On November 7, 2010, I ran the Marshall University half marathon in honor of my sister, Ramona G. Runyon, and to raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA).  I logged 420 training miles between July and November preparing for this one race and had to press through painful injury, but that is nothing compared to what my sister and others with lupus go through every day.  I want to thank those who have already donated to this vital cause. 

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.  The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus.  

As of today, we have been able to raise $790 in donations to LFA in honor of Ramona.  We need continual research that will produce medical breakthroughs leading to lupus specific medications, treatments and eventually a cure.  I can’t thank those enough who are partnering with us in this endeavor.

Please know that this is just the beginning.    You can find more information on our website at http://LovingGodFellowship.org/lupus .  We will keep that page updated with our efforts.  I hope and pray that more will join us on this journey of love, hope and healing.

Thanks again to all those who have already donated to this vital cause.   As we all utilize our time, talent and treasure in making a difference in our day, many will be helped and we will fulfill our purpose on earth in loving God and people. 

Know that you are loved,
gaj

On November 16, 2010, an FDA Advisory Panel will review scientific data on two late-stage clinical studies of an investigational medicine for the treatment of lupus, known as BENLYSTA™. This is a historic day for lupus as BENLYSTA could be the first new treatment approved for lupus by the FDA in 52 years, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States. In addition, BENLYSTA would be the first treatment ever developed specifically for lupus to be approved by the FDA for lupus. ~ Lupus Foundation of America



Watch the video.

I am running in honor of my sister, Ramona Runyon, to fight lupus and help raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America.  Will you join us in the fight?

Know that you are loved,
gaj

I am running in honor of my sister, Ramona Runyon who has battled lupus for 26 years.  In July of this year I started training to run the Marshall University Marathon on November 7, 2010 to raise funds for the American Lupus Foundation in her honor.

I have not ran a marathon since the fall of 2007 when I completed three marathons in 9 weeks in raising funds for the American Heart Association in honor of my dad, Elmer Johnson and in memory of my good friend Cat Cavazos.  Needless to say, I have had my work cut out for me in getting back into running shape. 

I have battled running in the heat and humidity of central Kentucky all summer and developed tendinitis in my foot just a couple of weeks ago.  The tendinitis will keep me from running the full marathon, but not the half marathon!  I’m going to get out there and press toward the finish line as my temporary pain is nothing compared to the pain that lupus victims go through day by day in their battle against this disease.

Please go to http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org/Lupus and read more about this disease and how you can join me in making a difference.  Always remember that you can do things that I can not do.  I can do things that you can not do.  Together we can do great things!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  (Mark 2:1-5 ESV)

In this paragraph of Scripture, we see four friends of a paralytic believe in health equality for all.  Their friend can’t walk and they desire that he can walk like they do.  This desire compels them to go out of their way to make sure this friend gets to Jesus because they see through Jesus’ actions health equality.  So they believe the message that Christ is preaching – the Kingdom is at hand, repent and believe.  In their actions, Jesus see’s faith, but His next words are rather starting as he looks at the man on the mat and says “your sins are forgiven”.  Jesus knows that the greatest need in this man’s life is the forgiveness of sins that follows repentance and belief.  Jesus takes care of this greatest need and as God Himself, He forgives sins.

Beloved, our greatest need in life is the forgiveness of sin and only God can do that in our life.  We can not do it, the church can not do it, denominations can not do it, church leadership can not do it and people can not do it.  Only God can forgive sins as we repent and believe in Christ and His message acknowledging that He is ruling over His Kingdom that we desire to be participants in.  1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)”

More to come tomorrow...  Your comments are encouraged!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
(Mark 1:40-45 ESV)

What Jesus does in this paragraph of Scripture is startling to the people watching, but Jesus was not focused on the watching people.  He was not interested in attracting crowds and that was not why He did the miracles that He did.  He was focused on an individual who had lost his health, his dignity, his ability to earn income, his social status, his family and his friends.  Jesus responded with a touch and the words “I will; be clean”.  The crowds gasped when Jesus touched the leper, but the leper was filled with healing warmth that flooded His being as he was healed of leprosy and was made clean.  It was love that moved Jesus to act to make this man’s life better.  Jesus did not just feel sorry for him.  Jesus helped him.  Jesus responded with compassion – a love that compels one to act.

The first touch this man felt for probably many years was the touch of Jesus.  He would never be the same.  Why did Jesus touch him?  He did not have to do so.  In all of the recorded exorcisms, Jesus spoke a word and freed the individuals.  He never once laid a hand on a demoniac.  He would speak a word and the winds and waves would obey Him, so why did He touch this leper?  Maybe, he touched the leper to be our example; a pattern for us to follow.

Who are the social outcasts of our day?  Is it the diseased?  Is it those living in poverty?  Is it the homeless?  Is it the incarcerated?  Is it the shut-in?  Is it those living alternate lifestyles?  Is it those of a different race?  Is it those of a different faith?

Who are the social outcasts in your city?  Who in your city is financially and socially isolated?  Who is shut-in?  What would happen in your city if each person makes it a point every day to do an act of compassion, reaching out to touch one that is in need?  I believe more people would realize the Kingdom of God and want to be a part of it.

Beloved, we live in a day where there is an overabundance of armchair theologians and armchair politicians.  We don’t need any more of those.  What we need in our day are people who will follow Jesus and get their hands dirty in point of need ministry revealing that in the Kingdom that Jesus is ruling over there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all. 

