A Warning

This is a warning.  Don't leave yourself open to the enemy.  He is looking for places that will be a foothold for him so he can scale the wall that separates he and you. Don't think that you are without sin.  If that's what you think you are calling God a liar. Don't be lulled by comfort or quiet.........  If we could see into the spirit world right now, I believe we would be dismayed at the huge increase of activity there.  The enemy is working very hard to deceive the world and everyone in it.  And, believe me, there are many who have fallen, or are at risk of losing all.

Believers are called to finish the race; to throw away everything that encumbers, to not hold dear anything of this world; to not fear man or devil; to overcome;  to be strong in His strength; to judge ourselves and confess our sins, though we have already done so (we must never consider ourselves above sin - as pride has shown us it is no respecter of persons).

We must know how to judge a person's words and actions (but never their heart) so that we are not unaware of the enemy around us.  We are to love radically, forgiving all, but not forsaking all we have learned.  Forgive, but don't throw away caution.  And know that forgiveness is not the same as trust.  Only God can be fully trusted.  Man will disappoint, fall short and fail.  It is God who provides what we need and protects us.

The enemy is very sly, and will attack in ways that you do not even know.  You will think that you imagined your fear and that it was a groundless warning  more due to chance than to God's wisdom imparted to you.  He specializes in attacking you while dressed as an angel of light.  He is a wolf among sheep.  Make no mistake.  He comes to kill, maim and destroy.  There is no middle ground.  Pay attention when the red flags wave in your spirit.

The enemy is the voice that says, "God is great - but I am greater;  God is powerful, but I am more so; God makes things better, but I know best; God can feed you, but with me you will feast..........  The grass that always looks greener is not real.  It is a mirage.  And after you have succumbed to the lie, he will shame you and condemn you.  He will not offer redemption or forgiveness like our God does...........

It is not too late, to agree with God.  He is a merciful God.  He does not merely dispense mercy, but He IS mercy.  If we will humble ourselves, confess our sins and admit our need for a saviour who is Jesus Christ - God's own Son - He will hear from His holy habitation and will come and save.

Do not be deceived.  God is not mocked.  We will all reap what we have sown whether that be condemnation and punishment or mercy and the removal of our sins.  Bow down before Him and repent.  God is coming soon and He has warned and warned and warned.  It should come as no surprise, but to many it will.  Today hear His voice as He calls your name.  While it is still today, receive Him.  To all those who are weary and heavey laden, come to the Son whose burden is light.
Shalom (may we destroy the power that fuels chaos).  

Sharing the Help I Have Been Given

Everywhere I turn I'm hearing stories of sadness, loss and uncertainty.  I'll bet you are too.  It frustrates me that I really cannot DO anything about any of this.  But as I think on this, I realize that I have my own stories of sadness, loss and uncertainty.  I realize I have a well that is deep and ever enlarging from which I draw to cope with it all.  You do too.
It is both necessary and freeing to share the God given knowledge and wisdom I have accrued through the years of living in the storms of PD.  You and I know things about dealing with life's disappointments, that others do not possess.  And we must share discreetly and with all discernment and wisdom these roads and inlets of life and living.  We must help others who are not as deep into the journey as we ourselves are.  We must stand as beacons of light and hope to those who are lost and buffeted by the giant waves and deadly currents of PD.
I am reminded of a time long ago that a certain man named Jesus was awakened by his terrified disciples to ask him for help in the sudden storm that was threatening to take their boat under.  They  were overwhelmed with fear of the unknown, even though these waters were not unfamiliar.  In fear and frustration they cried out to Jesus, asking Him for help, but actually doubting His power to subdue these great winds and waves.
Sound familiar?  How many times has PD become a storm of epic proportions in your life, and all you could see was imminent destruction?   All you could do was cry out for help.........but doubting that it would ever come?
If you have lived very long with PD, I'm sure you have many stories that you could share - much wisdom and encouragement to impart to others who seem to be going down.......
Don't waste the gifts of wisdom and the bits of light that God has given you by not being thankful for them and sharing with others.
And remember Who it is that calms those terrifying storms.  Remember Who it is that keeps you alive and loves you.......and saves you.  Remember the name of Jesus.  Remember how He has taken the wind right out of the sails and cleared the storm in an instant.  There are people around you and in your life who need to know they are not without help.  Share with them what you know.

