tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75456413323803603402024-03-20T08:08:11.723-07:00Walking in Wholeness: Insights into God, Medicine and Healing How God heals the spirit, emotions and body through holistic medicine, miracles, meditative prayer and more Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-62152384840478542332014-11-06T18:39:00.000-08:002014-11-06T18:42:20.688-08:00My debut on Spanish television- Discussing Lyme disease with Dr. Misael For those of you who speak Spanish, or know someone who does, I encourage you to share this<br />
enlightening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERPW__uQMpw">TV interview on Lyme disease</a>, which I did with Dr. Misael, this past week.<br />
Spread the word about the fastest-growing infectious disease in the United States.<br />
Blessings!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-82501449660069195672014-10-11T16:06:00.005-07:002014-10-11T16:15:08.336-07:00New book- Freedom From Lyme DiseaseWhen Bryan Rosner asked me to review his most recent book, <a href="http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-82278181278310+4LJjTD+http://lymebook.com/freedom-from-lyme-disease-bryan-rosner">Freedom From Lyme Disease</a>, I was honored. First, because I have always admired Bryan for his ability to discern the challenges inherent in healing from chronic illness involving Lyme disease; but secondly, because Bryan essentially self-treated and recovered himself from Lyme disease, without the help of a doctor. And third, because his passion and compassion for others shines through in his books, which are easy and fun to read.<br />
<br />
I don't necessarily recommend that anyone try to heal from Lyme or any other serious chronic illness without the help of a healthcare professional (I tried, and sure as heck could not do it) - but I admire those few that have the intuition and ability to discern exactly what their bodies need to recover. Bryan is one of those rare people, and that same intuition has served him in his medical research for this new book, as he challenged me to think about new things I haven't thought much about before when it comes to healing from Lyme.<br />
<br />
Let's face it; there are a lot of books out there on how to heal from chronic illness, including Lyme disease, and many are jam-packed with information. But when information is anointed with wisdom and insight, and has been tried and tested through personal experience and found to be valuable, then I believe that it makes for a great book, indeed. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy_kFol9shnSlmjZzgSMYE79tRedLG3w6SFU2mGiixYIIYJZM9bkUwksd4piJMUNBpVmedZsMpgx_62wEAB4OUe8umMdDdqQzc2yEyD3e0j0TgWDu3nzHp9kISFZbZVHpw3eTPiN7I5c/s1600/61DSHfXwUwL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy_kFol9shnSlmjZzgSMYE79tRedLG3w6SFU2mGiixYIIYJZM9bkUwksd4piJMUNBpVmedZsMpgx_62wEAB4OUe8umMdDdqQzc2yEyD3e0j0TgWDu3nzHp9kISFZbZVHpw3eTPiN7I5c/s1600/61DSHfXwUwL._AA160_.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy_kFol9shnSlmjZzgSMYE79tRedLG3w6SFU2mGiixYIIYJZM9bkUwksd4piJMUNBpVmedZsMpgx_62wEAB4OUe8umMdDdqQzc2yEyD3e0j0TgWDu3nzHp9kISFZbZVHpw3eTPiN7I5c/s1600/61DSHfXwUwL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Some of the things that you will find in </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"></i></a><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-82278181278310+4LJjTD+http://lymebook.com/freedom-from-lyme-disease-bryan-rosner">Freedom from Lyme Disease</a></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> include: tips on how to overcome difficult challenges such as deeply-entrenched infections, heavy metal toxins, methylation problems, and adrenal fatigue, as well as information on new and novel remedies and therapies that can help take you to the next level in your healing journey. As a survivor of Lyme disease, fellow author of Lyme disease books and medical researcher, I was impressed by what I learned in this book.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i><a href="http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-82278181278310+4LJjTD+http://lymebook.com/freedom-from-lyme-disease-bryan-rosner">Freedom from Lyme Disease</a> </i>is a great resource for those that have been fighting the Lyme battle for years, as well as for those who are just getting started out in their healing journey. I highly recommend it! For more information, click <a href="http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-82278181278310+4LJjTD+http://lymebook.com/freedom-from-lyme-disease-bryan-rosner">here</a>. </span><br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-72756476008264200612014-09-29T17:52:00.002-07:002014-09-29T18:22:06.278-07:00Weight Loss- It's Not Just a Matter of Exercise and Eating a Paleo DietI sometimes get frustrated at folks in our society who judge people who are overweight. The popular belief seems to be that if such people would just get off the sofa or stop eating doughnuts and cereal, they would look and feel great.<br />
<br />
Sadly, this is often not so. I know many people who struggle with their weight, even though they eat minuscule portions of a Paleo diet, comprised of a few greens and some meat, and exercise regularly. Many of these people struggle from chronic health conditions that affect weight, such as chronic fatigue, heart disease, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease.<br />
<br />
But being overweight isn't just a problem of the chronically ill. In America, weight problems are epidemic, even though lots of us follow these great diets and exercise regularly. Yes, some of us really don't eat right, but here's my red alert of the day for the informationally-underprivileged: <b>Weight is influenced by many other things besides diet and exercise.</b><br />
<br />
A few years ago, I went on a diet that was stricter than Paleo for about eight months, to get rid of a fungal infection in my body. I eliminated all fruits, grains, sugars, dairy and anything that remotely resembled a carbohydrate (well, except for non-starchy green vegetables) for eight long, arduous months, and guess what- I gained ten pounds!<br />
<br />
The obvious reason why is that the diet totally stressed me out, but I also probably wasn't consuming enough calories and my body went into starvation mode. When this happens, the body conserves every little calorie it can, because it doesn't know when the next meal is coming.<br />
<br />
<b>If you skip meals or don't eat enough at mealtimes, you can gain weight </b> as a result of your body going into starvation mode.<br />
<br />
<b>If you don't sleep enough, you can gain weight.</b> I never had a weight problem in my life until I went through a severe, 3-year battle with insomnia and put on 20 pounds in three years. Thankfully, I was a bit underweight to begin with. Sleep deprivation affects the body's levels of leptin, ghrelin and human growth hormone (and probably others), all of which affect weight.<br />
<br />
<b>If you have adrenal fatigue, you can gain weight.</b> When your adrenals are exhausted, your body slows down its metabolism in an attempt to compensate for your tired adrenals. Thyroid hormones, which regulate the metabolism, require cortisol, an adrenal hormone, to function properly in the cells. So if there isn't enough cortisol to go around, then the cells won't be able to properly use thyroid hormones. What's more, doing thyroid hormone replacement therapy will further exhaust the adrenals and cause more weight gain, if the underlying cause of hypothyroidism is adrenal fatigue.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, <b>if you have adrenal fatigue and you overdo it on the exercise, you will burn your adrenals out even more, which is a set-up for weight gain.</b><br />
<br />
<b>If your gut isn't healthy (which is most of us in America), you can gain weight</b>. Studies on mice have found that different species of bad bacteria in the gut affect metabolism and appetite. Any change in gut flora- which mostly results from infections, eating toxic food or taking antibiotics- can increase the rate at which we absorb fatty acids and carbohydrates, and increase calorie storage. Pathogenic bacteria can even directly cause weight gain by increasing insulin production (leading to insulin resistance) and causing inflammation in the body. Stress, food toxins, antibiotics (and other drugs), and infections all mess up the gut.<br />
<br />
In my most recent book, <i><a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/foods-that-fit-a-unique-you.html">Foods That Fit a Unique You,</a> </i>which I co-authored with Dr. W. Lee Cowden, Dr. Cowden discusses the crucial role of gut health in metabolism, and how to get your gut healed so that you can properly absorb your nutrients, and eliminate any pathogens there. We also discuss the importance of following a diet that is right for your unique metabolic type and which takes into account your current health condition, as there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all diet that will help you to lose weight.<br />
<br />
<b>If you have an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, you can gain weight</b>. Estrogen dominance in common in our society because many of the toxic chemicals to which we are exposed act like fake estrogens in the body, which causes an imbalance that leads to weight gain.<br />
<br />
<b>If you are stressed, you can gain weight!</b> When under stress, the body releases excessive amounts of cortisol, which raises blood sugar levels, causes insulin resistance so glucose can't get into the cells, makes you hungry, suppresses other hormones related to weight management; increases the rate at which you store fat, and increases fatty acids and triglycerides in the blood. Just to name a few problems! <br />
<br />
<b>If you are toxic, you can gain weight</b>. The reasons why are numerous. Toxic chemicals from the environment disrupt the hormone signaling system that regulates metabolism, and the body stores chemicals in fat and actually creates fat cells as a way to manage toxins and keep them from overloading the organs. Toxins also damage enzyme systems and compromise the liver's methylation processes, which also play a crucial role in metabolism.<br />
<br />
<b>If you have unhealed emotional wounds</b>, which have caused issues of rejection or abandonment, especially those which result from sexual or physical abuse, <b>you can gain weight as a means of "protecting" your body against further abuse or assault. </b><br />
<br />
<b>If you are exposed to too many electromagnetic fields, you can gain weight.</b> Gary Sconyers, ND, of Health Resource Center has found that many of his female patients gained weight when exposed to excessive levels of EMFs, and contends that EMFs cause insulin resistance, which leads to weight gain.<br />
<br />
If you struggle with your weight and are feeling overwhelmed by now, take heart- at least there are answers to why your current diet may not be working, or why you are gaining weight, despite going to the gym five days a week!<br />
<br />
Trust me, I understand your frustration- it doesn't feel fair when you eat less than 1,000 calories a day, exercise, maintain a nutritious diet and yet find yourself daily "battling the bulge" and enduring the judgmental words of others who admonish you to just eat Paleo, quit your doughnut habit and get up off the sofa. Great advice for those whose metabolisms still work- but not for those of us who have struggled with a chronic health condition. <br />
<br />
If you suffer from a chronic illness, you probably know that eliminating infections, toxins and other junk from your environment will eventually help you to lose weight. But what else might you have not considered?<br />
<br />
Rather than going through this list and trying to figure out exactly what might have caused you to gain weight, I encourage you to go to God and ask Him to show you what you might need to do to lose weight or maintain your current weight, depending on your goals.<br />
<br />
In my books, I discuss how to resolve some of the causes of weight gain, especially those related to toxicity, hormonal dysfunction, gut health and infections. The issues are complex, however, so I encourage you to consult other sources, as well, especially a good local integrative or naturopathic health doctor, to help you heal your metabolism. In next week's blog post, I will also share some solutions for resolving some of the above problems. Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-55812515153935616432014-09-16T12:12:00.003-07:002014-09-17T10:03:28.416-07:00Finding a Diet That's Best for Your Biochemistry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmP3mVVrlbAjynGNi1Ka0wpOhyr_-b5I_AA31KvqaeOPOIDczQKUu11_4xHQByZnzX011JCotlr6P8NI4-otlhY9yBYH6y2l5zkDI2EDeR__lM6VTtDMkE4NxXcuK8TMcz25I1TA-CdM/s1600/FTFaUY-Front-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmP3mVVrlbAjynGNi1Ka0wpOhyr_-b5I_AA31KvqaeOPOIDczQKUu11_4xHQByZnzX011JCotlr6P8NI4-otlhY9yBYH6y2l5zkDI2EDeR__lM6VTtDMkE4NxXcuK8TMcz25I1TA-CdM/s1600/FTFaUY-Front-2.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
For many years during my battle with chronic illness, I found it challenging to find foods that would help me to heal and recover. It was equally challenging to avoid foods that made me feel worse. Much of our food supply is toxic, and our supermarket shelves are lined with food-like products that provide little or no nutrition to the body. <br />
<br />
Besides the fact that I struggled to discern which foods in the store were healthy for me, I also didn't know what kind of foods were best for a person with chronic Lyme disease, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and other problems that I battled. <br />
<br />
It was frustrating, as for years, multiple food allergies, a toxic food supply, and differing doctors' opinions and diet books pulled me in a thousand different directions and I often felt confused about what my body really needed.<br />
<br />
Among the admonitions I received- "Don't eat grains or sugar, because it feeds the bugs..." "Don't eat dairy, because it's loaded with toxins and causes inflammation..." "Don't eat fruit, because it will worsen adrenal fatigue..." "Don't eat meat, because it will cause your body to become acidic." "Don't eat starchy vegetables, because they contain too much sugar..." "Don't eat the same foods every day, or you will become allergic to them." "Don't eat nuts, because they are fattening.'' "Don't eat fish, because it contains mercury."<br />
<br />
Imagine my frustration as, after so many admonitions, I wondered what I <i>could </i>eat! And why, if all the admonitions were correct, didn't a diet of chicken and non-starchy vegetables satisfy me? Yes, having a serious chronic health condition meant that I had to restrict or avoid some types of foods, but the multitude of conflicting blanket recommendations about what to eat (and especially what NOT to eat!) didn't help me, either.<br />
<br />
Over the years, as I have researched the topics of diet and nutrition, I've come to the realization that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all diet that works for everyone. We all have a unique biochemistry, lifestyle and needs, and I've learned that it's essential to consider such things as your body pH, metabolic type, food allergies, and current health condition, when determining what to eat.<br />
<br />
Also, I've learned that it's important to listen to your body and pay attention to how foods make you feel. If you are like me, chronic illness caused my body to react badly to a lot of foods, and many of the diets I tried left me feeling depressed, tired or hungry. Finally, I began to heed my body's response to different foods- not my cravings, or the latest food fad. In doing this, I found that my symptoms diminished and my recovery accelerated.<br />
<br />
Because of what I've learned, I wrote <i><a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/foods-that-fit-a-unique-you.html">Foods That Fit a Unique You </a></i> with Dr. W. Lee Cowden, who has also found, based on his over 25 years of experience with patients, that one-size-fits-all diets don't work for people either, and that individualized diets are best for helping people to recover from different chronic health conditions.<br />
<br />
This book is short and succinct- only 175 pages- but power-packed with information and tips that we hope will help others to identify the foods that their bodies most need, and which will help them to heal or simply feel better.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/foods-that-fit-a-unique-you.html">Foods That Fit a Unique You</a> </i>is the second of three books in Dr. Cowden's and my <i>Journey to Wellness </i>series. To learn more about the series, or this book, I invite you to visit my website: <a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/">www.ConnieStrasheim.com</a>, where you can also order a signed copy of my latest works.<br />
<br />
Blessings!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-59533377881070340872014-09-13T11:05:00.001-07:002014-09-13T11:15:49.244-07:00Living Out of A Spirit of Prosperity, Not Poverty Expectations frame our life's experiences. As children, if we are taught by our primary caregivers that we deserve little or nothing, we will tend to live out that belief as adults and set the bar low for ourselves in our work, relationships and health situations. We'll live out of a victim mindset, envying others and feeling like the "underdog." And we'll tend to expect little or nothing of God, as well, and aim for mere survival.<br />
<br />
But God didn't design us just for survival, though many of us live in "survival mode." He designed us to thrive. In the book of 3 John in the Bible, God says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." (3 John 1-2). Also, in the book of John, Jesus states that he came to earth, "...so that they (us) may have life, and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10).<br />
<br />
Is abundant life moving out of your home every year because your apartment is too noisy or you can't afford the rent? Is abundant life eking out a living, and having enough to eat, but not enough to pay for healthy food, or pursue hobbies or do the things God has called you to do? ...I don't think so.<br />
<br />
Do you shop at Wal-Mart or Macy's? Okay, let me pause here and say that shopping at Wal-Mart can be great! Indeed, they sell lots of useful stuff--but do you buy your shirts there because it's all that you can afford? If you like the clothes at Wal-Mart or you shop there because God told you to put your hard-earned dollars elsewhere, that's one thing--but if you expect that it's all you can afford and all that you will ever be able to afford, then that may be a sign that you're battling a poverty spirit.<br />
<br />
Similarly, saving some cash for retirement, a new car, or a future emergency isn't a bad idea, but if you hoard, scrimp and save because you fear that there will be nothing for the future- that may be a sign that you are living out of a poverty spirit. Or if you spend all that you have because you don't think you'll ever be able to afford a nice car or a nice home and so there's no point in saving any money--that too is a sign that you're living out of a poverty spirit.<br />
<br />
But a poverty spirit isn't just about our expectations for our work or finances. A poverty spirit is about living depressed because other people seem to have more than you do, or feeling like you never get a break in life and that nothing works out for you. (a normal feeling for those of us that have undergone severe hardship). It's about not trusting God for "life abundant."<br />
<br />
I have spent most of my life under the influence of a poverty spirit. I used to accept any ol' job, just grateful that someone would pay me to do some kind of work. When I applied for work, I used to set the bar on my worth, and ask for less than what I should have been paid, or seek out jobs that didn't make the best use of my gifts and talents.<br />
<br />
I didn't expect God's best, and I settled for less, because subconsciously, that's what I thought I deserved and it was what I had experienced in life. I had not only a poverty spirit, but an orphan spirit. What do orphans do? They beg for crumbs. They are grateful for the leftovers, and they struggle for survival.<br />
<br />
I didn't know that I was no longer an orphan, and that because I had received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I had been adopted into God's kingdom and had all the rights and privileges as a daughter of the Most High God, and all the resources of God's Kingdom at my disposal.<br />
<br />
