Category Archives: Health and Healing

Talking the Positive. Facing the Endless Challenges.

by

0

Dad's University logo cropAt Dad’s University, we are gearing for a big Fall of changed lives. The power to change a life, a family, a neighborhood, a community, a state, a nation lies in our hands. Take 3 minutes and watch the video. Get a 3 min video update here.
Talking The Positive: Facing the Endless Challenge
Psalm 84:5 -7 adapted – What a joy is waiting for those who draw strength from the LORD and have set their minds on a journey to God’s heart and home. When their path takes them through a Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of fresh springs. After the pain and dryness, a season of blessing and rain will cover with favored love, hope, and faith. Strength will be stronger and you will appear before God’s heart and home a new person.
Life presents endless challenge. Many of those blips cause tears and tears. A tear drips and a tear scars. After a while, the scars become calloused and drudge ensues. Even a wet tear won’t soften the stiff heart torn by trauma.
A wise mentor once looked at me in a troublesome time. The prior year seemed to give no growth in our joint business endeavors. With years of experience, he looked at me and said, “Phil, you will find you have grown the most in the hardest times.” He was concerned more about my growth than $ performance. The $ performance would come. And it did come.
Other partners have not been so kind. Focus on greed and immediate gains leads many to live in the calloused world of paining others. It becomes more and more the American environment of discompassionate, inconsiderate, legalistic work and life.
In the coffee shop, my head was drooped over the study of Psalm 90,91, and 92. Really, personal time was all I wanted. From across the corner, a most painful look kept staring at me. The woman was obviously in deep distress. She was frozen and immoveable.
With a breath of prayer, I relinquished my personal time and said a quick prayer, “Father if there is a word of encouragement I can give, enable me. I really want to wallow in my own pain for a moment, but I sense You have another on this path this morning and wish me to be available.”
As I lifted my head, she looked directly at me and asked what I was studying. In conversation, she opened her journey and talked about her divorce, deep depression, hermitage for the last two years, and hope she could find a new life.
“I would just like to find peace.”
The pain was immense. In Psalm 90 there is a prayer that a season of blessing would come as tall as a season of pain was deep, that the season of blessing would be as long as the season of loss. She found some relief in that prayer and after 30 minutes, she left for the next assignment of her day and I finished my study.
A fresh spring of joy welled up in me. A joy I had not felt for some time bubbled in my soul. The surprising result of drying the tears of a stranger and speaking positive, faith-life was healing waters for me. God touches us in the valley.
The Father promises that we prosper in strength, faith, hope, love, courage, joy, goodness, and contented living when we focus on making the journey to His heart and home. Regardless of the “others”, we receive refreshing spring waters from under and rain waters from over of courage and blessing. We will be overtaken and encased in His touch.
Let’s Pray: Father, it is Your Heart and Home to which I journey. Keep me on the sure-footed path. When pain pummels, keep me on the sure-footed path. When tears stream from my face, keep me on the sure-footed path. When tears rip away tender flesh, keep me on the sure-footed path. Cause the fresh spring waters to bubble up from underneath when I can see no way forward. Cause the refreshing rains to pour over me when I have lived in heat and hurt for a season. Stir faith in me. Let me look to You and not to circumstance.

Need A Quiet Moment, Friend?

by

0

Isaiah 8:18 Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me.
As a businessman and community leader, I spend countless hours seeking audience with people. It is a tough and thankless task.
Jesus presents us to His Father as a gift. He makes it easy to get into the very throneroom of God. Through tremendous sacrifice, He opened a path for us into the presence of the holiest God. Then He takes us by the hand and walks us up to the Creator of All and presents us.
There is nothing we can do to earn that presentation. It is a gift to us received in Him.
That simple knowledge comforts me. The ability to quiet myself and know I don’t have to earn anything consoles me. I can rest in His acceptance and favor.
Friend, there is rest for you. There is favor for you.
Father, accept my friend alongside Your Son, Jesus. What a joy to know You will receive us. The Master of All opens His inner office to allow us entrance and audience. That is huge. Thanks, Father.

Meet Jesus : Unrelenting

by

0

Matthew 8:18: Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19: And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20: And Jesus saith unto him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

21: And another of his disciples said unto him, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” 22: But Jesus said unto him, “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

Excuse Me: Our human tendency is for excuses.  The opportunities of the moment are quickly passed by for the excuses of a lifetime.  One wanted comforts and a secure destination.  Another wanted to seal the family fortune and let the past generation find finality.  Jesus wanted them that day.  Jesus wants those who will go where there is no promise of a comfortable destination.  Jesus wants those who will go and let the prior generation either come along or resolve life on their own.  Jesus is unrelentingly in motion toward heaven.

