Tag: surgeries

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When Will The Storms Stop?

Thanks to all of you who have been joining us here. The response has been wonderful.  We just past 3,625 new subscribers. That is a huge increase in 2016. We only had 1,000 a year ago. Help us to make it to 4,000.  Could you be the one that puts us over the top? Our goal for the end of this year is 5,000.

Help us continue to grow by subscribing today if you haven’t already. Just click on the icon right after the title of this post to do that.

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Doug Bolton, the founder of the blog, Signs of Hope, which is at www.dailysignsofhope.com, has written a new book, “Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.” It will be reaching out the many military and veterans who may be battling anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, rejections, and the many other usual suspects. There are 22 military connected suicides every day. That is almost one every hour. Doug wants to help stop those statistics.  

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If you follow Twitter, join me by following @heavenencounter. Many veterans are starting to follow and we hope to have many more to share thoughts and ideas with. You can also connect with my on Facebook by putting my name in the search area.

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I see it has been almost three months since I last posted here. I have spent my whole summer battling an infection in my spine. I am just starting to feel well enough to be able to stop the daily IV doses of antibiotics.

I missed so much because of this. My family went on summer trips, but I couldn’t go because of the IV treatments everyday.

I wasn’t able to drive because the effects of the antibiotics made me drowsy and sleepy. So, not only was I in severe pain, I also was grounded and sent to my bedroom like a disobedient child.  I spent three weeks staring out my bedroom window hoping some birds or squirrels might come by for me to see.

This is a pretty sad story so far.

I want you to know something. I never faltered. I never cursed God. I never gave up my positive attitude.

I could have given up and let the dark side have its way.

It reminds me of when I was in a huge battle with depression while in the military, and beyond. I spent many days wondering what the world was all about, and if I wanted to be a part of it.

In 2001 I actually was sitting in my Ford Explorer thinking of checking out of this hotel called earth.

God woke me up that day. He stopped me in my tracks. He had plans for me, and it wasn’t my time to leave this earth. So now I am writing this post to you to share hope.

I also share hope on my blog at www.dailysignsofhope.com. As the title states, you get daily signs of hope. Check it out and join me there as well. Find out why 94,000 people are subscribers to the blog.

I have been labeled as the “hope whisper.”   I go to writer’s conferences and people address me with that name.

Why? Shouldn’t I be angry at the world? I had over ten years of serious ailments including five surgeries. This latest trial has been one of my hardest to accept.

I don’t feel anger. I don’t think this world is an awful place to be.

I have learned that we will all face trials and storms. Some will be raging storms. I have also learned that each time I make it through the storm I am a little stronger. I even learned that I can use my adversity, pain, and suffering to help others who may be going through the same things.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Do You go Through Life Wondering Why me?

We have had a big increase in subscribers lately! We have had 350 new people since the first of 2013. We now have a total of 565, and rising fast! This is wonderful for our site. I wonder if we can make it to 200 by January 1, 2014? You can make that happen. Please help us to continue to grow by also subscribing. You can do this by clicking on the icon right after the title.

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Exciting news! We have a new book on the way that I am writing with Dennis Booth, from New South Wales, Australia. It will be called, “Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days.” (Working Title.) It is a compiling of posts that Dennis and I have been doing on my blog at: www.dailysignsofhope.com. There are 45,900 followers on that site, and it is because so many people are seeking hope and it is provided there.

*Update: 10-25-13. I have about one half of my share of the book done. Dennis is rolling in the devotions now after a computer break down. We still don’t have a publishing date yet, but stay tuned to see what is happening. I will try to have an update often. 

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It has been a while since I last posted. I have had some health issues, and have been spending the bulk of my time on my blog at www.dailysignsofhope.com, that has over 44,000 followers. I plan to spend much more time here now, because I am free to talk about my books, and other subjects I think you will enjoy.

The book I mentioned above, “Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days,” (Working title) reaches out to those who are battling anxiety, depression, self-doubt, fear, hopelessness, addictions, and the many other usual suspects. My co-author Dennis Booth, and I have been there and done that. We have been through the same storms that you have been through. We can relate, and share our thoughts on how to cope in this not so friendly world.

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Do You go Through Life Wondering Why Me?

 

One of the many things I have faced are many illnesses. I am sure some of you have been there as well. I have had seven surgeries; some of them serious. I have another one coming up on October 7th for a bone spur in my neck.

It is hard, at best to keep going sometimes, when all this mounts up on us. We wonder if God cares. We question, “WHY ME!”

I can’t say I have the perfect answers. I can just share with you how I am able to cope.

When I first started having the many different ailments, including quadruple by-pass surgery on my heart, I was depressed. I was full of anger. I didn’t understand why such a loving God would allow so much pain.

Then as I made it through each storm I started gaining mental strength and stopped having the pity parties that no one wanted to come to.

I finally woke up and realized that God was using me to glorify His name through my afflictions. Each time I had another ailment, I was able to help others who were going through the same thing. They found comfort knowing that there was some one there who had been there and done that.

So I smile when something new comes up. I know that God has a new adventure for me to go on and use it to comfort others. Does this sound like a sadistic view on life? Maybe to some, but I am humbled that God would directly use me to help others through my own problems.

Think on this:

  • God loves you
  • Here considers you His child.
  • He created you in His own image. If He would go that far don’t you think he would want the best for you, even if it means being an example.
  • With God on your side, who can be against you?

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I encourage you to go back up to the top and click on the icon right after the title so you can come back and read more thoughts on how to cope in a troubled world.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Flutter Ablasion is a New Way to Control A-Fib in Your heart.

We have had a big increase in subscribers lately! We have had 90 since the first of this year. We now have a total of 293, and rising fast. This is wonderful for our site. Please help us to continue to grow by also subscribing. You can do this by clicking on the icon right after the title. 

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We have a huge announcement to make. The book “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” is now in eBook form.  That’s not all! We just lowered the price of the eBook from $4.99 to $2.99! This won’t last very long. Check it out by clicking on the Amazon icon on the right. You can also buy it at any eBook outlets! You can order the hard copy at the Amazon site there as well.

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Be sure to check out the book trailer for “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It is on the right side right below the Amazon icon. It gives you a clear picture of what the book is about.

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Got some not so good news yesterday at my cardiologist. He informed me that the bottom part of my heart is not getting signals from the top part. That means the “Central Transfer” spot in my heart is not working anymore.

He has suggested a”Flutter Ablasion.” He thinks if he can stop the severe A-Fib I have that the sections will start working again.  I do the ablasion on May 1st.

I am not mew to these types of afflictions. I have had six major surgeries, and have joked that I was to be careful when I drink water because of the 18+ incisions I have on my body.

How can I have a positive feeling about all of this?

There was a time when I didn’t have positive feelings. I was down and out, and even considering checking out of this hotel called earth. It was at that point, which was at the end of my rope, I realized that the rope I was clinging to was really the hem of God’s robe. He stopped me from going all the way, and turned me around to write my book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.”

So, when the darkness comes, I know there is a light above me at all times. I know that God is there protecting me. He has taken my hand and has been guiding me for many years now.

Do you have a fear about something? Do you wonder if God is there?

Be assured that if you feel God is far away that you can know it was you that moved. He will never forsake you.

I will update you on my ablasion procedure after it is done on May 1st. Prayer would be fantastic. God does listen.

* If you want to learn more about flutter ablasions, just put the word in your Google search and it pops right up.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!