There's a Place

Often I wonder if it is only those in the monastic/contemplative bent who can find that special place..."the place"...where they meet God. Of late I've been finding myself in what I believe to be "that place" and being utterly overwhelmed by God's presence.

Sister Theresa of Avila found that place. Other saints through the centuries have found that place. It is a living, breathing place where God takes control of one's body, mind and spirit. And being willing to enter into that place is a very personal decision. Many good Christians view contemplative or quiet time with God to be a waste of time. They contend it's more like transcendental meditation or some New Age pursuit at the expense of studying The Word. I don't fall in that camp.

My first experience where the Holy Spirit totally overwhelmed me was around 1989 when I was praying to let Jesus totally into my life. I had been suffering from a painfully enlarged liver with no medical solution to be found. In that instance it just "happened". A result of that experience was that the liver pain was gone...and it remains gone to this very day. It was decades later before I found myself in "that place" once again. Four years ago when praying with two other men I again experienced being overwhelmed by The Spirit. The result of that experience led me to enter into pastoral ministry. God seems to do extraordinary things in my life after these experiences.

Fast forward to the present. In the past 3 months I've been deliberately setting aside time to sink into deep prayer; praying until the words run dry. My motivation is not to seek an experience, rather, to seek God's heart for healing in the lives of others. I follow the pattern of A.C.T.S. in my prayer:

• Adoration for God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This adoration is so powerful that if you can imagine a medieval peasant being brought before a king to be honored...the trembling sense of unworthiness...the awe that a nobody like you can be in such great presence.
• Confession to God for all my shortcomings. Bring to mind every bad deed, thought, action or inaction that separates one from walking in His will. Complete and total confession that I am a sinner, saved by grace.
• Thankfulness for having the saving knowledge that I am a forgiven child of God. Thankful for each and every blessing...down to having clean water to drink and bathe in; having vision and hearing; food to eat; people who love me; every little thing that reveals God's grace being showered over my life.
• Supplication for those who are suffering. Telling God how my heart aches for those in my world who are fighting difficult battles with whatever their particular demons may be. It's important to note that the supplications ARE NOT for myself. If we have surrendered ourselves to God's will then praying for ourselves is denying that surrender.

When entering into prayer in this manor - motivated by a hurting heart for another - God gives me the reassurance that my prayer is heard. It is in the final part, the supplication, where words run dry because I am not able to adequately express the depth of my pain for the person being prayed for. When the words run dry I find myself speaking in tongues. When I finally manage to stop listening to my words because they sound so strange, that language flows freely from my lips...being the exit from the wellspring of my spirit. Then the words stop. My mouth no longer works. My knees can no longer hold me up. Every muscle is beyond control. Sometimes it stems from a totally overwhelming peace yet at other times a totally overwhelming pressure. Jacob wrestling with God and getting a hip knocked out of joint comes to mind.

There are no appointed times or places for these intense prayer sessions. Again, I'm not seeking some experience, rather, surrendering to a calling to intercede for another. When my spirit gets "stuck" on someone and I can't get their hurt out of my head and heart...then its time to find a time and place to drop to my knees and pray this way Wherever that physical place may be, it becomes "the place" where God stops me from what I'm all about in order to let me know what He's all about.

Our Sunday Night Healing Service

There's nothing "Same old same old" about the God we serve.  Last Sunday evening we held a healing service at our church.  Strangly, the people who earlier in the month said they needed healing prayer didn't attend. There were 12 adults and 5 children in attendance.  My initial response to this small number was disappointment, but what a foolish thing that notion turned out to be.  

Throughout the Gospel we have accounts of Jesus healing just one person at a time.  In those individual healings many marvel at the greatness, mercy and grace imparted in those single acts.  What foolishness is it for one to be distraught by small numbers seeking healing when all heaven rejoices over just one person coming to Christ?  

