If things go as planned I will be leaving LA within the year. I was reflecting over everything else I have to do before I leave. Here is the list thus far (I am only including things I have not yet done), feel free to add your suggestions:
1. Go to a Jay Leno or Ellen show
2. Go to Las Vegas
3. Go to Disney Land (?)
4. Eat Korean Bar B Que
5. Go to some museums on Miracle Mile
6. Go hiking
7. Go to Six Flags (without kids with me)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Healing
After a year and two months of chronic back pain, my understanding of physical pain and God's healing has been evolving. I used to think that if God were going to heal someone it would be instant. If God did not heal someone instantly, I would wonder what went wrong and would be discouraged at times. I might think, did I not have enough faith? Did they not have enough faith? Does God not care or is He not really in the healing business? Now, I think differently!
I've come to realize that there is a role that God can play, that the devil can play, and also that we play. The pain I am experiencing in my back can be attributed to choices I have made that have created the problem. If God were to heal me instantly, I would not change my unhealthy lifestyle patterns. I trust that God is good, that he sees my pain, and that He wants healing for me. I also see the choices I have to make to help the process.
Now, I think when I pray for peoples healing I can have a better understanding of why God might not heal right away. And I do think sometimes there is an emotional and deeper spiritual component to why someone might hava an ailment. I've heard stories about this. The bottom line is it is complicated, but God is good. I think we should be careful of always looking at the spiritual component to an ailment and also look at that persons lifestyle habits or at what else God may be wanting that person to learn from it. Maybe our prayers should not just be let the pain go away, but let them have insight into their problem to know what God is trying to communicate or what they need to change in order to be healed. And ofcourse, the particular ailment makes a difference as well. These are just some of my initial thoughts.
I've come to realize that there is a role that God can play, that the devil can play, and also that we play. The pain I am experiencing in my back can be attributed to choices I have made that have created the problem. If God were to heal me instantly, I would not change my unhealthy lifestyle patterns. I trust that God is good, that he sees my pain, and that He wants healing for me. I also see the choices I have to make to help the process.
Now, I think when I pray for peoples healing I can have a better understanding of why God might not heal right away. And I do think sometimes there is an emotional and deeper spiritual component to why someone might hava an ailment. I've heard stories about this. The bottom line is it is complicated, but God is good. I think we should be careful of always looking at the spiritual component to an ailment and also look at that persons lifestyle habits or at what else God may be wanting that person to learn from it. Maybe our prayers should not just be let the pain go away, but let them have insight into their problem to know what God is trying to communicate or what they need to change in order to be healed. And ofcourse, the particular ailment makes a difference as well. These are just some of my initial thoughts.
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