Today is Sunday, October 05, 2003-a beautiful sunny warm fall Minnesota afternoon. A another day to be thankful to God on how much blessed we are all in different ways to "see" (VISION) His creation-Amen? If you don't agree after reading the link I (Sal) made on reminders of how bless we are, maybe this website will convince you! I've been meaning to do this webpage for along time, but after a special service I attended with two buddies of mine last night-I was encouraged to do this right away!
Before I share with you what happened last night, I would like to share with you how much you have and that you don't know it at times or at all. As you read this, you have been blessed with being able to see and read this webpage. I'm writing about the ability to "see", which around millions (stats?) of people in this world are not able to do. I've met "blind" people before and I personally know people who are blind in one eye or people who just have a very below average eyesight.
There is one guy who I know, whom I will call "John", that has only one good eye. People that see him will not notice right away (his other eye is a glass eye shape material). A good friend from college too has this, his other eye was accidentally taken out when a friend accidentally (playing) shot him-just missed a valuable part of his brain that would've cost his life! A public figure that many of you may know (especially if you were a Minnesota Twins Baseball fan back in 1987 and 1991) that his professional career ended due to eye problems was Kirby Puckett. He had glucoma, which was detected unexpectantly after severely getting injured in his eye when he got hit by a pitch. I thank God for being able to see with both eyes, which I do my best to take care of (see health tips to have "good" eyes) and not take for granted with this ability
When one's 5 senses are taken out, it seem the other senses are elevated higher-more above average than the other person. "John's heart is bigger than many other people I know. Despite his "one good eye", his heart for people sticks out and is more noticeable to people that don't know him. One time, he went to my church and started pointing with a smile to this lady sitting behind him. Like many people he points, they smile-an obvious observations of someone's heart being touched! That friend who I wrote about-he went back to his home country after studying at UMM and currently in the nation's job market making a living like any "average" person. He spoke at IVCF in front of his peers one-time about this "disability", which really touched many of his peers'hearts. Kirby Puckett, who I looked up to since I was a kid growing up as a Minnesota Twins Fan, is currently working for the organization despite his 'disability'. Another example of a person who has overcome their "disability" to not see in a more of a local level is-State Representative, Torry Westrom. I have had the privilege to meet Mr. Westrom several times in-person at many local public functions: parades, church events, etc...as I've resided in Motown since graduating in 1999.
What happened last night? I and two buddies of mine went to Joy Christian Center in St. Cloud, MN for a beneffit concert for Christo Vive International. They had a couple international flavor peformances: Hispanic Band and Kenyan interactive worship with the audience performance. After, the husband-wife team that founded Christo Vive shared their heart of mission. They are an international non-profit ministry organization helping disabled youth for Christ.locally and globally. We were very encouraged what we witnessed last night".a blind man playing as many musical instruments he did-Roy Hoffman, from South Dakotah! He not only entertained us, but he also ministered to us in different ways. The verse from the Bible that came up to me was "With God all things are possible". This was just an example of God's power and love, which is shown through people like Mr. Hoffman-that are somewhat look down upon in the world. Another verse was, "God chooses the foolish to shame the wise". The MC (from Heart of the City Ministries )of this event shared how they got Roy to come sing here, which was through another concert this MC witnessed at a "Gathier Concert" in City Celebration (Lowell Lundstrom, pastor and former famous southern gospel singer from South Dakota also!) in Burnsville, MN during Christmas last year.
Despite your disability (everyone has one with different extremes), you can do all things with God if you put your mind and heart to it-with God of course! Instead of focussing on your weakness, we need to look at our strengths. What has God blessed us with? Instead of comparing and envying what others have, we should seek our Creator on how we could be use effectively for His glory!
Below are some encouraging verses I told him and others to read (5.25.04), I e-mailed a brother in Christ of mine before his eye surgery from biblesearch.com=>
Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 119 In context: Psalm 119:17-19)
Psalm 119:148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 119 In context: Psalm 119:147-149)
Recent Eye-Exams
I've had a lazy eye since growin up, which my recent eye doctor told me that it could've been corrected if I wore a patach in my eye.
