Sunday, June 14, 2026

🫏 Melvin & Melvina: The Picnic Predicament

Theme: Gratitude even when plans go wrong

Narrator:
It was a perfect sunny day for a church picnic. Melvin and Melvina had packed everything — sandwiches, lemonade, and a blanket that smelled faintly of hay and hope.

Melvina:
“Hee‑haw means: Don’t forget the napkins!”

Melvin:
“Got ’em! I even brought extra mustard. I’m prepared for greatness.”

Narrator:
They trotted to the meadow, spread the blanket, and sat down.
Well… Melvin sat down a little too enthusiastically.

Melvina:
(gasping)
“Melvin! You sat on the sandwiches!”

Melvin:
(blinking)
“I thought that was the cushion!”

Melvina:
“Hee‑haw means: It was the lunch!”

Narrator:
Melvin lifted himself up slowly. The sandwiches were now… artistic.
One looked like modern art. Another resembled a pancake.

Melvin:
“Maybe we can call it ‘Pressed Blessings.’”

Melvina:
(sighing, then smiling)
“Hee‑haw means: I’m praying for patience.”

Narrator:
They bowed their heads right there on the blanket.

Melvina:
“Lord, thank You for sunshine, for laughter, and for sandwiches that still taste good — even when they’re flat.”

Melvin:
“And thank You that Melvina didn’t sit on the lemonade.”

Narrator:
They laughed, shared their squished feast, and remembered that joy doesn’t depend on perfection — only on gratitude.

📖 Scripture Thought (KJV)

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©
MBAnnaBenPbKbPmRmNmPastGeo #7065

The Pictures are for this Lesson Only

🫏 Melvin & Melvina: The Picnic Predicament — The Bee Attack (According to Melvin)

Theme: Gratitude even when plans go wrong

Narrator: Just when Melvin and Melvina had accepted their squished sandwiches as “Pressed Blessings,” a new sound drifted across the meadow…

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ—

Melvin: (freezing like a statue) “Melvina… don’t move. Don’t breathe. Don’t blink. The air is angry.”

Melvina: “It’s just a bee.”

Melvin: “JUST a bee? JUST?! That’s like saying ‘JUST a tornado’ or ‘JUST a stampede.’”

Narrator: The bee hovered closer. Melvin’s ears stood straight up like two terrified antennas.

Melvin: (whisper‑screaming) “It’s coming for me. It knows I’m sweet. I TOLD you I shouldn’t have worn the honey‑scented shampoo!”

Melvina: “You don’t wear shampoo.”

Melvin: “WELL MAYBE I SHOULD START!”

Narrator: The bee circled Melvin’s head. Melvin ducked, dodged, and performed a dramatic slow‑motion roll across the picnic blanket.

Melvin: “IT’S CHOOSING A TARGET! I AM THE TARGET!”

Melvina: “Hee‑haw means: Melvin, calm down.”

Melvin: “I am calm! This is my calm voice! AHHHHHH—”

Narrator: Melvina bowed her head, serene as a summer breeze.

Melvina: “Lord… please give Melvin peace… and please give this bee a flower. A big one. Far away.”

Narrator: The bee buzzed once more, circled Melvin’s twitching ear, and drifted off toward a patch of clover.

Melvin: (peeking one eye open) “Is it gone? Am I alive? Do I still have all my parts?”

Melvina: (smiling) “Hee‑haw means: Yes, Melvin. All your parts are present.”

Melvin: “Thank You, Lord… and thank You, Melvina… for praying before I ran screaming into the woods.”

Narrator: And so, with sandwiches squished and nerves rattled, they remembered that gratitude doesn’t depend on perfect picnics — only on trusting God through the buzzing moments.

The Pictures are for this Lesson Only

🫏 Devotion: “Buzzing Lessons in Patience and Gratitude”

Paragraph 1
Sometimes life feels like a perfect picnic — sunshine, laughter, and everything neatly packed. Then, without warning, something buzzes into our peace. For Melvin, it was a bee; for us, it might be a worry, a disappointment, or a sudden change of plans. Yet even in those moments, God invites us to pause and remember that His presence doesn’t vanish when things go wrong.

Paragraph 2
Melvin’s panic reminds us how quickly fear can take over. We jump, we shout, we imagine the worst. But Melvina’s calm prayer shows the better way — turning fear into faith. When we pray first, we give God room to quiet our hearts and guide our reactions. Gratitude begins where panic ends.

Paragraph 3
The bee didn’t stay forever, and neither do our troubles. They buzz around for a while, testing our patience, but they eventually drift away. What remains is the lesson: God’s peace is stronger than any buzzing fear. He teaches us to laugh, to breathe, and to trust Him even when the picnic doesn’t go as planned.