Grace

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Do you feel weak? Are you on your last leg of energy? Has hope dimmed and are you overwhelmed and weary of the battle against PD? Do you doubt your ability to get through another day​?

God says, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Moved by His great love for us, God responds to our deficit – in that we are helpless and weak and cannot meet our own need. He provides something called grace – which is not exactly the addition of something to our person that will then enable us to accomplish a specific task or endure some trial – though that is part of it. But grace is where God meets us at those points we find we are unable to produce or endure or accomplish. He meets us there and gives us what we never understood before. He goes beyond the need for a specific thing and gives Himself which satisfies that part of me and heals that part of me which made real true giving and receiving impossible - It is the transformation of a broken pot into a vessel of honor.

We were once running on limited supplies from the well of “self”, but now we draw on the currency of grace which enables us to accomplish the previously impossible – more than just individual feats. It enables us to love and give and endure as Jesus did. If you still do not comprehend grace – then look at Jesus, the man when He walked the earth.

Grace is the fullness of God in all of its terrible beauty. It is the Word made flesh – it is Jesus in all that He is inside of Believers - you and me – His own children. It is Jesus manifested on the earth – in our hands, our arms, our hearts – come to touch those who are lost – who are sick and dying – those from whom you and I have come. It was Grace that drew you out of the sea of hopeless death into the light of His Presence.

All of the Parts Make up the Whole

A body with broken parts is not efficient if it works at all.  It is made up of many different parts, all of which have specific function.  Every part is needed.  Where there are malfunctioning or missing parts, you have a body that is broken down.

Those of us with PD know this all too well.  It's true in the physical world as well as the spiritual world. 

We struggle sometimes to walk, or clap, or even talk to name a few.  As we attempt to do with our bodies things that we used to do gracefully and without effort,  we find that movement is slow, painful and labored - sometimes impossible.  If all the parts aren't working - nothing is the same.

Someone just yesterday compared a broken down body to the Body of Christ.  Within the Body of Christ - the Church - we all have a function.  You could say that we have work to do.  But if for some reason, we don't function as we are intended, then the whole body suffers.  In the body when the dopamine producing neurons begin dying off, what is set into motion, is something like a bunch of dominoes toppling one after another, leaving us struggling or unable to perform the task at hand.

How do we as members of the body of Christ keep in good working order?  Read God's Word.  Believe God's Word.  Act on God's Word.  And heap lots of prayer onto everything (pray without ceasing).  When we don't submit ourselves to His authority and walk with Him, not quenching the Spirit, we are rather like one who has spiritual PD. Today, I am depending on you to do God's will within the Body of Christ.  You are depending on me.  May we not sin against each other by not doing our individual parts!  I want to live as God intended, and I'm sure that you do too!  


 

Faith or Control?

Does the uncertainty of the future bother you?  Do the memories of the past confuse you as they fade away?  Does it stress you out to deal with the changing present?  Do you live in defeat because you are not sure the decisions you are making are the right ones?   If so, you may be having control issues.  At least that's how it usually goes with me.  It's the exact opposite of living by faith in Jesus Christ.  We are to do the best we can at any given time, based on the knowledge that we have at that time.  We will never have perfect knowledge.  But if we do our best to live life the way God  tells us to, then we can trust Him to take care of the rest.
We can't see the future, nor do we completely understand the past.  Our time in the present is bombarded with false information, all manner of emotions, amd an imperfect and faulty body.  How much of reality can be grasped given these circumstances?  I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that there IS a right way - a good way - and it's God's way. 
I am comforted to know that He knows the truth about certain things that happened in the past that now come back to haunt me.  I can depend on Him to take care of me through it all, because He knows the truth about all things, and He will show me the path of life if I will yield to Him and listen to Him. 
Life with PD brings with it many problems, many heartaches, and much that is unknown.  Do your best to do the right and good thing, based on the knowlege you have at the time.  Yield to God in every way you know how, trusting Him to do what is right.  This is how you are to live.  Use PD to practice hearing His voice and obeying.............

