Powerful Plants

James 5:16 “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” Yesterday my friend sent me this plant that emits neutralizing ions. (https://negativeairion.com/) Apparently they attach to all sorts of bad particles in the air like allergens, mold, germs, dust and smoke. In the process of neutralizing these, the plant provides better sleep, reduces anxiety and improves overall health. Later in the evening, Elaine started having some flashbacks of sin I had committed against her and against God. She’s forgiven me for them, but we’re going to start facilitating a marriage workshop later this month and I can sense that spiritual attacks have become more frequent running up to this. I tried to talk it out, but just dug myself into a deeper and deeper hole. Eventually, I just decided to pray for her, and she started to relax into a state of peace. By the time I said “Amen”, she was completely at rest and gave me a kiss before heading to sleep. This morning while staring at my new plant, I thought to myself “why didn’t I get one of these things earlier?” It produces as many neutralizing ions as 100 forest waterfalls! Then I felt God remind me that prayer is like this plant. Why do I bother with all this logic and reason and talking, when all I need to do is pray to neutralize the evil elements in the air? I should have prayed earlier! Lord, thank you for blessing me with the power of prayer. I so often try to solve problems in my own strength, but all I need to do is align myself with your power. You are a good God. In your son’s most precious name, Amen.

Blessed Phobias

Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” In another inner healing exercise the other day, my ministers had seen a room of my life that my family occupied in somewhat cramped quarters. They asked me to close my eyes and see what God might want to speak to me about what this room represents. I saw this lizard with a turtle shell and a long brontosaurus neck. We prayed about it and realized it had something to do with Elaine as she has a phobia of lizards. One time at the Iguazu falls, we embarked on a sundown hike, which is supposed to be the most stunning way to experience the largest waterfall in the world. Elaine shrieked as she saw a lizard cross our path. I tried and tried, but nothing could convince her to continue on. After what seemed like an eternity of fruitless negotiations, we turned back to the hotel. As a goal-oriented person, I often get frustrated when something gets in the way of desired outcomes. I wouldn’t quite call it a phobia, but Elaine’s aversion to driving has been one cause of friction in our relationship. When I have my day planned in 30m increments, a last-minute request to drive her somewhere often drives me nuts. Well after my inner healing ministers walked me through some exercises the other day, I closed my eyes again and saw a catapult throwing fireballs at the lizard. One of them hit its shell and killed the lizard. Then I had a flashback of playing Super Mario Brothers (the video game from my youth). The fireball popped up and as it dropped back it fell on the remaining shell and sent it skidding to clear the path of all other obstacles. This morning Elaine asked if I could drive her to pick up a hamster cage. I thought to myself “are you friggin’ kidding me?!” and answered with something only slightly nicer. But when I went to the bathroom I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and saw the lizard shell clearing the way and bringing me victory for the rest of my day. Sometimes God gives you obvious blessings. But just as often what seem like curses can clear the way for further favor. Lord I love you so much. Thank you for blessing me with the most beautiful woman in the world to be my wife. She is absolutely perfect, and she brings me closer to perfection with each passing day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Romans 5:3 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Arnold Schwarzenegger once said that if you put a 5 horsepower load on a 3 horsepower engine, it breaks. But if you put a 5 horsepower load on a 3 horsepower person, it becomes a 5 horsepower person. The other night at inner healing my ministers asked how I’d been praying for my dad. “Well I know that God is stronger than cancer. I’ve seen God show up supernaturally for other stuff, but this is more serious than anything I’ve prayed for before. So to be honest it takes more effort to get myself into that place of faith each day. But when I do I feel so much more rooted than ever before. I can also imagine that going back to pray for simple things is going to feel like child’s play after this.” Faith is like a muscle. And God gave us a 5 horsepower load to strengthen us. Lord, thank you for your goodness. You are stronger than cancer. Every cell that has ever existed before the history of the world began bows down in submission to your name. It’s all part of your kingdom and your domain. The battle is won. The war has been won. Because of what you’ve already done on the cross. We love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.