Paragraph 4
Melvina’s prayer under the tree is a picture of grace. She didn’t scold Melvin; she prayed for him. That’s love in action — gentle, steady, and thankful. When we respond to life’s interruptions with prayer instead of frustration, we become instruments of peace. Gratitude turns every mishap into a moment of worship.

Paragraph 5
So, whether your picnic is perfect or your sandwiches are squished, remember this truth: God is near. He smiles at our laughter, comforts our fears, and teaches us to give thanks in all things. Even the buzzing moments can become blessings when we trust Him completely.

🗣️ Talk

Sometimes life feels like Melvin’s picnic — we sit right on the sandwiches. We make a mess, we laugh, we sigh, and we realize we still need grace. Church days, family days, farm days — they all have their “What’s going on?” moments. But God doesn’t leave us in the confusion; He teaches us through it. He reminds us that peace doesn’t come from perfect plans, but from His presence. When we talk to Him honestly, He listens tenderly. And when we pray, He restores calm to our hearts.

🙏 Prayer

Lord, Thank You for loving us even when life feels mixed‑up and messy. When confusion swirls around us, remind us that You are not the author of it — You are the giver of peace. Help our pastor, our church, and each of us to walk in patience and understanding. Teach us to laugh kindly, forgive quickly, and pray continually. Bring order to our hearts and unity to our fellowship. And when we whisper, “What’s going on?” Let Your Spirit answer, “I am here.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🙏 Prayer

“Dear Lord,
Thank You for being with me in every buzzing moment.
When fear rises, help me to pray instead of panic.
Teach me to find joy in small things and patience in interruptions.
Let gratitude fill my heart, even when plans go wrong.
May Your peace rest upon me today and always.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©MB
AnnaBenPbKbPmRmNmPastGeo #7066

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

🌿 When I Was Young, Till Now I’m Old - New

Keep This Picture with This Writing

🌿 When I Was Young, Till Now I'm Old

When I was young, the world was wide,

A field of dreams on every side;
I chased the winds with lifted eyes,
And prayed my prayers beneath the skies.
I asked with wonder, bold and free—
Believing God remembered me.

When I grew strong, and life grew fast,

The days flew by, the years rushed past;
I learned that joy and sorrow blend,
That mountains rise, and storms descend.
Yet through it all, His mercy stayed—
I asked, and found Him when I prayed.

When burdens pressed and shadows fell,

When hopes were fragile, hard to tell;
When tears were prayers I could not speak,
And faith felt feeble, small, and weak—
He held me close, His love untold…
The same dear God of young and old.

Now seasons change, and wisdom grows,

And time moves gently as it flows;
I look behind, I look above,
I see the working of His love.
From youthful dawn to silvered years,
He’s heard my prayers, He’s calmed my fears.

For every age, His promise stands—

He guides our steps with tender hands;
He answers hearts that seek His face,
And fills the years with quiet grace.
I asked Him then… I ask Him still—
And stand in awe of His good will.

And when that final twilight fades,

He heard my final prayers prayed

When earthly shadows slip away,

My heart looks up to endless day

With joy my soul shall fly away—

A glory‑bound, triumphant day.

With hand outstretched—O joyful soul—

To hold His hand, no longer old;

Transformed, renewed, forever whole,

From old to young… on streets of gold.

To hold His hand, no longer old;

Transformed, renewed, forever whole,

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©

AnnaBenpbkbnmrmpmpastorgeo #7771

Read this fresh Sunday Morning In Our Church Service

Saturday, June 6, 2026

DL Moody Quotes On The Return Of Christ

For This Blog Only

🌟 Quotes from D. L. Moody on the Return of Christ

“I look upon this world as a wrecked vessel. God has given me a lifeboat and said to me, ‘Moody, save all you can.’” — spoken in the context of Christ’s soon coming.
“The best way to prepare for the coming of the Lord is to get others ready.”
“I never preach a sermon without thinking that possibly the Lord may come before I finish.”
“The Lord has left us here to work until He comes. Let us be found faithful.”
“I believe the next thing on God’s program is the coming of Christ.”
“If we are looking for Christ’s return, it will keep us from looking for the world’s rewards.”
“The thought of His coming should make us watchful, prayerful, and full of love.”

