A Post by James...

October 17, 2012

James here again as a guest blogger.  I hope to write one more time about Pickles the Fire Cat if Liz will invite me back.  I guess it depends on how I do this time.

In no particular order, here you go.

THE AIRPORT - I flew in from Houston today – the airport was quiet and empty when I came through the terminal.  Hard to believe the next time I walk out of the airport will be with Kate.  With Liz.  And with Anne and Molly – seeing them for the first time in two weeks.  And maybe with you.  Several people have e-mailed about coming to the airport.  Everytime I think about it my eyes water in a second.  I mean literally it happens instantly.  I’m not sure even how to describe it.  If you want to come – absolutely come on – we would love to see you and to show Kate and the world what it is like to bring an orphan into this unbelievable community of love and support.  Do you think this is what Heaven looks like?  Seriously – I have played this out in my mind of arriving at the airport – exhausted – 30 hours straight of travel – after 14 days away from our kids – our community – and crossing the finish line into the loving arms of each of you – and just what a joyful and celebratory moment that will be.  Is that not the exact parallel of Heaven?  As we labor in the world – facing at times seemingly insurmountable odds – and to know that the Heavenly realm is filled with God’s people who are there to welcome us home when we finally cross the finish line.  Just a thought…

LIZ AND THE LOST SHEEP – Liz and I agonized and prayed over if we should both go to China or not for Kate – we are not much on leaving Anne and Molly.  But as Liz faithfully prayed and searched the scriptures she felt God speaking to her that Kate was the lost sheep, and we were to leave the flock to get her.  That has been a defining moment for us.  A sweet sister in Christ came by tonight with a gift – included in it was a children’s book – first thing we pulled out of the box – about the lost sheep.  I just thank God for the way that He reveals Himself, affirms His presence, and brings His peace.

THE AIRPLANE – Most of you know but when I was 21 I started battling panic attacks.  At some point I started having them on airplanes.  They got so severe that I simply stopped flying and swore I would never fly again.  Ever.  Honestly, even picking up people at the airport caused me to start having anxiety attacks – seeing a plane fly over – seeing one on TV – whatever – it would absolutely freak me out.  If you say “I understand I get a little nervous on planes too” then you actually don’t understand – I mean I would freak out just thinking about it.  So for years I did not fly.  I have 374,000 miles on my Tahoe to prove it.  In August of 2008 missionaries from Germany visited us.  They called me out in love about my fear of flying.  They anointed me with oil and prayed over me extensively.  Through the spirit of the Lord working through them, I was healed of that fear.  Not to say that I am never uncomfortable or anxious or that I don’t still have panic attacks sometimes when I fly, but I rest in knowing He is bigger than those.  Looking back, I see now God laying the groundwork for Kate’s rescue.  Driving to China to get her would have been a challenge.  I thought it was sweet when we got our final itinerary for the China trip and realized that our first leg is Huntsville to Dallas at 6:45 – which is the exact same flight I was on 4 years ago as my first flight after Jesus healed my fears.  I still have the boarding pass in my Bible as a reminder of God’s love and power.  I thank God that I am even able to make this trip.  Looking back I never would have dreamed it possible.  I have flown maybe 40 or 50 times since God’s healing – I have met amazing people – shared the love of Christ with them – had the love of Christ shared with me – and to think I almost missed all of that in bondage to fear.  So I say this to you – be open about your fears – pray for healing – have others pray over you – read John 5 and know that when God brings healing we are to know the healer by name – Jesus Christ.  God is restoring and redeeming the years I lost in fear to flying – I am thankful friends like those in Germany love God and love me enough to help set me free from the bondage of that fear. 

There is more I want to say about this.  This is important for me to share.

John 5:1-6 – The invalid had been trying to find healing in the waters of the pool that supposedly had magical healing when the waters were stirred up.  Oh, how many times I looked for healing in something other than Christ.  I tried to just “man up” and face my fears – couldn’t do it.  I tried to pretend to myself I was a slick businessman and air travel was just part of how cool and slick I was – couldn’t do it.  Years I tried “the power of positive thinking” and on and on – guess what – no airplanes.  This passage just screams out at me in looking back how I tried and tried to get into the stirring waters for healing. 

Judges 10:13-14 – you have forsaken me and served other gods…Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen – let them save you when you are in trouble.

The places I sought healing in never brought me healing. 

John 5:6 – Jesus asked the invalid “do you want to get well?”

Seriously – what kind of question is this?  The dude had been coming to these waters indefinitely to be healed.  Why would Jesus ask this?  Our friends asked me if I wanted to be healed.  Of course I did!  Well, kind of.  All of the sudden when it is right there in front of you…and you start thinking….if I am healed that means I have to fly again….do you have any idea how freaking scary that was to me?!?!?!  After all of those years in bondage when God threw off the chains I wasn’t sure that I didn’t just want to put them back on.  I understand why Jesus would ask this.  It is an important part of the story. 

John 5:8 – Jesus said pick up your mat and walk. 

Okay – wow – so this is what healing looks like.  I knew for me that taking up my mat and walking was to buy a plane ticket.  Which I did 4 years ago.

John 5:11 – the man who had been healed had no idea who had healed him. 

Later Jesus would find him and reveal Himself.

John 5:15 – the man went away and told the Jews it was Jesus who had made him well.

Sometimes I think I fly because I am cool.  I fancy myself the sophisticated business traveler.  Well, guys, need to jet down to Houston for a quick overnight meeting – short stop in ATL and back in HSV by noon.  What a moron.  How quickly I forget.  How often I don’t name the healer.  What really happened was a weak, fearful, broken man was given healing by JESUS CHRIST and in HIS power I was able to get on airplane. 

Pray that as the biggest trip of my life comes next week that I would name the Healer.

Ephesians 6:19 pray for me that whenever I open my mouth…that I would fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.

And maybe someone who reads this lives in bondage to a fear of some kind – maybe has looked for healing in the wrong places – maybe doesn’t want to get well – ask yourself and others if you want to be healed – and be willing to name the healer – and pray that I would as well.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you.

Isaiah 61:1 – we have been sent to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners.

This is all true.