Well i have one of those stories tonight, that only a Father could make real.
Tonight as a family we were all hanging in the bonus room of our home, enjoying a simple time together. Justus and I had played some basketball at the gym earlier, and quite frankly he smelled like a boy. So i directed him off to the shower and went back to the rest of us playing in the bonus room. A little while later, as Justus finished his shower, we heard a small "crash" and then Justus cry for help, Jess made it to his room first, i was with Corina.
However Justus kept screaming, so i gave Nate quick instructions how to stay with Coco, and as i raced down our hall way, Jess began to yell for me as well. Justus had opened up his large dresser in his room in such a way, that it fell on him, and onto the lower half of his right leg. As i entered into his room, the dresser was still there on top of his leg. Its about 50-60 pounds and Jess had just started to work to get it off of him.
I grabbed the dresser and threw it off of him, saw his right leg and instructed Jess to leave to get Coco as i assessed the situation. His right leg was out of joint at the knee for sure. Unfortunately, this is not the first time in my life i had seen a leg that was popped out of joint. I looked in Justus' eyes, he was scared. I asked him to show me where it hurt, and if he could move it. Through tears he touched his right knee on the outside, and no he could not bend it. Now i was scared.
He kept apologizing over and over again, "i am sorry daddy, i am sorry, i did not mean for it to fall on my leg." I looked him in the eye, loved him with my words, and reassured him, he was going to be ok. I then took a look at the leg again, and it was crooked bad. I explained to him what it mean to have a leg out of joint, and that we were going to need to go to the hospital. This freaked him out, but again, we worked through what that meant through tears and hugs.
I immediately called the local non-emergency number, explained to them that this dresser had fallen on my son's leg, and it was out of socket. I asked them to tell me if i should call an ambulance or not. The person on the other line, explained they could not make that recommendation, that was up to me. Not satisfied with that answer i hung up on them and i called a friend who was a doctor. Richard understood quickly my concerns of moving Justus and explained to me, how to do it so that i could protect his leg while taking him to the hospital.
Slowly, through much pain, Justus and I worked to get him dressed in some shorts and a tshirt. Then just before i was going to pick him up, i looked in his eyes one more time. I moved in close and held him as tight as i could with my hand gently on his leg and prayed a very short prayer, "God please protect my son's leg as i move him, and please heal him in Jesus name." As i moved away to position myself to pick him up. Justus immediately looked at me with this dazed stare, "um daddy", yeah buddy i replied. "I don't know how but i can move my leg" he said. Sure enough i looked at it again, and something was hugely different, almost like his leg was straight. I asked him, are you sure, he said "yeah it feels totally different."
And then without command, he bent his knee, no issues. I screamed for Jess in such a frantic voice, she came running from the other room. Later she told me she figured i either had found more damage, or something else had happened. She was on the phone with a friend, who was headed our way to care for the babies as i was going to head to the hospital. As she came in, i was weeping all over my son. God who is able to exceedingly and abundantly more than i ask had popped his leg back in place.
Jess looked at if a few times, and told her friend, "um, i don't need you now and will call you back."
You have to understand this all happened in like 3 minutes. It was crazy. I asked Justus to walk with his mom around the house to be sure. And "thanks be to God!" it was and is. I called Richard back and explained to him what had happened, he celebrated with us, and then confirmed my thought of icing it and getting Justus some tylenol for the pain just in case.
As Jess and i put the boys down tonight for bed, we were reflecting on that 3 minutes. And i recounted my time of prayer with Justus. To be really honest, i did not pray with expectation of a supernatural healing of his leg right there and then. I just prayed with trust knowing that God can do anything, and that i am to ask. So my prayer was short and simple. And God showed up in a way that even surprised me.
Tonight was a reminder, that even in the midst of what is a scary moment of life, our faith is a simple one. "Trust me", says the Father. "All your cares, cast them on me. Not in majestic new-religious terms. Honestly, authentically, simply trust me."
I pray that our testimony will be a simple reminder to you as well, that God is not absent. He is not only fully alive, He is fully present. He is calling all of us to a simple faith, in everything "Trust Him." Thanks for celebrating with us God's hand on our family.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Stay On The Path
Like i am sure a few do, i tend to find plenty of quiet time while on the elliptical. So i devour the scriptures and then worship a bit.