It is a myth that God needs us to be poor and sick in order to be holy, although poverty is more a state of mind than a financial condition. You can live in a mud hut and eat rice every day and feel rich. Conversely, you can live in a mansion and live frightened daily that God won't meet your needs.<br />
<br />
When I moved into my current home, I was just starting to pull out of the mess of chronic Lyme disease. I had a 26 K debt, which Social Security had imposed on me for earning money on my books while receiving Disability income. That was a shock.<br />
<br />
But while I was sick, I risked losing my Disability income because I chose to write and sell books, even though I could only work for a few hours a day and it was really, really hard. So staying on Disability income would have been a safe thing to do- because working a little meant risking the little income that I received from the government- but I realized that not trying to do anything would have locked me into a life of poverty and "survival" mode.<br />
<br />
I chose to believe that I would make it somehow. I chose to move into my current home, believing that I would be able to pay the rent, even though it pushed the limits of my income. I chose to write books for an uncertain income, believing that if I was helping people and doing what God asked of me, God would bless me. While I was sick, I also began to give away at least 10% of my income, believing that my obedience to give to others would bring about a tenfold return to me. (I don't believe it's wise to give to God, solely with the expectation of receiving back--I believe we should give because we love Him--but there is truth to the law of reaping what you sow!).<br />
<br />
And then, I began to spend money on things that I had never allowed myself to spend money on before--nice clothes, organic food, and expensive haircuts--because God was revealing to me that I was worth nice things. Sometimes, we tell ourselves we can't afford something when the truth is, we just don't think we are worth it. <b>A poverty spirit often comes disguised as practicality. </b><br />
<br />
God may tell you to save for the future, but He also might tell you to buy that car you've always wanted, because He wants to provide for your future via another means and He wants to see that smile on your face when you drive your new car.<br />
<br />
Or He may tell you to save for the future, or (gasp!) give away everything you own--because He wants to bless someone else through you and show you how He can multiply your finances when you let go of all that you have. The more we open our fists, the more God sometimes blesses us, although it's not necessarily in the same way in which we blessed another. The blessing may come to our character, not our pocketbook.<br />
<br />
God may ask you to go live in a hut in Africa, but it won't be because you can't afford a house in America. It will be because He has a great project or calling for you there.<br />
<br />
Similarly, if you've struggled with a severe chronic illness as I have, and thrown up the excuse that you can't get better because you can't afford medical treatments- ask God whether this is really your<br />
soul's way of remaining in poverty and if it's really just a safe way to stay out of the game of life or live out a lifelong (usually subconscious) belief that you don't deserve to be well or be happy.<br />
<br />
Of course, I do believe that many people which chronic illness can't afford treatments, but I also truly believe that if you seek God for healing, and trust Him with your whole heart for it- He will gather supernatural and natural resources on your behalf. It's not always an overnight thing- but once<br />
I began to identify the poverty spirit in my life, and realized that I could not get well on my own<br />
or by seeing my conventional doctor (which was the only doctor I could afford, years ago), God orchestrated events so that I could eventually afford to see a Lyme-literate doctor. And in the meantime, He put people in my life who helped to provide for me financially, emotionally and spiritually. Again, it wasn't an overnight thing...but my patience, perseverance and trust in God paid off.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, and while I clung tightly to my poverty spirit, I resigned myself to the ugly fate of selling my home because I could no longer work and make the mortgage payments. I had purchased the home two years before I got sick. Perhaps I would have lost my home anyway, but I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I had simply asked God for the provision to keep it.<br />
<br />
We all suffer loss, but God is a redeemer, restorer, and healer--not a taker, a thief, or the one who wants us to suffer sickness and poverty for our "own good."<br />
<br />
But because I had believed since childhood that I deserved the leftovers; the hand-me-downs, and the last and the least of everything, I had to learn that God had a different idea about what it meant to be provided for, and how He wanted to provide for me. I'm still learning.<br />
<br />
At times throughout this process, I would get angry with God (I still do sometimes) and say, "What does it mean that you will provide for me? Does it mean I have to live in a rathole in Latin America and wear the same set of clothes for years? HOW are you going to provide? I'm so sick!"<br />
<br />
So my trust in Him wasn't continual or instantaneous. There were times when I disbelieved Him for provision, but every time I allowed Him to help me to get past the lies I believed, and take a step of faith and say aloud, "Yes, God, I trust you to provide all that I need..." good things would happen!<br />
<br />
I needed to simply <i>trust </i>that He knew what I needed, and if that meant money for medical treatments, then I could rest, confident that the money would be there. If it meant faith for divine healing, He would remove my unbelief for a miracle. If it meant a quiet environment to write books in, then it meant the finances for a quieter home.<br />
<br />
The problem wasn't what I owned, but how I saw what I owned, and how I made decisions. There's nothing wrong with shopping at Wal-Mart, but it's also good to ask at times <i>why </i>we shop there. Is the motivation fear-based or faith-based? Is it practicality, or just poverty?<br />
<br />
Can you truly not afford organic food, or deep down, do you not believe that you are worth organic food? Yes, I know how darned expensive organic food is. So go ahead and ask God for the provision for that food, or ask Him if He'll simply bless the stuff you can eat, multiply its benefits, and remove the environmental contaminants. Both ways are good, depending on how He chooses to provide.<br />
<br />
Just don't succumb to eating garbage because you think that it's all you can afford. Yes, maybe for right now, but what if God said, "Go have a nice dinner. The money will be there." Would you do it?<br />
<br />
Ask in faith; ask in trust, and affirm that trust aloud, and your gratitude for what He's already done for you, and it will position you to receive from Him.<br />
<br />
I encourage you to go even further, and ask for the Kingdom of God to be made manifest in your life and on the earth. Ask Him to show you your rights and privileges as a Son or Daughter of the Most High God; a God with limitless resources; a God who isn't in a recession, and a God who wants to provide mightily for you, not only so that you have all that you need for life, but so that many others can also have all that they need. Ask Him to show you His will for your life, and when He asks you to do something that seems impossible and which requires great courage--do it, knowing that the provision--for your mind, body, time, energy, family, or whatever--will be there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-59346033973546310202014-09-08T12:28:00.004-07:002014-09-09T10:32:40.863-07:00Insights on Healing and God's Power- A Report on My Mission Trip to Colombia<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">God has asked only a few things of those of us that profess to be Christians. First, and most importantly, that we
would go and tell the world about His Son, Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice that
He made for all of humanity. In exchange, He would give us freedom here on
earth and life eternal with Him in Heaven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus says to
His disciples (us) "Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Second, in Matthew 10:8, Jesus commanded us to "heal the
sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
Freely you have received; freely give." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Those words weren't just
meant for the disciples of Jesus' time- they were meant for all of us today who
profess to love and follow God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">On my recent mission trip to Colombia, I had to question whether I am
really living the life that God intended for me. I'm an introverted soul and I pray for people- but ministering to dozens of people daily
in Medellin, I couldn't help but feel like this was more like what my life is supposed to look like on a regular basis. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">That is- praying, healing and loving the
homeless and drug addicts; praying over neighborhoods; laying hands and praying for more than just two sick people in
church every other Sunday afternoon, and visiting poor children in
orphanages and elsewhere. As worldwide evangelist Will Hart once said, "Your ministry (Christians) in not in the church. It's to that guy under the bridge who needs a sandwich." Amen! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">I've spent most of the last decade unwell, until recently, but I still have some physical challenges, so this trip was not easy for me. I slept 4-6 hours a night, and participated in activities day and night, for 10 days.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">wasn't sure I could do it, but I'm glad I did,</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> and not just because God gave me a reality check about what
it means to serve Him. He also showed me how mighty, powerful and willing He is to save and heal people by His supernatural hand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">He used me and my team members to heal </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">many, many hundreds of people of physical and emotional problems. Many others experienced the </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">love of Jesus, and</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> decided to make Him Lord </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">and</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Savior over their lives. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">In fact, nearly everyone I prayed for who had
physical pain of some kind - in the four churches we visited, as well as on the
street, were completely healed of their pain. I'm talking <b>dozens</b> of people, and many of the 35 others on my team also saw
God move in a similar way. It's amazing what God can do through those of us who are willing!.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Many others I prayed for experienced a powerful
touch from the Lord, as evidenced by tears, laughing, words of gratitude or
being overcome by the Spirit of God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I prayed for many dozens of people with cancer, thyroid
disease, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal problems, back pain, depression,
spiritual oppression, and relationship problems, and I believe God healed and set many of
these people free, as well. Many felt heat or tingling or electricity in the areas of their bodies where
they had pain, or were literally knocked over by the Spirit of God. Complete healings from disease don't always occur just
because someone feels a </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">sensation</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> in their body- but often, they do!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Much of our ministry time was in different
churches- a large church of 8,000, where we ministered over people for several days- as
well as in small churches of just 50 people. We also drove long distances to visit a
few churches in small towns- some an hour and a half away from Medellin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">My favorite time of ministry, however, was when
we ministered to the homeless, drug addicts, and alcoholics in a plaza in
downtown Medellin that is known for being dangerous and a hangout for the
"down and outs." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">People sometimes fear going to this place but since we knew the presence of God was with us, we felt we were protected. One woman who ministers there
on a regular basis told us stories of drug dealers that she would minister to,
who would fall to their knees under the power of God and get delivered from their addictions, even
when they had no intention of giving their lives to the Lord. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">She also told us
that some would go into churches with the intention of killing the pastors-
only to be literally knocked to the ground by the Spirit of God. This woman,
who has been involved in building several churches in the Amazon, has seen guerrilla fighters and
the narcotraficantes (drug traffickers) be overcome by the love of God</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">, time and
again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Perhaps the most memorable event in the plaza was
when a witch got touched powerfully by God! I think my trip to Medellin would
have been worth it for this event alone. This man was seated on a
bench in the plaza, and according to a couple of local team members, was
apparently cursing us. He was looking right at me, actually, and muttering
things from afar. So in an act of boldness, I decided to approach him and ask him if he knew God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">He said No, and that he didn't believe in God. He basically blew me
off and said he had done terrible things, and that he didn't care about God or
eternity or much of anything. After about 15-20 minutes of conversation, I
was about to give up on him, since our bus had arrived to pick us up, and I
felt the Holy Spirit asking me to get him to look me in the eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">So I said
"Look at me" and he glanced at me briefly, but mostly avoided my gaze. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">So I kept asking him to look at me, while we talked. Several of my
team members were standing around us and praying quietly during this time.
Finally, our team leader asked me to ask him one more time if he wanted prayer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">He reluctantly conceded and as he and I and our team leader laid hands on his head, the power of
God hit him and he started to cry, then the Spirit knocked him over right there in
the plaza. I was amazed! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">I didn't have a chance to talk
to him after that, since we had to leave, but I got on the bus and looked out
the window, and saw the man waving at me with a smile and tears rolling down
his face. I have no idea whether he will give his life to Jesus, but the
experience showed me how powerful God is to touch even a witch's heart. And it
had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God in me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Speaking of witchcraft....our team spent some time </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">ministering in a</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">neighborhood where really awful things used to happen- things I don't want to even mention here.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">So four of my team members, along with five
Colombians from a local ministry, did a prayer walk one night through this
dangerous area. The leader, Guillermo, a powerful warrior for God who has spent
the past 9 years tearing down territorial spirits and principalities through
prayer, and who claims to actually see demons and angels- instructed us on how to pray. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">It was
a bit intimidating, because before we set out, he said, "This is serious
ministry. You must pay attention to the Holy Spirit as we walk this neighborhood. Don't analyze- just obey. There is no time to think, just listen to the Spirit and pray as He leads." And
apparently a huge angel with a sword was walking with us. Whoa!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">He told us that because of his prayers and those
of others in the local ministry, the bad activities have stopped and witch's covens
have been torn down- and a children's foundation has been established in the
area- for children of the prostitutes, poor and drug addicts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">At the
foundation, over 180 children are given a meal daily and taught about the love of Jesus Christ. The neighborhood is changing because of the local ministry, which is actually
run by two Americans who came to Colombia 3 years ago to serve
God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Guillermo told us that many people in the church don't want
to do the prayer walks through the dangerous neighborhoods, because they fear the evil that is there. But he said, "If they only knew the power of the Holy Spirit </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">that</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> is in them, they would not be afraid." God has given us all authority over evil! He then shared
stories of how God had changed other neighborhoods in Medellin due to his
intercession and that of others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">The prayer walk really impacted me because it
gave me a greater revelation about the truth that the battle that we fight is
not in the flesh or the natural realm, but in the spirit. Ephesians 6:12 says- "For 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." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">But even more, it showed me
how powerful our words and prayers are- and how much God will use us to heal people, cities, states and nations- if we are willing!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">My hope and prayer is to do more of what I did in Medellin in my hometown in Colorado and in Dallas, where I spend a lot of time- in short, to do the works that Jesus did, as He commanded. </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">The</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> spirit world is real, and higher than the natural world. And by living in the Spirit, and with a little persistence and prayer- and by not giving up- we can overcome sickness, sin, addiction, soul wounds, and other problems of the flesh and the natural world.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Praise God!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-83412327541563828352014-08-14T17:19:00.002-07:002014-08-14T17:19:33.388-07:005 Things You Should Never Say to a Person with Chronic Illness (i.e., Lyme Disease) I'm often grieved when I hear about how some family members and friends treat their loved ones with Lyme disease, or other "invisible" chronic illnesses. They don't mean to be insensitive, but along with Lyme disease and other invisible chronic illnesses, comes a lot of unbelief by family members about just how much pain the person with illness is going through. I guess because, unlike a cancer patient, you can't see their body wasting away from illness, or dark circles fringing their eyes, and they may act relatively normal- so it's hard to believe that they are really THAT sick.<br />
<br />
In their efforts to be helpful, they may unintentionally say things that make the afflicted one feel even worse. If you are one of those well-meaning friends or family members who doesn't quite know what to say or do to help your loved one- <b>I'd like to share a few tips about what to not say or do...followed by what you could say or do that would help them to feel better!</b><br />
<br />
Do not say...<br />
<br />
1) "But you look so good!" Yes, people with chronic illness often look quite normal, or even fantastic and trim, due to the extra pounds that disease often melts from their frame, due to malabsorption and other metabolic factors. But the problem with this statement is that the sufferer doesn't see it as a compliment, but rather, a statement of disbelief about how much they are actually hurting, since, if they look so great, they couldn't possibly be that sick. A more helpful suggestion? You could say, "Wow, it's amazing you look so good, considering how terrible you must feel inside." A person with Lyme disease has MS-like brain lesions, damaged organs- including the heart, liver and kidneys; a torn-up gastrointestinal tract, broken-down connective tissue, toxic cells, and severe malnutrition- no matter what they look like on the outside. Really. Not to mention lots of bugs...<br />
