What a Wonderful God We Serve

A member of the local United Methodist church where I attended prior to becoming a pastor at another UMC church was suffering from a punctured colon after gastric bypass surgery.  What should have been a routine procedure was anything but.  Last Thursday morning I got word over the phone that she was in critical condition and that the doctors couldn't find the source of the puncture.  They were considering another operation if her condition didn't improve.  That was early Thursday morning.  At work I got the morning deposit together and walked to the bank, a mere half block away.  I stopped in a botique along the way.  It is owned by a fellow church member and in the shop was another member.  We talked about the person in the hospital and as we talked we were drawn to pray for her.  We prayed powerfully and thanked God for the healing He was providing.  That was Thursday.

Sunday I was in Birmingham (Alabama) where the church member had been hospitalized.  I mentioned to my wife that we should stop in and visit the woman who had the problems.  She told me that she had been released last Thursday afternoon.  WOW!  Yesterday I stopped in the botique and the same two women were there.  We spoke briefly when one of them said, "Isn't it awesome how God answers prayers?"  We looked at each other silently for a moment and all said "Praise God".  

I stay constantly awed by the wonders of Our God.  When we turn to Him and pray with boldness, He answers boldly.  May we continually acknowledge His riegn.

In Awe of The Christ Child

December 25 is the day we celebrate the birth of Our Saviour. It is the day we recognize that the world would never be the same without Him. For me, it is as if I'm there, a shepherd, spoken to by angels, rushing to behold first hand this great moment. Jesus is born.

Two thousand years later, it is as if I'm there. The miracle of birth. The miracle of miracles, that God would become man...no...a vulnerable infant. At a time when most newborns barely have a chance, this child comes to the world triumphant from the moment of birth...no...conception. The prophecies are fulfilled this night.

With His birth, comes a rebirth in me. With His birth, comes new hope, new direction, a new future...because God became man at this time. And the Gospels of Matthew and Luke give every detail.

May we all gain a new, refreshed, perspective on Christmas this year. May we be humbled by the reminder that God became flesh so that He could better appreciate our lots in life. May we be drawn closer to Him by virtue of Him trusting Himself to mere humans for nurturing and upbringing. I am renewed at this very Christmas. I am renewed in 2007. God became man for me...and for you. Let us not forget this.

May the joy of being a Christian envelope, surround, and uplift each of us in our faith, and move us to share this glorious event to those who do not know of it.

In the name of The Most Holy One I pray....on Christmas day...I pray.
Amen.

We take a back seat to God's itenerary

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above.
With wisdom, power and love,
Our God is an awesome God.

Those were the words sung at tonight's praise and worship service. They were sang at the beginning and the end...and they are so true! Our God is an awesome God.

What can be added to that? I can add that two people were changed forevermore with their love for Christ. They came to the alter and prayed. They prayed like they never-before have prayed. I was moved to pray with them both and each said that they have lived without Christ in their lives until now. I'm so awed by how He shows Himself to each individual, one at a time. Our God, is an awesome God.
In the love of Christ..
Marty

When it Becomes Personal

I've been in the healing ministry for 3 years now. I've seen many marvels and wonders of Our Lord's grace and mercy. I'm utterly awed by what He has done. Again, utterly awed. But now it's personal. My brother has a brain tumor. I pray, and pray, and pray. I get to the point where I don't know what to pray for, but I continue to pray. I pray that God can do anything, at any time, and His will will be done. I pray.
Please, dear readers of this blog...pray. Pray that God's will can be affected by prayer. Join me in prayer for my brother. I don't feel worthy of asking this...but it is a big world, and a big sacrifice that Jesus made for each and every one of us. Join me in prayer.
Thank you!

To Whom Do We Pray

In a discussion group the other day we were studying how and to whom we pray...or should pray. It was interesting to draw distinctions about the triune godhead, and in making that distinction, coming to some conclusion as to where our prayers should be directed. The upshot to all this is that we pray to God, the father, in the name of the son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the past that was a difficult notion for me having been raised Roman Catholic, where it is common practice to pray to saints, that they will appeal to Jesus, who in turn appeals to The Father on our behalf. Those RC roots instill a sense of timidity such that one may not feel worthy of appealing to God, the father, directly.

