No Tears in Heaven

In the summer of 2007 my life took a unique turn. I had been having unusual feelings and headaches, which led my doctor to schedule a MRI. It revealed a brain tumor in the front temporal lobe of my brain. This was a new experience for me! As I considered this unexpected path, I was confident that God knew just where it was going to lead. I found that I could choose to trust Him each step of the way. When we trust God, He gives us more than enough strength to take the next step with peaceful confidence in our hearts. Read more…

On February 2nd 2000 my youngest son, Luke 12 years old, was coming out of the shower and suffered sudden cardiac death. My wife, Carol, was home at the time and immediately began to administer CPR until the arrival of the EMS team. The event left Luke with a lack of oxygen to the brain causing what is medically referred to as anoxia.

To detail The ensuing events from the emergency room, to learning our son suffered a traumatic brain injury, the long term affects it would have on our family, including medications foreign to every day family understanding, combined with the necessity of intensive but important rehabilitation and the monitoring of Luke’s heart with the implantation of a pacemaker is better served in Luke’s area of testimony.

by Dr. Layton Talbert

Dr. Layton Talbert received his M.A. and PhD. in Theology from Bob Jones University, where he has been teaching Theology and New Testament Exposition in the Seminary since 2001. Prior to that he spent three years teaching as an adjunct professor at Baptist College of Ministry in Wisconsin. He has been a regular writer and editor for Frontline Magazine since 1993 and has authored the book, Not By Chance: Learning to Trust a Sovereign God. Layton and his wife, Esther, have five children (home schooled) and have also been caring for his mother, who has Alzheimer’s Disease, since 1994 in their home. When unforseen tragedy occurs it is only natural to want to reach out and give comfort to those who are hurting. In the following Message of Hope, written by Dr. Layton Talbert, you will find timely advice on what to do and how to be of service in “Helping Those Who Are Hurting.” Read more…

Esther Talbert

Alzheimer’s is the disease that breaks the hearts of loved ones looking on even as it painlessly fractures the mind of the victim. Gone from her mind is the pain of her divorce, which she carried with her for over two decades. She is confused to be sure. But God has not forsaken her, and we are privileged to be some of those through whom God does care for her.Verse 18 of Psalm 71 says, “Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not, until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come.” As a nursing instructor cherished by her students (of whom I was one), Mom imparted to her young charges far more than nursing skills. To many she was a surrogate mother and spiritual counselor who showed the strength and sweetness, the love and faithfulness of the Lord. Now God is using her to show His strength and power—perfected through weakness—to my husband and me. Read more…

When we first saw him in the recovery room, he was just waking up and becoming aware of immense discomfort. He especially did not understand why his head was engulfed in a white, lopsided, pressure bandage. He wore it for a week, because it held some of the vital hearing parts in place under his scalp while the surgery site healed. Read more…

In December of 2002 Elicia Giovanetti was diagnosed with a medical need that has required special care and attention. Elicia is 8 years old and the daughter of Jeff and Debra Giovanetti. Elicia has an older sister, 9 year old, Tiffini. The Giovantti family are members of Faith Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina. Read more…