“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

To many Christians, repentance refers to having an altar call where people come forward and weep at the altar and get right with God. That is a legitimate expression of repentance, but it’s not what the word repentance means. “Re” means to go back. “Pent” is like the penthouse, the top floor of a building. Repent, then, means to go back to God’s perspective on reality.

And in that perspective there is a renewal, a reformation that affects our intellect, our emotions, and every part of our lives. Without repentance we remain locked into carnal ways of thinking. When the Bible speaks of carnality, it doesn’t necessarily mean obvious, disgusting sin. Most Christians have no appetite for sin; they don’t want to get drunk or sleep around, but because they live without the demonstrated power of the gospel, many have lost their sense of purpose and gone back to sin. Having a renewed mind is often not an issue of whether or not someone is going to heaven, but of how much of heaven he or she wants in his or her life right now.

Renewing the mind begins with repentance.
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Jesus urged us to do an about-face in our approach to reality because His Kingdom is at hand. He brought His world with Him, and it’s within our reach. He wants you to see reality from God’s perspective, to learn to live from His world toward the visible world. But if you don’t change the way you think, you’ll never be able to apprehend the Kingdom power that is available.

Repent, then, means to go back to God’s perspective on reality.
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Jesus said that “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). What does that mean? Well, Jesus was not saying that we would have visions of heaven, though I know that happens. He was speaking more practically.

He was saying that when our minds are renewed, we will see the Kingdom displayed and proven as He did in His earthly ministry. That’s what it means to “see” the Kingdom of heaven. Our souls long to see such things. We have inside of us an unrelenting hunger to watch the Kingdom break into this realm—and not just to watch but to participate, to become the connecting point and gateway for God’s power.

If you want to learn more about this topic you can read a free preview of my new book The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind here: Free Preview or you can get your own copy here: The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind on Amazon.

Have a question or comment about this article? Let me know on Twitter.

The mind is the essential tool in bringing Kingdom reality to the problems and crises people face.
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

To be of any use to the Kingdom, our minds must be transformed. We find a clue to what that word means in the transfiguration of Jesus when He talked with Moses and Elijah. The reality of heaven radiated through Jesus, and He shone with incredible brilliance. His body revealed the reality of another world. The word transformed in that passage is the same word we find in Romans 12:2. The renewed mind, then, reflects the reality of another world in the same way Jesus shone with heaven’s brilliance.

It’s not just that our thoughts are different, but that our way of thinking is transformed because we think from a different reality—from heaven toward earth! That is the transformed perspective. The renewed mind enables His co-laborers to prove the will of God. We prove the will of God when put on display the reality of heaven.

Yet many of us live with unrenewed minds, which are of little use to God. An unrenewed mind is like a discordant key on a piano. Once you discover that key, you don’t use it anymore because it detracts from the music. You skip over it and work around it. In the same way, people who are out of sync with the mind of Christ seldom get used, no matter how available they are, because their thoughts conflict with the mind of Christ. They are self-appointed in their mission and are not in submission to the primary mission. As a result, they are working entirely outside God’s intended commission.

However, when we come into agreement with the primary mission, our minds become powerful tools in God’s hands. This explains why there is such an intense war being waged for your mind and your mental agreement. Every thought and action in your life speaks of allegiance to God or to satan. Both are empowered by your agreement. Renewing your mind means learning to recognize what comes from hell, and what comes from heaven, and agreeing with heaven. That is the only way you will complete your divine assignment. God designed your mind to be one of the most supernaturally powerful tools in the universe, but it needs to be sanctified and yielded to the Holy Spirit so you can carry out His designs, creative ideas, and plans in your everyday life.

Every thought and action in your life speaks of allegiance to God or to satan.
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

If you want to learn more about this topic you can read a free preview of my new book The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind here: Free Preview or you can get your own copy here: The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind on Amazon.

Have a question or comment about this article? Let me know on Twitter.

It was just another day as I knew it in my home town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was driving down the road while talking to my best friend in life and ministry, David Popovici. He is the founder of Kingdom Gospel Mission, which is a profound apostolic ministry within the region of modern-day Mesopotamia.