Touch people beloved.  Touch people.  Be Jesus’ hand extended.   

Know that you are loved,
gaj

The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark closes with a startling paragraph of Scripture that displays both human despair and the love of God.  Jesus comes into our world proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God that is established in Him.  He victoriously combated evil and it’s captivity of people.  Along the way, He left His followers a wonderful pattern; an example to follow.  Let’s look at the last paragraph of Scripture in Mark chapter one.  

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
(Mark 1:40-45 ESV)

Take a look at the one in need in this paragraph of Scripture.  His name and past is not given, but his present situation is and it is not pleasant.  This man has leprosy, an incurable disease.  Leprosy is described in Leviticus chapter 13 of God’s Word.  To have leprosy in the days of Jesus meant that you were separated from your friends and family.  No longer could you be touched as your would be considered “unclean” under the Mosaic Law.  You would be separated from family and friends being forced to live on the outskirts of the city with other lepers.  When you walked through the city, you were to keep your upper lip covered and have to declare yourself unclean as you walked shouting “leper, leper, unclean.”  You watched the crowds divide and stay far from you as you walk through.  Being shunned by all, you were financially and socially isolated, unable to work and dependent on charity.  That was the life of this leper. 

I wonder what life was like for this man prior to being declared “unclean” with leprosy.  Did he have a wife?  If so, how long had it been since he felt her loving touch?  How long had it been since her lips touched his? 

Did He have children?  How long had it been since he felt the loving embrace of his child’s arms around his neck?  How long since he had held his children in his lap.

I’m sure that he longed once again to just be touched and to touch his family and his friends.  He could no longer associate with them.  Their touches were now just a part of his memory and he stayed secluded for their well being.  He would never want any of them to go through what he was experiencing.  He loved them too much.

Then one day, he heard about Jesus being in His city.  He had heard of the exorcisms and miracles that were happening, but would Jesus be willing to associate with a social outcast who was “unclean” and incurable?  In his total desperation, he goes to Jesus and says “if you will, you can make me clean.”  This leper did not doubt Jesus’ ability to heal him.  He doubted Jesus’ willingness to heal him.

Beloved, we know that Jesus can help us, but do we sometimes doubt His willingness?  May we always remember that Jesus is not only able, but He is willing to help.  His help may come when we least expect it and in ways that we never imagined, but He will help us.  He will help us from earth to glory as we follow Him.  It will be a wonderful and victorious journey.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
(Mark 1:32-34 ESV)

Notice in this paragraph of Scripture the advancement of the Kingdom being established through Jesus.  The Kingdom is always advanced through point of need ministry and we will see that throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry as we study the Gospels.  It started that Sabbath day in the synagogue with the deliverance of the man possessed by a demon (Mark 1:26) and spread to inside a house with the healing of a woman (Mark 1:31) and now Jesus takes it to the streets of the city of Capernaum as people are brought to Him there.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Beloved, Jesus’ kingdom is more powerful than sickness and disease.  He still works immediate miracles and He also has provided us with processes of healing provided through medical science, medicine and medical professionals. 

Let’s never put Jesus in a box and pray expecting Him to bring healing a certain way.  Instead, let’s exercise our faith by taking advantage of all healing processes that He makes available to us.  Let’s also make available His healing to ALL people revealing to them, His kingdom in action.  Let’s help others as He has helped us.  In Jesus’ kingdom, there is health equality for all!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

There are still some in our day who believe that going to a doctor or taking medicine is a lack of faith.  It is not.  There have been many parents who have been tried in court because they prayed, but they refused to take their child to a doctor or give them medicine when it was an option to them, only to result in the child’s death.  That is not faith.  Faith is taking full advantage of every process of healing that God has made available to us. Medical professionals, medical procedures and medicine are instruments of healing that God has made available to us in our day and we can exercise our faith by allowing God to bring healing to us through these processes.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

I’m so thankful for medical professionals.  They minister at the point of need.  Sure, many do not realize it and some are in it just for the monetary rewards, but God uses them nevertheless to bring the healing needed.

I’m fortunate to have a sister-in-law, Shelia, who has been a nurse taking care of the ill and ministering at their point of need for over 20 years.  She now teaches nursing.  The beautiful part is that her daughter Kristen was one of her students and is following her mother’s steps in using her life to help others.  It thrills my heart.  I’m also fortunate to have a cousin, David, who is a surgeon.  I’m sure that you also have friends and family in the medical profession.  God is using each of these to bring much healing and ease of suffering.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
(Mark 1:29-31 ESV)

At first glance of this passage of Scripture it would be easy to minimize this miracle by saying “it was only a fever.”  But, with closer inspection and with our own personal experiences, we know that something wrong in the body causes the fever.  A fever makes a person feel bad enough and keeps one in bed, but more importantly there is something going on in the body that is causing the fever.  In Jesus’ day, with limited medical knowledge, they treated a fever as a disease in itself and treated the fever instead of the cause.  Many would die as a result.

We are so blessed in our day.  Now we have medical science and medicine which are instruments of healing in our day, but the source of healing is always God.  Whether healing comes from an instant miracle or through a process aided by medical procedures and medicine, it is God that brings the healing.

Know that you are loved,
gaj