy Callies

James 1:2 NLT, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.” KJV, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (trials).”

On June 8^th, after riding with Tony in the mobility van to his Orthro Doctor and coming back to Rehab Nursing Home, the driver took Tony’s wheelchair and going back into the building, and I said “goodbye to Tony” and would see him later in the evening.  I was so tired and I had a little car accident when I backed my car left rear-ended to the other car who parked on no parking zone. [Wonderful news from the Doctor at the end of Manna]

I went into the building to find out who parked on that ‘no parking zone’ area. After exchanged information, I went back to my car and suddenly, Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Count it all joy … count it all joy when you comes into trials …” Suddenly I felt the joyful spirit. I understood why this happened to me.

So I said to the Lord, “I see why You do not want me to become so overly anxious of my car and other cars.  I see that You did not want me to become so anxious or worried about getting hit or how I would I hit other car.” After the little accident, I felt different as if I had been delivered by entering into the joy of the Lord. So I went to State Farm and asked the staff for help to make a claim through their computer and they automatically contacted Paul’s Auto Body shop and gave me claim number and rented Hertz so everything went smooth when the appointment was set up to fix the car.  

So I put my sticker post written, “count it all joy …” in my car where I could see and remind myself whenever I got into my car … And also “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:2.  I had more peace than I had before.  It is amazing how powerful the Scripture take control of my life.  Thank You, Holy Spirit.

News of Orthro Doctor took x-ray of Tony’s right shoulder, arm and his hip. The Doctor said that it was good and Tony didn’t need the sling arm. The Doctor asked Tony if he had walked before.  He did and said, “By next month, I expect you out of wheelchair and using walker to be able to walk again. We’ll decide when you are ready to go home.” So the next day, therapist started working with Tony using walker since both of his arms could hold the walker now. Tony has go through all kinds of therapy to re-build his muscle and be able to walk through bars, etc. This is a good news and thank you for your prayers.

Also, maybe you had in mind and want to donate something to Tony and me. You could use the gift cards such as Panera, Bob Evans, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and better yet, Visa card would be a blessing since it’s easier to use it. You could mail to: Tony and Dorothy Callies, 1003 Arlene Court, #5, Bloomington, IL 61701.   

Tony and I will also be celebrating our ‘Mini-50^th Anniversary’ joining with Illinois Statewide Deaf Churches Picnic at Normal Assembly of God on Saturday, July 8^th, 10 minutes before lunch time and cards are welcome.  It would be a sight for all of us to see Tony up and around. Truly, God had plan for Tony and me.

So I remind myself and say, “Count it all joy when we went through a lot of trials.”  Thank You, Lord for your love and prayers from all our friends.  God bless you!

Dorothy

Deny Myself 6/2

02 June 2917-Deny Myself – Revision 6/3/17 Manna

I came across this verse, Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” I often wondered what exactly does it means? Deny himself meaning deny yourself or actually deny myself.  After studying on the word, deny and I realized it something more like this: 1. “Go against” (what? Your flesh). 2. “To refuse to grant (give in) your flesh’s desire.

From what I understood for me personally, "to take up my cross" is when my flesh don’t really want to do that. Jesus challenged me and  said, “You want to be like Me? Take up your cross daily and keep in touch with Me …”

I said, "But Jesus my flesh cannot really handle that." He said, "Then work on “forcing” your own flesh. Just like I did at the Garden of Gethsemane. I prayed three times, asking My Father in heaven to remove that cup of suffering.  My flesh could not take it.  Still My Father said, “Take it.”"

Jesus said, “I ‘deny’ My flesh, I ‘forced’ My flesh to drink that cup of suffering. I sweat great drop of blood and prayed through until I was able to endure it.  Angels came to strengthen me, and comfort Me to go through against my flesh in pain.”

What Jesus said to me has really hits me. That's when I understood why sometimes I am awake exactly at 3 a.m. but often I ignore it because I wanted to sleep more. I just felt too tired to pray.  I was challenged to start praying at 3 a.m. when I felt the Spirit of God came upon me on May 30th and June 1st, just to pray at least one hour.

There's a personal story to why this devotion was written because at Nursing Home, this week Tony was waking up early in the morning has challenged me to start praying in the Spirit . . .  The truth is, I cannot pray alone and I am thankful that many of you are supporting me in prayer. So thank you for joining with me in prayers.   

Tony is improving, but still waiting for therapists to help him walk.  By faith, we are thanking God for already healed Tony’s shoulder/arm which he sorely need to use his both hands on walker to be able to walk freely. Or by miracle, Isaiah 40:29 ". . . to them that has no might, He increaseth strength . . ." (no might means no power, no strength). Tony needs strength on his right hip, thigh and his right leg to be able to stand and walk.

Song: Jesus, I come

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,

Je-sus, I come, Je-sus I come;

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,

Je-sus, I come – to Thee;

Out of my sickness into Thy health,

Out of my want and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thyself,

Je-sus, I come – to Thee.

(William True Sleeper, Sing His Praise)

Dorothy