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Healed of Cancer
God has given Dodie Osteen a mighty ministry of love and compassion. In every service, people are blessed, lifted and moved and she lovingly and courageously prays for the sick, casts out demons, and ministers with tears of compassion to hurting people. Many testify of healing and deliverance as a result of her anointed ministry.
81 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1986
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198 people want to read
About the author
Dodie Osteen
13 books11 followersDodie Osteen and her family pastor the congregation of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, which was founded by her husband, the late Pastor John Osteen. Dodie ministered alongside her husband throughout their 44-year marriage. Her son, Joel Osteen is not the senior pastor of Lakewood Church.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 1, 2013
From our CALEB reviewers:
There are few families now whot remain untouched by the scourge of cancer and in her small book Healed of Cancer, Dodie Osteen witnesses to the truth that miracles do happen. One doctor who attends Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas where Dodie’s husband John was founding pastor says of Dodie: This (her healing) has made a tremendous impact on me. It is one thing to read about miracles, but another to watch one happen.
Dodie’s healing wasn’t instantaneous but rather the cancer presented a daily challenge to take God at His word and to believe the Word of God no matter how she ‘felt’.
Osteen’s book is well documented with dates, times, places and with reports from several doctors. Two decades after the verdict that she had only a few weeks to live, Dodie Osteen continued to regularly minister the healing power of God to many and to keep a very busy schedule. For believers with cancer and their families it is well worth the hour of so that it takes to read Healed of Cancer. DS
There are few families now whot remain untouched by the scourge of cancer and in her small book Healed of Cancer, Dodie Osteen witnesses to the truth that miracles do happen. One doctor who attends Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas where Dodie’s husband John was founding pastor says of Dodie: This (her healing) has made a tremendous impact on me. It is one thing to read about miracles, but another to watch one happen.
Dodie’s healing wasn’t instantaneous but rather the cancer presented a daily challenge to take God at His word and to believe the Word of God no matter how she ‘felt’.
Osteen’s book is well documented with dates, times, places and with reports from several doctors. Two decades after the verdict that she had only a few weeks to live, Dodie Osteen continued to regularly minister the healing power of God to many and to keep a very busy schedule. For believers with cancer and their families it is well worth the hour of so that it takes to read Healed of Cancer. DS
July 14, 2018
From the makers of Joel Osteen comes Dodie Osteen, who miraculously prayed her cancer away.
Now, I do believe in the power of prayer and definitely the power of optimism, but... Does it seem odd that the doctors testifying to her miracle all belong to Lakewood church. While this book can be inspiring, the overall message seems to be of you die of cancer,oops you didn't pray hard enough (and don't forget to tithe if you aren't seeing results).
Now, I do believe in the power of prayer and definitely the power of optimism, but... Does it seem odd that the doctors testifying to her miracle all belong to Lakewood church. While this book can be inspiring, the overall message seems to be of you die of cancer,oops you didn't pray hard enough (and don't forget to tithe if you aren't seeing results).
May 11, 2015
This book is gross and disgusting and mean and horrible and all the bad adjectives. Someone gave this book to my sister, who at the time was dying of breast cancer at age 32.
The book says things like this: "God wants to help you. He wants you to live. He wants you to live a long, healthy, productive life. But your healing doesn't just automatically happen. You must fight your sickness with God's Word and your faith. ... Make up your mind that you do not want to die. Plead your case with God."
And this: "Many people suffer and die needlessly because they do not know what the Word of God says about healing."
And this: "Jesus didn't heal me because my husband was John Osteen. He healed me because He loves me and I am His child. He will heal you because He loves you, too."
Then my sister suffered and died needlessly, because she had not made up her mind that she did not want to die, and Jesus did not love her. (I guess?)
The book says things like this: "God wants to help you. He wants you to live. He wants you to live a long, healthy, productive life. But your healing doesn't just automatically happen. You must fight your sickness with God's Word and your faith. ... Make up your mind that you do not want to die. Plead your case with God."
And this: "Many people suffer and die needlessly because they do not know what the Word of God says about healing."
And this: "Jesus didn't heal me because my husband was John Osteen. He healed me because He loves me and I am His child. He will heal you because He loves you, too."
Then my sister suffered and died needlessly, because she had not made up her mind that she did not want to die, and Jesus did not love her. (I guess?)
October 24, 2025
this little book is always so encouraging. lots of wonderful scriptures.