Sunday evening was as powerful as could be imagined.  The power and presence of God was undeniable and verifiable.  Four people (including myself) sat in for others in need of prayer while the prayer team prayed fervently over them.  One came for prayer for liver problems, another for vision issues, another for headaches and stomach pains, another for chronic abdominal pain, another for saving from matters of the flesh, and yet another for stomach pains.  The prayer over each individual was so filled with love, so filled with compassion, so filled with confidence that there was a nearly electric atmosphere in the sanctuary.  Many swooned upon feeling the Holy Spirit flow through their bodies.  One was slain unconscious; another unable to get out of the chair without assistance.  None came seeking signs and wonders, but God demonstrated that He was in control and in our midst.  

I never ask for a report card as to whether anyone felt healing.  Nonetheless, the exuberant expressions on each face gave a testimony.  Within 24 hours here is what has been shared:  One person being prayed over by proxy was at the emergency room awaiting what was thought to be emergency surgery for an apparent abdominal rupture.  After being prayed for the doctors were not able to find anything needing surgery and the pain subsided.  At the end of the prayer time the patient was released from the hospital.  Another person prayed for by proxy was told last week that his pancreatic cancer could not be treated with chemotherapy.  Monday he  saw the doctor and he said that he would schedule him to begin chemo later in the week.  The person asked why he could have chemo now when just last week they said it would do no good.  The doctor said: "Last week it wouldn't have done any good, but now we can treat it."  The brother of the patient called Monday saying "Preacher, I've got a praise report".  We both praised God with our mouths and tears of joy.  

What other reports will we receive?  I don't know.  If the bear hugs and tears of joy weren't testimony enough, I'm sure there will be more to tell as time goes by.  I know this:  God doesn't fit in the box we try to put Him in and it's totally awesome when he shows us the folly of our disbelief.    

The Joy of Healing Prayer

Last night my Sunday night church group accepted an invitation to attend another local UMC for a healing service.  I was one of the two pastors administering healing prayer along with a prayer team of 5 others.  The expressions on the faces of those who came forward for healing changed from drawn and dread to beaming radiance in the course of praying for them.  

One woman who is facing surgery Thursday for scoliosis emerged from the prayer saying that she's ready to go home now if that's God's will - whether she's healed or not she knows that God loves her and would accept her into His glory.  It's all in His hands now.

A man with prostate cancer scheuled for surgery Tuesday rose from the prayer chair with a beaming smile, confident that with God everything will be ok.  The prayer team and the whole church shared his joy.  Likewise with the others who came for prayer.

The healing prayers were administered as follows:  The pastor for the church anointed the prayee with oil making the sign of the cross on the forehead, then on each hand, then led the prayer team in laying upon hands while he prayed for the specific condition.  This lasted 1 to 3 minutes depending upon how he was moved by the spirit to pray.  Once he was finished I closed the prayer by lifting the subject's chin and asking them to look at me while I prayed the Order of St Luke the Physician's prayer for laying upon hands, which is:  "Our Lord Jesus Christ who gave authority to his disciples to lay hands upon the afflicted that they may recover, have mercy on you; give you strength in spirit, strength in soul; strength in body, but most of all give you faith in His power to heal.  By His authority committed unto us we lay hands upon you in the name of Jesus Christ, our lord and savior."  

When the final prayer was given the tears of joy abounded.  By the end of the service the presence of the Holy Spirit was so intense that while the benediction had been given, nobody ran for the door.  All basked in the love that only comes from The Lord.  

God's will is just that.  Whatever healing he brings to those who came forward is what it is.  But in the process of praising Him and interceding with love on behalf of those needing healing, there is a joy that He reserves for special times...times like these when we're all about His business.  That is the joy of healing prayer.

