M
MrVersatile48
Guest
From legendary St Louis wit, Bryan Hupperts, to enthrall your friends...
April 28, 2006
My Easter Miracle
http://www.sheeptrax.com
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Hi, SheepTrax!
I used to dream of being a professional musician but life turned out differently. Until a few years ago, I loved to play my guitar at coffee houses and sing about Jesus to a largely secular crowd. They were often more receptive than church crowds as the songs I write tend to deal with the darker side of life, not charismatic cheerleading.
Ever read Lamentations or any of the darker Psalms? They can chill your blood.
Eventually, due to complications from Lupus, I had to put my guitar down.
It was a sad goodbye as I have unfulfilled promises from God about this part of my life. Sometimes, you just have to let the dream die and walk away.
This year started differently than those of the past 7 years. While praying about the coming year, the Spirit impressed this curious verse on me: Genesis 42: 8-9, "Joseph... remembered his dreams…"
I began to remember the dreams God had given me years ago.
Funny thing about Joseph; after his dreams died because of his brother's betrayal and treachery – they vowed to kill the dreamer and then see what would become of his dreams! - he spent years serving the dreams of others. He was an instrument to help fulfill the dreams of a cupbearer, a baker, and the Pharaoh of Egypt. It was out of this servanthood that his forgotten dreams were unexpectedly fulfilled.
Flash forward. On Easter of this year, they day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, I got an unexpected miracle from a baker of my own, a rogue General Electric oven to be specific.
We are slowly updating our old house with new appliances. We had an odd sized oven that didn't work too well. For many years, we had gone without all but the basic necessities due to my chronic unemployment - health issues. I finally landed a position with a Fortune 30 company who have been surprisingly understanding about my illness. Thank you, Jesus!
Anyway, as we were preparing Easter dinner, one of the stovetop coils suddenly began shooting sparks. My daughter squealed like it was the 4th of July but this was no cause for celebration. Annoyed buy not despondent, I shut the oven down and we finished preparing our family meal with a toaster oven and microwave.
That even, as I prepared to disconnect our malfunctioning oven, I reached over to access its wall-mounted control panel when a bolt of electricity, 220 volts of glory, arced from the stove into my left hand, stunning me! I ended up with a minor 2nd degree burn that my wife fixed with antibiotic ointment.
Apparently that oven determined to roast something, anything before getting the appliance version of the Last Rites!
I noticed a few days later that my left hand was suddenly working better. Within a few more days, it was working perfectly. Lupus causes the bodies' immune system to go renegade and attack itself, (sort of like a carnal church committee meeting,) breaking down the body, stiffening the joints resulting in loss of agility. Today my left hand and arm are free and feeling great.
On an impulse, I picked up my guitar and could suddenly play without pain again. My right hand is sluggish still but at least I can still use a pick.
I am remembering my dreams as I am delighted to be suddenly hearing new songs in the night. God save me from helping him fulfill his promises again. I've learned to wait in worshipful patience.
Still, was that near-electrocution an Easter miracle in disguise?
April 28, 2006
My Easter Miracle
http://www.sheeptrax.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, SheepTrax!
I used to dream of being a professional musician but life turned out differently. Until a few years ago, I loved to play my guitar at coffee houses and sing about Jesus to a largely secular crowd. They were often more receptive than church crowds as the songs I write tend to deal with the darker side of life, not charismatic cheerleading.
Ever read Lamentations or any of the darker Psalms? They can chill your blood.
Eventually, due to complications from Lupus, I had to put my guitar down.
It was a sad goodbye as I have unfulfilled promises from God about this part of my life. Sometimes, you just have to let the dream die and walk away.
This year started differently than those of the past 7 years. While praying about the coming year, the Spirit impressed this curious verse on me: Genesis 42: 8-9, "Joseph... remembered his dreams…"
I began to remember the dreams God had given me years ago.
Funny thing about Joseph; after his dreams died because of his brother's betrayal and treachery – they vowed to kill the dreamer and then see what would become of his dreams! - he spent years serving the dreams of others. He was an instrument to help fulfill the dreams of a cupbearer, a baker, and the Pharaoh of Egypt. It was out of this servanthood that his forgotten dreams were unexpectedly fulfilled.
Flash forward. On Easter of this year, they day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, I got an unexpected miracle from a baker of my own, a rogue General Electric oven to be specific.
We are slowly updating our old house with new appliances. We had an odd sized oven that didn't work too well. For many years, we had gone without all but the basic necessities due to my chronic unemployment - health issues. I finally landed a position with a Fortune 30 company who have been surprisingly understanding about my illness. Thank you, Jesus!
Anyway, as we were preparing Easter dinner, one of the stovetop coils suddenly began shooting sparks. My daughter squealed like it was the 4th of July but this was no cause for celebration. Annoyed buy not despondent, I shut the oven down and we finished preparing our family meal with a toaster oven and microwave.
That even, as I prepared to disconnect our malfunctioning oven, I reached over to access its wall-mounted control panel when a bolt of electricity, 220 volts of glory, arced from the stove into my left hand, stunning me! I ended up with a minor 2nd degree burn that my wife fixed with antibiotic ointment.
Apparently that oven determined to roast something, anything before getting the appliance version of the Last Rites!
I noticed a few days later that my left hand was suddenly working better. Within a few more days, it was working perfectly. Lupus causes the bodies' immune system to go renegade and attack itself, (sort of like a carnal church committee meeting,) breaking down the body, stiffening the joints resulting in loss of agility. Today my left hand and arm are free and feeling great.
On an impulse, I picked up my guitar and could suddenly play without pain again. My right hand is sluggish still but at least I can still use a pick.
I am remembering my dreams as I am delighted to be suddenly hearing new songs in the night. God save me from helping him fulfill his promises again. I've learned to wait in worshipful patience.
Still, was that near-electrocution an Easter miracle in disguise?