Of all things, he began to tell me how God was speaking to him that very morning out of Matthew 10:16 where Jesus says,

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

I had also been taken into a vision that very same morning where I saw both his and my newsletters, and was told that we would be maligned. So needless to say, we were very excited for what was to come. (I’m teasing.) But still, we were grateful as we broke down what God was obviously trying to get across, while at the same time we tried to heed the warning of opposition to come.

As David continued discussing how Jesus was sending us out among wolves, literally right before my very eyes a wolf ran out into the street across the road, dead in front of my truck, in broad daylight! I immediately asked David, “What time is it?” as I checked my truck clock simultaneously to make sure one of us had the accurate time.

I have come to learn over the years that when God performs any kind of sign or wonder that one of the main revelations behind why He does it is hidden in the time. He is a stickler when it comes to timing, numbers, and dates. You must always check the time of the manifested wonder if you want to keep up with what God is doing and saying for what reason and why.

When God performs any kind of sign or wonder, one of the main revelations behind why He does it is...
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Lo and behold, the exact time at which this wolf ran out in front of my truck was 10:16. There it was, a nature wonder once again. God had orchestrated this wolf—which, by the way, is the first one I’ve ever seen in real life before or since—to run out at the exact hour and minute of the chapter and verse which David and I were discussing.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16).

Sure enough, the opposition followed like clockwork. It was no longer than a week or two later that I began to be publicly maligned and falsely accused, as my vision had foreshowed. David also began to go through multiple stages of resistance on many fronts. The revelation that God had been speaking to us both—on top of the emphasis brought to the matter by the nature wonder—assisted us greatly in overcoming the enemy’s plan of attack.

This is another great purpose for God performing signs and wonders. They are often a confirmation of what He has already spoken to you about.

If you want to learn more about this topic you can read a free preview of my new book God of Wonders here: Free Preview or you can get your own copy here: God of Wonders on Amazon.

Have a question or comment about this article? Let me know on Twitter or Facebook.

Signs and wonders of gold, silver, and precious stones are other manifestations of God’s being and voice in the realms of glory.

Gold dust actually began to appear upon my hands as I started writing the angelic wonders chapter...
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

Angels also carry this shimmering substance, which is no doubt abundant in heaven, to us from the glory of God. And the stones and shimmering particles that we see are also mentioned throughout Scripture. One of those places is the foundational stones of heaven:

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst (Revelation 21:19-20).

Alongside the regular manifestation of gold and silver, I’ve been so honored to see the sapphire, the emerald, and the onyx in glorious manifestations of His expression and voice.

One time while in prayer I was taken into a vision where I saw the Lord Jesus open up a Bible and blow into it.

At this, sapphire dust came out of the Bible and onto me. Several days following, this very same shimmering sapphire dust appeared upon my face. This was a sign and wonder in God’s glory. Jesus was opening up greater revelation to me. Blue represents revelation, and opening up the word and breathing it upon me was obviously the breath of the Spirit behind the revelation to come.

So in this case I saw a vision, which was soon confirmed by a sign and wonder.

I have learned, with the realm of the eternal, that if you can see it on that side, you can have it...
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

If you break it open through the eternal, you can access it through the temporal. You see, heaven is obviously the superior realm, and if you can obtain that which you desire on that side you can release it on this side. This falls in line with the famous verse,

“Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19).

It’s just mere protocol. Handle your business in the superior realm (heaven), and it will take care of itself in the inferior realm (earth).

If you want to learn more about this topic you can read a free preview of my new book God of Wonders here: Free Preview or you can get your own copy here: God of Wonders on Amazon.

Have a question or comment about this article? Let me know on Twitter or Facebook.

Many years ago

Often when my schedule permitted I would be in His presence for up to 12, 14, and even 16 hours at time. There was a supernatural grace like never before to just be with Him. I was only requiring around four to five hours of sleep per night at this time.

It was like I was literally living off of the life and virtue that proceeded from the throne.
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

This season of pursuit contributed to much of what I see and operate in today in life and ministry. There was so much opened up to me concerning His voice, presence, and kingdom during this span that only eternity will tell all that was deposited, released, and imparted at that time.

