Tag Archives: healing

I do get Mad but I Have Learnt to Forgive and Forget.

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I do hold grudges but after a while I choose to forgive and forget.

I get mad at times with those closest to me.

I was mad last night is fact.

Very often I go to bed angry with someone.  I toss and turn and can’t get to sleep.  I get up and watch a programme on TV.

Perhaps I write down what I am upset about.  By the time I have written down the problem I am happier and can go back to bed.  

It is better to talk things over to clear the air before bedtime.

Scripture says “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.  Ephesians 4 v 26

But very often the other party is not aware there is a problem or is to tired to resolve the issue.  So the anger remains till the morning.

If the issue is not resolved I hold a grudge.  But sadly I am only harming myself.  The other person is often oblivious to the hurt done, so the anger grows.  The bitterness increases.  The devil has got a foothold.

This is what happened to me when I developed colon cancer.  I was upset with people and did not get issues resolved.  I became angry, unforgiving and bitter.

Forgiving is the key to life, health and happiness.  

I find it easy to accept God has forgiven me, but it is harder to forgive someone who has hurt.

I choose to forgive others.  It may not be easy.  I do not want to get sick again. 

 

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/i-cant-stay-mad-at-you/  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do Thorns, Thistles and Weeds take over Good Soil?

Posted in Healing, Ireland, My thoughts by

When I moved to our last house we had a garden at the front of the house.  It was south facing.  When spring came we sat outside in the sunshine.  It was private.  I invested in sun loungers and my children would compete who could get sitting on them when I was not around.

I sat outside relaxing.  I looked around my garden.  I planned what I would do to improve it.

I grew up on a farm.  I remember helping my father gather potatoes.  I was not afraid to get my hands dirty.  I helped mum with her work collecting eggs.   Dad kept a milking herd of cows.  It was an early start each morning for my father, every day of the year.  My mother and father worked to rear their family of ten children.

I would watch as my father trimmed the hedgerows or mended gaps to keep animals from getting out of the field.

I inspected the holly hedge at the front of the garden and the two walls at either side. The hedge needed trimmed and encouraged to grow higher.  The walls had become overgrown with ivy.  The previous owner had cut the grass but the thorns and weeds were taking over on both sides.

I decided to reclaim some land!  I was able to use my experience from growing up on the farm.  I got on my working boots and clothes.  I began to tackle the thorns with sharp hooks.  My children watched and joined in to help.

In early spring the thorns and weeds are the first plants to emerge.  The thorns send out their shoots sideways.  Very soon they can cover a piece of ground.   I was determined to deal with them.  I was going to reclaim two stripes of ground at the side of my garden.

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My boys helped me.  In no time we discovered rich composted soil under the surface of matted briars.  We trimmed the ivy that had hidden the stone walls.  I burned up all the thorns and ivy.

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One does not have to plant weeds or thistles.  They just appear.  It is true what the God said to Adam.  Thorns and thistles will grow.
To Adam he said,  “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food. (Genesis 3:17-19 NIV)

It is a constant battle for the farmer to get rid of weeds and allow the wheat to grow to produce food.

As I cleared the weeds and thorns that was covering the good soil, I thought about how bad things come into people’s lives to stop the good in their lives coming forth.  I thought how Jesus came and moved among people and delivered them from the things that prevented them living normal lives.  Sickness, infirmity, epilepsy, leprosy and depression were cured by Jesus.  These things are like weeds and thorns in peoples lives.

Jesus told his disciples to do what he did.  He  gave them authority to use his Name.  After Jesus died and shed his blood on the cross he defeated the power of the devil.  By calling on the name of Jesus and claiming the power of His blood all “weeds and thorns” in our lives can be removed.  Then we can live fruitful lives.

 

Leaping with Joy like Calves let Out to Pasture

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In Northern Ireland from spring to autumn we have long days of sunlight.  The sun does not get too hot here but the brighter days make one want to make up for the dark days of winter.

“Behold the winter is past the time for singing of birds has come.”  Song of Solomon.

I awake early with the sunrise.  Overhead I see at least twenty trails of aeroplanes returning to Europe from North America.  Life is going on all around.

As it is getting warmer, birds and animals are revived as well.  The local farmer moved his cows with young to greener pastures from their winter feeding area.  They were released from the stall.  They will give birth there.
Lambs are born and birds are building their nests for their young.  The cycle of new birth turns again.

I have been released as well into green pastures.  I can truly say with Psalm 23  “The Lord is my shepherd.  There is nothing I shall want.   Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.  He guides me beside still waters to restore my soul.”