As a proud protestant, I now look to Jesus as my high priest. I no longer feel timid such that I need anyone other than Jesus to intervene on my behalf. Most of the time I hearken back to the words of Christ when he said that when I ask things of The Father, in His name, my prayers will be heard. That tells me to direct my prayers to God, the father, in the name of Jesus.

There's a freedom that comes from this realization. And a power. If one embraces the words of Christ, He always said that nothing He did was of himself, rather, it was doing the will of The Father. And when asked, "how should we pray", the prayer we call The Lord's Prayer was His response.

This contemplation may seem juvenile but for me, of late, it's been a revelation in my spirit...an empowerment in my ministry...and an enlightenment in my intellect that has been long overdue. Praise God, the father, in the name of Jesus Christ, the son, through the power of the Holy Spirit...amen.

Different Styles of Healing Prayer

I'm not a "name it and claim it" type of Christian. At times I think that it is because I lack spiritual maturity or authority. At other times I think that it's because God is using me where I am to the best of my ability in His service. But a true self-assessment reveals that I'm humble. I'm humbled that God uses me for His healing. I'm humbled that I, so undeserving, can pray for someone and He answers that prayer. I don't command healing, rather, I supplicate for it. I don't wield God's power, rather, I ask that He wields His power. I just can't come to tell someone that they are healed...because I don't have that knowledge. The one asking for healing, and God, have that knowledge.

Oh, please, don't get me wrong. There are times when I'm tempted to say, "You're healed". But I don't...if I'm not led to do so. I blogged a while back about an incident where I was totally uncomfortable for an afternoon while visiting with relatives...and one was sick. I couldn't leave without having healing prayer for her and when I prayed, God said to me...."it is done". It wasn't me wielding the power of God, rather, it was Him wielding me to be His hands and be the deliverer of His mercy. There is a difference.

I never ask for a report card for God. I never ask "do you feel better?". I know that people are very open to suggestion when confronted with devastating circumstances in their health and wellbeing. I pray when asked to, and I supplicate when asked to, and I stand back and watch as God reveals his grace and mercy in the lives of those who come to Him. When they testify, without my beckoning it, I'm as awed as they are. When they testify, without my beckoning it, they are speaking about how their situation has changed and everyone there is mutually in awe of the power of prayer; the power of faith; the power of love, as the recorded words of Jesus Christ said: "I do nothing that isn't the will of the Father".

I simply cannot say: "You are healed." I cannot. But I can say: "Praise God...He has shown His mercy on you". I'm a spectator...and an intercessor...but not a commander of God's will. I bow before His throne. And pray that He is making a worthy servant of me. All glory to Father God.

Bulletins and Prayer Lists

I've had occasions to be at 4 different churches in the past month within a 30 mile radius of my home church and I found a common denominator in each of these churches...a prayer list in the bulletins. To my surprise and pleasure, I found some of the same names on these prayer lists at each of the different churches. I really shouldn't be too surprised as we are in a rural area and there are a lot of ties that go beyond local communities. Still, I was awed by each church listing the names of those needing prayer in their bulletins.

I have made it a habit of asking a congregation if they pray for each individual by name every day when saying their prayers. To my astonishment, nearly half of the people I ask do, literally, pray for each individual by name every day. They keep their Sunday bulletin with their bibles and bring it out when it's time for prayer.

The joy that comes on Sunday morning when asking for praises and concerns is in the dynamics of people saying, "You can take 'such and such' off the prayer list - she's better". It isn't uncommon for our church to erupt in applause along with "Praise God" when we remove someone from the list.

I'm especially moved by a healing I've seen take place in one individual who's name is on multiple churches' prayer lists. He has been lifted up in prayer, daily, by at least 500 people that I can surmise, although it may be even more. I've witnessed his change from a feeble, cancer-stricken 80 year old shadow of a man, to a strong, healed warrior for Christ. When I saw him at a funeral yesterday, he shook my hand. It was with such power that I thought I was shaking hands with a lumberjack...and the sparkle in his eyes was like a reflection of heaven. I shared with him that I'd seen his name on numerous prayer lists in a couple of counties and he said that he felt the prayers of everyone, and that God has made him a humble, grateful person in the process. Awesome!