Early in this window of pursuit that the Lord had sovereignly called me into, I began to notice this praying mantis that would come appear on my back porch time and time again. For months he would come just sit on my back porch in prayer posture, as praying mantises do. Often I would find him sitting on the back of my chair. I’m no rocket scientist by any means, but I had an inner knowing/inclination that this praying mantis could very well be a sign of some sort. This point in time was still quite early in my days of experiencing signs and wonders, which I now know to be very common ways God speaks.

The praying mantis continued to come and show up on my back porch in his precious little prayer posture and look at me with those buggy eyes. He became my little buddy for the time being, and I even ended up taking pictures and video of my praying little friend.

I then was intrigued and began to look up the praying mantis by way of an online encyclopedia. To my surprise, I found out that the actual origin of the name praying mantis means praying prophet! I couldn’t believe it! God was sending a parallel sign in nature to coincide with the season of prayer that He had me in, as well as the joint call of a prophet that I was already aware of.

Not long after I realized the meaning within this sign, the praying mantis appeared no more.

I have come to realize something about how God performs signs and wonders, which I would like to point out. This is absolutely imperative in learning how to hear His voice in the sign and realize how He operates within the function of the sign.

Most often, if there is an authentic sign and wonder being displayed within your life from God to you, this sign will continue to manifest until you get the meaning of the sign.

He will gladly go out of His way to perform a supernatural display of a sign or wonder over and over again until He knows that you have understood what He is trying to say.

God is so good and loving and considerate and patient in everything He does.
Click To Tweet - Powered By CoSchedule

I thank God for this, as many times I wasn’t the sharpest tack in the box if you know what I’m saying. I needed His patient yet continual pursuit of me to know what He was trying to say. You will notice that when you have come to fully understand the message at hand, the sign and wonder will stop. This is a good thing. Do not be concerned. This is often merely because you have understood the message.

If you want to learn more about this topic you can read a free preview of my new book God of Wonders here: Free Preview or you can get your own copy here: God of Wonders on Amazon.

Have a question or comment about this article? Let me know on Twitter or Facebook.

In the book of Exodus, God told the Israelites that if they would hearken to His commands, He would put none of the diseases upon them that He placed upon the Egyptians, for He was the God “that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26).

This expression is a compound word in the Hebrew language, Jehovah Rapha or Jehovah Ropheka, which means the “Great Physician” (Strong’s, H3068, H7495). Simply put, God is our Healer.

He knows exactly what it is we need and He supplies our need according to His Word.

Not only did He heal the Israelites of old, but Jesus Christ came two thousand years ago to manifest Himself on our behalf as the Healer. Jesus Christ healed all the people that were brought to Him; this was not only an act of love and compassion, but it was a fulfillment of Isaiah 54.

If Jesus is the Great Physician, then there is nothing you are facing in your body today that He is not able and willing to heal. Don’t be discouraged by whatever you are facing in your physical body; it is no match for the sovereign power of God.

There is no sickness or disease that can stand before our Great Physician. He longs to heal you and deliver you because that is who He is. Healing is God’s nature. He heals us because He loves us, and He wants us to fulfill our divine purpose in the earth.

Healing is God’s nature.

There are no limits or restrictions on His healing power. Jesus bore our sins and carried our diseases so we no longer need to bare them.

Whether it is cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, infection, or any other ailment for that matter, it does not make any difference to God. He wants you whole! Through His power you can be healed.

He wants you whole!

By faith you will stand victorious over the physical pain and infirmity in your body, and you will testify of the goodness of God in your life. Jesus is your Great Physician.

Your healing scriptures – Exodus 15:26, Isaiah 54

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, you can read a free preview of my book 90 Days to Possessing Your Healing here: Free Preview or get the book on Amazon here: Buy on Amazon

Have a Comment or Question? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

In his first inaugural address, Franklin D. Roosevelt said,

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

The common human response to fear is to retreat, hide, and cower in the shadows. But this is not God’s way, beloved, for we must confront fear by advancing toward it, not retreating away from it.