<br />
2) "You might feel better if you just exercised (or fill in the blank) more." People with chronic illnesses such as Lyme disease cannot exercise (or work) and reap the same benefits from exercise as a healthy person, due to metabolic problems and a lack of cellular energy and properly functioning mitochondria, among other reasons. A day out jogging could land them in bed for a week. No, this is not a good thing. It may be difficult for you to understand your loved one's limitations and struggles- no matter how compassionate or sympathetic you might be- so rather than assume that you know best how to help them, it's better to say something like, "I'm sorry you are going through this. I'd love to hear more about how this disease affects you, and find out if there's anything I might be able to do to help."<br />
<br />
3) But don't just say...."Is there anything I can do for you?" This is a wonderful sentiment, but the question is too generic and when asked such a question, your sick loved one, not wanting to burden you, will likely pause, and then say No. In our "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps"society, it's hard for people to say Yes when offered help, and even if they are inclined to say Yes, they won't know what to ask you for, because they don't know what YOUR limitations are, and they don't want to oblige you to do too much for them. I think that's how most of us are, anyway. So if you want to help them, say such things as: "I'd really like to help you. Could I come over this week and clean your house for you? Could I buy you some groceries?" Insist! "Are you able to pay for your treatments and basic needs? If not, I'd love to send you some money." Insist! If they look sad or depressed, say, "It seems like you are going through a lot right now. Would you like to talk? Or, can I just sit with you for awhile or pray for you? Would you like to watch a movie together at home?" And then emphasize how much you would LOVE to do this for them- as if it were a privilege or a blessing to be able to help them- not an obligation or burden.<br />
<br />
4) "Just think more positive." Trust me, if people with chronic illness could do this, many of them would. Their lives are plagued by day-in, day-out symptoms that sometimes make their existence feel like sheer hell. It is a noble thing to want to think more positively, but when your biochemistry is a mess, you don't sleep for nights, are in extreme pain, or have pathogens pooping on your neurons, it's hard to be positive. Never mind find joy in a life of isolation and non-functionality. I believe that God can help us to have more positive thoughts, but apart from God, and in our own human effort, and especially when chronically ill, it's difficult to achieve. Seek instead to empathize with your loved one. If they tell you they are depressed, say "Wow, I'm so sorry. It must be so hard to keep on going, day after day, and function, with such difficult symptoms. It makes me sad to hear of your suffering. Tell me more about what it's like to go through this on a day to day basis." And then- "Can I pray with you, take you to see a funny movie (or for a drive to the mountains, etc..) or do something that might cheer you a little? Would you like to talk? Would you like a hug?"<br />
<br />
5) "I already told you that last week. Don't you remember?" Chronic illness will often make your loved ones spacey and forgetful. Their cognitive functions- memory, ability to process information, remember dates, names and locations- and respond effectively to you- may be compromised. So when it seems like they aren't listening to you, and they go all ADD on you or act like they don't remember what you told them last week, it may not be because they aren't interested in you or are trying to be disrespectful and forget your appointments with them- they just can't remember or "stay with it" all the time. <br />
<br />
If you say things like, "Don't you remember?" or "As I already told you..." and/or act annoyed when they can't remember your friend's name, or where you were supposed to meet for dinner- they might feel stupid and condemned. Instead, make things as easy as possible for them by not telling them detailed stories, or expecting them to remember dates, names, and events- or to give you their full attention at all times. This one is tricky, because often, the things that loved ones expect to be easy for the sick person, are not, and the things that are easier for the sick person to do, the loved ones doesn't expect to be easy (and so they assume the person isn't as sick as they say!).<br />
<br />
By following these guidelines, you will help to make your loved one's journey toward wellness softer and easier, and help them to feel understood and loved in the process.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-61072518169750728982014-08-07T13:11:00.001-07:002014-08-07T13:11:08.490-07:00Why God Doesn't Just Rescue Us Out of Our Diseases <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe you can relate to this. You've begged and pleaded God for healing for years. You've fasted, had hundreds of people lay hands on you and pray for you, and still...here you are, waging a daily war with fatigue, depression, brain fog, pain or any other number of symptoms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if James 5:5 in the Bible says that "the prayer offered in faith will heal the sick" and Isaiah prophetically stated in Isaiah 53 that "surely He (Jesus) has borne our sicknesses" and "by His stripes we are healed..." and Jesus commanded his followers to heal the sick (not pray for the sick, but heal them!)<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">, as stated in Matthew 10:8, then why oh why, do some of us seem to get more healing than others? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">That's a huge question that can't be adequately answered, even in the best of books on healing, because God's ways are not ours, and life is full of unexplainable mysteries. That said, God does give us insights into the question, and I believe that one of them is found in Matthew 10:8, through Jesus' command to heal the sick.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">When Jesus went to the Cross, He was made an atoning sacrifice not only for our sins, but also our sicknesses. He literally carried our diseases so that we would not have to...but the healing isn't always automatic or happen when one, or even 100, people pray for us, or we ask God to heal us. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Through my current battle with insomnia, which has at times been agonizing, I have often cried out to God. The voice of misery manifests at times in such demanding phrases as "What do you WANT from me? I thought you said this was over!" </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">In our humanity, when the pain is intense, we beg, cry and scream at God, wondering why He's rejected us or forsaken us, or why the promises of the Bible don't appear to be true. While He understands our pain, if we knew the truth about what has been given to us, and what He gave up for us, we might not hurl so many angry words at Him, or beg, cry and give up, believing He doesn't want us well. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">This past weekend, during my prayer time, He brought to my memory a picture of the face of Jesus while He was dying on the Cross. A face of agony, torn, bruised and bleeding...and His body, lacerated, ripped to shreds and trembling in pain; ....from head to toe....and nails, driven deeply into His hands and feet, through the muscles, tendons and bones...as He suffered in indescribable emotional and physical agony...for me. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">And then, it was as if He were saying to me, "I did this for you so that you would have a weapon with which to fight disease...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">... That weapon is sitting there, right there at your feet. Do you see it? That beautiful, powerful, shiny weapon, called the Sword of the Spirit....</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I know it doesn't look like much, but do you know that it</span></span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"> cost me My life? It is priceless, and it is yours. With it, you can win wars- the war against your body, and the war against disease in this world.... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;">But you aren't picking up my gift and using it right now, and so it just sits there, at your feet...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">...Still, I died so that you could have this gift. I didn't work 40 hours a day or sacrifice a retirement savings to pay for it...no, I gave up My very life so that you could have it!...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">.... How can you ask me for healing from insomnia, when I have already said Yes by this gift that I have given you? I suffered indescribable pain and agony so that you could take hold of this precious gift, but you ignore it because you want something more. You want me to simply rescue you. Well...I already did rescue you, just not in the way you expect. You see, I need you to pick up the weapon...because with it, you can be healed."</span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">And then I realized that begging God for healing was really another way of spurning His gift; of saying that Jesus' work on the Cross meant nothing to me, and that the sword of the Spirit; the Word of God, and the presence of His Spirit within me, were worthless. </span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Because the deal was, "I'll give up my life for you, and if you receive Me as your Lord and Savior, you will receive My Spirit, and with the Spirit and My Word, you will have all that you need to fight sin and disease."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">With such a great sacrifice made, and such a great gift given, why then, should He bend to my cries to just take away the pain? My wee pain, compared to His agony on the Cross. No, our suffering is not insignificant, but asking us to pick up the weapons of our warfare, such as praise and thankfulness, and by speaking and meditating upon the Word of God- so we can be free, really isn't asking much of us by comparison. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Just speak a few Holy Spirit-filled words into the atmosphere, and trust in Him- quite often, that is all we need to do, and is all He asks of us, in exchange for the torturous death that He suffered. What a deal!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">So can we blame Him when He refuses to simply rescue us? Or don't we know that He already did? It cost God the Father His Son's life to free us, but sometimes we need to appropriate that healing. How it must grieve Him to think that He gave up so much, and that we just disregard the sacrifice? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Or maybe it isn't that we disregard anything, but that we remain ignorant of what His sacrifice means, not only for eternity, but also for our lives here on earth. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I know that when I hurt, it's as if I totally forget about Jesus' sacrifice- and that not only did it purchase my salvation in Heaven, but also my victory on earth. But again...with the gift came a responsibility; a responsibility that He doesn't even expect me to carry out on my own, but with the help of His Spirit. Because His Word states that it is He who works in me to will and to do (Phil. 2:13)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">It isn't about positive affirmations. It's about, supernatural, holy, Spirit-filled words, and the presence of God, and the healing power and love contained therein, which is released through those words, combined with</span></span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"> an attitude of trust, belief, surrender and gratitude toward Him.</span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"> It is something entirely different than positive thinking. It is about feeding, growing, healing and empowering our human spirits with His Spirit, and His love. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">And so God impressed it upon me to put a photo of Jesus on the Cross on the wall beside my bed, so that when I can't sleep at night, instead of getting mad and begging and crying for help, I might look up, and recall His suffering, and remember what that suffering purchased for me. And then, reach down into my spirit, and pick up my weapons, to fight the lies that assault me when I'm tired...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">It's not an overnight thing. Change happens first in the spiritual realm, and then, over time, it manifests in the physical realm. Of course, God heals us sometimes without requiring a single utterance from us, but at other times, He wants to convince us by His Word of that healing. In my case, I believe that there's no other way that I will win the battle over insomnia- and no other way that I will know of His healing power for others, until I apply the Word to my own life. Yes, He has used medicine to make me well, but He also wants me to see the body, soul and spirit healing contained within His Word; within Jesus' sacrifice, and through relationship with Him. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Seek His face, and you will learn more about who He is for you, and how He can make you not only well, but whole, by His Spirit, and by His Word- the most powerful medicine there is. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-50480725497613985432014-08-04T12:17:00.001-07:002014-08-04T12:17:04.114-07:0012-Webinar Series on How to Heal from Chronic Illness- In Body, Mind and Spirit<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Beginning (approximately) October 1st, I will be doing a series of 12 webinar teachings on how to heal from chronic illness-
using the power of prayer, inner healing methods from a Christian perspective,
medicine, and more. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #2a313d;">The series will be bi-monthly on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, through March 2015, for approximately 1.5 hours, beginning at 6 PM PT, 7 PM MT, 8 PM CT, and 9 PM ET. (Dates occasionally may be subject to change due to holidays or </span><span style="color: #2a313d;">unforeseen</span><span style="color: #2a313d;"> emergencies). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #2a313d;">Each session will include a teaching, and then an interactive
healing session and/or prayer to practice concepts shared in the teaching, and to identify and heal hidden blocks to healing. The </span><span style="color: #2a313d;">teachings</span><span style="color: #2a313d;"> will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour, and the interactive sessions will be approximately 20-30 minutes. I will leave 15-30 minutes of time at the end for questions and sharing. This schedule is subject to change but so far, this is the plan!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The topics include:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) The Hierarchy of Healing-
Spirit, Mind and Body. How to heal on each of these levels and why spiritual
healing is the highest level and can effectuate change at the other levels. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) Why God gave us healing as
part of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and atonement; why it is always God's will for
us to be well, and how we can appropriate that healing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) How God heals through
relationship with Him, the power of His Word, and by blessing your spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) Identifying and eliminating harmful inner vows, bitter root judgments and expectations, fragmentation, and other roadblocks to healing</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) Healing from rejection and abandonment (the principle emotions that open the door to Lyme disease, according to Drs. Cowden and Gilbert Renaud) and hopelessness.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) Tailoring a diet to your
unique biochemistry. Based on my upcoming book with Dr. Cowden, <a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/">Foods that Fit a Unique You.</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6) How to detoxify and keep
your body and home clean and free of environmental toxins. Based on my recent book with Dr. Cowden, <i><a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/new-books.html">Create a Toxin-Free Body and Home...Starting Today.</a></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7) Lifestyle strategies for wellness and overcoming a sickness/Lyme disease identity</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8) Discovering and breaking
generational curses that cause or contribute to disease<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10) Using amino acids, nutrition
and bioidentical hormones to heal from depression, insomnia, brain fog,
anxiety, fatigue and other symptoms common to those with chronic illness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11) Identifying and healing from
a poverty spirit <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12) Setting boundaries in
relationships <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will not be charging for the sessions; however, I will be taking donations, which you can send me via Paypal at: Connie9824@aol.com. (Setting up a Paypal account is easy if you haven't done this before). You can also send me a check or a one-time donation via credit card. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because of the immense amount of time, energy and expense involved in doing this six-month series, if I find that I'm unable to cover my expenses through donations, I may need to charge a nominal fee of $10 per person per webinar after the first webinar. If this happens, I will offer a discount to those who want to pay for the remaining 10 sessions as a package. I don't want finances to be a reason for anyone not to attend, however- as I believe that God wants to bless many through this teaching series- so if it becomes necessary to charge for the series, I will offer a limited number of scholarships to those who truly cannot afford it. And please don't be shy about asking- if you want to attend, God will make a way!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #2a313d;">These are all topics that I'm passionate about and which I have learned to be essential to recovery. God placed this idea upon my heart so that
those who have not found healing through their current medical protocol might
find it through Him and these teachings. It is based on my 12 years of research
and study on healing, personal experience of illness, and what I have learned
from doctors, ministers and other health care professionals. Hope to
"see" you there!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #2a313d;">I will post sign up </span><span style="color: #2a313d;">information</span><span style="color: #2a313d;"> here and on Facebook in September. </span></span></div>
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-46411122467483490252014-07-27T17:56:00.002-07:002014-07-27T17:59:21.067-07:00The Path to Chronic Illness This morning, I was reviewing some notes from a Lyme disease conference that I attended last year, and was struck by something that one of the doctors shared at the conference. I guess it's because what he shared is similar to a theory that I've believed for a long time, which is that Lyme disease, and many other chronic illnesses, aren't caused by infections - rather, the infections are the result of a body that's been broken down by stress.<br />
<br />
This may not be true for everyone, but I can't tell you how many stories I've heard about people that have gotten sick from Lyme during an intense time of stress. That stress can be from environmental toxicity, a bad diet, or a harried lifestyle, but more often, it is the result of prolonged emotional stress. <br />
<br />
According to this doctor, prolonged stress causes the sympathetic nervous system, or the body's fight-or-flight system, to activate and remain activated. This causes the neuroendocrine (or hormonal and neurological systems) to de-regulate, which then causes problems in the GI tract, which then causes problems in all systems and organs of the body. A weakened body then becomes hospitable to infections and toxins. Therefore, toxins and infections are the result of stress, but the terrible catch-22 is that toxins and infections then add to the stress that was already there before.<br />
