Tag: Jesus

faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Church is Hard

Recently a few of my friends shared this poem with me. It rang so true. I remember when I first came to church, it was so hard. And then going through life I have been in most of these situations. How about you?

Church is hard.

Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.

Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.

Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.

Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.

Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.

Church is hard for me.

It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.

However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.

But, here is the beauty of church—

Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.

Church is a body.

Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.

Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.

Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.

Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.

Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.

Church is a lesson in faith and trust.

Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.

Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.

Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.

So even on the hard days at church—

The days when I am at odds with a friend, When I’ve fought with my spouse because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away.

I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.

– Jacob Waldron

Deliverance, faith, God, power of words, Religion and Spirituality, Spiritual warfare, Spirituality, The Blood of Jesus

Whom Shall I Fear?

Have you ever been afraid? Yeah, me too. We are still human. Last week I ended up at the Hospital again. Things were so bad they admitted me. 3 days later I was released. There were times I didn’t know if I was coming home. Possible complications included complete organ shut down and death. Great…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1

I prayed a lot. My husband did too, and the few people we told. After 3 days of no food or water, only IV fluids, I started to hallucinate, or so I thought. Only it wasn’t a hallucination – it was a 5 day walk in the Spirit.  Remember in he Bible where the Disciples were trying to deliver a man from a demon and they couldn’t do it? Jesus came on the scene and shared some Truth:

“Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall Ic]bear with you? Bring him to Me.”  Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.2 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. ”Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”  Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”” – Mark 9:16-29 NKJV

So, with prayer and fasting, you can defeat the Enemy with God’s help. Fasting will also bring about a humbleness and reliance on God for protection. That was the case for me. The Lord protected me from all sorts of spirits those 5 days. Part of it happened in the hospital and part happened at home. I thought my kids and husband were going to commit me. I totally understand now why Paul said, :

“It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.  Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 NKJV

I was walking in the Spirit and using the Word of God to defeat the Enemies I saw. My husband and kids could not see what I saw. I tried to take pictures to prove it to them and video, and some were ok, others had weird marks on them. Very creepy.  I will not boast about what God showed me,  He is the One who gave me the Word, the Sword of the Spirit, that defeated them. They left.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24 NKJV

I pray that the Lord leads us all to walk in the Spirit and defeat the Enemies of our souls.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV

 

And one of the best scriptures about how our walk in the Spirit defeats the Enemy:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” – Ephesians 6:11-20 NKJV

faith, God, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Rejoice in His Presence

Merry Christmas my friends and family!  I know this year is different with the Covid pandemic, however there is still a reason to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6AMP

I am so grateful for the few people I got to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with. I think I treasure their presence way more than any presents. I never realized how distant social distancing really is. I have been a hermit lately. Can you relate?  Covid has all of us walking on eggshells, praying it passes over us and our families while we mask up and go out into the world with our hand sanitizer in our pockets. God is still with us, even if we wear a mask, even if we go to the Grocery Store or the Gas Station. God is with us. Let’s take a moment and rejoice in God’s Presence today. He is wonderful!

I really learned to treasure God and His Word during this Covid season. All I need to do is stop, wherever I am, and talk to God. I can pray in my head, or pray out loud – it really doesn’t matter. I just want to acknowledge that I know He is with me. There are some days we just hang out. Jesus wants to spend time with us, even in the middle of the wrapping paper mess. We can sit and relax in God’s Presence. Breathe in His Grace, and breathe out His Praise. I can finally let go of my worries and breathe. His Presence changes everything!  I love this song, it keeps playing in my head. God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

 

Great Are You Lord by All Sons and Daughters

 
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord
 
 
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
 
 
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore (You restore)
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
 
 
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
 

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
 
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
 
 
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jason David Ingram / David Leonard / Leslie Jordan
Great Are You Lord lyrics © Integrity’s Praise Music, Integrity S Alleluia Music
 
 

 

 

 

Disablility, faith, God, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Holy Spirit Will Speak to You and Tell You What is Coming Up

It was another early morning for me. 3:30 am.  I’m really not a morning person.  I would much rather stay up later watching Netflix or something and sleep late. But lately, this is not how my life has been going. I find myself waking up early. I go upstairs, turn on our electric fireplace, get comfy in my recliner with my fuzzy blanket and pray.

This morning Holy Spirit told me to check my health insurance. Since I went out on Disability a year ago, I have insurance through Medicaid. It takes 2 years before Medicare will kick in. My response was, “ok, why?” Keep in mind, I ‘m not really awake at 3:30 am and I haven’t had any coffee yet! God knows I’m kinda cranky then, lol!

