Announcer: HEAR THE STORY
OF BAYLESS CONLEY'S
DEVASTATING ACCIDENT
THAT DOCTORS DIDN'T
THINK HE WOULD SURVIVE.
>> I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF
THE ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED.
MY THROAT WAS CRUSHED
AND TORN OPEN
ALL AT
THE SAME TIME.
BOTH OF MY LUNGS
WERE FILLED WITH BLOOD.
MY TONGUE
WAS LACERATED.
I HAD A CHUNK
TAKEN OUT OF MY LEG.
MY CHIN WAS COMPLETELY
OPENED UP DOWN TO THERE.
I WAS BLEEDING
ON THE BRAIN.
MY CAROTID ARTERY
GOT OPENED UP.
Announcer:
TRUSTING GOD NO MATTER WHAT.
NEXT ON
LIFE TODAY!
♪
Randy: WELCOME TO LIFE TODAY.
I'M RANDY ROBISON.
MY CO-HOST IS SHEILA WALSH.
WOULD YOU WELCOME SHEILA
TO LIFE TODAY?
ALWAYS GLAD TO HAVE HER.
I'M A LITTLE EXCITED
BECAUSE WE'VE GOT
A VERY GOOD GUEST HERE TODAY.
Sheila: YEAH!
Randy: HE IS A PASTOR
IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA,
COTTONWOOD CHURCH.
HE'S ALSO SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS
ALL OVER THE WORLD THROUGH
A TELEVISION SHOW CALLED
ANSWERS WITH BAYLESS CONLEY.
THEN HE TRAVELS A LOT
SPEAKING IN EUROPE,
REALLY ALL OVER THE WORLD
AND HE'S BLESSED
SO MANY PEOPLE.
AND YET,
SOMEBODY LIKE THAT, YOU THINK,
SHOULD AVERT ALL TRAGEDY
AND HE NEARLY LOST HIS LIFE
HERE JUST NOT TOO LONG AGO.
Sheila: WHY DON'T WE
INTRODUCE OUR GUEST
AND LET HIM TELL HIS STORY
BECAUSE IT REALLY IS AMAZING.
WOULD YOU WELCOME PLEASE
BAYLESS CONLEY?
Bayless: GLAD TO BE HERE GUYS.
Randy: START NOT QUITE
FROM THE BEGINNING
BUT YOUR SPIRITUAL BEGINNING
BECAUSE JUST THE WAY
YOU FOUND CHRIST IS AMAZING.
Bayless: RANDY,
AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER,
SINCE I WAS A LITTLE BOY,
I WAS LOOKING FOR GOD.
MY MOTHER WAS CERTAIN
I WAS GOING TO BECOME
A CATHOLIC PRIEST
BECAUSE OF THE QUESTIONS
I ASKED HER AS A TWO YEAR OLD.
BUT THROUGH A PROCESS
OF THINGS I ENDED UP HAVING
MAJOR LEAGUE PROBLEMS
WITH DRUG ADDICTION
AND ALCOHOLISM.
I WAS RAISED
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
SHORTEN THE STORY.
I LEFT HOME AS A TEENAGER.
MOVED FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
TO THE STATE OF OREGON
AND THINGS SORT OF WENT
FROM BAD TO WORSE THERE
AS FAR AS THE DRUGS;
I WAS INVOLVED IN JUST
A LOT OF ILLEGAL THINGS.
NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL;
NO HUMAN BEING
EVER SHARED CHRIST WITH ME.
I WAS AT A PARK ONE DAY
AND I WAS WALKING THROUGH
A KIDS' PLAYGROUND AREA.
YOU JUST WOULDN'T NOTICE THEM;
THERE'S KIDS
RUNNING EVERYWHERE
AND A LITTLE MEXICAN KID
WITH COWBOY BOOTS ON
WALKED BY ME AND I COULDN'T
TAKE MY EYES OFF OF HIM.
THERE WAS JUST SOMETHING
AMAZING ABOUT HIM.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.
I RECOGNIZED IT WAS WHOLESOME
AND THAT I DIDN'T HAVE
WHATEVER HE HAD.
I WATCHED HIM UNTIL
HE DISAPPEARED ACROSS
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARK.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS WEIRD.
I WALKED UP, IT WENT
INTO SORT OF A FOREST.
I WALKED MAYBE HALF A MILE
BACK INTO THE FOREST
AND SAT DOWN NEXT TO A CREEK.
I WAS COMPLETELY ISOLATED
FROM VIEW.
AN INTERESTING THING HAPPENED
-- I'LL JUST BACK UP
A LITTLE BIT.
FOR SOME REASON
I WAS THINKING ABOUT JESUS.
I COULDN'T GET JESUS
OFF OF MY MIND
BUT IT WAS JESUS THE GURU,
JESUS AN EASTERN TEACHER.
I DIDN'T KNOW
THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE.
IT GOT TO THE POINT
WHEN I WAS WALKING BY MYSELF
I STOPPED AND LOOKED AROUND
AND SAID OKAY.
I'LL THINK ABOUT JESUS,
JUST OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
THEN I SAW THE KID AND
JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS WEIRD.
SO I'M SITTING DOWN
BY THE CREEK.
ABOUT 15 MINUTES
I HEAR SOMETHING.
THAT SAME BOY COMES SLIDING
DOWN THE OPPOSITE CREEK BANK,
SITS ON THE CREEK
ACROSS FROM ME.
