20/20 HINDSIGHT… IF ONLY.
In 2009 I did not have a flu shot!
Big mistake.
I really, really wish I had!
I was a fit former Royal Marine, with a can do attitude, who
always ran up the stairs!
This won’t affect me, after all I hate injections!
How very wrong I was.
While in the UK speaking for the Royal Air Force at a conference
on PTSD, I acquired a very bad case of Swine Flu, H1N1 at the onset of the pandemic.
Between 250,000 and half a million people died of this particular strain of “flu” during this epidemic.
I spent three weeks in a coma – three months in the ICU between Oct -Dec 2009.
I had to learn how to walk again, even how to brush my teeth!
(The first time I stuck the tooth brush up my nose!)
I was told, after I came out of the coma,
“Nigel you were as close to death without dying
as I have ever seen in my thirty five years as a doctor.”
I was told that Oct 25, 2009 was a bad night as my wife
was told not to go home that evening! That date was nearly
etched on my grave stone!
I have several physical scars to record the experience,
two chest punchers, feeding tube, a very nasty bed sore scar and even a tracheotomy!
I have compromised lungs and often find it hard to breath.
I have constant pain in my legs, I walk with a cane, a walker
and use a mobility scooter for airports and malls, and for walking the dog!
I’ve had a hip replaced because of the major doses of steroids!
My lament… If only I had had a flu shot!
Bottom line:
I now get my vaccines!
Flu shot next week!
I learnt a lesson, the hard way.
I so regret not getting immunized.
BTW if you were one of the thousands who prayed for me
all over the world, THANK YOU so very much indeed, I have no doubt
that your prayers saved my life.
Read Mark 2:1-12 the story of the paralytic carried to Jesus.
God bless you dear soul.
Be well, do good works and for the sake of God p, love one another.
With gratitude,
~Fr. Nigel W.D. Mumford+
MUMFORD’S MUSINGS
Soup Du Jour: The Intellect Versus The Heart.
Nigel W.D. Mumford+
www.ByHisWoundsMinistry.org
Dateline 8/6/15
This month (Aug 2015) I celebrate twenty five since being called to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. I seem to be reflecting on certain areas of what I have learnt in the past quarter of a century! After about a year I realized that God was showing me certain dis-ease in chunks of time, I call it the soup du jour. He is still doing this and it is obvious. There is a lot to learn in His healing ministry!
We seem to be in another season of “soup du jour” in ministering to the heart. Several people of very high intellect; professors, theologians, people holding patents, a nun, etc. are coming for ministry. They seem to be realizing that they have “it” in the brain but not in the heart.
One person who was totally overcome by this revelation wept when he “allowed” his heart to speak. It was when I mentioned that his words had changed, that they were actually poetic, identifying the exact moment his heart spoke that tears poured down his cheeks. His heart actually spoke; he suddenly looked like he was ten years old. This intellect had found a new voice. He was so hooked into academia that it seemed that he had forgotten about his heart. What a privilege it is to watch God at work in others.
I have found myself telling the story of Blessed Theresa of Calcutta. (Mother Theresa, 1910-1997). She observed that all the orphaned babies were fed the same food and those that were picked up thrived. However, those who were not picked up, she noticed, either had marasmus (failure to thrive) or actually died through lack of love and human touch. What does that tell us about the human heart?
What am I learning in this season of yet another “soup du Jour”? I’m learning that the journey of healing from the mind to the heart, eighteen inches, is one of the longest journeys some people have. I’m learning that we need to nurture our hearts as Christ even said, “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Look after your intellect and guard your heart. Allow your heart to love and be loved. Show your heart to others, and speak from the heart. Allow the Lord to ministry to your heart in your broken heartedness and be gentle with yourself. If you have become hard hearted of bitter get some help. It you have built stone or ice walls around your heart find ways to break them down. Start living again.
I have said many times that I am not a theologian or an intellect, I consider myself a heartelogian! (I consider this a new word for scrabble) Set your heart free, be gentle with yourself.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13
Be well, do good works and for the sake of God, love one another.
Fr. Nigel+
HOW TO PRAY FOR cANCER
A BIBLICAL SUGGESTION
HOW TO PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF
cANCER
by
The Rev. Nigel W.D.Mumford+
(Notice the word cancer is in lower case!)
Based on the FIG TREE. Mark 11:12-14,19-26
Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts:
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.
Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”And his disciples heard him say it.
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
Peter remembered and said to Jesus,
“Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
COMMENTARY
(by The Reverend Nigel W.D. Mumford+)
“cancer is a word, not a sentence.” ~Fiona Castle
(Notice the word cancer is in lower case!)
