Can Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Be Cured? A Miracle in Canada?

Herbert W. Haddon

You may have heard of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease (Lou Gehrig was a famous American baseball player who died from it).

Here is some information about it from the US government:

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurological disease that primarily affects the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement (those muscles we choose to move). Voluntary muscles produce movements like chewing, walking, and talking. The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time. Currently, there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to halt or reverse the progression of the disease.

ALS belongs to a wider group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases, which are caused by gradual deterioration (degeneration) and death of motor neurons. Motor neurons are nerve cells that extend from the brain to the spinal cord and to muscles throughout the body. As motor neurons degenerate, they stop sending messages to the muscles and the muscles gradually weaken, start to twitch, and waste away (atrophy). Eventually, the brain loses its ability to initiate and control voluntary movements.

Early symptoms of ALS usually include muscle weakness or stiffness. Gradually all voluntary muscles are affected, and individuals lose their strength and the ability to speak, eat, move, and even breathe. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from when the symptoms first appear. However, about 10 percent of people with ALS survive for 10 or more years.

ALS was once commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, following the retirement of the famous ballplayer in the 1940s due to the disease.

What are the symptoms?

The onset of ALS can be so subtle that the symptoms are overlooked but gradually these symptoms develop into more obvious weakness or atrophy.

Early symptoms include:

Muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue

Muscle cramps

Tight and stiff muscles (spasticity)

Muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, the neck, or diaphragm

Slurred and nasal speech

Difficulty chewing or swallowing

The first sign of ALS usually appears in the hand or arm and can show as difficulty with simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt, writing, or turning a key in a lock. In other cases, symptoms initially affect one leg. People experience awkwardness when walking or running, or they may trip or stumble more often. When symptoms begin in the arms or legs, it is referred to as “limb onset” ALS, and when individuals first notice speech or swallowing problems, it is termed “bulbar onset” ALS.

As the disease progresses, muscle weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body. Individuals may develop problems with moving, swallowing (called dysphagia), speaking or forming words (dysarthria), and breathing (dyspnea). Although the sequence of emerging symptoms and the rate of disease progression can var from person to person, eventually individuals will not be able to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use their hands and arms.

Individuals with ALS usually have difficulty swallowing and chewing food, which makes it hard to eat. They also burn calories at a faster rate than most people without ALS. Due to these factors, people with ALS tend to lose weight rapidly and can become malnourished.

Because people with ALS usually can perform higher mental processes such as reasoning, remembering, understanding, and problem solving, they are aware of their progressive loss of function and may become anxious and depressed. A small percentage of individuals may experience problems with language or decision-making, and there is growing evidence that some may even develop a form of dementia over time.

Individuals with ALS eventually lose the ability to breathe on their own and must depend on a ventilator. Affected individuals also face an increased risk of pneumonia during later stages of the disease. Besides muscle cramps that may cause discomfort, some individuals with ALS may develop painful neuropathy (nerve disease or damage). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Amyotrophic-Lateral-Sclerosis-ALS-Fact-Sheet accessed 07/01/21

So, ALS is considered non-treatable, progresses terribly, and ends with death.

Could God heal someone with that?

Yes.

Does God still heal people today?

Yes.

I have received reports from various ones who have been healed in response to getting anointed cloths (cf. Acts 19:11-12) from the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). God does still heal people today, in accordance to His will of what is best for the sufferer.

Herbert (Herb) W. Haddon, our host in New Brunswick, Canada had been having severe health issues for many months. The medical profession diagnosed and confirmed that he was suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Herb and I discussed the diagnosis and my limited clinical experience with it–we did NOT send him supplements for it.

Consistent with James 5:14, Herb wanted the elders of the CCOG to pray for him.

So I prayed for him and requested prayers for him in the weekly Continuing Church of God Letter to the Brethren, several times (see Letter to the Brethren: March 25, 2021, Letter to the Brethren: May 20, 2021, and Letter to the Brethren: June 10, 2021).