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026 copyright MBANNABENPBKBNMRMPMGEOPASTOR #3026

A TRUE STORY OF AWAKENING TO THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

For This Blog Post Only

A TRUE STORY OF AWAKENING TO THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

The Night John Newton Saw the Light John Newton was not always the man who wrote “Amazing Grace.” Before Christ found him, he was a hardened sailor, a man who mocked God, cursed His name, and lived with a heart as stormy as the sea he sailed. He had heard the gospel as a child—his mother whispered Scripture into his ears before she died—but he buried those memories deep beneath years of rebellion. Then came the night of the storm. Newton’s ship was caught in a violent tempest in the North Atlantic. Waves towered like mountains. The hull groaned. Men screamed. Death felt inches away. Newton worked the pumps for hours, soaked, exhausted, terrified. At one point, he was certain the ship would split in two. And in that moment— when fear stripped away every excuse, every argument, every layer of pride— a cry rose from his soul: “Lord, have mercy on us.” He didn’t plan to pray. He didn’t think he deserved to pray. But the cry came anyway— from a place deeper than fear, from a memory planted long ago, from a God who had never stopped pursuing him. And something happened. Not outside— the storm still raged. But inside— light broke in. Newton later said it was as if a candle had been lit in a room he didn’t know was dark. He felt conviction. He felt mercy. He felt the presence of Christ pressing into his soul. The storm eventually calmed. The ship survived. But Newton was not the same man who had entered that night. He wrote later: “I once was blind, but now I see.” It wasn’t poetry. It was testimony. The Light of Christ had risen in his heart— not in a church, not in a quiet moment, but in the middle of terror, in the middle of sin, in the middle of a storm he could not control. That night became the beginning of his transformation— from slave trader to preacher, from mocker of God to worshiper, from darkness to light. 🌟 The Truth of His Awakening Christ did not wait for Newton to clean up. Christ did not wait for him to be worthy. Christ did not wait for him to be ready. The Light came into the darkness— and the darkness could not overcome it. And the same Jesus who rose in Newton’s heart still rises in hearts today.

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©MBANNABENNMRMPMPBKBPASTORGEO #3055x

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Story About D.L. Moody

For This Blog Post Only

✨ A TRUE AWAKENING STORY FROM HISTORY

The Night D.L. Moody Met the Living Christ

Dwight L. Moody was already a preacher.
He was already filling pews.
He was already doing “the work of God.”
But something was missing — something deep, something alive, something burning.

He later admitted that he preached with effort, but not with power.
He worked for God, but he didn’t yet walk with God.

Then came the two praying women.

Every Sunday, two elderly women sat on the front row of Moody’s church in Chicago.
They didn’t clap.
They didn’t shout.
They didn’t even say “Amen.”

They prayed.

After several weeks, Moody finally asked them why.

Their answer stunned him:

“We are praying that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Moody was offended at first.
He thought he was doing fine.
But their words wouldn’t leave him.

Then came the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Moody’s church burned.
His home burned.
His city burned.
Everything he had built with his own strength was suddenly gone.

And in the ashes of that disaster, Moody realized something:

He needed more than skill.
More than sermons.
More than effort.

He needed Christ Himself — the Light of the World — to rise in his heart.

Then came the encounter.

One day, walking down Wall Street in New York City, Moody felt the presence of God surround him like a warm, overwhelming flood.
He later said it was as if heaven opened and poured love straight into his soul.

He had to find a room — any room — just to be alone with God.

There, in that quiet place, Moody met Christ in a way he never had before.
Not as an idea.
Not as a doctrine.
But as the living Light.

He said:

“I was filled with a sense of His love that I had never known before.”

When he returned to preaching, everything changed.

His sermons were the same length.
His voice was the same.
His style was the same.

But now —
the Light of Christ burned through every word.

Thousands were saved.
Cities were shaken.
Revival spread across continents.

Moody said:

“The sermons I preached before were like straw.
The sermons after were like fire.”

What awakened him?

Not tragedy.
Not success.
Not effort.

But an encounter with the Light of Christ —
the Day Star rising in his heart,
the same Light that still awakens souls today.

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© MBANNABENPBKBNMRMPMGEOPASTOR #3026

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin May 31st, 2026 and June 7th

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin May 31st - June 1st, 2026

🌿 Matthew Henry on the Bride of Christ

(with brief allowable quotations)

1. “Christ is the Bridegroom of His church.”

Henry repeatedly emphasized that Jesus relates to His people with the tenderness, devotion, and covenant love of a bridegroom.

He taught that Christ:

chose His Bride
loves His Bride
purifies His Bride
will come again to receive His Bride

2. The Bride must be ready, adorned, and watching.

Henry wrote that the church must prepare herself with holiness, obedience, and love — just as a bride prepares for her wedding day.

He said believers should be:

“adorned with the graces of the Spirit”
“waiting for the Bridegroom’s coming”

3. Christ’s return is the Bridegroom coming for His beloved.

Henry saw the Second Coming as a joyful wedding moment — not a fearful one for the believer.