A Praise Report That Blew Me Away

Just as we were beginning to start Sunday School yesterday a member of the class got up -interrupting the class - and gave the following narrative:

"I saw David Pitts Wednesday and I asked him how he was doing.  I hadn't seen him since we buried his father October 30th.  He said he was fine and then told me that his grandson went to the doctor for more tests the day before.  He has a blood problem like hemophelia.  Well, he said that the doctor asked his parents what was going on...this is the best test ever!  The father said that he knew what happened.  When they were at the eating after the funeral the pastor there asked if he could pray for the boy.  He prayed for him and since then he hasn't even had one bruise!  The doctor said that he'll be happy with medicine and miracles wherever they come from.  

Folks, he said that that boy doesn't take to strangers well.  He said that at the visitation he was fascinated with Brother Marty.  He went up to him and wanted to be held by him.  Brother Marty told the proud grandpaw that his little grandson will make a great running back somewhere, someday.  When he said that David told him...that ain't gonna happen with this boy...you see...he was born with a blood disorder.  He can't play like other kids.  He bruises easily and cuts don't heal well at all.  Then the next day after the funeral Brother Marty asked his mom and dad if he could pray over the boy...he told them that it certainly couldn't hurt...so they said okay.  Brothers and sisters...God is not out of the miracle business...and Brother Marty.....what can I say....them folks are moving to the area in about a month and I know where they're going to go to church.  God bless you, Brother Marty."

The very moment he told this to the class (half of the congregation) I was overwhelmed and started trying to stop the tears of joy that were streaming down my face.  All I could do is sit there saying "Praise God, Praise God, Praise God."  A woman from a few pews back came up and gave me a paper towel - with tears flowing down her cheeks.  I looked around and there wasn't a dry eye in the room.  They started with the lesson but I couldn't focus on anything other than praising God...so I left for my office to try to regain my composure for the service that would begin 45 minutes later.  

I get personal praise reports from individual whom I pray for from time to time.  But this one came from right field.  Like it says in the title of this blog, we need to shout it from the highest peaks that God is not out of the miracle business.

Christian Healing: Why Do I Share These Things?

I often resist posting about a healing session because I believe that there are those who believe and those who don't...and nothing I say can change those perspectives.  But the occasional email I get from someone who has a testimony about God's healing power motivates me afresh to share.  To those who don't believe God answers prayers in a powerful way, I must say I disagree.  To those who say that if God uses someone for healing then why don't they go to the local hospital and pray away everything that ails the patients...I must say...you don't understand.  God decides who He will heal including when and where.  Those called to provide healing prayer do so as led by God to do.

I don't put up a sign inviting people to come for healing.  I have in the past - on the church sign - and only a few outsiders came.  It's like the Gospel account of the woman with the issue of blood...she sought out Jesus.  When people seek to find healing in the name of Jesus, they are drawn to people who believe that Jesus will heal them...if only they ask with everything that is in them.  Read through this blog to find examples of what I'm talking about.  If that is too time consuming, then let me tell you about this past weekend.

After a Saturday morning of running around to the hardware stores and Walmart, I came home and checked the phone for messages.  I had two messages at my office and one at home all saying that a church member was in need of Christian counseling.  I went to her house with her brother and she was a mess.  She has cancer in her thorax and was for the first time confronted with fear that she won't survive the treatments.  Fear was gripping her every expression.  I said, "I'm here...do you want me to pray for you?"  She said she wanted prayer...and wanted to have faith again that she will make it.  We prayed.   I put my hand on her head and prayed away the agent of Satan: Fear.  I put my hand on her upper chest and prayed that the cancer cells be washed away by the power of the Holy Spirit.  She, her brother and I were all shaking uncontrollably in the presence of the Holy Spirit filling her body with a washing of everything bad inside of her.  When God said stop, we stopped.  Tears of joy were streaming down her face.  Her brother was crying and I was spent.  I could hardly hold my head up, the drain was so intense.  

She had not been able to get out of bed for the past week as a result of the chemo treatments.  We talked more then I anointed her head and chest with oil then prayed for the staying power of the anoitment.  She got up and walked us to the door.  I had to regain my composure before trying to drive the 20 miles home.  That was Saturday.