In my ministry, I meet so many different people who are struggling with fear in all its varied forms. There are widows, for example, who feel so alone since they lost their husbands. Typically, these ladies have so many fears—the fear of being alone, the fear of the future, financial insecurity, health issues, and other real threats they face on a daily basis. Losing a spouse brings up many fears, both realized and hidden.

My heart goes out to them, and I try to let each one know that they are not alone. I share Scriptures with them, showing that Jesus is with them, and He promised to never leave or forsake them. I’ve discovered that there are passages in the Bible that give God’s answers to every fear that exists to humanity. I try to encourage God’s children by speaking His words of comfort to them, such as, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” This assurance of God’s presence enables us to say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6). And in the Gospel of John Jesus said, “I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (John 16:32). And the same is true for us. This is a solid answer that we must stand on if we are going to defeat fear.

Here are some other specific Scriptures that speak to common fears:

• The fear of uncertainty—“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride” (Ps. 42:1-3).
• The fear of losing everything—“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
• The fear of death—“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
• The fear of the devil—“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:19).
• The fear of failure—“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
• For every fear we may face—“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).

Beloved, in these Scriptures and so many more throughout the Bible we find the revelation and strength we need from God’s Word to overcome fear. He wants us to believe His promises, and walk in them every day of our lives. As we do this, the devil and his fears will be put to flight. We don’t have to suffer from fear any longer.

The Lord says, “Seize My Word and don’t let anything else in.” As we discipline ourselves to seize God’s Word, not letting anything else in, we will become free!

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, you can read a free preview of my book Do Not Be Afraid here: Free Preview or get the book on Amazon here: Buy on Amazon

Have a Comment or Question? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

As a movie buff I have developed a liking for many of the old silent films that dominated the screens until the 1920s. I assumed those days were gone until I was pleasantly surprised to find that a new company, Mainstreet Productions, has taken this art to a new level. Fred and Sharon Wilharm have put together a faith film that is without dialogue in several excellent short stories in one hour. Titled The Good Book, the acting, music and filming convinces the viewer that they are hearing dialogue. It is not the over the top acting in those old silents; it is professionally done so that nothing is missed in the viewing.

One Bible…Seven Lives

The story revolves around young Daniel who receives the a small red New Testament Bible from a church youth group. Circumstances cause him to run away from home. The Bible goes from hand to hand affecting the lives of several people including Daniel (Evan Fielding), the homeless man (played well by Torry Martin), a public defender and his wife (BK Bomar and Apolonia Davalos), a bag lady (Amanda Pentecost), a purse snatcher (Leanna Robbins) and a “church woman” (excellently played by Jenn Gotzon). As each person passes it on they sign it and eventually it winds up in the hands of a missionary (Josh Childs). We have all heard stories about how a Bible found by a prisoner in a cell or in a drawer of a hotel room has changed lives and this film illustrates the power that scripture can have in changing lives.

Does this Film Pass the Tests?

There is always a concern that combining a number of stories in so short a period can be confusing; however, the clever interconnecting of each vignette makes this a solid film that will move the audience and have them wanting more. Yes, there are messages; however, you are not hit over the head with them as too often happens when Christians try to tell a story. Also many independent films have been criticized for their sound, their lighting and their editing. The Good Book passes all those tests.

More Information about The Good Book

The Wilharms consider this a “World Outreach Without Words” and are proving a ministry kit. They hope to have this film featured in film festivals, churches and schools and you may contact them by going to the following website: www.goodbookmovie.com.

As one who loved Kevin Sorbo’s faith film, What If, I was glad to hear about his latest, God’s Not Dead, on Facebook and in a trailer they ran before the film, Son of God. The trailer alone was mind blowing as over the years I have read and seen personally horror stories about what many young Christians have had to put up with on college campuses. Recently I had the opportunity to see the film with family members and it was an overwhelming experience.

Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) is a young Freshman Christian needing a class in philosophy for his major. Unfortunately, Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo) is a hardened atheist who wants his class to accept the idea that “God is Dead.” On the first day he demands each student to write and sign that statement on paper. Josh refuses even though it jeopardizes his education, his relationship with others and even his future marriage. Radisson challenges Josh to take a portion of three classes to prove there is a God. It is quite a challenge and Josh has to use every resource possible against a teacher who says that the only god is he himself in that classroom. Both do a superb job of acting, but they were not the only ones.