Something I have trouble understanding is this: The bigger the church, the smaller the prayer list. The church the next town away has about 300 members and only 10 people on their list. Our church with 35 attending members, has roughly 50 people on our list. Likewise at the other small churches I've visited recently.

It truly is an awesome experience to see and share with others the power of intercessory prayer. It's 7:21 AM and my wife has the bible, the Upper Room, and the bulletin. She just asked, "Ready for devotional?" Time to pray and lift up the names of those we know of who need all the prayer they can get. Please pray for someone today.

Stinkin Denominations

I'm a fan of Paltalk. People from all over the world come together to discuss...whatever. Can't give a link to it, but if you Google it you can find how to join the community. Anyhow, I'm a former Roman Catholic and every time I visit a Catholic room I'm beckoned to come back to the Eucharist. I'm told how every Protestant is not receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist when receiving Holy Communion. I have such a hard time with that. In our church, we have weekly communion and it is an awesome experience.

Furthermore, I have issues with every this and that from all the communities that profess that they have some special enlightened discernment of God's word. I have issues with the InJesus community, as I do with the Roman Catholic community. I have issues. But I don't have issues with how Christ works in each and every individual who approaches Him in faith. I pray that every individual who seeks the love of Our Lord finds it...and grows from it. I believe that God is bigger than denominations, and that He works in us all, individually, to bring His glory to the table. Period.

Amplified Rote Prayer - it's Gooood!

Rote prayers are difficult for so many to embrace. The words are words of others, meticulously crafted to express a certain issue of worship, thanksgiving, contrition, supplication, and more. Books of worship for ministers have all the right prayers. I keep a copy of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer as it seems to have a prayer for every occasion.

But these prayers are not without meaning. Just because someone else crafted them makes them no less meaningful in a cultivated prayer life. It is the focus on the words, expressed by an individual, being led by those words that can drive one deeper into a personal, more prayerful relationship with God when our own words fail to come to the surface.

Extemporary prayers are thought by most in the Protestant tradition to be the most meaningful. But, I believe that a good, rote prayer, said with a personal flavor, is the best prayer. Here's the prayer for the international healing ministry, The Order of St. Luke the Physician:

"Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to put forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your son; graciously continue, in this, your church, the love, and the power to heal, to the honor and glory of your name. Amen."

Having said this prayer for years now, it has changed in how it rolls off my lips. I view it as an outline of the things to be said. But, it being first learned rote, it had to take root in my heart in order to grow and express my deepest desires. These days, my prayer for the Order of St. Luke the Physician goes something like this:

"Father God, awesome creator, you inspired your servant Luke the physician to record in the Gospels and the Acts of the apostles, the love...the deep compassionate love of your son, Jesus Christ ...and His power to heal. Father, I pray that you graciously continue in this, your church, your body of believers, the Christlike love...the compassionate love, the self-less love...and the power to heal, to the honor and glory of your name, in the name of your precious son, Jesus Christ I pray, and with the power of the Holy Spirit intervening for me where my words fall short. Amen."

A rote prayer may kick-start a prayerful experience but by embracing it and internalizing it makes all the difference. The words of a rote prayer can be a springboard for personal, extemporary prayer if given the chance.

5 Minutes Before the Miracle

I was inspired by an article on MSNBC.com concerning a 6 hour search for a woman's lost jewelery. Leading a persistent search through a landfill trying to find the lost jewelery, custodian Frank Darby's motto was “Don’t give up five minutes before the miracle.”. WOW! How often do we give up 5 minutes before God answers our prayers?

Time and time again I read of healing that doesn't come from the first time that prayer and laying upon of hands is offered. So often it comes after much prayer, and many healing sessions. How often do we pray for someone or something, then give up on God? How often do we feel that our prayers are fruitless? How often do we give up rather than persist in prayer?