Sunday morning, who is in church with her non-churchgoing husband?  She was.  I greeted her and she asked if I was ok.  I asked her why she thought I wouldn't be and she said that whatever had a hold of her left and she hoped that it hadn't got a hold of me!  I assured her that I had prayed away anything that may have come from her to me (which I did before driving home).  We both looked into each other's eyes and smiled.  BUT...it doesn't end there.  That night was the church Christmas program.  Again, she and her husband were there!  

I call that God's healing.  I don't know yet if the cancer is gone (but if it is it wouldn't be the first time) but I do know that Satan's grip on her is gone.  I know that she has no room in her life for fear.  And without that fear she has a renewed vigor.  All I can do is praise God.

This past weekend tells the story of Christian healing.  Like the woman with the issue of blood, she sought Christ's comfort and healing.  When the calls were made to me to come pray with her, I believed that I was the hands and heart of Jesus brought to her.  I certainly didn't plan on it as I had already planned a full day with no healing prayer anywhere on the agenda.  But when God calls I dare not refuse.  

I never ask for money.  If we have a healing service at church we never take an offering.  It isn't about money.  It isn't about ego.  It isn't about religion.  It isn't about anything other than learning to love our God with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls AND loving our neighbors as ourselves.  If God gives you the tools to build something...Build It!  If He gives you a gift for singing, then sing.  If he gives you a gift for administration, then administer.  And if he gives you a gift for healing...heal.  

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.

More on the Power of Love

I was asked to explain more about the power of love and healing.  I don't know that I have the wisdom to accurately relate how love enters into healing more than I've said in my previous post...but I will try.  I'll try because in the past week I've been brought into some situations where God revealed things to me that I hadn't considered before.  Isn't it marvelous how Our Lord gives us just enough...then when we think we have it He gives just enough more to challenge what we thought we understood?  With that said....

The love that brings about healing isn't the love we have for those in need.  It is God's love, brought into the situation through us.  Let's try that again to make sure it is clear:  It isn't our love...it's God's love, that heals.  Those of us in the healing ministry recognize how love heals, but we often believe that it is OUR love that heals.  No!  It is God's love that heals.  We simply facilitate the actions of God's love.  

With that statement made, let me confess shortcomings of healers' facilitation of God's love.  We're human.  We're who we are with all the baggage that comes with anybody struggling through life.  But in spite of ourselves, we can, at times, be conduits for the love of God to work miraculously where our love falls short.  That's the essence of it all.  Being willing to be used by God.  I'm utterly humbled that God uses me.  I'm a sinner-supreme...while at the same time a servant-supreme.  I take a back stage to what God wants and merely be the mouth, the hands, and the mind of Christ.  When that happens, miracles happen.  Don't get me wrong; I often stand on the sidelines of God's love.  But if my mouth can say what God wants said, and my hands can be the hands of God, I succumb and say..."Lord, use me"!

No ego trip here, rather, a confession that I'm not worthy.  But I'm willing.  In that state of unworthiness God manifests Himself extradorinally time and time again.  Were I to give any advice to someone wanting to see a miraculous healing, I would say, let God work through you.  Let God burn in your heart until you feel the same pain as those to whom you would minister to.  Let God be the one who makes it happen, not you.  Let go...and let God.  

Not an easy notion to entertain, but one that we must not only entertain, but make a reality.  Let God be the fountain of love that enters into a situation, and let go of anything that is about oneself in order to be a channel for the love that is beyond explanation.  Again...I'm not worthy...but willing. Can you be willing to let God work through you?  If there is love in your heart, He will heal.  If, no matter what you feel about the afflicted one, your desire is to be about God's business FIRST...the things of this world, including illness, pain, suffering, and disease, will all go away.  Our Lord wants nothing to stand in the way of us giving Him all our praise.  He will heal!

