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2nd Week of Advent Devotions: Monday, 12/11/06

Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.” The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear. The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert; the burning sand will become a lake, and dry land will be filled with springs. Where jackals used to live, marsh grass and reeds will grow. There will be a highway there, called “The Road of Holiness.” No sinner will ever travel that road; no fools will mislead those who follow it. No lions will be there; no fierce animals will pass that way. Those whom the Lord has rescued will travel home by that road. They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief. (Isaiah 35:4-10 TEV)

As drove to church eight days ago, I realized I had made a mistake in attempting to come due to a migraine headache that was making me feel nauseous and dizzy. I made my way to a seat and kept my head down rubbing the bridge of my nose. I couldn’t take the pain. I really thought I would have to leave and go lie in the car to try to get some relief.

I knew I would be the first in line at the healing station during communion (I ended up third) but didn’t realize what was about to take place. Deacon Deb asked me what was wrong. I told her and she placed her fingertips on my head and brow...she prayed and somehow made a strong connection to my pain and my mindset. As she offered the prayer, her hands and my forehead began to heat up. Not just a little, but to a degree that was overwhelming. She stopped praying and just held my head in her hands. The longer she held me, the more heat built up. I pressed my head and neck into her hands and I felt as if I was melting from the head down directly into her hands. We sat there not saying anything for what must have been a solid 45 seconds or so with my head in her hands the whole time.

I walked away to take communion and by the time I drank from the chalice, my pain had almost completely left my body! As I sat back down in my chair, my eyes filled with tears as I realized what the Holy Spirit had just done. I felt entirely energized and refreshed. Keep in mind I thought I was going to be sick during worship. After church was over Deacon Deb asked me how I was doing. She had felt the heat in her hands and knew something had happened. She didn’t have to ask…she knew.

The healing sensation was overwhelming to me. I had been struggling to remain in my chair for the first part of the service and was afraid that I would have to rush out of church without notice due to the pain and feeling of being sick to my stomach. But in a matter of about ninety seconds everything changed.

I am ashamed to say how amazed I was at the swift change that ripped through my entire body. It must have been strong, because I stayed to help breakdown after our

adult Christian formation!! Enjoyed it too! My entire day had a feeling like never before!! I even had a nice nap when I got home!

I want you to know about this powerful experience I had during worship. I can’t begin to tell you what it meant to me. I need to keep in mind that the Holy Spirit envelopes us at all times; we just need to reach out for the blanket and wrap it around us! I am so grateful for this community called Beloved and for those who helped to create it for us. It’s a very powerful place. I wonder how many of us realize what we have and what we share each Sunday?

Kenton King

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O God, the source of all health:

So fill our hearts with faith in your love,

that with calm expectancy we may make room

for your power to possess us,

and gracefully accept your healing;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Schedule for December 24

9:30am, Advent IV worship, followed by hospitality and Hanging of the Greens

7pm, Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship (The Christ Mass) followed by hot cider and cookies