He described it as:

the Bridegroom arriving suddenly
the Bride rising to meet Him
the union being completed forever

4. The marriage supper of the Lamb is the fulfillment of all hope.

Henry taught that Revelation 19 shows the church entering her eternal joy.

He wrote that the Bride will be:

“presented faultless before the presence of His glory”
“received into everlasting communion with her Lord”

5. Christ’s love is the foundation of the Bride’s confidence.

Henry emphasized that the Bride rests not in her own worthiness, but in Christ’s love and righteousness.

He said the church is:

“beloved for His sake”
“accepted in the Beloved”

🌸 Summary of Matthew Henry’s Teaching on the Bride of Christ

Christ is the loving Bridegroom.
The church is His chosen Bride.
The Bride must prepare herself in holiness.
The Bridegroom will return suddenly and joyfully.
The Rapture is the Bride rising to meet Him.
The marriage supper is the eternal union of Christ and His people.
All of it flows from His everlasting love.
-------------------------------------------------

Prayer for the Remembrance of the Coming of Our Saviour

Living Every Day as If It Would Be Today

Verse — KJV

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” — Matthew 24:44

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” — Titus 2:13

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank Thee for the blessed promise of Thy Son’s return. Help us to live each day with watchful hearts, as though this very moment might be the moment we behold His glorious appearing.

Let our steps be steady, our thoughts pure, our words seasoned with grace, and our lamps burning bright in readiness.

When the world grows dim and shadows lengthen, remind us that the dawn of His coming draws near. Teach us to walk in holiness, to love as Christ loved, and to serve with joy until He calls us home.

Lord Jesus, Keep our eyes fixed upon Thee. Let every sunrise whisper, “Perhaps today,” and every sunset echo, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Amen.

Reflection Line

“Live today as if the trumpet might sound before the evening light.”

----------------------------------------------------

🙏 Prayer for God’s Blessing on Tomorrow’s Church Activities

Heavenly Father, We lift tomorrow’s church activities before You — every service, every class, every song, every message, every greeting at the door, every prayer whispered in the heart.

Lord, go before Your people. Prepare the atmosphere with peace. Fill the sanctuary with Your presence. Let Your Spirit rest on the musicians, the teachers, the pastor, the children, the volunteers, and every person who walks through the doors.

Bless the worship — let it be sincere, joyful, and Spirit‑led. Bless the teaching — let it be clear, powerful, and full of truth. Bless the fellowship — let it be warm, encouraging, and unifying. Bless the children’s classes — let little hearts feel loved, safe, and eager to learn about Jesus.

Lord, protect the church grounds, the building, the people, and the leadership. Let no distraction, no confusion, no heaviness, and no discouragement enter. Let Your peace reign from the first moment to the last.

May tomorrow be a day of:

renewed faith,
answered prayer,
strengthened hearts,
salvation,
healing,
unity,
and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Let Your name be lifted high, and let every person leave knowing they have been in the presence of the living God.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

-------------------------------------------------------------

🌿 An Awakening of Truth

In a quiet Midwestern town, a small congregation gathered each Sunday in a white‑steepled church. Among them were Daniel and Ruth, a couple known for their kindness and steady service. They sang in the choir, taught the children, and rarely missed a meeting. Yet behind their smiles, both carried a silent weariness — the kind that comes when faith becomes routine instead of relationship.

One evening, after a sermon on “walking in truth,” Daniel lingered in the empty sanctuary. The words echoed in his heart:

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts…” — Psalm 51:6 (KJV)

He realized he had been serving out of habit, not love. Ruth joined him, and together they prayed — not for blessing, but for renewal. Tears fell as they confessed their complacency and asked God to awaken their hearts again.

That night marked a turning point. Their home became a place of Scripture and song, their marriage a testimony of grace restored. The next Sunday, when they sang “Amazing Grace,” the congregation felt something different — not performance, but power.

The truth had awakened them, and through them, others began to stir.

------------

💛 True Beautiful Quotes About Love and Marriage From the Heart

1. “Love is not measured by moments of perfection, but by grace that forgives and faith that endures.” 2. “A marriage built on Christ is a garden where mercy blooms and joy never withers.” 3. “Two hearts joined by God beat with one rhythm — the melody of everlasting love.” 4. “When love kneels before the cross, it rises stronger than any storm.” 5. “Marriage is not the blending of two lives, but the weaving of one purpose under heaven.” 6. “True love is a covenant — not written in ink, but sealed by prayer and promise.” 7. “In every sunrise shared, every tear wiped away, love whispers: ‘God is faithful still.’”