I admit, I was kind of nervous. I was scheduled to go in for another EMG ( electromyogram) test with the Neurologist today. That’s the painful test where they put needles in your legs and arms and send current through them. All to prove that I have peripheral neuropathy, which I already knew. But hey, I changed Doctors and it has been more than a year so they wanted to repeat the test. Yeah, not!

So, I finally fall back asleep in my recliner and the alarm goes off at 5 am. My husband had another early day driving back and forth to Chicago. That’s when I remembered what Holy Spirit said to me earlier. I get on Google (what did we ever do before Google?) and start searching it out.  Interestingly enough, like I should be surprised, God was right!

My father in law recently passed away and left some life insurance to his 3 children, one of them being my husband, Bob. Come to find out, Medicare counts that money as part of your monthly family income! That means for the months of Feb and March this year, I do NOT have health insurance as Bob got checks those months.  The state will reinstate my Health Insurance next month.

I looked  back and the first time I had this EMG test it was like $1500 or so. I waited until after 8 am and called the Neurologist to cancel this appointment. I can reschedule once my insurance is back on. Thank you Holy Spirit for having me look into this so we didn’t have to pay for it on our own!

romans 5.5

 

God’s Word for You:

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—  the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.

“I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.  After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].” – Johyn 14:16-21 AMP

 

My Prayer for You:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. You live in us and through us and remind us what You have done, and even what is coming in the day ahead. Thank you that everyday You reveal yourself to us. Open our eyes and hearts to see it, in Jesus Name, amen!

holy spirit

 

 

 

God, Hope, Quotes, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Verses to Celebrate Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday Verses

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” – John 12:12-13

As he was drawing near — already on the way down the Mount of Olives — the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. – Luke 19:37

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! – Luke 19:38

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118;24

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38

Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, “Jehu is king!” – 2 Kings 9:13

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:“Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.” – John 12:12-15

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” – Matthew 21:1-11

palm sunday 2

God, Hope, poem, Poetry, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Show Me Your Scars

SHOW ME YOUR SCARS

Copyright 2019 Diana Rasmussen

scars 2

This world we live in is twisted and wrong, It’s not Heaven on Earth, but wicked and wrong

Life is hard, it’s not fair, Injustice is everywhere, Seems liars get ahead, when the Truth just offends

I know a Savior, Christ Jesus is his Name, He came to seek and to save all that are lost

He went to the cross to obliterate sin, He opened the door to Heaven, so we could get in

 

We can come boldly before the throne of Grace, To find hope and mercy in place of our stains

Jesus gives freedom and hope to all who call on His Name, Baptized with His Spirit He promised He’d save

He still bears the wounds on His hands and His feet, Those marks He got from hanging on that Cross

To carry away the sin of the world, and I call out to Him today

scars 3

 

Show me your scars, it’s your blemishes that show me you’ve loved me

Show me your scars, it’s how I know who you are

When you’ve lived a good life and loved someone deep, it’s gonna leave a mark

Open your hands and your heart, and show me your scars

 

He rose from the grave that held him, He sits on the Throne of God

Giving strength, hope, and wisdom to all who call on Him,

He’s preparing a place for you and for me, He’s coming back to take us out of this place

 

Show me your scars, it’s your blemishes that show me you’ve loved me

Show me your scars, it’s how I know who you are

When you’ve lived a good life and loved someone deep, it’s gonna leave a mark

Open your hands and your heart, and show me your scars

 

scars4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God, Hope, Life, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

The Fire of the Holy Spirit Brings Peace and Wonder

Have you ever sat in front of the fireplace and just stared at the flames? Yeah, me too. I love the warmth and the flames dancing in the air. It’s so relaxing and mesmerizing. I lose track of time when I watch the fire and my heart gets filled with peace and wonder.

Have you ever sat in front of a campfire? What about a bonfire? Love those. Have you noticed how people are attracted to the fire? They can’t help but come closer and join you. A bonfire might start out with 2-3 people, but give it a few hours and there will be 20-30 people there! People love to watch the flames dance.

I think the same is true when we spend time with the Holy Spirit that lives in our hearts. People will be attracted to the peace and wonder in you. They will wonder what happened to you. They will ask you how you can stay so calm in the middle of this messed up world. Be ready to answer. But first, fan the flames of the fire…

The Bible tells us that Jesus will baptize us with fire.

