God is Answering Prayers about My Health

I have not been suddenly healed, yet.

Instead, God has sent me information and education through various people.

I still deal with the uncertainty about the cause of my chest pains. I do not yet know how serious it might be. I need to keep requesting prayers and take action steps one day at a time.

I have learned that there are Christian health share plans. But the cheapest health share plans are about 160 a month. Yet I can afford about 30 a month these days.

I talked with an independent insurance agent that comes by monthly to help people like me in this apartment complex. He said that I am eligible for Medicare the month I turn 65. So that will be April 1, 2018. He will then guide me through the many options. The federal government will pick up most of the cost. My premiums could from 109 to 138.

So I need to stay alive and reasonably well until then. Plus I need to make progress in making and marketing online ecourses and online communities so that I can increase my income streams to afford those premiums through Christian health share plans or the Medicare subsidized one.

Meanwhile, I set an appointment at Hope Clinic for Wednesday, January 3 at 130.

They will give me an indication as to the cause of the minor pains in my upper right chest that have recently included the lower right shoulder.

They will have lists of referrals to experts in nearby and in Dallas. The insurance agent said that there is a Baylor facility that is a 10-minute drive from here in Waxahachie. He has a client that goes there for heart treatments.

WAIT

So I back to that four letter Bible word W-A-I-T.

Waiting is not pleasant but God uses it to develop my faith.

There are several lanes of waiting for me including the following.

I wait until the appointment in a few days. Then they will say what they guess are the issues.

They will likely want to take a sample of my blood and test it. So I will need to wait for those results.

I wait until April first to qualify to get subsidized insurance through Medicare.

I wait until I have the income to afford those premiums.

I wait until I go to a cardio appointment and get those results.

Note that my father had major heart bypass surgery many years ago.

NATURAL

A friend gave me some Turmeric today. I had not heard of it before. But many on the internet say that it is very helpful. I have already put in on some steamed mixed vegetables. I will add it to my morning smoothie.  And I will continue to use it long after the symptoms have passed because evidently, those in India have been using it medicinally for centuries. That is the kind of direction I choose to follow.

God created the human body with an amazing immune system to fight off all kinds of troubles. Then our modern society brings air pollution, lots of stress, and processed foods that are not the best for us. The Bible says that God gave us herbs for healing.

I would far rather intake natural substances to gradually achieve complete healing than to take some pharmaceuticals that will quickly relieve the symptoms yet impact other systems in my body that I could not measure.

Note that I am unwilling to take prescription drugs as needed. But those artificial chemicals will impact organs in ways the experts do not fully understand. And there may be traces that remain until my last day that could disturb the natural balances of the interactive systems for wellness.

THEOLOGY

I live in the constant awareness that God knows every choice I make and the most intimate intentions of my heart. I seek to live out my faith in Jesus Christ by first turning to Him in prayer and prayer requests. Then to turn to natural things I can change like my diet and exercise. Then to herbs that He provided. And finally to man-made drugs and surgery.

Jesus is my Lord. I am not my own. I was bought at the price of His precious blood. I have the stewardship of this physical body that the Bible says is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

So my theology informs my priorities and my prayer requests.

I believe that God is all knowing and all powerful. I want to be seen by Him at primarily leaning on Jesus to guide, provide and heal. I want God to know that deep in my heart I fully trust Him to take care of me at every level.

Jesus is my Healer. If God wants me healed then that will happen in His time.

My ongoing assignment is to trust and obey the guidance of my Good Shepherd daily. Amen?

PRAYER

Please pray for God to use this season of waiting to improve my faith in Him.

Pray for God to raise up and inspire more than enough intercessors for this season.

Pray for me to know the truth about what is happening in my body.

Pray for me to be given wise and clear guidance about actions to take that might include alerting my diet, improving my exercise, taking targeted nutritional supplements, taking the right prescriptions, and finally undergoing suitable surgery if needed.

THANKS again for your prayers.

Shalom

John

Possible Heart Trouble -- No Health Insurance -- Pray for My Health and Safety

SUMMARY

I went to the Obamacare website and learned that I cannot afford health care. The monthly premium was 908 a month with 7350 deductible. I only make 683 a month from my social security retirement. Even if I could magically afford that, then I would pay 20 for my Rx that costs 25. I could save 5 a month by paying 908.

I learned that the State of Texas will not subsidize my health care. I was given a special code to put on my taxes so I do not pay the penalty. See the attachment.

Description of my possible heart troubles follows.

So I request your best prayers for my health and safety.

HIGHLIGHTS

I do my best to eat healthy foods and I take a walk daily.

I rarely get sick. I may get the flu for a few days every few years.

I cannot control drunk drivers or others hitting cars when I am riding.

I trust the Lord Jesus Christ to keep me healthy and safe.

The medicine that I take daily is for my prostate. It is normal for men of my age to have BPH. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_prostatic_hyperplasia

When I am taking the medicine I do not need to urinate frequently.

When I was at the homeless shelter I went to Parkland. My clinic visits and medicine was free to me.

That perspiration expired and those in Ennis pointed me to Hope Clinic. http://call4hope.org/ They use a sliding scale based on income.

All of that is simple enough. I go to the clinic and get a new prescription. BUT there is a huge compilation.

I have been having MINOR pains in my chest on the upper right side. At first, I thought I had just pulled a muscle. But this has gone on for more than 3 weeks. The MINOR pains come and go.

DETAILS

I have stayed in the hospital one time back in 1996. That was after a hit and run accident that nearly killed me. Thus I request prayers for me as on the road.

Also, most injuries happen in the home. So please pray for my safety at home too.

