Re: Your prayers - and an anniversary story

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: : I seem to be doing better. I will see a doctor though! : : Thank you for your prayers. Sunday I was in real pain about 9:30 AM. Jeff, Cari, Corey, and Kat laid hands on me and prayed, and I was immediately pain-free. I did two services, went out to eat, and basically had a pretty cool 12-hour day. I really love you all. You are my family. : : About yesterday--there was something wonderful. This is how it all went down... : : Lots of people were around, but when Cari said that Jeff had pulled in the parking lot, I knew I wanted him to pray for me. Jeff is no faith-healer kind of guy, nor master theologian, but he loves me like a brother, and he is true blue, a faithful friend. I knew nobody would pray more sincerely, and I KNEW God would answer him. : : Kat was there too, and I realized when she put her hands on me that something had happened over the last few months while I wasn't looking--she had become as close as any sister could ever be. I trusted her completely, and her friendship was worth more to me than gold. I KNEW God would hear her. : : Right before we prayed, Corey said "I'm not worthy." Maybe it was a dream? It seems like it cause I was really hurting and everything seemed surreal, but I heard her voice. And instantly I got this tremendous rush of the Spirit, and I KNEW God would hear her prayer. I think Cari is the only one I told this to, but I want you all to know--especially Corey. You have favor with God. I hope you never feel worthy. : : Most precious to me yesterday was my beautiful wife, without whom I would not be the person I am, who loves me in a way I can not understand. That morning I knew her love was an extention of my Father's love for me; through her hands He was touching me. God heard her prayer before the dawn of time. : : A story... : : About a month ago, I was burying our little red raccoon Cyon. Earlier that morning I had found him dead. I was really hurting, because I knew Cari was going to be devastated when she arrived home later that morning. I was praying God would give Cari the assurance that little Cyon is not lost; that everything he is, is safe in God who created him, loves him, and gave him to us in his love; that nothing so significant and precious could ever be lost in God; that we will certainly see him again and rejoice. God reached out to me there by that grave, and I realized a deep sense of purpose in everything--in our lives, in our love, in our pain, in our hope, in our deaths. It was all beautiful, it was all fashioned in infinite wisdom, it was all wrought in unfathomable love, and it was all very much on purpose--according to the purpose of Him in whom all exists, who works all things according to his good pleasure. As I was awake in this reality, I pondered my own death and thought about the day when the earth I had just moved with so much toil would finally cover my own grave. I thought about how Cari would mourn. I thought about Cari and me, and the beauty of what our lives meant together. I thought how empty my life would be without her, how perfect she was for someone as quirky and trying as me, and what a miracle it was how much she genuinely loved me. And then I knew--I just knew--that she was the best woman that had ever existed or ever would exist FOR ME; that God had created us for each other, and planned it before the dawn of the universe, and I was overwhelmed. And then, as a sort of strange afterthought (I love the duality), I asked God, "Did you really just tell me that?" And instantly, the Spirit flowed through me like a tidal wave and made me tremble; God said, "I told you." : : Things like this are hard for me to share. But for some reason when I am sharing with my flock, my family, I am given a special grace so I can express these things. Without this, they would stay locked up in me like a hidden treasure. I was led to share this story one day in church, but my wife was in Arizona and did not hear. : : It has been sixteen years since I married this wonderful lady, and I am more thankful for her now than I have ever been. I am truly blessed. : : Happy Anniversary, Cari. I love you. : : You made me cry again! You guys are beautiful together. : Thanks Steve.

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