I was in my fifties: confused and full of fear created by my need to hide from an abusive husband who really needed my voice stilled. I was in attendance at a party which also included some of my fellow church members. I was sitting across from a young couple who were passionate in their determination to follow all the rules and live “just right” for God. They were struggling with the fact there were so many problems in the life of their family: health issues, financial struggles and frequent crises of various nature.

The stranger sitting beside me was disturbing. She kept “seeing” evil spirits and bad omens, gradually convincing me she must be deranged. Late into the evening, she declared she was going to heal the young couple with all the issues. She announced everyone must follow her to another room where we could form a circle and pray for the young couple. I had no intention of being a part of that group even though she was most insistent I must accompany them.

Eventually my pastor’s wife stood up to join the group and motioned me forward, so I reluctantly went with them where a circle was formed and I just happened to end up with my hand on the shoulder of the young wife.

The strange woman began a prayer to Jesus that was one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard. Near the close of the prayer, hot coals began to surge through my veins. They began in the hand touching the young wife and slowly worked their way through my entire body. These coals were very, very hot and extremely painful. I did not know what to think.

After the prayer ended, the strange woman asked if anyone had felt anything. I was slow to confirm so she made the request again, saying she normally felt something herself, but had not felt anything at all. After the young couple confirmed they had felt nothing, I went ahead and acknowledged I was still feeling the heat.

In the ensuing days, I was to note that a goose egg lump in one armpit had disappeared, I quit taking sinus medicine and had a new found peacefulness about me. But the most important discovery did not occur until over five years later. The husband from whom I was hiding got wind of the fact I had been diagnosed with kidney disease and quickly set me free for fear he’d have to pay my medical bills.

Some months after the divorce was final, a new round of testing determined the massive cyst in my kidney was shriveling and appeared to be going away.

Do you see all the baffling turns in this? I did not pray for healing–didn’t even want to be involved. I was not prayed for by another. It would seem to me, God was (1) healing my skepticism and (2) setting up the scenario which would allow me the financial backing required to retire, move to the inner city, and begin working with families so beat down by their culture that they have no concept of the words “trust and hope”.

i have just stumbled upon your blog by recommendation of a friend of mine. my own blog also focusses on healing and the miraculous side of jesus. probably you will not be able to read it since it´s written in german.
i just wanted to tell you that i am really happy to find any internet ressoruces that focus on healing and the supernatural. i know it is sometimes hard to preach that message but it is worth it.

keep fighting the good fight!

storch

Brandon

I haven’t responded much or been able to keep up with your blog as much as I’d like, but I absolutely have loved reading about your own personal testimonies as well as those of others in the comments here. I know that since becoming a Christian, I feel like God has done miracles in my own life just by making me know who I am in Him & not who the world had made me think I was. For that, I’m so forever grateful! & there are countless other things, even the smallest answers to prayer that God never ceases to amaze me with. To know He cares even in the slightest things of our lives!

Sometime I’ll have to completely update you on what God’s been doing in my life lately, but I trust He’s not done yet!

Sovereignty is sometimes a harsh thing. Things happen, and we get no explanation. I think that too many times, we like to get an image of God in our heads, and try to conform God to that image. Well, I don’t think God is going to allow that. He lets us know in no uncertain terms, that he can not be cajoled into our service.

We also get fooled by the “if you had faith enough to move mountains” quote. We believe that if our faith is strong enough, God will do what we want him to do. Kind of make him our personal genie. So that when he does not do as we request, we consider it a lack of faith, rather than us not doing what God would have us do. And accept what he gives us.

Or we fall into the, “God I have done all of this for you, you owe me this.” No he doesn’t. Until you give up your son to die, you still owe him.

People fall in to the Ted Turner syndrome as soon as God doesn’t grant a wish. Then they say, “well, if God didn’t do it for me, he just must not do it anymore.”

I’ve been reading your posts, and I’ve been very encouraged by them. I’m glad that you are getting your voice back, and that it is as healthy and strong as ever.

-Alan