I have Secondary Progressive MS and have lived with the disease for twenty seven years. I have been under the care of a physician and neurologist for the past thirteen years. To this day, the only treatment that I have received is medication to relieve pain. Every two weeks, $300 is spent at the Pharmacist. I take high levels of…
On August 8 I underwent a new treatment for MS. Because Canada has banned this treatment and at the time there were really no places in the US, we went to a medical clinic in Mexico. I had asked that you pray.
God answered prayer in that the procedure was a massive success. I was suffering with significant symptoms of MS that were hindering my walking, talking and thinking (good combo). Before I was helped off the surgery table, I was already feeling the changes. My hands were calm where they used to shake like a leaf and I could move my once paralyzed toes.
The procedure is a routine angioplasty of the veins in my neck region. Both jugular veins were blocked as was my azygous vein. There were four problems in total.
Today I have a very notable increase in energy, balance and the cognitive issues have gone – at least i think so 
.
Of seventy patients that have received the same treatment, the doctors told me that my change has been the most remarkable, telling me that prayer had a major role in my outcome.
So many people helped us make the trip down and an army of others prayed. I can’t thank you enough for my new lease on life.
To God be the glory.
for more info, check out www.gerrypeters.com/hope
Romans 8:26-29Romans 8:26-29
English: World English Bible - WEB
26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
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One of the most common Bible verses that gets quoted is, “all things work together for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
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28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin). At least that’s the one people give me. Unfortunately the theology of this verse has been lost in the whole mentality of self; a poor theology.
Let’s start with this question: Who, or what is the subject of these verses? There are two choices, me or God. It has long been interpreted a “me” being the subject. After all, isn’t the Bible all about me? (cynicism intended) .
God is the subject, He’s the main person. In the previous verses (Romans 8:26-27Romans 8:26-27
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26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
WP-Bible plugin) it is talking about how the Spirit, the one that has breathed a new life into us, giving us a new nature, and placed that life into the family of God, he is the one that has taken up residence in my life and yours. In fact, he’s so close that in times when we come to God with a heart ache or need and land up not even knowing what to say, the Spirit steps in and tells God what it is that I really need. He speaks words on our behalf (Romans 8:27Romans 8:27
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27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
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Don’t lose track of who the main person is here? Paul has just said that the Spirit was the main person in verse 27 by telling us how in tune and closely tied the Spirit is connected to our new self.
What’s happening here? I mean what is the one big point? It is simply this: God’s desire for us, more than anything else is for us to have a close relationship with Him. And the Spirit is there helping us make that happen. In fact what He’s telling the Father (verse 27) is what you and I absolutely need to improve that relationship.
And then Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
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28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin, the Spirit, Father, Son and you, the greatest synergy team ever, take every thing in our life and constantly mould it into what is the ultimate good. The good, in the Father’s opinion, is our relationship with him. And it’s true, the Triune God can take our hurts and use it in combination with everything in our life and make a contribution to God’s plan for our life.
Here’s my point: If it’s true that God always has our best interest in mind, then it also makes sense to walk as closely with the Spirit as possible and take time each day to get to know Christ and speak with your Father. Don’t go a day without spending time with the family.
Romans 8:28-30Romans 8:28-30
English: World English Bible - WEB
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
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The Story: I’ve labeled this portion of Scripture Synergy Inc. for a good reason. We get confused about the subject of this passage. Don’t we always think that our lives is the subject? Bad things happen in our lives and we think that God will turn it around and make something good of it? In so doing, we’ve lost the whole meaning of the passage.
Let’s begin with Romans 8:26Romans 8:26
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26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
WP-Bible plugin, more likely the beginning of this paragraph. The spirit that has breathed new life into us, giving us our new nature and placing us in the kingdom of God. He is our resident companion that is giving direction, encouragement and guidance. In our fellowship with God there are times when we don’t even know what to pray and so the Spirit speaks on our behalf and God hears those prayers.
Now, it is that same Spirit in tandem with us and working with the Father, working in synergy (working together) to bring about the ultimate good as the Father has purposed. He’s not talking about the puny things that happen in our life but the magnanimous things of God’s plan for our life and all eternity.
That’s something we can be confident about. God knew us in advance, our gifts and talents and whom we would marry. How did he know? Simply, He created us and the Spirit has been searching ways to bring us to God. He knows everything about us. It was his purpose for our lives that we pattern our lives after Christ. In so doing, many others would be attracted to Christ because of our lives. All along God has been calling us because he wants nothing more than to bring us into a close relationship with himself.
Our lives, with the Father, the Spirit and the Son. A synergy that brings about the ultimate good.
The Key Truth: The Triune God is working with his children in perfect synergy to bring about the ultimate good for God’s plan in our lives here and eternity.
