Truth really can be stranger than fiction.

First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.

La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.

First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.

Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.

El podcast Manna Minutes: ¡Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.

Manna Minutes Podcast Auf Deutsch: Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.

Is The Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate Of God? Or Is It Evil?

Did you know the Word of God (the Christian Bible) speaks directly against what governments are doing with Covid-19 vaccine mandates? Get the facts here

¿Viene de Dios el mandato de vacuna contra el Covid-19? O ¿acaso es malo?

¿Sabía que la Palabra de Dios (la Biblia cristiana) condena de manera directa lo que los gobiernos están haciendo a través de los mandatos de vacuna contra el Covid-19? Obtenga los hechos aquí.

Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?

The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!

Should A Christian Practice Yoga Or Pilates? The Shocking Truth

Perhaps you practice yoga for health reasons, or to reduce stress. But, do you really know the diabolical goal of any form or style of yoga, including pilates? Get your answers here

La verdad espeluznante sobre el yoga revelada por la Biblia cristiana

Quizás practiques yoga por motivos de salud o para reducir el estrés. Pero, ¿realmente conoces el objetivo diabólico de cualquier forma o estilo de yoga, incluido el pilates? Obten tus respuestas aquí.

Communicating With The Dead: Learn The Shocking Truth

The spirit you think is mom, dad, or some other loved one from beyond the grave is NOT your loved one. But, what about the "proof" that the living can indeed talk to the dead? Let God's Word open your eyes to a deception that is pure evil. Read Spirits Of The Deceased

Comunicarse con los muertos: La impactante verdad

El espíritu que parece ser tu madre, padre o algún otro ser querido tuyo desde el más allá NO es tu ser querido. Pero, ¿qué hay de "la prueba" de que los vivos pueden comunicarse con los muertos? Permite que la Palabra de Dios te abra los ojos para que veas el engaño que es de la maldad pura. Te invitamos a leer ¿Están los muertos entre los vivos?

View Content By Specific Category

Help me with my unruly teenager!

Contact one of our nationally certified Christian life coaches who specializes in working with at-risk youth. Tell me more!

¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried

Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.

Finding God in the Intensive Care Unit

by Arthur G. Cardenas
submitted: 2013-10-27 21:38:07

It has been said that life is a journey. All journeys have a beginning and an end. Some journeys are leisurely and joyful, such as a family vacation. Some journeys are difficult and filled with challenges such as retiring from a life -long career. I am writing this article fresh on the brim of deep sorrow.

My beloved son, A.J. passed away on October 12, 2013 after battling a sudden illness. Other parents, who have suffered the death of a child, have told me that you never get over the loss. However, with the grace of God, you do get through it. A.J. was only twenty eight years of age when he died. He lived a productive life filled with love for his family, friends, and God. I could write a whole book about his life and that in and of itself would not bring honor to A.J. or to God. Rather, I would like to focus on how a human being can bring honor to God through life's final journey.

I believe that A.J. accomplished this during the last three months of his life. A.J. was admitted into the hospital in July of 2013. What appeared to be a bronchial infection turned into a severe respiratory disorder which would eventually claim his life. He remained in the I.C.U. (Intensive Care Unit) for the majority of his hospital stay. The two prominent questions that we, as human beings ask, during times of suffering are: - Why? - Where? Specifically, we ask - "Why does God permit suffering of any kind?" We ask - "Where is God during the midst of suffering?" These are questions that may not be answered until we reach heaven.

Perhaps, the most significant question we should ask during times of suffering is: What is God trying to teach us during times of suffering and trial? Here are the lessons that I learned. Rather, here are the lessons that God revealed to me through my son's final days of life: GOD IS WITH US WHEN WE GO THROUGH PERIODS OF SUFFERING Holy Scripture states that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 NIV).

When A.J. became ill, his family and friends immediately began to pray. We prayed for healing and restoration. We prayed that God would be with not only A.J. but also the medical staff and those of us who kept vigil at his bedside. And God, being faithful to His word, allowed us to feel His presence through the many displays of love presented to us. These included constant prayer vigils from those in our faith community, meals being prepared and delivered by friends, and visits from friends and family who merely wanted to hold all of us in their arms.

Indeed, God was ever-present during that time. GOD PROVIDES STRENGTH DURING TIMES OF WEAKNESS Sufferings and trials have a way of sapping us out of not only our physical strength but also our emotional and spiritual strength. This is not only true for a person undergoing a severe illness but also for those loved ones caring for that individual. God states in His Holy Word that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." ( 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). A.J. had to endure several painful medical procedures during his hospital stay. These procedures, coupled with his illness, took its toll not only on his physical strength but also on his spiritual strength.

It was during those times when he and I would speak and I would encourage him to align his pain and suffering with that of the Lord Jesus. I reminded A.J. of the physical pain and torture that Jesus had to endure during his crucifixion and told him to offer up any pain he was experiencing to God. He would never complain but would merely nod his head in acceptance and carry on. This would in turn rejuvenate my physical and emotional strength.

Again, prayers at his bedside while holding his hand became the catalyst by which we were able to experience God's grace and strength. EVERY PORTION OF OUR LIVES IS PRECIOUS IN THE EYES OF GOD Without a doubt, the most profound lesson I have learned from my son's suffering is that each life is sacred to God. Indeed, each portion of life is sacred to God. Our children are gifts from God and as such bring blessings to our lives. God, however, is the real father of all of us. Our lives here on Earth are very brief compared to eternity. In the end, we all return to our true father - God.

Therefore, we should treasure each portion of our lives and the lives of those we love. The depths of my sorrow at the loss of my son are unexplainable. I cannot find the right words to describe the sense of loss that we all feel. Nonetheless, in accordance with God's Holy Word - "I give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). I give thanks to God for the lives of my family and friends, and for the life of my son A.J.
Author recommended link

Copyright notice: This website and its content is copyright of © Heavenly Manna (HeavenlyManna.net) 2002-2016.

Comments/Comentarios:

Send Comments or a Private Message about One of Our Services / Envíe Comentarios o un Mensaje Privado acerca de nuestros servicios

Once comments reach 10, they close. IF YOU USE PROFANITY, WE WILL REJECT YOUR COMMENT AUTOMATICALLY.
We're a small team, please be patient as we review comments.

Return to content (Regresar a contenidos)

About Us | Become a volunteer | Readers' Comments | Christian Resources | Statement of Faith