The Power of Love

Love incarnate.  That is Jesus Christ.  When he told us that we could do all that he did and more through the Holy Spirit, many did not know what that meant or how it could be.  Of late, I've had my eyes opened to what that meant and how it could be.  Live Love.  

Love the terrorists who vie for our demise.

Love the racists who see through hate-filled eyes.

Love the rulers who yield power more that care.

Love the loveless, close to home and everywhere.

When love rules our lives, Christ resides within us, empowering us to be His hands, feet, heart and soul.  But it's so hard to love sometimes...and some people.  In spite of how our "of this world" minds react to negativity, we must force ourselves to look at all that happens through the eyes of love, not the way we would see things.  When that happens, the power of love is revealed.

Laying hands on someone and praying for them is meaningless without a genuine love for the very soul of that person.  When we pray for healing we're actually praying for wholeness such that the love of Christ literally dwells within our midst. When our spirits are no longer at a dis-ease with love, then disease, pain, broken hearts and all that ails us is washed away.  It has happened to me and to those with whom I've prayed.  It has also failed to happen when that deep, Christlike, compassionate love was not mutually felt and embraced.  

I pray that when someone prays for healing that it first stem from a desire to love more; that it comes from a desire to be utterly filled with Christ's love.  In that prayer, in that state, God heals.

Healings all around us

It has been a long while since I last posted.  In that while, there have been numerous healing services.  A woman with problems with back and leg pain has been healed. A woman with back pain has been healed.  One with bone cancer has been healed.  One with blood cancer has been healed. Dear Lord...what a wonderful manifestation of your love has been realized here in our little neck of the woods.  I stand in wonder of your healings.  I stand in wonder of your willingness to minister to our little flock.  I'm in wonder!

Please, Lord, keep on keeping on.  We're ready and willing.  I'm awed by Your Presence and Your willingness to minister to us.   To those who don't have healing services...please do so.  You'll be marvelled by the love of Our Lord.  Awesome!

Healing Revival Tonight in a Rural Alabama Methodist Church

Tonight was the culmination of a 4 night revival for the church I pastor. I've been there since late May and they've been told via my sermons and prayer meetings that I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, specifically, as it relates to the sign-gift of healing. Sunday through Tuesday was all about the power of the Holy Spirit, specifically, being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Tonight, it was the final night and the Holy Spirit was present....INDEED! Eight people (from an attendance of about 40) came for healing. More powerfully, I asked everyone to close their eyes and be in prayer for everyone there, and I asked who wanted healing prayer without having to come publicly - to receive it where they sat. Three quarters of those there raised their hands. What an awesome God we serve.

First things first...of those who came for healing we prayed for suicidal tendencies, demonic possession, as well as diabetes, arthritis, lung disorder, addiction to alcohol, cancer and other maladies. The expressions of those for whom prayer was administered moved the entire congregation. More specifically, each one prayed for felt the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. I was so totally drained from the prayer that the prayer team sat me down in the prayer seat and prayed over me until I was able to continue the service. (I didn't realize that it was so obvious that I was drained and depleted...but their prayers worked wonderfully and I continued.) Then came the most challenging, demanding, prayerful experience I've ever had in the healing ministry.

A young husband came to the alter for prayer. He had just recently lost his mother (a week ago) and was in a terribly difficult situation with his step father about everything. He was forbidden to attend his own mother's funeral. He was distraught. When I looked him in the eyes and asked what he wanted prayer for, his eyes became bloodshot and he said...."I want to leave my wife. I want to leave my child to be. I want to leave this world. I don't want anything good." At once I realized that I was talking with a young man who was possessed. Rather than anoint him one time with the sign of the cross with oil, it was put on my heart to anoint him three times. I looked him in the eyes and asked if he wanted deliverance. He shrugged. I asked again...he shrugged. Then I called him by name twice and he said yes.