My Application and Prayer: If I want the best out of this life. If I want to experience the greatest joy and peace. If I want my life to count for eternity, then God has it all figured out. All I need to do is work each day at knowing Christ. He is our pattern and so we study what the Scriptures say about him, his redemption plan for each of us and teachings about how to live. And then you practice what you’ve learned. In our lives the Triune God is at work to bring the ultimate good.
“Father, I want that for my life and that of my family. Work in us and through us so that your plan for our lives can be all that you desire, which in turn will bring us the most peace and joy available to us while on this earth. I ask that the Holy Spirit will illuminate my mind and soul into a wonderful fellowship with you.”
Because people have been asking us…
…here’s the continued story from My Story of MS and the CCSVI Treatment. Much has happened since and decisions made.
Heidi, myself and our daughter Tanya will be flying to Los Cabos, Mexico on August 7 where I will begin MS testing and treatment on August 8, 8:30st 8, 8:30
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Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
WP-Bible pluginam at the Clinic of the Heart.
When we arrive at the clinic, a team will do careful assessments of my health. MRI’s and Doppler Ultrasounds will be taken to see if there are veins that have thinned or blocked in my neck area. It has been discovered that most MS patients have this newly discovered disease, now known as CCSVI, which causes many of our MS symptoms.
On my first day, a team including a radiologist, neurologist and a vascular surgeon will work together to assess my health needs and then take immediate measures to resolve them. On August 9, I will return to the clinic where I will most likely receive an angioplasty for the thinned or blocked veins in my neck.
I have had MS most all of my adult life, around 30 years. I don’t know what it feels like to be healthy. I have lived with excessive pain, overwhelming fatigue and now a growing, serious cognitive issue. I don’t know what it will feel like but all of now thousands of MS patients that have had this treatment claim to feel much better. Some that had been wheelchair bound for several years were walking two days after the procedure.
We need your help. Friends and family have already provided our flights and accommodation. What’s remaining is the cost at the clinic, which is $9,500. Many of our friends have told us they want to help financially.
That’s one reason for this post. If you’re inclined to support us, you can connect with Heidi at heidipeters@telus.net.
We would love for everyone to stay informed and current about what’s happening. I’ve started a blog, www.gerrypeters.com/hope, where we have begun updating it daily and will continue throughout the treatment.
Romans 7:14-20Romans 7:14-20
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14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
15 For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.
16 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.
17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.
19 For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.
20 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
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This past week I was back to studying Romans 7. Paul writes a self-portrait about his personal struggle with sin. In the end he concludes that he’s a wretched man. Literally, he’s been wrung out by sin. There’s this intense battle waging inside of him; the old self with the new self. It seems as though he wants his life to reflect his desire to walk for God but he keeps hitting these brick walls.
This struggle that the Apostle Paul experienced seems mysteriously absent in our generation of believers. At least many live that way. If find two plausible explanations here. First, our generation of believers has, in mass, mastered that old self, broke down that brick wall until it has become a pile of rubble that you just step over. Second, we’ve become deceived into what the new self should actually look like. We have become quite satisfied with the brick walls in our life. It’s as though we’ve prettied them up with pictures and wall paper.
My Point: Many Christians today live no differently than those without Christ. Same entertainment, thirst for material things, morals, values and regard for personal righteousness. The only difference is that ticket to heaven in your pocket. We’re confused about the “do-s” that we’re not to be doing. We’re simply doing what we want to do – all the time.
How about your life? Has the appeal of this world overtaken your thirst for God and righteousness? If that’s true, is it not a valid question to ask whether or not the spirit of Christ lives in you?
Here’s a fact! Christ is at enmity with this world. Those in Christ have been born again into a new self, an opposite to the old self. What does that look like in your life? Your first step in spiritual growth is coming face to face with your brick walls. What’s keeping you from growing spiritually?
It then that the good news of the gospel gets even better.
Prayer: “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive ways in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24Psalm 139:23-24
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23 Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
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I thought it was appropriate and necessary for me to post a personal note and perspective on the CCSVI treatment for MS. I wanted you to understand my personal situation and how decisions in the Canadian Parliament will be impacting me directly.
As a point of reference, I took time to read through the entire debate that was held in the Canadian House of Commons on June 14 on the topic of Multiple Sclerosis. It read like an unskilled preacher that had two opposing points and repeated them over and over again and then finally ended without a decision. However, I read every word. My sympathies as you sit in on any of these debates.
I have Secondary Progressive MS and have lived with the disease for twenty seven years. I have been under the care of a physician and neurologist for the past thirteen years. To this day, the only treatment that I have received is medication to relieve pain. Every two weeks, $300 is spent at the Pharmacist. I take high levels of Gabapentin and Methadone. Other than masking my pain, there is no treatment available for Secondary Progressive MS. Neurologists have nothing.