💍 Marriage — A Symbol of Christ’s Return

Marriage was designed by God as a reflection of divine love — a covenant of faithfulness, sacrifice, and joy. Just as a bride waits for her groom, the Church waits for Christ’s glorious appearing. Every wedding, every vow, every act of love whispers the promise: “The Bridegroom cometh.”

When husband and wife walk in unity, grace, and forgiveness, they mirror the relationship between Jesus and His people — a love that never fails, a bond sealed by the Spirit, and a hope that looks toward eternity.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7 KJV)

🌿 Beautiful Facts About an Awakening Christian

1. Their heart awakens to God’s presence.

They become freshly aware of His nearness in everyday life.

2. They hunger for Scripture.

God’s Word becomes alive, meaningful, and deeply personal.

3. Their priorities shift toward eternal things.

They begin choosing what matters most to God.

4. They experience inner renewal and peace.

The Holy Spirit brings calm, clarity, and new strength.

5. Their love for others grows.

Compassion, kindness, and forgiveness flow more easily.

6. They become sensitive to sin.

Conviction leads them toward purity and holiness.

7. Their prayer life deepens.

Prayer becomes natural, heartfelt, and powerful.

8. They see life through spiritual eyes.

God’s purpose becomes clearer in daily moments.

9. They desire fellowship with believers.

Worship and community become sources of joy.

10. They sense God guiding their steps.

The Holy Spirit gently leads them into truth and wisdom.

🌾 Counting Blessings in the Barn

🕯️ The Real Story Behind the Lantern Light

Farmer Finn wasn’t just counting blessings because it was sweet —
he was counting blessings because he had been asking God for help all week long.

Simple prayers.
Honest prayers.
Lantern‑light prayers.

“Lord, I don’t know how these bills will get paid.”
“Lord, please help me.”
“Lord, I need You to make a way.”

And God heard every whisper.

But the answer didn’t come in the way Finn imagined.
It didn’t come in the mail.
It didn’t come through a neighbor.
It didn’t come through a sale.

It came…
through the Windows of Heaven.

🥚 The Egg‑splosion Nobody Expected

Gutsy Goose and Glossy Goose were laying eggs like they had taken on a full‑time factory job.

Eggs in the hay.
Eggs in the buckets.
Eggs under the wagon.
Eggs behind the pitchfork.
Eggs in places eggs should never be.

The geese nearly lost their minds.
The chickens refused to claim them.
The ducks waddled away shaking their heads.
The cat stared down from the rafters like,
“This is above my pay grade.”

And nobody — nobody — wanted scrambled eggs.

But heaven had opened a window.

🪶 A Blessing Too Big to Receive

One morning, Farmer Finn stepped into the barn and froze.

Eggs.
Everywhere.
A blessing so big the barn couldn’t hold it.

And suddenly, Malachi 3:10 came alive right in front of him:

⭐ Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

“…I will open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

There wasn’t room enough to receive it —
not in the nests,
not in the barn,
not in the buckets,
not even in the farmer’s imagination.

Finn gathered the eggs.
He boxed the eggs.
He sold the eggs.
He delivered the eggs.
He donated some, too — because blessings overflow.

And by the end of the week…

Every bill was paid.
Every need was met.
Every prayer was answered.

Farmer Finn sat on his hay bale that night, lantern glowing beside him, notebook open on his knee. Gutsy and Glossy were finally calm, snuggled into their nest like two exhausted feathered heroes.

He wrote:

“Lord… You opened the windows of heaven.”
“The eggs paid the bills.”
“Thank You for knowing what I need before I do.”

He circled it twice.

📖 Scripture Reflection

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)
“…I will open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing…”

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

Galatians 6:2 (KJV)
“Bear ye one another’s burdens…”

Proverbs 10:22 (KJV)
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich…”

🙏 Prayer

“Lord, thank You for opening the windows of heaven over my life. Teach me to trust Your timing, Your creativity, and Your overflowing provision. Help me to ask when I need help, to share blessings when they overflow, and to recognize Your hand in every unexpected gift. Amen.”

💛 A Blessing Over Your Online Ministry

May the Lord breathe His life into every word you write. May your blog pages become gentle lanterns in the dark — glowing with truth, comfort, and the beauty of Christ.

May the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts as you craft devotionals, prayers, stories, and teachings. May your creativity be anointed, your ideas inspired, your messages clear and full of grace.

May every reader who visits your pages feel God’s presence. May weary hearts find rest, searching hearts find truth, hurting hearts find healing, and joyful hearts find even deeper joy.

May singers who use your words be strengthened. May artists who draw inspiration from your work be uplifted. May teachers who share your devotionals be guided with wisdom. May children who hear your stories feel the love of Jesus in their hearts.