Normally I have been very healthy all my life. I went 30 years and only saw a doctor 5 times.

Here are my concerns. I need to pay for ANY doctor visits, medicine, and tests out of pocket. I do not have any savings. I get by from month to month.

There are people I can contact on to help me financially. I am willing to do that like I did to afford my dentures.

I have faith in God that there will be enough money for me right on time.

BUT the medical establishment is a complex and costly system.

I have not hurt enough to go to an Emergency Room. If I did then they would send me a bill that is not small.

Basically, I have a moderate tolerance for pain. If I learned from reputable sources that I just need to live with it, then I could.

If these are warning signs of a possible heart attack or stroke then, OK. I am willing to take any tests, anywhere and anytime. BUT where is the best place to do that? Shall I seek those tests in Dallas or here in Ennis?

If and when I go to get tests related to my heart, then what? We are in a culture where doctors order some unnecessary tests. They want to cover themselves in case there are lawsuits later.

I understand and accept that, but I do not have health insurance. So where I go to get tests is a big question.

I do not want to foolishly minimize or maximize such tests. I do not want to just go with the cheapest option. I do not want to work with a doctor I cannot stand.

Here are my priorities for my health care:

1. Eat the most healthy foods that I can afford.
2. Take nutritional supplements as needed.
3. Engage in moderate exercise regularly.
4. Request prayers and expect healing or guidance to next steps.

(Note I have been healed in my body due to prayers dozens of times.)

5. Consider alternative medicine like therapeutic massage and acupressure.
6. Take prescription medicine as directed.
7. Reserve surgery as a last alternative.

CONCLUSION

I will soon call Hope Clinic for an appointment.

May God grant them wisdom and understanding about my condition.

May God guide and provide for the next step.

May I become totally healed soon.

Shalom

John

Star Wars has Theology, Doctrines and an Online Temple of Jedi Order

Star Wars is not just a hugely popular group of movies but it is more.

I came on the following materials that opened my eyes to the deeper levels of this.

While I enjoy the movies, I do not obsess over the matters between viewings. Yet there are millions of passionate fans all over the world that have the posters, action figures, and costumes a part of their life.

There are untold numbers of fan-based websites that track every detail. Here is an example http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Wookieepedia:Welcome,_newcomers

Disney bought the franchise and will likely produce a movie each year for a very long time. They will also sell products that will appeal to children. So this will be deeply in the thinking of many millions of people for decades.

Note that there is no such marketing machine as Disney behind Star Trek, the Matrix or Downton Abbey.

I am not saying that all this is bad, evil or wrong. It is a cultural matter that crosses generations and countries. As Christians, we need to be alert to the messages that are indirectly being communicated in a very appealing way. It addressed religious themes using storytelling.

These next few videos made me aware of the worldview or theology and doctrines that are suggested by dialogue, the key moments in the movies and the repeated themes.

Notice what is said during the very first of the Lessons from Toda video. It says that people are converting to Jedi as their religion. And on census data in many countries that is a growing trend. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenon

Star Wars Symbolism: Lessons from Yoda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPpsoFO8u6U  

According to the Temple of the Jedi Order here are the key doctrines defined and some text sermons.

https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/doctrine-of-the-order

46 text sermons

https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/sermons

What comes to my attention is that Scientology began in 1954 and it is based on science fiction kinds of themes. They claim to be a church and are in many countries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology

Mormonism began in the 1820 and is growing still. It came out of nowhere. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism

I am not advocating a boycott or sermons against Star Wars.

I am asking you as an individual and especially as a parent to be alert to the indirect messages.

One of the many roles that I find myself in as a writer is that of a watchman on the wall. I have the opportunity as a retired person to do more research and reflection than before retirement.

I seek to be a good steward of my time and talents for the glory of God.

I have many other kinds of messages to offer. My intention is to always communicate the truth in love. I trust that the truth will set people free. I must wrap any truth that I share in love.

Please pray for God to grant me wisdom and discernment about this and related matters. May the Lord grant me eyes to see and ears to hear. May He use me to communicate truth-filled messages in loving ways to the Body of Christ. May He prepare them to receive and respond in timely ways.

That is the core of my message this time. Now for your bonuses.

BONUSES

Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia first in 1977 at 20 years old.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Leia

She died in 2016, yet boys and girls that are not yet born will fall in love with her.

A Tribute To Carrie Fisher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE99le5FBrY

Note in this video that her mother, Debbie Reynolds, died the very next day. But future generations will not fall in love with Debbie and wear costumes like her in the coming years.

The Untold Truth Of Carrie Fisher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyErr6-qqmc

Did you know that the color of the lightsaber has meaning?

Star Wars Symbolism: Lightsabers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UwaTozOwyQ

It is said that the first Star Wars movie was saved in editing.

How Star Wars was saved in the edit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFMyMxMYDNk

What George Lucas says about the background, deep themes and his motives.

George Lucas talks good and evil, mythology, religion, creativity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DByPy8aEPw

GEORGE LUCAS ON GOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHGXWGbtNsU

In these and other interviews I have seen George Lucas says he asked the question as a child that if there is one God then why are there so many religions. He pondered this for many years. And came to be mentored by Joseph Campbell who compared and drew out the common themes of the myths of all centries and all peoples. He wanted to bring the core concepts of those many myths to this modern generation. So consider that many generations ago people quoted the Greek plays and Shakespeare. These days they quote popular lines on Star Wars. This informs their worldview and how they see their place in life.

Lucas says that he believes there is a God and the many religions are different containers for faith. That is not a Christian message. But it is a welcomed relief from the loud mouth atheists.

Shalom

Brother John

P. S. I invite your comments.