There's a person in my life for whom I pray and get tempted to think God has not heard my prayers. This person's situation is getting worse rather than better. But I persist. I know that God hears my prayers and is responding to them. Over the course of time my prayers are being honed into more focused and insightful supplications. I seek a deeper understanding of how God's mercy and grace work in those praying and those being prayed for. And when doubt enters, I hearken back to the words of the custodian...and endeavor not to give up 5 minutes before the miracle.

Fifth Sunday...in the South

As is the tradition in many small, rural towns in the South, 5th Sunday was a combined worship service where the Methodists and the Baptists each go to the others' churches for service. Don't know where the tradition began, but it is always a joy to have a full church, whether the Baptists coming to the Methodist church, or vice-a-versa. The tradition is that the visiting church provides the message/sermon. This past Sunday, the Methodists visited the Baptist church and our pastor delivered the message.

I have to say that it was powerful! While she was preaching, I was overcome by the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a personal overcoming...but it was present. As I looked at her delivering her sermon, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in me, personally, but noticed something. There was a cloud surrounding her. Her message was potent and I was caught up in the presence stronger than usual. She seemed to be under a cloud. There was a presence that made me blink more than once, and it persisted. The presence of God was there.

She preached on 2 Timothy about how Paul had lifted up Timothy to God. She noted that Paul lifted up his life, his accomplishments for Our Lord, and focused on the word..."remember". She stated that one Greek interpretation of the word meant to make memorials, aka, monuments for the person being prayed for in the presence of God in his throne-room. That was a powerful thing to embrace. Suddenly, I found myself reflecting upon all those for whom I've prayed for for healing to have a trophy room in God's throne-room. What a wonderful thing to embrace.

I've changed my prayer life since. Now, when I pray for someone, I lift up all their Godly traits...whether it be a struggle or a praise, I lift them up. Is this strange or what? I make an exhibit for God for the person being prayed for, then tell God to look at it, and acknowledge it, then answer my prayers for that person. I pray also that I'm not off base in my prayers. But, God knows each and every one of us...and He finds pleasure in us lifting up one who needs Him. So, I lay out the trophies of each and every supplicant for God to see and recognize, prior to my intercession.

It is a joy. Truly, a joy. Through Christ, our sins are forgiven, but through supplication on the behalf of a needy follower, filling God's throne-room with the attributes of another follower, gives a special power to prayer for them.

That's what's happening to me in my personal prayer life. Am I weird or right on? Don't know...but will continue in this manner of prayer.

Someone Close to Me

Someone close to me has been diagnosed with a very bad tumor on his brain. Someone close to me has said that he is a willing soul for healing prayer. Someone close to me is closer than ever before because he wants to put the love of Christ first and foremost in his life, rather than himself.
Someone close to me wants to be close to the one I love...Jesus.

It is so sad that terrible life situations are what is necessary for a drawing close to Our Lord...yet...I'm grateful that these difficult times work wondrously in the souls of our brothers and sisters. I'm ever-so-grateful, Lord, that you are here for us.

I lift up your glory, your love, your mercy and your grace, Lord. I lift them up because we are such sinners yet you love us. I pray that your mercy and grace abound in the situation I lift up to you, and I thank you for the crumbs under the table. Let us all feast upon the crumbs.

I love you, Jesus.

Amen.

Prayers Do Get Answered - It Rained!

I came across a sermon illustration a year or so back about how to pray and what to expect when you pray. It goes something like this:

In the old west a community was in the midst of a severe drought. Everyone was desperate for rain. At church Sunday morning the parson told the congregation that if they sincerely prayed and truly believed, God would bring rain. He told them to go home, pray all week, believe with all their hearts, and surely the rains will come. Sunday morning as the people were coming to church, the parson was furious. He said "there'll be no church today, for there are no believers. You didn't do what I told you to do!" The people said, "Yes, Parson, we did as you said; we prayed all week and believed it would rain." The parson said, "You did not...where's your umbrella?"

Like the people in the illustration, we're in a severe drought in parts of Alabama and Georgia. Hydrologists are calling it a 100-year drought...as in it is the worst drought in a hundred years. Crops are failing, municipal water use is restricted, deep wells are going dry, it's bad.

