August 26-27 – It takes a miracle

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men Matthew 9:6-8 - ESV

All the books in the world couldn't record the miracles that Jesus Christ did during His time on earth (John 21:25), and before returning to heaven He passed this authority on to His followers - “For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” He gave AUTHORITY to his servants and to every man his work....” - Mark 13:34

There are many sceptics in our world today who believe there are no such things as miracles, but come with me through just two evidences of healing, against all odds, broadcast on the media this week – the result of the God given incredible skills, expertise, knowledge and devotion of medical teams, who, regardless of creed or culture, are.dedicated to bringing healing to their fellow man,

Face transplant - Patrick Hardison, was a volunteer fireman who, as the result of being trapped in a collapsed burnt out building in Senatobia, Mississippi in 2001. His face was severely disfigured. Patrick suffered extensive facial burns after responding to a house fire in 2001, and he lost his eyelids, ears, lips, hair and most of his nose.

Married, with 4 children, Following the accident people openly stared,, and children ran away from him, scared by his face.  Patrick became a recluse, no longer playing with his children.  The situation looked hopeless, and continued until, in 2015 Patrick underwent the world's most extensive face transplant, and this week, has been speaking about his new found hope, one year on since his pioneering plastic surgery - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37180501

Seventy-one reconstructive surgeries after a building collapsed on him in Senatobia, Mississippi, in 2001, Patrick, 42-years-old, can now see, hear, eat and breathe normally and has a full head of hair. His comment? “I have my life back.” http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/good-news/fireman-speaks-of-his-joy-a-year-on-from-having-the-worlds-most-extensive-face-transplant/news-story/ef502df6ca8006bcb1c64dbba863b796

Double hand transplant - Zion Harvey sometimes puts on a baseball glove or swings a bat -- just like many 9-year-olds. http://nypost.com/video/this-boy-received-a-miracle-double-hand-transplant/

Watching the video it's hard to believe that a little more than a year ago, Zion had no hands because at the age of 2 years, the Baltimore youngster had lost both hands and feet to a bacterial infection. For 2 years he required dialysis, and a kidney transplant from his mom Pattie Ray. At 8 years of age Zion became the first child to receive a double hand transplant in the US – and he faced it all with a HUGE grin across his face..

In his nation wide interview last Tuesday, a year after his operations, he's doing well and says he's ready to play competitive sports. He said: "Nothing really changed because everybody I know is still the same. All I can do now is grip for baseball. I can grip onto a bat better. I can wear a baseball glove now." Just 13 months after his surgery, Zion can write, make his own lunch and dress himself. And his hands are growing with him, CNN affiliate WMAR reported.

Mom Pattie's comments? "The sky's the limit. He's just beginning," she told WBAL. "Look what he has now, a year out, so imagine five years from now. I can see anything for this kid. He's amazing."

Zion's comments? "I can bend them. I can eat," Zion told CNN affiliate KYW. "I think it's amazing. I don't know what they (the doctors) think, but I think it's amazing."  http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/08/24/boy-with-double-hand-transplants-next-goal-play-football.html

The doctors? “Zion was a champion through the process. It started with the boy learning wiggling his new thumb. It required intense concentration....his brain had to be re-taught how to "fire those muscles again.....He and his family have managed this so well, beyond our expectations,"

Zion, never one not to face down a challenge has a BIGEE ahead - to persuade his mother to let him play football! I think his operation was more of a cert than that one!!

God showered these doctors and medical teams with skills, knowledge and abilities, and the technology required to achieve restored lives. The faith and trust they, and their patients, Patrick and Zion, exercised could only be God-given, and shines like a beacon from both man and boy.

How can it be said there's no such thing as a miracle. 

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road” - Mark 10:52 NAS

Bryn's choice of music today - “Help is on the Way” - Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Click on the picture to listen