<br />
The sympathetic nervous system is designed to save us when faced with a strong threat or fear- but it isn't meant to be continually activated. Continual activation of the fight-or-flight response, even if it is a low-grade activation, suppresses the immune system and gastrointestinal function, making us hospitable hosts for infection.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the hurried, harried and isolated lives that many of us in the West (and especially in the United States) live, means that our sympathetic nervous systems are continually activated.<br />
<br />
Perhaps even more damaging, however, is when we live in fight or flight mode, because of habitual patterns of harmful thinking and beliefs that were embedded into our limbic systems as a result of PTSD or trauma. Early-life trauma is especially damaging. Some examples of beliefs and emotions that result from trauma include fears of abandonment, rejection and not being able to survive in the world.<br />
<br />
Lee Cowden, MD and Recall Healing practitioner <a href="http://recallhealing.com/">Gilbert Renaud</a> have linked the development of Lyme disease to a conflict of separation, or abandonment. In other words- lots of folks with Lyme disease have had the disease process triggered by a situation of abandonment, or an early life abandonment, the emotions of which were reactivated later in life and acted as a trigger for symptoms.<br />
<br />
I don't know how often this is true, but I agree with the theory that chronic illness is often triggered by perpetual sympathetic nervous system activation. Or said more simply- FEAR.<br />
<br />
Getting sick only adds fuel to the fire of fear, as when your ability to function and provide for yourself becomes compromised, many new fears enter the picture.<br />
<br />
I believe this may be one reason why some people with chronic illness struggle to recover. Healing happens when the body is in relaxation mode, but Lyme disease (or any chronic illness for that matter) tends to perpetuate and magnify the stressors that initially caused the illness.<br />
<br />
So what do you do, if you find yourself in this sinking boat?<br />
<br />
Well...you go after the end products of the stress, and eliminate the toxins and the infections, but you can't stop there. You've got to go after the initial cause(s) of stress.<br />
<br />
I'll tell you what I have done, and what I still do. I pray, and I ask God to show me the emotional conflict(s) behind the stressors that were the trigger for living in "fight or flight." Sometimes there are more than just a few, but usually, there is a relatively small core set of beliefs that keep the body in fear mode.<br />
<br />
I then pray, and ask God to heal me of the lie-based thinking, or the beliefs that led me to live in a state of low-grade anxiety, or outright fear. I then work on replacing the lie-based beliefs with affirmations of truth, and practicing mindfulness of my thoughts as I go about my day. The patterns of belief and thought are usually deeply embedded in the limbic system and the cellular memory, which is why I ask for God's supernatural hand to remove the programming from my DNA, and to help me re-wire my thoughts. I don't think it's something that most of us can do by willpower alone. We need Him to literally re-wire our belief systems, and feed His thoughts into our minds.<br />
<br />
It sure isn't an overnight thing. I speak from experience. But it is worth the effort, as God promises to heal us, as we seek Him and acknowledge Him in all our ways. (Proverbs 3: 5-6). And knowing that we don't have to do it alone- that it is He who works in us to will and to do (Phil 2:13) relieves any pressure on us to perform- another factor that feeds fear.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, when life gets hard, I have to get off my computer, turn off my phone, and spend hours, or even days, in the presence of God. It's the only way I can get out of "fight or flight" mode, and when I do, I return to the demands of life with a greater sense of peace. And it works. Twelve years ago, I suffered from such a terrible anxiety disorder that it was as if someone were holding a gun to my head 24-7. I lived in constant fear of dying of a heart attack. I even went to the ER once for a relentless panic attack.<br />
<br />
Today, I no longer suffer from that kind of fear. I don't have panic or irrational fears. I still battle to not live in fight or flight, because a lifetime of harmful programming often takes years to undo, and the pressures of society and work lend themselves to SNS dominance. But when I spend enough time in the presence of God, my mind rests, and with that, my body. <br />
<br />
If you haven't been healed by herbals, drugs, vitamins or other remedies, I encourage you to seek God for wisdom about any potential emotional conflicts behind your symptoms, and for the power and ability and wisdom and discernment to resolve those. This can help bring your body into a state of rest, so that you can experience deeper healing.Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-27796399705729099452014-07-16T11:38:00.003-07:002014-07-16T11:58:11.895-07:00 God and His Healing Power- He's Not Just a Form of "Higher" Energy, but Also a Person and the Creator of the UniverseAs the premise of this blog states, I don't believe that healing from chronic illness is simply a physical endeavor. It is emotional as well as spiritual. Most people who embrace holistic wellness would also agree.<br />
<br />
Health care practitioners with a new age or Eastern medical perspective (which is popular in holistic and integrative medical circles nowadays) often advocate spiritual practices as an essential component of recovery. Practitioners might suggest to their clients, for example, that they do some yoga or meditation as part of their recovery.<br />
<br />
In Christianity, spiritual healing is also central to the entire healing process, and is based on principles found in the Bible and a 24-7 relationship with a living God who leads and guides us in our decision-making, and transforms our thoughts so that they conform to His, not our own, which are subject to fallibility.<br />
<br />
It seems to me that in some holistic medical circles, Eastern and new age spiritual practices are almost universally accepted as the best way to address the spiritual component of wellness. Let's face it- it's cool to be a Buddhist; to channel energy, to be a medical intuitive; to do Reiki, yoga and the rest, but it's not so cool to be a Christian and to practice healing through Biblical principles and the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
I could be wrong, but these are my impressions based on what I have observed at medical conferences and through talking with many health care practitioners, since I often hear practitioners advocating spiritual practices from the East, but I seldom hear talks about the power of Jesus or the Holy Spirit to heal.<br />
<br />
Maybe the collective belief is that this sort of chatter is best reserved for the church, but that Eastern practices are okay because they are based on science or an intellectual philosophy rather than religion (which is not true). Still, I can't help but wonder why it is okay to talk about God as a higher energy- as prana, chi or otherwise- but not as a person?<br />
<br />
Is it because the belief among those in integrative medical science is that God <i>is </i>only universal energy, which we can channel at our will- but that God is not a person, with a will, thoughts and emotions?<br />
<br />
Yet the Bible, which I believe is the infallible, inspired word of God, demonstrates that God is actually comprised of three persons- The Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit- and they they all have a will, thoughts and emotions. 1 John 5:8 of the Amplified Bible states: "So there are three witnesses in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one..."<span style="color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">8 </span><br />
<br />
Christianity has earned a bad reputation in the United States among some people. And I don't necessarily blame those that have been turned away from organized religion, since Christians are often known more for what they are against, rather than what they are for. Indeed, some of us have done a better job of reprimanding people for who or what they are or are not, instead of loving them unconditionally with the love of God.<br />
<br />
This has led some folks, I believe, who were once open to the idea of a loving God, to embrace the idea of universal energy instead. Which to me is sad because, well...I think that God isn't just energy, but the One that created the Universe and who longs to have a relationship with us! (Notice I did not say that God is human :) And God is the mightiest force in the Universe; the Creator, the alpha and omega; the beginning and end of all things (Rev. 22:3).<br />
<br />
And though I consider myself part of the integrative, or holistic wellness community, I don't share the popular new age perspective that the Holy Spirit is simply Christianity's way of defining universal, or higher energy, or that Jesus was just another good man, or healer, on earth. Because the Holy Spirit is more than energy- He is also a person, with a will, thoughts and emotions, and He is part of the Godhead, as is Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
I respect everyone's right to believe differently, and I believe that all faiths have aspects of truth to them- but we let's face it, we all believe in an ultimate truth- and just as some believe in universal energy, so I believe that Jesus Christ is the ultimate "way, truth and the life"(John 14:6) - and not just the truth of life here on earth, but in the Hereafter.<br />
<br />
I also believe that not all energy is created equal. Our bodies are comprised of electromagnetic fields, which we can channel for our healing and that of other people. But the higher, more powerful energy of the universe comes only from three sources- God, demons, or angels. <br />
<br />
Which is one reason why I don't pray for people using any means or medium besides Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. And I don't allow anyone to pray over me using a random form of "higher energy"--because for all I know, no matter how well-intentioned the channeler might be, that energy could be demonic, or from a dark spiritual entity, if you prefer- which can then bring harm to me or someone that I pray over.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I love praying through the Holy Spirit, since He is God, and as such, imparts not only physical healing to us, but also a profound revelation of His love, Jesus' love, and God the Father's love towards us. He doesn't just fix the broken bone- He shows us who He is for us, and His remarkable compassion towards us, through His healing touch. <br />
<br />
Jesus Christ still heals through the Holy Spirit today, like He did when He walked the earth 2000 years ago, and abides in all those who believe in Him and who receive Him as their Lord and Savior. Do you know Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit? If you don't, I invite you to put aside all prejudices and preconceived notions about who they are, and ask God to reveal them to you....You just might be surprised at the gentle, loving persons that you meet!<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-58073352209914197432014-07-08T04:00:00.000-07:002014-07-09T10:21:14.347-07:00Why Toxins Are A Principal Cause of Most Chronic and Degenerative Diseases TodayAccording to renowned integrative medical doctor and osteopath Garry Gordon, MD, DO, MD(H), in the foreword that he wrote to Dr. Lee Cowden's and my just-released book, <a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/new-books.html"><i>Create a Toxin-Free Body and Home...Starting Today</i> </a>, studies reveal that newborn babies today are born with more than 200 different types of environmental toxins in their bodies. It is a myth that when babies enter this world, their bodies are pristine and toxin-free. If this is true, then just imagine how many more toxins those of us who have been on this earth 30, 40, 50 years or more have accumulated in our bodies!<br />
<br />
Sadly, we have polluted God's green earth with a multitude of chemical, radioactive and electromagnetic toxins- which have soiled our food, air and water supply, and in turn, our bodies and homes. The truth is that we are all full of harmful toxins such as heavy metals, phthalates, PCBs, dioxins, GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs, radiation, and more.<br />
<br />
Nobody is exempt from their influence. Even if you don't yet have symptoms, take it for granted that your body is storing a lot of junk from the environment, and that it is likely to affect your health down the road, especially since the amount of toxins to which we are all being exposed is multiplying exponentially over time. <br />
<br />
Our exposure to environmental toxins has resulted in an epidemic of chronic, degenerative health conditions and diseases- everything from heart disease, to cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, ADD, autism, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and Alzheimer's- just to name a few. A hundred years ago, these types of diseases were rare, if they existed at all. In conventional medicine, most of these diseases are managed with drugs, as their true cause remains masked and hidden to the afflicted.<br />
<br />
So many of us with undiagnosed and chronic symptoms such as fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches and allergies--are really suffering from the effects of environmental toxins upon our bodies. Toxins cause inflammation, disrupt and destroy enzyme systems, metabolism, and other biochemical and electromagnetic processes in the body.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, by identifying and removing these toxins from our bodies and homes- we can heal from our "mystery" illnesses and experience a reduction in, or complete elimination of, our symptoms. Environmental toxins are sometimes only part of what is making us sick- but more often than not, if we will remove them from our bodies, we will experience radical, accelerated healing from whatever else ails us (such as cancer, Lyme disease, and other infectious diseases).<br />
<br />
It's not always easy to identify the things in our environment that are making us sick. Toxins are often invisible and we don't feel their effects at the time that we are exposed to them. But as we begin to remove them from our bodies and homes, we may notice our symptoms abating; our energy increasing, our thinking becoming clearer, our sleep improving, and aches and pains disappearing.<br />
<br />
This process doesn't happen overnight. For me, it took years, but had I had the information that Dr. Cowden and I shared in <i><a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/new-books.html">Create a Toxin-Free Body and Home...Starting Today </a> </i>years ago, when I first got sick, I believe I would have healed much faster.<br />
<br />
Dr. Cowden and I wrote this book to provide a broad overview of the multitudes of types of toxins that we are all exposed to today, as well as do-it-yourself and doctor-assisted solutions for removing them. It is a short, easy-to-read book, but power packed with useful information and tips that are based on my long battle with chronic illness, and Dr. Cowden's over 25 years of working with patients with environmental illness.<br />
<br />
It's not just enough to take some chlorella or do a sauna once a week. While doing one or two things to get rid of toxins is better than doing nothing, we seriously underestimate the problem of toxins if we think that one or two therapies or supplements is enough to stay become, or remain, healthy. Removing and avoiding toxins is a multi-faceted endeavor and we all need to understand the how, where and what of a variety of types of toxins, in order to live a long, healthy life, or recover from the health conditions that ail us.<br />
<br />
I am passionate about this book, because I believe that it will save lives and cause those of us who follow the guidelines therein to be happier, healthier and stronger over the long run.<br />
<br />
We need to all stop eating genetically-modified, contaminated food, and avoid talking on our cell phones and ipads for hours daily, if we want to be well. We need to get informed about how smart meters, mold and microbes are draining the life from our bodies. We need to understand that our bodies weren't created to ingest hormones, chemicals and antibiotics on a daily basis. We need to know that it's not okay to use household and personal care products that contain artificial chemicals, or these chemicals will eventually end up inside of us and make us sick down the road.<br />
<br />
I don't want to sound alarmist, but I want my readers to understand the seriousness of this issue- because as you do, and follow the recommendations outlined in Dr. Cowden's and my book, I believe you will feel better, stronger and happier than you ever have before. Longevity these days depends upon maintaining a clean diet, and doing regular detoxification to remove accumulated toxins.<br />
<br />
Dr. Cowden and I have tried to make this process easy, by sharing what we know, in simple terms, the different types of toxins to which we are all exposed, along with strategies and tools for eliminating them from your body and environment.<br />
<br />
You can read the introduction to our book by clicking <a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/new-books.html">here</a>. Also, Dr. Cowden and I will be releasing two more books in the <i>Journey to Wellness </i>book series later this summer and in early fall. To learn more about these, I invite you to visit my homepage: <a href="http://www.conniestrasheim.com/">www.ConnieStrasheim.com</a>. The books in this series are designed to provide you with all the necessary tools that you need to be well- in body, mind and spirit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-79233423182827903472014-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:002014-06-27T11:17:55.478-07:00Reflections on Turning 40As I step into a new decade today, I realize that it was nine years and nine months ago, to the day, that my body crashed with an abundance of symptoms that, as I later learned, would literally snatch my 30s out from under me.<br />
<br />
For nearly a decade, I wandered around in a Lyme disease-induced stupor, my days filled with tears, agony, prayers, treatments and many hours spent in bed. For a long time, time became surreal and one year blended into another as I sought God for answers to my healing.<br />
<br />
I can't believe I'm 40 now. I know life passes like the wind but time takes on an even more surreal dimension when you're sick, and hours seem like minutes; days like hours, and years like months. My 30s were marked by some wonderful experiences, to be sure, but the days mostly passed like dark, somber shadows; and depression, pain and fatigue were, for many years, the hallmark of my existence.<br />
<br />
That's just how it is with Lyme. And I would be lying if I didn't say that I'm still working through the regrets of all the things that I missed in my 30s and which I used to love to do- recreational events like camping, hiking, skiing and traveling. Not to mention all the "normal" things that people in their 30s often do, like get established in a career; date and get married, and have kids.<br />
<br />
I have sometimes wondered why I had to get sick at age 30. Why couldn't it have happened at age 70? The 30s seem to be prime years of one's life, but I guess every decade has its benefits and if I were 70 I probably would have wished that it had happened in a different season- if it had to happen at all.<br />
<br />
But regrets aside, I find myself stepping into 40 with a renewed optimism and faith that the next 10 years will be the best of my life, and that this coming decade will be light years better than the last. I already feel better physically at age 40 than I did at age 30- but emotionally and spiritually I feel better than I ever have in my life. And I see God starting to redeem the time that the locusts have stolen away.<br />
<br />
As I celebrate going "over the hill" today, I can't help but feel that I'm actually climbing a new hill, and that there is a fantastic summit and sunrise awaiting me at the top.<br />
<br />