At times like this, in our rural area, we are aware of those people who desperately need their crops to make it to harvest. For many it will make the difference between having food for the year or not. The only rain that comes is in the form of what they call "isolated popcorn showers", that is, in some areas a brief period of rain may come (typically late afternoon). With this as the backdrop, let me share our compassionate, sincere, prayer from this past Sunday:

"Dear Lord, you know the desperation of those who need your nurturing rains; you know that families need their gardens to provide for them for the year ahead. Have mercy on them. We pray that you bring the elements of your creation together for those who need it most, the families who need it most, and we trust that you will deliver. Thank you, Lord."

That was Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon, with no rain showing anywhere on the radar, a "popcorn" shower cropped up over our town. It rained! Monday, with no rain showing up for over a hundred miles on the radar...a "popcorn" shower developed and rested over our town for two hours. Tuesday, with no rain anywhere near, again it rained - over an inch - over our town.
A church member stopped by my office Monday and said: "God answers our prayers!" Monday night another member of our church commented on how special the Sunday prayer felt, and how they believed God would answer our prayer. Tuesday afternoon I was at the auto parts store and a local hay farmer came in and said, "I don't know where this rain's come from but it's just in the nick of time".

In that Sunday service, we weren't praying for relief from water restrictions; our lawns or flowers...no. We prayed that God would be merciful for those who needed His mercy the most. We didn't pray for ourselves, we prayed for others.

Intercessory prayer, even when it comes to petitioning for rain, is pleasing in the eye of Our Lord. May we all be inspired to pray for others with no thought for ourselves.

God answers our prayers when we believe He will. I believe.

Healing Prayer

I'm in the process of re-reading the book "The Prayer That Heals" by Francis MacNutt, and have come across some interesting information. Specifically, do parents regularly pray with their children. It is noted that only 3% of those questioned ever remember a spontaneous prayer offered by their fathers for anything. Wow....just 3% recall their fathers praying in their own words for something/anything from God. I'm not in that slim percentile. My father prayed formal prayers. As a Roman Catholic, it was only the formal prayers that were taught. But that isn't what Jesus wants from us.

How often do we pray in our own words, one on one with Christ, and with the authority that He will hear and act upon our prayers? Really, I ask.

In the healing ministry it calls for us to speak with God personally, in our own words, for Him to make His presence known amongst us. I'm working on that in my personal prayer life....but wonder if anyone else is working on that in their prayer lives. God answers our prayers, if only we speak to Him personally....rather than "formally". Make sense?

Jesus Prayed for You and Me...Today!

A study of John 17: 20 - 26, reveals how Jesus prayed for his disciples, and for those who hear the word as a result of them sharing the good news. In other words, Jesus was praying for us! We have heard the good new from those who heard it from those who heard it, and so forth. And because of this, we can claim that Jesus was praying for you and me when he said:

John 17: 20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Does the authority of Christ commissioning us all to be one with Him and the Father get any clearer? More importantly, doesn't it become clear that we are to be ambassadors for Christ, through this prayer? This is an evangelistic beginning for the church we claim today.

The point is that we believe that God, the father, sent Jesus for us all. He commissioned his disciples, though they didn't understand it at the time, to bear witness that God sent Jesus for us all. This prayer is the beginning of the church as we know it, although it was prior to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus prayed for us!

Some question the resurrection...so be it. Some may question the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost...so be it. But these words spoken by Jesus in prayer to the Heavenly Father, predate all of this. This is His prayer for us. As a result of this prayer, I believe. As a result of this prayer, we believe. As a result of this prayer, there is a commissioning of the disciples that makes everything else subordinate to it.

The power of this prayer, the last prayer Jesus prayed with his disciples, puts it all in perspective for generations to follow. Ah, but the joy of sharing the resurrection and ascension makes it all the more powerful. Before Christ proved his Godliness, he empowered his followers with this prayer. How utterly pregnant the notion.

Thank you, Jesus, for praying for me before you proved your true nature. I look to that prayer and accept that it was for me, 2000 years later...thank you, Jesus.

