Everyone Watched My Leg Grow!

This is the testimony of Natalie Dixon, who experienced a miracle healing in her life on January 14, 2012 at New Life in Osceola, Arkansas. Let her tell you about it...

Well, where do I start? From the time I was a baby I had a growth problem with my leg... When I was very young I started wearing a brace to hopefully stretch my ligaments to help me walk a little better. Although the stretching of the ligament was not going to grow my bones, it would help my leg some where I wouldn’t walk on my tiptoes. Which the length needed to grow too. But doctors cannot grow bones so they worked on the tendon.
Well my mom had to exercise my foot all the time and I had to wear a brace to school. The brace went up to my knees ...so it was very noticeable! So as a child I got all the jokes I could stand. Which we are human and we carry a lot of the bad comments into our adult life and after awhile you believe them.
After some time, I don’t remember my age.. My mother just got tired of the braces and exercising my foot so she just quit! So I’m a young child that is growing up walking on my tip toe and not to mention the length wasn’t the same.. So I really got the looks ridicule from all the people in high school.
I adjusted as life went on ... But my infirmity never stopped me from trying to live life to the fullest! I would run jump play anything I could! To make a long story short.. I have done a lot of things with this infirmity... I went to college, got married, became a mom...
When I got in church and God filled me with the Holy Ghost in on April 20 th, 1997!! Wow! How amazing! God loved me despite all the harsh words I had heard from people in my life!!! How that I was crippled and made fun of but inspite of all that the God of Heaven still loved me!!!
I really enjoyed church! I loved soul-winning and was on fire for God! The infirmity that I had in my leg never stopped me from witnessing! I was going to win people to God walking straight or not!! Now through life I always got prayer for my leg and my foot! Don’t get me wrong… I did! I did not make an issue about it.. just would always go get prayer. If God healed me… “Wonderful” and if God didn’t heal me,” Wonderful!” My infirmity never stopped my walk with the Lord!
On January 14, 2012 , like any other day , I got up getting ready to start my day. I knew that Bro. Doran’s in Osceola was having revival! I just felt an overwhelming desire to go, which I love to go to church anyways but this was like overwhelming! So , I went to church that night! I knew God must have something special and amazing in this service so I was on my way! I never dreamed that I would be the miracle that was so profound that night!
After the preaching, there was an alter call , so I went! I always go try to give things to God and to cleanse myself from the message being taught that night! People prayed for a while in the alter and God was moving greatly! Bro. Brandon Houseworth asked , “Is there a person here that has a problem with their right leg?” Well, I just raised my hands and said, “I do!” He asked, “What’s wrong with your leg? “ I said, well, my right leg is shorter than the left leg.” I think Bro. Houseworth said, Well, that’s a good problem.. lol.. or something to that nature. So, prayer began and then Bro. Houseworth wanted me to sit in a chair, so I did! Well, a lady laid her hands on my feet and prayer began again! I was enjoying just the presence of God , when all of the sudden, I here a “ahhhhhh” and people praising God! I was like that has got to be good!!! Are you ready? EVERYONE WATCHED MY LEG GROW IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES!!!! IT GREW 2 INCHES OR MORE! I was like such in shock to the miracle it never really came into my spirit till the next morning. I woke up and both feet hit the floor. NO MORE TIPTOEING! I tried to walk like I used to and when I did my right leg would raise up too high!!!There was no need to do that because God gave me new bones! I now walk flat-footed! My bones in my hip do not hurt!! It is truly amazing! Im still in awe!! I DON’T WALK LIKE I USED TO WALK..HE MADE THE DIFFERENCE!!!!
I was chatting with a friend.. she said , that the man that was at the pool of Bethesda was there for 38 years! Well, I am 39! A baby usually starts walking good after the first year! So, I was healed of an infirmity that I had for 38 years!! My story goes along so much with this story! When God healed the man , the Lord healed him “wholly” which is his body , spirit and soul!! Every since I have received this miracle, I feel like I have been healed entirely, “wholly” . All the pain from the past and years of emotional abuse from having an infirmity feel erased from my mind! Because humans are cruel and after years of hearing comments when I was young , you really feel like you are not good enough!! Or that you will never be good enough! But praise be to God, I’m healed body soul and spirit now!! God is amazing! I love Him!