Date: 6.30.06
Where: Vision World (City Centre East; 1785 Radio Dr, #B; Woodbury, MN 55125; 651.501.0920; Fax # 651.501.0921
Distance:
Right -0.00 (sphere) -1.00 (cylinder) 005 (Axis)
Left +4.00 (sphere)-1.25 (cylinder) 180 (Axis)
Add: Distance-Reading
PD: 32.5 for both eyes or 65 (called in today-Thursday, Aug 30th of 2007
Dr. Chepuus
Today (Wednesday, July 8th of 2009) I had to write about some "cool" updated good news!! I went to get my eye exam the other day (Monday), which was long over due-over 3 years since my last eye exam. It's recommended to get this done ever 2 years or so... Well, I went to get my eye exam and the readings have improved!! Halleluah! Praise the Lord! My right eye improved from -1 to +3 something...Of course, I had to get a new prescription. I'll have the exact numbers when I pick my glasses next time I head to the Twin Cities. I know my eyes has improved because earlier last year when I passed my "behind-the-wheel" bus driving test and was going to get my license, I passed my eye exam to exempt or get my "need glasses" taken out of my old drivers license. I contribute this improvement to God giving me "wisdom" on how to improve my eyes by seeking online to improve my eye sight in various ways:
-taking breaks from being online (e.g. doing websites like theses)
-eating a healthier diet (e.g. was "diagnose" close to border-line diabetic unless I change my "lifestyle")
-praying for healing
-therapy exercises (close one eye for 5 minutes and swith to the other eye to help strengthen both of them)
-taking Lueten vitamins (see down below) in a regular basis (at least once a week)
What's next? I just gotta keep maintaining this "healthy" lifestyle and hope to encourage others in similar health problems to live a healthier lifestyle. With God...all things are possible! Amen? AMEN!!
Do you have any other tips to improve your eye sight?
Updated:
Date: 7.6.09
Where: Vision World (Maplewood Mall; 2033 Maplewood Mall; Maplewood, MN 55109; 651.777.0330; Fax # 651.770.5444
Distance:
Right PL (sphere) -.75 (cylinder) 005 (Axis)
Left +3.00 (sphere)-1.25 (cylinder) 4(Axis)
Add: Distance-Reading
PD: 32.5 for both eyes or 65 (called in today-Thursday, Aug 30th of 2007
Dr. Lucas
Articles
Bibles
*see Virtual Christianity: Bibles
Special Need Products - Information on Large Print Bibles
Computers
Drinks
-Vitamins
Linking Lutein to Eye Health
"http://www.iHealthTube.com Dr. Holly Showalter on what study first linked lutein to eye health. More videos on natural health can be found at www.ihealthtube.com "
Where To Find Lutein:
Carrots, squash and other orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are sources of lutein. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, also contain high amounts of lutein. All are an important part of a healthy diet.
Lutein is also available as a dietary supplement. The Age Related Eye Disease study found that high doses of lutein, combined with other antioxidants, may help slow down the progression of macular degeneration. The supplement formula used in the study is Twin Lab Ocuvite (buy direct), which also contains zinc and other antioxidants. "
Goggles
Military
A Blind Soldier’s Transforming Moment: The Captain Scotty Smiley's Story - Inspirational Videos
"Do not miss this incredibly story of courage, adversity and unwavering faith in God. Captain Scotty Smiley graduated West Point in 2003 and soon after began serving our country in Iraq. In the Spring of 2005, a suicide car bomber took the sight in both
of his eyes. While many would allow this disability to hold us back, Scotty reminds us that nothing is impossible with God. Not only is Scotty the U.S. Army’s first blind active duty officer, he continues to defy the odds by climbing mountains, surfing, skydiving,
skiing, running marathons and even writing a book! We love and salute you Captain Scotty Smiley! May God continue to bless you, your ministry and your family! Be sure to grab his new book “Hope Unseen” http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Unseen-Story-Active-Duty-Officer/dp/1439183791"
Music
-Worship
open the eyes of my hearth - Music Videos
People
Performing Arts
-Drama
Red Dot
-Diagnosis
The following can occasionally result in a spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage:
Sneezing
Coughing
Straining/vomiting
Eye rubbing
Trauma (injury)
High blood pressure
Bleeding disorder (a medical disorder causing bleeding or inhibiting normal clotting)
Subconjunctival hemorrhage can also be non-spontaneous and result from a severe eye infection or a trauma to the head or eye, or it can occur after eye or eyelid surgery."