I DIDN'T LOOK MUCH
LIKE I DO NOW.
I HAD REAL LONG HAIR; I USED
TO BRAID IT WITH FEATHERS.
I HAD A LONG RED BEARD.
Randy: WOW!
[Laughter]
Bayless: THE KID
LOOKED UP AT ME AND SAID,
"CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?"
AND I'VE BEEN THINKING
ABOUT JESUS FOR LIKE AN HOUR.
I SAID, "OKAY."
HE SAID, "DO YOU KNOW JESUS?"
I ABOUT FELL OFF THE ROCK
I WAS SITTING ON.
HONESTLY, MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS
THIS KID MUST THINK I'M JESUS.
[Laughter]
I REALLY THOUGHT THAT.
I SAID, "COME HERE."
HE SAT DOWN NEXT TO ME.
HE SAID,
"ISN'T HE WONDERFUL?"
AND STARTED TALKING
LIKE JESUS WAS STILL ALIVE.
I WAS SO TAKEN ABACK.
I TALKED TO HIM
FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES.
HE'S GOING ON AND ON
ABOUT JESUS.
HE SAID, "COME ON.
I WANT YOU TO MEET MY MOM."
I FOLLOW HIM ACROSS THE PARK
AND HERE IS HIS MOTHER
ASLEEP IN THE GRASS.
HIS TWO LITTLE SISTERS
ARE PLAYING THERE.
HE WAKES HER UP.
I TALK TO THEM
AND I'M THINKING
THESE ARE THE WEIRDEST PEOPLE
I'VE EVER MET!
AND I SAY "GOOD-BYE"
AS I'M WALKING OFF.
SHE SAID, "COME TO OUR HOUSE
FOR DINNER."
I SAID, "NO."
AND AS I'M STILL
CONTINUING TO WALK AWAY
SHE SHOUTS THE ADDRESS AT ME
AND I JUST BLEW IT OFF.
I THOUGHT I'LL NEVER
SEE THEM AGAIN.
ANYWAY, A LOT OF THINGS
HAPPENED IN-BETWEEN.
I MOVED TO MEXICO CITY,
WAS INVOLVED IN SOME
BAD THINGS DOWN THERE;
DECIDED THAT I NEEDED
TO COME BACK AND TRY
AND FIND THAT FAMILY.
I WAS WALKING
DOWN THE STREET ONE DAY
AND I REMEMBER THE ADDRESS
AND I FOUND THE STREET.
IT'S BEEN WEEKS.
I'M WALKING DOWN THE STREET,
IT WAS AN INCLINE.
THEY CALLED ME "BAY" --
WAS MY NICKNAME THEN.
I HEAR THIS LADY,
THE KID'S MOTHER,
SHE'S HANGING OUT OF
A SECOND STORY WINDOW GOING,
"BAY! BAY! UP HERE!"
AND I WENT UP AND THEY
HAD A PLACE SET FOR ME
AND THEY HAD DINNER READY.
THEY SAID, "WE'VE BEEN
WAITING FOR YOU.
THE LORD TOLD US
YOU'D BE HERE TONIGHT."
I SAID, "WHO TOLD YOU?"
SHE SAID, "JESUS TOLD US."
AND I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU
I GOT SAVED RIGHT AWAY;
I DIDN'T.
THINGS SORT OF SPIRALED
OUT OF CONTROL.
I ENDED UP
ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD ONE NIGHT,
WAS STAYING WITH FRIENDS
AND NO STREET LIGHTS,
NO OTHER HOMES AROUND
BUT THEIRS AND I LAID ACROSS
THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK
AND I SAID, "GOD,
IF YOU'RE REAL, IF THIS
STUFF ABOUT JESUS IS REAL
WHAT ABOUT THIS?"
AND I FIRED A QUESTION OFF
AND GOT NO ANSWER.
I FIRED ANOTHER QUESTION OFF
AND JUST SILENCE.
I BEGAN TO CRY
AND I STARTED TO YELL AT GOD.
I YELLED TWO OR THREE
MORE QUESTIONS, GOT NO ANSWER.
I WIPED THE TEARS OFF MY FACE,
WENT IN AND WENT TO SLEEP.
THE NEXT MORNING WHEN
I WOKE UP SOMETHING AMAZING
HAPPENED TO ME.
GOD SPOKE TO ME.
I KNEW IT WAS GOD.
HE SAID, "I WANT YOU TO GO --"
THE LADY'S NAME WAS RAMONA.
AND HE SAID, "I WANT YOU
TO GO TO RAMONA'S HOUSE."
SO I WENT OVER THERE.
THEY'RE PACKING UP,
GETTING READY TO GO SOMEWHERE.
I SAID, "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"
THEY SAID, "WE'RE GOING
TO A STREET MISSION
IN THE NEXT TOWN OVER."
GOD SPEAKS TO ME A SECOND TIME
AND I KNOW INTUITIVELY
IT'S GOD.
HE SAID, "I WANT YOU
TO GO WITH THEM."
INSTEAD OF OBEYING
I ARGUED INSIDE.
JUST INTERNALLY
I SAID, "I DON'T THINK SO.
GOD, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.
I'LL MAKE YOU DEAL.
IF THEY INVITE ME I'LL GO."
IMMEDIATELY
RAMONA WHEELS AROUND
AND POINTS TO ME AND SAYS,
"BAY, WILL YOU GO WITH US?"
I SAID, "OKAY."
[Laughter]
I'M SITTING ON THE FRONT ROW.