I've only once before been called upon by Our Lord to cast out demons and I was weak in faith at that time...but I couldn't resist the word of God as it pertained to this young man. I tried to sit him down but he resisted. I tried again and he resisted again. I said..."In the name of Jesus accept His love". He sat down. He looked at me with piercing, bloodshot eyes and I asked him if he was ready for healing prayer. He didn't say anything. I told him I was going to pray for him whether he wanted it or not. I complimented him on beating down the resistance to make his way to the alter. So we prayed. There were 5 prayer warriors plus me praying for him. And we prayed. Without knowing the names of the demons in him (and not wanting to know their names) I prayed over him saying that Jesus knew who was trying to control his life and in the name of Jesus they are to be bound and cast from him. I was moved to bind and cast out 3 different demons in this young man in the name of Jesus Christ.

At once, his bloodshot eyes became clear. He proclaimed Christ as the ruler of his life. His countenance became one of calm and peace. But we didn't stop there. We continued to pray over him for strength and perseverance in Christ for the moments, days and weeks ahead. Oh what a glorious time it was in the service of our risen Lord.

We closed the service by praying for those who lifted their hands earlier that didn't want to be publicly brought into the love of The Lord. My friends, it was a powerful ending to a wonderful 4 nights of revival. Indeed, revival happened in our rural church in Alabama. It happened in ME!

In Christ....

We're Leading Up To Healing Revival, Wednesday

The theme of the revival this year at our little rural church is Baptism In The Holy Spirit. I've been talking about how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not limited to those early Apostles, rather, for all believers who succumb to and totally submit to the presence of the Holy Spirit in themselves. It is an awesome thing to let Christ live through us today. When reflecting upon John 17: 20-22, it is apparent that we are here now, to be Christ for the world.

As Christ healed...we heal. Period. I've witnessed everything from freedom from terminal cancer to beyond...and it is awesome to behold. Are we worthy? The question I would ask is are we willing? I am willing. Are YOU?

The last thing I seek is to make hippocrates of anyone in the healing ministry. Rather, may we be subject to His will? I make myself subject to His will in these regards while I'm unworthy, yet willing. In a back-handed way I ask, can we all? Let us be subject to His will and create new persons in Christ, through the mystery and majesty of His presence. I'm awed by His presence. Aren't we all? In His name I pray...Amen.

When God Shows HIS Will to be HIS

I pray for people regularly. I touch them, pray for them, and move on. I constantly seek God's will in each and every situation. Today, a boy for whom I prayed for healing was buried. He died from a cancerous brain tumor which could not be stopped by prayer nor medicine. He was the recipient of the "Make a Wish" foundation in his last days and visited the beaches of Puerto Rico. He was buried today. God challenges us all.

I entertain the notion of questioning God's will when an innocent dies after much prayer and supplication. I entertain it. But when all is said and done, I do not know God's will, so I cannot question it. I merely submit.

A very young man, age 11, was taken to be in God's glory a few days ago. Today we buried what was left of him. I do not question...while I entertain the notion of questioning....I merely submit.

She Said NO

Today I got my breakfast from where I usually get my breakfast. The cashier had smashed her thumb under the cash register and broken a bone. Her cast was off and she appeared to be healing. I asked..."How's your thumb?". She said that it was hurting and that arthritis had settled into it and it was very painful. I asked if I could hold her thumb and she said, "NO". I didn't elaborate on how I'm into the healing ministry...I just asked if I could hold it. She said no. How sad, as I was moved to hold her and minister healing prayer to her. But she said no.

How often do we make efforts to bring Christ into the lives of those around us who need His love? How often do we try to minister to those in need? I felt rejection, as I felt Christ's rejection when He gave his all for us. I know...I'm just me, but it imprinted upon my brain the rejection of love. Of Christlike love. I just wanted to pray over her...but she said "NO". So now I'm convicted to ask her again, tomorrow, and again...the next day, to let me hold her thumb. OK...it may seem "out there" to some, but I'm convicted that if she lets me hold her hand and pray...she will be better. All glory to God! Those in this ministry are nothing without the love of God. I'll persist until she gives in or asks somebody else to take my order. (psst...love their sausage biscuits...mine with double sausage and mustard....yumm). God'll get her someday...and I pray it will be because of her thumb. Just a thought.

