Category Archives: Faith

A Tribute to A Truth Warrior

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Melanie & LukeRecently the world lost a courageous truth warrior, Melanie Hamilton Baldwin, mother of a severely vaccine-injured child who regressed into autism and self-injurious behavior. Melanie wrote a phenomenal chapter, “B.K. Lets Go of the Controls and Holds Tight to Faith,” in the book The Thinking Moms Revolution, Autism Beyond the Spectrum: Inspiring True Stories from Parents Fighting to Rescue their Children. For anyone who has not read this compelling collection of writing by 23 moms and one dad, it is ESSENTIAL reading, but it is also inspiring and challenging.

Melanie’s writing provides powerful inspiration to anyone no matter what the nature of struggle you are going through. She was a brave warrior whose life was cut short, yet she leaves a legacy for all of us. While Melanie experienced many challenges, she did not allow her challenges to make her callous or bitter, but responded with an impossible level of grace and even thankfulness for them.

Melanie’s challenges are unimaginable if you have never spent time with a severely autistic child who is suffering from physical pain and not able to communicate. The Thinking Moms (and one dad) do a great job of describing the daily reality of living with that kind of pressure. On top of the 24/7 job of being a mom to her son, Melanie also faced her own battle with breast cancer which spread. Despite this enormous combination of suffering, she was not despondent or overwhelmed, and had an amazing response. I have included quite a long quote because I believe Mel’s word speak for more eloquently than anything I can say.

Before you begin feeling sorry for me, let me just say this: This was one of the most blessed periods of my entire life…When I was diagnosed with cancer everything changed. I knew I didn’t have the strength for this, and I learned that God could use this experience for good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” To gather God’s strength, I dug deep into His word, and my relationship with Him flourished. It was through this experience that I learned the most valuable lessons of my whole life, and I have watched in amazement how He has worked.

…When we surrender control to God, He takes our lives and makes them what He intended them to be. It might appear you are losing control, but it actually sets you free.

I believe many times God uses trials to draw us closer to Him. It’s an amazing thing! People tend to look at me like I am crazy when I say that having breast cancer has been a blessing, but that’s truly what it has been. I‘ve fallen in love with Jesus. I’ve learned to trust that whatever God has in store for me is truly His best, even if I don’t understand it. I’m learning to give each decision that I have to make, including the small ones, to Him before I act. It’s kept me from making some very bad mistakes, and all the while He is showing me His work in my life. It’s awesome to see! God never promises in His Word that life will be easy for His people. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. He promises that we will endure trials and hardships. It’s how you deal with these trials that helps you grow the most as a follower of Christ.

But I believe God has a plan and His plan is better than any plan of my own. No, He didn’t give my son autism. My son was born healthy. The world gave my son autism. But somehow God can use it. None of it makes sense to me right now, but I do believe that one day it will. I just have to hold on tight to my faith and to my Lord and take life as it comes, one day at a time.

Another passion Mel had and I share, was for churches full of Christians “blinded to the dangers of vaccines and holding great trust in anyone with an MD degree.” Yet she was able to forgive and to pray, “I can forgive them because if it hadn’t happened to us, I wouldn’t understand it myself. All I can do is keep praying for the Lord to remove their blinders. I pray for that all of the time.”

From an earthly here and now perspective, we could look at Mel’s life and consider it a great tragedy, but I think Mel wants more from us. Her life can compel us to discover the faith that kept her strong, vibrant, and thankful till the end of her short time. Even though I didn’t know Mel, I feel great confidence that Mel’s greatest desire for all who read about her life and her son’s tragic decent into autism through our medical system, would be for them to turn to Jesus and find the same hope and comfort that she experienced through every challenge she faced.

Mel’s strong enduring faith lives on and continues to impact lives through the words in the book and blogs she left us. She was loved and treasured by many and I pray many more will be inspired by her courageous faith and that her words and legacy will compel us to seek Jesus as she did, and to become Truth Warriors, as she was, willing to  endure our challenges, but not shying away from sharing TRUTH wherever Jesus leads us.

