A new man!

God's promise!

The face of a miracle :)

Michael had been taking 7 powerful medications for Bi-polar Disorder. He wanted to go off "cold turkey," but his psychiatrist disagreed with him. He suggested a more moderate approach. The doctor told Michael that he could stop taking three of the medications right away, but that it would be wise to gradually phase out the other 4 by cutting the doses of those medications over a period of weeks. Michael wasn't exactly excited about the plan, but he agreed to it anyway.

Michael took his medication that day, then the next, and then the next...but something was different. The medications that usually made him feel "normal" were now making him feel sick! He felt tired, nauseous, and all around rotten.  He lost all his energy, and it wasn't long before he lost all his patience with "the plan." He tried to continue on, but he soon grew tired of feeling "sick and tired." He made the decision to discontinue all the medications. He started feeling better within a few days!

A new man!

Not only was his reaction to the medications a huge change, but there was also a huge change in his personality and general demeanor. The swings from euphoria to depression were gone. The endless cycle had been broken, and God had replaced it with a healthy, normal disposition. Michael was now able to make and maintain friendships, and he was also able to excel at his job. In fact people who had known him for a long time didn't even recognize him. He was a new man!

Dad and Michael

I didn't recognize him either. I know it sounds crazy, but I really didn't recognize my own son. You would think after 20 years I would know just about everything there was to know about him, but God had changed everything. He had given Michael a new life. He had made him into a new man. I may not have known this new Michael, but I was certainly happy to make his acquaintance. It has been fun getting to know my son all over again.

Michael and Christopher

As of this writing, we have now past the one year anniversary mark of Michael's miracle. Life is good because of the incredible power, love, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Michael is doing well in all areas of his life. It is really amazing what one act of obedience, what one small step of faith, what one statement..."I'm ready"...can do to change the entire direction of your life. God can take even the smallest mustard seed of faith and grow it into an enormous tree of hope. The good news is that there is room for everyone to take shade underneath that tree. Miracles are meant to be shared. What God does for one, He will do for another.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can pray like this:

More tomorrow...