Multiple Stories and One Powerful Message

Lest the reader be misled, this film is more than a debate between a young Christian and a man who admits he hates God. There are several very interesting side stories including a Muslim student at risk because she believes in Jesus Christ, a Christian girl whose mother is dying of Alzheimer disease, a young man from China who must weigh what he has learned from Josh against his upbringing and a young non believer who finds she has cancer. Especially interesting is Reverend Dave (David A. R. White) who interacts with all of them while dealing with problems of his own. I admit I at first wondered what part Willy and Korie Robertson (Duck Dynasty) would have in this film; however, despite having short roles, they are very instrumental. The film also makes use of the Christian singing group, Newsboys, and they too are significant to the plot.

There are those who criticize faith films for not having top acting, good editing, good music and a number of other faults. Pure Flix turned out a professional motion picture that can stand with the best of them and is Oscar quality in my opinion. Sadly when first released the theaters showing the film were limited to 780. However, the reaction of the audiences and their demand required more theaters to be opened and even the naysayers among critics have had to admit it is a success. In the theaters near where I am writing this there was applause and finally a standing ovation. People were invited at the end of the film to text all their friends with the news that “God’s Not Dead”. Theaters always warn you to have cell phones off, but as the credits rolled, cell phones in the theaters lit up as that message was being texted. Some like our film making friend Rusty Whitener added, “God’s not even sick.”

Preaching to the Choir?

One concern I consider unwarranted is that the film will be preaching to the choir. While that is often a concern with faith films, Christians should invite their non Christian friends and family members as their guests to attend a showing. It will cause discussion, questions and in the end revelation. The film deals frankly with criticisms often made by non believers and does an excellent job of putting light on answers that are too often obscured in non Christian films and TV shows. Obviously, my family and I intend to go back to see this film again and are recommending it to everyone we know. I would like to see it being used in churches and colleges.

Born Marilyn Louis on August 10, 1923 in Hollywood, California to Effie Olivia Graham, a famous model and actress in New York and businessman, Harold Louis, the future international film star grew up with aspirations to be a singer. It was during her years while attending Beverly Hills High School that Rhonda Fleming’s day of discovery would arrive. One day while running late to school, a seemingly suspicious car circled around the block observing her. “Finally, he stopped me,” Rhonda recalls, “and got out of the car and said ‘Young lady, have you ever thought of being in motion pictures?’ Well he turned out to be Henry Wilson, a famous agent who later became David O. Selznick’s right arm and started me on what I call a ‘Cinderella Story.’

Upon Rhonda’s future introduction to Selznick, the famed producer was so impressed that he signed her, without a screen test, to a seven year contract and offered her a featured role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound, with Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. Rhonda says, “I had hoped to do some singing, but at the time I got into show business, musicals were not being made quite as often and Selznick did not do musicals. I wound up playing a patient at a mental institution with Ingrid Bergman as my doctor.” She won rave reviews for handling a very challenging role.

Rhonda did two more film noir classics, The Spiral Staircase, and Out of the Past. She also had a top featured role in her first Western film, Abilene Town, with Randolph Scott.

A tip from Hitchcock to Paramount landed her first starring role in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court opposite Bing Crosby. Hundreds of actresses tested to play the exquisite Lady Alisande, but Bing Crosby and director Tay Garnett felt that Rhonda Fleming was perfect for this technicolor musical extravaganza with her beautiful reddish hair, emerald green eyes, and lovely singing voice.

Rhonda was thrilled to star above the title with Bing Crosby, who never wanted to star alone, whom she pronounces as one of her favorite people to work with. “He’d be telling a story right before the director would say ‘Action’ and he’d go right on with the joke then into his line in the scene without missing a beat. And I wouldn’t know where my cue was because I was so focused on the joke. I’d tell him, ‘You can’t do that.’ He’d say ‘Oh come off it Fleming.’ We kidded a lot. We had fun.”