I STILL REMEMBER
I HAD A PAIR OF SKIN TIGHT
BRIGHT ORANGE PANTS
WITH BIG YELLOW STRIPES
DOWN THE SIDE
AND A LITTLE SWEATSHIRT
AND MY ARMS ARE CROSSED
WITH A BLESS-ME-IF-YOU-CAN
ATTITUDE.
THEY'RE GOING
TO HAVE TESTIMONIES.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS IS,
AND IT IS FILLED WITH
DERELICTS AND STREET PEOPLE,
DRUG ADDICTS.
I'M RIGHT AT HOME.
THIS LITTLE LADY GETS UP
BEHIND THIS GIANT
WOODEN LECTERN AND INSTEAD
OF SHARING A TESTIMONY SHE
BEGINS TO QUOTE WORD FOR WORD
THE FIRST QUESTION
I'D ASKED GOD THE NIGHT BEFORE
ON THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK,
AND THEN SHARED THE ANSWER
FROM THE BIBLE.
MY EYES STARTED LEAKING.
THEN ANOTHER GUY GOT UP
TO GIVE A TESTIMONY BUT
HE QUOTED THE NEXT QUESTION
ALMOST VERBATIM THAT
I ASKED GOD THE NIGHT BEFORE;
SHARED THE ANSWER
FROM THE BIBLE.
SEVERAL PEOPLE GOT UP,
EVEN THE QUESTIONS
I SHOUTED AT GOD
THEY SHARED THE ANSWERS.
I MEAN QUOTED THE QUESTION,
SHARED THE ANSWER.
BY THIS TIME I'M UNDONE.
I'M SITTING ON THE FRONT ROW
SOBBING LIKE A BABY.
IT HIT ME LIKE
A TON OF BRICKS
THAT IT WAS TRUE.
I'D BEEN SET UP.
THAT NIGHT
IN THAT LITTLE MISSION
I ACCEPTED CHRIST.
PEOPLE LAID HANDS ON ME
AND PRAYED FOR ME.
I WAS SET FREE FROM
DRUG ADDICTION THAT NIGHT.
IT'S BEEN A JOURNEY
OF ABOUT 40 YEARS
SINCE THAT HAPPENED.
Randy: WHY DO YOU THINK
GOD PURSUED YOU LIKE THAT?
Bayless: I THINK MY HEART
WAS HONEST EVEN THOUGH
I WAS INVOLVED
IN A LOT OF THINGS.
AND HONESTLY, ANYBODY
THAT'S WATCHING RIGHT NOW,
I THINK ANYONE THAT EARNESTLY
WANTS TO KNOW GOD,
THAT WANTS TO KNOW THE TRUTH,
I THINK GOD WILL MOVE
HEAVEN AND EARTH
TO GET THE TRUTH TO THEM;
BE THEY IN A VILLAGE
IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE BRAZILIAN RAIN FOREST
OR IN ONE OF THE WORLD'S
METROPOLITAN CITIES.
I THINK GOD,
HE LOOKS FOR PEOPLE
WITH HONEST HEARTS.
I THINK IT IS BECAUSE
I WAS SERIOUS ABOUT WANTING
TO KNOW WHY I WAS HERE
AND IF HE WAS REAL.
Sheila: WHERE DO YOU GO
FROM THAT, BAYLESS?
YOU'VE GONE FROM
THE LONG HAIR, THE FEATHER,
THE ORANGE PANTS,
THE SLIGHTLY ILLICIT THINGS
THAT WERE GOING ON
AND SUDDENLY
YOU'RE RADICALLY SAVED.
WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?
Bayless: I IMMEDIATELY GOT
A HANDFUL OF TRACKS
AND WENT OUT ON THE STREET
AND GAVE THEM TO ANYONE THAT
WOULD STAND STILL LONG ENOUGH
FOR ME TO TALK TO.
I TOOK MY GUITAR
THAT ALSO HAD FEATHERS
HANGING OFF OF IT.
I WOULD GO TO THE PARK
AND I WOULD SING SONGS
AND GET A CROWD
AND THEN PUT MY GUITAR DOWN
AND TELL THEM
WHAT HAPPENED TO ME.
SO I JUST IMMEDIATELY,
SHARED WITH ALL OF MY FRIENDS.
I WON ABOUT HALF OF THEM
TO CHRIST.
THE OTHER HALF I LOST.
BUT IT'S WHAT I LOOKED FOR
MY WHOLE LIFE.
Sheila: WHAT'S AMAZING TO ME
IS YOU THINK
OF THAT LITTLE BOY.
YOUR MOM THINKS YOU'RE GOING
TO BE A CATHOLIC PRIEST
BECAUSE YOU'RE ASKING
THESE QUESTIONS.
SO CLEAR, THE HOLY SPIRIT
HAD BEEN WORKING ON YOU
SINCE YOU WERE A CHILD
BECAUSE HE HAD
SOMETHING AMAZING FOR YOU.
I THINK IF PEOPLE WATCHING IN
WHO ARE JUST
FLICKING THROUGH CHANNELS
AND THEY STOP BECAUSE
THEY HEAR YOUR STORY,
AND MAYBE THEY'VE BEEN
ASKING A LOT OF REALLY
TOUGH QUESTIONS
AND NOT GETTING AN ANSWER.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE
WHO THINK WELL, I'VE
ASKED GOD TOUGH QUESTIONS.
HE'S NOT SPEAKING TO ME.