March 13, 2016
Do I believe that Dodie Osteen had liver cancer and was miraculously cured of that cancer? Yes, I don't call into question those (bare) facts at all. I do not even disagree with her decision to go home instead of to stay in the hospital, or, to not seek further medical treatment. In her case, it makes sense. She was told that without treatment, she would probably live two to three weeks, and, with chemotherapy she would probably live three to five weeks. The treatment options were almost nonexistent. For reference, this was in 1981, so quite a few decades ago!
Dodie Osteen was not going home to die, however, she was going home to live. She says her healing (practically) began the moment she left the hospital as she and her family--her immediate family, her extended family, her church family--began to pray for her healing. For the record, she does recognize a few vital facts: every type of cancer is different; some types of cancer can be treated (should be treated) the traditional way through medical treatment under the care of doctors and surgeons; that she is not advocating that every single person--no matter the diagnosis--refuse medical treatment. However, she does think every person has the right to refuse treatment so they can trust in God alone to heal them.
The book makes clear that the author took her healing seriously, as did her family. She refused to rest or to relax. She went so far as to say in this little booklet that taking a nap or "sleeping in" in the mornings would be a sign of unbelief or lack of faith. To her way of thinking, to show a lack of faith would be disastrous. How could God heal her if she admitted her weakness, her exhaustion, her pain?! The only way to be healed was to live as if the healing was a done deal, a finished matter. No taking it easy, no change of routine, no slackening in the work load, no asking for help, no allowing anyone to help, no admitting how her body--or her mind--was actually feeling. I want to make clear this was HER thinking, HER conclusion.
The premise of the book is simple: the author believes that she is alive only because of the Bible. That it was by claiming--confessing, professing, clinging--"healing verses" that saved her life. I too believe that there is life to be found in the Word of God, and that the Bible is a powerful, authoritative book--a book like no other. But there are differences of opinion. BIG differences of opinion.
The first section tells her story. It is the longest chapter in the book. The second chapter--or section--shares 40 verses (often taken out of context, though not always*) that she used to "win the battle over cancer." These are verses that she still prays daily to keep her cancer from coming back. She advocates believers speaking directly to the devil and also to the cancer cells in their bodies. Believers are to rebuke the cancer cells and claim their healing. The book prints out the healing verses, and each verse has a sentence or two of commentary by the author. The third chapter is composed of three statements by physicians all supporting two things: she had cancer; she now does not have cancer. The fourth chapter is frequently asked questions. In this section she reiterates again that every single person is different, that every type of cancer is different, that she is not saying that everyone should refuse medical treatment.
So. I mentioned there are some differences of opinion...
I believe that God can heal, that He is certainly more than capable of healing people. God is all-powerful, nothing is beyond Him, nothing is impossible for Him. But I do not believe, like the author, that when a person is not healed that it is a sign of either them "choosing to be sick" instead of "choosing to have abundant life." In other words, it is not a lack of faith--a sign of unbelief--if a believer is not healed or even dies. Christians can die of cancer; their death is not the result of their lack of faith. It is not the weakness of a believer's faith that leads to death. The author assumes that it is always, always, always the will of God for believers to live--to live a long, abundant, happy, free-from-pain-and-suffering life. That it couldn't possibly be within God's will for believers to die, to be sick, to suffer pain, to be weak. But is this true? Or is the author picking and choosing verses to back her up--to back her theological worldview?
I'll be happy to admit that every person with a theological worldview--which is essentially almost everyone in the faith--can be guilty of this. Some may be a lot guilty; some may be a little guilty. But I think the only way to live a life pleasing to God is to embrace ALL of Scripture, to embrace God's WHOLE revelation. Furthermore, it is crucial to read the Bible in context. Not just to pull a verse here and there. OR in the author's case half of a verse here and there. We are not to pack a verse full of the meaning we want it have, but to let the verse mean exactly what it means--no more, no less.
There's a chance you think I might be exaggerating. I'll share some quotes so you know that I'm not exaggerating the author's position:
Believers should pray for healing. I am not saying that they shouldn't. But to assume--or to presume or demand--that the only possible answer to their prayer is complete healing is not quite right or sound.
God does teach through sickness, weakness, pain, suffering, affliction. God, I think makes it clear that he does use our pain, suffering, weakness, sickness to transform us into who he would have us to be. He is shaping us through our circumstances, and using us to bring glory to His name. Our lives do have purpose. Being weak is not a sign of weak faith.
The author is adamant this is not so. That our sickness, our suffering, does not serve a purpose except to reveal our lack of faith or our disobedience which is "blocking" our healing.