The thing about fires is you have to keep tending to them. You have to pay attention and add more wood and fan the flames. The same is true with the Holy Spirit. Nobody likes to be ignored, especially God.

For me, I get up early and spend time in the fire of the Holy Spirit with my coffee. It’s quiet then and lots of times we just hang out. Just like the fire, the presence of God brings me peace and wonder. My heart overflows in His presence. My mind is renewed, my joy is filled up.

Let’s fan the flames and spend time in the presence of the Holy Spirit and fan those flames!

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6 NIV

What about you? How do you fan the flames?

 

God, Healing, Hope, Life, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Prayer for When You Want to Hide

I understand hiding. I can hide for days sometimes and not talk to anyone about anything. Just grunt sometimes, lol. Sometimes we just don’t want to talk to anyone because of whatever. It’s ok. Can I come and sit with you?

Thanks. I come and sit next to you, wherever that may be. We are in this together. I don’t know why this is happening, but let’s ask the One who knows and can help. Lets’s pray.

livingwater.jpg

Dear Lord,

I pray that you would hold ________ in your arms today. We are struggling and we need a place to rest. You said if we were weary we could come to You and You would give us rest. There are so many questions, and no answers. We don’t understand this. We sit at your feet Lord. We rest our heads on Your shoulder. Abba Father, help.

Lord, you know. Let us rest in the secret place with You and restore our hearts and minds. Heal our spirits Lord. Give us fresh annointing with your Holy Spirit and fill us up with the Living Water. We want to hide in You Lord, under the shadow of Your wings until we have the strength to get up. You are faithful Lord. You are our anchor in the storms. We need you Lord, in Jesus Name.

Psalm 91.jpg

Deliverance, faith, God, Healing, Kingdom Authority, power of words, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, words

God’s Word is Your Most Powerful Weapon in the Battle

When facing a trial or battle, the one thing that I have found to be my best weapon is the Word of God. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do NOT see yet. I have to exercise my faith and speak the Word of God over my situation.

Yes, I have been battling sickness and infirmity for the last year. The Drs keep ordering test after test and keep adding things to my chart for a diagnosis. (You can read about it here – Living Through a Season of Infirmity) But they are not God. God’s Word says I am HEALED already. I have to apply God’s Word to my body, just like I have to apply the ointment to my body and take the medicine the Dr. gave me.  God’s word will NOT return to Him void. It WILL accomplish that which it was set out to do! Speak it out! Our bodies may be our mountains, and they respond to our own voice. God promised that mountains would move when we SPEAK to them. Say Gods’ Word out loud, let your body hear it – and then watch and see what God does!

Do you have your Word ready?

Do you have the promises of God that apply to your situation?

That is your sword. Here are some of the promises of God I am using to build my faith and receive my healing.

God’s Word for Sickness:

And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. – Deuteronomy 7:15

He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions. – Psalm 107:20

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved,
For You are my praise. – Jeremiah 17:14

For I will restore health to you
And heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord,
‘Because they called you an outcast saying:
“This is Zion;
No one seeks her.” – Jeremiah 30:17

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. – Acts 10:37-38

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. – Luke 9:1

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they  will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” – Mark 16:15-18

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, 
But the Lord delivers him out of them all. – Psalm 34:19

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  – Isaiah 41:10

 So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. – Exodus 23:25

Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. – Isaiah 53:4-5

 

isaiah54

 

Deliverance, God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Living Through a Season of Infirmity

It has been a season of infirmity for me these past 7 months. I truly don’t know how I am still here. It must be the prayers of my friends that are bringing me to Jesus. Their prayers are making the difference. Let me elaborarte.

It started in July 2018, a simple ringing in my ear that would not go away. My Dr. sent me to the Audiologist. The Dr. ordered an MRI of my head. He wanted to rule out Brain Cancer. They did their tests and said I had Tinnitus – no brain cancer, thank you Jesus! There was nothing else they could do. Take more vitamin B he said.

Then in September I took a training job at work. It was a promotion, trial period of 3 weeks. I didn’t realize I would be on my feet for the whole time. I loved the job, however my legs went numb from the knees down with stabbing pain in my feet. When they asked me to stay on, I had to refuse due to this medical condition.

I went to my Dr, she referred me to the Neurologist. I did the most painful test ever – where they stick needles in your legs and shoot electricity through them to measure the nerve response. Diagnosis was Peripheral Neoruopathy in both legs. And again, nothing they could do but put me on meds.

