GRAND-SLAM HOME RUN Day 384

 Colossians 4:12  Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings.  He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Just like, Epaphras many faithful servants of the LORD around the world have prayed to God on behalf of Joseph Feeley.  A young man in his early twenties, diagnosed with terminal cancer, given only two months of earthly life.  Joseph loved the LORD and life, he excelled in all that he under took.  A brilliant young man, that touched the lives of thousands of people, people that never met him face to face.  Wherever, his name was mentioned people responded, "my church is praying for him."

On November 23, of this year I got a distant view of Joseph, as I joined hundreds of people gathering in his home church to worship, praise and pray to God on Joseph`s behalf.  I know that this out pouring of love was a tremendous blessing and encouragement to Joseph and his family.  As the service came to a close, I felt the nudge to go to Joseph and lay hands on him and pray, but.....but... but...is this just me thinking, or is it you, God?  There where so many people, probably family and close friends surrounding Joseph and Sue was waiting for me in the lobby.  But...but...but... did I ignored a nudge from God?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God`s will for you in Christ Jesus.

As I began to fast on Ash Wednesday, I prayed and anticipated great expectations from my heavenly Father, trusting that he would direct my steps and actions!  Just one week later, I am in "AWE of my LORD and MASTER"  Early in the week, my friend Debbie, a personal friend of the Feeley family, said that she believed that we needed to go pray with and for Joseph, I agreed.  Ash Wednesday my neighbor Gabi, who like myself had never personally met Joseph, knocked at my door telling me that she believed that we need to go to Joseph and pray.  YES, God we will go!  There was no doubt in my mind, God was calling us to minister and pray for Joseph and his family.  As I prayed, He had me invite my Emmaus-Friend, Marcy to join us.

Thursday, one day after Ash Wednesday,  Debbie made arrangements for us to visit Joseph and his family at 6:00 that evening.  The entire day, I did a total fast, no food only limited liquids, I desired so to hear from God!  Daniel 9:3  So I turned to the LORD GOD and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

 As I prayed, I heard the LORD tell me to look into Joseph`s eyes, He also said, "you can now recognize my voice and trust me when I require you to obey."  Yes, Father God, I know your voice!  God had also instructed Gabi to look into Joseph`s eyes, adding additional confidence, that we where called for a divine mission.  God had also made both Marcy and I aware that healing may be earthly or eternal.  I questioned, are you sure we need to go God?

Early in the afternoon, Debbie received a call from Joseph`s Aunt Cathy, requesting that we arrive as soon as possible; Joseph had taken a turn for the worst.  Instead of acting in shear panic mode I prayed and trusted God; He assured me that there was time!  I called Cathy, letting her know that we would be there as soon as we could all get there, probably only one hour sooner than we had planned.  Once again, after speaking with Cathy, I knew without a doubt that we had to do as God had requested.

In obedience, four women called by God, made the one hour trip to visit Joseph.  We prayed, talked, comforted one another and trusted God, as Debbie drove us to Claymont.   Upon arrival we where introduced to Joseph`s father and additional family; we where asked to wait, as Joseph was not quite ready for visitors.  Not sure what to expect we waited, soon Aunt Cathy introduced herself to us.   As we embraced her, she cried and wailed begging please help my Joseph!  I was assured only by the internal strength from God, that we would do what God had sent us to do.

Joseph was propped up in a large recliner, he was but a shell of the young man, that I had viewed from afar just three months earlier.  The extreme pain and agony that he suffered was devastating to witness, God was my strength!  Along with his mother and father, Aunt Cathy and one other lady we prayed the LORDS prayer. Standing above Joseph,  Gabi prayed in her native Romanian tongue, which brought great peace to all. Joseph`s head reclined on the pillow looking up at Gabi.  I anointed Joseph with oil, inviting the presence of the Holy Spirit.  I prayed silently, trusting the Holy Spirit for the words.  Joseph`s father soon exited the room, perhaps not prepared for the question that Marcy would ask Joseph.

Looking directly at Joseph, Marcy asked, Joseph what do you want?  Having not spoken recently, Joseph responded to be freed from these chains.  God had warned up in advance that this might be our mission!  Karen, Joseph`s mother, kneeling and holding her son began to pray. Oh, such beautiful heartfelt, prayers.  Peace soon overtook Joseph, he rested, perhaps in the arms of Jesus!  Praying, praying, praying all of us praying, prompted by the spirit I motioned to Marcy, to  lead us in the singing of the LORD`S prayer.   It was as if the voices of angels joined in, soon Joseph sat up and sang to the LORD with us!  A moment none of us will ever forget. 

Joseph looked right into my eyes, just as the LORD had instructed, I saw life!  But it is only for the LORD  to determine whether this life is earthly or life eternal!  Joseph asked his mom for something to eat and wanted his wheel chair so that he could get up.  However, the pain and agony soon returned; the hospice nurse was called to attend to Joseph`s immediate earthly needs.

 Two years and two months after his original diagnosis, just four days after our visit, as the outstanding baseball player of his healthy days, JOSEPH FEELEY hit the GRAND-SLAM OF HIS LIFE and when home to spend eternity with CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!  As Joseph would say, "Going to smack it to heaven!"

Mark 5:39-43  He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing?  The child is not dead but asleep."  But they laughed at him.  After he put them all out, he took the child`s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.  He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!"(which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!")  Immediately the girl stood up and walked around(she was 12 years old).  At this they were completely astonished.  He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Debbie, Marcy, Gabi and myself are humbled, and in awe of our amazing God for calling us to to such a sacred family time, to be the hand and feet of Jesus!  Did God just walk us into scripture, while asking us to trust and know that he is GOD?   Life eternal is the most precious healing of all.  Thank you, God for releasing Joseph Feeley from his earthly chains.  Thank you, for all of the lives that where touched and blessed by Joseph Feeley.  Because of Joseph Feeley, with confidence and assurance I recognize the voice of GOD, what a precious gift to give a stranger, thank you, Joseph!  I pray Father that you comfort and strengthen the Feeley family in their time of grief and great sorrow.

Romans 5:1-4  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perserverance, perserverance, character: and character hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD THE FATHER. AMEN.........