Day 24 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

Head Shot BAuthor: Becky Hastings, wife, mother, grandmother, passionate follower of Jesus Christ and truth seeker, especially in the areas of health and children. Navigating our present day world can be challenging, God’s timeless truths in the Bible are my guide.

 

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve. Thanks.

 

Truth Warriors

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Melanie with bookRecently we lost a courageous truth warrior, Melanie Hamilton Baldwin. While I never met her personally, I was blessed by reading about her story in her chapter of The Thinking Moms Revolution, Autism Beyond the Spectrum: Inspiring True Stories from Parents Fighting to Rescue their Children. For anyone who has not read this compelling collection of writing by 23 moms and one dad, it is ESSENTIAL reading, but it is also inspiring and challenging.

Melanie’s chapter, “B.K. Lets Go of the Controls and Holds Tight to Faith,” provides powerful inspiration to anyone no matter what the nature of struggle you are going through. She was a brave warrior whose life was cut short, yet she leaves a legacy for all of us.

Melanie experienced many challenges. She did not allow her challenges to make her callous or bitter, but responded with an impossible level of grace and even thankfulness for them.

She describes her journey of motherhood and discovering the tragic facts of vaccine injury firsthand. She rigidly followed her doctor’s advice regarding vaccination – she was never one of those “crazy, dangerous, anti-vaxxers” – she was a 100% compliant mom who never missed a well baby checkup and EVERY shot recommended.

Even when her son had obvious lack of speech and other “quirky” symptoms, she dismissed them,

“Locked in my denial, I continued to be a good mommy and followed the doctor’s orders. I continued vaccinating and never considered that to be a problem.

“That all changed shortly after his fifth birthday.”

Lacking an understanding of what was causing her son’s various symptoms, his doctor prescribed a series of antibiotics, which became the tipping point. Out of extreme pain, he began head banging and self-injurious behaviors. This obvious signal of extreme distress drove Mel to explore the role of diet, detox and traditional medical treatments with an entirely new perspective. Driven to understand that her son’s chronic pain was actually the result of all the vaccines and antibiotics, she began new therapies that started to yield small glimpses of improvement. Then, in the midst of this re-education process regarding, health, autism, and ways to bring relief to her son, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had another battle to fight.

She was not despondent or overwhelmed, and had an amazing response. I have included quite a long quote because I believe Mel’s words speak far more eloquently than anything I can say.

Before you begin feeling sorry for me, let me just say this: This was one of the most blessed periods of my entire life…When I was diagnosed with cancer everything changed. I knew I didn’t have the strength for this, and I learned that God could use this experience for good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” To gather God’s strength, I dug deep into His word, and my relationship with Him flourished. It was through this experience that I learned the most valuable lessons of my whole life, and I have watched in amazement how He has worked.

…When we surrender control to God, He takes our lives and makes them what He intended them to be. It might appear you are losing control, but it actually sets you free.

I believe many times God uses trials to draw us closer to Him. It’s an amazing thing! People tend to look at me like I am crazy when I say that having breast cancer has been a blessing, but that’s truly what it has been. I‘ve fallen in love with Jesus. I’ve learned to trust that whatever God has in store for me is truly His best, even if I don’t understand it. I’m learning to give each decision that I have to make, including the small ones, to Him before I act. It’s kept me from making some very bad mistakes, and all the while He is showing me His work in my life. It’s awesome to see! God never promises in His Word that life will be easy for His people. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. He promises that we will endure trials and hardships. It’s how you deal with these trials that helps you grow the most as a follower of Christ.

But I believe God has a plan and His plan is better than any plan of my own. No, He didn’t give my son autism. My son was born healthy. The world gave my son autism. But somehow God can use it. None of it makes sense to me right now, but I do believe that one day it will. I just have to hold on tight to my faith and to my Lord and take life as it comes, one day at a time.