Bayless: I THINK THE PERSON
THAT'S WATCHING RIGHT NOW
THAT THAT'S THEM,
IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE
YOU'RE WATCHING.
IT'S A MATTER
OF DIVINE DESIGN.
IF YOU JUST OPEN YOUR EYES
AND RECOGNIZE IT,
HE'S TALKING TO YOU RIGHT NOW.
Sheila: THAT'S
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
YOU GO FROM YOUR GUITAR
WITH THE FEATHERS
AND I'M NOTICING TODAY
THERE ARE NO FEATHERS.
FEATHERS ARE GONE.
CHICKENS AROUND THE WORLD
ARE SAFE ONCE MORE!
[Laughter]
HOW DO YOU GO FROM THAT
TO BECOMING A PASTOR?
Bayless: WELL, HONESTLY,
I HAVEN'T GOTTEN RID
OF THE HIPPIE THING.
BUT EARLY ON AS A CHRISTIAN,
I MOVED DOWN TO MEXICO.
I LIVED IN MEXICO
BEFORE I WAS A CHRISTIAN
GETTING IN TROUBLE,
I MOVED BACK DOWN THERE
AND DID MISSIONS WORK
SHORTLY AFTER I WAS SAVED.
I WAS ONE DAY PRAYING
IN SOMEBODY'S BACKYARD
AND GOD SPOKE TO ME
ABOUT PASTORING.
I DIDN'T JUMP IN RIGHT AWAY --
THANK GOD I DIDN'T.
I WOULD HAVE SKINNED
ALL THE SHEEP ALIVE.
[Laughter]
A GUY THAT I MET DOING
MISSION'S WORK IN MEXICO
ASKED ME TO COME ON
AND BE AN ASSISTANT PASTOR
WITH HIM.
I SERVED HIM FOR TWO YEARS
AND THEN MY WIFE AND
I STARTED OUR CHURCH IN 1983.
Randy: ONE THING
I KNOW YOU DO,
YOU TRAVEL A LOT --
A LOT IN EUROPE.
WE TALKED EARLIER,
BECAUSE YOU'VE KIND OF
GOT A REPUTATION OF
ATTRACTING GYPSIES IN EUROPE,
WHICH IS NOT A GOOD THING
NECESSARILY IN THE EYES
OF A LOT OF EUROPEANS; RIGHT?
BUT I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT
OF WHERE YOU CAME FROM
IN THAT HONESTY,
AND THAT JUST SEARCHING.
Bayless: THAT MAY BE WHY,
RANDY.
I'M HONESTLY NOT SURE WHY
BUT I'VE BEEN FOR 25 YEARS
ABOUT BEEN DOING
MEETINGS IN EUROPE.
WE PROBABLY CONCENTRATE
MORE IN GERMANY, SWITZERLAND,
AND THE NETHERLANDS
THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.
BUT SOMETIMES,
AN AVERAGE MEETING
WE MIGHT HAVE
300 GYPSIES TURN UP.
AND THE PASTORS SAY,
"WE'VE NEVER SEEN A GYPSY
IN OUR CHURCH BEFORE."
I THINK THEY ARE
A MISUNDERSTOOD COMMUNITY
IN EUROPE.
BUT THOSE THAT ARE SAVED,
THEY FIERCELY LOVE GOD
AND THEY WOULD GIVE YOU
THE CLOTHING
OFF OF THEIR BACK.
THEY'RE THE MOST GENUINE
PASSIONATE CREATIVE PEOPLE
THAT I'VE EVER MET.
I LOVE THEM TO PIECES.
Randy: ONE OF THE MOST
DIFFICULT QUESTIONS,
AND PROBABLY ONE
YOU MAY HAVE EVEN ASKED
WHEN YOU WERE SHOUTING
QUESTIONS AT GOD
IS WHY?
WHY DO BAD THINGS
HAPPEN TO PEOPLE?
WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN
TO GOOD PEOPLE?
HERE YOU ARE
TRAVELING THE WORLD,
MINISTERING TO PEOPLE,
OPENING YOUR HEART
AND YOUR LIFE
TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
AND YOU'RE OUT DOING
SOMETHING YOU LOVE,
WHICH IS BOATING
AND FISHING AND SAILING.
YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA
SO YOU GUYS GET TO DO THAT.
WE'RE A LITTLE JEALOUS
AROUND HERE IN TEXAS.
[Laughter]
AND YOU NEARLY DIE.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED AND KIND OF
WHAT BROUGHT YOU THROUGH THAT.
Bayless: WELL,
ONE OF MY HOBBIES IS
I FREE DIVE
AND WE SPEAR FISH AND WE --
Sheila: TELL PEOPLE
WHAT THAT MEANS.
IT MEANS HE HAS NO OXYGEN,
PEOPLE.
Bayless: IT'S BASICALLY,
YOU SNORKEL,
YOU HOLD YOUR BREATH
AND YOU DIVE DOWN EITHER
WITH A SPEAR GUN TO HUNT FISH
OR TO GET LOBSTERS AT NIGHT.
WE WERE GOING OUT
TO CATALINA ISLAND; IT'S
ABOUT 25 MILES OFF THE COAST.
ANYWAY, WE T-BONED A LITTLE
POINT THAT STICKS OUT,
GOES INTO A REEF.
I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF
THE ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED.
THERE WAS TWO OTHER FRIENDS
ON BOARD.
I WAS THE MOST
SEVERELY HURT.
