I grew up in a church with theological roots in Dallas Seminary. I find those roots to be both beautiful and in sharp contrast to some of the church families I have been a part of through the years. 

I am blessed to have seen Christ in my fellow believers across the country as we travelled for work, and each church we called home had it's unique culture. I used my childhood faith to be able to address each culture through a sound background. There have however been two doctrines that I have grown up with that always clash with my fellow Christians. 

The first is fairly serious, it is the theory that baptism is a way to show outwardly to the world that you accept Christ. Some believe that baptism is the seal of your faith and needed for salvation. Others believe as I learned as a child that baptism is an outward expression of a faith you already possess at the moment you accept Christ as your savior. I still believe that to be the case . 

The next differing of my faith comes in the form of healing, and the belief I grew up with actually provided comfort to me. I believe the disciples where given the ability to heal in the name of Jesus to establish the church. But once the church was established as future generations we no longer have access to that power. It is a power that God still fully possess, but that we as believers don't possess. This does create a rift in me as so many prayers are for the healing of someone's aliments including my own. 

So when a fellow believer asked to pray over my hip injury, when a believer prayed over my unborn child with birth defects, when we continue to ask for cures over cancer and more in life, I struggle with God during these times. He is all powerful and able. Yet does He choose to heal in this generation? I am left with a hole in knowledge and faith here. 

I believe in a answer of both yes and no. I think God is seeking to protect us from charlatans and false prophets who charge "tithe" for access to their healing prayers. It has happened time and again through history that men "of faith" will distort our faith and instead build large followings around false sense of spiritual powers.

So I appreciate that my childhood faith protected me from ever falling into a trap by one of these so called men of God. However, I find that just like the Israelite priest that set fences and boundaries past where God asked of them. That I fall into this trap as well. I set the boundary so far from what I was taught that am I hindering the power of the Holy Spirit. 

I do believe and trust in God's abilities. So it should not come to surprise, that when I did pray over my hip with a trusted friend, that God answered my prayer. He has restored use of my hip in a way that I didn't believe was possible before prayer. The prayer itself helped me to restore my trust in God's provisions. 

Matthew 18:20  "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

So in this I asked God today to show me where I have been holding falsely to this idea that God is not able to heal us when He is the ultimate healer.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

 
To God, the Father, through Jesus Christ—thank You for this beautiful day. For the bird song, for the sun shining, for this quiet moment to sit with You, to renew my mind, and to write about who You are and what You have done in my life. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.  

I don’t even know where to begin with this calling. Five years ago—no, maybe seven—God told me to start writing. And when I say that, I know it sounds strange. God *asked* me to write? But I know that was the purpose He put on my heart. He's good at providing purposes in our life... we fostered for years and eventually adopted - due to His calling. After some time had past, I found myself asking God again, “What’s next?” And God answered: *Write about Me.*  

I laughed. Hard. I was the *last* person who should be writing. I was a meteorologist before this, and my news director in Peoria would be doubled over right now if he knew I was blogging. He used to edit every single grammatical mess I made. So, if I’m writing now, it’s only by God’s strength and wisdom, not mine. And for that, I am thankful.  
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