Snakes

Last week, I was visiting a friend when suddenly and without warning a snake was discovered in the garage.  And it was a big snake.  And it had a triangular head, which if you know anything about snakes, identifies it as poisonous.  Turns out it was a water mocassin or what is commonly called a Cottonmouth.  You don't want to mess with these!
I got to thinking about the sudden and unexpected arrival of danger.  Isn't that what it's like with our spiritual enemy, Satan?  We must be on guard against evil lest we be caught unawares.  We need to be wearing our spiritual armor all the time.  If we wait til danger is upon us, we won't have time to put it on.
Like a snake, the devil quietly approaches, hidden from most eyes until he is upon us.  We may be completely unaware of the peril we are in.  Then suddenly our eyes are openned and we know we are in trouble. 
What happened next, at my friend's house was this:  She got help.  She called on her neighbors and together they killed it. 
As members of the Body of Christ we are to be here for each other, ready to bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters.  We should give and receive comfort, encouragement, instruction, love, help, and the truth in love to name a few.
As a person with PD, you may think you have nothing to offer anyone else, but that would be the kind of lie the Snake would want you to believe.  You can offer all the things I just listed and more.  We don't always understand why God allows certain things to happen and probably never will (this side of heaven), but you don't have to.  There are needs around you today that can be met by you, no matter how physically disabled you are.  You are important.  You have things to offer that no one else can offer in quite the same way.  Ask your heavenly Father to help you concentrate on the people around you, and not yourself.  And as you help others around you, your heavenly Father will be of help to YOU!

Do You Listen?

Part of praying is listening........  Listening to God.  In order to listen, you must be in a quiet place.  I find that having PD has afforded me much of each day where there is quiet and stillness; even a hush.  Without this unpleasantness in my life, the "noise" of daily life would fill those spaces where the quiet whispers of God now are welcomed. 
Perhaps your disabilites have also made possible the sound ideas, the exhange of love, the hearing of the guiding voice, and receipt of the comfort He gives, inside of you.  If you are not conversing with God - and I don't mean a one-way flow of the expression of your needs, your wants, your thoughts and your opinions - then how is that relationship?
Have you ever known someone who spouted a steady stream of information all about themselves whenever they were with you, not caring to engage in curiosity about you  or even wanting your input?  If you force in a word edgewise, they drown you out, or interupt you. It's just plain rude.  You walk away feeling unwanted, not needed, not treasured,....  not loved.  This kind of person isn't looking for love in a relationship, but only wants to enjoy the spotlight without a care in the world for you or your problems.  Do you think God is hurt any less when we do this to Him?
Use your PD to learn something.  Learn to listen to God who loves you.  Take advantage of the quiet.  It really is all about Him..........

Rejoicing

"Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter varioous trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."   James 1:2-4

I read that the deeper meaning of the word "joy" is to be satisfied.  I want to ask you if you are content or satisfied with your lot in life.  James says that we should be.  In fact, he says that when we encounter rough waters - when we encounter various trials - we are to meet those trials with contentment.
By definition "trials" are suffferings that put strength, patience or faith to the test.
When James wrote these words, he was  talking to fellow BELIEVERS.  That's US. 
How can we rejoice or be content when we are suffering a trial of some sort?  We are not glad to be unhappy - but we celebrate the fact that in the midst of painful, hurtful circumstances - God is THERE - with us - meeting our needs (not necessarily our wants).  The God of the universe has made Himself small enough that He has concerned Himself with and acquainted Himself with MY problems! 
It's not problems that matter so much (problems come and go) but with a sense of wonder, I am transported far beyond my trial, and I "see" God holding me up, bending over me, attending me, expressing His tender love for me....
When I say that I "see" it, it is through the lens of faith.  I am believing that God IS who He says He is, and that He does love me the way He says He does.  To do this I have to know what the Bible tells me about Him.  So prepare NOW for the testing of your strength, faith and patience that will surely come, by READING the Word. 
We must first KNOW the Word.  Then we BELIEVE that Word.  Then we ACT on the truth of the Word.
It will feel bad at first.  But push through that pain.  Like giving birth, there is joy unspeakable on the other side of that trial.
As I write this I am reminded of my childhood.  Whenever I got sick, my mother would take care of me.  She would feed me delicious meals, prepare tasty treats, medicate me, see that I rested in bed, freshen my sheets every day, and so on.  I loved the attention.  I didn't like being sick, but I loved the TLC.
I think James is telling us this same thing:  You don't have to like the trial, but rejoice in your heavenly Father's tender loving care over you.

