preacherman

Friday, April 24, 2009

God Does Answer Prayers!

All of the prayers that were lifted up on my behalf have paid off. I had my appointment with my neurologist yesterday and told my wife and I that all of the test came back completely normal. He told us that thinks I am suffering from chronic pain. He told us that my body doesn't know what it's like not to hurt and that we need to help the brain unwind. The neurologist is going to try to treat my problems with new medications. I'm going to see how it goes for a month before we take other actions. I'm also going to try natural alternatives such as exercise, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and change in diet which all might help with the pain.

My family and I are thankful to God about the test results. We were happy that they didn't find anything on the tests and that all was normal. We serve a Faithful God who has been an attentive Father to me and who heals in his own appointed way. I continue to put my trust in a God who knows what is best for me. I rejoice in knowing that my true complete healing will come when he says to me " Enter into the Joy of the Lord" ! A thankfulness and comfort that I can't explain in words. So, I wait eagerly upon the Lord.

I personally am going to strive to change my behavior, attitude, and outlook on life. I know that the severe pain has caused me to hurt the ones I love and to have a negative state of mind as well. I am glad that God has given me the opportunity to change. I as a believer, husband, father, and brother I'm going to take life one day at a time and to cherish each day as it might be my last; enjoying life and being a blessing to my family and friends.

Once again, my family is extremely thankful for all of you who have offered up prayers for us during these difficult times.

Consider maybe these questions for discussion:

How does it make you feel that we have a Heavenly Father who hears our prayers? Does he always answer the way we want? If so, how? If not, why not? When God does answer our prayers how should our heart be? What happens to our lives when we turn our pain, frustrations, and trials over to Him? How have you experienced the comfort of God that comes through prayer? We each have our own stories or testimonies about how God has answered prayers in our lives; what is yours? If you have had chronic pain what worked for you?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

When Was Your Last Dr's Appointment?

I want to thank everyone for your prayers, words of encouragement while the many Dr's are trying to figure out my neurological problems. I should know something in ten days as I visit with the Dr concerning all of the tests and what they mean and where to go forward. I graciously ask that you keep my wife and I in your prayers as it is stressful dealing with the pain and emotions that I go through on a daily basis. Please continue to pray for healing physically, emotionally and spiritually. I also ask prayers for my mother-in-law who just had sugery on her foot. My wife is under alot of stress with working, taking care of the boys, my illness and her mother surgery, so please keep her in your prayers as well.

There are many times because of my health that I am unable to attend church or worship services as this past Easter Sunday. I do find that reading scripture and daily devotion has helped and can help ones spiritual journey. How often do we spend in the word and in prayer on a daily basis? I am trying to re-prioritize my life as I face these hardships. I want to be a better husband, father, believer, and scholar of the Word. I don't just want to know about Jesus Christ, I want to know Jesus Christ and let him be lived out through me in every aspect of my life. I want my Christianity to be real. I want to get rid of and repent of things that have hurt the ones I love the most. I want to completely die to self and live for Christ. As Paul mentioned, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10) I thank God for second chances. No, not just second chances but countless chances to start new and fresh. I right now am seeing many doctors for many problems physically but I am going to let Jesus Christ be my "great physician" for my spiritual health (I know as well the "great physician"has the power to heal me physically but I want Him to be the physician of my soul most of all).

This morning while in prayer and deep consultation with the "great physician" I went through a complete spiritual check-up and physical. It had been a very long time since my last visit.