Thanks for your prayers

This week I "unofficially" began my appointment at my second church. I was briefly appointed as pastor of a dying UMC church that has moved to withdraw from the denomination. Their 8 regular attendees will move where the spirit moves them. I now pastor a church of 60 regular worshipers. I'm so moved by the love and acceptance of these worshipers.

I wish to thank all those who have prayed for me in this period of transition. I'm humbly acknowledging the hand of God in this situation, and the results of prayers as well. Awesome, simply awesome. This is a good church family to be associated with. I'm moved deeply to bring my best. Also moved deeply, to bring God's best. I pray that I may be a facilitator of both. Duh, isn't that what "pastor" is all about?

While this is a blog about healing, it isn't out of line to point out that this appointment is for me both a pastoral, and a healing, appointment. There is a great need for healing here. And I, with the grace of God, will facilitate that healing. But only by the grace of God. Please pray that healing and grace will abound. I have an unyielding faith. Isn't our God an awesome God?

Awesome Intercessory Prayer

A dear church friend had emergency double bypass surgery this past Friday. On Thursday night a group of us met to pray for her. It was an awesome time of prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit was felt by all. NOT to our surprise, she sailed through the procedure. Call it coincidence...or call it divine intervention...we call it God answering our prayers. The presence of the Holy Spirit was strong that night. No if's, and's, or but's,...God was there when we prayed.

No matter what life throws one's way...turn to The Lord in prayer and supplication, and His mercy shall prevail. Can't say anymore than that. Our God, is an Awesome God!

On Healing Services....Worth It Or Not?

In late February our church held a healing service. It was open to the public and to anyone who would come. We had nobody in particular to pray for, but advertised and spread the word by word of mouth, and it happened. There were over 20 who came.

We prayed over a boy with a brain tumor. We prayed over a man with lung disease. We prayed over a child of God who had a bone tumor. We prayed. And we prayed.

I NEVER ask for a report card on how God worked in the situations prayed for. I just don't do that. I trust that word will come back to us about how God entered into the situations we prayed for. I cannot report on this or that, but I can report that there was a testimony given today in our church about the results of that service. A woman came forth to ask us to pray for her daughter who has a tumor on the bone in her arm. That tumor led to her bone breaking unexpectedly. She testified that when we prayed for her daughter, with her being there to represent her by proxy, that the bone tumor had healed more in one week than it had in the 5 months of medical treatment. Isn't our God an awesome God? She went on to testify that she had had a terrible headache, which she never has, and that the headache was miraculously healed when we prayed over her for her daughter. Again, an awesome God!

The man with lung disease....left under his own power, pulling the detached oxygen tank and breathing under his own power. I don't know the fate of the child with the brain tumor. In due time, I'll get feedback.

I pray that we, Christians, and even those of the Methodist fold, appeal to our Lord for miracles to happen and that God manifests His glory in our lives. He will reveal Himself...if only we invite Him to do so. I'm a witness to miracles. Are you?

FINALLY...a Question About the Pendant I Wear

I wear a necklace with the pendant of the Order of St. Luke the Physician to church and all religious meetings I attend. Tonight, someone finally asked me about it. It is a necklace with the logo of The Order of St. Luke, the Physician....(like seen in the left sidebar of this blog) and I was enthused to talk about it. To my amazement, this young lady (17 by my best guess) was enamored by it and inquired as to what it meant. I told her that it is a symbol of people who believe in the healing miracles of Christ...for today. I further told her that I'm an associate member of the order and that we pray, in a special way, for healing to come to those who need it. She said..."I want to be part of this". I invited her to be a prayer team member when we hold a service to pray fervently for relief of what ails the people who come. She was ecstatic. So, I'll call her daddy and ask that he give her permission to come pray with us at our next service.