During the past couple years I began to experience new symptoms. The function of two of my vital organs has begun to decrease along with a memory decline. I was sent to a memory specialist six months ago (January 2010) from which I received the diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment.
My GP was in process of diagnosing me with Vascular Dementia and scheduled me with a multiplicity of tests, primarily to see if hardening of the arteries was the cause. The tests to prove his diagnosis all came back negative and my cholesterol count was normal. However, an answer to my situation has not been finalized.
This past Monday (June 14, 2010ne 14, 2010
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Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
WP-Bible plugin) I took a follow-up memory test which proved that my memory is failing. In fact, I am nearing the test measurement by which a diagnosis of dementia would be given. At the rate of decline, I could quite easily be there within one year or two.
Vascular Dementia continues to be the only plausible explanation for what I am experiencing.
Now here’s my dilemma: The only test that has not been done is an ultrasound of my neck area to see if there is any malfunction of my arteries in my neck region. For every Canadian, regardless of health, age, culture or race, a GP would refer them to a Vascular Surgeon to further testing to investigate artery malfunction. Because I have a diagnosis of MS, my GP is not permitted to refer me to a Vascular Surgeon. It’s that simple.
Because of my diagnosis, the only person that is able to refer me to a Vascular Surgeon is my neurologist. Neurologists, across Canada, have refused to do this. For every other Canadian this referral is done by your GP but since I have a diagnosis of MS, I am not permitted to see the Vascular Surgeon and potentially reverse my Vascular Dementia.
This is why the MS community is crying discrimination. By “community” I am referring to the Canadians that actually have MS, not the societies and scientists. We are the ones that are screaming and begging for relief. For me, time is the very essence. Two years may very well be too late for me.
Multiple Sclerosis in Canada is big business of multi billion proportions. We, MS patients, fund the livelihood of neurologists, researchers and pharmaceutical companies. We live with MS, they live from MS. Naturally they will be hesitant to give a green light to a treatment that may nullify billions from their coffers. After all, some scientists may have to lose their jobs. (There’s my cynical plea).
Here’s what my family has planned. I have an appointment with a private medical clinic in the fall to have the ultrasound and MRI done. My cost is $2500. Is it worth it? You bet when you are looking at dementia in the mirror.
Furthermore, we have begun conversations with a Vascular Surgeon in Brazil. We will know in about a week’s time whether they will do the surgery, from which I assume my family will begin to make travel plans.
Forget the fact, for a moment, that I have MS. I am a Canadian, a member and financial supporter of the Conservative Party of Canada. What’s needed is an appointment with a Vascular Surgeon, just as every other Canadian would be certain to receive. The only difference is that someone has looked at me and said, “Well, every other Canadian but you.”
I fully support further study and research on the subject of CCSVI just as the Minister of Health has promised. It’s exciting. But we can only assume that treatment for Gerry Peters will be five years from now. That’s if I wait for the Canadian health system to deliver. Even then we don’t know if neurologists will give a green light. I don‘t have anything near five years to wait for a potential treatment.
My Request: Lobby for me by requesting the Health Minister, Leona Agluk kaq, allow Medical Doctors to refer all Canadians to a Vascular Surgeon. My situation may have nothing to do with neurology. Allow me to be referred to a trained specialist that can treat me.
A response to an emerging church question.
I have been spending the last 6 weeks in the beginning chapters in the Book of Romans. It’s my time alone with God. Paul is in Corinth and on the last leg of his missionary journey. He stops to write what the Holy Spirit must be burning into his soul. He has visited hundreds and thousands of people both within and outside the Jewish nation. It has been a pretty thorough study on the nature of man and the power of God.
The letter to the Romans has long been considered one of the finest pieces of literature in literary history both because of the perfection in style and the clarity of his argument. Paul is prompted by the Holy Spirit to put into words what is God’s definitive answer to that question, “does salvation include people outside of Christianity?
In our local paper a recent ad grabbed my attention, just as they hoped it would. An emerging Church has that very question as the theme they want to explore with people. Luckily for this “Church”, the answer was the very one that Paul provided in most every letter he wrote.
Furthermore, of the answer that Paul provided, he writes in Galatians 1:6-8Galatians 1:6-8
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6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel;
7 and there isn’t another gospel. Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ.
8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
WP-Bible plugin, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel — not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!” I’d say that this is a powerful reason to make certain that you are preaching the gospel as Paul presented it through the Holy Spirit.
This gospel that Paul speaks of is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24Rom. 3:23-24
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23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
WP-Bible plugin). Prior this statement Paul has described how every man short of God’s glory is subject to God’s wrath and that if it were not for the grace of God that provided justice through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we would still be in that state, whether a law abiding Jew or one living outside the Jewish nation. This grace becomes ours personally when we embrace Christ’s salvation through faith in the resurrected Christ.
