Do You Believe In Easter?

I thank my God every time I remember you.
-Philippians 1:3

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favourite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.

Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"

Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?" Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room."

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?" Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse. Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not interested."

Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you." One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day."

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?' but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked..."

Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"

Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter. When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face.

When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, " And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!" Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

- Author Unknown

God is Real!!!

I thank my God every time I remember you.
-Philippians 1:3

God is really very good all the time! He is simply indescribable AMAZING!! This is something real I experienced and testified for a week exactly.

Hmm… how should I put it? Thanks to Ronald who asked me to write about this for the SPCCC website, which encouraged me to do so now. In fact, no words can describe how great and awesome our God is. But in order to let everyone know what our wonderful Father did, I'm trying my best now to put it into words. It all began on 27th Feb 2005, the eve of the last day of February in the year 2005…

I came back to Singapore from my home in Malaysia around 8plus at night on that significant day. I don’t know why, something prompted me to switch on my hand phone to check for any messages I missed during the weekends (there is no reception in Malaysia where I live) before I reached the custom. I usually switch on my hand phone to check when I reach the Malaysia checkpoint custom. The moment I switched on my hand phone, a stunning message popped out in front of my eyes, which nearly frightened the daylight out of me.

It read, “Blenheim, my best friend in critical condition in the hospital now. He might not survive. Please MUST pray for him NOW!”

It was from my friend cum classmate, Sky. It was unusual because usually Sky will message me either to ask me to help him to inform the lecturer about something or help in his coursework or even ask me to help him to cover up by marking him present on the attendance sheet when he has to skip lesson (I’m the assistant class rep. But please don’t betray me to my lecturer…I’m only trying to help a friend in need…=P).

I was confused and didn’t know what to do at that time. The message was sent to me at 5plus in the evening on the same day, Sunday. That was 3 hours ago! I could not do anything at that time but followed what the message screamed out to me: PRAY.

I was trembling as I prayed. I didn’t know who the person was. All I know was he was in hospital lying on the bed at that time, and he is Sky’s best friend.

Around 10pm after I prayed, while waiting for the irritating bus, that refused to come to my rescue as fast as possible, without knowing how heavy my luggage was, I replied Sky’s message. He messaged me after that to tell me that his friend was stable, thanking me for praying. Phew… I was relieved when I received that message. I thanked God for saving his life.

But, that was not end of the story…

The next day, during break time for News Writing tutorial class, Sky quietly asked the few of us, who are Christians to go out of the classroom for a while. Just as I was wondering what happened, Sky told us that the doctor scanned through Blenheim’s brain and found a blood clog in his brain. Blenheim would not survive if he did not undergo an operation to remove the blood clog. He asked us to pray for his friend there and then. The operation took 7 hours. While we were praying, he was undergoing the operation. I was sad and stunned to hear that piece of news but felt relieved to see Sky, at this point of time, was willing to trust God to save his best friend.

My class mate, Serene told me, “Angela, I know you are a strong Christian. You really got to help Sky’s friend now.” But I told her, “Serene, I can’t save Sky’s friend. Only God can.” Then she said, “Ya, only God can save him, but we need you to pray for him.”

I didn’t know how to react. It’s true that Blenheim needs prayers, but talking to God is not only limited to “strong” Christians only. Anyone of us can just speak to God whenever we want to. Even non-Christians can speak to God. Jesus enabled us to talk to God freely.

At first, Serene and Adelene were unsure how to pray. But in the end they decided to pick up the courage to pray together with Lydia and me. God wants to listen to us, He does not want to listen to prayers that are wonderful, with full of expressions, but rather He looks at our hearts. He only wants sincerely prayers from the deepest core of our hearts.

Through this tragedy, I can see that God has brought my classmates closer to Him, especially Sky, Adelene and Serene. At least, Adelene and Serene learnt to talk to God with courage when they were at first afraid to do so and Sky really trusts God to save his friend.

At night, I messaged Sky to find out how was Blenheim. I did not get a positive answer. It reads, “He failed the operation. He will be going for another one soon. If he were to fail the next and also last operation, we will lose him forever.”

I began messaging SP crusaders to be prayer warriors. I prayed for him all night, thinking that he was undergoing his operation. But the next day when I messaged Sky asking him how was his friend's condition, he called to tell me that Blenheim needs lots of blood. Whoever wants to donate his or her blood, regardless of any blood group, can donate to him. Soon, I was busy messaging people around me asking them to pass the message around. I wanted to go and donate if I could, to save a life, but I did not know how, for fear they don't allow a foreigner to do so. So all I can do was to pray, and pray, and pray...

In the afternoon, my team went to the SP main library to film for our project. I could see Adelene, fervently prayed for Blenheim. She skipped lesson that morning to go to donate her blood and managed to see and talk to him. He was in a coma but he could hear what Adelene told him and was able to tear. He was supposed to go for his last operation the coming Monday because he just underwent one on Sunday, he could not afford to lose blood anymore. Although Adelene did not know him, she has a heart for him. She literally cried while she prayed.

Just when we were praying for a miracle to happen, I received Sky's message. He messaged me, “Please pray for my friend NOW. Doctor said he is left with only 10% of chance to live.”

I was heartbroken. Blenheim was only 18 years old, just like me. He would still have a long way to go in life, but a mere accident was taking him away soon. I don't think anyone expected this to happen, not even himself. On Sunday he complained to his mother that he was feeling dizzy. His mother applied medicated ailment on his head, thinking that it was just a common headache. But the pain became worse, so he was sent to the general hospital. And he was diagnosed having blood clog in his brain.