God has never promised us a pain-free, affliction-free life! Just the opposite! In this world we will have trouble, we will suffer. We can choose to praise God through the trials and sufferings or choose to learn nothing and become angry, bitter, and ungrateful. God has promised to be with us, to comfort us, to walk with us no matter the circumstance. But we are to expect some groans in this life.
I can't end this review without pointing believers to verse that will better serve them and remind them of whom they serve!
Dodie Osteen was not going home to die, however, she was going home to live. She says her healing (practically) began the moment she left the hospital as she and her family--her immediate family, her extended family, her church family--began to pray for her healing. For the record, she does recognize a few vital facts: every type of cancer is different; some types of cancer can be treated (should be treated) the traditional way through medical treatment under the care of doctors and surgeons; that she is not advocating that every single person--no matter the diagnosis--refuse medical treatment. However, she does think every person has the right to refuse treatment so they can trust in God alone to heal them.
The book makes clear that the author took her healing seriously, as did her family. She refused to rest or to relax. She went so far as to say in this little booklet that taking a nap or "sleeping in" in the mornings would be a sign of unbelief or lack of faith. To her way of thinking, to show a lack of faith would be disastrous. How could God heal her if she admitted her weakness, her exhaustion, her pain?! The only way to be healed was to live as if the healing was a done deal, a finished matter. No taking it easy, no change of routine, no slackening in the work load, no asking for help, no allowing anyone to help, no admitting how her body--or her mind--was actually feeling. I want to make clear this was HER thinking, HER conclusion.
The premise of the book is simple: the author believes that she is alive only because of the Bible. That it was by claiming--confessing, professing, clinging--"healing verses" that saved her life. I too believe that there is life to be found in the Word of God, and that the Bible is a powerful, authoritative book--a book like no other. But there are differences of opinion. BIG differences of opinion.
The first section tells her story. It is the longest chapter in the book. The second chapter--or section--shares 40 verses (often taken out of context, though not always*) that she used to "win the battle over cancer." These are verses that she still prays daily to keep her cancer from coming back. She advocates believers speaking directly to the devil and also to the cancer cells in their bodies. Believers are to rebuke the cancer cells and claim their healing. The book prints out the healing verses, and each verse has a sentence or two of commentary by the author. The third chapter is composed of three statements by physicians all supporting two things: she had cancer; she now does not have cancer. The fourth chapter is frequently asked questions. In this section she reiterates again that every single person is different, that every type of cancer is different, that she is not saying that everyone should refuse medical treatment.
So. I mentioned there are some differences of opinion...
I believe that God can heal, that He is certainly more than capable of healing people. God is all-powerful, nothing is beyond Him, nothing is impossible for Him. But I do not believe, like the author, that when a person is not healed that it is a sign of either them "choosing to be sick" instead of "choosing to have abundant life." In other words, it is not a lack of faith--a sign of unbelief--if a believer is not healed or even dies. Christians can die of cancer; their death is not the result of their lack of faith. It is not the weakness of a believer's faith that leads to death. The author assumes that it is always, always, always the will of God for believers to live--to live a long, abundant, happy, free-from-pain-and-suffering life. That it couldn't possibly be within God's will for believers to die, to be sick, to suffer pain, to be weak. But is this true? Or is the author picking and choosing verses to back her up--to back her theological worldview?
I'll be happy to admit that every person with a theological worldview--which is essentially almost everyone in the faith--can be guilty of this. Some may be a lot guilty; some may be a little guilty. But I think the only way to live a life pleasing to God is to embrace ALL of Scripture, to embrace God's WHOLE revelation. Furthermore, it is crucial to read the Bible in context. Not just to pull a verse here and there. OR in the author's case half of a verse here and there. We are not to pack a verse full of the meaning we want it have, but to let the verse mean exactly what it means--no more, no less.