I haven't come this far on my own. God has heard my pleas and tears and over the past 10 years, has strategically placed people, opportunities and healing in my path, so that I could get to where I am now- to a place where I no longer cry daily and spend most of my days in isolation, but instead am able to work, travel, and enjoy outings and events with others.<br />
<br />
I no longer have the body of a spring chicken but I have a powerful, more peaceful spirit; the inner strength of an ox and the wisdom of a woman who has lived through extreme adversity and not only survived, but learned and grown from it...and a knowledge about what really matters in life- which is love, God and relationships. I guess I could go on.<br />
<br />
And I've learned a lot about what it means to be well- in body, mind and spirit- and somehow have managed to produce, during my long battle with infirmity- eight books on holistic wellness, including Lyme, cancer, environmental illness, spiritual healing and nutrition (the latter three to be released this summer!).<br />
<br />
It wasn't easy, but when I'm tempted to view my 30s as a huge waste of life, I have to recall the books that God allowed me to write and bless others with, and the deep inner healing that God has worked in me and through me during these difficult years. I don't believe God ordained the pain I went through- but He did indeed use the adversity for good.<br />
<br />
God has sent so many people to hold up my arms throughout this journey, and to help me get to where I am today. If you are one of those people and are reading this, I want you to know- I would not be here without you! Foremost are my boyfriend Bill Gonseaux, several of my girlfriends, my family and my doctors. I love and appreciate every one of you, and know that God sent you to me because He knew I might drown in the sea of hell called Lyme disease if I didn't have great warriors to pray for me, provide for me, hold my hand, and care for my broken heart when I didn't think I'd make it another day.<br />
<br />
I'm also deeply grateful for every one of my friends who has also suffered from Lyme disease. Your prayers, comfort, and compassion, along with your praise reports and encouraging words about my work have enabled me to keep going, and keep writing- even while my back ached, brain fog raged and endless insomnia and fatigue tortured me for years. It is because of you that I continue to write and help people through what I have learned about healing.<br />
<br />
But in the end, it is God and the Lord Jesus Christ who have brought me to where I am today. Ironically, ten years ago, in September, 2004, I went to Colombia to share the love of God with others, and three weeks following that trip, my body broke down and I could no longer work, travel or do much of anything. Now, ten years later, I am returning to Colombia this August/September- still not a perfect vessel, but a much more healed one than I was when I first went there.<br />
<br />
I believe it is strategic, and I feel as if God is saying to me, "The years in the wilderness are over." And it's time to go back to Colombia to serve God. Only this time, I'm going back with a more powerful healing anointing, and greater wisdom and compassion (not to mention better health!) than when I went there 10 years ago.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you God. May this next decade be blessed!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-4635906473122399922014-06-23T08:00:00.000-07:002014-06-23T13:15:26.685-07:00Lyme Disease: Don't Bother with the Bugs Unless You Attack the BiofilmTreating chronic Lyme disease is a quagmire for even the most brilliant of minds. The multiple systemic infections involved in Lyme disease makes it incredibly difficult to create antimicrobial protocols that will effectively target all of the infections.<br />
<br />
To make matters worse, the bugs congregate into communities and cloak themselves in polysaccharide blankets of sorts- basically, a thick, slimy self-generated protein and sugar "goo," which effectively shield them from detection by the immune system and render them invincible to anti-microbial remedies.<br />
<br />
It's funny, because I have found that at times, I will test negative for active Lyme infections via muscle testing and through Zyto and other electrodermal screening devices, but I have found that if I look at my blood through a microscope, I still have some bugs playing in and around my blood cells.<br />
<br />
And I can swallow massive amounts of herbal remedies and take all kinds of antibiotics, and will not experience any kind of detoxification, or Herxheimer reaction whatsoever. Which would lead any doctor who uses ART or other forms of muscle testing, or a Zyto device, to conclude that I don't have infections in my body, or that the infections are so low-grade that they shouldn't be bothered with.<br />
<br />
Well...I used to think this was the case- but I'm not so sure anymore. First of all, no testing method is perfect and I surmise that most types of testing- muscle testing, Zyto and even traditional blood tests- are inadequate for always determining the presence of microbes that are cloaked in biofilm.<br />
<br />
Which would also explain why I don't react strongly to antimicrobials, since biofilm-protected bugs can become invincible against antimicrobials, unless you take a biofilm-busting agent along with the antimicrobials. Plus, some tests only measure the presence of infections that are a problem for the body at the present time, -but it doesn't mean that there aren't others hiding from the immune system somewhere in a protective biofilm blanket.<br />
<br />
I don't know how else to explain why some of the best doctors who have muscle tested and Zyto-ed me have proclaimed the Lyme infections to not be an issue for my body, since, if I take a drop of my blood and look at it under a dark field microscope, I can still see critters swimming around. Unless of course, they are different bugs that my doctors neglected to test me for- rare parasites or some strain of bacteria that no blood test is yet available for.<br />
<br />
When you get Lyme disease, you never get rid of all the microbes, short of a divine healing miracle from God- which is why I find it hard to tell people that you're never really "cured" of Lyme. In the absence of a perfect healing from our Creator, the best you can hope for is to knock the infections back enough to where they are no longer a problem for your immune system and you become symptom free.<br />
<br />
Although that said, I know truly few people who are completely symptom-free from Lyme disease. Don't be dismayed, though. Lots of folks with Lyme are functional and feel well, and few people in our society- Lyme disease or not- walk around with no symptoms, and neither are they bug-free. Life without bugs isn't a realistic expectation in the society we live in, anyway. Life brings on a variety of aches and pains and even people who don't have Lyme disease aren't exempt from feeling badly from an undiagnosed bug, environmental toxin or hormonal imbalance.<br />
<br />
But back to the biofilms....I've been researching Lyme disease for a long time, and I don't think you can truly have success at treating this disease unless you also attack the fortresses that the bugs build to protect themselves from antimicrobial remedies. Taking routine doses of enzymes such as boluoke, serrapeptase, nakkotinase, and others is good, but sometimes it's not enough, especially when the blood is really viscous, or thick, and the enzymes, antibiotics, herbs, and the like can't reach the deeply entrenched bugs.<br />
<br />
Many people with Lyme disease, if not most, suffer from hyper coagulation, and must also take substances that will seriously thin the blood. Enzymes can do this to a degree, but sometimes heparin, or stronger combination enzyme products such as Biopure's Rechts Regulat or Neprinol: http://www.neprinol.com may be more helpful.<br />
<br />
Or taking traditional enzymes such as bolouke and lumbrokinase in higher amounts, and rotating the enzymes, may bring breakthroughs when other strategies fail to do so. Unfortunately, some doctors believe that a lot of people are allergic to heparin (I was), so high doses of combination enzyme products such as Rechts Regulat, may be a better choice. <br />
<br />
Also, at a recent ACIM conference this weekend, I spoke with a sales representative for <a href="http://www.natural-immunogenics.com/">Hydrosol Silver (Natural Immunogenices)</a> who claimed that Hydrosol Silver can break through most biofilms. Silver is a potent antimicrobial that apparently also has biofilm-busting properties. If this is in fact true, it would be great news for those of you who have plateaued in your healing journey.<br />
<br />
Regardless, biofilm renders bugs tough to get at, so it's important, whatever antimicrobial protocol you are doing, to include generous amounts of biofilm-busting substances into your treatment regimen, to ensure that the most deeply-entrenced bugs go to where they are supposed to go- and that is out of your body!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-63036945116647124762014-06-16T13:11:00.000-07:002014-06-16T13:15:24.086-07:00How Blessing Your Kidneys and Adrenal Glands Can Give You EnergyMost of us think of adrenal fatigue as purely a physical problem- the result of an accumulation of life's stressors, or chronic illness. But adrenal fatigue can be a spiritual problem, as well. According to minister Arthur Burke, founder of <a href="http://www.theslg.com/">Sapphire Leadership Group</a>, in his 7-CD series, <a href="http://www.theslg.com/product_p/pg_ftak.htm"><i>Fractal of Two: Adrenals and Kidneys</i></a> the adrenals and kidneys store thoughts and emotions, and even think and judge, like our minds. <br />
<br />
On his product description site, Arthur writes:<br />
<br />
"The concept of the heart as a spiritual organ is quite well established in Western theology. The Bible, however, includes the adrenals and kidneys as playing a strategic role in the spiritual climate of a person.<br />
<br />
The kidneys think, and the thoughts of the adrenals and kidneys are so significant that God specifically judges them for how righteously or unrighteously they think. Their contribution to the spiritual condition of the spirit and body is immense.<br />
<br />
They are also the seat of a wide range of emotions, from fear to sorrow to joy. And those emotions seem to be more spiritual than merely soulish."<br />
<br />
He also contends that they seem to play a large role in attaching covenants- or negative agreements that result from our unhealthy affiliations with others- to our body and soul. <br />
<br />
Arthur has discovered that speaking specific blessings over the kidneys and adrenals can cause them to release negative thoughts, judgments and emotions, in ways that aren't fully understood. This results in a strengthening of these organs, and with that, the immune system. As this happens, the body detoxifies both physical and emotional toxins.<br />
<br />
I purchased this CD set, and was struck by Arthur's warning at the beginning that just listening to the blessings could cause a detoxification reaction in my body. I was equally struck by his contention that many people had experienced significant shifts in their energy and sleep as a result of listening to, and receiving, the blessings.<br />
<br />
When I emailed him to ask for specifics, he said that of approximately 24 people that had underwent a pilot test of listening to these blessings for six weeks, 10 had experienced radical improvements in their symptoms, and 12 had moderate improvements. Only 2 had no change in their symptoms. <br />
<br />
So I decided to listen to the blessings- six weeks' worth- and I admit that over the past month, I have been more emotional, tired and irritable, and haven't slept all that well. Detox? Well, maybe...<br />
<br />
I consulted with a friend of mine who is also a spiritual deliverance minister and very attuned to the voice of God, and asked her whether she thought that the blessings were causing my body to detoxify. Her reply was, "Yes, there's no doubt in my mind that this is what's happening to you." <br />
<br />
I don't fully understand how Arthur has made these correlations with the adrenals and kidneys, and how he has substantiated their basis in Scripture, or the Bible, but he has apparently seen people's energy, sleep, emotions and other issues improve when specific blessings are spoken over these body parts. He also has a remarkable ministry based on blessing the spirit (which is significant, since the spirit controls the soul and body). <br />
<br />
What I do know is that since I've been listening to the blessings, I'm not quite as functional and emotionally stable as usual, so it's possible that my body is dumping toxins as these organs are getting stronger. Medically, it <i>has </i> been proven that the body stores emotions in the organs, and that the adrenals and kidneys are typically associated with fear. Fear and being stuck in "fight or flight" mode are a main trigger for immune suppression and illness, so releasing the emotions, beliefs, covenants- or whatever happens to be "stuck" in these organs, I believe can open a lot of doors to wellness. <br />
<br />
So at present, while I can't yet endorse adrenal and kidney blessings as a means to heal from chronic illness or adrenal fatigue, I am tentatively optimistic that they could be a powerful spiritual tool for healing. Because when our body, soul or spirit receive a spoken blessing, God's power is literally released through those words, into our being. <br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-55374126806399149792014-06-10T16:30:00.002-07:002014-06-10T16:30:22.071-07:00The Problem with Lyme Disease and God's Provision Through ItI've experienced, and witnessed, few illnesses that suck the life and joy out of people more than chronic Lyme disease. Like a tornado, it is insidious, powerful, all-encompassing and destroys every thing in your path- from your home, to your job, relationships, and ability to function. It ruins your health, your hope and your happiness.<br />
<br />
You get my point. And it's not one of those things that any amount of positive thinking or self-effort can pull you though. If you are fortunate and have the funds, friends and emotional support- and a great doctor who can work with your not-so-great biochemistry, then you might improve 50-80% after 2-5 years of therapy. I know a few folks who claim to be nearly symptom-free, but nobody ever fully gets rid of the infections, short of a miracle from God, and I don't know many who have come out of this storm feeling better in their bodies than before they went into it. It ravages everything within you, outside of you, and all around you.<br />
<br />
Which is why, I suppose, in 2009, God impressed it upon me that he had a better way. I had been attending an ILADS Lyme disease conference with 400 doctors. And as I sat there, listening to the doctors explain about insanely complicated and expensive antibiotic healing protocols, I thought, "This is a disease for the rich. This is a disease for the blessed few who have the mental wherewithal, emotional support, and stable enough biochemistry to overcome...not to mention one of the best doctors in the country."<br />
<br />
I left feeling incredibly depressed, for myself and the other people that I knew with Lyme. At that time, I'd been treating Lyme disease for five years (much of that time on my own, mind you, which was a bad thing to do) and had improved significantly, but was yet nowhere near well.<br />
<br />
Then God impressed it upon me that He had another way, and that healing wasn't just for the genetically-privileged, or the rich, or those with emotional support or the best Lyme doctor on the planet. He told me that people with Lyme disease could be healed through His Son Jesus Christ, and that by seeking His face, He would show them the way. He told me that the same Spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead 2000 years ago was still present to heal today, and that when Jesus died on the Cross, He became an atoning sacrifice not only for our sins, but also for sickness.<br />
<br />
I began to devour books that talked about healing and the Atonement. One of my favorites was Christ the Healer by FF Bosworth, because it explained, convincingly and by using Scripture to back up its contentions, why in fact Jesus promised that "the prayer of faith would heal the sick."<br />
<br />
The problem is, God told me, is that we have allowed our theology and beliefs about Him to be dictated by our experiences, and not by what His Word, the Bible, says. Logically so, since quite often we pray and nothing seems to happen in the physical realm.<br />
<br />
But then I learned about spiritual laws and that while God's promises to heal are true, there are sometimes spiritual strongholds that have to be broken in order for people to heal- but that God would show me those strongholds, so that I could break them off my life and others.'<br />
<br />
I was so inspired that I began to pray more for people, and even saw one man miraculously healed of all symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. Another was healed of cancer, and God began to use me to bring people into a higher place of wellness, either emotionally or physically. I began to attend Christian healing conferences, and saw God heal hundreds upon hundreds of people.<br />
<br />
I prayed, and wrote my own book on spiritual healing, entitled, <a href="http://healingchronicillness.org/">Healing Chronic Illness</a>. Since that time, I have learned more about healing, but had hoped to see more people completely healed of Lyme disease.<br />
<br />
Recently, I went to God about this and told Him I was discouraged, and asked Him what I needed to do to see His promises in Scripture fulfilled.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, God speaks to me in the first person through my boyfriend Bill, and He responded (in a voice of great authority), "You must see what you have in your hand now, and you must be thankful for that which you have now. Your power and anointing have grown (over the past several years)...." And then He said, "Do not belittle the anointing I have given you! This is not about you. You make yourself far greater than Me if you think it is your prayers that make them well, when it is My power going through you that makes them well."<br />
<br />
Well. I was duly humbled. But He still hadn't addressed my greatest concern, which was why I wasn't seeing more instantaneous healing miracles from Lyme- which is what I wanted to see.<br />
<br />
Ever patient, God responded, "How badly do you want to see people healed? Do you not think that I want to see them healed, as well? Do you think I put it upon your heart to see them well? That there would not be a way for you to pray so that they would get well? If I did, then don't you think I'd let you see it through? That I would not give you the visions to see it accomplished; that anointing, talent, power, ability and fulfillment to make it happen? Rest in that, and embrace that..."<br />
<br />
Then He reminded me of the healing miracles He had already done through me- emotional and physical healing miracles; miracles that I had disregarded or not appreciated because they weren't the whole kit n' caboodle.<br />
<br />
He reminded me about the responsibility that we all play in our healing- to seek His face, to trust Him, and to believe Him to heal us- either through a supernatural, divine miracle, or through medicine.<br />
<br />
The impressions He's given me over the years are that medicine isn't His preferred way of healing, because it's harder, more expensive, and painful, and not everyone will be healed through medicine, especially those with chronic Lyme. We might be restored to 70-80% health or even become symptom-free, (if we are blessed and believe Him for a full recovery) but He made full provision for our healing when Jesus went to the Cross at Calvary, and that this provision was sufficient. <br />
<br />
And Jesus doesn't just heal people from Lyme- He still raises them from the dead, both metaphorically and literally, and His power is sufficient to heal broken limbs, bodies and souls.<br />
<br />
Yet, He uses and blesses medicine, especially because, for most of us, our faith is in medicine more than in God's supernatural power- but if you don't have access to medicine, I just want to encourage you that there is another, better way! And the healing is for everyone- as God is no respecter of persons.<br />
<br />
I haven't received an instantaneous healing miracle from Lyme, either, perhaps because of mental strongholds in my own life, or simply because God chose another way with me-- but I know people who have, and God has used me to heal others.<br />