This morning, i was given a gift. The Lord provided me with a vision. I was a 5yr old child, and was walking on a narrow dirt path. In front of me 20-30 feet was the Lord. He was in all white, brilliant, yet not overwhelming. I ran to catch up to him, as fast as my little legs would allow.
As i reached him I joyfully danced around Him, like a small boy does when they are telling their dad about an amazing adventure they were just on. As I danced and ran around Him, He continued to look on me with gracious, loving eyes. His face was so kind.
Then He grabs my hand and brings me to a stop, He comes down on one knee and looks me in the eyes. His face turned to one of warning. Though i could not hear what he said, I was understanding none the less. He kept pointing towards the narrow path we had been walking on, looking ahead. It is then that I saw, large wolves on either side of the path. Not just 2 in one place, but up the path quite aways, I would see them pop their heads towards the path and then run off. The one thing I knew from Jesus words was that "no matter what" I was not to leave the path.
I then asked Jesus a question, assuming i was alone with Him, "Jesus what about all your children, how can I reach them if i just stay on the path?" It was at that moment that i looked ahead again, and there around me were hundreds of thousands of children, all dancing in full joy around Jesus. And yet all were in full joy, but on the path. It was not chaotic at all, instead very peaceful, and right.
As I wondered at this sight, and joined in, I noticed that along the path ahead there was a clear (almost bubble like) wall between the path and either side. As i danced, I would see a child come through the bubble and into the path with us. Joining in immediately with the rest of us in the dance.
I then understood from Jesus what he was saying. If i stay on the path, my life, in full child like joy, will attract those who have yet chosen the path. So I continued to dance.
This time, I began to look back to see who else was coming on the path, again there were children as far as the eye could see dancing around, I could also see some coming through the bubble wall onto the path. However, Jesus again grabbed my hand, this time I could hear what He said, and He did not need to get down on my level. "Don't look back, your life's worship of me attracts for eternity. Long after you have passed the point you are at on the path, other children will be attracted to the path by your worship. However, you are to stay focused on the now, and the future. There is nothing you can do to effect what has happened earlier on the path, that is for me to care for."
So once again i returned to dancing around Him, and enjoying walking on the path. It was an amazing end to the vision.
I am reminded of Romans 12: 1+2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
As you live today on the path, may you find the child like faith enjoy the dance, and be fully present. Not worrying about yesterday, but instead focused on Him now and forever. Whatever you do, "Stay on the Path."
This morning, i was given a gift. The Lord provided me with a vision. I was a 5yr old child, and was walking on a narrow dirt path. In front of me 20-30 feet was the Lord. He was in all white, brilliant, yet not overwhelming. I ran to catch up to him, as fast as my little legs would allow.
As i reached him I joyfully danced around Him, like a small boy does when they are telling their dad about an amazing adventure they were just on. As I danced and ran around Him, He continued to look on me with gracious, loving eyes. His face was so kind.
Then He grabs my hand and brings me to a stop, He comes down on one knee and looks me in the eyes. His face turned to one of warning. Though i could not hear what he said, I was understanding none the less. He kept pointing towards the narrow path we had been walking on, looking ahead. It is then that I saw, large wolves on either side of the path. Not just 2 in one place, but up the path quite aways, I would see them pop their heads towards the path and then run off. The one thing I knew from Jesus words was that "no matter what" I was not to leave the path.
I then asked Jesus a question, assuming i was alone with Him, "Jesus what about all your children, how can I reach them if i just stay on the path?" It was at that moment that i looked ahead again, and there around me were hundreds of thousands of children, all dancing in full joy around Jesus. And yet all were in full joy, but on the path. It was not chaotic at all, instead very peaceful, and right.
As I wondered at this sight, and joined in, I noticed that along the path ahead there was a clear (almost bubble like) wall between the path and either side. As i danced, I would see a child come through the bubble and into the path with us. Joining in immediately with the rest of us in the dance.
I then understood from Jesus what he was saying. If i stay on the path, my life, in full child like joy, will attract those who have yet chosen the path. So I continued to dance.
