Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Hope is what I Need
I was busy painting a picture one afternoon when I heard my dog barking. I had a visitor who was not familiar in the house.
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She was about 35 years old and pretty but her face was so gloomy and sad. I invited her to take a seat. In a very casual way, I asked her about her problem. While she was telling me her story, I continued painting; I was in a rush, as my customer expected it to be completed by the following day.
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This is her story. She is married and has a child. The relationship went well until her husband started an affair with another woman. Their wonderful relationship ended when this other woman came into their lives. The happy, peaceful couple turned into the worse of enemies. The husband would now shout at her, discourage her, you name it! In other words, the lover, the protector, the provider became the predator.
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When I heard that, without thinking, I asked her if she has a lawyer, and if not, I could recommend one to her. I could not pacify her, she was crying and in pain. Then she stood up and bid goodbye, without saying a word.
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When I heard that, without thinking, I asked her if she has a lawyer, and if not, I could recommend one to her. I could not pacify her, she was crying and in pain. Then she stood up and bid goodbye, without saying a word.
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I was staring at her as she walked away, then I heard the voice of the Lord in my heart telling me to make her sit down again and to I pray for her. I called her immediately and asked her to join me in prayer. After we prayed, I told her to fight for her right and the right of their child. This man is her husband and the father of their child. I told her about the sanctity of marriage. Her husband is the same person who was once so sweet and gentle before he changed. I told her not to do anything that would harm their relationship but to go to God and ask for help.
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I taught her how to pray and to believe in her prayer, and that she also needed to change. At the time that her husband was sinning, she was too, because of her reaction she said a lot of things that could harm the husband, and this may be the reason why the husband was easily lured away into the arms of another woman. I gave her many words of encouragement that afternoon.
I taught her how to pray and to believe in her prayer, and that she also needed to change. At the time that her husband was sinning, she was too, because of her reaction she said a lot of things that could harm the husband, and this may be the reason why the husband was easily lured away into the arms of another woman. I gave her many words of encouragement that afternoon.
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For the first time in our conversation, I saw her smile. She held my hand and thanked me. Then she told me that when I told her earlier to separate from her husband and that I would help her find a lawyer, she felt that life was worthless and that afternoon planned to committed suicide!
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I was speechless. What would have happened if God had not told me to call her back to pray; If I had just let my emotions rule me. And just carried on with my painting because it was a paid job I needed to finish ? I felt terrible and unworthy of serving my God.
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I felt so sorry for being me and not being with God. I was so sorry that my emotions seem to overpower me. I was so sorry that I did not feel the need of the person in front of me. I was sorry that I took the spirit of God in me for granted and initially failed to use the gift of discernment. I was so sorry that I almost rejected God just because I could not to be bothered. Imagine, my selfishness could have killed this woman and ruined the entire family.
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That afternoon, I went to my God, asking for forgiveness, dedicating myself to Him. I Prayed deeply to be always sensitive to the needs of others.
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My prayer. Lord, here I am your servant. Help me to be able to do Your will to the last detail and to be sensitive to the needs of others. Anoint me with your Spirit of peace and authority to reconcile man to you and to others, and to give hope to the hopeless. Make me a true servant of Yours now and forever. Amen
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The Sanctuary
A song called "The Sanctuary" by Paul Lisney and Pictures of the Schoenstatt Shrine In Manchester, UK ..starring Eppie !
Saturday, March 22, 2008
I am not an Angel of death..... I am a story teller
I was asked by a friend to visit a very sick friend of his in the hospital. I obliged and met a middle aged lady who was suffering from breast cancer (stage 4), which had already metastasized and spread to the bones. The pain was so great that even morphine had little effect.
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She looked at me and said, "I asked for you because I wanted you to pray for me to die, because I can not stand the pain anymore, please help me die". I stared at her and I said, "I am not an angel of death, nor am I a healer; I am a story teller".
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In my pocket I had a piece of cotton wool soaked in holy oil wrapped in a little plastic bag. I rubbed it on her body while I was telling her a story of a Man who died for her, a Man who purchased her with His Blood. A Man whose sacrifice meant she could have eternal life.
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I told her the story from the Bible (Matt 25 31-46) that when we are called to His kingdom He will ask her a question, a question she was not be able to answer, "if He asked you what you have done for Him, what is your answer"? She was so silent and then she cried, telling me that she could not think of anything that she had done for Him. So, I told her to beg God to give her more time so as to be able to answer Him when the time comes for Him to ask her that question.
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I laid my hands over her heart and we prayed, together with her family and visitors. After a few moments, I left.
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Four days after that visit, I received a phone call. The lady said that during the time that I was rubbing her body with the holy oil and telling her a story, all the pain left her. The doctor insisted that she take morphine, because the pain at that stage ought to be unbearable. The doctor could not believe that she had no pain and summoned a nurse to convince her.