MY THROAT WAS CRUSHED
AND TORN OPEN
ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
BOTH OF MY LUNGS
WERE FILLED WITH BLOOD.
MY TONGUE WAS LACERATED.
I HAD A CHUNK
TAKEN OUT OF MY LEG.
MY CHIN WAS COMPLETELY
OPENED UP DOWN TO THERE.
I WAS BLEEDING ON THE BRAIN.
MY CAROTID ARTERY
GOT OPENED UP --
A FEW OTHER THINGS AS WELL.
Randy: YOU HIT
THE STEERING WHEEL?
IS THAT WHAT YOU DID?
Bayless: I'M NOT SURE.
Sheila: THAT DOESN'T SOUND
SURVIVABLE THOUGH.
Bayless: THERE'S QUITE
A STORY IN THERE.
BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION
AND THEN I'LL SHARE
A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.
WE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD.
EVERYTHING DOESN'T
OPERATE THE WAY
GOD ORIGINALLY INTENDED.
ONE DAY HE'S GOING
TO FIX ALL THAT;
GOING TO MAKE A NEW HEAVENS
AND A NEW EARTH.
THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE
ANYMORE SORROW
OR PAIN OR SICKNESS
OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS.
WE HAVE AN ADVERSARY,
THE DEVIL.
I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.
I KNOW GOD DIDN'T CAUSE
MY ACCIDENT.
HE DIDN'T INITIATE IT
BUT HE KNEW
IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN,
NOTHING TAKES HIM BY SURPRISE.
I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE
ALL THE ANSWERS.
I DON'T HAVE A THEOLOGY
THAT REQUIRES ME
TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING
BEFORE I BELIEVE GOD IS GOOD.
I BELIEVE HE IS GOOD
EVEN WHEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
BUT ANYWAY,
WE HAD THE ACCIDENT.
THERE HAPPENED TO BE
A COAST GUARD BOAT
AROUND THE CORNER
THAT WERE PRACTICING
FOR JUST SUCH AN EVENT
AND THEY'RE NEVER THERE.
ONE OF OUR GUYS WAS ABLE
TO PUT OUT A MAYDAY AND THEY
WERE THERE WITHIN MINUTES;
GOT US AIRLIFTED
OVER TO THE COAST.
THEY SAID
I WOULD HAVE BLED OUT
IN ANOTHER 15 MINUTES.
A BATTERY OF DOCTORS
WORKED ON ME
FOR SEVEN AND A HALF HOURS.
THE LEAD PHYSICIAN CAME OUT.
FIRST THING SHE SAID
TO MY WIFE WAS,
"NONE OF US THOUGHT
HE WAS GOING TO LIVE.
WE DIDN'T THINK
HE COULD MAKE IT."
ANYWAY, PART OF IT
WAS INSTANTANEOUS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE PRAYED FOR ME.
THE BLEEDING
ON MY BRAIN STOPPED
RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM.
THE CAROTID ARTERY HAD A BIG
FLAP ON IT PLUS ANOTHER
ARTERY WAS OPENED UP;
BOTH OF THOSE SEALED UP
RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOCTORS.
BUT OTHER PARTS OF MY HEALING
WERE A PROCESS AND IT WAS
NOT... NOT... NOT EASY.
Randy: DID YOU THINK
YOU MIGHT NOT PREACH AGAIN?
Bayless: WELL,
THEY DIDN'T KNOW
IF I WOULD EVER BE ABLE TO.
FOR SURE THEY THOUGHT MAYBE
IT WILL BE A YEAR AND A HALF
BECAUSE I COULDN'T EVEN SPEAK.
MY MOUTH DIDN'T WORK.
I HAD A DEAD VOCAL CORD
AND MY TONGUE DIDN'T WORK.
THEY HAD TO SEW MY TONGUE
BACK TOGETHER.
I ACTUALLY DIDN'T GET
ALL THE PARTS.
AND THEN THE BIG THING
WAS MY THROAT.
I COULDN'T SWALLOW.
I DIDN'T HAVE A SIP OF WATER
FOR PROBABLY FOUR MONTHS.
I HAD A G-TUBE
IN MY STOMACH.
IF I GOT THIRSTY
IT WAS A BIG SYRINGE OF WATER.
I HAD TO EAT EVERYTHING
THAT WAY.
SO I HAD TO LEARN HOW
TO SWALLOW ALL OVER AGAIN,
HAD TO LEARN HOW TO SPEAK
ALL OVER AGAIN.
MY DICTION
IS STILL NOT PERFECT.
MY VOICE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT
THAN IT USED TO BE.
Sheila: I THINK
IT SOUNDS GOOD THOUGH.
IT'S KIND OF GOT
A GROWLY QUALITY.
Bayless: WELL, THANK YOU!
THIS IS MY LOU RAWLS VERSION
RIGHT HERE.
Randy: WHAT DID YOU TAKE
FROM ALL THAT?
OBVIOUSLY, YOU'VE GOT TO GO,
GOD, WHY DID YOU --
NOT LIKE WHY ME?
BUT WHY AM I --
WHAT'S GOING ON? RIGHT?
Bayless: WELL,
THERE IS CERTAINLY --
I DON'T THINK
I EVER QUESTIONED WHY.
THAT WAS NEVER
AN ISSUE WITH ME.
I JUST KNEW THAT GOD WAS GOOD.
IT WAS A BIG DEAL.
MY WIFE AND FAMILY,
THEY'RE THE REAL HEROES.