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I am receiving new strength with the joy of having my new home.  I want to do so many things.  Multitasking!  I get ideas as I sit.  I make a note of groceries to be got for this Easter weekend.

I send greetings for Easter via email and text.  I get an idea for a blog.  I want to plant some flowers that will bloom in the window boxes.  I want to pray.  I want to worship God.  It is not a chore because thanksgiving and praise rise because God has been so good to me.  I want to live and shout and sing and dance!

As the sun rises in the East may the Sun of righteousness rise with healing in his wings for you this  Spring and Easter season.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. (Malachi 4:2 NLT)

 

Why is Good Friday called Good.

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Prayer by

 

Today is Friday of Holy Week when we remember the last days of Jesus on the earth.  It is called Good Friday.

Is it not a bad day when someone dies?

Jesus died a horrible death.  He was crucified.  His back was cut open from the a whip.  His face was covered in blood from a crown of thorns that pierced his head.  Nails were hammered into his hands and feet.  He was cursed, because anyone who hung on a tree was cursed.  He was covered in blood.  His side was opened up with a sword.  He was naked.  He was hungry.  He was thirsty.  He was separated from God.

Men mocked him.  He suffered.  He was in pain.  He did no wrong.  He did not sin.  He helped people while he lived.  He was full of love.  He forgave those who killed him.  He obeyed his Father.  He did not call on angels for help.  He was the perfect sacrifice.

His close friends deserted him.  He was spat upon.  He was punished.  He was rejected and betrayed.  He was despised.  He had done no violence.  He did not open his mouth.  He did not want his own will.  He gave up his Spirit.

Adam disobeyed God and was put out of the garden and separated from God.  Someone had to bring mankind back into God’s presence.  God told Moses to sacrifice bulls as offerings.  Aaron had to sprinkle the blood over the people to bring them close to God.

Jesus became a sacrifice to God to bring mankind into God’s presence again.  He died to self.  His blood was shed for us though he had not sinned.  Through his sacrifice we can be forgiven our wrongdoings, curses, and healed of sicknesses.  He understands our pain.  He took our pain so we can be healed.  As we believe and accept his sacrifice and forgiveness we can be free.  We are reconciled to God and can be with him on earth and in heaven.

We do not have to wait to die before we experience heaven.  Jesus taught us to pray “Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

This is Good News.

That is why the day we remember Jesus’ death is called Good.

Holy Week and the Signs in the Moon

Posted in Dreams, Healing, My thoughts, Nature, Prayer by

 

We remember the last few days of Jesus life on earth this week Holy Week.  He was talking to his disciples about the future.  They were very nervous because he was telling them he was going to die.  They asked him about what was going to happen in the future.

He mentioned about his return and said “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:25, 31 NIV)   There will be earthquakes. V 11

When Jesus died on the cross there were signs and wonders in nature.  There was an earthquake and there was darkness for three hours.
“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. (Luke 23:44, 45 NIV)
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split (Matthew 27:51 NIV)

Surely this would have shaken the people and caused them to consider what had just happened to Jesus.  They must have been perplexed.

What is happening in our times?  This very week the moon changed colour.  In some places it appeared red.  It could be seen all over the world!  Surely this will cause all of the peoples of the earth to think?

The prophet Joel foretold many years ago,
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”  (Joel 2:28-31 KJV)

Jesus promised his disciples before he died that the Father would send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would lead them into all truth.  God wants to pour his Spirit out again.  People will have dreams.  People will have visions.

It is time to seek The Lord.

There is no need to be afraid.  God promises in Malachi,
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2 KJV)

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:17, 36 NIV)

The Moon will Shine as Bright as the Sun

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Last night, the fifteenth of April, at seven thirty my daughter called me into the kitchen.  Outside low in the sky was a full moon.  It had a glow around it like the colour of the sun.  It was the Lunar Eclipse.  This glow lasted as the moon rose higher in the sky.  My neighbour said, “It is like the sun rising!”

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The area we now live in called Bright.  It is well named.  The sun and moon rise in the east behind our house.  The sun shines all day and sets in the west at the front of the house.  If there are no clouds in the sky we have sunshine and warmth all day.  There are no trees, houses or mountains to cast a shadow.   I awoke through the night.  The moon was shining.  It was not dark outside.

I am reminded of the passage from the bible,

The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. (Isaiah 30:26 NIV). 

Yesterday the sun shone all day.  It was brighter than normal.  I believe these signs are showing me that God is healing and restoring me and our family.  It indeed is the Year of The Lord’s Favour when we are being healed of wounds we don’t even know we have.  

This promise is not only for me but it is for you.  It is the Year of The Lord’s favour for you.  Call upon The Lord and he will hear.  He is near to the broken hearted and those who are downtrodden.  