Anyway, while I had been praying for him prior to his ALS diagnosis, I told him I would continue to pray–which I, and others, did. I also stayed in communication with his wife Gisele.

On June 17, 2021, the medical doctors told him to tell his family that he was about to die. The next day, Gisele told me he had taken a turn for the worst. One of Herb’s children contacted me later that day regarding how we would handle his funeral service.

However, on Monday June 21, 2021, Gisele sent an email that said Herb was doing better. On Thursday, June 24, 2021 deacon Richard Close sent me the following in an email:

Good morning Pastor Bob Less than a week ago the Dr.s told Gisele that Herb was in his last stages and would not be coming home. Now he is up and writing. Miracles still do happen. I expect more as this short time gets shorter. regards Richard

Last Sabbath, June 26, 2021, Herb asked me to telephone him, and I did. He told me he believed his ALS was gone as he was symptom free. It also turns out that he and I prayed in a similar manner for his healing. After the telephone call, I dropped to my knees and thanked God. My wife Joyce asked me if this was a miracle and I said it sounded like one.

I also emailed Richard Close after speaking to Herb, and copied elder Aleksandar ‘Sasha’ Veljic. Here is what Sasha sent me a few hours later:

Dear Bob and Richard,

I will be totally honest with you, as I have always been. In my pleas to God about Herb, I pointed out that his death would have a devastating effect on CCOG. And even after that update that he was run into hospital, I said to God: I ask you to spare Herb any pain. I recently had a wisdom tooth surgery and I certainly appreciate what is pain, so please spare him from pain. And, no matter his current condition, I don’t give up on my conviction that you can perform a miracle.

That was my prayer, and the reason for Herb’s healing I hoped for is that he has been a great example to all the believers. He has never caused any trouble to anyone, he has never caused any accidents, as we sadly were witnesses to it some time ago, troubles caused by people who now by their age are supposed to be teachers in the Church. Not only was Herb a superb example of Christ-like living, along with his wonderful wife Gisele, but he has always been very humble. Prior to his first trip to Haiti, he contacted me (as I visited black Africa in 2017) to ask me for experience and advice on what to look for. I gave him a very precise advice on how to identify the main needs and priorities and he has done exactly that for the benefits of Church members there and for the furtherance of the Work of God.

So, alike many of us, I was devastated to read about his health conditions. I prayed, I fasted and I said to God: I am not giving up on my belief that you can perform a miracle! And please, perform it because loss of Herb Haddon would have a devastating effect on so many of us, on the entire CCOG, and what would then happen with Haiti? And, so, I am so relieved to see that my and our persistence on miraculous healing was answered miraculously.

So, thank you for sharing this news with me.

Sasha

Here is what Richard Close sent me:

Hello to Bill and ALL I also wish to give a 2nd witness—“In the mouth of 2 or 3 witness’s let these things be established” I have talked with Herb almost weekly since early spring and my experience has been the EXACT same as Bills as far as Herbs symptoms and steady downward spiral health wise including the Dr.s telling Gisele that Herb would not be coming home about 2 weeks ago–the turn around about 1 week ago–and going from a liquid diet to solid food and sitting up –out of bed –in a chair in one day–after being mostly in a coma for a week –to the Dr.s–proclaiming him free of any and all symptoms of ALS on Sat. June 26, 2021—God’s HOLY SABBATH–to speaking with him personally this afternoon and noticing how strong and clear his voice was—and no labored breathing–still some weak but getting stronger by the day. As I told Dr. Thiel, a short time back, I believe that this is a possible start to the miracles that OUR GOD is going to do as part of the final witness to all as we enter the final phase of this work. Acts 2 and 3 and other scriptures.

I also believe as Bill does –that this HEALING is for many purposes to many different people—-as many as our GOD MAY CALL or reveal Himself to thru this event. Richard Close CCOG a helper of your joy.

Another member who knew about this (whose wife is a prospective member) sent me the following last Sabbath after he spoke with Herb Haddon:

Obviously, he told me that you two spoke earlier. First I started crying and then I exhausted myself thanking God for His intervention here.