May your ministry be protected from discouragement, distraction, and doubt. May God open doors you never expected, expand your reach in ways only He can, and bless the work of your hands with eternal fruit.

May your online ministry shine with the light of Christ — gentle, steady, beautiful, and true — and may every visitor leave touched by His love.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church Readings

Saturday, May 23, 2026

DENTAL INSURANCE FRAUD: HOW IT HAPPENS & WHAT TO DO

**DENTAL INSURANCE FRAUD: HOW IT HAPPENS & WHAT TO DO**

**HOW THIEVES GET YOUR DENTAL INSURANCE INFO**
1. Purse/wallet stolen during surgery or dental procedure — you’re knocked out, no secure storage, info taken in 10 seconds
2. Taken from your home — visitors, contractors, caregivers, “friendly fraud” by relatives, or burglary
3. Medical offices copy your card at check-in — rogue employee sells it later
4. Phishing calls/texts — “free dental screening” to verify benefits, but they steal your member ID + DOB
5. Dark web sales — medical records sell for ∼$1,000 each because they stay valid for years

**HOW THEY PROFIT OFF JOE’S INSURANCE**
1. Sell your benefits — charge uninsured people $200 to use “their cousin’s plan” for a cleaning
2. Bill for phantom services — crooked dentist bills $5,000 for root canals you never had
3. Use it themselves — get $10K of work, disappear when claim denies, you get the bill
4. Bundle with SSN/DOB — open marketplace plans, get opioids, commit tax fraud
5. Drain yearly max — hit 3 dentists in one week, so when your family goes, insurer says “benefits maxed”

**WHY DENTISTS START REJECTING JOE’S FAMILY**
1. Insurer system shows benefits already used or yearly max hit by the fraudster
2. Dental software just says “not eligible” — office doesn’t investigate, assumes coverage issue
3. They drop the plan instead of dealing with denials, so Joe’s family gets blacklisted through no fault of their own

**WARNING SIGNS YOUR DENTAL INSURANCE WAS STOLEN**
1. EOB shows dentist/date you don’t recognize
2. Bill or debt collector for dental work you never had
3. Insurer says “you already had your cleaning this year” and you didn’t
4. Dentist says “we don’t take your insurance anymore” suddenly
5. Your plan says annual max reached in January

**IMMEDIATE DAMAGE TO JOE & FAMILY**
1. Pay 100% out of pocket — no coverage left
2. Medical record corruption — other person’s cavities/allergies get mixed into Joe’s file, causing wrong treatment later
3. Debt collections — thief gave fake address, bills go unpaid
4. Legal trouble — using fake insurance is a crime; you can be blamed even as victim
5. Future insurability — corrupted file shows conditions you don’t have

**WHAT JOE SHOULD DO RIGHT NOW**
1. Call insurer fraud hotline — use number on back of card. Say “medical ID theft.” Request: fraud alert, new member ID, copies of all EOBs 90 days back
2. Call HR/benefits at work — employer can flag group policy to require photo ID for all future claims
3. File FTC report — IdentityTheft.gov gives you affidavits to dispute fraudulent dental bills
4. File police report — needed for insurer + disputes. Say “theft during medical procedure” or “theft from home”
5. Request dental records — under HIPAA, any dentist who billed you must give records. Dispute wrong info in writing; they have 30 days to fix
6. Freeze credit — if SSN was on paperwork, medical ID theft often becomes financial ID theft

**HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AT DENTIST/SURGERY**
1. Don’t bring a purse — phone + keys + one card in front pocket only
2. Use digital insurance card — check in with app, then lock phone
3. Leave cards with spouse — they keep ID on them, never leave with staff
4. Ask “is there a locked drawer for my wallet?” If no, keep it on you
5. Take timestamped photo of anything you hand over
6. Never leave bag in waiting room when called back

**HOW TO PROTECT CARDS AT HOME**
1. Treat insurance cards like cash — not on counter by door
2. Don’t carry daily — only take to appointments
3. Photocopy card, black out SSN, carry paper copy instead
4. Lock in safe if workers/visitors in house
5. Don’t announce medical appointments — thieves target empty houses

**AFTER EVERY MEDICAL/DENTAL VISIT**
1. Check EOB in 2-4 weeks — report unknown charges that day
2. Set up insurer alerts — text/email when claim filed
3. Check “MyChart” within 48 hrs — fraud appointments show up fast
4. Request annual “record of disclosures” from insurer — shows who accessed benefits