Another passion Mel had and I share, was for churches full of Christians “blinded to the dangers of vaccines and holding great trust in anyone with an MD degree.” Yet she was able to forgive and to pray, “I can forgive them because if it hadn’t happened to us, I wouldn’t understand it myself. All I can do is keep praying for the Lord to remove their blinders. I pray for that all of the time.”

Melanie & LukeFrom an earthly here and now perspective, we could look at Mel’s life and consider it a great tragedy, but I think Mel wants more from us. Her life can compel us to discover the faith that kept her strong, vibrant and thankful till the end of her short time. Even though I didn’t know Mel, I feel great confidence that Mel’s greatest desire for all who read about her life and her son’s tragic decent into autism through our medical system, would be for them to turn to Jesus and find the same hope and comfort that she experienced through every challenge she faced.

Mel’s strong enduring faith lives on and continues to impact lives through the words in the book and blogs she left us. She was loved and treasured by many and I pray many more will be inspired by her courageous faith and that her words and legacy will compel us to seek Jesus as she did, and to become Truth Warriors, as she was, actively seeking to expose dangerous medical routines and protect children from vaccine injury.

The TMR team continues their special collection to help provide care for Melanie’s autistic son. Please join me in donating to honor this brave Truth Warrior.

30 ways in 30 Days, Exploring Vaccines: Day 25

 

Christians are Forgivers & Fighters

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FightJesus had a lot to say about forgiveness. One of the main explanations of forgiveness comes from the parable He told in Matthew 18 about the servant who owed his master money and was pardoned, but then failed to forgive his fellow servant.

We have been forgiven MUCH, so our only appropriate response is to demonstrate forgiveness to those who owe us.

There is a difference in forgiveness and allowing evil people or practices that cause injustice against helpless innocent people to continue.

When we see evil perpetuated unchecked in our world we should have NOTHING to do with it, and we should seek to expose it.

Paul warns us repeatedly about  deception.

“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you with fine sounding arguments.” Colossians 2:4

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:8

If we feel God is calling us to expose injustice and deception we also know a few things:

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:2-5

Hey!Exposing evil can unleash a spiritual battle. But we don’t need to be afraid because we know that Christ is head over any and every spiritual force we will come up against. We can be assured of victory in the name of Jesus Christ, based on our relationship with Him.

We can be confident when we are seeking to help the innocent and downtrodden, because we have the power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ on our side.

“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Romans 5:11

“United with the One who was raised from the dead, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.” Romans 7:14

Whatever God has called us to do, we know He is with us throughout the struggle we may encounter.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 

Sums up our marching orders pretty well. Simple, but impossible to do in our own strength.

What battle has God called you to fight?

Where is God calling you to forgive?

Where do you see injustice and feel the Holy Spirit wants you to speak out boldly?

When have you seen God at work to fight in spiritual battles around you?

Day 23 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve.

Healthy Toddlers DON’T JUST DEVELOP AUTISM

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One mom. One boy. On March 23, 2007 their lives changed forever.

Jennifer had a beautiful baby boy, Josiah. He was 16 months old and was doing really well. He was delightfully learning language and curious about the world around him. He loved his mom and had a great connection with her. He loved learning and every day was a new adventure with the two of them sharing a beautiful bond.

Boy in hatI love the 2nd year of life. It is truly a wonderful time to be around a child.

All the magical moments in Jennifer and Josiah’s life came to a screeching halt on one eventful day.

Jennifer had carefully chosen a pediatrician to provide health care for her precious son. She was so committed to Josiah’s health and the doctor’s wisdom, that she drove one hour for every appointment she had with him. Of course she took him for ALL the well baby visits – because that is what loving parents do. She trusted her doctor. He had training. He knew what babies needed to be healthy.

