Tag Archives: healing

November 15, 2016 · 7:34 am

INCREASING AND DECREASING

About 26 years ago, before the Addison’s Disease was discovered, (see “The Addison’s Battle,” http://nowwhat.cog7.org), I struggled to know why I weighed only 79 pounds, why I could barely walk up the stairs, why I couldn’t eat.

A verse came to me: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) Why this verse? Why not one about God’s care for me? Why not one about healing? Why not a verse about God working everything out for our good? I think I may know the answer: When a middle-aged lady turns to skin-and-bones, it’s difficult for her to think or talk about anything but herself. This reminder said, “Marty, it’s still not about you. It’s about Me, and when you get that straight, your problem might find a solution.”

Layer-by-layer, I’ve found, and continue to find, solutions. God provides the right doctors, encouragers and common-sense answers–and a great husband and family just when I need them.

Several years ago, when I visited a friend in the hospital, I saw a young man standing in a corridor. Likely a loved one had a critical illness. He  exclaimed over-and-over, “Jesus!, Jesus!, Jesus!”He spoke clearly, did not seem out of control. I knew he wasn’t a crazy man. He simply knew the only Person with the answer: Jesus!

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My two daughters live 30 miles away and 30 air hours away! Instead of worry, I’d like to whisper it as I lie in bed, wanting God to protect these my children and my children’s children: Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
Though I once weighed 79 pounds, I now sit at my computer with swollen feet, thinking I could pop them with a pin. I struggle to find shoes my feet will slide into. Other physical issues concern me. Though none of them seems critical, I want this to be my response, asking for help from the Great Healer: Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
Nearly a week ago, we elected a new leader for our great country. Some like him, some don’t. If we like him, we might trust the president instead of the King of kings. If we don’t like him, we may give up and not trust anyone. So, let’s trust God no matter what our political leanings. Only He and our individual and collective hearts turned toward Him can make the big difference in our troubled souls and troubled land. Instead of rioting, let’s shout it from our homes, our neighborhoods and our cities–and in the streets: Jesus!, Jesus!, Jesus!

Whether you’re tired of your big fat feet; whether your kids live in Australia or next-door; whether you like or dislike our present leaders, let’s allow God to increase in our lives as we decrease. In the end, I believe we will increase in ways we never imagined, as we cry, Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

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May 4, 2015 · 7:19 am

MUD PIES

This blog is dedicated to my husband, David Magee, who just turned 70. Happy Birthday to a great guy who often sticks to something even if it means swallowing a little dirt. I’m not sure why the determination this time. Maybe he wanted to show the other kids he was the real deal. Or maybe he just needed the minerals.

I love to tell the story,
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.
I Love to tell the Story,
A. Catherine Hankey

MUD PIES

“David and Bobbie and I used to make mud pies. Bobbie and I pretended to eat ours and then threw them over our shoulders. David ate his.”
“You guys were wimps,” David responded with a grin.
David and Gary’s friendship spans over 65 years. They remember riding tricycles and playing cowboys together. Every time we meet, we tell the same stories as if for the first time. We laugh and cry just as hard each time we hear them.
Once when we got together, our daughter, Judy, joined us. “I know a lot more about you now, Dad. I think I have enough scoop to blackmail you.”
When we get together, we tell another Story over and over. We share different experiences, but all come through the shed blood of Jesus.
My sister, Jodie, and I talk almost daily. We compare grandkid episodes—her nine grands and seven great-grands and my five grands. One of us grammar fanatics might call the other for no other reason than to share a misplaced modifier she read in the newspaper. Jodie keeps me informed on current events.
We also discuss the Old and New Covenants, Jesus’ healing ministry, predestination and free will. We compare sermon notes—taken 2200 miles apart. We may not always agree, but there’s that desire to dig in and learn more of the old, old story.
Denise rarely talks to me without sharing a word from the Word.
My 99-year-old mother lives with us. When she’s not making New Mexico enchiladas, biscuits or lemon pie, she’s usually sitting on the porch with her nose in her Bible. I can’t walk out to say good morning without her stopping me: “Listen to this. I’ve never noticed this verse before.” Or, “what do you think this means?” She’s one of those who know it best, but she’s still hungering and thirsting for more.
One of these days, we’ll celebrate in glory. We’ll talk about mud pies and Jesus’ love.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47

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January 27, 2015 · 2:27 am

HOW DO YOU HEAL A BLIND MAN?

“He touched their eyes…and their sight was restored.” (Matthew 9:29-30)
Touching their eyes. That must be the way to heal blind people. That’s not hard. That and a little faith on the blind man’s part and we have it made.
…..
“They brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.” (Matthew 12:22)

…..
“He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’
“He looked up and said, ‘I see people; they look like trees walking around.’
“Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” (Mark 8:22-25)
Oh no, this time he had to take him clear out of town, spit on his eyes and put his hands on him twice. It didn’t even happen all at once.

…..
“He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ wash in the pool of Siloam.” (John 9:6-7)

Maybe God doesn’t have a formula for healing the blind. Maybe He works one way in your life and another way in mine. Maybe the important lesson is to stay in close touch with Him so we’ll know which way He’s working.
This is not to say there are no absolutes. “Ye must be born again” is an absolute. However, some folks were born again when they walked the aisle of a church. Some, like my husband, received the assurance of eternal life in a cold basement. Some, like me, may have knelt by their bed and said, “Lord, I want to know You.”
The Trinity, the infallibility of the Bible, the reality of heaven and hell—these are absolutes. But how God goes about revealing them to us is up to Him.
Want to help a blind man find his sight? Want to know what God wants from you? Want to live happy? Want to know which way is the right way to do something?
Pore over your Bible. Talk to God, and then listen to Him.
Before you go spitting in someone’s eye, make sure you’ve gotten your orders from the great Healer.
(This devotion was taken from a sermon by Jack Williams)

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