Jesus has Redeemed us from irritable bowel syndrome.

Because this is scripture, it brings it beyond the realm of my theory. And I think it is valuable to let the Word stand for itself. Many people have many things to say about the bible and what is in it, and good, godly teaching on the Scriptures is invaluable. But only if you know what the bible says for yourself. It does not say what people say it says. The bible has its own voice, and it is up to us to put our ear to it.

Here are some more scriptures on eating; food; etc.

1 Timothy: 3b-5

...foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Genesis 1:29

And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

Acts 10:15

And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common."

Romans 14:2a

One person believes he may eat anything,

Romans 14:3b

let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.

Romans 14:4b

It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:14

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.

Romans 14:17-19

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:20-23

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Titus 1:15a

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

Matthew 15:11

it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."

Matthew 15:17b

whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled

Matthew 15:18-20

what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone."

Matthew 14:30-31

And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Mark 7:15

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him."

Mark 7:18b

Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,

Mark 7:19b

Thus he declared all foods clean.

1 Corinthians 10:25

Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24

"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 10:26

"the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof."

1 Corinthians 10:27

If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

1 Corinthians 10:30-33

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?... whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

More Scriptures on Redeemed Eating

I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep posting here now that I am well, but still when I read His word I see healing in it, and it's good to keep feeding my faith. And it may be for someone else that I am posting.

Today I read Colossians 2:13-3:4. These verses are not specifically on diet or healing; yet when I read them, I am convinced that those are the things about which the Holy Spirit is speaking to me. I thought I'd put it here in a couple of different versions, to really get a feel for what is being said.

Colossians 2:13-3:4 (English Standard Version)

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits (base principles) of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 2:13-3:4 (Contemporary English Version)
You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.
God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross.
There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.
Don't let anyone tell you what you must eat or drink. Don't let them say that you must celebrate the New Moon festival, the Sabbath, or any other festival.
These things are only a shadow of what was to come. But Christ is real!
Don't be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires.
They are no longer part of Christ, who is the head of the whole body. Christ gives the body its strength, and he uses its joints and muscles to hold it together, as it grows by the power of God.
You died with Christ. Now the forces of the universe don't have any power over you. Why do you live as if you had to obey such rules as,
"Don't handle this. Don't taste that. Don't touch this."?
After these things are used, they are no longer good for anything. So why be bothered with the rules that humans have made up?
Obeying these rules may seem to be the smart thing to do. They appear to make you love God more and to be very humble and to have control over your body. But they don't really have any power over our desires.
You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side.
Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth.
You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God.
Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.

One Last Leg of the Journey

I went to a ladies retreat held by our church (Victory Churches International).

The first evening I was there, I prayed: Lord, please heal me this first night, so that I can enjoy the rest of the weekend.

The evening session began with praise and worship, and as we sang, my friend whom I was sharing a room with began to act very strange. She began weeping intensely, and I wasn't sure what to do. I thought of offering her some kleenex, I thought of asking her if she was ok, but I thought maybe she was just working through something in her heart with God, and I shouldn't interupt. But as I sat there rather numbly, the Holy Spirit said pointedly: She's praying for you.

Wow.

As the congregation continued to sing, my friend placed her arm around me and prayed in tongues. When she did this, I suddenly could hear the grief in her voice. It was as if God Himself was crying through her, and I could suddenly see how much He cared about me.

I think I had felt like no one really believed me about my struggles- like no one really knew, and no one really cared. I had felt like no matter where I turned, I found no answers. I had prayed, but was still "sick", I had seen doctors, changed diets, studied healing scriptures, but I still felt "turned down" by God. I felt like (as a charismatic/ pentecostal) that I should have had more faith, or that I should just toughen up and confess my healing. But deep inside I knew that something was wrong, and that I felt distant from God, even though He is good. Even though He is love.

But as my friend wept, I could feel the presence of God which seemed to say to me: "I care. I have cried for you. I have felt your pain." And I needed to know that. That He had really cared how I suffered, but more than that- He had suffered with me. Jesus had suffered for me, and in my place. "Daughter, you are healed- go in peace." She said it over and over, and I knew that it was what God was speaking to me. You are healed, Liberty. Go in peace. (Be released, Be free.) As she prayed in tongues, I felt something well up within me, and then several things left me- they seemed to go out through my head. It's hard to explain, but it was like something that had been in my body had collected itself, and then vacated. Several of them in fact.

Afterward, I felt freer. Still myself, but MORE myself than before. (Thankyou my friend, for yielding yourself to the Lord for Him to use you!)

The rest of the weekend was great, and I found myself taking small steps of faith in my healing- by the end of the weekend I ate whatever was served for the dinner (including things that formerly would have given me diahrea) and I felt great!

