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April, 2014- HELLO ALL! I am no longer posting to this blog. For the latest on me and my work, I invite you to subscribe to my NEW blog: www.conniestrasheim.blogspot.com where I share my latest findings on how to heal from chronic illness involving Lyme and other conditions. Thanks!

Greetings and welcome to my Lyme disease blog, a comfy cozy (and sometimes crazy!) place for cutting-edge information, encouragement and insight into the fastest-growing epidemic disease in the United States. In this blog you will find everything from bug-killing strategies to immune system and hormone help, as well as lifestyle and spiritual suggestions for healing from chronic illness involving Lyme disease. The information contained within this blog is based upon my own healing journey and what I have learned over the past eight years as I have been diligently digging and researching my way back to a better state of health. May you find it to be a source of hope, inspiration and wisdom in your own journey towards wellness.

About "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment"

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443 Pages - $39.95
Published August, 2009
Written by Connie Strasheim
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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Spontaneous, Supernatural Healing...Is It Possible?

I believe that my god heals human beings, supernaturally and spontaneously.

One of my readers suggested I write about my church here in San Jose and spiritual healing. Since there is much supernatural, spontaneous healing in my church, I decided that this was one topic worth writing about in that area, and that perhaps it could provide my readers with insights into the question of healing from Lyme disease.

My church is evangelical, or non-denominational, and based on the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is mildly charismatic, but for the most part, people don't shout "Amen!" from the pews every two seconds, or roll in the aisles, or bowl newcomers over with exaggeratedly exuberant greetings.

But there is some falling down of folk whenever the pastor does an altar call and people come up to the altar to get their wounds healed, whether spiritual, mental or physical. Yes, people drop to the ground, as if fainting from an overdose of incense. But I'm told it's God's spirit "slaying" them, as He heals them from their ailments. I guess if God slayed me too, I'd faint.

One day, I decided to be part of the herd and found myself standing amidst a bunch of hopeful Ticos, as the Costa Ricans are called. The pastor began his prayer, laying a hand in turn on every soul that had come up to the altar. I watched as all around me, people flopped to the ground. No, this wasn't any show. Now I got to see the spirit slayings up close and personal, and these people weren't falling by their own will in some feigned act of Holy Ghost magic. (Although, I am sure that there are a few that manage to do so, in order not to feel as if they aren't the only ones not getting touched by the Spirit).

I also attend a small church group on Friday nights, and have made friends with a handful of people there who have shared more stories of Holy Ghost magic with me. Just this year, two brothers were miraculously healed after getting into car wrecks (on separate occasions, mind you. Wrecks are pretty common in this nation where road rules don't exist). One of them had a severely disfigured face as a result of being thrown from a motorcycle, and physicians had told him that plastic surgery would be necessary. But then God supposedly said to him, "I'm your physician, and your face will be healed in a week". And so it was. No surgery, no nothing and his face is as lovely as ever.

Lest you think I'm feeding you an uncommon tale, I have heard numerous other stories of miraculous healing, most less dramatic than this one, but real nonetheless.

I once read in P. Yancey's book, "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?" that supernatural healing seems to occur more often in second and third-world nations. If anyone knew whether that was true, it would be this well-traveled author, who has visited and ministered in many countries. And personally, most of the stories that I have heard about supernatural healing and other "miraculous" events (such as the spontaneous multiplication of food--yes, just like Jesus and the fish), have occurred in second and third world nations.

Why would this be true? Do we in the west rely so much on our methods and medicine that we really don't think that God can do much else but provide the plants to make our drugs? Do we believe spontaneous spiritual healing to be reserved for just a few lucky few, because quite frankly, we don't know of anyone that has been healed of Lyme disease overnight?

Maybe we don't want to be disappointed by God and so we find it easier not to give too much credence to the possibility. Maybe the Holier Than Thou around us have bitterly turned us away from the idea of supernatural healing, through their quiet accusations of, "...you would be healed if you just had more faith..."

Indeed, I don't want to confront the issue when nearly everyone but me falls to the ground in an altar call. Yes, that was a disappointing experience and I did ask the question, "Why not me, God?", because it sure as Hades feels like God has favorites sometimes.

I'll bet that the majority of those who went up to the altar to get healed weren't suffering for years from Lyme disease, either. Probably they all had hangnails.

I'm just kidding on that last point, but such are the bitter thoughts that come to mind when somebody else "gets" to be healed. How come I have to take the long road, and spend thousands of hours, dollars, and kilojoules of energy to get better when Jaundiced Jose simply gets a whiff of Holy Ghost air, and Poof! his liver is healed?