I was awed by the faith of our youth. This child is wanting to participate in the revelation of God's glory, in the healing of someone. Are you as grounded by this as I am? God works wonderfully through children (and a 17 year old is a child...as I am a child of God) and I'll invite this young person to pray for others at the earliest opportunity.

God works mysteriously through us all. May this sharing of the desire of a young person serve as testimony that God isn't through with us yet. By No Means!

Discernment - a Key to Discipleship

Counselors and therapists make careers in discernment. What is the root cause for what ails someone. Why is this attitude or that problem really there. How do we help to make it go away? I learn so much from the committed Christian healers as it goes to the issue of healing physical problems, when I realize that the physical manifestations of pain and disease so often stem from a mental or spiritual affliction.

At one of our healing services someone came forward for healing. She had a general malaise and was in a deep depression. What could I pray for? What healing was she truly in need of. She is a friend and I knew that she was very upset about the loss of her sister who had been in Hospice for a few weeks prior to passing on. I was stuck in the moment, not certain what to pray for. I closed my eyes and prayed that God would reveal how to pray for her. Suddenly I heard myself telling her to let it go..."you're not responsible for her dying. It was God's timing and you had nothing to do with it." ...is what my mouth said without my brain directing it! We then prayed for her to be released from guilt and when we had finished she was radiant.

In that moment I realized that God revealed what it was for which she truly needed healing. I realized that in my quest to be a better disciple God provided the discernment that I could not. Discernment is a gift that we can open ourselves to through deep prayer. And when that moment of discernment comes, one may find themselves speaking prophetically and simply following what God has revealed. I pray that the next time I'm called for healing prayer that true healing comes through God revealing the root cause so that it can be healed, rather than the symptoms.

Answered Prayers - Praise God!

I got a call a few moments ago from my brother. He said, "Tell all your praying friends from church, and your town, and the Internet, and everybody everywhere...thank you for your prayers. It's not cancer!"

Thank you, Father, for hearing our prayers.
Thank you, Jesus, for it's in your name we pray.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for making our prayers complete by picking up where our mere humanity leaves off.
Amen.

Thank you, so many of you, from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and encouragement through these past weeks of terror and uncertainty. Bro' is going to be fine after healing from the holes they put in his head.

To put this in perspective, his initial prognosis was "grim". The mass in his brain was growing and nearly to the point where motor function was threatened before they took a biopsy. From the time that biopsy was taken a week ago...until today....countless prayers were lifted up for the matter to be dead, non-threatening, and for Bro' to have a full recovery. God answered those prayers and in my estimation delivered nothing short of a miracle.

In the love of Christ...again...
Thank you all.

Peace, a Gift From God

At our weekly praise and worship service I had occasion to talk about peace, that is, the fruit of the Holy Spirit as mentioned in Galatians:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22)

When discussing peace I used examples of people who come to healing services. They are always distraught, tense, apprehensive, and yet, willing to come. We anoint them with oil, praise God, and pray. Fervently, we pray. And like a recipe, well worked out, peace comes. It comes with such joy and love, and other fruits of the Holy Spirit that it is something to be at wonder and awe about when given. Peace is a gift. A gift from God.

I reflect upon a man with leukemia who came for healing prayer. He came out of desperation for his condition. We praised God, and then we prayed. At a moment, the prayer stopped and his face was aglow with the peace that can only come from God. He received the gift of peace.

Another woman at another time came for prayer. She suffers from fibermyalgia and her body is in total pain all the time. She had a spirit of depression that overcame her. Yet, she came for healing prayer. God was praised, and she was prayed for. At a moment, she was released from her depression and found peace. Peace that is the gift of God.

All too often we wait until we've used up all our physical resources before we turn to God. Can we learn to turn to God first? Regardless of whether it's after much suffering or at the beginning of a period of suffering...if we can only learn to turn to God earlier than later we can receive a gift....that gift of peace.