Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:13-14).
I pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit and receive his gifts into my life. I receive the gift of faith and the gifts of healing.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
By faith I have been redeemed from: muscle inflammation causing swelling and stiffness. I have been redeemed from high blood pressure and persistent nose bleeds. I have been redeemed from rashes, hemorrhage, skin calcification. I have been redeemed from cough and shortness of breath. I have been redeemed from inflamed lung cells and ground glass opacity. I have been redeemed from general fatigue, malaise, fever and night sweats. I have been redeemed from muscle twitching and muscle spasms.
Women received their dead raised to life again (Hebrews 11:35).
By faith, I receive my lungs back to life again, I receive my liver and muscles back in health; I receive health in my body. I receive restoration of my immune system. My immune system comes back to normal again.
The sun will not harm me by day nor the moon by night. My hope is in you Lord, you will renew my strength. I will soar on wings like eagles, I will run and not grow weary, and I will walk and not be faint. Because the breathe of the Holy Spirit gives me life. By faith I receive life and health in my body. Amen.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Daily living
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
Daily living can be a challenge. Going from a hiker, hiking up to the top of mountains, skiing, and cycling to being unable to walk on a flat surface for 2 minutes is tough. Walking up stairs is difficult and I can't even get out of a bath tub on some days. But the Lord gives me strength from day to day. He renews my strength and gives me the ability to overcome daily challenges.
Daily living can be a challenge. Going from a hiker, hiking up to the top of mountains, skiing, and cycling to being unable to walk on a flat surface for 2 minutes is tough. Walking up stairs is difficult and I can't even get out of a bath tub on some days. But the Lord gives me strength from day to day. He renews my strength and gives me the ability to overcome daily challenges.
Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.Thursday, January 20, 2011
Emotional wellness
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Staying positive is a challenge when one is surrounded by a constant badgering of unpleasant news. Blood test after blood test, CT-scans, ultra sounds, biopsies, and the list goes on. Month after month, the results are worse sometimes not improving. It takes faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains, those negative news are like mountains. Lord, please give me a constant supply of faith the size of mustard seeds to move my mountains!
Good news is as cold water to a thirsty soul! A tiny ray of hope, today my echo-cardiogram results showed that my heart is doing fine despite the tornado going on inside. I'm glad the light in that tunnel was not another train.
Respirologists want to do an open lung biopsy to get a sizable chunk of tissue for more testing but I am not keen on it. It will provide information, but will not lead to healing. Just like the woman in the Bible with the issue of blood, I need the touch of Jesus. Paul the Apostle told Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words which Paul has spoken in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:13). I am holding fast and not letting go!
2 Kings 6:15-17
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Staying positive is a challenge when one is surrounded by a constant badgering of unpleasant news. Blood test after blood test, CT-scans, ultra sounds, biopsies, and the list goes on. Month after month, the results are worse sometimes not improving. It takes faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains, those negative news are like mountains. Lord, please give me a constant supply of faith the size of mustard seeds to move my mountains!
Good news is as cold water to a thirsty soul! A tiny ray of hope, today my echo-cardiogram results showed that my heart is doing fine despite the tornado going on inside. I'm glad the light in that tunnel was not another train.
Respirologists want to do an open lung biopsy to get a sizable chunk of tissue for more testing but I am not keen on it. It will provide information, but will not lead to healing. Just like the woman in the Bible with the issue of blood, I need the touch of Jesus. Paul the Apostle told Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words which Paul has spoken in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:13). I am holding fast and not letting go!
2 Kings 6:15-17
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Interstitial Lung Disease
The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life (Job 33:4).