There's a chance you think I might be exaggerating. I'll share some quotes so you know that I'm not exaggerating the author's position:
Many people suffer and die needlessly because they do not know what the Word of God says about healing. (p. 54, her "commentary" on 2 Corinthians 1:20)
When I was sick, I had to cast down imaginations concerning symptoms, and, you will too. Make your thoughts obey you. (p. 55, her "commentary" on 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Then it lists the blessings and the curses. God tells us to diligently obey and observe carefully His commandments. That is when we receive from him. (p. 39, her "commentary" on Deuteronomy 28:1-2)
I prayed 'Father, I plead my case to You and I ask You to show me things that have been wrong in my life that I can correct. (p. 43, her "commentary" on Isaiah 43:25-26)
If you follow His commandments, forgiving others, tithing, obeying His commandments, then God will bless you. (p. 47, her "commentary" on Malachi 3:10)
It is God's will for you to be well. If you do not believe that, you need to change your thinking. It is not God who has made you sick, its the devil." (p. 48, her "commentary" on Matthew 8:2-3)
You can personalize this verse and read it this way: "Whatever I stop on earth will be stopped in heaven, and whatever I permit and allow on earth will be permitted and allowed in heaven." (p. 49, her "commentary" on Matthew 18:18)
The Bible says we are snared by the words of our mouth (see Proverbs 6:2). So watch what you say. Confess, "I believe I am healed," and you will be. (p. 50, her "commentary" on Mark 11:22-23)
Believers should pray for healing. I am not saying that they shouldn't. But to assume--or to presume or demand--that the only possible answer to their prayer is complete healing is not quite right or sound.
God does teach through sickness, weakness, pain, suffering, affliction. God, I think makes it clear that he does use our pain, suffering, weakness, sickness to transform us into who he would have us to be. He is shaping us through our circumstances, and using us to bring glory to His name. Our lives do have purpose. Being weak is not a sign of weak faith.
The author is adamant this is not so. That our sickness, our suffering, does not serve a purpose except to reveal our lack of faith or our disobedience which is "blocking" our healing.
God has never promised us a pain-free, affliction-free life! Just the opposite! In this world we will have trouble, we will suffer. We can choose to praise God through the trials and sufferings or choose to learn nothing and become angry, bitter, and ungrateful. God has promised to be with us, to comfort us, to walk with us no matter the circumstance. But we are to expect some groans in this life.
I can't end this review without pointing believers to verse that will better serve them and remind them of whom they serve!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:26-30
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8
February 28, 2024
I've wanted to read Sister Dodie's testimony for a long time, so I'm glad I finally took the time to read it. Your faith will definitely be stronger after reading her testimony. Sister Dodie included 40 scriptures that she uses daily, as well as the medical report and evidence of her healing.
“If you are believing God for something, watch what comes out of your mouth. Keep on confessing the Word of God, and God will honor His Word.”
“Give God's Word first place in your heart because it is life and health to your body.”
“I knew God's Word would come to pass. Not one word would fail.”
“Jesus specializes in hard cases, and He is no respecter of persons. He didn't heal me because my husband was John Osteen. He healed me because He loves me and I am His child. He will heal you because He loves you, too.”
“Again, you can see how important it is to know the Word and to use it for your health and healing. If it had not been for the Word of God-knowing that God's Word works, that God would never lie, and that He keeps His promises - I would not be alive today.”
“Do you know how your soul will prosper?
By putting the Word of God in it. Then you will know how to stay in good health. The Lord wants you to walk in divine health. And you can do that by getting the Word of God into your heart. Then when sickness tries to come upon you, you'll be prepared to stand against it.”
“You might well ask, "What happened to Dodie Osteen?" The answer is simple. She was healed — not in the traditional medical sense, but supernaturally, in answer to prayer.”
“We're discovering some tremendous things in medicine today-especially about how attitude affects healing. We're learning now that a person's positive attitude in fighting and refusing to accept illness can literally change white blood cell counts in the body. It can actually activate a defense the body naturally has against disease, and against cancer in particular.”
“Why don't I see or hear of more miracles like Dodie
Osteen's?
The answer is straightforward. God manifests himself to us in the area in which we are willing to believe Him. If a person believes God for salvation and eternal life, God will manifest himself in this way. Dodie Osteen believed God for her healing, and God manifested himself to her in this way. Through His mercy and love, God touched her body and supernaturally healed her. God is no respecter of persons. He is willing to heal anyone if they will only believe.”
“If you are believing God for something, watch what comes out of your mouth. Keep on confessing the Word of God, and God will honor His Word.”
“Give God's Word first place in your heart because it is life and health to your body.”
“I knew God's Word would come to pass. Not one word would fail.”
“Jesus specializes in hard cases, and He is no respecter of persons. He didn't heal me because my husband was John Osteen. He healed me because He loves me and I am His child. He will heal you because He loves you, too.”
“Again, you can see how important it is to know the Word and to use it for your health and healing. If it had not been for the Word of God-knowing that God's Word works, that God would never lie, and that He keeps His promises - I would not be alive today.”
“Do you know how your soul will prosper?
By putting the Word of God in it. Then you will know how to stay in good health. The Lord wants you to walk in divine health. And you can do that by getting the Word of God into your heart. Then when sickness tries to come upon you, you'll be prepared to stand against it.”