 Garbage Man: At breakfast one morning a friend looked into the eyes of another friend.  Piercingly, he declared, “You are the garbage man!”  They had been discussing activities in the community.  The one was talking about going into hard places and developing and disciplining people in this gospel lifestyle.  His friend saw a thread.  The thread was finding struggling situations and bringing those to fruitful fields with tenacity and insight and time and effort.   The thread was taking what others reject and bringing it to full fruit.

 No Throw Aways: Taking what others would throw away and applying strong action is something many avoid.  Jesus embraced it.  It is His  daily bread and unrelenting task.  It meant not having a home at times as most would not follow Him into the hard spots or welcome Him when he came out smelling like a portion of mankind with which they were unfamiliar.  What is not ours and is not familiar looks and smells like garbage.  I remember working in nurseries as a young parent.  Changing my child’s diaper was easy.  Changing the diaper of a friend’s child was horrid.  The smell was unfamiliar.  At times, I would lean over a trash can in case I could not handle it and my stomach might revolt. 

Minister to Minister: This month, be a special blessing to some minister.  For the most part they are “garbage men”.  They take our hurts and pains and help us through to new light and life.  They could use a lift this clergy appreciation month.

 ACT!  Release an excuse that has been keeping you from full commitment to Jesus call on your life.  Think about how you would live if you had no financial attachments or no expectations of tomorrow’s fortune.

 PRAY!  Father, I am so weak.  My strength is small in the challenge of adversity.  Jesus came with no guantees of comfort or family or home.  He thought it not something to be grasped to be resident with You as King of the Universe in heaven.  He left throne and comfort to live among men.  Help me have  His way in me.

 

Meet Jesus : Unswayable

by

0

Matthew 8:16: When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

 Unstoppable: The unstoppable, unswayable nature of Jesus challenges my thoughts.  His persistence in the face of challenge is incredible.  Think about this situation.  He had just had a hard day, found Peter’s mother-in-law sick, settled down for a meal and relaxing with friends, and then the someone raps on the door.  “Jesus, come out quickly there is a mob of sick, demonized, bleeding, open-wounded, moaning people out here who want to see you.” 

 How would you respond?

 He healed all that were sick.  He cast out the spirits with His word. 

 ACT!  The next calendar challenge that comes to you, stop and take care of the interruption for the other person immediately.  See what happens.

 PRAY! Father, I want to be able to have the presence of mind of Jesus.  How incredible that He could stop at anytime and concentrate totally on the one pressing need in front of Him.  Teach me, Father.  Teach me to be ever able and ever present for people in need.

 

Meet Jesus : Family Love

by

0

Matthew 8:14: And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15: And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

Family: For all of us there are those special people we call family.  They may or may not be blood family.  They are special.  They are family.  For Jesus, Peter and anyone special to Peter became family.  This was Peter’s mother-in-law that moved the compassionate hand of God.  There is no hesitation in these verses.  It appears that Jesus went right to Peter’s mother-in-law.  Immediately, He healed family.

Family Followup: A new person came across the pastor’s path that week.  She was new to town and visiting church with her boyfriend.  On a follow up phone call, he found she had been sick for two days.  While getting acquainted a little more, he gently led into prayer.  The presence of God was sweet.  She needed that family touch.

 ACT!  Got family?  Maybe someone in your extended family or friend’s family is ailing in heart or mind or body.  Reach out a hand of friendship to them in prayer.  Let them know.

 PRAY!  Father of health and life.  I bring my family of friends before Your throne.  Take them into Your protection and love.  Take them into Your healing presence.  Bring them great joy today in You in Jesus.

 

He Gets You!

by

0

Dear friend, you are on my heart this morning as I pray through Psalm 73. In this psalm, Asaph struggles to understand how those that ignore God prosper while some who diligently pursue Him struggle. In verse 21 there is an angst recorded. Maybe you’ve been here. I’ll write it out in my style.

My heart grieves. My mind is distraught and confused. So disturbing is this moment, I thrash and yell like a caged animal looking for a way out. I pace and banter within my own mind. I just don’t get it. But I never quit looking to You. Somehow, I know You will get me through this moment. I’ll get it. I just have to stay with You. I’ll get it. You will get me there. You will get me where I need to go.