This time, I began to look back to see who else was coming on the path, again there were children as far as the eye could see dancing around, I could also see some coming through the bubble wall onto the path. However, Jesus again grabbed my hand, this time I could hear what He said, and He did not need to get down on my level. "Don't look back, your life's worship of me attracts for eternity. Long after you have passed the point you are at on the path, other children will be attracted to the path by your worship. However, you are to stay focused on the now, and the future. There is nothing you can do to effect what has happened earlier on the path, that is for me to care for."
So once again i returned to dancing around Him, and enjoying walking on the path. It was an amazing end to the vision.
I am reminded of Romans 12: 1+2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
As you live today on the path, may you find the child like faith enjoy the dance, and be fully present. Not worrying about yesterday, but instead focused on Him now and forever. Whatever you do, "Stay on the Path."
Friday, January 20, 2012
A morning at the gas station
While at the gas station last week I had the craziest thought. I was filling up Jess' car with fuel and wondered, "what would happen if someone drank all 18 gallons of this gas that i am putting in the car?" Of course, silly thought, just a small amount of octane would kill someone, i think :<).
Fast forward about an hour later that morning and i am worshipping for a bit, and a picture comes into my mind of a driving rain storm. The rain began to pour so hard, i was drawn to "like a child" open my mouth wide open and drink. Then out of no where, the rain turned into a water fall, gushing down my throat and into my body. It was truly awesome!
I asked the Lord, "what does this mean?", His response was, "only the Father can turn water into oil. Only the Father can take living water, and out of it produce fire." Remember the Old Testament story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. I was stumped for only a second and then began to realize that this fresh filling was about the power of the tongue.
The bible says that the tongue has "the power of life and death." (Proverbs 18:21) I was then reminded of the gas that i was pumping today. Why did I need it, simple, to be part of an controlled explosive process under the hood of my engine. This explosion creates power to move my car to its next place.
The Father's living water is no different. Out of a fresh filling of "living water" we face opportunities to see God's power come through our mouth, which again "has the power of life and death." There is however a warning in this as well. That same power which brings life, can if not controlled appropriately, cause death. Remember the car, what if there was no fire wall between your engine and you as you drove? Or no crank case to shelter you from the explosions that are constantly happening under the hood? Right, death possible, for sure lots of pain.
The same Holy Spirit that fills you with the living water, is also able to give you the wisdom on where and when to use this power for His Kingdom. The real question is have you asked today? If it begins to rain or even pour onto you, are you willing to open up like a child to receive His overflow? Praying that for all of you today my friends.
There is "life" to be brought forth today, quite possibly in the next place you are headed. He is ready to fill you with it. Just ask, like a child receive.
Fast forward about an hour later that morning and i am worshipping for a bit, and a picture comes into my mind of a driving rain storm. The rain began to pour so hard, i was drawn to "like a child" open my mouth wide open and drink. Then out of no where, the rain turned into a water fall, gushing down my throat and into my body. It was truly awesome!
I asked the Lord, "what does this mean?", His response was, "only the Father can turn water into oil. Only the Father can take living water, and out of it produce fire." Remember the Old Testament story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. I was stumped for only a second and then began to realize that this fresh filling was about the power of the tongue.
The bible says that the tongue has "the power of life and death." (Proverbs 18:21) I was then reminded of the gas that i was pumping today. Why did I need it, simple, to be part of an controlled explosive process under the hood of my engine. This explosion creates power to move my car to its next place.
The Father's living water is no different. Out of a fresh filling of "living water" we face opportunities to see God's power come through our mouth, which again "has the power of life and death." There is however a warning in this as well. That same power which brings life, can if not controlled appropriately, cause death. Remember the car, what if there was no fire wall between your engine and you as you drove? Or no crank case to shelter you from the explosions that are constantly happening under the hood? Right, death possible, for sure lots of pain.
The same Holy Spirit that fills you with the living water, is also able to give you the wisdom on where and when to use this power for His Kingdom. The real question is have you asked today? If it begins to rain or even pour onto you, are you willing to open up like a child to receive His overflow? Praying that for all of you today my friends.
There is "life" to be brought forth today, quite possibly in the next place you are headed. He is ready to fill you with it. Just ask, like a child receive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)