When Josiah was 16 ½ months old Jennifer made the one hour drive to her doctor’s appointment. She reflected on how it seemed slightly unnecessary to visit a doctor since her son was so healthy, and the fact that while it hadn’t seemed like a long drive when her son was smaller, it was quite an inconvenience out of her schedule to make this appointment.

The doctor did all the usual measurements and announced that Josiah was doing exactly right for his age and stage. Then he suggested that since it was such a long drive, instead of separating the 15 month recommended shots from the 18 month recommended shots, they could just give them all on the same day.

Jennifer completely trusted that her doctor knew what he was doing and THAT HE WAS DOING HER A FAVOR. Instead of making her come back for another appointment in a couple of months, he was willing to go ahead and give Josiah ALL THE SHOTS.

Josiah received 9 different shots that day, including the MMR and the DTap.

After getting these ‘protective’ injections at the pediatrician’s office for his ‘well baby visit’, Josiah started screaming, crying, arching his back, with his eyes rolling back in his head. He continued screaming for five hours when he finally fell into an exhausted sleep. This was an indication of the extreme serious vaccine reaction Josiah experienced. The combined toxic load was more than his body and brain could bear.

Jennifer noted with increasing horror the many results of that fateful day on March 23, 2007.

Josiah lost the desire and ability to make eye contact. He completely stopped talking. Whereas once he had been saying 20 – 30 words and stringing together 3 word sentences, except for the screams or moans of pain, he cannot communicate.

Josiah’s behavior changed dramatically after receiving the shots . He began spinning in circles, flapping his hands, mouthing his toys non-stop and afraid of the water in his bath – that he once loved.

Josiah is now 8 years old. He is still wearing diapers, is non-verbal and does not make eye-contact. His life has been forever changed because his mom trusted the pediatrician. She thought he was doing her a favor.

Jennifer’s message to parents is a very simple one: “Please research the shots you allow your doctor to give your children. Oh how I WISH I HAD. Vaccine injuries are not rare. My son has never been the same.”

30 ways in 30 Days, Exploring Vaccines: Day 24

Friends on our Journey

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FriendsWe all need people in our life to

Encourage us

Strengthen us

Keep us from being shaken by our current troubles.

Paul described Timothy as being someone like that for the people in Thessalonica.

We are stronger when we allow people to encourage us and when we give encouragement to others.

Is there anyone in your life who provides you with that sort of encouragement?

Is there a person to whom you are able to give that sort of encouragement?

I’m always looking for more encouragement in my life.

Together, what might God be able to accomplish through us?

We always have the comfort of Jesus, but we can provide tangible help and comfort to one another during the challenges we face in this life.

It isn’t always easy to follow Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonians, but this is what we can do for each other.

Joyful

Day 22 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve.

Strong Words

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conversationThere is a great deal of power in our words.

Our words come out of our heart and reveal who we are to the world.

Our words contain our biggest fears and can contain our greatest hopes.

We can help make our heart strong by saying words filled with hope and faith.

Memorizing God’s word can give us faith filled words to say – even if we may not fully believe them.

Memorizing faith-filled portions of the Bible is one of my greatest delights. I am able to take God’s word with me wherever I go. I can shout out God’s word while alone in a forest, or riding a bike.

There is power in repeating God’s word out loud. It encourages my heart to hear these words.

We live in a world that is more than just what we see. Jesus rebuked Peter because he was only looking at a situation from an earthly perspective:

“You are seeing things merely from a human point of view – not from God’s.” Jesus

God’s point of view should always be my starting point in any aspect of life:

WHAT IS GOD’S POINT OF VIEW IN THIS SITUATION?

How I spend my time, how I use my resources, financial decisions, relationship decisions, vocation decisions, health decisions, etc.

Framing my words, memorizing and meditating on God’s word until they become a part of me, all help me to keep seeing the world from God’s perspective.

If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. The Son of Man will judge all people according to their deeds.

