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    Footsteps of Recovery: Devotions of Christian Faith for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal
    Footsteps of Recovery: Devotions of Christian Faith for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal
    Footsteps of Recovery: Devotions of Christian Faith for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal
    Ebook141 pages2 hours

    Footsteps of Recovery: Devotions of Christian Faith for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal

    By Rev. Tony D. Warren Ph.D.

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    About this ebook

    Rev. Warrens definitive purpose in writing Footsteps of Recovery is to encourage the severely sick; to exhort souls; to edify those with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs; so they can know the comfort of Gods presence in their lives. He reveals the importance of having balance in your lifea balance of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

    Rev. Warren shares his personal hurt and near-death experienceseven with hospice care, but reveals how he blossomed back with the affirmation of Christian faith. The dedication of these devotional messages is offered to help you during the thorny times of your life. The Footsteps of Recovery highlight the beauty of an eternal promise with our Lord and Savior. Tonys pastoral encouragement will help lead you toward the spiritual assurance of a healing recovery beyond your expectations.

    The Lord has opened doors for Tony to preach with ordained enthusiasm and expository clarity, in over thirty years of successful preaching and Bible teaching experience. Tony holds BSBA and MBA degrees from East Carolina University, a Master of Divinity and a PhD in expository preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary, endorsed by the University of Liverpool. Other studies include the Billy Graham School of Evangelism and pastoral schools at Campbell University.

    I am now a much better person and physician for our patient-physician relationship as well as our friendship.
    Jason N. Katz, MD MHS, assistant professor; medical director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit; UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    One day Im assisting Tony with his pre-arrangements for his funeral. A year later hes back preaching the Word of God again. Footsteps of Recovery truly reveal Gods mighty power of healing and renewal.
    Rev. Jim Cox, Southern Baptist Senior Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Jackson, North Carolina

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWestBow Press
    Release dateNov 27, 2012
    ISBN9781449776176
    Footsteps of Recovery: Devotions of Christian Faith for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal
    Author

    Rev. Tony D. Warren Ph.D.

    Inspired by Dr. Warren’s miraculous recovery, Footsteps of Recovery will encourage the severely sick with physical, emotional and spiritual needs during difficult times. He has touched souls as a Bible teacher and pastor in North Carolina, Alaska, and Israel. Tony and his wife, Sandra, live near Williamston, North Carolina.

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      Book preview

      Footsteps of Recovery - Rev. Tony D. Warren Ph.D.

      Copyright © 2012 Rev. Tony D. Warren, Ph.D

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

      WestBow Press

      A Division of Thomas Nelson

      1663 Liberty Drive

      Bloomington, IN 47403

      www.westbowpress.com

      1-(866) 928-1240

      Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

      Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

      Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

      Scripture quotations are taken from The New King James Version

      © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

      ISBN: 978-1-4497-7617-6 (e)

      ISBN: 978-1-4497-7616-9 (sc)

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2012921474

      WestBow Press rev. date: 11/19/2012

      CONTENTS

      Foreword

      Acknowledgments

      Introduction

      Chapter 1 Contentment Of Faith

      Chapter 2 Power Of Enduring Hope

      Chapter 3 Love Of God Brings Recovery

      Chapter 4 Rewards Of Peace And Joy

      Chapter 5 Gift Of God’s Grace

      Conclusion

      About The Author

      Helpful Resources

      Additional References

      To the love of my life, Sandra, my best friend,

      the mother of our children

      and my finest medicine on earth!

      "Twas God’s grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved.

      How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed."

      — John Newton 1725–1807

      FOREWORD

      The Christian life is one that is rich and full of an exceptional life. Jesus called it an abundant life. He said in part, I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10b). Christians know the joy of sins forgiven and the presence of our Lord and Savior each day. However, sometimes we face difficulties and troubles in this life. Life threatening illness can challenge our faith. We may know pain and sorrow, but how can we cope when we experience these challenges? How do we achieve physical, mental and spiritual balance and healing in our lives?

      Rev. Dr. Warren, a seasoned pastor, Christian newspaper writer and author, knows what it is like to experience an illness that was diagnosed as terminal. Under Hospice Care, he was literally at the end of his rope. There seemed to be no hope at all. Then, God brought about a miracle of healing. It began with an unswerving faith in his Lord and the Word of the Lord—the Holy Bible Scriptures. He dared to believe what seemed to be impossible. With the support of his medical professionals, his family and friends, Tony would not give up. Incredibly his faith in Christ and many prayers brought a miraculous healing.

      Footsteps of Recovery mirrors the steps he took toward recovery. They are designed to help others recover from illness and despair. You will discover that Jesus Christ is the Great Physician. The spirit of these peaceful and joyful devotions can help you and your love ones cope with a sense of helplessness that often comes with serious illness.

      A complete recovery may not be as speedy or as extraordinary as it was for Tony, but recovery must begin with an unconditional faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the premise of these devotions and spiritual encouragements offered by Footsteps of Recovery. It is Dr. Warren’s prayer that the sharing of his incredible recovery and these uplifting devotions will bring the peace of Jesus Christ to you—as it has for him.

      — Rev. Dr. James O. Hagwood, Jr., Pastor Emeritus, Robersonville Baptist Church, and noted Southern Baptist Sunday School Lesson author

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      I am indebted to many helpers, some of them unknown to me personally, in the writing of Footsteps of Recovery—Devotionals of Christian Faith for Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Renewal. Those unknown to me are many medical professionals, biblical scholars and personal supporters whose skills, prayers, books, articles and sermons I have read and heard over the years, and whose contributions have stimulated my desire to share my determination to recover with others in physical, emotional and spiritual necessity.