<br />
As I continued in my conversation with God, He told me to keep pressing in to Him; to keep praying, no matter the perceived outcome, and that as I continued to pray, I would see more people healed of Lyme.<br />
<br />
Way back in 2004, I started out my Lyme disease battle in a bad place. I was very sick, and I quickly exhausted my savings, and had to sell my home, and move back in with my parents for a couple of years, until I won a Disability case, at which time I moved to Costa Rica for a couple of years while I wrote my first two Lyme disease books.<br />
<br />
My suffering has been great, as, in addition to Lyme, I am a survivor of ritual abuse, which I endured for many years as a child. When I got Lyme, like so many others, I didn't have all the support that I needed-either emotionally or financially-, but I had a relationship with God, and daily I sought His face for wisdom and help.<br />
<br />
Today, when I look back, I realize that while I've not "arrived,"and while I've not had an instantaneous healing miracle, God's divine power has been working in me, to heal and restore me, because I chose to believe (most of the time!) that He would. <br />
<br />
Considering the circumstances that I was in 10 years ago, had I not sought God, I might have still been living with my parents, on Disability, or even dead, as there was a time in 2006 when I lost so much weight that I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I was 120 pounds at 5'10" (I'm now 160, on the high end of normal) and at that time, I surrendered to Him, believing that if it was His will, I would live. Many times in the years that followed, I had to remind myself of His promises in Scripture to heal me.<br />
<br />
I'm still not fully healed today- but the infections are no longer a major problem, and emotionally and spiritually, I'm healthier than I've ever been. As I've stated many times in my articles, I can work and travel. I have my own home again, and God has used the most hideous trial I've ever endured and enabled me to help thousands through the eight books that I've now published (three on their way this summer!), along with the anointing that He's given me to see other people healed through prayer.<br />
<br />
So even though I still grumble today about the challenges that I still have; financially, with my health and otherwise- if I look back to where I was 10 years ago, I must be a walking miracle, because there is no way I would have gotten to where I am today without God. Not with the kind of background, history, financial and physical challenges that I've had.<br />
<br />
<br />
Still, the temptation is always to look at what God still hasn't done in our lives, instead of what He has, and complain that He's not moving in our lives, or healing us. I've been guilty of that, a thousand times over, and I admit that envy likes to worm its way into my life, and show me what other people have that I don't.<br />
<br />
Although that said, whenever I look at the newsfeed on Facebook and read the posts from people that have Lyme disease, the messages reflect lives that are far more difficult and devastating than the people I know that haven't suffered this terrible illness. We all suffer, to be sure, but meter of suffering in those with chronic Lyme is right up on the high end of red.<br />
<br />
Which is why God continues to urge me to contend for healing miracles, for myself and others. <br />
I'm pretty sure it's He who put that desire in me, too, because had it been me, I probably would have given up a long time ago. The pain of seeing what others go through is just too great, but now, my determination is fiercer than ever. I am determined to see Jesus' promises to set the captives free, the sick healed, and the eyes of the blind- fulfilled- I will, no matter where I have to go, or what I have to do.<br />
<br />
As He continues to encourage me in this, I pray He will encourage you also in your healing journey. Seek His face, thank Him for the healing, and then trust Him to guide your path. He will do it, even though at times the progress may seem slow. Continue to believe, and you will see Him change your life for the better! Because believing is seeing in God's world...not the other way around. God bless you :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-79169442273856552862014-06-08T10:00:00.000-07:002014-06-08T11:04:40.126-07:00The Most Important Hour of My DayI'm prone to feeling overwhelmed by the stimulus-galore lifestyle that seems to have wormed its way into my existence and which is society's new drug. The constant beep of text messages, hordes of emails, phone calls, social media, and a half-dozen daily tasks- from my work writing books, articles and blogs; to washing dishes, preparing food, paying bills and doing things to maintain my health- can really bring my stress meter into the red at times. <br />
<br />
As a single, self-employed entrepreneur with some health challenges, a demanding career, and many friends, it's not easy, and I've found that the only way I can stay balanced and take it all in stride is if I spend the first hour or two of my day in prayer. <br />
<br />
This time is sacred for me, and I viciously guard it- ignoring my phone, text messages, email, and the other dozens of obligations and distractions that come at me like wild horses every morning. In fact, I often unplug my land line, and squelch the urge to pick up my iphone and check email and text messages while I make my organic coffee. Because I find that if I cave in to that temptation- the devil stealthily sucks my quiet time away from me and before I know it, my mind is occupied with a dozen other things besides God, and the window for my quiet time is over....<br />
<br />
So my goal when I emerge from bed, somewhere between 8 and 10 AM, is to make a beeline for the coffee maker, and then sit quietly on my sofa, bed or living room carpet for a one-on-one chat, or some praise and worship time with God. <br />
<br />
I'm sure some of my work associates don't understand why I'm not available to take their calls at 8 AM in like the rest of the so-called "normal" world. I schedule my engagements for the afternoon whenever possible, because sometimes, I don't start my workday until noon. It often means that I have to work at night, but the most important hour of my day is the hour that I spend with God. <br />
<br />
No matter how much I have to do in the day- this time is more vital for my wellbeing than anything else I could do. And I find that God often makes me more productive when I honor Him by taking time out of my day to listen to His voice, thank Him, praise Him and petition Him on behalf of my friends and family. <br />
<br />
When I don't, my perceptions of the world become distorted. I get crabby and fret over the small, and not-so-small stuff. I become inefficient in my work. I focus on my aching back or tired limbs; the lack of food in the fridge, the ten thousand emails I have to answer, or the loneliness of my profession as a writer. Instead of embracing hope, positivity and what's right with my world, I embrace all that is wrong, and I forget who God is for me- my provider, my joy, and my peace.<br />
<br />
Besides, I'm a person who needs to ease into the day. I don't do well trying to work and talk to people before I've had a chance to wipe the sand from my eyes, or fuel up with a cup of joe. God prepares me for the day, and He helps me to quell the negative thoughts that quite often come at me first thing in the morning. <br />
<br />
The world in which we live is awash with distractions. A thousand things clamor for our attention daily and it's easy to put off the one thing we most need- time with our Creator. Probably the most insidious are those we find on the Internet- Facebook, You Tube, the news, etc. While they are great ways to connect with the world, I've found them temptations that also take me away from my life with God.<br />
<br />
God created us for communion with Him, but when we are so distracted by our phones, Facebook, email, TV, family, friends and the constant demands of life, it's easy to lose touch with the One who gives us wisdom, perspective, and peace, and who refuels us for the day ahead. <br />
<br />
He wants us to hear His voice, soak in His presence, and be transformed by our time with Him. Our spirits don't get fed unless we do this, and our minds are prone to being conformed to the ways of the world, instead of His ways, if we don't seek His face or His wisdom. <br />
<br />
At least, that's how it is for me. And as much as I know this, there are yet times when I allow myself to believe that there are more pressing, or urgent things to do in the day, and so I step away from my opportunity for conversation with Him. When I do this for more than a few days, one of my best friends notices, because my spirit of peace becomes replaced by a spirit of anxiety, and she'll say to me, "When was the last time you prayed or spent time with the Lord?" <br />
<br />
And then I recall that it's been too long...and that I need Him, once again. He is my sustenance, my friend, my provider, my peace...and my reason for being. <br />
<br />
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-19121106149045483352014-06-02T05:53:00.000-07:002014-06-02T05:53:53.752-07:00PMS- It's Not a Normal Part of Being a Woman!Many women accept PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, as a normal, although irritating, part of being a woman. We'll go to a doctor for other ailments, but when it comes to PMS, a lot of us just think we have to suck it up and take some ibuprofen or ride out the symptoms for 3-10 days a month. <br />
<br />
To make matters worse, society has been known to shames and poke fun at women with PMS. Jokes about the disorder abound, especially among men (no offense, guys!). I suppose men kid about their wives and girlfriends as a way to relieve the tension of having to live with women who are prone to biting their heads off and becoming despondent during that time of the month- well, I do sympathize with you, Guys. <br />
<br />
But really, PMS is no laughing matter. If you're going to laugh about PMS, you might as well laugh at people who have heart disease, or chronic fatigue, or cancer, or any other illness. Because for many women, PMS feels like an illness, with symptoms akin to chronic fatigue syndrome, including migraines, insomnia, fatigue, brain fog and depression, among others.<br />
<br />
And as the amount of environmental toxins in our environment increases, and as a variety of stressors burn out our adrenal glands, women are experiencing increasingly difficult and challenging symptoms of PMS. By some estimates, up to 75% of women have PMS, especially those who are 35 and older, and it can last anywhere from 3-10 days per month. Which means that some women are in misery a third of their lives from PMS alone- never mind the other health challenges that they might be facing! <br />
<br />
Sometimes, I want to ask God why He made the female body so sensitive and susceptible to the effects of toxins and stress, but then I remind myself that God didn't create PMS- we did, because of how we've polluted the earth and lived out of alignment with God's design for humanity. <br />
<br />
Many of our industrial chemicals, especially phthalates and other chemicals from plastic- have xenoestrogenic effects upon the body- meaning, they mimic the effects of estrogen upon the body, causing an imbalance in the hormones, and consequently, PMS. Most of us are estrogen-dominant because of these chemicals and it's severely disrupting our lives. <br />
<br />
Fortunately, PMS can be managed or mitigated, although it's not always a simple process. <br />
<br />
Following I share some strategies that I have found to be helpful. <br />
<br />
1) First, many women who suffer from PMS also have adrenal fatigue. The closer a woman gets to menopause, the more the adrenals begin to take over the production of the body's sex hormones as the ovaries produce fewer of these hormones. If your adrenals are taxed or overtired, your body will struggle to produce balanced amounts of estrogen and progesterone.<br />
<br />
So the first thing you want to do is- support your adrenals! I highly recommend reading more about how to do this in Dr. Lam's book, <a href="http://drlam.com">Adrenal Fatigue</a>. My 2012 book, <i><a href="http://beyondlymedisease.com">Beyond Lyme Disease</a><i></i></i> also contains a chapter on adrenal fatigue. <br />
<br />
2) Get your progesterone and estrogen levels tested. If you have a progesterone deficiency, you can supplement with compounded or over-the-counter natural progesterone cream (Do not take synthetic progestin drugs, which only make the problem worse). <br />
<br />
If you have high levels of both progesterone and estrogen (this can occur if you have already been taking supplemental progesterone for several years and some of the residue of the cream has built up in your skin), don't take more progesterone! I learned the hard way that this is a bad idea and can exacerbate symptoms of PMS. What most doctors don't know is that symptoms of progesterone excess are often similar to symptoms of progesterone deficiency, but when they see high levels of estrogen relative to progesterone in their patients, they will often prescribe their patients even more progesterone, even if the progesterone levels are in the high-normal range. This is a very bad idea! <br />
<br />
3) If you have high levels of both estrogen and progesterone, you might fare better by focusing on lowering your estrogen levels, rather than increasing progesterone. You can do this by avoiding sources of plastic toxins, such as plastic food wrapping, plastic water bottles and non-organic food, and doing saunas, which remove plastic toxins from the body.<br />
<br />
Also, you can help your liver to metabolize estrogens by doing a liver cleanse periodically, which, over time, will also lower your body's estrogen levels. (In my previous blog post I provide a link on how to do a liver cleanse). <br />
<br />
Take a supplement called Di-indole-methane (DIM), which helps your body to eliminate excess estrogen. I recommend <a href="http://www.bioresponse.com/bioresponse-dim-150.asp">BioResponse Nutrients' Bioresponse DIM 150</a>. Other vitamins and minerals, especially B-vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and selenium, assist with estrogen metabolism, so make sure you also have adequate amounts of all of these vitamins and minerals in your diet. Drinking green tea and eating cruciferous vegetables can also be helpful. <br />
<br />
4) Get your other hormones balanced. <a href="http://sabresciences.com">Sabre Sciences</a> tests for hormonal imbalances, and then recommends compounded bioidentical hormone products, such as pregnenolone, DHEA, thyroid hormone- among others, to balance the body (as needed). Bioidentical hormone replacement is an art and requires a lot of skill to do properly, so I recommend working with a holistic doctor that specializes in this, for best results. <br />
<br />
5) Avoid stress, food allergens, and high amounts of protein, especially during the two weeks before the start of your monthly cycle. Sugar, caffeine, alcohol, animal protein and stress can all seriously exacerbate PMS. If you have adrenal fatigue, protein avoidance isn't a good idea, but eating more veggies and low glycemic fruits in the week or two before the start of your cycle can help to mitigate symptoms. <br />
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-59327692179003902122014-05-26T14:58:00.000-07:002014-05-26T15:07:01.192-07:00It's Not About Who We Are, But Who He Is For Us God gave us the ability to reason, but reason and intellect without the input of God's Spirit are the devil's playground. I am deeply intellectual and prone to operating out of my reason when pondering the things of God, but I can get into trouble with this when my thoughts aren't of His Spirit. Because what also lives in my intellect are deeply embedded strongholds; patterns of lie-based thinking that were programmed into me at an early age. We all have them.<br />
<br />
So at times, instead of submitting all of my thoughts to the Holy Spirit, I end up meshing God's truths with lies, and coming up with pseudo-religious beliefs that alienate me from the life of God. <br />
<br />
For example, one that comes up frequently is the idea that God can only bless me if I'm faithful to obey Him perfectly in my work. Because of this deeply-embedded belief, I end up setting standards for myself that God never asked me to set. I work long hours, believing that the bills won't get paid unless I slave myself into exhaustion. The excuse the devil gives me is that "Most normal people work from 8 to 5"-and since my workday starts closer to 11 AM, if I want to prosper, I am beholden to work until late into the evening.<br />
<br />
Granted, I am an entrepreneur, and from what I've seen, most entrepreneurs end up working long hours, but after having been sick for ten years, I don't have the luxury of being able to push myself like some others do.<br />
<br />
I also am wary of falling into a "prosperity gospel" mentality which is that if I just trust God, I'll be blessed with financial wealth or He'll drop some millionaire opportunity down my chimney. <br />
<br />
But then where does trusting God as my provider come in? If God can only bless me because I work like a dog or make perfectly wise business decisions, then why do I need Him? It puts the onus of blessing entirely upon me, and leaves no room for Jesus Christ to open doors of favor for me. Not only that, but it causes me to create impossible standards for myself, because I can never know with certainty how much work is enough work, or how much wisdom is enough wisdom to make it in this dog-eat-dog world.<br />
<br />
It's performance-based thinking; it's legalism; it's religion; it's the idea that God will give me favor, if I just do it all right!<br />
<br />
It is a subtle, but insidious lie that creeps its way into my daily thinking, and suddenly the Cross of Jesus Christ become irrelevant because I'm living out of performance, instead of God's grace. <br />
<br />
Many of us do this, because we live in a performance-based society where accolades, admiration and financial rewards are bestowed upon the productive, witty, brilliant and energetic. We are loved when we do it all right, whether in work, ministry or our relationships. So where is God's provision for those that don't have the natural strengths and abilities that society values?<br />
<br />
Phillipians 3:3 in the Amplified version of the Bible provides a great answer to this question. It states "...For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in Spirit and by the Spirit of God, and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put NO confidence or dependence (on what we are) in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances." <br />
<br />
What the Holy Spirit communicated to me through this verse is that I shouldn't put my faith or confidence in my natural ability to produce; in my intellect, and worldly knowledge. That God can guide me and bless me, whether I have worldly wisdom or not- whether I am able to work 4 hours or 10- whether I'm sick or well; able to walk or not, or have friends in high places or no friends at all. <br />
<br />
I do think that God expects us to use the talents, gifts and abilities that He's given us, but I believe that we are more blessed because of our heart towards Him, and are rewarded not because of what we accomplish, but because of our trust in Him. Psalm 147:10-11 of the NLT Bible states: "He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the LORD's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love."<br />
<br />
When I walk in a spirit of Sonship, rather than out of a spirit of slavery, I understand this. The natural laws of the world still apply- such as, for example, I must work in order to eat- but I also have the help of a supernatural God who can open doors of favor and opportunity for me, when I choose to put one foot in front of the other. I have a God who can re-route me when I walk in the wrong direction; who can send finances when tragedy befalls me, and who can provide messengers and messages, dreams and visions, words of wisdom, and many other things, to make sure that I receive all that I need for life and godliness. Anyway, it is His Spirit that works in me to will and to do (paraphrased, Phil 2:13), NIV, -when I choose to acknowledge Him in all my ways. <br />
<br />
The Bible is replete with stories of people who were blessed by God, financially, in their health and otherwise- when they chose to thank Him, and trust Him to provide for all of their needs. <br />
<br />