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Instead, the lady asked them for solid food, (previously she could not eat anything solid). Since then she has had no more pain. She asked to be prayed over again, but I suggested that she pray in thanksgiving instead and to be honest and sincere in fulfilling her pledge to do something for the Lord. Then she prayed intently.
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A few days later, my friend called me, and he said that the lady had left the hospital and felt well again. I went to God to praise and thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him.
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My prayer. Lord, thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me to proclaim your kingdom here on earth. You made me a witness of you power and glory. I introduced Your wonderful name and Your works, and it produced healing, not only physically but also spiritually. Give me the enthusiasm to tell your stories with passion so that Your people may receive You and be healed. This I pray in Jesus name. Amen
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She looked at me and said, "I asked for you because I wanted you to pray for me to die, because I can not stand the pain anymore, please help me die". I stared at her and I said, "I am not an angel of death, nor am I a healer; I am a story teller".
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In my pocket I had a piece of cotton wool soaked in holy oil wrapped in a little plastic bag. I rubbed it on her body while I was telling her a story of a Man who died for her, a Man who purchased her with His Blood. A Man whose sacrifice meant she could have eternal life.
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I told her the story from the Bible (Matt 25 31-46) that when we are called to His kingdom He will ask her a question, a question she was not be able to answer, "if He asked you what you have done for Him, what is your answer"? She was so silent and then she cried, telling me that she could not think of anything that she had done for Him. So, I told her to beg God to give her more time so as to be able to answer Him when the time comes for Him to ask her that question.
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I laid my hands over her heart and we prayed, together with her family and visitors. After a few moments, I left.
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Four days after that visit, I received a phone call. The lady said that during the time that I was rubbing her body with the holy oil and telling her a story, all the pain left her. The doctor insisted that she take morphine, because the pain at that stage ought to be unbearable. The doctor could not believe that she had no pain and summoned a nurse to convince her.
.
Instead, the lady asked them for solid food, (previously she could not eat anything solid). Since then she has had no more pain. She asked to be prayed over again, but I suggested that she pray in thanksgiving instead and to be honest and sincere in fulfilling her pledge to do something for the Lord. Then she prayed intently.
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A few days later, my friend called me, and he said that the lady had left the hospital and felt well again. I went to God to praise and thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him.
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My prayer. Lord, thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me to proclaim your kingdom here on earth. You made me a witness of you power and glory. I introduced Your wonderful name and Your works, and it produced healing, not only physically but also spiritually. Give me the enthusiasm to tell your stories with passion so that Your people may receive You and be healed. This I pray in Jesus name. Amen
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Time is Now
For me time is one of the most precious gifts God has given us. It is more precious than, silver, gold or the most flawless diamond. We all live within the context of time. Time never stops, nor will it ever go backwards. No amount of power can bring back time. Time is always of the essence. It is a now thing. To enjoy the benefit of the time given to us is to use it to our advantage with God.
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I remember many years ago, I was requested to visit a dying man. All the relatives were present. I asked everyone to come near the bed of the dying person. I started with a prayer of repentance and forgiveness. After the prayer, the family reached out to each other and embraced each other. Not long after our prayer the man died.
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I was again invited by the family, 40 days after his death, to a gathering to pray for the soul. When I entered the house, they were all so glad that I came. It seemed like I was their special guest. The wife came to me and introduced me to all the family members. I was amazed that those present there also included a second family.
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The wife told me their story. The husband left them 20 years ago for another woman. They saw him for the first time in 20 years in the hospital. The people present in the hospital were the first family and the second family of the dying man.
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Without me knowing what the situation was, in the hospital before his death, I called them all to participate in prayers and I even requested that we hold hands in a prayer chain and they complied. The two families held hands and we prayed for repentance and forgiveness. After the prayer they were all touched by the Lord, embraced each other and forgave one another. Shortly after that the man expired.
I was again invited by the family, 40 days after his death, to a gathering to pray for the soul. When I entered the house, they were all so glad that I came. It seemed like I was their special guest. The wife came to me and introduced me to all the family members. I was amazed that those present there also included a second family.
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The wife told me their story. The husband left them 20 years ago for another woman. They saw him for the first time in 20 years in the hospital. The people present in the hospital were the first family and the second family of the dying man.
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Without me knowing what the situation was, in the hospital before his death, I called them all to participate in prayers and I even requested that we hold hands in a prayer chain and they complied. The two families held hands and we prayed for repentance and forgiveness. After the prayer they were all touched by the Lord, embraced each other and forgave one another. Shortly after that the man expired.
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My visit to pray for the family was perfect timing. It was the time to forgive, time to forget the past, and to be reconciled. For a very long time every one, especially the children from the first family, hated the father so much that even on his dead bed, they were not concerned about the fathers predicament. But the prayer that day made the difference; they all got healed and accepted each other.
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My visit to pray for the family was perfect timing. It was the time to forgive, time to forget the past, and to be reconciled. For a very long time every one, especially the children from the first family, hated the father so much that even on his dead bed, they were not concerned about the fathers predicament. But the prayer that day made the difference; they all got healed and accepted each other.