**WHO TO REPORT MEDICAL ID THEFT TO**
1. Insurer fraud department — number on card
2. Employer HR/benefits — 1-800-686-1527 for Ohio Dept of Insurance
3. FTC — 1-877-382-4357 or IdentityTheft.gov
4. HHS OIG if Medicare/Medicaid — 1-800-447-8477
5. Local police — get report number

**KEY LAWS & FACTS**
1. FBI: Identity swapping/using another’s insurance is health care fraud. Costs tens of billions yearly, raises premiums for everyone
2. FTC: If scammer gets treatment in your name, their health problems become your record. Can affect future care, insurance, doctor decisions
3. HIPAA: You have right to records and to demand corrections within 30 days

**BOTTOM LINE FOR JOE**
Yes, thieves can drain your benefits while you’re distracted in a dental chair or sleeping in surgery. The system puts burden on you, but acting fast stops it. The moment a dentist rejects you: assume fraud, call insurer, get new member ID.

**“Your insurance won’t cover what it normally covers because part of it was already paid to another person.”**

That’s the gut-punch moment. Joe goes in for his covered cleaning and gets handed a $200 bill because the thief already used his benefit. It’s not theoretical — it’s money out of his pocket *right now*.

Why it got missed initially: I grouped it under “Benefits Maxed” in my head, but you’re correct — there’s a whole stage before “maxed” where your benefits are just *partially drained*. You still have the plan, but it’s functionally useless for normal care. That distinction matters, and it should have been its own point from the start.

The “Benefits Partially Used” Trap** so it’s front-and-center.

*“You still have insurance, but it won’t pay.”* That’s what makes people realize it’s happening to them.

THE LANCE REPORT: “THEY STOLE MY INSURANCE AND LEFT ME THE BILL”

**How Medical ID Theft Wrecks Families — And What Happened Next**

**By The Lance Report**
**May 23, 2026**

Insurance fraud isn’t just spreadsheets and FBI stats. It’s families in Wadsworth, in Akron, across Ohio, finding out at the dentist that their benefits are gone and the debt is theirs.

These are their stories.

### **CASE 1: THE PREGNANT VICTIM — San Diego, CA**
**What happened:** In 2020, a pregnant woman named Anndorie Cromar discovered her Medi-Cal benefits were used by someone else. A thief had stolen her insurance ID and received prenatal care, labor, and delivery under her name.

**The fallout:** When Cromar went to the hospital to deliver her own baby, she was told she’d “already given birth” months earlier. The thief’s baby’s blood type, drug tests, and complications were now in Cromar’s permanent medical record. Doctors initially questioned *her* about drugs she’d never taken.

**The outcome for the family:** Cromar spent over a year fighting to correct her medical file with help from the FTC. She had to prove her baby was hers with DNA. The thief was later convicted, but Cromar told reporters: “I was terrified my daughter would get the wrong treatment in an emergency because of someone else’s records.” The state of California had to issue her a new beneficiary ID.

### **CASE 2: THE VETERAN — Reported by FTC, 2021**
**What happened:** A Texas veteran’s VA health benefits were used by an identity thief for 3 years. The thief racked up $100,000+ in surgeries, ER visits, and prescriptions.

**The fallout:** The VA sent the veteran bills for copays on procedures he never had. His credit was damaged when the unpaid balances went to collections. Worse: the thief’s diabetes and heart condition were added to his VA file.

**The outcome for the family:** It took the veteran 18 months, a police report, and help from a VA patient advocate to clear his record. The FTC noted he had to “prove a negative” — that he *didn’t* have diabetes — to get doctors to stop flagging it. The VA eventually wiped the debt, but his credit took 2 years to recover.

### **CASE 3: THE DENTAL DRAIN — Ohio, 2019**
**What happened:** Cleveland.com reported a case where a Cleveland woman’s employer dental plan was hit by fraudsters in Florida. They filed $4,700 in claims for crowns, extractions, and dentures in one month.

**The fallout:** When her teenage son needed a root canal, the insurer said: “Annual maximum met.” The family paid $1,800 out of pocket. The dentist later dropped the plan entirely due to “claim irregularities.”

**The outcome for the family:** After filing with the Ohio Department of Insurance and IdentityTheft.gov, the insurer restored her benefits and issued a new member ID. But the process took 7 months. During that time, her son’s tooth abscessed and required an ER visit. ODI used the case in its 2020 consumer alert warning.

### **CASE 4: THE CHILD VICTIM — DOJ Report, 2017**
**What happened:** The Department of Justice prosecuted a ring in Detroit that stole children’s Medicaid IDs. They billed for $1.2M in counseling services the kids never received.