What If....

To what degree would you say you believe what God says?  100%?  Maybe 99%?  Or perhaps you might say 80%....  You might even say lower than that.

What if - for one day - just for today - you acted like you believed everything God has promised you?  Lets take Romans 8:28 for instance:  "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes."

Could you go through your day responding to every hurt, every disappointment, every dead end, every changed plan, every emotionally draining thing that happens as if you believed what God promises?  Would even your thoughts agree with what God says?  Would your heart sing His praises?

Would you be able to rest in the knowledge that God is causing your Parkinson's Disease (or any other malady) to work together for your good - indeed for the good of everyone who loves Him and who is called according to His purposes?  If you REALLY believe that He means what He says and that you can count on it, then you COULD  rest in belief.

What if you know that you don't have that kind of belief in your heart, but you want to trust Him - you want to believe Him?  Then confess your unbelief to Him and ask Him to help you to believe Him.

Do you believe with Paul when he says "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)?

What about Romans 8:35?  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?"  Would you add Parkinson's Disease to that list and do you believe that's true?

What if you went through the whole day believing Romans 8:36 and acting like it?  "  For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What if - today - you acted like you believe God?

Shalom

I believe I have written to you before about what I am about to relate, but it bears repeating.

I have written a lot about prayer and how important it is.  I could never stress the importance of prayer enough.  Those of you who are not able to work have been blessed with days filled and brimming over with opportunities to pray.  The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.  It also says that God's house is a house of prayer.  These bodies that we dwell in - like the Israelite's tent dwellings -  when they wandered in the desert for forty years - are temporary "tents".  Your body is the temple of God on earth.  It should be a house of prayer.

Recently, my mother-in-law had a mini stroke and had to be taken to the ER of a local hospital.  I was there with my husband.  It was a creepy experience as the ER was quite lively that night.  The first thing we were confronted with was a man that looked homeless walking up and down the hall muttering and talking to himself.  He had a disturbed expression on his face.

Moments later we heard cursings and screams from a young man declaring that nothing was wrong with him and he wanted to go home.  He was drawing quite a crowd of hospital staff.

Finally, there was an elderly man in the bay next to us, and every 3 or 4 seconds he would wail.  No one paid him any attention.

After about 2 hours, still bothered by all the commotion, I thought, "All these outbursts are stealing the peace that should be here."  Then out of "no where" the thought came that the man who was wailing was being tormented (not physically but mentally).  God seemed to say to me, "Pray for him - he's being tormented."  So, I did............

Immediately the man was quiet.  There were no more wailings!  I realized that as Believers we are the light of the world.  Everywhere we go, we are to pray for people.  Our prayers can bring peace and God's love into any situation.  Be creative today.  Find as many people as you can to pray for.  You will be a peacemaker.

The Truth About Growing

Are you ever disappointed in yourself?  Do you wonder if you will ever get it all right?  Can you think of the last time you did?  Do you ever feel stuck and disadvantaged because of your disease (or whatever your challenge is)?

The truth is without our challenges (otherwise known as heartaches, shattered dreams, or as Paul called it - a thorn in the flesh) we would get nowhere.  We would never get past stage one in our growth process.  We would remain immature and undeveloped.  We won't change unless we are pushed out of the familiar place where we are comfortable.  We won't develope a taste for truth until we have been burned by untruth.  We won't get creative and figure out new ways to get through a day until we can no longer do it the old way.  Growth can be a painful process.  But the key word here is "process".  It doesn't happen all at once just because you know the Truth.  True change happens when as you learn the truth, you choose to incorporate it into your heart, soul and spirit - when it becomes who you are.

My disability has fueled my growth.  It's true that it is a disagreeable teacher, but one from whom my growth has sprung!  Thank you, Lord, for not leaving me unchanged and undeveloped!

Pills or Not........