I went back to my regular Dr. and she ordered an MRI of my spine now. It was more bad news – Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis (pinched nerves to both legs). They referred me to the Spine Clinic for pain. I saw that Dr. and I have an epidural with steroids scheduled for next week. Hopefully this will work.

In the meantime, my legs started shaking uncontrollably from the waist down. My Dr. has referred me back to Neurology to test for MS in February. Come on, really? I have been off work since November 2018 on FMLA and Short Term Disability. There have been many days I did not even want to get out of bed. I wake up 2-4 times per night due to the pain in my back and legs. I want my life back.

Also, had a breast exam in December – guess what – they found 2 lumps. Seriously? I had to go back for a second time and have an ultrasound – both lumps were benign, thank you Jesus!

Yes, it has been a season of infirmity for Ms. D.  I know that God is able to heal, and I am patiently waiting for my healing. I thank my friends for lowering me through the roof of this pain and into the arms of Jesus for my healing.  If it were not for their prayers, I don’t know how I would survive. Thank you and God bless you all!

This season of infirmity can get up and leave in Jesus Name! I am sick of it! Let the power of the Lord be present to heal!

heal

 

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.  Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him.  And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

 – Luke 5:17-20 NKJV

God, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Are You Part of the Inn Crowd or the Stable Few at Christmas?

We all like to go on vacations and stay at fancy hotels. The huge rooms with a gorgeous view, fuzzy towels and fancy furniture. Plus the wine and chocolates and the mints on the pillows. We all like to be pampered. There is nothing wrong with that once in a while.

And then there are the quiet places, when you use what you have and make it work. I can only imagine Mary going through labor and trying to find a quiet place to have her baby in between contractions. What do you think she said to Joseph during labor?

Do you think she was calm and collected? Maybe she waited in the lobby while Joseph went to the Inn Keeper to see if there was room at the Inn. She might have said, “Honey, Sweet Husband, please find me a place to have our baby,” in her sweet Mary voice.

No, I don’t think so. I have had four kids and labor was not a cake walk.  There was groaning, screaming, and a few words I can’t print here, lol! Maybe Mary was anxious and screaming during contractions, “If you don’t find me a bed, I am going to have this kid right here in the middle of the street!” Yep, that sounds more true.

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Can you imagine her reaction when Joseph told her there was no rom at the Inn? I wonder what she said then, lol! I’m sure the panic set in and the scrambling to find a place to have her baby. We have all been there. The jumping off place, in between a rock and a hard place with no idea what to do next.

That’s when God steps in. I bet Mary heard God in her spirit, and Joseph too – they remembered what God had told them already. God had sent her an Angel in the beginning:

 Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was.  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;  and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” – Luke 1:26-33 

So Mary knew that she would give birth to a son and call him Jesus! This kid was going to be born, and quickly. God knew what He was doing. He told us in the Old Testament what would happen:

 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). – Isaiah 7:14 

Can you imagine Joseph? Wife in labor, no place to have the baby at the Inn. I’m sure God directed him to the stable. In times of crisis, we look around and get very creative. As the protector of the family, I can see him taking Mary’s hand and leading her into the stable. At this point, I can imagine Mary just looking for somewhere soft to sit down. It was a long walk for them to get to Bethlehem, not to mention going into labor once they got there!

The straw looked good – a soft quiet place to sit and rest. I’ll bet Joseph grabbed the Manger and put in fresh straw. He probably took off his outer robe and helped Mary get comfortable. Then it was time for Baby Jesus to be born! As baby Jesus was born into the world, God in flesh, it had to be Joseph who got to deliver him. Can you imagine cutting the umbilical cord of Jesus? Knowing this was God? Wow, what a moment.Him

I wonder what kind of animals were there to witness the birth? I’m thinking there were donkeys and sheep. There are tons of cards out there, all with different pictures. Either way, they were there too. What a magnificent sight. In the quiet of the night the Savior of the World was born in a stable.

 

What about you? Are you an Inn kind of person or a stable kind of person? I like the quiet places to meet my Lord. I never was much for crowds anyway.

Let’s all take some time and baske in the presence of the Lord this Christmas. Let’s meet Him with awe and wonder in the quiet, just like the stable. Let’s get adventurous and look for God in all the places we wouldn’t expect Him! I’ll bet He is way bigger than a building anyway. Who knows what could happen next?

 

stable