THEY DIDN'T KNOW
IF I'D BE A VEGETABLE.
I WAS IN A COMA FOR TEN DAYS.
MY FIRST MEMORY
IS WAKING UP IN I.C.U.
TEN DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW
IF I WAS GOING TO BE
NORMAL MENTALLY.
THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF LIFE
AS WE KNEW IT WAS OVER,
EVEN IF I WAS OKAY, MENTALLY,
IF I'D EVER BE ABLE TO SPEAK
OR PREACH AGAIN.
BLESS MY WIFE;
SHE STOOD WITH ME,
AND THE WHOLE FAMILY
AND THE CHURCH.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF
THE THINGS THAT STOOD OUT,
RANDY, IS -- YOU KNOW,
IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS IT SAYS,
"MAY GOD HELP YOU
IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE.
MAY HE SEND YOU HELP
FROM THE SANCTUARY AND
STRENGTHEN YOU OUT OF ZION."
SANCTUARY IS A PLACE
WHERE GOD'S PEOPLE GATHER.
IN HEBREWS 12 AS WELL
AS REFERRING TO ISRAEL,
ZION IS A TYPE OF THE CHURCH.
I'M HERE BECAUSE
PEOPLE PRAYED.
PEOPLE RALLIED
AROUND MY FAMILY.
THEY RALLIED AROUND ME.
THEY BROUGHT FOOD OVER
THAT I COULDN'T EAT.
[Laughter]
WE DIDN'T TELL THEM.
MY FAMILY ENJOYED IT.
I WOULDN'T BE HERE
IF NOT FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
I THINK FOR
THE PROMISES AS WELL.
PEOPLE PRAYED
THE PROMISES OVER ME
WHEN I WAS ABLE TO TALK AGAIN.
I BEGAN TO PRAY THEM
OVER MYSELF.
I THINK THE PROMISES OF GOD
ARE WHAT CONNECTS US
WITH HIS NATURE
AND HIS NATURE IS HEALTH,
HIS NATURE IS LIFE,
HIS NATURE IS PEACE.
WITHOUT A PROMISE,
YOU DON'T HAVE A PIPELINE
TO CONNECT YOU
WITH HIS NATURE.
SO PROMISES WERE IMPORTANT.
PATIENCE WAS A BIG ONE.
LIKE I SAID,
PART OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME
WAS INSTANT.
BUT ALL OF MY HEALING WASN'T
AND I WISH IT HAD BEEN.
SOME OF IT HAS BEEN
JUST A LONG PROCESS.
I COULDN'T EAT
FOR THE LONGEST TIME.
THE FIRST THING I DID,
I HAD A CUP OF TEA.
THE VERY FIRST THING I HAD.
Sheila: THAT'S
A VERY GOOD CHOICE!
AS A BRITISH PERSON,
LET ME JUST SAY
EXCELLENT CHOICE!
Bayless: IT TOOK ME 90 MINUTES
TO COUGH AND SPUTTER DOWN
THAT CUP OF TEA; GAGGING
LIKE I WAS GOING TO DIE
BUT I WAS DETERMINED TO DO IT.
THOSE THINGS, WITH MY SPEECH
AND MY SWALLOWING
AND MY DICTION,
THAT'S BEEN A PROCESS.
I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK
IF GOD DOES THINGS
IT HAS TO BE INSTANT
BUT NOT EVERYTHING HE DOES
IS INSTANT.
IN JOHN CHAPTER SIX
THERE IS A STORY
OF THE DISCIPLES
IN A GREAT STORM ON THE LAKE.
JESUS GETS IN THE BOAT,
IMMEDIATELY
THEY'RE AT THE SHORE.
WE LOVE THAT!
BUT IN ACTS CHAPTER 7
THEY'RE IN A GREAT STORM
THAT LASTED FOR WEEKS AND
THERE WAS DIVINE INTERVENTION,
AN ANGEL APPEARED BUT
THE STORM BLEW ITSELF OUT,
THEY LOST THE SHIP,
ENDED UP ON SHORE.
NOBODY WANTS TO BE
IN THE ACTS 27 STORY.
I HONESTLY,
I WISH WITH EVERYTHING
IT HAD BEEN JOHN CHAPTER SIX,
I'LL JUST GO ON RECORD,
GOD, I PREFER THAT.
BUT FOR "SO IT SEEMED GOOD
IN HIS SIGHT" AND I'M HAPPY
AND I JUST TRUST HIM
HOWEVER THAT ROLLS OUT.
Randy: WELL,
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE
AND WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE
STILL PREACHING THE GOSPEL
AND SHARING YOUR LIFE'S STORY.
WE APPRECIATE IT.
THANK GOD FOR THOSE GUYS
THAT WERE CLOSE BY.
WHEN THE SITUATION WAS BAD,
THEY WERE ABLE TO RESPOND.
I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY
GOOD PICTURE OF WHAT WE DO.
Sheila: ABSOLUTELY!
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE
AROUND THE WORLD IN PLACES
RIGHT NOW WHERE THEY'RE
ASKING GOD FOR A MIRACLE.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU AND I ARE
GOING TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY
TO BE AN ANSWER
TO THAT PRAYER.
Randy: ABSOLUTELY!
IN FACT, I WANT YOU TO SEE IT.
WATCH THIS RIGHT NOW.
Ralph: WE'RE GOING TO
THE HOME OF LITTLE STANINA.
SHE ACTUALLY LOST
A LITTLE SISTER
WITH THE CONTAMINATED
WATER HERE.