“You might well ask, "What happened to Dodie Osteen?" The answer is simple. She was healed — not in the traditional medical sense, but supernaturally, in answer to prayer.”
“We're discovering some tremendous things in medicine today-especially about how attitude affects healing. We're learning now that a person's positive attitude in fighting and refusing to accept illness can literally change white blood cell counts in the body. It can actually activate a defense the body naturally has against disease, and against cancer in particular.”
“Why don't I see or hear of more miracles like Dodie
Osteen's?
The answer is straightforward. God manifests himself to us in the area in which we are willing to believe Him. If a person believes God for salvation and eternal life, God will manifest himself in this way. Dodie Osteen believed God for her healing, and God manifested himself to her in this way. Through His mercy and love, God touched her body and supernaturally healed her. God is no respecter of persons. He is willing to heal anyone if they will only believe.”
February 21, 2019
What an inspiring book of practical healing. Dodie Osteen shows the day-to-day way she got her healing to cancer, all through God.
She paints specific Scriptures and how she repeated them hundreds of times, posting them all over her home, her car, her bedroom, in every room, so that she would be thinking only the thoughts of God. There were times when she emphasized that God is above anything she could think or do. There were times she came to God for faith when she felt like she couldn't have any. She emphasizes to us all that we "need the whole armor of God every day." The thoroughness of her commitment to God through her time was amazing and we should do the same.
It is also wonderful in the back there were several physician statements clarifying and confirming her healing against all odds. She was supposed to perish within 6 weeks and instead is still alive 30 years later.
She paints specific Scriptures and how she repeated them hundreds of times, posting them all over her home, her car, her bedroom, in every room, so that she would be thinking only the thoughts of God. There were times when she emphasized that God is above anything she could think or do. There were times she came to God for faith when she felt like she couldn't have any. She emphasizes to us all that we "need the whole armor of God every day." The thoroughness of her commitment to God through her time was amazing and we should do the same.
It is also wonderful in the back there were several physician statements clarifying and confirming her healing against all odds. She was supposed to perish within 6 weeks and instead is still alive 30 years later.
May 26, 2022
Not wanting to take anything away from the author, I struggled with this short book. I admired her use of Scripture, and her belief that God loves her and wants to heal her. I also appreciated her affirmation that God didn’t cause her cancer and how she constantly reaffirmed her belief that God was on her side. But I balk at the simple assertion that we are in control of own fate and health. Do we play a part? Of course. Is our healing or lack thereof completely up to our faith? Is our earthly healing mandatory for God’s kindness and goodness to be displayed? I think not. Praise God for Dodie Olsteen’s miraculous healing! May God meet each person and each family member affected by a cancer diagnosis. In life and in death God is good. In healing and in sickness. May God draw near to you today and comfort you.
May 13, 2020
I was given this book as an aide to help me after a diagnosis of breast cancer. I did not relish the thought of hearing someone else’s journey, but when it was my time to hear truth spoken God said NOW!! I have been blessed by the refreshing testimony of truth and where I should be. Thank you Mrs. Osteen for standing and believing in Jesus’s name. Amen.
February 16, 2025
I was required to read this book as a child when my mother was dying of ALS. It caused years of self-loathing and trauma. The message was very clear that if my mother died, it was because I didn’t have enough faith. It’s poor theology and hateful, blaming rhetoric. DO NOT READ!
December 26, 2020
Excellent book. Dodie has included her top 40 scriptures for healing and has commented on each. Great reference for future use.
June 14, 2021
There were some good points and it was good for inspiring people to have hope and to pray with full faith in God. However, it also had a very name-it-and-claim-it, gospel of prosperity feel as well.
July 20, 2022
“God manifests Himself to us in the areas in which we are willing to believe Him. God is no respecter of persons. He is willing to heal anyone if they will only believe.”
I BELIEVE! In Jesus Name!
I BELIEVE! In Jesus Name!
November 10, 2024
Health wealth and prosperity Goes spel
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October 11, 2008This book is highly recommended, not only for people facing cancer in their lives, but everyone who is facing some kind of trial in their lives. It is an excellent source of scriptures to help you overcome anything!
January 3, 2012
I love this book. I literally read this book every day, well at least the 40 scriptures from it. It has been a book that has changed my life for the better. If your a Christian in need of a miracle or in need of learning about GOD's amazing healing powers this is the book for you.
September 27, 2015
Very short recount of how Joel Osteen's mother, Dodie was cured of cancer.
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