I kept pondering, what I will do if tomorrow is my last day on earth. I will never be able to know when that day will come. If that day were to come, what is the last thing I will do for God? Am I willing to give up everything to serve God, to accomplish His purpose for me in life? I knew for sure at the end of the day, all I want is to see Jesus smiling at me, hugging me, telling me that He is so proud of me.

During Campus Life Meeting, Zhen Yang led everyone in prayer for Blenheim and Jess's friend's friend, whom I later on realised, the person is Blenheim too. We are praying for the same person! I was grateful for that. I believed prayers work wonders. During Prayer Xperience (PXP), I shared this with all who were there, challenging them to think about the meaning and purpose of their life, about what they will do when they come to the end of their pilgrimage on earth.

On Friday, while I went filming again in the library, I received Sky's call. Pregnant pause. When he finally spoke, he asked me for a favour. I told him whatever I can do, I will try my best to help him. He asked me to pray for Blenheim. Blenheim's heartbeat had stopped and doctor was trying to save him. I told him to trust God and call us (me or Adelene) later. We prayed, Adelene prayed and cried. We tried messaging and calling Sky after that but he did not answer us. Not long after that, he called back, weeping. He said the doctor has given up hope in saving Blenheim's life. Adelene comforted him. He then asked to speak to me. Then he cried and cried. I was paralysed. His cries tore my heart into pieces. I did not know what to do to comfort him. I decided that only God can do the job. So I prayed with him over the phone. In my heart, I kept asking God what He wanted to show us and why this has to happen.

Later my team decided to stop filming and took a cab down to NUH to at least do our best in helping, perhaps to give Sky moral support and comfort. When we reached there, there were many people crying. But Blenheim was still alive, breathing painfully while the nurses sucked out the blood clogged in his brain. I could not see clearly since I was short. There were many people, his family, friends and relatives around his bed. I felt a little relieved. At least he still had hope for survival.

After expressing our concern to Sky, we made our way back. I had rushed back for Enrolment Meeting and to comfort Roger, who was upset for his “badly done" exam paper. Around 9plus at night, I messaged Sky to find out Blenheim's condition. I was hoping for a miracle to happen. Instead, all I got was tragedic news: Blenheim is gone!

I was shocked! I cried out to God, asking Him why all this happen. Why did He take Blenheim away and not performing a miracle? Why did He not listen to our prayers? What were His plans or purpose in doing this? All these questions flashed in my mind. All my hopes to see my prayers answered and to witness a miracle to happen were shattered into smithereens. I could do nothing but to pray. I prayed that God will comfort Sky, Blenheim's family, friends and relatives.

I remembered this verse:
“Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.”-Colossians 1:16

Despite the fact that Blenheim was dead, I still prayed that God will perform miracles. I could be pretty firm and stubborn sometimes. I still placed 10% of hope to see a miracle to happen in God. After all, nothing is impossible for God. I thought unless I have seen Blenheim lying dead (pardon me if I said something inappropriate), I will not give up hope for miracles.

“You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.”-Isaiah 26:3

The next day, which is a Saturday, I went to school to cover an event for the School of Business Yearbook. After that I went to Roger's house, thinking perhaps I could help Joseph in his project too since I did not have to rush back to Malaysia so early.

Suddenly, my hand phone rang. I thought it was my beloved mummy calling me to find out what time I was going home. She will miss me if I stay a little longer away from her. But usually she will message me because she does not want me to waste my phone bills as her call will be considered as overseas calls. If not my mummy, then who else will call me at that point of time?

My curiosity was answered in a jiffy. It was Sky calling! I was unsure what to expect. Will I hear sad news again? I prayed that nothing really bad will happen this time. With trembling hands, I answered the call.

Sky sounded excited! I was wondering what on earth is happening. Blenheim just went back to the Lord and here I had Sky sounding so excited. I did not have to wait long for the answer to his excitement. Blenheim is alive!

It was a miracle! Blenheim’s brain is not dead. He does not have to live on Life Support machine any longer. He is much stable now. Thanks for all the prayers. God indeed is good! He listens to all our prayers. Let us continue to pray for more miracles to happen. Blenheim will be going for another operation in a few weeks time when he is more stable.

So my brothers and sisters, let us be prayer warriors. Place all our trust and faith in our Father in heaven. He will take care of all our worries and concerns.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”-John 15:7

Satan trembles at the sight of a kneeling child of God. May all glory be to our God forever and ever. =)

On Friday morning, 11 March 2005, I received Sky’s message saying he will not go to school. His friend, Blenheim has passed away. I was sad to hear that, and so happen that was also the day of the funeral of our beloved brother, Timothy’s dad, the atmosphere around me was pretty bleak. But in my heart, I know that God loves all of us very dearly, including Tim’s dad and Blenheim.

Though Blenheim has gone to be with the Lord last Friday, I still thank God that at least He has let him live for another week to testify His miracle. God loves him a lot. Blenheim is in a much better place now. God has His plans and purpose in all that He has done. I trust and know that God’s thoughts are always better than ours. We can still meet those have to gone in heaven next time. We are blessed to have this hope and this promise will stand forever because this is what our Father Jesus has promised us. I look forward to meeting them once again in heaven.

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”- Psalm 84:10