For This We Have Jesus

Note: "For this we have Jesus" is a phrase I recall from the past, a story that I heard in a sermon or read somewhere. I would like to find it again.

The following is what I wrote in my spiritual journal Friday morning, May 2. "For this we have Jesus. Though the news from Portland & Dr. Hansen is that he cannot remove the cancer in Mom, You can, Father God! Therefore, I praise You, that what man cannot do, You can! This is a perfect set-up for You to receive glory. So show off to all who are watching - show Your great love and faithfulness and power to Mom and the rest of us. Give her and all the grace to face this. Give the faith to believe You. Help our unbelief, too. For apart from You, we can do nothing."

Jesus, please send Your healing power into my mother's body and kill the cancer cells. Dissolve the tumors and fill her with new strength. Give the command that normal healthy cells be produced by her body from now on. LORD, please heal Mom and restore her to our family. (This prayer is from a book by Francis MacNutt, The Prayer that Heals. I pray this for both Mom and for Vernon.)

In the Gospel of John, chapter 2, I read the account of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding "to keep the party from going bad" as I've heard it said. The wine Jesus made tasted better than the wedding host served earlier. John 2:11 says "This miracle was the first time He revealed His glory." Dear LORD, reveal Your glory through miracles You do today!

In a devotional book by C.H. Spurgeon, I read, "Let your care and wish be to glorify God by your life here as long as He pleases, even tho' it be in the midst of toil and conflict and suffering, and leave Him to say when 'it is enough'." (May this be Mom's attitude now, as well as mine when my turn.)

So that is how I started my day this past Friday (encouraged). I was able on my lunch hour to find flight times that I liked for Vernon and I to fly to Portland, OR, to see Mom for Mother's Day weekend. Though we had planned to be in Atlanta with Vernon's mother, it seemed timely and appropriate to go see mine and was Vernon's idea. He suggested that I go and of course, I wanted him to accompany me. He's known her 34+ years.

I called Mom that night to tell her our news, that we'd be with her for Mother's Day and at her house Thursday evening until early Monday morning. Of course, she was very happy. My sister, Laura, lives in Boise and will drive to Bend, where Mom lives. Another sister and a brother live very near Mom, so that meant four of her six kids would be there.

Saturday morning Mom had a temperature of 101 and wasn't breathing or speaking very well, so she was taken to the emergency room and quickly taken care of when the medical staff saw how low her oxygen level was. They stabilized and admitted her to the hospital. No blood clots were found and they believe she has low grade pneumonia. I talked to her last night and she sounded fairly normal. She was happy to tell me that my brother that lives in Seattle will drive down to be with the rest of us.

This afternoon I learned that my brother that lives in Kansas is also going to make the trip so that means all 6 of us kids will to be there. Perhaps you are wondering - I am the oldest.

Also this afternoon, I did a Google search and was able to find the story I remember, "For This I Have Jesus." It is in the blog of a pastor who lives in Starke, FL, which is approximately 30 miles from Gainesville (Shands). Here's the link to Rick Jackson's post of April 13, 2008: http://pastorjax.blogspot.com/2008/04/for-this-i-have-jesus.html
I found the story very memorable. Perhaps you'll see why when you read it. The story is in Italics within the blog. Let me know what you think~