First "the great physician" Dr. Jesus, wanted to look at my heart because it is the part of the body that pumps the blood of life or death. As the physician looked and listened to my heart the words of David flowed from my tongue, "Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me." As I said those words my heart pumped with joy, love, and warmth. As I stated a promise that I had never said to another physician and that was: "I love you with all my heart, soul, strength and mind and I promise to you to love my neighbor as myself." As I made that convenant with the physician he smiled greatly going on to my head to take a look. He saw depression, thoughts of suicide, lust, revenge, anger and then the "great physician" told me "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praise worthy think on these things."(Phil.4:8)

He then told me to open my mouth, stick out my tongue and say ah. He told me, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing, this should not be." (James 3:9-10), "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt." (Col 4:6)

He looked in my ears and said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from life to death." (John 5:24) As the exam went on He shined a bright light in my eyes and said, Kinney I can't believe this but you have a big plank in your eye! Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye! How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye," when you all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye." (Matt.7:3-5) Jesus then looked at my legs, tested my reflexes and spoke sharply saying, "Walk in the light!"(1John1) "Keep in step with the Spirit!"(Gal. 5:25) Kinney, "If you want to come after me, you must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me!" (Mark 8:34)

After the exam, "the great physician" gave me some further instructions on how to live and stay healthy. He told me to listen up and listen up closely, "The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all of your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your heart, impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."(Duet. 6:5-7) "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and seccessful." (Joshua 1:8) As the consultation continued He stressed to me the importance of prayer, fasting, meditation, and cherishing the gift of grace and salvation (Rom 6). He reminded me of the commitment that I made to my wife and how important love and marriage is to God. Jesus words told me to treat her with love and respect as I love and respect Him. As He told me this tears flowed down my eyes as I remembered how many times I had hurt her and let her down. The doctor assured me of the love that God has for me and that it was possible to be a strong, faithful leader as a husband and father. (Eph. 5:22-6:4). Stressed that it was important to not let anyone look down on my because of my youth but to set an example for all believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.(1 Tim 4:12).

After Jesus had finished he told me he wanted a follow up daily.
I committed to everything he had told me by saying to him that I loved Him more than life itself.
It was the best visit with a doctor that I had ever had in my life.
I will never be the same.

I am thankful for all the great physicians that God had brought into my life but I am most thankful for the greatest physician of all, Jesus Christ!

Question for discussion:

Is it important for us to see the "great physician"? Why is it important for us to see the "great physician"? What happens when we see the "great physician"? How often should we visit? Is the doctor going to tell us the same thing every time we visit? How have you been touched and changed by visiting and consulting the "great physician", Jesus Christ? Why are people afraid of the "great physcian? Does the "great physician" ever give shots? Do the appointments sometimes hurt? Why How can we find comfort from consulting the "great physician"? When was the last time you visited the "great physicain"? Are you afraid? If so, why?

Why not make an appointment today?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts?

Friday, April 03, 2009

Where Did Evil Come From???

I again want to start off by saying that I appreciate everyone for their prayers. I had an MRI and EEG this week. Easter weekend I will be having a 72 hour EEG.

I still have not heard back from any of the doctors on any of the reports yet. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. I again want to thank you for prayers, encouragement, and patience during this difficult time in our lives.




Yes, I have quite a few questions. First, I want to How do you define evil? Where did evil come from? Did God create it? Is it part of His characteristics? If God is loving, pure, righteous and holy, where did evil come? Does evil contradict what they Bible says about God? What does it say about God if he did create evil and that it is one of His characteristics?

How does God view evilness? How does the church view evilness? How does the world view evilness? How should believers respond to evilness? Do we try to ignore it or water down evilness? If so how and why? Can a Christian be evil and be saved? If so, how and why; if not why? Is there really eternal consequences for evilness or is it a myth? How should preachers, ministers, teachers approach the subject of evilness? Is preaching about hell the right way or is preaching grace the right way? Should there be a balance? If so why? Why are many teachers and ministers afraid to speak on evilness?



What do you think?



What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

Happy Birthday Tess

I want to wish my wife a wonderful happy birthday this coming Saturday. I always have been told by my mom and others that you don't tell the age of a woman. Why? I think I will anyway, not! :-) I am so grateful that God created her because she is my soul mate. She was meant for me and is a true blessing to me, my family and others. Happy Birthday Sweetie. I love you more than life itself and pray for this year to be the best ever.

Share your birthday wishes.