Note: A little information about Natalie Dixon: I'm a blessed beyond measure! I have a wonderful husband! I have 3 wonderful children that I love with all my heart. I have the greastest church family. Im involved with the work of God as much as possible. I love Him , I love Him, I love Him!!!!!

I work with the deaf at our church. Christian Life Center in Brookland, Arkansas. Besides I think sign language is beautiful ..just another wonderful way to glorify God! Thanks for your goodness Lord!

Im just a good apostolic lady who loves serving God and being in His Kingdom! Anything to help His kingdom florish that is my desire! Im pretty easy going , love people , love soul-winning! Never meet a stranger.

Is Your Nose Pressed Against The Window?

It was so funny, one night at Church, you know that some of the funniest things happen at Church! I had to start laughing and shame on me. We were having an awesome move of God in service. I was standing up front playing the guitar and looked over to the side. My brother, Tim, was in the fellowship hall doing children’s ministry. He had come to the door and was peaking in to see what was happening. All I could see was one eye and his nose. I couldn’t help but laugh because it looked so funny.

I remembered an incident back many years ago. You can only remember many years ago when you get old. I was preaching a revival in a little town in Oregon. The revival was only for the weekend, so I had invited one of the young men from the church to accompany me so I wouldn’t have to travel alone. On Monday morning the pastor left early for work and we left, when he did, to head home. We stopped at a little restaurant in town to have breakfast. We were seated right at the window, which looked out over the street. The restaurant was right on a corner which also served as a school bus stop and there were several children standing waiting for the school bus. As we were setting at the table eating, I looked over toward the street and much to my surprise there were three little boys standing at the window with their noses pressed against the glass watching us eat.

You can imagine how funny that looked! We started laughing and they start laughing as well. I couldn’t help but think of those three little boys when I saw the big boy looking through the door. It was as if his nose was pressed against the glass and he was wishing he could have some too. If you know Tim, you know that is exactly what he was wishing!

The Psalmist tells us, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” (Ps. 34:8)

How many times have we stood back and watched others get blessed while we wonder how good it tastes?! How often have we looked in, with our noses pressed against the window, wishing we could have some of that?! All along each of us has the opportunity to “taste and see” for ourselves. We don’t have to be a spectator; we can be a participator in everything God offers to the believer.

I have observed as different ones plunge their dipper into the “well of living water” and take a taste. I have watched as the “well of living water” began to bubble up within them and the blessings began to purge away the pressure of the week. I have watched as some were healed, just as a result of worship. I have watched others as the weariness of life was washed from their faces. Some weep with relief. Others have responded with jubilation. They “tasted” and found for themselves the Lord is good. There is a special blessing when we realize we can place our trust in the Lord!

Each and every life is created with a hunger in it that can only be filled by God. Jesus stopped one day at a well and talked with a woman who had come to draw water to meet her natural, physical needs. Jesus offered her water that would meet the longing that was in her soul. In fact, Jesus told her, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14 KJV)

How many times have I wanted to buy a type of food that I was hungry for only to realize it was too expensive? At the price of beef today you need to mortgage your home to buy a steak! There have been times in my life, when we have lived on very simple, basic staples because of a lack of finances. I remember one time when I was young and times were hard, as Dad and Mom were pastoring a home mission Church, we lived on pancakes for several weeks. In the morning we had pancakes with homemade syrup. In the evening we had pancakes with jelly. That was all we could afford and were thankful for it.

However we have this invitation, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isa 55:1 KJV)

I don’t have to stand outside the window and press my nose against the glass. I have a standing invitation to come inside and eat and drink until I am full. What a blessing to be invited to come in and sit down to eat at the king’s table. What a great opportunity is available, to have the assurance that satisfaction is available to each and every one of us.

Let me encourage you to step back from the window and come on in! Pull up a seat and place your trust in God, you will find out He is GOOD!

It’s just a thought! God Bless

Why the Rainbow?

Do you have a family altar? I think every family should have one. Wait a second, let me restate that again, this time correctly. I think every family must have a family altar! Not only is it Biblical but it is also a very good idea.