We remember Jesus death on the Cross this week.  He died and shed his blood to set us free from sin, sickness, curses, oppression of the devil and restore mankind to wholeness.  Believe and receive Jesus and he will make you whole.  

I am healed of cancer.  I made a choice to believe that Jesus could heal me and I received it even against what the doctors said.  I was in a place of hopelessness, brokenness and despair when I had cancer.  He is now healing all my family from all these things and is restoring them.  We do not deserve this, but God wants us to receive his mercy, goodness and blessing so I can tell you about Him.

When Ibrofen and Paracetemol could not Help me when I had the Flu.

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One has highs and lows in life.  When we returned from our holiday in Jerusalem we hit a low.
 
Thursday the twentieth of February I was laid low with the flu.  My husband had not been well for a few days and had complained of aches and pains.  I had not been very sympathetic.
For three days I was aching all over and had a temperature. I took some paracetamol and ibrofen.  They did not agree with me.  I felt even more wretched.  My husband was sympathetic and comforted me as he knew how unpleasant this flu was.  I needed his reassurance.

 
I was fearful during this time and felt very vulnerable.  When one is weak one’s fears come rushing in.  Despair took a hold of me.  Would I get better.  I was not thinking reasonably. I appreciated my family who visited and prayed for me to get better.
 
In the moments in the night I lay awake and reminded myself how God had helped me before.  I remembered some of his promises.
 
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16 NIV)
 
The next day a friend sent me a text.  It was another Psalm,
 
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. (Psalms 41:1-3 NLT)
 
This word really comforted me.  I just relaxed into God’s arms and let him care for me when no one was around.  When one is sick one is not in control.  I could not be independant.  I needed others to help me.  I needed a kind word of reassurance.  
 
I read this Psalm many years previous when I was awaiting surgery for a knee injury.  The words were balm to my pain at that time.  I came through the operation and was restored completely then.
 
Psalm 1 v 2 says Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 
 
I believe what the bible says.  I read it regularly.  It is like bread to my soul.  So when I was sick I was able to remind myself of God’s promises and claim them for myself.  This is faith, believing what God says he will do and wait for him to do it, not doubting.  He will do the same for you.  Believe what you read in the bible and God will bring it to pass.
 
Yes I did despair recently when sick. I doubted if I would get better.  Despair is an evil spirit that makes one hopeless and sad.  It makes one think things will never change.  It has been an enemy of mine.  Before I was diagnosed with cancer I had lost hope that things would get better in my life.  But God is good.  He did answer my prayers and renewed my hope and healed me.
 
On Sunday my husband was praying for me and I realised I was suffering from despair.  I refused to think that way and I rebuked this spirit.  I chose to believe that I will be healed.  I got a breakthrough that afternoon.  We were invited out for dinner.  I enjoyed a lovely comforting home made dinner at a friend’s home.  I have been feeling better and getting stronger since.
 
I know I need to continue to meditate on God’s Word to nourish my soul and continue to Praise and Thank Him.  As I have said before from John’s gospel I can nothing without Jesus.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)
 
My iPad sat lonely for a couple of weeks.  My chair sat empty.  My room in which I write was quiet and cold.
 
Praise God I am healed and writing again!
 
 
 

 

 

Appreciating my Parents after Rearing my own Children, DPchallenge

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I had two children of my own.  I was twenty four years old, and lived far away from immediate family.
My life experiences were living on a farm in a big family, going to an all girls school, and attending a new university in a small town in Northern Ireland.
 
Things were about to change.  There was turmoil in our country with bombings and shootings.  People were killed, buildings reduced to rubble.  The dark clouds gathered.  Even the weather portrayed the gloom and fear over the land.
 
I must have been affected by that fear in the atmosphere even though the town where we lived was a safe place.  I began to wonder how can I keep my two children safe?  What example can I give them?  Who is right in the middle of the war?  What values can I pass on to them.
 
I remembered back to my own upbringing by my parents.  Mum and Dad worked hard on a farm to raise  us ten children, eight girls and two boys.  They did not have much money.  They sacrificed their own comfort and luxuries to look after us.  Dad was a pioneer.  He educated all of us.  He believed girls should get the same opportunities as the boys.  They had quiet faith in God.  By their actions I know they were Christians, as the old chorus goes “They will know we are Christians by their love.”
 
I knew nothing about sectarianism and wondered why Catholics were fighting Protestants.  I began to seek God.  I began a journey of faith.
 