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Looking back, this family suffered for a long time. Pains, hurts and anger devoured them. For a long time, they never enjoyed life. It is so frustrating to live with hate and anger. It was only when they were totally reconciled that they were able to enjoy the true meaning of life. For a long time, they were imprisoned by pain, hurt and anger. For a long time, having pains was a natural feeling.
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Now, I understand that to live life is to be set free and that life is too short, it is time to make a choice; to stay imprisoned or to be set free. In this story, there are a lot of things to learn; especially that to forgive is to be set free. To be forgiven is peace. And I also learned that now is the time to receive freedom, peace and joy. Be set free now, for us enjoy life to the fullest.We can not do this on our own, this is the reason why Jesus died on the cross, to set us free. Let us ask God to help us be set free. It is a now thing.
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Now, I understand that to live life is to be set free and that life is too short, it is time to make a choice; to stay imprisoned or to be set free. In this story, there are a lot of things to learn; especially that to forgive is to be set free. To be forgiven is peace. And I also learned that now is the time to receive freedom, peace and joy. Be set free now, for us enjoy life to the fullest.We can not do this on our own, this is the reason why Jesus died on the cross, to set us free. Let us ask God to help us be set free. It is a now thing.
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My prayer. God, I can not be set free on my own. Jesus, you purchased me with your blood. I do not own myself anymore, because you own me. I totally surrender myself to You. Please take over, please heal my pains. Since you own me Lord, please forgive them through me. It has been a long time that I have been suffering because of negativity in my heart. Heal me NOW, Lord. It is my desire to live life to the fullest. Thank you Lord. Amen
Friday, March 7, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
What is Wisdom ?
A friend came to me once and asked me, "Can we ask God what wisdom is?".
This friend of mine is a person who was so ‘vocal’ about everything; she belongs to a born again group. Every time she met somebody with a different faith than hers, she will boldly correct them and fight with them regarding faith.
This friend of mine is a person who was so ‘vocal’ about everything; she belongs to a born again group. Every time she met somebody with a different faith than hers, she will boldly correct them and fight with them regarding faith.
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Correcting her would be the end of our friendship, she kept on telling me not to conform.The way she presented her knowledge about her faith was so antagonizing to people.
The question she asked, gave me the opportunity to really understand what God thought of her attitude. In my silence, I asked God what is wisdom for her. I received in my heart the meaning of wisdom for her, and God answered, "To her my child, wisdom is to curtail her tongue".
God is love and He is a God of order and a God of reconciliation and not division. The manner in which she was presenting God to others is not reconciling anyone to God but causing them to reject Him. I told her the meaning of wisdom for her as God told me. The answer to her question made her realize that she was not doing God any favours. That changed her, she became sweeter and learned to watch her words and started to respect other people.
The question she asked, gave me the opportunity to really understand what God thought of her attitude. In my silence, I asked God what is wisdom for her. I received in my heart the meaning of wisdom for her, and God answered, "To her my child, wisdom is to curtail her tongue".
God is love and He is a God of order and a God of reconciliation and not division. The manner in which she was presenting God to others is not reconciling anyone to God but causing them to reject Him. I told her the meaning of wisdom for her as God told me. The answer to her question made her realize that she was not doing God any favours. That changed her, she became sweeter and learned to watch her words and started to respect other people.
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This question moved me to ask Him too. He answered me in a very sweet gentle voice, "My child, wisdom is My thoughts". I know that but, how can I have it? I went deeper in His word, it says there, anything you asked in Jesus name, the Father will give. So, that is the key to receiving God's wisdom.
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His words are so simple, and very direct. I cling to this every time that people come to me for counseling. and I am truly so happy serving Him in the Spirit of wisdom, because, I see people healed without me making any effort. God is love and He loves His people; it is His desire for us to be healed and reconciled. Wisdom is our daily living, our breath, our strength, and needed every moment of our life.
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I used to be afraid to counsel or even to pray for healing, now, I am no longer afraid. I know, and I know in my heart, that this is not my work but God's. All I have to do is to surrender to him my own wisdom and pray for the anointing of His wisdom to do His work. I bless the Lord for giving me His wisdom when somebody needs it.
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My prayer for wisdom. “Cleanse me O Lord, from all unrighteousness so that wisdom may dwell in my heart, to be given to your people who need You through me. May Your word be my word, that would lead them to receive You and to receive healing, physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually . Amen."
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Let it be .. by the Beatles
Let it Be - The Beatles
An archive video of the Beatles performing the song 'Let it be'
Feel free to sing along !!
An archive video of the Beatles performing the song 'Let it be'
Feel free to sing along !!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Our God is an Awesome God
A video with pictures of scenes from the book of Exodus and the deliverance from Eygpt and a soundtrack by a Messianic Jewish band called Katuv visit
http://www.katuvmusic.com/
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