One day Bob Hope came on the set, Bing introduced us and he said to the crooner, “Well Bing, if you can use her, I guess I can too.” Rhonda made two films with the popular comedian. The first was a comedy film noir The Great Lover and the second a Western comedy, Alias Jesse James. In the latter there were a host of Western favorites in cameo roles including Roy Rogers, Gary Cooper, James Arness, Hugh O’Brian and Jay Silverheels.

She was amazed at how much work went into Hope’s performances and contrasts his approach to that of Bing Crosby. “Bing was so easy going and very relaxed and Bob would rehearse and rehearse I wondered, ‘how did they make all those Road pictures together because their styles were so different.”

About her natural acting ability Rhonda says “I was never trained but inherited my talent from my mother; I just tried to be believable and mean what I was saying – and it was so interesting, most directors would let me do my thing, they didn’t really direct me and my work – just suggestions that helped.” She never had any trouble with any directors except one and that led to her friendship with a future president. This was in a film in which she co-starred with Ronald Reagan. “This director really made life difficult for me. There wasn’t any reason for it, because I got along with everyone on the set. And did my job and was always prepared.” The director became so insulting during one scene Rhonda actually burst into tears and walked off the set. “I went to my dressing room to patch up my makeup, and I was sitting there thinking to myself ‘Should I go home or what?’” Shortly thereafter there was a knock on the door…it was Ronald Reagan. He said, ‘come on back to the set, Rhonda, he’ll never do that again.’ I was able to hold my chin up and continue, but I would have gone home that day if it hadn’t been for Ronald Reagan. He was a wonderful peacemaker.”

The teaming of Fleming and Reagan resulted in four films, The Last Outpost, Tropic Zone, Hong Kong, and Tennessee’s Partner. In The Last Outpost a.k.a. Calvary Charge Rhonda says “Reagan was at his best, and even then I could see what he was coming into. He sent for his horse from his ranch, riding beautifully, and had a take-charge way about him. He was always holding court on the set, and often when I was in the dressing room changing hairdos or costumes I could hear Ronnie and all the crew outside laughing and talking politics.”

Over the years Rhonda remained good friends with Ronnie and Nancy Reagan. The veteran actress has fond memories of her first visit to the Reagan White House, saying “I stood in the reception line and gave Nancy a hug, and I was thinking. ‘What am I going to say to him now that he is president?’ All I could think of was that I made four B-pictures with this man who was a fellow actor-a good actor. And the first thing that came to mind was the last film we made together. So I said ‘Hi Tennessee’s Partner’ and he laughed and gave me a big hug.”

Her many other films, which are often shown today on cable television stations, include The Redhead and the Cowboy, Pony Express, The Eagle and the Hawk, Those Redheads From Seattle, Jivaro, Yankee Pasha, Slightly Scarlet and the celebrated classic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. There were some forty films in all.

Unfortunately her many excellent TV performances are not as available today for fans except on cable channels that are bringing back the great shows. Rhonda particularly enjoyed working on two episodes of Wagon Train, one in which her singing and dancing were showcased. She also guest starred in a 90 minute episode of The Virginian, which would later serve as a riveting pilot for the Western spin-off Laredo. In addition to TV Westerns she also starred in mystery dramas including The Dick Powell Theater and Hong Kong. Her dramatic TV work extended into the eighties with appearances on Police Woman and The Love Boat.

Singing has remained a first love and she has two albums to her credit. In the ‘50s Rhonda joined a gospel singing group known as The Four Girls. With her was Jane Russell, Connie Haines, and Beryl Davis. They were a hit on TV and stage and they were encouraged to make an album which was titled Make a Joyful Noise Unto The Lord. Spirituals on pop labels was something not done, but the album soared on the charts. Later she was invited to open the new ‘Tropicana Hotel’ in Las Vegas following Eddie Fisher which led to great reviews – her singing on stage caused her to be persuaded to record an album of classic love songs simply titled Rhonda.