As my family and my faith in God grew I was able to appreciate the values my parents held and their willingness to lay down their lives to rear their children and overcome hard times, trials and disappointments.  Brendan and I did not want our children to grow up to be bitter and have hatred in their hearts for their neighbours.  We worship with and love Catholics and Protestants.  Our children have married into both groups.  
 
I did not appreciate my parents when I was growing up.  I did not thank them.  I did not honor them. I wanted to leave home and see what the world had to offer.  Now, as I have gone through the work of raising children I appreciate what my parents did for me.  I have a good heritage.  I honor them.
 
My mum died at sixty four.  She did not get to see all her grandchildren.  I could have died three years ago, but Praise God he healed me and I am alive to tell other mothers there is hope and life.  May you live to see your children’s children.
 
 
 

 

Do you Believe you will ever write a Book

Some years ago I was travelling home from America.  My family had send me on a holiday for my birthday.  I was sitting beside a lady who was writing on a small computer.  She was making notes for a book she was writing.  I was returning home to a houseful of children to be reared and there would certainly be no time for writing.  Have you watched the film “Cheaper by the dozen?”  The mother of the children wrote a book!  I wondered if I would ever write a book.  The only writing I was doing was jotting down notes about my daily readings from the bible.  My husband called them “My Rewrites.”  He teased me saying “Are you going to rewrite the bible.”
Ten years on, I was on my way home from Canada to Ireland.  What was I doing?  I was writing notes for my blog.  I would never have dreamed that I would be doing this.  With the quick advancement of technology over these last years one does not have to make reams of notes in books with a pen.  I can do much writing on my i Pad.  One can e mail, send pictures, take pictures, blog, all with the press of a button.  Brendan bought it for me on my last birthday.  As I sit to write, memories come flooding back to me.  The Holy Spirit brings things to mind.
I have resisted writing before.  I resisted thinking back to the past.  I did not have good memories.  I resisted writing letters to anyone because I wanted only to write if I had some good news to tell.  I did not have the peace, confidence or courage before.  God promises he will make a way when there is no way.
 I have resisted anyone loving me.  I have resisted showing love.  I was embarrassed at first when I visited Canada.  Waitresses in the cafes were friendly and smiling.  People talked about having fun.  A husband would call his wife honey.  A wife would call her husband sweetie.  I was embarrassed.  I have never called my husband sweetie in my life.
Maybe the Irish are too numb from pain to express genuine love.  It can be embarrassing to hug someone you don’t know.  We can be sharp to tear someone down with our tongues.  I want to speak kindly and be pleasant to others.  Very often we don’t say anything and retreat into silence because of fear of being rediculled or someone retorting in anger because they don’t agree with your opinion.
There is a saying that goes if you can’t say anything good don’t say anything at all.  Perhaps trust is broken and one cannot be open again.  One puts up the defences to protect ones heart from wounding.
But God has healed my heart and mind of past traumas.  “Perfect love casts out fear.”  I can now look back and remember the good.  A friend has come back into my life this last week.  As we talked she remembered good times when we met together with our children.  More restoration and healing for me.
There is a Psalm that describes how I feel.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126:1-6 NIV)

An Invitation for 2014

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I want to send you an invitation for 2014.

“Come.  Let the thirsty one come, anyone who wants to;  let him come and drink the Water of Life without charge.” 
The invitation is to come to “A river of pure Water of Life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb.  On each side of the river grew Trees of Life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month;  the leaves are to be used for the healing of the nations.    Rev v 1-2 and v 16.
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. (Revelation 22:3 NLT) 

The river speaks of the Holy Spirit.  God the Father sent the Holy Spirit after Jesus rose from the dead.  The Holy Spirit is symbolised by the river that flows from heaven to earth.  If one seeks to drink from this river one’s life will never be the same.
Isaiah 55 says “Come to the waters and you who have no money, come buy and eat.
Seek The Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near.”

Jesus said “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (John 15:4, 7, 8 NKJV)

I started to put this word into practice sincerely twenty four years ago.  Abide means to obey, follow or agree to.   I wanted to bear fruit.  I began to read the Word of God for fifteen minutes each day and meditated on it.  I wanted to know more of the truth.  Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life”in John 14 v 6

I prayed for fifteen minutes as well.  I prayed in my own language but also in the language the Holy Spirit gave me.  The fruit grew.
The Holy Spirit gave me the power to have my children, to rear them, to be healed of cancer and continue to live.  
2 Timothy 1 v 7 says God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

How precious is your constant love, O God.  All humanity takes refuge in the shadow of your wings.  You feed them with blessings from your own table and let them drink from your rivers of delight.

For you are the fountain of life. Never stop giving your blessings to those who long to do your will.
Psalm 36 v 7-9

Accept this invitation today.

Angela