I write music that is specific for medically challenged or special needs children and their families. My daughter Melissa was born in 1994 with congenital heart defects and spina bifida. My husband and I were heartbroken, Music was used all the time to defray the loud noises of the ventilator and IV pumps used to keep her alive. We found very little songs that were uplifting and spoke directly to us. She passed away in Sept. 2008 after 18 surgeries. I write songs to work through my grief and help others that have children in these same situations. The Lord is their only hope! Two songs have been recorded at Daywind Sound Studios on the Spirit Sent CD "Healing Hearts Changing Lives". These were Melissa's Song and On God's Watch. The CD was recorded in tribute to Melissa and her fight to survive. http://www.spiritsentmusic.com

The recording is owned by When Are We Going Home Ministry ...

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For those who miss being able to play games right here on your favorite place to hang out...there is hope. There are TWO arcade mods under development I am watching. Both look very promising. Each of them allow forum members to submit scores so we can have a high score ranking, and some of the games look really awesome. Whichever version we go with, we want to wait until it's stable enough for use on our forum (we don't want developmental s/w corrupting our database or introducing vulnerabilities). So, please be patient!

I'm sure at one time or another we've all prayed for someone we don't really know; maybe through a prayer chain or a request from a friend of a friend to pray for a coworker, family member, or friend. Sometimes we are called to pray for people that aren't in any way related to us. A while ago, while surfing blogs on Wordpress (where I host my blog), I came across the blog of a girl in New York. I felt that she needed prayer and guidance, and I knew that it was not by chance that I had come across her story. I began regularly reading her blog, and regularly praying for her salvation. Now keep in mind that she is half a world away from me, and on the surface we have very little in common; I have no legitimate reason to be praying for her. But I know that you don't really have to know a person to pray for them, and for those prayers to be answered. Now last week I was reading her blog, and came across this entry:
http://thesarahnoelle.blogspot.com/2009...

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My son (5 yrs old) who has been sick the past couple of days was diagnosed today with scarlet fever. Funny how the name sounds far scarier that what it really boils down to–-strep throat with a rash. Apparently particular strains of strep produce a toxin that causes an allergic reaction, ie. rash, all over the body. And, yes, the rash can itch. Good news is you get rid of the strep, you get rid of the rash too. So the boy is on a good dosage of antibiotics and should be fine within a week. Well, minus the full body skin-peeling that will inevitably follow the healing of the rash. Bad news is it’s rather contagious, so we all (including the grandma who’s been watching him the past couple of days) have to be on the lookout for symptoms until he is better. Extra hand washing and all that. Had to call the school and report it, in case any of his classmates come down with symptoms; felt like a terrible mom for having to do so, though he probably caught it from some other classmate there...

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Last night our church held its annual Christmas memorial service for those who have lost someone in the year. We bring in tree ornaments. Those who are able share stories and why they picked the ornament they did and then we hang them on the tree. This was my second time to attend...December 2000 I attended after my husband passed away and last night for my great granddaughter, Dylan Mischelle who passed away this last Oct. 25th. These services are very comforting and a reminder of the part the Holy Spirit plays in or lives. Jesus called the little children to come to Him and he held each one of them. I know that He is holding Dylan now. Even in times of grief there are things to be joyful for.

Last night was also a reminder to me of how many people are hurting this holiday season, not just for loss of loved ones but also for other life issues. My prayer is that there will be peace that passes all understanding for all those who are in pain and that the Holy Spirit will fill their...

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