LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!
REMEMBERING REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES
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CHAPTER THIRTY NINE THE HOUSE THAT WOULDN'T BURN We had a fire at our house just three days after moving into the parsonage at Bryson City, North Carolina. It was around ten o'clock on a Saturday night, and I was drying the fourth load of clothes I had washed. I was also ironing the clothes that we would be wearing for our first service at our new church. We could hardly walk through the house because of all the boxes that remained unpacked in every room. All day, I had unpacked boxes in the kitchen and put up dishes, pots and pans, and groceries. Suddenly, Larry came through the hallway saying that he smelled something burning. He looked into the laundry room near the kitchen and saw flames coming from the back of the clothes dryer. I remember him saying frantically, "How do you turn this thing off?" and "GET ME SOMETHING, GET ME SOMETHING!" Then he opened the dryer door and yanked the sheets out and threw them into the hallway. We couldn't find the fire extinguisher that we had seen in the house earlier, so our teenage son, Scott, ran down the hill to the church to find one. I remember saying "I plead the Blood, I plead the Blood (of Jesus)" just before I went to the phone to dial 911. Help arrived within a few minutes. The sheriff's deputy arrived first and turned off the breaker (Why didn't we think of that?). Then the fire truck and some volunteer firemen came soon after that. Some of our new church members arrived within minutes also, and stayed with us throughout the ordeal. The firemen and sheriff's deputy could never have found our house if Scott had not been down at the church to point to the steep hill which led up to our house. You could barely see that there was a house up there. The flames were still visible when the deputy arrived, but the fire stopped when he turned off the breaker. They pulled the dryer out of the house and opened windows and doors to let the smoke out. My husband watched as the deputy touched the walls around where the dryer had been, and he heard him say in utter amazement, "THIS WALL IS NOT EVEN WARM!" There were no burned places on the wall or ceiling or on the shelves above the dryer. The fire did absolutely no damage to the house at all! The vinyl floor under the dryer had a tiny cut in it that was made when the firemen pulled the dryer out of the laundry room, but other than that, no damage had occurred. As it turned out, there was a build-up of lint and some old socks (left by the former pastor’s family) underneath the dryer and they caught fire when the dryer overheated from hours of use that afternoon and evening. We were able to sleep in the house that night, and the smell of smoke vanished quickly. There was no smoke damage at all. We went to our first service at church the next morning, thanking God for His wonderful protecting power. We praised Him for the power in the Blood of Jesus. We saw firsthand that God still works miracles today! "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them" (Psalm 34:7).
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About the Book
Within the pages of this book, the author recalls many incredible experiences that she and her husband had during their 45 years in the ministry. They experienced dreams, visions, and signs from God that were remarkable. In the book, she tells of miracles, healings, and amazing answers to prayer. She gives praise and glory to God for His mighty, wonder-working power. It's as though she wants to shout to the whole world, "Look what the Lord has done -- and look what He can do for you!"
About the Author
Diane Hemphill enjoyed being a pastor's wife for more than 35 years. She is married to Rev. Larry Hemphill, an ordained Bishop in the Church of God. Their ministry has spanned more than 45 years, and they still minister frequently to various congregations. Diane completed a writing course with Kennesaw State University, as well as a course with The Institute of Children's Literature. She was a newspaper columnist for more than two years, and she has had numerous articles published in various newspapers and in the Church of God Evangel. Many of her songs have been published by the Tennessee Music & Printing Co., Gospel Heritage Music, and McKameys Publishing. She enjoys spending time with family, reading, studying the Bible, writing poems, articles, children's stories, and gospel songs. She also enjoys singing, playing the piano, listening to gospel music, and baking desserts. Diane has been a speaker at numerous church and community events. For many years, she has been a substitute teacher in North Carolina and Georgia, and she also teaches a young adult Sunday School class at her church. Through the years, she has conducted ladies meetings, Vacation Bible School, children's church, nursing home services, Teen Time classes, and Kid's Klubs. She has ministered in song at weddings and funerals, in churches, nursing homes, and at a special tea honoring cancer survivors. Diane and her husband have been blessed with three children and four grandchildren. Since retiring from pastoral work, they now reside in Powder Springs, Georgia. Please note: The word "Evangel" will need to be put in italics. Thanks!