<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> <% Dim sActiveMenu sActiveMenu = "Blog" %> The Life and Times of Jon Graves
 

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Living with Wonder Woman

My mom told me today that God's grace is sufficient. I told her that Paul said that (actually, God said it to Paul when he asked to be healed three times), and as soon as the words left my lips I was released from a burden that has been on my shoulders for the past several months...that my prayers are ineffectual because Jeseca is not yet healed.

It was such a great moment. And it didn't just make me feel good. It gave me much needed insight into "healing" as we in America have come to know or expect it.

There are those who say you have to "claim" healing from God. Others say it is all about how much faith you have; if you don't have enough, you won't get it. Still others say if you just quote scripture over and over again, and demand that the ailment leave your body, it has to obey because the Word of God is all powerful. Simply said, I have been confused and fooled into believing that I just don't do it well enough or right, that my prayers are no good, and that's why Jeseca continues to suffer.

Then I thought about it. The apostle Paul, a man who healed many people and had unshakable faith due to his face-to-face encounter with the risen Jesus, did none of these things. He didn't command his "thorn" out of his side. He didn't "claim" his healing. And of all the people alive then, no one knew the scriptures better than he. Yet he had to ask God three times for healing, and the answer was always no, "My grace is sufficient."

Don't ask me why, but that gives me such peace. It's not on me. It's all up to God. And you know what? I knew it! Healing is all about God, and it always will be. Which leads me to my next point.

Jes and I talked about everything tonight. I hate it that she has to endure all of this. She loves it. (just kidding) But we've come to understand that this is a privilege, not a curse.

Did anyone listen to me when I tended bar in Temecula? Nope. When Jes waited tables at a golf course? Nope. Even when I was a professional baseball player? They couldn't have cared less, honestly. (I was a jerk anyway.) But this? This is real and our lives are in the balance. Yeah, people listen. So while we still have the opportunity, we want to reach as many people for Christ as we possibly can. We want to embrace it; not ask for God to take it away.

God will heal her when He's ready. Until then, it's all about taking ground from our enemy. No sweat; God is good, and I'm married to Wonder Woman. JG

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posted by Jon Graves at 11:14 PM 1 comments links to this post

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Dead touches dead and comes back to life?

What does it mean, that a dead man instantly came back to life when his body touched the bones of Elisha the prophet, who also was dead? Just a question I thought I'd throw out for feedback...

All else is as it was yesterday. God is still on the throne; Jeseca is still here with me and the boys; and we still believe that God will do what He said. I know there are people who think we are foolish to believe so, but that's alright. What do they know?

I once heard it said, "The devil wants you to focus on you. God wants you to focus on Jesus." As we continue to go through this storm, all I can do is embrace that sentiment and know that as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, though the storms rage against us, we will withstand the test and finish the race.

There are trials that appear to be unbearable. I speak from experience. But you have to trust that God's way is perfect. It is, in the end. And there's nothing that will ever change that. So take heart! God will see you through. JG

posted by Jon Graves at 10:35 PM 1 comments links to this post

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