Always a Testimony

It has been a wild week for me!  My constant  thorn in the flesh, which is chronic pancreatitis, flared up last Monday and I ended up in the emergency room (ER).  The doctors wanted to admit me, but I somehow convinced them to let me go, with the promise that I would return if my pain got any worse.  The next day, while I was directing the next Ask Your Pastor show the pain returned, tripling in intensity.  Thus, after the shooting I returned to the ER and I was admitted for pancreatitis and an intestinal blockage.  I then spent three days in the hospital being pumped full of pain killer narcotics, blood thinners, pancreatic enzymes, and laxatives.


So, there I was in the hospital, with limited options of activities.  I could watch TV and movies, I could lie in bed and try to sleep (impossible with the pain), I could lie bed and watch the ceiling (also impossible with the schizophrenic screaming for a waitress in the next bed), or I could do what I chose to do and read my Bible.  And it was during my Bible readings that I came up with several new thoughts and views, ones dealing with Ya'akov (Jacob) and his issues with lying and deceiving other.   I came up with an understanding on Enoch and why he was translated into heaven.  And most importantly after a visit from the hospital Rabbi I truly now understand that the Lord will always put us in places, like hospitals, for one purpose, to share our testimony.


Let me share with you what happened.  I was lying in bed watching a sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley, a preacher who I've always enjoyed.  My compact leather KJV Bible with a fold-over snap-flap was lying on my tray table.  The schizophrenic in the next bed was out for tests, so the room was quiet except for the TV.  In came the chaplain-Rabbi with a knock introducing himself and we greeted each other with a friendly "shalom", though I added a "alakeim" (peace be with you).  He asked how I was feeling, I told him spiritually blessed, physically like whats in my bedpan....he chuckled as I hoped he would.  We chatted for a couple minutes about my Jewish background, and he was a comfortable about my Jewishness.  It was then he saw the book on the tray table.  Now for someone who has never seen my Bible and how it may compare to a Jewish siddur (prayer book) his mistake was understandable.  He walked over to it and asked if this was my prayer book, I said yes it was my prayer book, it is also my book of answers.  I explained that it was my Bible and that I was a Jewish believer in Yeshua haMashiach (Jesus the Christ).  So he would not be confused I quickly explained that I was not a Messianic Jew or a Jew for Jesus, that the first was a specific denomination and the second was a particular organization.  I was a Jewish Christian and I was still Jewish.  The Rabbi started asking questions, he was truly interested.  At least that is how it appeared; in truth he was attempting to see if I would trip up in my answers.  For with every answer I gave his feet inched ever closer to the door, to the point of a goodbye and a running Rabbi down the hospital hallways.  He was fast!


Yet, a seed was planted there.  A seed of Yeshua that can not be taken away.  The Rabbi did not hear what he was planning to hear, yet what he did hear was the truth of the Gospel as given by the Lord of Lords.  I cannot say why, but perhaps the entire reason for my illness and being in the hospital was just to plant that very seen in that old Rabbi's mind.

Precious Lord, for some time now I have had great difficulty in praying to you for personally health concerns, for the concerns of the spirit are so much more important.  Lord, I pray that as I continue to work through my health issues that I have the strength of character and spirit to look to you first and foremost to share the Gospel unashamed.  In Yeshua's name.  Amen.

Since my return from the hospital, yesterday was the first time I had my wife and daughter home and let me tell you it was an answer to many prayers!  The first ministry God gave human kind was the institution of the family and I can with some honest testimony let me say that my family was in serious disarray, for we were apart. Now we were not apart for emotional or negative reasons; no, we were separated because of physical heath issues.  But it wasn't until yesterday that the physical rift in that ministry of our family became healed.  

Precious Lord, I thank You for answering prayers.  I know in truth You answer ALL prayers whether or not we are receptive to the outcome, thus I pray that we, in particular I, gain more faith to accept Your will.  I pray this in the name of Your Son and Messiah, Yeshua.  Amayn. 

So with my family home I was able to resume my nightly Bible readings with my 8-year old daughter last night.  Now Sarahfay (SF) and I are the only two Jewish believers in Messiah in our whole family.  Kolleen is a Gentile and if she would have to be put into a denomination it would have to be an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist  (take that 20/20!).  So SF and I often talk about Bible stories and how they affected the Jewish communities in the past, in the present and how they will in the future.

Last night we started read from the King James Bible on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1.  Let me just say we did not get very far.  For our discussion took on a very important turn, one that I feel would keep us away from many Messianic Jewish circles.

It went something like this:  

"you know how important my Jewish heritage is to me, right?, I asked.

"Yes, daddy", she answered.  

"And you know how important it is for me that you come to understand your Jewish heritage too, right?"  

She relied with a quick, "Mmm, hmm."  

"Well, I want you to listen to me baby, and look at me for this may be the most important lesson I teach you...nothing is more important then the Word of God; not our heritage, not church, not people, not momma or daddy, nothing.  The Bible says the Word of God is Jesus and Jesus is the Word.  We can know the Word through the Bible, and that makes this Bible your most important possession you own.  This is your connection to God.  Do you understand?"  

"Yes Daddy."

So my question to you is...do you understand?

El Shaddai, God Almighty, Adonai Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts, I pray you walk with us and grant us this wisdom to know that you are the Word of God.  Amen.