The next week, I ate some deep fried chicken wings with Jed. I would not have been able to eat those before: not just because of indigestion issues, but because I would have been too afraid. Now my body reacted in health, but I also resisted the fear. The fear didn't control me anymore!! Jed and I took the children for a brief holiday that week, and I had many opportunities to practice my faith- I ate plenty of not raw food, and I felt fine. I didn't even have pms. I also felt no fear about what the children ate (the fear had been trying to take over my life). I even bought my children ice cream!

Wow. Glory to God! I have to give God total credit for all of it- if you've read any of my posts, then you know I struggled and wavered- but He was faithful. He was so worthy of my trusting in Him. God, You set me free when I didn't even know how bound I was- may I ever praise You.

If you don't know Jesus as your Lord, and your Savior, then you don't know the One who heals, because all healing comes from Him! Maybe you know Jesus, but you've never known Him as your Healer. If you want this, you can pray this prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need you to be my Lord; my Savior; my Healer. I want you to come into my life, to reveal Yourself to me. I want to be totally made new, from the inside out! I believe that you suffered on the cross and died as a sacrifice for me, I believe that You took the penalty for my sins, and that by your whipping, your beating, your pain, you purchased my physical healing. I know that since you took the punishment for my sins, I can be forgiven, and that since I'm forgiven, I can be healed. I am healed. So Father, I am now asking You in Jesus' name: please heal me. Heal my life. Heal my broken heartedness, and bind up my wounds. Make me a new creation in Jesus Christ- may He always come first in my life from this day on. Fill me right now with Your powerful Holy Spirit, so that I have the strength I need to walk everyday in love, and and in total health! In Jesus' name, I believe I recieve from You Father. Amen.

Now, you have a relationship with the Healer! You need to read His word (the bible) everyday, and get to know Him. Learn to worship Him (order some cds from christianbook.com) and find someone else who believes in Him and keep in contact with them. Listen to His voice, because He loves you. He will never leave you or forsake you. He will complete your journey.

you must make your body

The children and I read a biography of Teddy Roosevelt. One thing that stuck out to me was how as a child he had battled severe asthma attacks. It was hard on his family, and was seemingly worsening as he grew. Death was a legitimate possibility.

One day, his father called him into his study to have a word with him. "Son, you will have to make your body" he told him. The young Teddy considered this gravely, took a deep breath, and agreed. Somehow, he would "make his body". There really was no choice.

He began an exercise program- his parents even created an at home gym for him. He took up boxing, and spent hours lifting weights. He was of a slight frame while young, and surely this was very difficult for him, yet he didn't give up. In fact, his passion for exercise, boxing, and weight lifting grew. He was not discouraged, and did countless chin ups and stretches, trying to increase his chest size and lung capacity. Years of his life were spent this way!

Short story: it worked. He lived an adult life free from asthma. He had decided what he would or would not take, and he accomplished what he set out to do. He made his body.

Do we do that- do we even try? In Julie Wandling's book "Recipes for HealThy Living" she asks: "How big is your 'Wanna'?" I ask that to myself today: How big is your wanna, Liberty? Will you make your body?

My body is the home of my spirit, but is also the temple of the Holy Spirit. I am certain that He would prefer a healthy home, so that I can serve Him better. Today is a new day- I must make my body. Today I choose life, so that both I and my family will live- really live in Him.

Some scriptures and "Squeezing the Most out of My Time with God"

As I've been reading through the Message I've been jotting down scriptures. I wanted to post them here to remind myself. Every so often I go back over the posts here, and at "Healed of Depression", and it really helps me to see the progression of a journey I've been on; and how God has been leading me. I see my thought processes changing and maturing, but I always see my dedication to God and His word. This is primary, because it is life to those that find it, and medicine to their entire body. I just can't stray from that- I know that the word of God is the answer.

Matthew 12:37 (The Message)
34-37"You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."

I guess I was thinking here about my confessions- what am I thinking and believing about myself; what am I saying about myself? And do I speak the kind of words that God can add His power to? A hopeful, healed person will use hopeful, healed words. They will talk about happy things, they won't meditate on self pity or despair. If words can be my salvation, they can also be my healing. Think about it: if I only talk about what's wrong, it will perpetuate. If I talk about hope, then my faith can be the substance of things hoped for- the proof of the things I don't see (not yet).

Matthew 13:23 (The Message)
23"The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams."

I was thinking here about how I have the opportunity to HEAR, TAKE, and PRODUCE my harvest of healing. It's more certain than we think: when I plant pumpkins, I KNOW that I will end up with a harvest of beautiful, orange, juicy pumpins! If I am good soil (receptive and believing) for God's word, and I guard my garden and care for it- there WILL be a harvest! I will be totally whole!!

Matthew 13:28 (The Message)
28"He answered, 'Some enemy did this.'

Here I was reminding myself not to blame God if things aren't happening the way I predicted or as fast as I wanted- Jesus was pointing to the presence of an enemy making efforts to hinder God's work. If I find myself up against a hindrance, it would be just wrong to blame God for it. "An enemy did this". God is my friend- the Greater One within me Who causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus. God (who is love) doesn't withold from me- He is Jehovah Rapha- the Lord who heals me.