I know many people with chronic Lyme disease who feel condemned and like they are "doing it wrong" because they have been sick for years, and tried every medical protocol under the sun, only to still suffer symptoms. Treatment of chronic Lyme disease is a quagmire for even the most brilliant of minds, so it's easy to get caught in a perpetual maze of decisions, striving and wondering if you're doing the right thing. I know, because I've been there, too. And it's easy to feel like you can't be blessed by God unless you're doing all the right treatments, and can afford the thousands of dollars that it costs to treat the disease. It becomes a near impossibility for many.<br />
<br />
But as I wrote in my 2010 book, <i><a href="http://healingchronicillness.org">Healing Chronic Illness: By His Spirit, Through His Resources</a></i>, I don't believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross so that only the financially well-off or the intellectually privileged, or those that have had a balanced upbringing could be healed. His grace covers our mistakes, financial hardship, and lack of resources, and can override our bad decisions, so that even if we do the wrong treatment, it can be blessed anyway- provided we trust Him to bless it. We can be led into an unconventional path of wellness, if He ordains it. We can experience healing in our bodies, or favor in our work, if we believe Him to make good out of our meager, but sincere efforts, to do the right thing. <br />
<br />
This is contrary to the world's wisdom, and, let's face it, God did create natural laws; if you get a bug, you get sick; if you eat GMO food, it will harm you- but He's also above the natural realm, and He can bring supernatural favor and blessing into our lives so that we aren't affected by the world in the same ways as someone who doesn't know and trust Him. <br />
<br />
I have much to learn in this area, but as I dismantle my own mental strongholds, and He teaches me how to operate out of Sonship rather than slavery, He continually reminds me that He "...is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."<br />
<br />
May we know that favor, love, power and grace, when our own inadequacies tempt us to believe that blessings are dependent upon who we are, rather than who He is for us. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-32890463449678578152014-05-20T08:00:00.001-07:002014-05-20T11:31:38.379-07:00Seven Simple, Low-Cost Detoxification StrategiesEnvironmental toxins are one of the foremost causes of many of today's chronic and degenerative diseases. In Dr. W. Lee Cowden's and my upcoming book, <i>Create a Toxin-Free Body and Home...Starting Today<i></i></i>, we share some common environmental toxins and how to remove them from your body and home, in order to be in optimal health. The book will be available on my website as well as on the website of the Academy for Comprehensive Integrative Medicine, in approximately 2-4 weeks: <a href="http://conniestrasheim.com ">www.conniestrasheim.com</a> and <a href="http://acimconnect.com">ACIM</a>. <br />
<br />
Toxin removal can be a costly and complicated process, but below I share a few of my favorite toxin-removal strategies, which I like because they are (mostly) inexpensive, give you great bang for the buck, and are highly effective at removing a variety of toxins, including heavy metals, industrial chemicals, plastics, pesticides, pathogens and many of the other toxins that we come into contact with daily through our food, water, air and personal care and cleaning products. <br />
<br />
I advocate doing all of these strategies for a well-rounded toxin-removal protocol. You may need to do additional types of detoxification, according to your personal needs and your doctor's recommendations, so please don't take the following as medical advice! We all have unique needs, although the strategies that I share below are beneficial for most people. <br />
<br />
1) <b>Sauna Therapy</b>- Okay, so saunas aren't cheap, but over the long run, they don't cost as much as some other toxin-removal therapies since they are a one-time purchase. I bought my sauna slightly used on craigslist.org for $800. New, two-person far infrared saunas cost about 2-3K, but you can sometimes get good deals on craigslist or elsewhere. Cheap, portable, tent-like saunas which cost less than $200 are available on the Internet, but these may or may not be as useful as other types. Far infrared saunas mobilize toxins from deep within the tissues, and are great for removing stubborn toxins such as phthalates (which come from plastics) from the body, as well as heavy metals. <br />
<br />
2) <b>Coffee enema/liver cleanse</b>- Most of us have dozens of gallstones in our livers, which cause them to become inefficient at toxin removal. You can improve your liver function by doing a Hulda-Clark type liver cleanse every 3-4 months. I personally like the cleanses developed by Dr. Steve Hines, ND, which are similar to the Hulda-Clark cleanse, but easier on the body. I have done Dr. Hines' cleanses and eliminated lots of stones. (They aren't always fun, but are definitely worth it!). Dr. Hines claims that he's seen many of his clients' PMS symptoms disappear after doing multiple liver cleanses. To read more about Dr. Hines' protocols, see: <a href="http://www.hopewellness.com/forms/LiverFlush.pdf">http://www.hopewellness.com/forms/LiverFlush.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Coffee enemas also cleanse the liver and gallbladder (and colon). They are useful when you just need a fast, superficial cleanse. They don't remove liver stones in the same way as a full-on liver cleanse, but they do remove a lot of garbage from your body! For more information about how to do a coffee enema, visit: <a href="http://www.sawilsons.com/basicenema.htm">http://www.sawilsons.com/basicenema.htm. <br />
</a><br />
3) <b>Zeolite</b> Of all the toxin binders out there, I really like zeolite because it is a relatively safe toxin-binder and can remove a wide variety of contaminants, including heavy metals. If you know that you have heavy metal toxicity, you'll probably also need to use other binders in addition to zeolite, but if you can't handle intensive detoxification regimens, low amounts of zeolite daily can help to lower your overall toxin and heavy metal burden. I recommend Dr. Garry Gordon's zeolite product for this purpose, which can be found at the Longevity Plus website: <a href="http://longevityplus.com">http://longevityplus.com</a><br />
<br />
4) <b>Rebounding/jump-roping</b>- When detoxifying your body it's important to keep toxins moving through your lymphatic system, which is like a superhighway that shuttles toxins out of the tissues into a network of vessels that carries the toxins to the excretory organs for elimination by the body. The lymphatic system gets "backed up" easily, so to keep toxins flowing through your lymphatic vessels, I recommend either jumping for 10 minutes daily on a rebounder, pretend bike pedaling with your feet in the air for 10 minutes, or, if you can afford to purchase one- lying on a Chi machine, which moves your body side to side in a fishlike motion. For more information on Chi machines, visit: <a href="http://www.thechimachine.com">http://www.thechimachine.com</a> <br />
<br />
5) <b>Exercise</b>- Any type of exercise that gets your body moving will aid it in its detoxification processes, since exercise increases oxygen delivery to the tissues and encourages the movement of toxins through and out of your body. Combining some moderate cardiovascular exercise with strength training, stretching and rebounding is a good regimen to follow, if you are able to exercise. If you aren't, simple deep breathing techniques can also aid in tissue oxygenation and toxin removal. Check out Dr. Lam's site for some great videos on how to do deep breathing: <a href="http://drlam.com">www.drlam.com</a>. <br />
<br />
6) <b>Clay Mud Treatments</b>- Bentonite clay, as well as green, red and some other types of clay can bind toxins and carry them out of the body. You can take some types of clay orally, or mix them with enough water to make a paste which you can spread over the entire surface of your skin. If you do the paste method, allow the clay to dry on your skin for about 10-20 minutes, before rinsing it off. Alternatively, you can take a clay bath, although this doesn't seem to be quite as effective as painting your skin with the stuff, or taking clay orally. Clay is inexpensive and relatively safe compared to some other types of toxin-removal products, which is why I recommend it. Different types of clay can be found at most health food stores, or online. You can even buy clay in bulk to save money. I like Mountain Rose herb's products: <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com
">https://www.mountainroseherbs.com<br />
</a><br />
7) <b>Juicing</b>- Juicing is a great way to super-charge your body with nutrients while also eliminating toxins from it. Certain vegetables and fruits encourage the tissues and organs to dump toxins- especially carrots, beets, cucumbers, lemons, cranberries, and apples-, and when you spend several days or weeks juicing, you can help your body to eliminate an abundance of toxins, especially if you aren't also consuming a lot of animal protein. <br />
<br />
It's important, however, to use organic vegetables and fruits, so that you don't re-toxify yourself with toxins that come from non-organic food. It's also a good idea to eat as little animal protein as possible while juicing, since the liver works really hard to process animal protein, and when you take a break from eating it, you give the liver a chance to rest and regenerate itself, which in turn enables you to better eliminate toxins over the long run! <br />
<br />
Also, if you are hypoglycemic or have other blood-sugar issues, avoid using medium and high-glycemic fruits for juicing, such as papayas, melons, bananas and even apples and pears (if you are sensitive). For some great juicing recipes, visit: <a href="http://www.all-about-juicing.com/detox-recipes.html">http://www.all-about-juicing.com/detox-recipes.html</a>Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-59838573719434476022014-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:002014-05-13T10:36:36.087-07:00Soul vs Spirit Prayers- A Key to Prosperity and Abundant Life God has given our spirit charge over our soul and body. The spirit commands the soul, which in turn, commands the body. At least, that's how it is supposed to be. The trouble is, most of us live more within the natural realm, and so we spend more time feeding our soul and body, while neglecting the part of us that is supposed to reign above both of the lower entities.<br />
<br />
And it is our spirit that communicates with the Spirit of God to bring about God's kingdom on earth, including health to every part of us, since health is His will for us. But if the spirit isn't in charge, because we have chosen to principally feed our soul and body, then God's will for our lives can be hindered. <br />
<br />
Recently, God told me that one reason why my spiritual progress has been hindered, and why I've left my meditative prayers feeling less than satisfied at times- is because I've been praying out of my soul, and not enough out of my spirit. <br />
<br />
When you pray out of your soul, God seemed to tell me, the focus tends to be on your problems and in imploring Him for solutions to those problems. While God admonishes us to bring our burdens to Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), when the focus of our prayers becomes mostly upon our problems, rather than His answers, we will tend to pray out of desperation, rather than faith. <br />
<br />
The soul is supposed to be in submission to the spirit, so when we pray out of our soul, we operate on the level of the natural world, rather than the supernatural. The problem with this is that attaining victory in the soul and in the natural realm doesn't bring about the same peace and everlasting rewards as attaining victory in the spirit, and leaves us perpetually dissatisfied. <br />
<br />
When we pray out of our spirit, the needs of our soul automatically become satisfied, because our awareness has shifted to God's goodness, power, love and all of His attributes, rather than the things of the flesh. As the spirit is strengthened, it transfers to the soul and body all that it needs for life, joy and godliness. The focus becomes on who God is for us, rather than our needs. Yet, paradoxically, our needs become met, but not because we are begging Him to solve all of our problems, but because we know our problems will automatically be solved by living in Him and through Him.<br />
<br />
It's about a mindset, God seemed to tell me. When my prayers come from my soul, they are orphan-like prayers, in which I feel like I need to beg my Daddy for health, a new job, or whatever the need happens to be. When my prayers come from my Spirit, I'm simply praying what I know that He has already promised to give me, and so there is peace. I'm praying out of a spirit of Sonship and adoption, rather than a spirit of poverty. <br />
<br />
Prayers from the spirit involve asking God for things, but they also involve thankfulness and gratitude, and an assumption that our prayers will be answered, if we have prayed according to God's will. Spirit-filled prayers exalt the goodness of God; His love, mercy, kindness, justice, grace, and other attributes, and this is what feeds our spirit. <br />
<br />
Prayers from the soul also involve petition, but with an uncertainty about God's will or the outcome. The focus is on who we are rather than who He is for us, because our fragmented or fractured soul isn't sure that God loves and accepts us. So when we pray this way, we'll tend to ask God to bless our agenda, instead of trusting in His agenda for us. <br />
<br />
My spirit has been anemic at times because I have been so busy feeding my soul and body with the things of the flesh, or the natural realm. There's nothing wrong with this but...I've learned it only gets me so far because it bypasses my spirit and the most important aspect of my life, which is my relationship with God. <br />
<br />
According to John G. Lake, a man that was used powerfully by God to supernaturally heal thousands of people, we can feed our spirit in several ways. First, by praying in faith and in alignment with God's will; by thanking, worshipping and praising Him, by feeding on His Word- that is, Jesus Christ and the Bible- and by publicly proclaiming the kingdom of God to those around us. When our spirit is anemic or has suffered rejection, (especially in-utero), it cannot command our body or soul. The only way to heal and grow the spirit is through companionship with God, and by obeying His commands. <br />
<br />
The tricky thing about it, I've discovered, is that my soul likes to complain, and indeed, I don't think there's anything wrong with crying out to God when we are in distress. It releases tension, which is a good thing, but I've found that when it becomes the focus of my relationship with Him, it causes me to lose sight of who He is, as I focus on the works of the devil in my life, rather than God's work. When this happens, doubt and unbelief creep into my prayers. God helps us in our distresses, to be sure, but He also wants us to grow up in Him, and that means focusing upon His goodness and choosing to live in trust and belief that He will meet all of our needs. <br />
<br />
When the soul has been in charge for so long, it also doesn't quiet down and submit to the spirit so easily. It's used to being heard and validated, and so, God showed me, it's important to resist the soul's urge to whine and complain and beg for help, and instead feed the spirit by feeding and focusing upon the goodness of God and Jesus Christ. <br />
<br />
I have heard that the phrase, "Walking in the Spirit" is literally translated, "Stumbling in the Spirit" in the original Greek of the Bible. God knew that we wouldn't just one day know how to live entirely out of our spirit, and that our walk would be more of a stumble! Fortunately, with His help, we can become more and more spirit-oriented, and as we pray out of our spirit, our soul and body are also healed, as we discover that it's not all about having our problems solved, but having peace in the One who provides an answer to all of our problems. <br />
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-63193408110115562952014-05-09T13:59:00.000-07:002014-05-09T14:11:30.527-07:00My Journey Through Insomnia and Six Strategies that Led Me Out of the Wilderness One of the biggest beasts I've had to conquer in my journey towards wellness has been insomnia. Perhaps you can relate. A host of assaults, including chronic Lyme disease, derailed my autonomic nervous system about a decade ago, and when herbal remedies, melatonin, and hot baths failed to put me to sleep, I resorted to the heavy-hitters; sedatives and antidepressants. <br />
<br />
Big mistake.<br />
<br />
When you're desperate, you do what you gotta do, but the medications did a number on my body and made a bad problem catastrophic. In 2010, when my sleep medications quit working, I realized that they had done nothing but use up the remainder of whatever neurotransmitters that I had previously had, and screwed up my neurotransmitter receptors. <br />
<br />
As I saw it, I was left with two choices- first, I could increase the dosages on the medications and face more damage to my brain and body over the long run, and in exchange I might get a few more years of sleep and sanity. Or, I could get off the drugs and endure withdrawal symptoms, and determine that God would help me to find another way to get sleep. <br />
<br />
In my heart I believed that He didn't want me to choose a path that would further damage my body, so I chose the latter, and entered a world of sheer hell as withdrawal symptoms kept me from deep rest for over two years. <br />
<br />
As I weaned off the medications, I gained twenty pounds from a lack of rest, and became severely depressed. Many nights I remained awake the entire night, emailing friends and begging for prayer. And as one sleepless night turned into two, and then three, I was tempted to cave in to the drugs, time and again, as hopeless thoughts tormented me, but God urged me to persevere, assuring me that He would heal me. <br />
<br />
Occasionally, I would scream at him. "When is it enough!? You promised to heal me! What do you want from me?!" I would rage in difficult moments. When you don't have a good night's rest for many, many months- never mind a few days-, insanity threatens, and screaming at God and throwing objects was sometimes the only way I survived the immense stress of withdrawal. Many times a sinister voice spoke to me, <i>There's no way out. You'll never sleep again. </i> <i></i> <br />
<br />
During this process, in the middle of 2012, two carcinomas appeared on my back. The fear of death loomed and added to the stress. My doctors had said that I no longer had chronic Lyme disease, and after eight years of battling infections, now there was this. <i>God isn't healing you<i></i></i> the sinister voices whispered to me daily. I fought them tooth and nail but I felt like I was drowning. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, well-meaning friends admonished me to speak positive words over myself and meditate upon God's truths. I tried to stand upon God's promises of healing, but unless you've walked a trial that pulls at every fiber of your emotional, mental and physical strength, you can't know how hard it is to do this. Part of the problem was that I didn't understand the power of God's Spirit to overcome my biochemistry and unbeknownst to me at the time, I also had curses that had been spoken over me that needed to be broken. <br />
<br />
Fortunately, God gave me the strength to endure, and He sent a few of His messengers- friends and companions who truly walk in His love- to come beside me and lift my arms up when I could no longer do it myself. One of them is my sweetheart Bill Gonseaux, who daily spoke life into me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and carried me when I couldn't take another step. <br />
<br />
His love for me was relentless and untiring- a rare love but a love that abides in those who truly know and live in the love of God. I'd sob my guts out for hours in the middle of the night, and Bill patiently stayed awake with me, consoling me, until peace overcame me and I finally succumbed to a few hours of rest. A couple of close women friends- women who have also endured the trials of Lyme- also stood by me, their love unconditional and non-judgmental. <br />
<br />