THEY USE THIS
SAME WATER TO DRINK,
TO WASH
THEIR CLOTHES,
TO CLEAN
THE HOUSE,
AND ALSO
WASHING DISHES --
AND THEN THEY DRINK
THE SAME WATER.
IT'S A VERY
STARTLING SCENARIO.
SHE HAS TO WALK
ABOUT TWO KILOMETERS,
ABOUT A MILE AND
A HALF ONE WAY,
TO COLLECT
WATER
AND THEN BRING IT
BACK HOME TO HER MOTHER.
WHAT SHE SHOWED ME HERE,
I WAS REALLY SURPRISED
THAT SOMEBODY WOULD
ACTUALLY DRINK THIS WATER.
HER LITTLE SISTER DIED
AT ABOUT THREE YEARS OLD
FROM DRINKING THIS WATER,
THEY COULDN'T SAVE HER LIFE.
SHE GOT SO SICK
AND SO ILL
THEY JUST COULDN'T
BRING HER BACK.
SHE'S LOST
A LITTLE SIBLING
DRINKING THIS WATER
FROM THE RIVER.
Ralph: IT JUST KIND OF
DISTURBS YOUR SOUL
WHEN YOU KNOW THAT
IT'S A VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION --
JUST A CUP
OF CLEAN WATER
WOULD HAVE SAVED LITTLE STANINA'S LITTLE SISTER.
Sheila: THAT LITTLE GIRL
STANINA IS CARRYING
SUCH A HEAVY LOAD.
SHE'S CARRYING THE BURDEN
THAT USUALLY A MOM
OR A DAD WOULD CARRY
AND THAT PROFOUND SADNESS
SHE FEELS AT THE LOSS
OF A SIBLING AND SO AFRAID
SHE'LL LOSE HER BROTHER TOO.
WHENEVER I KNOW THAT MY SON
IS COMING HOME FROM COLLEGE,
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DO
IS I GO TO THE SUPERMARKET
AND I BUY BOTTLES
OF THE WATER HE LIKES BEST.
WHEN I WATCH THAT, MY HEART
BREAKS FOR THAT LITTLE GIRL
THAT SIMPLY, THE VERY THING
THEY NEED TO SUSTAIN LIFE,
WHICH IS TO BE ABLE TO DRINK
WATER IS THE VERY THING
THAT IS KILLING THEM.
BUT YOU AND I,
WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE,
WE CAN CHANGE THIS!
WE CAN DO THIS.
OUR PLAN, OUR PRAYER,
OUR COMMITMENT THIS YEAR IS
TO BUILD 500 NEW WATER WELLS.
THE THING THAT'S AMAZING
ABOUT THESE WELLS,
I'M LEARNING,
IS THAT THIS IS NOT JUST
SOME HOLE IN THE GROUND
THAT CAN CAVE IN.
THESE ARE AMAZING WELLS
THAT CAN OPERATE
WITHOUT ELECTRICITY;
THEY'RE STEEL BASED.
CHILDREN CAN PUMP THEM.
DO YOU KNOW THEY'LL LAST
FOR 70 YEARS?
THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED
WATER FOR LIFE BECAUSE
THIS WILL DO FOR LIFE --
THIS WILL SUSTAIN THEM
FOR LIFE.
SO WE WANT TO DO THIS.
$4800, WHICH I KNOW
IS A LOT FOR SOME OF YOU,
AND NOT SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,
WILL BUILD A WELL IN A VILLAGE
THAT WILL CHANGE THE LIFE OF
EVERY PERSON IN THAT VILLAGE.
BUT MAYBE YOU CAN DO LESS.
MAYBE YOU CAN JUST DO $48,
IF YOU COULD DO THAT.
IF WE ALL JOIN TOGETHER,
YOU MIGHT THINK
THAT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET
BUT IF YOU AND I JOIN TOGETHER
THE BUCKET IS GETTING WETTER
EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Randy: GO TO THE PHONES
RIGHT NOW.
GO ONLINE. DO WHAT YOU CAN.
THOSE TEARS, GOLLY --
THE FIRST TIME I SAW THAT --
THOSE TEARS,
IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT.
IT HURTS MY HEART
TO WATCH A CHILD
TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.
SHE'S CLINGING ON
TO HER BROTHER
AND THERE ARE SO MANY KIDS
LIKE THAT.
SOME OF YOU -- YOU KNOW WHAT?
I KNOW $4800
IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR ME BUT
I KNOW THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE
THAT ARE WATCHING,
I BET THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE
THAT COULD DO TWO
OR THREE WELLS.
I JUST WANT YOU TO PRAY
ABOUT IT.
GOD WILL TELL YOU
WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO,
AND THEN YOU NEED
TO BE OBEDIENT.
BUT FOR MOST OF US $24 --
THIS IS THE WAY
IT BREAKS DOWN.
THE MATH BREAKS DOWN TO
$24 WILL GIVE FIVE PEOPLE
CLEAN WATER
FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
STANINA, HER BROTHER,
A COUPLE OF OTHER SIBLINGS,
COUSINS, IF THEY WERE
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD,
YOU KNOW YOU WOULD RUN
TO THEIR DOOR AND SAY,
"HERE! HERE IS $24.
MY GOODNESS!
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRINK
THAT DEATHLY WATER."
IT'S JUST A MATTER
OF OBEDIENCE.
PRAY AND ASK THE LORD,
WHAT CAN I DO TODAY?