It’s not easy to live in the world and stay strong in confidence. It is much easier to give in to discouragement. Reviewing God’s strong words is a continual source of inspiration and encouragement for me. I know,

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, so we also may live new lives

lives focussed on Jesus, confident in His power, and filled with STRONG WORDS.

Day 21 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve.

 

Water Anyone?

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drinking waterIt has been said,

Lose your heatlh

I’m quite an avid health seeker, as those who know me best will attest – sometimes a little bit overboard and too enthusiastic.

I have written a lot about various ways to boost and enhance our health, but one of the simplest things we can do is often overlooked – because it is just so simple.

WATER

We all need good clean water. One of the best times to drink that good clean water is FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. I was reminded of this just yesterday when I read some research showing how many different illnesses can be positively impacted – just by drinking water first thing in the morning, and waiting 45 minutes before having breakfast.

SIMPLE

How many do it? For those who have yet to make it a daily ritual – why haven’t you?

I could write a whole other blog about water, how I personally collect my own spring water, and other important aspects of drinking water, but I was struck by a spiritual correlation.

Just like our body needs pure clean water to thrive, and getting it first thing in the morning is ESPECIALLY beneficial, so our hearts and minds need the PURE CLEAN spiritual water we find in Jesus, usually through HIS WORD, the Bible. AND it is especially beneficial to have access FIRST thing in the morning.

If you are new to a faith journey I challenge you to prioritize time – you can decide how long – but prioritize time FIRST thing in the morning to focus on reading the Bible and getting your refreshing LIVING WATER through Jesus. One way might be to read one chapter from one of the Gospels and every day read the next chapter. There are other ways, but the important thing is to start.

This morning I was refreshed for hours through this one verse Paul included in his letter to the Romans (4:17):

As it is written: ‘I have made you [Abraham] a father of many nations.’ He [Abraham] is our father, in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

We all know about Abraham, but the only reason we know about him is because God kept His promise to Him – God built nations of people through Abraham. Not because Abraham was so obedient – but because he demonstrated FAITH. He BELIEVED God.

But right now, God also sees me and He knows exactly what He can accomplish through me – and it is not the same as my current reality. “God calls things that are not as though they were.” I wonder what things God can call to be in my life?

What are the dreams that He has put in my heart? What dreams are in your heart? What are the longings or desires that ARE IMPOSSIBLE for us to accomplish on our own, but that God can easily accomplish – because He is the God who gives life to the dead!

Starting every single day with a dip into the living water will re-set your mind and your heart. Jesus said a lot about the importance of our hearts – these statements are all found in different chapters in Matthew:

“Whatever is in your heart determines what you will say.”

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.”

“You are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

Are you depressed? Downtrodden? Discouraged? Stuck? How are the words that you are speaking (even inside your own head) keeping you in that state?

“You are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

We need our hearts re-filled and re-charged EVERY SINGLE DAY – and especially first thing in the morning, so that our mouths can be filled with FAITH FILLED WORDS ALL DAY LONG.

What does God desire to accomplish through me and you? He has made it very clear in His word – that is another reason we need to keep reading it!

Light image croppedFor one thing we know for sure He wants to use us to represent Him as a fragrance of beauty wherever we go. We are to share our knowledge of God and of Jesus. He wants us to be salt and light. We need to repent of our own sinful tendencies and share the Good News of the forgiveness of sins with others. We are to love and forgive others – even when it is hard. We won’t ever be perfect. It is only His power in us that can do any of this!

We all have the same problem and it requires the same solution!

We need to recognize that we are sinners and we are not able to accomplish our own salvation. We need to repent, turn to God, and believe that through Jesus we can be made right and given a right relationship with Him!

Like Abraham, we “believe in God who brings the dead back to life and creates new things out of nothing!” What new things might God create in YOUR LIFE?

Day 20 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve.

