Faith Walk

Myself, Jesse, and Dee

This is my friend Jesse.  He has Machado-Joseph Disease.  It’s a rare disease that takes away all muscle control.  Jesse is 28 years old and I've had the privilege of getting to know him the past year.  In this picture, Jesse is standing with the assistance of my friend Dee and myself.  The last few times we have met we've been taking Jesse on a faith walk out of his wheelchair and around his room in the nursing home.  The three of us are believing God for a miracle healing and for Jesse’s strength to return as a part of that healing.  Jesse is unable to walk.  This past year, Dee and I have been spending every Monday at 1:00 praying with Jesse, singing over him, reading the word, and assisting him with painting.  You could say that Dee and I are on a faith walk as well.

 

Just yesterday, Monday, after visiting with Jesse and Dee, I was deeply stirred in my spirit to seek the Lord on Jesse’s behalf.  This morning the Lord prompted me to read Mark 2:1-12.  It’s the story of four friends that were trying to get their friend, a paraplegic, to see Jesus for healing.  The house where Jesus was, was completely packed out, so they dug through the roof and lowered the man down to him.  Jesus then responded to these friends and the paraplegic after seeing their faith.  Jesus was moved by their faith towards healing, not just physical but spiritual as well. 

That is the sort of faith I want to surround others with.  A faith for healing that will move the heart of God. 

As Dee, Jesse, and I continue on this faith walk –as well as many others who are praying for him- would you consider coming along side someone you know who is on a faith walk themselves?  Let’s decide to position ourselves to move the heart of God and see healing take place.  Let’s join together in unity and risk believing for something extraordinary and impossible; something only Jesus can accomplish not only for ourselves, but for others.

Are you on a faith walk right now?  If so, and you need others to surround you in faith and have no one, then please leave your first name in the comments and I will be praying for you.  You can also reach me on Facebook here:  Tasha Johnson, Author "Path of the Blessing"

Free Write Your Life

For the last two years I homeschooled my two girls and within that time I taught them some writing skills.  One of the skills included free writing.  That’s where you just sit down and write.  No real planning, you just let free flowing thoughts move from your brain to paper.  That’s where I’m at right now.  I’m in free write.  I can’t even begin to think of a blog, as terrible as that sounds, I feel stuck.  

I’ve felt this way for months.  

I’ve allowed my outside world of housework, kids schedules, birthday parties and church service to be at the forefront of my brain.  I feel as if I’ve actually squished all of my creative thoughts down, stuffing them somewhere to possibly never to be discovered again!  How can this be?  I thought I could do better than this; letting my world overtake me.  It’s so sneaky, that world of mine.  It is constantly nagging on me like a toddler grabbing onto my pant leg and so I feel I can’t ignore it.  Of course it’s impossible to ignore, and is that really the correct response?  My Love is writing.  My Child is the distraction of the world.  Both require attention.  So where do I go from here?  I free write.  I’m looking at my Love in the face, pulling up the creativity to the top of my mind, allowing my First Love to inspire me.  Yes, there, that’s it!  My First Love; Jesus.  Without my First Love, I don’t have an ounce of inspiration or creativity.  I am completely lacking.  Free write.  Free write.  No pressures now, just breathe, listening to His voice, and write.  I want my life to always be like this.  I want to be in Free Write mode.  No pressures now, just breathe, listen to His voice, and ____________________.  That’s the key, the fill in the blank part.  I can insert anything I want in there, anything at all because I know with Jesus, he’ll never leave me or forsake me.  (Deuteronomy 31:6) He’s always near to guide me, whispering encouragement, inspiration and love. (John 10:27)  So starting today I think I’ll try to Free Write the rest of my life.  No pressures now, breathe, listen to His voice and …

The Compass {A Weekly Devotional} Week Twenty-Nine *an excerpt

Week twenty-nine

Worship: For I am convinced that neither death not life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future,nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38,39

Look at a diamond and see it’s many facets.  Now think about how many ways the Lord loves you and how He displays His love for you.  Meditate on God’s love for you throughout the week.

Inquire:  Write down your prayer requests for the week and pray them!  Check back at a later date to see what’s been answered.

Listen:  What do you hear God saying to you personally this week?  Think about people He’s put in your path, visual cues, and scripture you’ve read.

Obey:  This week say “yes” to God and step out of your comfort zone. This week’s suggestion is to find a fellow believer to serve this week.  Think of practical ideas such as babysitting, bringing an extra meal, assisting them in their ministry, or weeding their garden.

Dear One,

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  ~Paul (Galatians 5:13)