"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."
Galatians 5:14&15
I want to thank all of you who have stuck with me throughout the entirety of this blog. When I first started writing, I wasn't sure how far I would get into our story. I decided that I would take it one week at a time and share as I felt God leading. I was honestly hoping to end at the point Kaylee's healing took place, which was definitely the climax and most uplifting part of our story! Yet week to week, as I continued to pray about whether or not I should keep going, I felt that God was leading me to continue on. Although the events surrounding our miraculous night were significant and meaningful concerning the need for unity, I feel it is equally significant to point out how quickly Satan set out to shut down our testimony and the means by which he did it. This was in fact our story, both the good and the bad, and it's a real life story.
My hope has been that the entirety of our testimony might shed some light as to how Satan often works against us, the real danger of wrongfully using our tongues to tear down another member, and the need for the Body of Christ to walk in unity and love, regardless of our differences. After my personal experience, I have noticed how common this "auto-immune condition" is becoming. It has become increasingly accepted for those within the Body to publicly call out and speak against other denominations or leaders who have different viewpoints. I have watched in alarm as several Christian leaders, pastors, and teachers, many of whom were a great encouragement to Kaylee and I throughout all of this, have been called out by name, by other pastors, and referred to as "heretics," "false prophets" and even "ravenous wolves".
Yes, the Bible does warn us to be on the lookout for false prophets, but again, we have to be extremely cautious here. This is another area where it is essential that we recognize the difference between what belongs in the Body and what does not. If we become too prideful, any one of us can be used by the enemy to tear down one of our own members, thus becoming a deadly toxin within the Body of Christ.
Clearly, Satan is threatened by the strength of unity within the Body, something that we witnessed on the night of Kaylee's healing. Although we may not completely agree in our theologies or viewpoints on every issue, when we openly speak against one another, we are tearing down the Body of Christ as a whole. I think we all need to be humbly open to the idea that none of us have all the answers. We all have a specific purpose and assignment within the Body that is unique! We all need each other!
It seems to me that this great divide within the Body often centers around a message that offers hope for physical healing or deliverance from various forms of oppression and bondage in this lifetime. Sure, there may be some out there who are taking things too far, but I want to point out that it was the viewpoint that God can be glorified through disease that Satan used to attempt to stop Kaylee's prayer service from taking place in the final hours. I would never point fingers at those who believe differently on the subject of disease and healing and accuse them of being false teachers or wolves. I don't believe this is the case at all, and I think both sides contain pieces of the truth. So why has it become acceptable to point fingers at those who do encourage us to believe for miracles?
Again, I am not saying that every sickness and disease will be healed on this earth. I am not going to put God in a box on either side of this issue. I am simply saying that we will never receive a healing if we aren't open. Jesus never told a single person who came to Him seeking healing that they were called to glorify God by showing joy in the midst of their disease or suffering. He healed them all! Jesus is the one who told us, "Everything is possible for one who believes." So why not believe?
As I have learned through my own personal experience, miracles often require us to put on our full armor and "fight" to the very end! We cannot expect to have victory over the enemy and his schemes if we surrender or accept defeat from the start. Whether we all believe exactly the same or not, I think those of us who are followers of Christ can benefit greatly from the personal testimonies and experiences of one another if we are humble and open. Again, our miracle came through the strength and power of unity within the Body of Christ! I can't help but wonder if perhaps we don't see many miracles today because we are weakened by our harsh judgments, pointing fingers and malicious talk, targeting our own members and parts from within (the message of Isaiah 58).
In addition to this need for unity among the various denominations and churches, I think it is critical that we also realize the need we have for each and every member within the Body of Christ! God chose to use the very "least of these" to bring me messages concerning Kaylee's healing. He chose to use the "broken violins", the ones who most of us disregard completely, because each and every member within the Body has tremendous value and worth! Not one is dispensable!
There are many broken and wounded members within the Body in need of deliverance from the grip of the enemy! The enemy is using various forms of oppression such as chronic disease, mental illness/depression, addiction, poverty, etc to derail the lives and purposes of those around us. We have got to recognize the difference between what belongs in the Body and what does not! The Body of Christ needs to be healed, restored and functioning in unity so that each and every member can live out the critical calling God has on their lives! We need to be a strength and support (an effective immune system) to one another, not a stumbling block, and most definitely not an enemy!
I pray that I have been able to convey this message about the need for unity in a way that is edifying. Again, I am just as guilty as the next person of wrongfully using my tongue. I have learned so much throughout this time in my life. Although we may come from different denominations backgrounds, life experiences, and viewpoints, we are ONE Body! This is the message I hope will be taken from this blog.