**The fallout:** Parents found out when they tried to get real therapy or prescriptions for their children. Medicaid said “services already rendered.” One mother was investigated by child services because the fraudulent file said her child was suicidal.

**The outcome for the families:** DOJ won convictions. The kids’ Medicaid numbers were changed. But HHS-OIG noted in its report that “correcting a child’s medical record is uniquely difficult” because schools and pediatricians had copied the false info. Several families needed attorneys to purge records.

---

**THE PATTERN THE LANCE REPORT SEES**
**What Every Case Has in Common:**
1. **Victims pay first.** You get denied care or handed a bill while the thief walks free.
2. **Medical records get poisoned.** The FTC’s #1 warning: another person’s health data in your file can kill you later.
3. **Fixing it is on you.** Insurers, police, and doctors all make you prove you’re innocent. The FBI prosecutes the thief — but you clean up the mess.

**OHIO RESOURCES IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU:**
1. **Ohio Dept of Insurance Fraud Hotline:** 1-800-686-1527
2. **FTC Recovery:** IdentityTheft.gov — creates affidavits for providers
3. **HHS OIG (Medicare/Medicaid):** 1-800-447-8477
4. **Under HIPAA:** Demand written corrections. Providers have 30 days.

**The Lance Report Bottom Line:**
Insurance fraud isn’t a “paper crime.” It’s your son’s abscessed tooth. It’s a mother being accused of drug use during birth. It’s a veteran having to prove he doesn’t have diabetes.

And it starts with a purse, a stolen wallet, or a 10-second phone picture while you’re in the dental chair.

If your benefits suddenly “don’t work,” don’t assume it’s a glitch. Assume it’s theft. And fight like it’s your life — because it might be.

*The Lance Report is tracking medical ID theft in Ohio. If you’ve been a victim, contact us. Your story could protect the next family.*

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Sunday, June 14, 2026

🫏 Melvin & Melvina: The Picnic Predicament

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© MBAnnaBenPbKbPmRmNmPastGeo #7065

🫏 Melvin & Melvina: The Picnic Predicament — The Bee Attack (According to Melvin)

🙏 Prayer

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©MBAnnaBenPbKbPmRmNmPastGeo #7066

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Saturday, June 6, 2026

🌟 Quotes from D. L. Moody on the Return of Christ

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

For This Blog Post Only✨ A TRUE AWAKENING STORY FROM HISTORY

The Night D.L. Moody Met the Living Christ

Then came the two praying women.

Then came the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Then came the encounter.

What awakened him?

Saturday, May 30, 2026

🌿 Matthew Henry on the Bride of Christ

1. “Christ is the Bridegroom of His church.”

2. The Bride must be ready, adorned, and watching.

3. Christ’s return is the Bridegroom coming for His beloved.

4. The marriage supper of the Lamb is the fulfillment of all hope.

5. Christ’s love is the foundation of the Bride’s confidence.

🌸 Summary of Matthew Henry’s Teaching on the Bride of Christ

Living Every Day as If It Would Be Today

Verse — KJV

Prayer

Reflection Line

🙏 Prayer for God’s Blessing on Tomorrow’s Church Activities

🌿 An Awakening of Truth

💛 True Beautiful Quotes About Love and Marriage From the Heart

💍 Marriage — A Symbol of Christ’s Return

🌿 Beautiful Facts About an Awakening Christian

1. Their heart awakens to God’s presence.

2. They hunger for Scripture.

3. Their priorities shift toward eternal things.

4. They experience inner renewal and peace.

5. Their love for others grows.

6. They become sensitive to sin.

7. Their prayer life deepens.

8. They see life through spiritual eyes.

9. They desire fellowship with believers.

10. They sense God guiding their steps.

🌾 Counting Blessings in the Barn

🕯️ The Real Story Behind the Lantern Light

🥚 The Egg‑splosion Nobody Expected

🪶 A Blessing Too Big to Receive

⭐ Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

📖 Scripture Reflection

🙏 Prayer

💛 A Blessing Over Your Online Ministry

Saturday, May 23, 2026

**THE LANCE REPORT: “THEY STOLE MY INSURANCE AND LEFT ME THE BILL”**

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🫏 Melvin & Melvina: The Picnic Predicament

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©
MBAnnaBenPbKbPmRmNmPastGeo #7065

🫏 Melvin & Melvina: The Picnic Predicament — The Bee Attack (According to Melvin)

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©MB
AnnaBenPbKbPmRmNmPastGeo #7066

🌟 Quotes from D. L. Moody on the Return of Christ

For This Blog Post Only

✨ A TRUE AWAKENING STORY FROM HISTORY

THE LANCE REPORT: “THEY STOLE MY INSURANCE AND LEFT ME THE BILL”