We all need to breathe to live. Being diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is not fun! Back in June 2010, chest X-ray results showed that there was stuff in my lungs which were not coming out when I coughed. CT-scan revealed what is medically termed 'ground glass opacity' which is what you would expect in the lungs of someone working in a mine or exposed to asbestos. I was neither. So where did it come from? My lung capacity was down by 75%. I was in Montreal in July and the Pulmonologist was advising me not to go on an airplane. Why? I needed to get back home and had no choice. My oxygen saturation was dropping below 70% and she was not sure I could breathe on an airplane. Well, I made it back home to BC with no incident. My oxygen saturation has improved slightly but on a bad day, it is very low. Low oxygen means there is not enough to feed the muscles which leads to muscle weakening and eventually deterioration. The body is a very complex machine, how we take for granted the way the whole thing works. Well, it's hard work keeping the muscles alive and staying alive as well! Daily exercise without exertion is a struggle. It is difficult to climb stairs or walk any distance. From being a mountain climbing hiker to being breathless at moving around the house is still unimaginable. The prognosis for ILD is bad, I need a miracle to get out of this one!
Ezekiel 37:1 - 14
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
We all need to breathe to live. Being diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is not fun! Back in June 2010, chest X-ray results showed that there was stuff in my lungs which were not coming out when I coughed. CT-scan revealed what is medically termed 'ground glass opacity' which is what you would expect in the lungs of someone working in a mine or exposed to asbestos. I was neither. So where did it come from? My lung capacity was down by 75%. I was in Montreal in July and the Pulmonologist was advising me not to go on an airplane. Why? I needed to get back home and had no choice. My oxygen saturation was dropping below 70% and she was not sure I could breathe on an airplane. Well, I made it back home to BC with no incident. My oxygen saturation has improved slightly but on a bad day, it is very low. Low oxygen means there is not enough to feed the muscles which leads to muscle weakening and eventually deterioration. The body is a very complex machine, how we take for granted the way the whole thing works. Well, it's hard work keeping the muscles alive and staying alive as well! Daily exercise without exertion is a struggle. It is difficult to climb stairs or walk any distance. From being a mountain climbing hiker to being breathless at moving around the house is still unimaginable. The prognosis for ILD is bad, I need a miracle to get out of this one!
Ezekiel 37:1 - 14
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Medications...
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).
Prescribed drugs that is working for me:
- Predisone (varying dose, plan is to get off completely)
- Celebrex (100 to 200mg depending on level of inflammation)
- Ramipril (for high blood pressure)
- Folic acid
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
Supplements I found useful:
- Centrum Fort
- MSM capsule (without glucosamine because of my fluctuating blood pressure)
- MSM cream for rash and inflamed joints
- Flax Omega-3
- Turmeric (for its anti-inflammatory properties plus its great to cook with)
Going from a person who does not have any need for medications or supplements to taking all the above is like an assault on the body. It feels like polluting my body. Thank God for the word! It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth (Matthew 15:11).
Oh, and what comes out of the mouth, it is a struggle to speak some days. A big "Thank you" to all those people who are praying for me. On those day, it is your prayers that keep me going. I appreciate you all.
Other therapies that are working for me:
- Acupuncture for pain relieve and muscle stiffness, including auto immune points
- Craniosacral massage for tissue and nerve wellness
- Respiratory training to increase lung capacity and oxygen to the muscles
- An hour at the gym every other day to maintain muscle strength
- An hour in the spa (hot tub) and steam room followed by a dip in cold water pool
Having good knowledge of my body has been a saving grace. It emphasizes the first part of Hosea 4:6 "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". I am glad I am still in tune with my body. this has been helping to quickly stop any drug or therapy that is not working as drug reactions can be fatal. The physicians prescribe what they believe to be best but one has to remember they are not God and are only working with what they know.
Other medications which I reacted badly to:
- Methotrexate (steroid sparing drug)
- Etidronate disodium (to prevent osteoporosis)
I am looking forward to the day when I can once again proclaim the power of Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Prescribed drugs that is working for me:
- Predisone (varying dose, plan is to get off completely)
- Celebrex (100 to 200mg depending on level of inflammation)
- Ramipril (for high blood pressure)
- Folic acid
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
Supplements I found useful:
- Centrum Fort
- MSM capsule (without glucosamine because of my fluctuating blood pressure)
- MSM cream for rash and inflamed joints
- Flax Omega-3
- Turmeric (for its anti-inflammatory properties plus its great to cook with)
Going from a person who does not have any need for medications or supplements to taking all the above is like an assault on the body. It feels like polluting my body. Thank God for the word! It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth (Matthew 15:11).