With all of this in mind, I would like to share something that I hope will help tie all of this together and put this message that I feel God has laid on my heart about the danger of the "auto-immune condition" in perspective. I am going to conclude our story, in the next couple of weeks, with my son's (Barret) most recent diagnosis with auto-immune disease, so this seems to be a perfect time to bring in this analogy about what can happen when we choose to walk in judgement rather than love toward one another.
Before I share this story, here are just a few reminders again of what God expects from us. (The entire book of Ephesians, chapter 4 is great, but here are just a few highlights.)
"As a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:1-6
"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:16
"Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grief the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4: 29-32
I would like for you to imagine the following scenario is taking place inside of your body:
Your pancreas is being targeted by a potentially deadly, external bacteria. Your immune system immediately recognizes this foreign invasion and proceeds to defend this vital organ.
My hope has been that the entirety of our testimony might shed some light as to how Satan often works against us, the real danger of wrongfully using our tongues to tear down another member, and the need for the Body of Christ to walk in unity and love, regardless of our differences. After my personal experience, I have noticed how common this "auto-immune condition" is becoming. It has become increasingly accepted for those within the Body to publicly call out and speak against other denominations or leaders who have different viewpoints. I have watched in alarm as several Christian leaders, pastors, and teachers, many of whom were a great encouragement to Kaylee and I throughout all of this, have been called out by name, by other pastors, and referred to as "heretics," "false prophets" and even "ravenous wolves".
Yes, the Bible does warn us to be on the lookout for false prophets, but again, we have to be extremely cautious here. This is another area where it is essential that we recognize the difference between what belongs in the Body and what does not. If we become too prideful, any one of us can be used by the enemy to tear down one of our own members, thus becoming a deadly toxin within the Body of Christ.
Clearly, Satan is threatened by the strength of unity within the Body, something that we witnessed on the night of Kaylee's healing. Although we may not completely agree in our theologies or viewpoints on every issue, when we openly speak against one another, we are tearing down the Body of Christ as a whole. I think we all need to be humbly open to the idea that none of us have all the answers. We all have a specific purpose and assignment within the Body that is unique! We all need each other!
It seems to me that this great divide within the Body often centers around a message that offers hope for physical healing or deliverance from various forms of oppression and bondage in this lifetime. Sure, there may be some out there who are taking things too far, but I want to point out that it was the viewpoint that God can be glorified through disease that Satan used to attempt to stop Kaylee's prayer service from taking place in the final hours. I would never point fingers at those who believe differently on the subject of disease and healing and accuse them of being false teachers or wolves. I don't believe this is the case at all, and I think both sides contain pieces of the truth. So why has it become acceptable to point fingers at those who do encourage us to believe for miracles?
Again, I am not saying that every sickness and disease will be healed on this earth. I am not going to put God in a box on either side of this issue. I am simply saying that we will never receive a healing if we aren't open. Jesus never told a single person who came to Him seeking healing that they were called to glorify God by showing joy in the midst of their disease or suffering. He healed them all! Jesus is the one who told us, "Everything is possible for one who believes." So why not believe?
As I have learned through my own personal experience, miracles often require us to put on our full armor and "fight" to the very end! We cannot expect to have victory over the enemy and his schemes if we surrender or accept defeat from the start. Whether we all believe exactly the same or not, I think those of us who are followers of Christ can benefit greatly from the personal testimonies and experiences of one another if we are humble and open. Again, our miracle came through the strength and power of unity within the Body of Christ! I can't help but wonder if perhaps we don't see many miracles today because we are weakened by our harsh judgments, pointing fingers and malicious talk, targeting our own members and parts from within (the message of Isaiah 58).
In addition to this need for unity among the various denominations and churches, I think it is critical that we also realize the need we have for each and every member within the Body of Christ! God chose to use the very "least of these" to bring me messages concerning Kaylee's healing. He chose to use the "broken violins", the ones who most of us disregard completely, because each and every member within the Body has tremendous value and worth! Not one is dispensable!
There are many broken and wounded members within the Body in need of deliverance from the grip of the enemy! The enemy is using various forms of oppression such as chronic disease, mental illness/depression, addiction, poverty, etc to derail the lives and purposes of those around us. We have got to recognize the difference between what belongs in the Body and what does not! The Body of Christ needs to be healed, restored and functioning in unity so that each and every member can live out the critical calling God has on their lives! We need to be a strength and support (an effective immune system) to one another, not a stumbling block, and most definitely not an enemy!
I pray that I have been able to convey this message about the need for unity in a way that is edifying. Again, I am just as guilty as the next person of wrongfully using my tongue. I have learned so much throughout this time in my life. Although we may come from different denominations backgrounds, life experiences, and viewpoints, we are ONE Body! This is the message I hope will be taken from this blog.