I think it's difficult for people who have never walked the tragic and difficult journey of chronic disease to fully appreciate or be able to help those who are in the midst of it. A few can, and do, but my experience has taught me that it's better to not expect things from people who haven't been there, done that (or from anyone, really) but to simply cry out to God and ask Him- and believe Him- to bring the help that we need. And there have been times in my healing journey when Jesus Christ was the only One who was there to get me through the difficult times, and in those moments, I experienced sweet companionship with Him and that love was enough to keep me going. <br />
<br />
The love of Bill pulled me through the trial of insomnia, as did the love of my friends, and one of my physicians, Dr. Cowden, whom God also sent to help me out of the mess. <br />
<br />
God forgave me my rages, because that was His promise through Jesus Christ- to forgive us of all of our mistakes. In His mercy, He even increased my prayer anointing to see others healed and enabled me to write a book, though it was the most difficult project I ever completed because I was so tired.<br />
<br />
I have been sleeping now for nearly six months and I feel the dawn of a new day approaching. After eight years of sleep medications, I am now off all drugs and averaging 7 hours of sleep most nights. I really need 8, but after what I went through, I'm not going to complain. I'm functional, sane and hopeful. <br />
<br />
Love got me through, but six other things helped me to cross over into the land of sleep and sanity. These were:<br />
<br />
1) <b>Amino acids</b>. I described these in my last post. Amino acid therapy is an art, and I learned that my brain and body desperately needed dopamine and serotonin to make up for what had been depleted by the drugs and years of chronic illness. The aminos provided those. Unlike drugs, they gave my brain the nutrition that it needed, rather than robbing from it.<br />
<br />
2) <b>Clear Mind neurofeedback device</b>. <a href="http://www.clearmindcenter.com.">www.clearmindcenter.com.</a> I used this device at night to slow down my brain waves, so I could fall asleep easier. It helped me to wean off the drugs. The Clear Mind therapy device is expensive at $3,500, but if you suffer from insomnia, you could try a less expensive device, such as a sound-light machine, which also slows down brain waves, but via a different mechanism. These cost hundreds, rather than thousands, of dollars. Tools For Wellness sells these devices. <a href="http://www.toolsforwellness.com/light-sound-machines.html">http://www.toolsforwellness.com/light-sound-machines.html </a><br />
<br />
3) <b>Prayer</b>. When I was at my worst, I sent out a prayer request to 50 people, asking them to pray daily for me for a month. It was a tall order, but I needed reinforcements and I stuffed my pride because my life was more important than what people thought of me. Besides, I realized I wasn't fighting jut a physical battle, but a spiritual one. <br />
<br />
4) <b>Adrenal gland support</b>. My adrenals had become severely weakened by stress, and I would awaken during the night with hypoglycemia. Adrenal desiccated from <a href="http://www.standardprocess.com/Products/Standard-Process/Adrenal-Desiccated">Standard Process</a> helped to rebuild my adrenals, along with stress management strategies.<br />
<br />
5) <b>PEMF therapy.</b> An <a href="http://www.imrs2000.com/?gclid=COy4rtTdn74CFZJhfgod9RcAXA">iRMS mat</a> helped to balance my energy at night, so that I could fall asleep easier. I used this after 9 months of Clear Mind therapy. <br />
<br />
6) <b>Inner healing and deliverance ministry</b>. God sent me a very gifted deliverance minister, who discerned curses over my sleep- generational as well as from people around me. She also discerned that a fragmented, childlike part of me was associating sleep with death, and she prayed for that part of me to be healed. It was after receiving this ministry that I experienced the biggest breakthrough in my sleep, after two years of seeking solutions. <br />
<br />
It's interesting because I think many of us tend to see problems as either having a biochemical, emotional, or spiritual cause, when in reality, all three can be at work. But spiritual forces of darkness would like us to chase only the natural causes of symptoms and have us think that we suffer because of a drug withdrawal, or an infection, or an environmental toxin. Often though, spirits use physical problems as a springboard to induce problems in the spiritual realm. Or vice versa. <br />
<br />
I would have never guessed that curses were keeping me from rest, because I also had obvious evidence of a physical problem. Besides, I don't have enemies that I'm aware of. When I learned that I was being actively cursed by somebody or something out there, I was hurt. It's beyond me how somebody who doesn't know me could hate me and wish evil upon me- but then I remembered that the curse wasn't personal- and that the battle we wage is a spiritual one, and Satan has his army of folks who are sent to work against God's purposes, too. <br />
<br />
Thankfully, the battle against good and evil was won at the Cross. When Jesus Christ died, He made a purchase for our freedom from sin and sickness, and gave us all that we would ever need for an abundant life and godliness, if we would just surrender our lives to Him. <br />
<br />
But I've learned that it takes time to learn how to walk in the power of the authority that He's given us, and to understand how deep, and wide, and long His love is for us. The book of Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 17-19 states: "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (NIV). <br />
<br />
So in the end, it was my relationship with God that moved me from the difficult place that I was in, to a better place where I now stand. I cried out to him, and even through my anger, rebellion and anguish, He heard me. <br />
<br />
If you suffer from insomnia, or other health challenges, I encourage you to cry out to Him, in faith, trust and surrender- believing He will respond, and that it's not because of who you are, but because of who He is, that He hears you. <br />
<br />
Sometimes the battle for freedom isn't won overnight, and it's easy to forget that our pain and suffering isn't just a product of a problem in the natural realm. Yet, by seeking God, He will give us the tools we need to walk out that freedom. Perseverance, trust and surrender is what it's really all about. God says in the Bible, in the book of Ephesians, Chapter 6, verse 12, "For 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." (NIV). <br />
<br />
The battle is spiritual as much as it is physical and emotional, but thankfully, "I (we) can do all things through Him who strengthens me (us)." (Phil 4:13). Amen, Jesus. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-80394902737499709692014-05-04T19:29:00.001-07:002014-05-04T19:37:56.327-07:00The Art of Amino Acid Therapy for Alleviating DepressionIn my last post, I described how depression is a multi-factorial condition that can be caused by physical, emotional and spiritual issues. In this post, I share a nutritional healing strategy that radically impacted my emotional and physical wellbeing, and which has helped me to overcome depression, along with other strategies. <br />
<br />
It's very validating to discover that the reason you can't get out of bed in the morning, or think positive thoughts, or do much of anything,really!- is simply because your body is screaming for some amino acids. For me, it was such a relief to know that my problem wasn't because I wasn't trying hard enough to be positive. I'm sure you can relate!<br />
<br />
Over the years, I had seen many doctors for depression. If they were a conventional MD, they would give me a drug. If they were a naturopath, they would give me some 5-HTP, or some random, one-size-fits all combination of amino acids. Neither worked. <br />
<br />
I'll keep this simple. What I discovered is that depression can be caused entirely, or in part, by a serotonin or dopamine deficiency (these are brain chemicals that regulate mood), and most depressed folks don't have enough of either, or they have an imbalance between the two! 5-HTP is an amino acid precursor to serotonin, and L-tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine. You need both of these NTs to balance your chemistry, and in the right proportions.<br />
<br />
Amino acids don't tend to work well in isolation, though. You also need vitamin and mineral co-factors to help make neurotransmitters, especially vitamin B6, magnesium, and Vitamin C- among others. I describe these co-factors in more depth in my recent book, <a href="http://beyondlymedisease.com"><i>Beyond Lyme Disease</i></a> <br />
<br />
Many people also need some SAM-e, which helps with neurotransmitter methylation, a process that also helps the body to make neurotransmitters. If you take amino acids such as 5-HTP and L-tyrosine without SAM-e, and you have a methylation problem (many of us do!), you're likely to feel worse after taking amino acids. This is what happened to me and I gave up on aminos for a long time for this reason. Don't do it!<br />
<br />
Or, if you can't afford a high quality SAM-e product (and it must be high-quality, from a source such as Sabre Sciences or Protocol for Life Balance), try a teaspoon of creatine and some methyl-folate. Creatine helps the body to recycle its own SAM-e so you get more mileage out of what it produces. <br />
<br />
Many people have told me that they feel worse when they take amino acids, and so they continue in their misery. This breaks my heart, since they can be incredibly helpful, if you just know how and with what to take them. <br />
<br />
Amino acid balancing is an art. Yet I haven't met many doctors who understand this, and who simply prescribe random amounts of 5-HTP or L-tyrosine, among others, to their patients, without the proper co-factor support and without taking into account their patients' unique chemistry. Then, when the therapy fails, patients resort to taking anti-depressants, which always deplete the body of neurotransmitters even more over the long term. Drugs never get to the root of depression, but amino acids can help the body to heal from the biochemical aspect of it. <br />
<br />
If you've tried amino acids in the past and have felt worse after taking them, it may be for any of the following reasons (among others): <br />
<br />
1) You have a severe serotonin or dopamine deficiency and your body needs time to build up its NT reserve. (You can feel worse before you feel better on amino acids, if you are severely deficient in them). <br />
2) You aren't taking balanced amounts of 5-HTP (or its precursor, L-tryptophan) and L-tyrosine (or its precursor, L-phenalalaline). <br />
3) You don't have enough methylation support <br />
4) You have too much methylation support <br />
5) Your body doesn't need the amino acids, or you are using products that have allergenic fillers in them, or which simply don't work. <br />
<br />
It's not easy to sort out what your body needs. I had to experiment for several months with amino acids before I figured out the dosages and co-factors that I needed, and in the meantime, I endured some bumps in the road as I got worse before I got better. <br />
<br />
But take heart- if you can find a doctor with an open mind, and who is knowledgeable about amino acid therapy, I recommend sharing these guidelines with him or her. <a href="http://www.sabresciences.com">Sabre Sciences www.sabresciences.com</a> does amino acid, methylation, hormone and neurotransmitter testing and can help you and your doctor to figure out what you most need. I don't, however, recommend doing amino acid therapy on your own, as it requires skill and mistakes can exacerbate the depression. <br />
<br />
To learn more about how amino acids can help to heal the body from depression, I also recommend checking out Dr. Kaslow's articles on Neurotransmitter Repletion: <a href="http://www.drkaslow.com/html/neurotransmitter_repletion.html">http://www.drkaslow.com/html/neurotransmitter_repletion.html</a><br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more information on how to heal from the chemical aspects of depression, as well as the emotional and spiritual causes. In the meantime, don't forget to subscribe to this blog (see the email box up near the top right) to receive regular updates about this and other wellness topics! Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-42142750591051644132014-04-30T18:50:00.000-07:002014-04-30T18:50:11.856-07:00Depression: It's Not Just Mind Over Matter, But A Mind-Body-Spirit ConditionFor many years, I battled severe depression, along with a mishmash of other symptoms that accompanied my decade-long battle with Lyme disease. My experience through its inferno has led me to believe that it's one of the most life-altering and devastating conditions there is. <br />
<br />
If you have or have had depression, you know what I'm talking about. The world appears to you in shades of grey and black, instead of as a palette of bright colors. You see people laughing but you can't reach out and grab their joy. Around you, the world functions, while you struggle just to get out of bed. And you cry for hours- daily, or at least multiple times a week. You think something must be wrong with you because you estimate that most "normal" people probably only cry once a month, if that. You lose hours, days, and even entire weeks of productivity because you can't seem to get it together enough to do the basic stuff of life. <br />
<br />
If you struggle with this condition, my heart goes out to you!<br />
<br />
Enough said. I've been there, and I know how it crushes the spirit. Perhaps what hurts even more is when well-meaning folks around you admonish you to just "think more positive" or to "just get into right relationship with God." As if you don't want to! <br />
<br />
What's more, depression is often touted to be either a physical, emotional or spiritual problem- depending on your affiliation. If you belong to the church, you're told that you just need to get into right relationship with God. If you visit a mental health specialist, the focus might be on your childhood wounds. If you go to a doctor, you're given drugs to "fix" your biochemistry. <br />
<br />
But if you're like me, you've learned that depression can be a multi-faceted condition, caused not only by trauma or separation from God, but also infectious disease and a toxic environment. <br />
<br />
In my case, counseling, EMDR and other psychotherapies seemed only to make me aware of my shortcomings, while the admonitions to "think more positive" (in the many colors that message came dressed up as) frustrated me and caused me to believe that I could never be good enough. <br />
<br />
Not that these strategies don't work. For some people, they do, but my recovery has been more complicated. For instance, giving my brain and body the right nutrients has mattered- big time! (I'll talk about these in my next blog post). I have also discovered that thinking the right thoughts is sure a heck of a lot easier when you have enough serotonin and dopamine to super-charge your cells- and this stuff doesn't come from a pill.<br />
<br />
I have also discovered that my relationship with God matters, and not only for receiving guidance for a way out of my grief-laden days. Over the years, He has daily spoken truths to me, which have served to "reprogram" my mental computer, which had been warped from a lifetime of lies that I'd believed about my worth and identity.<br />
<br />
Then came the love of others; a few select strong, gentle and loving folks whom I believe God sent, to lift me out of the pit and nourish me with their love and unwavering devotion to me and my wellbeing. The love of God through others is one of the most powerful healing forces there is. If you don't have anyone in your life that can love you, come hell or high water, sunshine or rain, ask God to bring such people to you! (Yes, they are out there). In the meantime, I encourage you to cultivate a relationship with God, just like you would a friend. Anyway, sometimes God is the only friend you have when tragedy scares all the others away. I spent many years in that place, too. <br />
<br />
Finally, God sent a powerful minister- one of many in my life- to break generational curses off me and my family line. You'd be surprised by how much bondage and suffering is caused by demonic bondage. Over the years, I've learned that the spirit realm is more real and powerful than the natural realm, and that depression can often be the result of ancestral sins that get downloaded into your DNA. Once I understood this, it unlocked a lot of doors to my freedom. <br />
<br />
In future blog posts I will be describing some of these concepts more in-depth, as it's too much for one wee little message. For now, I just want to encourage you to seek God for answers, and know that there <i>is </i> hope, no matter how bad it gets. My sob sessions lasted for years, but they are now more of an occasional thing, rather than my daily food. God is above all of our problems, and when we don't have answers, He does. We don't need to dig and research, try to be good, or earn favor with Him, in order to receive His help. We simply need to humbly come to him, knowing that He cares for us, and will work with us to bring about healing, from depression, and all that ails us. Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545641332380360340.post-6165331137431794412014-04-26T08:53:00.001-07:002014-04-27T07:35:58.945-07:00Healing Body, Mind and Spirit with God and MedicineIf there's anything I'm known for, it's probably as a medical writer on Lyme disease. Indeed, three of my eight books are about Lyme disease. I wrote about Lyme disease for a long time because the disease caught me in its clenches and for years, I wanted nothing more to free myself and others from it.<br />
<br />
I'm on a different path now, because God has expanded my vision to see myself and others healed, not only from the insidious hell of Lyme, but all that accompanies it, and the multiple systemic dysfunctions, toxins, heart-sickness and spiritual brokenness that many of us who have suffered from chronic illness have had to contend with. <br />
<br />
Besides, as the title of this blog indicates, God has shown me that walking in wholeness is first and foremost, a matter of the spirit. Our spirits have been given charge over our souls and bodies, so when the spirit is well, the emotions and body often follow. <br />
<br />
In this blog, I will be sharing what more than 12 years of suffering, experience, research and seeking God have taught me about healing- in the spiritual, emotional and physical realms. <br />
<br />
Medical knowledge is helpful, but herbs, vitamins and hormones don't always get us to where we need to be. Neither does an awareness of our dysfunctional thought patterns or our practice of psychological principles or positive thinking. Sometimes, a first-hand encounter with Our Creator, or an embrace from a friend, to show us that we are unconditionally loved- are what will heal us more than any medical treatment. <br />
<br />
But healing is a process, and the vitamins, herbs, counseling and whatnot are all essential pieces of the puzzle so that we can get to the next stage in our journey. Sometimes, it's the amino acids and hormones, for instance, that give us the mental power and motivation to be able to pray, but it's the communion with God that gives us hope, direction, purpose and ultimately the ability to heal, no matter the method or medicine that He uses. <br />
<br />
Supernatural healing miracles rarely bring anyone to wholeness, because we still have to eat our peas and carrots, and walk in the ways of God's Spirit to be well- but miracles are for real and I believe that 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ became an atoning sacrifice for humanity, dying on a Cross so that we would have the opportunity to walk in greater freedom here on the earth. The Bible says that He came to earth to set the captives free, and it wasn't just from the captivity of death and sin, but also sickness. <br />
<br />
As Isaiah prophesied in the Bible, many hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, "By His Stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53-3-5). There is incredible power for healing in the Word of God- the Word being Jesus Christ and the Bible- as well as in a personal relationship with Him. But it's not about rules or religiosity- it's about knowing who He is for us, and how much He loves us, no matter our color or creed. In this blog, I hope you will taste the goodness of Jesus Christ, as you also benefit from what God has taught me about medicine and healing miracles. God bless and hope to "see" you here again soon. <br />
<br />
Connie Strasheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16717029511098232885noreply@blogger.com5