The witnesses to this are far and wide. Even my wife …. “Pooh Pooh’d” our efforts at prayer and fasting for Herb and Gisele. She told me not to expect much – ALS is 100% fatal. … but I did point her to scriptures about healing and that nothing is impossible with God. She, too, was brought to tears by the news.

While ALS is not 100% fatal in the sense some few live with it a long time, notice the following from the ALS Society of Canada:

ALS is progressive and does not go into remission. It is terminal, usually within 2-5 years after diagnosis, although some people have lived with ALS for 10 years or longer. (https://www.als.ca/what-is-als/about-als/progression/ accessed 06/29/21)

This, thus, looks like it could be a miracle.

Here is a report we received last evening:

Good evening Dr.Thiel,

For more than a year, probably even 2 or more years, my health has been deteriorating. The medical profession figured I was suffering from asthma, so treatment was administered. I continued to get worse.

In the past year, several specialists examined me to offer their opinions. My breathing continued to regress. I often lost my breath. I began loosing muscle mass and strength throughout my whole body. I could not stand without aid. Even my voice was failing.

March 23 tests were performed for ALS. The disease was confirmed.

On April 19 a lung specialist examined me. The lungs were in great condition. It was the surrounding muscles to make the lungs function that were loosing their strength.

May 12 I saw the ALS specialist who confirmed everything.

Prayer requests were sent to the church for my healing. From the diagnosis forward everything is a blur.

I can remember after being diagnosed with ALS that the doctors were always coming up with new treatments, so perhaps a cure is around the corner. A quick study online dashed those hopes. I was not prescribed any medication. I thought of natural medicines that you (Dr. Thiel) could administer. Surely there was hope there?

As this disease has no cure, death is the only outcome. I was devastated! I had to turn to God to heal me. Gisele’s faith would prove to be strong as well as the whole Church praying to our Father for my healing. God has heard and answered.

As my breathing was getting worse by the day, the inevitable happened. On Thursday June 17th, my mouth and tongue turned blue and I was falling in and out of consciousness. From responsive to unresponsive. Called the ambulance and was taken to the hospital. Was unresponsive all day and by evening the situation deteriorated so much that they put me on a respirator. At that time the Dr. told Gisele that the end would come in about 1 hour.

All my family were called to say their goodbyes. Gisele refused to believe that my time was up because my work was not done. Haiti had to be helped. Told the Drs that God would heal him. This was not the end. They tried to convince Gisele to not hold on to false hope. She told them that faith in God would heal him. God had a purpose for me yet. As Gisele was standing next to me and rubbing me to wake up, I opened my eyes and told her to let me go. She was very emphatic that she would not let me go. My work was not done. I repeated twice more my request for her to let me go and both times she gave the same answer. After a few minutes I turned to Gisele and said “you know what? I am healed!” Gisele agreed.

I remained lucid for the rest of the evening and all my children had the opportunity to spend time with me. Then unresponsive the rest of the night. The Drs at this point did not understand why I was not dead. Co2 levels still very high. Well over 100 at this time. The next morning they moved me to a ward. Was still unresponsive and did not remember the night before or what was going on. This went on until Sunday. I was put on oxygen and started coming around at the beginning of the week as the CO2 levels were starting to normalize and they had me on a different BIPAP with oxygen. From then on I could sit in a chair and walk a little bit. I was talking, no more confusion, no more hallucinations, these had been going on for about a week or two when I was home. They had me use a cough assist to clear my lungs as they were very full of phlegm. After a few days lungs all clear and barely out of breath. Could eat a meal without putting on BIPAP in the middle of my meal. Could carry a conversation without any problems. The Drs tried to explain away that my dramatic improvements were due to oxygen. They Removed the oxygen on Wednesday and oxygen levels are now between 93 and 99. So I guess oxygen was not the reason for improvement. Gisele told the Drs that God was responsible for his healing. She had faith that God would heal him through prayers. The Drs thought Gisele was in denial!! I believe they are the ones in denial refusing to believe that God can and does heal. She told them that medicine and science were not the answer to everything.