How do you feel about having to take meds? Do you feel guilt and shame for not being able to function without them? Shouldn't we be able to "overcome" our problems and successfully meet our challenges without aids and crutches? Do you think, "I have prayed for a miracle - I've prayed for healing and relief, but my dependence on these meds only increases as time goes by."? Well that's what I used to think. But I have come to realize that my meds are actually the answer to my prayers. Dependence is not the issue, because every day we are dependent upon Him for life and necessities and happiness. We just don't want to rely on those pills. Obviously, if the only way you can move is by taking your meds, then He is saying no to healing without them at this time. Miraculous healing may indeed come at a later time, but He has His reasons for saying no right now. And I think sometimes we must be worked on in time to become worthy of the good gifts He wants to give us. If you were suddenly and completely healed today, would you spend as much time with Him, or be as interested in obeying Him, or would your life be the witness that it is to the sufficiency of His grace? God is not mean and He does not withold good things from His children, but He also does not give His gifts indiscrimently and without preparation. Wouldn't that be like giving a child a loaded gun? The world desperatly needs to see living examples of real people living through the toughest storms that may come. God loves all people so much that He is willing to let you suffer (like His Son) so that others might be saved. Our distress is momentary compared to the glories He has lovingly prepared for all who will come to Him.

Your Unique Gift

I was going through my paintings and I decided that I would donate a number of them (copies) to our church. As I went through them I reflected back to the time when I painted each one. I was amazed at the detailed work I have been able to do. My husband used to watch me as I painted and he marveled at how my hands grew steadier as I painted delicate details, like eyelashes....

We are all different. We all have some kind of a handicap, and we all have unique giftings from God. Nobody really fits a set pattern, because we are all different. In my case, art has been one of my gifts, but I am challenged with Parkinson's Disease. So what does God do? He gives me quiet hands that grow steadier as they are called upon to paint tiny details. Whoever heard of a person with PD who paints detailed miniatures? Did I have tremors? Yes, but when I painted they seemed to go away.

God enabled me to do what He wanted me to do. And He will do the same for you. Fate or random chance does not decide what I can or cannot do. It is God who decides. He has a plan for each one, and no two plans are the same. Take time to really thank Him for what He has enabled you to do. Thank Him for the joy it brings to you and to others. You are a joy to Him!

Little Wishes - Big Miracle

I was trying to think of an interesting topic for my blog today. Let's see......... I had a tooth pulled. Unexpectedly brush fires started up not too far from where we live.... I dropped some clothes (a lot) at the drop off box.... I had a doctor's appointment.... Another day of victory so far as my food intake! No junk or sugar or wheat. Just good stuff.

Nothing noteworthy or extraordinary has happened. But do you know what I JUST realized? One of my dreams came true today! Just a few years back, when my body could hardly do a thing, I made a wish. I wished that I could do little things that most people never even think about.... Normal things. Like walking across a room without effort, or buttoning my own shirt.

I asked God to heal me, and today - years later - I am experiencing this very thing. I had forgotten this tiny but great miracle.... Some measure of healing has come from my heavenly Father.

Thank you dear God. Thank you for loving me. I love you too....

From Anna

Light Up the World

The sun has gone down and the darkness has settled down around my house. I can't see beyond my porch, and even that is filled with shadows, shifting like clouds in a blue sky. My eyes can penetrate very little, and my mind wonders if it really sees those faint indistinct outlines of forms that morph into shapes without names.
Parkinson's Disease entered my life like that.... like the sun sinking into the spreading darkness. It is filled with fears and monsters with ugly names.
Everyone has their own personal darkness. It's different for us all. But, as Believers we have this in common: "The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light. And to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NAS)
We are not without comfort. We are not without purpose. We are not without beauty or a deep abiding faith that can only come from living in a dark place. Like a candle that lights the darkness, we are the hope of the world. Until the world sees you shining in the darkest place- they will not find faith, hope or love.

From My Suffering to Another's Blessing

My mother - in - law was taken to the hospital last night by ambulance. We think maybe she was having a stroke. She mostly would not speak. But God was soooo there with her in the ER. I felt His Presence.
It's funny, but I know how it feels to be incompacitated because of Parkinson's Disease. I was able to minister to her in a way the others could not. I was so privileged to be a part of our heavenly Father's love for her. This is yet one more blessing for me and others because of Parkinson's Disease!