Should the Church of Jesus Christ ask the question? Of course it should. But don’t lower the dignity, power and truth of God by slumming with others that seek to elevate themselves by speaking of how humble they are. Isn’t that one worth chewing on for a while.
The only way you can answer a “yes” to this question is to make less of the Scriptures, God, Jesus Christ and the whole purpose of why Christ died on the cross. Their answer will elevate the loving nature of God without the cross. A different gospel.
To answer “yes” to their question, you will have rewrite Romans 3:23Romans 3:23
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23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
WP-Bible plugin so it says, “for all men are okay and God has fallen short of the glory of man.” Nowhere in Scripture has God ever suggested that this type of thinking is even close to his salvation equation.
Today’s Church is indeed in need of a reformation, not away from Christianity but nearer to the truths of the Scriptures and further away from the wise thoughts of men.
I can bet you the seminar will not be delving too deep into Romans. Whether a simple reading or digging a bit deeper will only show how they are seeking to emerge from the gospel of Christ.
For a closer look into Romans, follow my daily journal at: faithjourney.ca
(reprinted by permission)
Christians that live a life of servanthood get the best out of life.
Years ago our family decided to become a foster home. God soon sent a teenager, Joanne, to us. This was her first foster home from a background of tragedy and pain. We stepped into Joanne’s gap of a healthy home and sought to do our best to provide safety, love, and care.
It was a new situation for all of us and soon ended in what I thought was failure. A new home for her was provided within a few months. Fifteen years passed. Then I received a Facebook message from Joanne. Her words blew me away! We had not failed and our investment had paid great dividends:
“I just wanted to send you a little note to let you know that I appreciate every day you spent with me….
[read more on the Insight For Living Canada Website] Comments on their website are appreciated.
Romans 1:18Romans 1:18
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18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
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If you could create the rules for reconciliation, what would it look like? Think of it. God gives you the task of coming up with rules for when somebody has wronged another person. What kind of rule system would you create?
I am currently working through the book of Romans in my daily devotions. The entire book is dedicated to this topic of our reconciliation with God. In the first chapter, Paul describes the wrong we’ve committed against God. And it’s serious. It says in Romans 1:18Romans 1:18
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18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
WP-Bible plugin that “God’s wrath will be revealed” upon those that have wronged him.
Now, let’s apply our own reconciliation rules and see if they will satisfy God’s wrath. I don’t think an extended time will erase our need to reconcile and I’m quite sure that not talking about it will satisfy God either.
Don’t you think it’s time to accept what the Bible rules about making amends with others? I’m sure it won’t look anything like we imagined.
What’s My Point: First, if you are not a Christian, ask Christ’s forgiveness for leaving him out of your life. If you are a Christian, I’m challenging you to lead as examples of reconciling with others. It all starts by acknowledging the wrong you’ve done and then stepping out and making amends.
If we don’t demonstrate making amends to those that we have hurt, how will people understand how to make amends to God?
Romans 1:16-17Romans 1:16-17
English: World English Bible - WEB
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
17 For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
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The book of Romans is a compelling book that Paul wrote to carefully and thoroughly describe the depravity of man and the power of the gospel.
As I read Romans 18-32, I see the downward that mankind has taken. On the last step are those that practice immoral and same-sex relationships. The hard truth thought is that we’re all on that step. We may not be having an immoral relationship, but look at the long list that follows:
As I think through the list I cannot help but begin to understand how desperately we need a solution from the God that we have wilfully sinned against.
Paul is in Corinth at the time he writes this. The city lies in the shadow of Mount Acrocorinth with a plateau at 1900 feet above the streets of Corinth and upon which the temple of Aphrodite overlooks the city.
Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and sexual pleasure. The temple was known for its prostitutes that would entice visitors. These “ladies of the night” were highly valued priestesses and were honoured guests at public festivals in Corinth and surrounding areas. Furthermore, a high-born male was expected to have a young boy for sexual pleasure. In both the Grecian and Roman culture, pedophilia was not only condoned, it was considered part of their education.
As Paul writes this great epistle, he is sitting in the shadow of the mountain top temple. While he is overwhelmed with the deep depravity of man, the Holy Spirit speaks directly to Paul about the pleasures at Corinth. We are reading those words in the book of Romans which include what God thinks of our sin and his impending wrath on the unrighteous.
Here’s the point: It’s a tough one. We stand alongside the pedophiles in need of God’s solution. We have all wilfully made choices against God and deserve the full extent of God’s wrath. You need to see this because understanding the depth of our sin and our separation from God. This is our first step in receiving salvation.
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