Died – Brought Back

Meet Marco from Canada. It has been a long time since I have seen a person so hungry to increase his walk with God. What a great time we had together discussing God's Word. He studying to be a medical missionary.

Have you ever seen a person die and be brought back to life? Two weeks ago, we were visiting church in Orlando with my daughter and her family – First Baptist. Probably 3000 people in attendance. Shortly after the opening music finished, I notice a commotion in the middle of the sanctuary. I saw a man pounding on the chest of someone lying in a pew. Two doctors were on the man instantly and reported no breathing and no heart beat. Dead!

As the pastor saw what was happening he called the audience to prayer. Have you ever been in a crowd where a large throng was centered in prayer toward one issue? Wow! You could just feel the presence of God moving in the room.

Soon the group dispersed so I figured an ambulance had taken him away. A situation like that has a way of heightening one’s sensitivity to mortality.

At the close of the service the pastor was handed a note. Reading it he said, “Here’s a note from the chaplain of the hospital stating that the gentleman was sitting up and talking." Everyone clapped and cheered.

The following Sunday, the pastor was going through his pre-preaching comments and in so doing walked back to the middle of the sanctuary. He put his arm around a man and said, “this is the man who we prayed for last week. He had had a 100% blockage in one artery, 90% in another and 70% in the third. They inserted stints and he’s not only here today but came early to teach his sunday school class.” The crowd erupted with praise to God for His touch on the man.

The pastor went on to say that a doctor told the man that if he had been in any other place – home, golf course, wherever, he wouldn’t have been saved. And of course everyone laughed at the double meaning of “saved” in the church. What an inspiring experience.

My daughter Gretchen and husband Kevin.