Really, where else would I go. Who do I have in heaven except You? Is there anyone on this planet to whom I could turn besides You? You are my strength, redeemer, friend, confidant, power, enablement, and friend. You get me when no one else gets me. You get it. You will get me there. You will get me where I need to go.

When I fail and question and just sit back and think about it, where could I go? And right now, I am tired. My mind and will and emotions are spent. You are my strength, my peace, my portion, my life, and the end of every search. You get it. You get me. You will get me there. You will get me where I need to go.
In the end of it all, I will find myself next to You and You next to me and that is really all I need.
So I pray this morning, friend, that you get it. If there is an angst you don’t understand, I pray you thrash it out with an understanding God. He’ll get you there. He gets you.

Happy Father’s Day

by

0

sarynandpopaFather’s Day comes with mixed emotions. Some have great fathers and some have fathers absent in body or mind or emotion. Some have lost their fathers to divorce or death or disease. Some struggle to know how to be a father. It is certainly a hard task.
Be encouraged today that God, the heavenly Father, is committed to you. He will see you through life as only the best father can. Earthly fathers will fail us, but He is always with us. He is committed to love you, believe in you, forgive you, encourage you, and stand beside you. He will see you through.
Happy Father’s Day to every dad on the job out there.
Happy Father’s Day to the heavenly Father.
He will see you through, friend.

The 20 Second Principle

by

0

This snippet of Paul’s perspective challenges.  What you believe comes out your eyes, your heart, your actions, your mouth, and every expression.  Lots of folks talk.  But when the door is closed, what words are speaking in your mind?  Are they faith?

2 Corinthians 4

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Light of Christ’s Gospel

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We arehard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

 

Wakings:  Each morning I wake with a song.  Really, it happens.  Right now it is, “I shall not be moved.”  and I am smiling, almost laughing.

The 20 Second Principle:  When something comes up I can’t fix or find a solution quickly (like 20 seconds), I put it to prayer.  My back fence blew down in the spring storms.  “God, when will I get time to dig new posts, put up fence, pay for it?”  Go for it, God.”  Yesterday, my wife exclaimed, “Where did the back fence go?” Someone took it away.  I was only going to fix two panels, but the entire fence was gone.  In it’s place were steel poles neatly spaced and professionally installed.  I imagine today an entire fence will appear.   All new.  All professional.  All paid for by the neighbor.  All free in Jesus.  Thanks, Father.

Someone asked about budget for an item at the church.  We are a mission.  People are just learning that time, talent, and treasure must be contributed for a congregation to thrive and reach out.  Money doesn’t fall from heaven.  It comes out of bank accounts.  We are dedicated for every dime to proclaim the good news of Jesus’ love.

So, I responded, “We don’t have any money so what do you need?”  Simple right?  The 20 second principle says, “I can’t fix it.  It needs done.  Give it to God and let Him show up.”

Last night, I set a budget. “Okay, God, this will work for the next 90 days.”  Today, I received an email from a legislator, who wants to help us reach families.  He’s sending the money.  It will be what we need.

I believe therefore I speak:  It really is that simple.  I believe God has my back.  I believe God “ will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young (Isaiah 40:11)”  For me, that means if we are always adding new family and receiving new faith and new lookers, we will have what we need.

So what do you believe?  Really believe.

Passion for Health

by

0

What is missing for you?  Great people find balanced living “all in” with results of  health in body, mind, will, emotions, finances, spirit, and eternal futures.

Join in for our conversation….

Be a doer of the word and not a hearer only…share with me what action you are going to take.  Me, I’ve decided to increase my personal time in prayer and devotion.  I’ve been too busy for others and need that focus time with my Father.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

A Lenten Log

by

0

Reclaiming Easter Facebook 403x403In 1999, I took a 50 day journey of prayer and fast.  This Lent, I remember those moments that recreated my soul.  Here are some notes from before blogging became blogging.

Go ahead and print this out and use for the next seven days.  I’ll post another next Wednesday.

Day One

As we begin our prayer journey for the saints, remember those who have gone before us. Men as Andrew Murray, Hudson Taylor, A.W. Tozer, C.T. Studd, Reese Howells, Jeremiah Lanphier, Jonathon Edwards, and others have at times seemed mystical in their quest for deeper understanding of God and at times seem mystifying. Gods way can seem mystical. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. His ways are higher than our ways. Hopefully, as we go into the insights of scripture in relation to praying for the saints, we will journey old roads for some and new trails for others. At a minimum, they will be exciting roads for us. Roads of change and passionate zeal for the heart of God.