You Feed Them

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breadJesus was a walking talking miracle demonstration up close and personal for His twelve disciples for three years while He lived on earth

I’m sure there were many times they might have felt they were riding a roller coaster. Up high one minute, strong twisting jerky twists and turns the next. They never knew what to expect and sometimes had a hard time figuring Jesus out. It can be the same for me.

I learn so much from trying to understand what Jesus was about while He was on earth.

In Matthew 14 there are some big events. First Jesus learns of John the Baptists death at the hands of Herod. He immediately wanted to find a remote area to be alone. I don’t think He was surprised, but He could have been grieving. Maybe He wanted to talk over the implications and explain them to His disciples.

But it didn’t happen. Instead a HUGE crowd inconvenienced them with their presence – even though they had travelled to a VERY REMOTE place. Jesus wasn’t upset or annoyed at this intrusion, “He had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

His disciples might have been a bit more bothered and suggested to Jesus that they send the people away. Imagine that. They have the Son of God in their midst. He has demonstrated His incredible power to heal every sort of malady right in front of them, He has called them and He is clearly their leader, yet they decide He needs them to tell Him what to do!

Before I get too judgmental I need to remember that I sometimes have the same propensity. I like to tell God what He needs to do, like He’s not sure what to do next, but it is very clear to me.

I love this next part. Jesus does not accept their plan to send the people away to buy food. He shoots it right down with one phrase:

“That isn’t necessary – YOU FEED THEM.”

You see, Jesus had compassion on the crowd, to be sure. But He also had an incredibly generous plan for His disciples. His words would have challenged them, but those words were also an incredible opportunity and invitation to them

“YOU FEED THEM.”

Jesus knew everything and could have used any means to accomplish His purposes. He knew exactly what the disciples had on hand in terms of food resources (turns out to be only five loaves of bread and two fish between the twelve of them).

In the same way, Jesus knows exactly what our current resources are. He knows what we have and He knows how limited it seems to us in terms of our ability to follow His passion of FEEDING and HEALING the masses.

My response is something like this, ‘Lord, You see and know everything. You have compassion on the crowds of people who were so confused and looking for hope in the midst of their despair. Lord, there are lost, hurting, sick despairing people today. You see what I’ve got. I can make a list of what I have to show you that it really isn’t much at all. What can you do with what I have?’

Jesus simply said, “Bring them here.” Bring them to me. Bring what you have, even if you think it is very small and insignificant, just bring it to me.

Then He involved His disciples in one of the most incredible fast food conference experiences the world has ever known. He took what they brought to Him and He multiplied it.

He can do the same today. He can multiply what I’ve got to offer. What do I have? What do you have? Your list and mine will be different, but we all have something and Jesus can multiply whatever we have when we offer it to Him. He can also help us to see even more – things we have that we aren’t aware of.

Paul said it like this:

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus… For I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. Acts 20

giving handsWhat have i got in my hands? This morning I looked at what I have in a new way: my time, my background, my access to information, my life experiences, my internet connection, my social media access, my communication skills, my volunteer opportunities, my training skills, my relationships, etc. I realized I don’t need them to be first class. Jesus just asked for what the disciples had. He knew that what they had was not enough to get the job done. The disciples meager food resources were not fully adequate to feed the 5000 people who were hungry. But when I bring my resources to my Savior, He can multiply them for His glory.

He wants to demonstrate His power to people today and, just like He allowed the disciples to be an integral part of this great demonstration, He generously allows His agents today to be part of His agenda.

I am so thankful that He can take what I have and multiply them. I am so thankful He has invited me to join Him in the work He wants to do in the world today.

What do you have? How can Jesus multiply what you have?

Day 19 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve.

 

Struggles with pain and death

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Melanie & LukeI sometimes struggle with why people endure suffering. I feel called to champion the families who have been hit hard by vaccine injuries. Many families I know have lost a child immediately after receiving the recommended vaccinations. Others have watched their child have reactions ranging from severe crying, severe bowel issues, developmental delays, autism, auto-immune disorders, etc.