      To my Trinity Theological Seminary adviser, Dr. David Hendrix, I am grateful for assisting me in expository biblical writing with a greater understanding and clarity of thought. To Dr. James O. Hagwood, Jr., my mentor, distinguished pastor, Southern Baptist Bible lessons author, I thank him for sharing his academic skills, his attentive friendship and his valuable suggestions. I am truly grateful to my friend Pastor Jim Cox who was always there with visits, prayer and encouragement. To the many churches whose sustaining prayers uplifted me with the comfort of the Holy Spirit, I give thanks.

      My heartfelt appreciation goes to the many doctors, nurses and staff that have taken care of my medical needs in so many exceptional ways. I especially wish to acknowledge the entire staff at Vidant Medical Center. At UNC Hospital I give thanks for Brett C. Sheridan MD, Jason N. Katz, MD, John Morsek MD and Mandy Bowen, PA. At Duke Hospital, a prayer of thanks to J. Kelvin Harrison MD, Carmelo A. Milano, MD, Joseph G. Rogers, MD, Laura Blue PA, Kelvin Cox NA, Kenneth Gold PT; and the entire advanced physical therapy staff of Durham Regional Hospital. Moreover I am very honored of the professional care I receive now from my family doctor, Dr. Thomas Gennosa.

      To our children, Patrick and Chris and their families and our friends who kept our home, our pet cat and three acres of yard in remarkable array, made welcomed visits, brought food, prayed with us and shared their genuine concern for my welfare, we give our sincere love. A loving thanks to Brenda Speller, my wife’s sister for her Christian goodness and providing Sandra with moral support. And many thanks to my brothers, Dennis, Jack and his wife, Carolyn; and my sister-in-law, NC State Rep. Edith Warren for encouraging me to keep an encouraging faith. I am extremely appreciative for our devoted neighbors, Wayne Coltrain and Lori Wynne who many times went beyond the call of duty.

      Then there were my beautiful sisters, Patsy and Hilda, and our good friends, Jo Ann McNall, Bobby Clark and King and Earline Leggett, who came to see us often and gave Sandra some richly deserved free time. They all certainly have earned their heavenly crowns! To Sandra, my wife and favorite nurse, I give God special thanks for being my earthly angel who continues to take care of me with great love and commitment. Finally, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I give the honor, glory and praise only He deserves!

      INTRODUCTION

      Footsteps of Recovery was inspired by a long-term recovery from severe heart failure and my need to remain emotionally and spiritually strong. The results have been an incredible recovery beyond my wildest dreams. Not only myself, but everyone that knows me believes my recovery was truly a miracle. My sole purpose in writing Footsteps of Recovery is to help others who have a greater need beyond professional medical treatment to bring balance and renewal into their lives. Medical treatment by dedicated, competent doctors and nurses has its own miracles, but the balancing requirement of complete recovery is the healing hand of God.

      My entire medical recovery experience is dedicated to the encouraging words of the apostle Paul: For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). The Word of God can bring complete healing and by God’s grace—the great gift of eternal life.

      At age 46 I had a sudden, unexpected heart attack. My miracles began then since most folks would not have survived the blow. This type of heart attack is often referred to as a widow maker, but for some reason, the Lord gave me another opportunity to serve him. But this was just the beginning of an incredible recovery that needed more than great medical treatment. I realized for the first time the real treasure of my Christian faith and the precious ripple effect of so many others in my life who had lead me along the way.

      Dr. Dan Cohen, a visiting cardiologist from South Africa, performed emergency bypass surgery on my heart at Pitt Memorial Hospital. Being relatively young I recovered quickly—coming home on the fifth day and walking around the neighborhood—slowly but walking. While viewing the beauty of God’s creation all around me, the real light of the world began to truly shine in my spiritual heart. Not only was the physical heart healing, so was my soul because of a strengthened Christian faith that provided me with peace and assurance. I was able to return to most normal activities with little medicine and regular clinic visits for over 18 years.

      However, at age 62, I was treated for prostate cancer with brachytherapy and six weeks of radiation management. This was almost a mystifying experience since I suffered no side effects and followed a very progressive pathway of recovery. Thankfully the prostate cancer has been in remission ever since. This was a bump in the road that was treated early and very effectively. I thank God for his abundant blessings!

      At age 65, I began to experience atrial fibrillation or irregular heart rhythm. My real test of faith and a need for a balanced recovery was going to be put to the ultimate test. This troublesome heart problem resulted in several medical procedures including an implant of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, two cardiac ablations and robotic surgery on my mitral heart valve. All of these occurrences of treatment were successful and recovery came at a normal pace.

      Then one evening after dinner with friends at a local restaurant, I returned home to retire for the night. As I was preparing for bed, I suddenly sensed that the defibrillator was going to give me an electrical shock. A defibrillator is implanted in the shoulder with wires running into the center chamber of the heart to protect you from sudden heart pulse surges. I attempted to get down on the floor, but before I could, the defibrillator discharged at full voltage. The shock treatment saved my life, but the impact knocked me into the side of an oak dining room chair. In the emergency room at Pitt Memorial, the x-rays showed I had cracked four ribs in the fall.

      Today Pitt Memorial is known as the Vidant Medical Center. I was admitted to the new Vidant Heart Institute which is a beautiful sight to behold. With this kind of medical support, I knew I was in good hands close to home. I live only 20 miles from the hospital. The next morning I was in for another huge shock of a different nature. The cardiology medical team came to my room. Dr. Wood regretfully informed me they could not do any more for me at Vidant and were transferring me to the UNC Hospital

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