TAKING CONTROL

Approximately ten years ago, on a freezing July night, the cold, hard truth hit me like a freight train.

No one was coming to my rescue.

On our bedroom floor, my wife was giving birth to our son; he'd come so quickly that we had just called the hospital to tell them we were on our way. But we never made it out of the house.

The complication was that he was breech, and when he had come out to his shoulders, the contractions stopped and he stopped coming. My wife and I stayed calm, but for all my trying, I just could not get his head out. While this was happening, my sister had called an ambulance, but we were stuck in this position for about fifteen minutes before it arrived and were able to fully deliver him.

What I didn't realize was that the umbilical cord was obstructed, and our baby was suffering through asphyxiation. When he was finally born, our boy was blue, and his heart rate was 40 beats per minute, when it should have been 140 beats per minute.

As the paramedics worked on our son, pumping oxygen into his lungs with a hand pump, I went outside to talk to God. I'd been studying faith at a local church for a while and had achieved some small successes. One of the Scriptures that has always impressed me the most is Mark 11:24 "Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be though removed and be though cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass. He shall have whatsoever he says."

This Scripture told me I had to take responsibility in the situation and not wait for something to happen. I had to make something happen.

I felt strength flow through me as I reminded God what this Scripture said. I told God that I was not going to ask for anything, but that I was going to take control of the situation.

I had a strong belief that parents are supposed to protect their children, not just naturally, but spiritually as well. I also could not accept the idea that a child would be born just to die ten minutes later.

After my conversation with God, I felt fearless and determined. When I went back into the house, the main paramedic pulled me aside and asked me if he could have a word with me. With a grim look on his face and a professional tone in his voice, he told me, "I don't think the little bloke's gonna make it."

This was a defining moment. I refused to become afraid and accept his opinion! Looking directly into his eyes, I replied, "No, he is going to be fine." I know I must have had a look that said I meant business, because the paramedic backed off immediately with a quick reply: "Yer. Okay."

It's amazing how quickly people will change their mind and come into agreement with you when you are clear and absolute about something.

Upon entering the hospital I repeated with conviction, "No, he's going to make it. He's gonna be just fine," to anyone who spoke to me.

As I stood back and watched doctors and nurses buzzing around my son in a hive of activity, things became surreal. A smiling woman in a white coat approached me. "You know, when they called in, I thought they'd be bringing in a dead baby, but it's a miracle. They've done a great job. He's looking good."

Of course, our baby did survive.

But the next day he was placed in intensive care. At a meeting with the head of intensive care, the doctor explained to us that our baby was "fitting" and that this was most likely because he would have suffered brain damage and organ damage due to the lack of oxygen during birth. At this point, once again I reassured the doctor: "No, don't worry; he's going to be just fine." Because of what we had just been through, I thought to myself, There's no way I'm going to start backing off now.

About this time we were interviewed by the hospital psychologist, to see how we were handling the fact that our baby would be severely handicapped. After the meeting my wife sneaked a peek at the psychologist's clipboard and notes. Among other things, my wife noticed this statement: "This couple is not prepared for failure." It was not written as a positive statement, but I found it incredibly empowering.

The ward is divided into ten sections. Section one is for the sickest babies and our son was in this section. Some babies are in section one for months, and some never get well. However, within two days our son was in section three; and in three days, he was in section nine. Within another three days we were taking him home in absolutely perfect condition.

Since that time I have pushed myself to learn as much as possible about this incredible power that saved my son's life. What I have learnt I have applied to many different areas of my life; I have used this power to transform my near-bankrupt, failing business into a thriving, prosperous company that has allowed me an income that has totally changed my lifestyle.

I have seen this power make cancer and arthritis completely disappear from people's bodies. I have seen it transform children with learning difficulties and sleeping problems into peaceful, intelligent, happy kids. I have seen it do many incredible, wonderful things in relationships and every area of life. I believe this power controls the world, and I believe it exists for the benefit of mankind.

I truly believe it's the answer to every obstacle we face.

"And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32 KJV).

IF THERE IS HELL ON EARTH, THERE MUST BE HEAVEN TOO

I can barely put into words the emotion I felt as I walked through the hospital room door. The first thing I saw was my perfectly formed, lifeless little boy. He had been placed on a stainless steel trolley right near the door. I remember this so clearly because it made me furious. It felt so wrong for him to be there like that. Time stood still for a moment as I stared at him. He was perfect, he was real; he just wasn't alive. My emotions raced from rage, to despair, to disbelief. I found it hard to control them as I looked over at...