Matthew 8:13 (The Message)
13Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, "Go. What you believed could happen has happened." At that moment his servant became well.

That one really fed my hope: what I believed could happen has happened. I am well NOW, by faith!! Jesus bore my sins in His body on the cross, so that I wouldn't have to bear sickness in mine. By His stripes, we were healed. AT THAT MOMENT he became WELL.

Just a short break from the scriptures here-

I wanted to jot down a couple of other things I'd been thinking about in relation to healing and the Word of God.

First,

I was thinking about juicers.

I have a centrifugal juicer which sort of grates the carrots, and flings the pieces around so that they are thrown against a screen. The pressure of this "flinging" makes the juice pass through the screen and drain into the cup, while the pulp works its way to the top of the screen and then is ejected out the back of the juicer.

I also have a "masticating" juicer (masticating means chewing). It sends the carrots down an auger which grinds and presses them, squeezing the juice out of the pulp.

A centrifugal juicer is faster- it is louder (and thus more impressive). It just whips those carrots around, and soon you have a tall frothy glass of carrot juice! But, in all that whipping, the carrot juice can be oxidized more- the antioxidants would be degraded, and there often isn't as much juice produced as in a masticating juicer.

A masticating juicer works slower, quieter. It takes more effort on my part to force them down the feeding tube, and more effort in my cutting them up first (no big opening on the top, like the centrifugal juicer). The carrots are exposed to less air, and there is generally more juice extracted. It may seem to take more work, but the product is more nutritious, and will keep longer in the fridge.

And this got me thinking!

Is that how I sometimes approach the bible? Like it is something to be done every morning just out of neccessity? Do I just go downstairs and shove some bible verses in there, whip them around in order to get a quick drink, and then carry on to "more important things"? Have I been trying to go through the "bible drive through"?

Will I choose instead to "masticate" the word of God- to chew on it- to turn it over and over, and to crush it- to put pressure on it- to make sure that I squeeze everything out of it that I can?

Will I be willing to slow down, and encorporate a high quality product, savoring it, swishing it around in my mouth? Yes, carrot juice will cost me more than a stop at the McDonald's drive through for a coffee. It will cost me more in time, and in price. But it will give me something to live on. Something to build my life out of.

When I want to cook a roast, I like it to be flavorful, and tender. I often put it in the cast iron pot with some onions and garlic, and then cook it very slowly: all day long. BUT, if I want it to be done faster, I need to put pressure on it- I would need to put it in the pressure cooker. Just so, if I want to really benefit from God's word, I need to both slow down, and put pressure on it. We put pressure on it by doing what it says- by believing it enough to act on what it says.

For me, on Monday, that meant eating turkey. I eat 90% raw vegan (for health reasons, not ethical reasons) and I have eaten meat perhaps only two times in the last year. Monday was our church banquet. I ate a bit of quinoa before I went in case there was nothing I could eat there, but as I sat at the banquet not wanting to explain to everyone why I was eating NOTHING, I felt the Holy Spirit challenging me to trust Him, to trust what He said. If I really am healed in Christ, then I can eat turkey.

So, I tentatively ate my salad WITH the dressing (I don't eat any fat), and then slowly chewed on my carrots and green beans. I skipped the bun, but then I was down to the turkey and mashed potatoes! I ate a corner of turkey with gravy. I thought about it. Then I ate another corner. I thought about it. I reviewed in my mind my commitment to trust God, and my unwillingness to fear because He is with me. I chose not to fear- no matter what. I ate about half of the turkey (I offered Jed my potatoes).

For me this was an act of faith. I chose to step out, and I chose not to fear. It wasn't easy, but it was right.

I went home that evening, and felt fine, I continued to feel fine the entire evening. But I want to remember here, that it was as I ate my meal IN FAITH, that it was incorporated into my body and used as a blessing. It's the same in doing my bible reading- when I read it IN FAITH, mixing belief with what I've heard (the kind of belief that acts- that steps out and does it), then it will be real in my life- it will happen. It will be alive to me.

There's More to Life

Matthew 6:25-26 (The Message)
25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Yes, God. Let it be so for me today.

Paul Nison, healing ibs naturally

I just thought I'd mention Paul Nison. I just finished his book: Healing Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Okay, so it's not something nice that everyone wants to talk about, but on the off chance that it may help someone who stumbles across this page, I mention it.

I liked the book, he shares his testimony of being healed of Crohn's and Colitis. It's full of practical advice as well.

You can watch him on youtube, so I won't go into the whole detail of his message here. But if you have time, I would listen to him on youtube.

It seems to me that he's really figured out a way for people with these disorders to gain their health back without surgery, and that's really amazing!

I know I've mentioned it here, but I mention again that eating a raw vegan diet really helped with the ibs symptoms I was having.
Paul also has a book: Health According to the Scriptures. I haven't read it, but I imagine that it would be an interesting read as well.

Just some thoughts.