Acts and Upper Rooms

Prayer is so essential to experiencing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The account of the beginning of the church is found in first two chapters of the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit is promised in the first book where Luke tells of the last words Jesus had for the apostles prior to ascending into heaven:

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

In the second chapter, we find the apostles and other followers in prayer in an upper room. The promised presence of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled.

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And so begins "the rest of the story". God's revelation to us comes in three stages, through the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

First was God, the father, working in the hearts and souls of people in a time and place that was difficult...very difficult. Most of God's commands and laws were rigid and uncompromising. It was as it needed to be for such a culture.

Second, was our savior, Jesus Christ. He fulfilled the law and brought ease to the rigidity of the Father's commands. He took all the commandments and created the one commandment that embraced all the intent of the law by saying: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus showed us how by His example.

Third, is the Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised would come to the Apostles. It is the Holy Spirit who takes the laws of The Father plus the fulfillment of the law through Jesus Christ, and becomes the very presence of God after the crucifixion and resurrection of The Son.

The Father gave us The Son, so that The Son could give us the Holy Spirit. How can we receive the Holy Spirit? Look to Jesus. Between the Gospel accounts of the miracles and healings Jesus would withdraw to quiet places to pray:

Luke: 5: 15-16
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

For us to experience God's presence through the Holy Spirit, we must pray. More than a prayer in the morning, a prayer at noon and a prayer at night. We must pray. Pray without ceasing, sometimes more intently, but pray without ceasing. The more we seek God's presence, the more His presence is in us. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles and the other believers when they were in prayer in an upper room. And It comes to us in our prayer, in our upper rooms.

Beneath The Surface of "Healing Ministry"

I have set my Google Alerts to tell me whenever Google comes across the term "healing ministry" as well as other key phrases. Every day my inbox is filled with accounts similar to this:

Our growing Healing Touch ministry at St. Paul's is having a tremendous impact, especially for people who live with chronic pain. In my 27 years of ministry I have seen the same kinds of healing that we read about from the ministry of Jesus.

More genuine Christian healing is taking place than anyone would imagine. Mainline churches, independent churches, and individuals without church affiliations are healing today in the name of Jesus Christ. The Order of St. Luke the Physician is just one international/interdenominational healing ministry.

If we can learn to call upon the name of Jesus Christ, with faith, this healing ministry will grow even more so than it is growing today. We, people of faith, need to practice what we preach and call upon the name of Jesus Christ with the confidence of children and command, with authority, that sickness, disease, injuries and deformities be overruled by the love of God.

If we seek to see more healing in our world, we must study the examples that the Gospels give us, pray like we've never prayed before, and make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit. In that relinquishing of self, a greater power will work in and through us, putting us in awe of the love of our Father.

Let us not rely solely upon the stories that float about concerning someone who received a miraculous healing through the prayers of others...no, instead let us become the very instruments of healings right where we live. Are we meek and timid in the Holy Spirit? Are we afraid that we may be unworthy of God using us? If we've already given ourselves to Christ then we should acknowledge that we are not unworthy. If we've given ourselves to Christ we must admit that He can use us any way He wants. I submit that if we ask with a childlike faith, no bigger than that of a mustard seed, but ask, nonetheless, the power and glory of God's grace will reveal itself in healings, conversions and put us in full witness of the love He has for us.

Beneath the surface of what we see and hear about healing in the name of Jesus, it is more like an iceberg, where only what's above the line is what is seen. Look beneath to see the true mass of God's love for each and every one of us.

Maw Passed This Saturday

Thank you so much for the encouraging words, the replies to the posts, and the words of comfort. My mother-in-law passed away Saturday at 10:30 pm. I have to share that we got the phone call from relatives as we were already asleep. When we got up at 11:00 pm to answer the phone, my loving wife who had suffered so terribly for the past year said "Praise God". At midnight, we opened that bottle of champagne that had been in the fridge since New Years when we fell asleep too early to open, and toasted Maw.