There is much in the Word concerning prayer for the saints. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob blessed the ones to follow. Moses prophesied results. The prophets always prayed for Godliness.

Saints need prayer. Each day is a new opportunity for growth or regression. God goes for growth. Prayer paves the path.

FOCUS: Prayer is a silent encouragement, a sure exhortation, a provoking to greater works through unseen and unheard motions in the realm of the heavens worked out on earth.

Psalm One and Proverbs One.

 

Day Two

God is my witness.

Over and over we need a witness that is reliable. God is my reliable witness. Think. Life assaults with dilemmas. People accuse of impropriety. God is a positive witness. He sees the good and reports it to others. Remember that God is my witness and the witness for all the saints.

Father, testify on my behalf. Declare in Your courts the good things. Speak favor for the saints in the marketplace. Boast for the saints as any Father for a child.

Praying for the saints should be with knowledge and discernment. Philippians chapter 1 includes prayer from Paul that includes both.

The objectives of prayer are growth, protection, restoration, expansion in all areas.

Necessity dictates too much in our lives. Life should follow God’s footsteps as our pathway (Psalm 85). Too much is determined by our lack of resistance. Resistance from the world system will always come. Our charter is persistence against resistance. Continued gentle and every so often violent persistence breaks the wall.

At Jerico, Joshua and God’s people broke through resistance. Beginning with a gentle determination they built their courage. Endurance was strengthened by daily obedience. Then came the violent break through. Paul constantly spoke on endurance. This key factor can be the major determiner of any battle. Who will endure? Who will fight on? Pray for endurance for the saints.

FOCUS: Change. Be violent to change to new ways. Don’t return to the old. Psalm 85.

Psalm Two and Proverbs Two.

 

Day Three

Creative juices flow best unhindered. The creativity of the soul is unbounded in Jesus. No matter what the conditions of life, he supplies fresh, living waters to refresh and fulfill us.

The supply is inexhaustible.

The supply is ample.

The supply is rich.

The supply is overwhelming.

He is the fountain of living waters, the well spring of eternal life.

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord of hosts. His Spirit is a Holy Spirit. A life giving oil of supply that never runs dry is He. Our lamp is never dimmed because His anointing oil is ever strong and flowing. Drink of His oil. It is a river of oil. In this oil we grow fat and flourish strong.

FOCUS: Drink with peace. The river brings peace. Cease from fretting.

Psalm Three and Proverbs Three

 

Day Four

Weariness drains creativity and resolve. We must find rest in Jesus. No matter the reason for our restlessness, rest is in Him. “Come unto Me all you who are weak and heavy burdened and you will find rest for your souls.”

FOCUS: Rest in Him. He is the shadow of a great rock in a dry and weary land.

Psalm Four and Proverbs Four

 

Day Five

 

Rest is a state of being, repose of the spirit of man. In Hebrews the writer explains that faith enters into rest or does not enter to God’s presence. Rest ceases from works. Rest is more than peace. Rest is repose of the soul. Labor cease. Striving disappears. Rest takes confident possession of the territory promised and does not relinquish its position. “Come unto Me all you weary and heavy laden and I will giver you rest for your souls.”

FOCUS: Rest. Relax from labors and allow God His pleasure to fulfill our destiny.

Psalm Five and Proverbs Five

 

Day Six

I give you beauty for ashes.

I give you joy for mourning.

I give you light for darkness and brightness in the gloom.

I will give you grace for the hard days and strength for the task, endurance for the duration that always you will last and last and last and last.

Routine. It is routine that will produce these.

FOCUS: Step into greatness.

Psalm Six and Proverbs Six

 

Day Seven

 

God has great plans for us. They include those around us. They include the protection we need to accomplish them.

In life, we have dwellings. Our mind, our heart, our home, our marriage, our family, our workgroups, and our playgroups are all dwelling places where we spend time and thought. Our tomorrows are cultivated in these places. The environment we provide for growth is important. The cultivation of right relationship is crucial and impacts a long time our development.

FOCUS: Develop relationships. Blow off the dust of the years. Take action.

Psalm Seven and Proverbs Seven