AND THEN REACH OUT.
PARTNER WITH US
AND LET'S GIVE WATER FOR LIFE.
Announcer: EVERY DAY CHILDREN
LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY
ARE FORCED TO MAKE
A DREADFUL CHOICE,
DRINK FILTHY
POLLUTED WATER
FILLED WITH
DEADLY DISEASE
OR DIE
FROM THIRST.
NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE
FACED WITH THIS DECISION.
OUR TEAMS HAVE RECENTLY
LOCATED REMOTE VILLAGES
IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
WHERE CHILDREN
ARE DYING
FROM CONTAMINATED,
DISEASE-RIDDEN WATER.
THE SITUATION
IS DESPERATE.
THEY NEED CLEAN
DISEASE-FREE WATER
IMMEDIATELY.
WITH YOUR GIFT TODAY
YOU CAN HELP DRILL
188 WATER WELLS
IN REMOTE VILLAGES
ACROSS SEVEN
AFRICAN NATIONS.
YOUR GIFT OF $24
WILL HELP PROVIDE
CLEAN WATER
FOR FIVE PEOPLE.
A GIFT OF $48 WILL
HELP PROVIDE FOR TEN.
$72 WILL PROVIDE
FOR 15 PEOPLE.
AND $144 WILL
HELP PROVIDE FRESH
DISEASE-FREE WATER
FOR 30 PEOPLE
FOR A LIFETIME!
WITH YOUR GIFT WE'LL SEND YOU SHEILA WALSH'S DEVOTIONAL,
5 MINUTES
WITH JESUS:
A FRESH
INFUSION OF JOY
TO HELP YOU FIND PERSPECTIVE
IN THE MIDST OF DAILY LIFE
AND EXPERIENCE
A DEEPER CONNECTION
WITH GOD.
WITH YOUR GIFT
OF $100 OR MORE
YOU'LL ALSO RECEIVE
OUR "NO GREATER NAME" CANVAS,
A BEAUTIFUL
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
OF OUR SAVIOR'S NAME
AND A DAILY REMINDER
OF HIS PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE.
FINALLY,
PLEASE CONSIDER
A GIFT OF $1200
TO HELP PROVIDE WATER
FOR 250 PEOPLE
OR A GIFT OF $4800
TO HELP SPONSOR
A COMPLETE WELL.
AND YOU MAY REQUEST OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW HAND-PAINTED
"DETERMINED EAGLE"
BRONZE SCULPTURE.
PLEASE CALL, WRITE, OR
MAKE YOUR GIFT ONLINE TODAY!
James: THESE LADIES
ARE HERE WASHING
AND YOU CAN SEE
BY LOOKING AT THE WATER,
THE WATER IS
TOTALLY CONTAMINATED
AND WE KNOW
FOR A FACT
THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
HAVE DIED IN THIS AREA.
SO WE MUST,
I MEAN,
JUST ABSOLUTELY MUST
DRILL WATER WELLS HERE
AND LITERALLY GIVE
THESE PEOPLE A FUTURE.
THIS IS TYPICAL
OF ALL OF SOUTHERN AFRICA.
WE NEED
YOUR HELP
AND WE ASK YOU
TO HELP
PROVIDE THE ANSWER
AND THE REMEDY
TO THIS VERY
SERIOUS PROBLEM.
WHEN YOU'VE GOT CHILDREN
DYING EVERY DAY
BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATED
WATER SOURCES...
WE CAN TURN THAT SITUATION
INTO A SITUATION OF HOPE.
SO WOULD YOU BE THAT SOURCE
OF INSPIRATION AND HELP
BY MAKING THE BEST GIFT
YOU CAN TODAY?
Randy: DO GO TO THE PHONES
OR GO TO THE WEB SITE.
WE APPRECIATE YOU JUST
REACHING OUT AND GIVING LIFE.
I ALSO APPRECIATE YOU,
BAYLESS.
APPRECIATE YOU BEING WITH US.
I DO WANT TO MENTION TO PEOPLE
THAT YOU HAVE A BOOK CALLED,
FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
IT'S AVAILABLE NOW
IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES.
IT SHOWS YOUR HEART
FOR REACHING OTHER PEOPLE.
AND ALSO, WHAT'S YOUR WEB SITE
IF THEY WANT
TO WATCH YOUR SHOW?
Bayless: ANSWERSBC.ORG.
Randy: GREAT!
WE APPRECIATE YOU.
WOULD YOU THANK BAYLESS
FOR JOINING US ON LIFE TODAY?
[Applause]
AND AS ALWAYS,
WE APPRECIATE YOU.
JOIN US AGAIN NEXT TIME
ON LIFE TODAY!
♪
♪
♪
Announcer:
NEXT WEEK ON LIFE TODAY!
AFTER OVER 30 YEARS
GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST
SANDI PATTY CELEBRATES
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
WITH A FINAL
NATIONWIDE TOUR!
>> LIFE TODAY IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF LIFE OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL.
YOUR GIFT WILL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF LIFE.
THE MINISTRY FEATURES
SPECIFIC OUTREACHES
AS EXAMPLES OF THE PROGRAMS
IT SUPPORTS AND CONDUCTS.
GIFTS ARE CONSIDERED
TO BE WITHOUT RESTRICTION
AS TO USE UNLESS EXPLICITLY
STIPULATED BY THE DONOR.
THE MINISTRY IS A MEMBER
OF THE E.C.F.A.