Oh, and what comes out of the mouth, it is a struggle to speak some days. A big "Thank you" to all those people who are praying for me. On those day, it is your prayers that keep me going. I appreciate you all.
Other therapies that are working for me:
- Acupuncture for pain relieve and muscle stiffness, including auto immune points
- Craniosacral massage for tissue and nerve wellness
- Respiratory training to increase lung capacity and oxygen to the muscles
- An hour at the gym every other day to maintain muscle strength
- An hour in the spa (hot tub) and steam room followed by a dip in cold water pool
Having good knowledge of my body has been a saving grace. It emphasizes the first part of Hosea 4:6 "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". I am glad I am still in tune with my body. this has been helping to quickly stop any drug or therapy that is not working as drug reactions can be fatal. The physicians prescribe what they believe to be best but one has to remember they are not God and are only working with what they know.
Other medications which I reacted badly to:
- Methotrexate (steroid sparing drug)
- Etidronate disodium (to prevent osteoporosis)
I am looking forward to the day when I can once again proclaim the power of Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
In the valley of the Shadow of Death.
I was never ill, never caught a cold, and I lived a relatively healthy and busy life, but then that all changed! It all started at the end of March 2010 with being tired. It was a long winter so nothing that serious maybe I was just getting run down and was catching a cold, but then I never got a cold.
In April 2010 I had sharp pains on my lower back, perhaps I was dehydrated and needed more fluid, but then I lost feeling in my right leg, I had a trapped nerve. A few visits to the Chiropractor but the pain kept moving to other parts of my body.
In May 2010, it was itchy red eyes. A trip to the optician who confirmed swollen tissues, cold eye drops would fix it. Following on from this was the ongoing fever with chills, cough, pain everywhere, patchy rash with itchiness, shortness of breath and a cough that won't go away.
A visit to the GP in June 2010 which resulted in a series of blood tests, two courses of antibiotics, MRI, chest X-rays, and referral to specialists. Results showed lung disease with ground glass opacity, nodules in my liver, inflamed muscles and joints, and elevated cpk. Hospitalized for 3 days in July with lots test and consultation with specialists. Possibilities - sarcoidosis, lupus, polymyositis, dermatomyositis. This is the valley of shadow of death (psalm 23).
It is comforting to know that there are people praying for me because there are days I can't pray for myself or even do anything for myself. It's also comforting to know that when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is with me even though it's so dark and lonely and I can't see a thing!
How did I get here? Where is the way out of this valley?
Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
In April 2010 I had sharp pains on my lower back, perhaps I was dehydrated and needed more fluid, but then I lost feeling in my right leg, I had a trapped nerve. A few visits to the Chiropractor but the pain kept moving to other parts of my body.
In May 2010, it was itchy red eyes. A trip to the optician who confirmed swollen tissues, cold eye drops would fix it. Following on from this was the ongoing fever with chills, cough, pain everywhere, patchy rash with itchiness, shortness of breath and a cough that won't go away.
A visit to the GP in June 2010 which resulted in a series of blood tests, two courses of antibiotics, MRI, chest X-rays, and referral to specialists. Results showed lung disease with ground glass opacity, nodules in my liver, inflamed muscles and joints, and elevated cpk. Hospitalized for 3 days in July with lots test and consultation with specialists. Possibilities - sarcoidosis, lupus, polymyositis, dermatomyositis. This is the valley of shadow of death (psalm 23).
It is comforting to know that there are people praying for me because there are days I can't pray for myself or even do anything for myself. It's also comforting to know that when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is with me even though it's so dark and lonely and I can't see a thing!
How did I get here? Where is the way out of this valley?
Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
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