Or maybe I don't need to take the long road, and my brain is simply lolly-gagging in the space of disbelief, even though I know what my god is capable of, and willing to do, in order to heal the bodies of others.

Often, when the falling sheep and those with healed faces put me into a quandry and I can't seem to settle upon a theory about how God works in the area of supernatural healing, (no matter that I've squeezed the life out of every one), I give up, sigh, and proclaim, "God has His reasons."

Sometimes, though, that's not good enough and I want to know if there's some problem with my belief and my culture that needs to see in order to believe and whose reality is shaped by five senses instead of six.

I want to know if people in Costa Rica have a simpler faith than those of us who come from over-analytical, credentialed societies where information is King and healing is presumed to be given only to those with the brains and the bucks to figure out which Borrelia Bug has overtaken their bodies. If so, then does a simpler faith that doesn't lean on worldly wisdom as much as it does on God, open the door to spontaneous healing by a holy hand?

Maybe that depends somewhat upon where we put our hope (assuming you believe in God, of course. If not, I regret that this post may feel a bit irrelevant to you). If it's in the meds, then maybe we get to take a slower path to wellness.

I don't know. What is becoming clearer to me, however, is that spontaneous healing by God is not an uncommon occurrence in some parts of the world. And where it isn't, does our road to health yet need to be so complicated, if we ask God to intervene and show us which path to take? I mean, would your god really want you to spend year after year, dollar after dollar, trying to lick the craftier-than-thou critters that lurk in your precious body?

Okay, so perhaps your god's plan is a different one and you're meant to one day become a wounded healer, and it's why the learning curve never ends, but I don't suspect that this is meant to be for most of us.

I don't know what is meant to be, but I encourage you to think beyond science and consider the spiritual and the possibility of spontaneous healing, because sometimes, God intervenes swiftly and quickly to make people better. At least, I know my god can, and does.

9 comments:

wallace said...

I printed it off the computer I liked it so much...!

TC
WallaC

Connie Strasheim said...

Aren't you sweet, Wallace! :)
Glad you enjoyed the post.

Anonymous said...

I have seen many mircale healings while I worked as a minister including a rock star rasied from the dead. He came back with a healed heart condition and no more allergies.

But, I don't have a clue sometimes why some are healed and otehr not. I have seen some real pieces of work healed while some very godly people die in the faith.

Yet, keep praying. God is good.

Connie Strasheim said...

Hi Michael,

Isn't that baffling! What unique insights you have, having been a minister. And how confounding God can be sometimes...but in the end, I agree He is good, even if I don't understand His ways. Did you ever wonder why He healed some and not others?

Thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

Some "supernatural" or spiritual healing take time. That's what happened with my sister. She worked with God.God did not do it for her. She listened, prayed, meditated. She learned to listen to her God given instincts and trust them. Problem with talking about this kind of healing is tthe judgement that often carries over into it from the different beleif systems of people. My sister became a minister and currently worships in a pentacostal church even though she does not fully agree with the doctrine. In truth, she found her own way to God and her own relationship in and through her illness when she had no where else to turn and she had to take that step into the unknown that led to another step and another. Each of us with lyme et al is doing this either gritting out teeth along the way, cringing, doubting, and/or resting in a faith that all will turn out just fine in the end. Usually we do all of the above. I do believe that when we can let the faith and hope infuse our lives and our paths, the easier it is on our body and our soul to heal.. to align with the healing love, groundedness, energy of God. I am not a Christian, like my sister, but we believe the same things. She has more faith because she had to let go. She came to a point when she realized she had no other choice but to believe in healing. I've seen angels in her presence. No lie. No illusion. Balls of energy with sparkles rotating above chakras and more. I try to remember this healing energy is here for me just as it was and is for her and all of us. It takes no special requirement other than possibly just relaxing a little more, laughing a little more, claiming a little more, believing in healing a little more... rather than focusing on the negatives. As you so eloquently wrote in the parenting thread in a post or two proceeding this one, its never pretty. Anonymous Robin

Anonymous said...

My sister has had supernatural speedy recoveries from injuries where the doctors just shook their heads in amazement. What makes her special? Nothing, because know her and she is not special other than being my sister and a child of God like the rest of us. And, her life, to repeat, is not pretty. It is not perfect. It is not all healing all the time. She has an attitude of healing, though. She claims healing over doubt. She claims good will over bad will. That puts in in the energy of God/healing more often. Hope that makes sense. I'm still trying to make sense of it. Anonymous Robin

Connie Strasheim said...