These are loving caring parents and they are often devastated by the extent of the challenges they face in their “new normal.” A way of life they never imagined.

These parents do a variety of things with their pain. Many are very angry. Others become valiant warriors who want to help other parents and children avoid the tragedy they have experienced.

It would not be surprising if many of those suffering indescribable suffering, that has continued for day after day, year after year, grew angry with God. I could totally understand.

I don’t think God inflicts suffering on people. I think God has allowed the suffering in the world to play out, but I think it breaks His heart to watch His suffering children.

I know God can heal any and every condition. But healing is not automatic and not everyone is healed.

Does that mean God doesn’t care? Or that He isn’t able to help?

There are many things we will only know when we get to heaven. God allows suffering and He often uses our suffering to bring about His good purposes.

We have lost a noble warrior for truth, Melanie Hamilton, AKA Booty Kicker. Melanie has been fighting for healing for her vaccine-injured son for years. She has also had to battle with cancer.

An amazing woman by the name of Melanie Hamilton Baldwin changed the face of autism and cancer culture by telling her story to thousands as “Booty Kicker” in the Thinking Moms’ Revolution’s book Autism Beyond the Spectrum. Having once beaten breast and bone (hip) cancer; she recently battled liver, spine, and bone cancer in her other hip. For anyone who knew Melanie, two words come to mind. “Faithful” and “Godly.”  Melanie leaves her severely affected son Luke, who still requires 24/7 care and attention as he is self-injurious and quite ill, suffering the lingering effects of severe autism. Please consider donating generously  to help her family care for Luke as she is now gone.

There really aren’t words to comfort her fellow warriors or her family at this time. Anything you think of to say just seems so hallow, so cliché. The pain she endured was terrific, but it is over now. I hope Paul’s words to the Corinthians could in some way bring hope to Melanie’s family and friends and to anyone else who has endured great suffering:

We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:10

We have confidence that Melanie is in heaven and has received a rich welcome. Her loved ones on earth continue to soldier on and I pray they will find renewal for their spirits every single day as they continue this journey. I also pray that her life’s legacy will continue and that many families will find help and many others will be spared the hardships she endured because of her valiant noble commitment to her son, her family and helping others.

Thank you Melanie for your bold warrior spirit and legacy that will live on.  Becky

Day 18 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve.

I want more

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Dog“To those who listen to My teaching,

More understanding will be given

And they will have an abundance of knowledge!” Jesus (Matthew 13:12)

Many people have deep needs today. Jesus desires to help.

But sometimes they resist the help He wants to give. Maybe they are afraid. Maybe they don’t believe. Maybe they are angry with God because they think He is part of the problem or caused their problem.

I LOVE reading the Bible every day (and sometimes listening to an audio version).

Jesus explained the difference between people who listen and people who WON’T:

“For those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables.”

“For they look, but they don’t really see.

They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

“This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say

You will not understand

When you see what I do

You will not comprehend

For the hearts of these people are hardened

And their ears cannot hear

And they have closed their eyes –

So their eyes cannot see,

And their ears cannot hear,

And their hearts cannot understand,

And they cannot turn to me

And LET ME HEAL THEM.’

But, blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it, and they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”

Jesus wants you to know all about Him, AND He wants to heal your heart.

But He doesn’t force Himself on you. He waits. He wants you to soften your heart and look for Him. Once you turn, you will notice many ways that He has been trying to get your attention – probably for a long time.

Jesus said “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10

I pray you will open your eyes, open your ears, listen, understand, and turn to Him so that He can heal your heart and bring peace to your soul.

Day 17 of Encouraging people to Seek Jesus: 30 ways in 30 days

If you have been helped in any way through my musings, please give glory to God. If you find anything disappointing or offensive – please let me know so I can improve