God’s Presence = Faith and Health Connection

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Weekly Faith and Health Scripture - Jesus Praying Through Me - Galatians 2:20

Published by Dale on July 30, 2008 in God's Presence, Jesus, Spirit Mind Body Health and Weekly Faith and Health Scripture. 2 Comments

Jesus Praying2 Last week I prayed in a way that I had never prayed before.

My heart has been heavy for an individual for many months. I sensed that person needed a special touch from God from deep within. On many, many occasions I had prayed for him. In my Men’s Bible study we have been looking at how Christ lives His life through us. Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” That tells me that a follower of Christ is to allow Christ to be the one who is speaking, behaving and doing all the other things a person does. If we were truly one with Christ, we could step aside and let Him live though us.

Jesus tells us in John 15:4 & 16, “Remain in me and I will remain in you.” “The Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” To me, this says that if we are so deeply abiding in Jesus that we will actually sense His presence in us. We will know that Jesus actually is living in us. Since that is the case, then we ought to understand that Jesus wants to be the one praying, not us. If we have this awareness and are able to yield to Jesus during our prayers, then in those moments we can be confident that the prayers that are being lifted up to the Father are actually the prayers of Jesus. Wow! That is so very powerful and sacred and holy.

I believe that this is the true essence of abiding in Jesus. When we are able to experience that Jesus is present and the one living through our bodies and the one doing the talking through our lips, then we are “joined” to Him just as He desires us to be. When we are able to be in this place, that’s when much fruit will be produced. (John 15:5) And one of the fruits that most pleases the Father is the fruit of someone entering into His Kingdom.

Why does Jesus want to be able to pray through us to the Father? He wants us to experience the ultimate connection with Him that occurs during that time of prayer. He wants us to have that sweet fellowship with Him. He wants us to experience the confidence and the power that occurs when we are with Him so solidly. He wants us to be instruments of His love as we pray for others. He wants us to really know Him… the kind of knowing Him that is experienced during such intimately prayerful times.

When we are in God’s presence, imagine how quieted our body, mind and emotions are. Such peace is wonderfully conducive to our health. When we are purely connected with God and Jesus it’s a really beautiful thing. Anytime we experience something beautiful, it’s good for our inner being and wellness. Imagine the strong sense of confidence you’d have and a sense of power, not power that comes from self, but power that comes straight from God. We should not be motivated for these reasons, but it’s an extra benefit that comes from such a close and intimate relationship with our Savior!

I have full confidence that God heard that prayer last week. It was Jesus’ prayer to His Father. I also know that God then touched a man’s heart in a special way over the next few days. Thank you Jesus for revealing more of your nature to me.

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Being Connected to God

Published by Dale on October 3, 2007 in God, God's Presence and Spiritual Exercises. 0 Comments

My most recent article for Faith and Fitness magazine is on the spiritual exercise of abiding with God. When we stay closely connected to God, we can enjoy the many fruits that He desires for us to have like peace and kindness and joy along with the power to make behavior changes that He intended us to have. We are more likely to behave and think in a way that aligns us with His will for our life. We can have the hope that can only come from being close to Him.

As I write this entry I have some soft Christian music playing on my Ipod. I feel His presence… and from that I feel joy in my heart. I hope that you’ll take a few minutes to read the article at the link above. And I hope that you’ll reap the benefits from abiding with God.

Have a blessed day!

Dale

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Where I Write My Best Stuff

Published by Dale on September 3, 2007 in God's Presence. 0 Comments

It’s Labor Day and it’s been a few months since I have been able to get outside to my patio out back and write something. It’s just been too darn hot in Charlotte during these hot summer months. I have read about how writers have a spot that they like to do their writing from. Some sneak away to a mountain retreat. Others make their way to a lush green park with flowers and birds all around.

I am fortunate to be able to have a patio surrounded by plants and flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. There is also a very small plastic-tubed pond with trickling water. I’ve missed coming out here to be in the presence of God’s natural setting. When I am here, my thoughts flow more easily. I feel like I am closer to God and that I can better hear what His Spirit is saying to me.

It’s especially here that I like to sit and ponder what to write for the series of articles on Spiritual Exercises for a Healthier Life I am writing for Faith and Fitness Magazine. All previous articles for the magazine are at that site or on the Resources page of my web site.

As a monarch butterfly flits from flower to flower on a nearby butterfly bush and a Ruby Red hummingbird whizzes by, I’m off to write my next article.

Hope you’ve had a relaxing Labor Day.

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Growing Closer to God Every Day

Published by Dale on May 10, 2007 in Faith and Health, God's Presence, Prostate Cancer, Trust in God and Vocal Cord Paralysis. 1 Comment

So the surgery for prostate cancer is back on again. Thursday May 17th.

The laryngitis I have had for 31 days has been diagnosed as a paralyzed left vocal cord. The ENT doctor will begin to treat that problem after I begin my recovery from the surgery. He tells me that it may take 6-9 months for the vocal cord to heal….. and that about 75% of patients can expect this type of result.

Who could believe that a significant surgery would be postponed because of laryngitis and then be told you have a paralyzed vocal cord!! This series of events has brought me closer to God… for sure. I have been reading more about how God heals people. The last four days I have been very intentional about trying to be in His presence to be as close to Him as possible.

It’s during times like this that I have experienced the loving touch of God. As I write this, I realize that I have a choice, a free will, to turn to God and be with Him more, or to turn away from Him and to try to do this on my own. I’ve chosen the first path. And I know I have been better off for it.

I have also tried to remain in touch with friends and professional associates during the last few months… to remain connected and to receive support from them, which has helped tremendously. I am a blessed man because of the people I know, many of who have reached out to me with their support and prayers.

No doubt the closeness I have felt to God has helped me write yet another article on Spiritual Exercise for Faith and Fitness Magazine. Amazing how that happens isn’t it!

Praise God.

Keep running your race…as I run mine,

Dale

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For Fitness and Health Professionals

Published by Dale on January 19, 2007 in Faith and Fitness, Faith and Health, Fitness and Health Professionals, God's Presence and Spiritual Exercises. 1 Comment

Ok… you’re a fitness/health professional and the purpose of your role is to help your clients/patients be more healthy. You understand that one’s spiritual health is every bit as important as one’s physical health. You recognize that there is a connection between one’s faith and their health… that if one attends to their deep spiritual needs and has a connection with God and practices certain religious/spiritual behaviors, then it will impact in a positive way on their emotional and physical health. Yet, you do not “go there” with your clients or patients. You don’t initiate conversation with the people you serve on this topic. Why not? What are the obstacles that cause you not to “go there?”