If you've never been there, it is hard to comprehend. But if you have, you will know the joy of knowing that a suffering loved one has moved on to be with God. Maw is now with God. And my loving wife who has carried the burden of being the main caregiver for the past year is jubilant. We said "Praise God", and thank you, then toasted the new matron of heaven.

Again, thanks for the words of support and encouragement shared on this blog. Truly, I cannot recall a happier time in my life as the time when we heard that her suffering was over, her pain had ceased, and she had moved on to the ultimate healing.

I have the honor of giving a eulogy tomorrow, and I can't share with those there anything less than the impact she has had on my faith. If you've ever known someone who inspired your faith, you will share in my joy in telling how she impacted mine. Isn't God gracious?

Thanks again......Marty.

The Healing Handkerchief

Today's Google Alerts took me to a blog where a mother shared an accounting of her son's broken fingers being miraculously healed. Her testimony can be found here.
The mother tells of her son's fingers being broken by a slammed car door. Really slammed! While she was giving him comfort on the lawn next to the car, a neighbor came up to see what she could do. When they finally were able to get the boy to let them look at the hand, it was obvious that the fingers were broken. The neighbor went into her house and brought back a handkerchief that had been blessed by a priest who is known for the great works God does through him. They wrapped his fingers in the handkerchief and prayed. Later at the emergency room, the triage nurse said..."yes, they look broken" and ordered x-rays. After a very long wait, the x-rays were taken and to the amazement of the nurse and the mother...no broken bones! In fact, the fingers were merely puffy. The next day the boy was fine.

If anyone has ever broken a bone, or had a loved one break a bone, most times, you know if it's broken or not. I have no doubt that this mother, her neighbor, and the nurse, knew the fingers were broken. Yet that blessed handkerchief seemed to make the broken fingers heal.

May I give my perspective on what happened with that blessed handkerchief? The neighbor's belief in the healing power of Christ brought about the healing. The priest, having blessed that handkerchief, helped the neighbor to believe and trust in God more than she would have on her own. Was it the handkerchief that healed? No. God healed that boy's fingers, through the faith of the woman who believed. That handkerchief helped to release any doubt as to what God can do when we believe with our whole heart.

Isn't it amazing what God can do when we believe with our whole heart? I sometimes want a similarly blessed handkerchief, so that I can abandon personal apprehensions, and trust in God, through "whatever" vessel.

Do You Ever Pray for Someone to Die?

This is a difficult post.

My 92 year old mother-in-law wants to go home. That is, she wants to die. When we visit her, daily, at the assisted living center where she resides, her life is coming to an end. In her moments of conscioiusness, she says, "I wanna go home...but God won't let me...I wanna go home.". I cannot bring myself to pray for her that she dies.

I've been in this situation in the past with a more distant relative, and I prayed that he went home, and he did. But this is too close.

I want to pray that God accepts her, and welcomes her, but I cannot. I wrestle with this daily. I tend to believe that in His time, she will go. But of late, my wife is asking me to pray for her to go home. I resist! Damn....I resist. I don't know why, but I resist.

Tomorrow I hope to be moved to pray for her to go home. That's tomorrow. Right now, I love the lady, and I love what she means to me. Am I being selfish? Am I only thinking about me? I don't know, but we'll see what tomorrow brings.

I feel that I lack the courage to compell her to give it up. I pray that our loving lord will move me when the time is right to pray for her to go home. For now, she brings such a light to my soul. For now, she makes me feel worthy. For now, she, as God's intuit, opens my mind to His presence in our midsts. What a lovely lady.

In a few short days I may be reflecting upon our loss, but for now, I'm reflecting upon her being, as one who exhorts us to turn to God in times of difficulty. Yes, even in her difficult state, she knows God's will and exhorts to us that we should be more in it. How do you let someone that wonderful go? How?

Sorry for the gloom and doom, but it obsesses me, my wife, and her siblings. Maw...let us know when the time is right to lift you up to our lord. Let us know when it is time. At that time, I'll pray with the authority God has given me to take you home. Till then, keep being the wonderful YOU that you are.

May someone who is in a similar situation find comfort from me sharing. It is a difficult position to be in, difficult, indeed.
BrotherMarty