Hi Robin,

Thanks for sharing your sister's experiences with healing. I think that what you say here is really key:
"She has an attitude of healing, though. She claims healing over doubt. She claims good will over bad will."

There is much wisdom in your words, and there is much to be learned from your sister's experience. I agree that having faith and learning to rest, laugh and relax about the whole thing is more beneficial for the body than doubting and fretting (though as you say, we tend to do all of the above). I also agree that supernatural healing isn't always instantaneous, and often involves our will and faith.

I also like where you said:
"She has more faith because she had to let go. She came to a point when she realized she had no other choice but to believe in healing."
I agree that this mindset can be important for healing! So often I hear of people who don't get well until they literally give up and simply decide to believe, because taking a pill just isn't cutting it for them anymore.

While I realize that not everyone is of my faith, I speak from a Christian perspective because that is who I am and I must remain true to what I believe, without, of course, sounding as though I am imposing my beliefs on anyone. I realize that doing so may mean that some people won't relate to my words, but hopefully some will.

But because I believe God is a person (encompassing all of the qualities of love such as patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, etc.) as much as energy, inevitably, my perspective on healing reflects that of someone who sees God as a person.

That said, I also believe that energetically, when we believe for certain things, our bodies can respond to that belief by healing. (Check out B. Lipton's book, Biology of Belief). Unlike some, however, I believe that while all healing comes from God, relying upon God is different than relying upon the power of one's own thoughts (although ultimately, the effect may be the same). This because I believe God, and not us, is ultimately in control of our destinies, and when we renounce our will to Him, our thoughts become His.

But I respect the perspective of those who see the matter differently. I think our experiences shape our beliefs, and not all of us experience the same thing. I have traveled to over forty-five nations and I believe that God works through all faiths, somehow.

That is really cool that you have seen sparkling energy and angels around your sister! What a neat experience that must have been.

I wish you well as you walk the path of faith and healing. It sounds to me like you have already been given a lot of wisdom on the matter!

Blessings,

Connie

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Connie, for sharing your beliefs in such a gracious way. You have a gift for lifting people up. I can see God as you descibe (thank you) and energy (my sister would say Holy Spirit) and mind/body somehow working together. I just cannot solidify my beliefs much beyond that. The energy or Angels as she said they were, were around my children and one of her children. It was an amazing to see. My sister also believes in and has experienced spontaneous healings, best I understand. I don't understand how that happens and I know it does not always happen all the time for even the same person. I think for most of us most of the time, we live and learn and if we believe in the journey a bit more... if we have more faith in the journey itself rather than or in addition to the outcome, that helps when the road to healing takes more time. Joel Osteen talks about that. About expectations (as in when you are expecting company, you are expecting company.. you believe it and prepare for it (as in healing).. if the company does not come, all is not lost.. if you allowed yourself to relax, you might have enjoyed the process or preparation, you might have learned something about preparing for company the next time, you had a great meal to enjoy.. company (healing) or not. Not the best comparision to the suffering and most of all the fear that accompanies our disease, but a point I can grasp. All was not lost, if we choose to believe so. And that mindset holds me up on my good days. Maybe we are in some way learning to take care of ourselves as holy beings.. and learning to rely on God as a companion on this journey in a sense.. maybe that is important too. off to check out that book... Robin

Anonymous said...

I can enlighten most of you if you want to know why you sre sick?? If you are suffering in your body as I have most of my life, then read "THE SECRETS OF THE FAMILY TREE" by Dr. Henry Cloud. There will be no mystery as to why..however the problem is changing how you deal with life. It's stress from being raised dysfunctional (ungodly). The mental/physical illness shows up around early 20's and every 5 to 10 years you will experience advances in physiology but it's just how disease works. As the stress of lacking life skills to live as an adult mounts, relationships and career suffer as well. Medicine is of no avail, you have to get life in perspective first and churches cannot help either.. the churches are simply an extension of the home you came from, so you will get the same results.. I am not a counselor but if u really want to be well, this is how.. I have doctored for 30 years for chronic illness, it has now made its way to my thyroid/adrenals, but the meds do nothing. The reason is that my thinking has to change before I can get my system to slow down.. or just keep on in a miserable life, blogging ur problems to others who are just as clueless.. look people, you've been sold out by your country!! My wishes are that all who suffer from chronic illness get their heads out of their butt and seek truth, and I don't mean from America's false religious system, go to Jesus, for these church leaders are NOT his representatives.. He will lead you I'm the right direction as He did me.. but I've been searching most of my life and just been enlightened. I'm still suffering but at least I know why..Blessings to all who suffer...