With all of this in mind, I would like to share something that I hope will help tie all of this together and put this message that I feel God has laid on my heart about the danger of the "auto-immune condition" in perspective. I am going to conclude our story, in the next couple of weeks, with my son's (Barret) most recent diagnosis with auto-immune disease, so this seems to be a perfect time to bring in this analogy about what can happen when we choose to walk in judgement rather than love toward one another.
Before I share this story, here are just a few reminders again of what God expects from us. (The entire book of Ephesians, chapter 4 is great, but here are just a few highlights.)
"As a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:1-6
"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:16
"Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grief the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4: 29-32
A Wounded Pancreas
I would like for you to imagine the following scenario is taking place inside of your body:
...But suddenly it stops!
It begins to process the information further. It begins to question whether or not it is doing the right thing. It begins to question whether this invasion is indeed an enemy attack or if it could possibly be God's will and plan for the pancreas. It begins to look closer at the pancreas, considering its past mistakes and shortcomings, analyzing its contribution to the body, and determining its worthiness.
As these deeper thoughts continue to process, the following messages begin to pass from cell to cell:
"You know, this is not the first time we have had to help the pancreas when he was in trouble."
"That's true. You would think that he would have learned something by now."
"You're right. I am not really sure the pancreas is doing enough to help himself."
"I heard the pancreas has been down on his job for quite some time now. If we help him out, he might start to depend on us too much in the future. We might hinder him from being self-sufficient."
"What if God is trying to teach the pancreas something through this? I am not sure we should interfere with what might actually be God's discipline."
"I'm not altogether convinced that this might not be a good thing for the pancreas in the long run. If you think about it, this could be exactly what the pancreas needs to mature and turn himself around. It might actually end up being a positive thing."
Your immune system collectively decides to retreat and moves on. In the meantime, your pancreas, unable to defend himself without the help of the immune system, continues to grow weaker and weaker.
As homeostasis within your body is further disrupted, new problems begin to develop and spread throughout your body. Your pancreas' production of vital insulin begins to decline. With this decrease in insulin production, every cell within your body finds themselves growing weaker and weaker as a result. They no longer have enough insulin available to convert all the glucose your body is receiving into energy, causing everything in your body to slow down as the excess glucose begins to spill over into your bloodstream. As your blood continues to thicken from the excess glucose, circulation decreases as well. Your body, now desperate for energy, is forced to rob itself of what you have stored up in the fat and muscle tissue; which in turn causes numerous other problems to arise.
At this point, your immune system cells have now become extremely weak and this instability is causing them to grow more and more confused. They are now compromised and struggling to recognize the difference between what belongs in your body and what does not.
As a result of this auto-immune condition, they have grown more and more resentful of the pancreas, believing he has now threatened the stability of the entire system. Oblivious that their lack of genuine love and support of this vital organ is ultimately responsible for their own demise, they continue to process the on-going information your body is sending, signaling a state of crisis within your entire body!
"This is all happening because of the pancreas, you know. Clearly we were right about him all along!"
"I never felt good about the pancreas. Do you think he could possibly be an impostor or a wolf in sheep's clothing? Perhaps he doesn't belong in this body. He could be a threat to us all!"
"I've never thought about it that way before. But it sure stands to reason based on what I can see happening here."
"I personally think the pancreas needs to go!"
"But wait a minute! The pancreas has helped us out before. Perhaps we should tell the pancreas how we are feeling? Perhaps we should give the pancreas an opportunity to explain his position?"
"I agree. Maybe we should try to work this out and resolve our differences."
"I'm afraid that could do more harm than good. The pancreas is way off track now. He is sick! Any further communication could corrupt us all."
"That's a good point. Perhaps it's best if we have nothing more to do with the pancreas at all. He is clearly broken beyond repair and very troubled."
These messages spread rapidly throughout your body, eventually resulting in a full-fledged, all out auto-immune attack against your pancreas. Over time, your pancreas finds himself unable to withstand the numerous consequences of the on-going attack coming at him from both directions. He finds himself weak, no longer able to heal, and completely isolated, alone, and cut off from your body. Eventually, the vital beta cells, responsible for insulin production within your pancreas, are completely destroyed. There is now no more insulin production at all.
As your cells continue to weaken and your blood continues to thicken, deadly toxic acids, known as ketones, began to pour into your bloodstream and circulate throughout your entire body. Now every vital organ within your body is suffering. One by one, your remaining functioning organs shut down.
...Your body slowly slips away into a coma."
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