Altars get God’s attention. He stops and listens to what is said at an altar. He remembers those things that are laid on an altar before Him. It is not something He just passes over. He doesn’t just casually say, “Oh my, they are at the altar again, hummm.” No, when God sees a person at an altar His attention and memory become focused on that person and what they are saying.

Suddenly, right before his eyes, stands a man! This isn’t just any man. His appearance is totally different and within moments of being surprised by his appearance, Cornelius recognizes that he is seeing an angel of God. What the angel has to say probably surprises’ him as much as his sudden appearance.

“Cornelius, your prayers and your giving have gotten the attention of God!” He then instructed Cornelius to send for Simon Peter to tell him what more he needed to do.

The thing that stands out about Cornelius is he was a man with a family altar. The Bible describes him this way. He was devout, deeply religious, earnest and sincere. He feared God with everyone in his house. He taught his family to hold God in high respect. He gave alms. He showed his commitment to God by giving. He prayed to God always, leading his family in prayer as well as having his own private devotions.

Jesus stated in Matthew 18:19-20, “That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them . . . For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” That is what a family altar is all about! Two praying together in agreement! Two or three people who are gathering in the name of Jesus, worshiping the Almighty God.

More than one time in the Book of Revelations we are told that the prayers of the saints come up before God as an incense in heaven. Prayers get the attention of God! Families that pray together get the attention of God! Momma, your prayers are being heard and God is remembering them. Daddy, God hasn’t forgotten those tears you have shed for your son or daughter, you have His attention!

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have an altar. In the Old Testament the altar was a large box-shaped object that was in the Tabernacle. Many altars were built on sites as were needed. Abraham built an altar, on more than one occasion, to offer sacrifices to God. Isaac and Jacob followed in the patriarchs footsteps and built altars themselves. There are many other times that we find individuals building altars before God. However the writer reminds us, also, that our altar is different. It isn’t one that the animal sacrifice is to be made upon. This isn’t necessarily an altar built of stone so that it won’t burn when the sacrifice is offered. This isn’t an altar made of brass that is to be carried from place to place. This isn’t an altar made of gold and incense is to be burnt upon it. It is a place, whether a bench, or a chair, or a bowed head, it is a place where we can meet God and God will meet us.

If there is one thing that is missing in America it is the family altar! The place and time where the family gathers together to pray and touch God. If there is anything missing in the families of the Apostolic Church, it is the family altar! That place and time where the family unites together and touches God. Our hectic lifestyles have kept us from this a powerful spiritual communication with our God. We have allowed ourselves to become so busy with life that we have lost sight of the importance of praying together as a family and meeting with God.

The first place in the Bible that an altar is mentioned is in the Book of Genesis 18:18-20. Sacrifices had been made since Adam and Eve and they are mentioned as a sacrifice was made, however no mention of an altar was made until chapter eight. God has seen the sin of mankind and repented that He made man. He decides He will destroy mankind and start all over again. He finds Noah, a man who walked with God, and has him to build an ark or a large boat. When the ark is finished, Noah takes his family into the ark. Rain comes from heaven and the waters of the deep arise and the earth is completely cover by water. Every thing that breathed was destroyed, except those that were on the ark.

After many months the waters receded and Noah and his family walk off the ark with all of the animals that were on the ark. The very first thing that Noah did was to build an altar. This is the first mention of an altar in the Bible and it is built by a man whose righteousness had led to the saving of his family. With his family gathered together they come before God at a family altar and offer thanks to God for His salvation. What a way to start a new life! They built a family altar.

What I found to be so impacting about this story is what happened next. They offer their sacrifice on their family altar and the Bible says that God smelled a sweet smell and said, “I am going to change the way I deal with man in the future.” God makes a covenant or binding agreement with mankind. He promises never to destroy the earth by water again. As a sign of His covenant He placed a bow in the sky, a rainbow. Whenever you see a rainbow, it reminds us that God has made a covenant with us that He will never destroy the earth by water again. All because a family was thankful and built an altar.

Let me encourage you to build a family altar. Many of the friends and families have built and dedicated altar benches for their family altar. However an altar can be anywhere and anything. It isn’t really about the object. It is really about the time of agreeing together and praying together.

So the next time you see a rainbow in the sky, remember it is a sign of God’s covenant with man. The next time you see a rainbow in the sky, remember it is there because a family built an altar.

Hey, it’s just a thought!