-Treatment
-Rose Water
Sports
Testimonies
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Life: Determination, Endurance, Perseverance, Persevere, Press-On, etc.. ..
Blindness is not the same as death!
When at age 19 I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosis (RP) and would lose all of my sight in the next few years, I was quite excited. Why? Because, prior to then I had been told by those I trusted that I was mentally retarded. Blindness seemed like a much better deal so rather than go into depression, I began to plan my life around a totally new set of problems that I thought were not only manageable but quite challenging
*heard her amazing story on the radio during my drive from Morris to St. Paul (Minnesota) on U.S. Air Date: August 24, 2010
More Than Meets the Eye listen.family.org
"Joan Brock shares the spiritual lessons she's learned since going blind at age 32. She also talks about dealing with anger, the importance of humor and the power of encouragement to overcome life's problems."
WIC: Joan Brock Testimony
by Catalina Foothills Church
WIC: Joan Brock Testimony from Catalina Foothills Church on Vimeo.
AFRICA
Blind Man Gets Healed!!
"During church in Pemba, Mozambique, a totally blind muslim man recieves prayer for healing in the name of Jesus...and gets totally healed!!! This miracle happened right in front of my eyes...this muslim man not only recieved physical sight, but he got saved and baptized in Jesus' name! Just as in the book of Acts, God confirms His gospel through signs and wonders through the hands of His Church."
-South Africa
Miracle - Blind girl sees at Solid Rock
"Watch the miracle as the blind girl sees. Watch the Holy Spirit heal. Happened at Solid Rock in Northcliff Corner Sourh Africa. Live streaming on www.thenakedtruth.tv every Sat and Sun at 18h00"
ASIA
-India
First Sights
"A Man with a blind eye in Andrea Pradesh, India is apparently healed after receiving prayer. The preacher claims Jesus is resurrected from the dead and is able to heal people."
Humanitarian
Lions club Eye Glasses
"Uploaded on Jan 5, 2010
The Ocala Lions club processes and ships out thousands of pairs of donated eye glasses to those in need around the world.
"
Samson
"Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them." 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the LORD , "O Sovereign LORD , remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
Samson & Delilah (FULL MOVIE) 8/13
"Samson was born to aged parents. He was a Nazirite set apart for God's service and therefore did not cut his hair or drink alcohol. His exploits included tearing a lion apart with his bare hands, killing a company of the men of Ashdod, setting fire to their fields and orchards, and slaughtering a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. After a Philistine woman named Delilah enticed Samson to reveal the secret of his great strength, she cut off his hair, and the Philistines gouged out his eyes, bound him with strong fetters, and set him to grind at the mill in the prison. But Samson's hair, the secret of his strength, began to grow again. The day came when the Philistine lords sent for the blind Samson to laugh at him. Samson felt for the pillars on which the house rested, pulled them down, and died along with many Philistines."
Jesus of Nazareth - Healing the Blind Man
"Jesus heals a blind man in Jerusalem, who is then harrassed by the religious
leaders."
Jesus Heals a Blind Man
"This is my third animation in the Anime Jesus series. It's taken from John 9:1-20. It's a great miracle that Jesus performed to show that he was the son of God. "
Saul-Paul
" 1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength."
Saul of Tarsus
'The Saul of Tarsus Christian video is a 30-minute, dramatic story about repentance!
Saul is changed forever when the resurrected Lord miraculously appears to him on the Road to Damascus. He becomes reborn as Paul and begins to evangelize for the sake of the Gospel, serving as one of the most influential missionaries in the New Testament.
Paul's conversion on the Road to Damascus is a strong example of the power of Jesus Christ to change lives. This example reminds us that no matter what a person used to be or how great a person's misdeeds—he can be saved through belief in Christ alone! "