Finally after getting well enough they sent me home on Monday. I am feeling better than I was a year ago. All tremors and other ALS symptoms are gone. Still weak physically but getting stronger every day.

I truly believe in the power of faith, prayers and fasting. God was with me every step of the way. Praise be to Him.

Thank you to all my brethren for all your prayers. God did hear.

With love

Herb and Gisele

It should be noted that even though ALS is not supposed to go into remission, the medical doctors still believe that Herb has ALS.

While God has healed people in and out of the COG throughout the church age, this apparent healing may be a sign–particularly if other healings of this magnitude or even greater take place. A few years back, we had a deaf man experience a miracle in that he was able to hear after Pastor Evans Ochieng preached in Migawi, Malawi (see Letter to the Brethren: February 18, 2016).

God does heal! Healings can be a sign from God (Mark 16:18c).

Herb Haddon, who was lame, now walks. The deaf man in Malawi was able to hear.

Consider those in light of the following related to men John the Baptist sent to check up on Jesus:

4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:4-6)

As far as the poor having the gospel preached to then, we have more than 5,000 congregants in poor regions of Africa who are with us and regularly hear the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Yet, many Christian people in these times act like they are ‘above’ accepting that poor Africans are important, despite the prophesied need for the fulness of the Gentiles to come in per Romans 11:25 (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). Most end time Christians feel that they are ‘above’ accepting that God could have a prophet at this time (see Church of God Leaders on Prophets) and that God is intervening with dreams in the CCOG (see Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God) and accepting other supernatural signs now, despite that being prophesied for the last days per Acts 2:17-18 (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

The apostles were confirmed by signs that followed them (Mark 16:20) and there have been signs that have confirmed the Continuing Church of God

Laodiceans, sadly, seem to be offended by such things–or at least do not take them seriously enough to change.

Perhaps because the bulk of end time Christians were prophesied to be Laodicean (cf. Revelation 3:14-18), Jesus said:

8 … when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)

Many in the CCOG had faith, and Herb Haddon’s medical team now says he does not have ALS. Real Philadelphian Christians have more faith than the bulk of the Laodiceans do.

The Bible teaches:

6 … ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

Herb Haddon’s recovery was not because of any nutritional intervention as he did not do that. Nor from any medical treatment, as the medical profession does not have a recovery treatment for ALS.

God, of course, is not limited and can heal. According to reports from the Haddons, He did so in Herb’s case.

The New Testament warns:

40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

41 ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ (Acts 13:40-41)

The Laodiceans were prophesied to have the wrong work and were condemned for it (Revelation 3:14-22)–while those of Sardis lost doctrines they should have held onto (Revelation 3:1-6). Those Christians are unwilling to accept the correct work in the end time, even when they are told.

The New Testament further warns Christians:

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12-19)

Sadly, most Christians are lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22) and have a heart of unbelief in the signs that God said He would use in these times.

Do you have faith to believe and understand that God has been dramatically intervening in the Continuing Church of God over the years?

Can you accept that the types of signs that have been prophesied are really happening?

If so, do not be lukewarm about it.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Does God Heal Today? This historical article is by Herbert Armstrong and provides his views on healing circa 1952, which he seemed to later modify, at least to some degree.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God How has God used dreams in the past? Does God still use dreams? Did He use any involving those in the Continuing Church of God? Here is a link in Spanish: Sueños, la Biblia, la Iglesia de Dios de la Radio, y la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. A related sermon is also available: Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses some early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, CG7-Salem, Jerusalem 7DCG, and COG-7th Day-Denver. Here are links to two historical sermons: Sardis Church Era: Beginnings, Doctrines, and Leaders and Sardis: SDBs, SDAs, & CG7s.
6. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
How does the Continuing Church of God differ from other Sabbatarian COG groups? There are scores of different groups claiming to be Church of God. How is the Continuing Church of God different?