Rhonda Fleming performed dozens of her own stunts, having been a natural athlete since childhood. And with being engaged in numerous adventurous escapades also came her share of spills. “I was a real daredevil when I was young and foolish” Rhonda admits, “and paid the price.” At the age of 12 she was tattered and torn after being stirrup dragged across a bed of gravel by a skittish horse; and at the age of 14, nearly drowned when she was twirled vehemently by a massive riptide off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Another time while making The Redhead and the Cowboy she reports, “they wanted to get a close-up of me rearing a horse without using a stunt girl but never told me it was up a hill. So in the scene I was riding up hill and I reared the horse up too high and it almost fell back on top of me. By the Grace of God I was not squashed like a bug. I was knocked unconscious. How I got up and walked away and finished that film was another miracle.”

Mishaps such as these, whether on a movie set or in her personal life have led Rhonda Fleming to feel that God’s protecting Hand has always been present. It was during her 23 year marriage to theater mogul,Ted Mann, until his demise, that Rhonda’s thoughts about being a recipient of miracles were confirmed. While vacationing in Jamaica, the actress decided to go snorkeling with a group of tourists, as Mann, who was not a swimmer, stayed on shore. She was so busy enjoying the underwater scenery that she soon found herself far behind the pack. “I looked back and saw Ted standing by himself on the beach and I thought, ‘I better get back’ because I was really tired, and my breathing was getting a little tougher. I started to head back, and I hyperventilated. I’m a swimmer, but I could not stay above water. It was like two hands pulling my feet and legs under and I let out ‘Help me, help me.!’ “Not being a swimmer Mann could not do anything. Rhonda cried out the last “Help me!” and immediately began to submerge. “This is where every time I tell this story, I get goose bumps and tears,” she shares. “because suddenly there is a man standing next to Ted, and he was not there before.” Finally realizing Rhonda was in danger – Mann turned to the stranger and said “Oh, go! Go!”. No time was wasted. Rhonda continues “This man came out to me so fast because I went under, and he grabbed me by the elbow and took me into shore.”  The man who saved Rhonda Fleming’s life vanished as mysteriously as he appeared. “He found some paper bag from who knows where, and had me breath into it, and then he was gone.”  Rhonda asked Ted later “Where did he come from?” And Ted replied, “I don’t know”. Rhonda says “In my heart I knew it was an angel. I have been saved so many times. It’s by His grace that I’m here today. I think God always intervened because he had a higher purpose for me.”

Rhonda Fleming’s purpose has been revealed by the positive effects of her many philanthropic efforts. Along with her late husband Ted Mann, she established the Rhonda Fleming Mann Clinic for Comprehensive Care for Women with Cancer at UCLA and the Rhonda Fleming Research Fellowship at the City of Hope to advance research and treatment associated with women’s cancer. Rhonda started the clinic in memory of her sister Beverly, who died of Ovarian cancer in 1990. “We wanted a place where there was caring, compassion, communication, and concern, with clinical social workers, support groups, and lots of information and hope. I told my sister not long before she died that all the tender loving care that she and I had yearned for but never found when she was treated would be available to women. She said ‘Oh, Honey, I’m so glad. Just always make it a place of hope.’ And that’s what we did. Beverly always had hope. She survived many more years than she would have with the rare form of Ovarian cancer she had. Her courage and her sense of strength really encouraged me to move forward with God’s help.”

Rhonda has also been a big supporter of Childhelp USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Moreover her main emphasis today is reaching out to the homeless via PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) with her Rhonda Fleming Family Center. According to PATH CEO, Joel Roberts vision, PATH gives thousands of people per year a new lease on life, including our veterans.

She meets regularly with a group of “Prayer Warriors” to pray for individuals, groups, and situations. She believes very strongly in prayer and its ability to heal.

A special blessing for Rhonda was Darol Wayne Carlson. Widowed for two years after the death of Ted Mann, Rhonda ran into Darol who was an old friend and whose wife had also died. A deeply Christian man, they make a good team and have been married now for more than ten years – a double blessing for all who know them.

Rhonda Fleming-movie star, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, and humanitarian shares her personal philosophy. “To me, the key to a rich inner life is love-the ability to love, to have love, to give love, to share love, to feel love. It’s not always easy and it’s not always reciprocal. Jesus taught us how to love. That’s what He came for because He is pure love.”

In retrospect, Rhonda sees her life mirrored in the Biblical passage: “Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will rescue you and you will honor me.” She concludes “And He has rescued me and I’m doing my best to honor Him.”