I have been praying into and over this bible passage for a long time in regard to praying as “accurately” as possible for the healing of cancer. I have been applying the idea in my prayers for those with the dis-ease.
Jesus, it seems, is having a “different” day as He and the lads left Bethany, on foot, on the way to Jersulam. First of all he is hungry. He looks at a fig tree covered in leaves but under close inspection finds no fruit. To add to this story, the fig tree is not even in season for fruit! What does Jesus do, well, he curses the fig tree!
Reading on, we find the fascinating story of Jesus getting very upset with the money changers and those selling doves for sacrifice. John 2:15 writes, “Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple.” He had quite some time to think about what He was going to do. After making the whip, he emptied the coins onto the floor and then turned the tables over.
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of robbers.”
Jesus is displaying an outburst of passion in “His teaching” as the narrative suggests. He was making it abundantly clear that this is the house of the Lord, a house of prayer, not a market place to rip people off.
“The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
Thus began the plot to eventually bring the Lord to Good Friday.
That evening they left the city and in the morning, retracing their steps,
Peter found the fig tree, withered from the roots.
The fig tree was out of season
There was NO fruit.
Jesus had cursed the fig tree.
The fig tree was now dead.
When it comes to cancer:
cancer (small c) is NEVER in season.
There is NO fruit in cancer.
Jesus cursed the fig tree.
Can we curse cancer in the same fashion?
Can we proclaim the same passion of Christ, over this dis-ease?
Can we therefore pray so passionately and indeed so compassionately into the molecular structure, the target, the very core of the growth and into any metastases, if present?
YES, of course we can in the pure and Holy name of Jesus Christ, with the power of his Cross and blood.
In prayer we need to overturn the tables of cancer, we need to curse the cancer like the fig tree, with NO fruit.
There was NO fruit on the fig tree.
ergo
There is NO fruit in cancer.
Could this be a “biblical baseline” in how we might pray into such a malady?
Please understand, I am in no way saying to make a rope whip, I am not saying scream at the cancer. I am not saying get loud and excited in your prayer so you frighten the patient. I am suggesting a biblical way of commanding the cancer to be gone. Without extrovert demonstration and over zealous voice and posture. Loving the patient, but cursing the cancer.
May I suggest a “quiet confidence” and “Holy boldness” in your prayer as you address “the cancer” in the same fashion as Christ addressed “the fig tree.”
THE PRAYER
(by The Reverend Nigel W.D. Mumford+)
(Spoken quietly, confidently and with boldness)
Lord Jesus Christ, you wanted food from the fig tree.
No fruit was present.
The fig tree was out of season, so you cursed it!
The next day the fig tree was dead.
Jesus help me/us to pray in the same fashion into the very core of this cancer.
Dear Jesus, help me/us to pray in such a faithful way as to believe, by faith, that you are the healer, let me/us “take on to believe” without doubt, and stand on your word.
I speak to you cancer directly in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
cancer, there is NO fruit in this disease. I command you in Jesus name, to die
the same way that the fig tree died, never to sprout again. cancer be gone, you have NO power here. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I command every single cancer cell and all the blood supply to close. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
I command you cancer to wither, shrivel and die.
cancer cease to exist, you are not welcome in this body.
In Jesus name I command this mountain of cancer to throw yourself into the sea.
I boldly curse this cancer in the Holy Name of God the Father,Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen and Amen.
PS.
A gentle reminder:
Never own the cancer.
Never say,
“My cancer”
instead say,
“The cancer…”
I am praying for you, the person who prays this prayer and for the person with cancer.
I take on to believe for your healing, and indeed cure of cancer.
Amen and Amen.
God bless you.
The Reverend Nigel W.D. Mumford+
Resurrection Power
April’s story.
The Rev. Nigel W.D. Mumford+
I met seven-year old April when her mother asked for prayer for April’s upcoming surgery for an ectopic heartbeat. An atrial ectopic rhythm is a rhythm where the impulse formation in the atrium is coming from the wrong place. During surgery the heart is mapped to find the secondary center and a catheter is inserted, then charged with a small electric charge to oblate the cause of the secondary heartbeat. This condition is quite uncomfortable and causes real dysfunction. It can cause cardiac arrest.
I arrived at their home in Bethel CT a few days before the scheduled surgery. April’s mum proceeded to tell me about an incident that had her very concerned.
Some weeks ago, April had picked up a woolly caterpillar that she had named Woolly. Woolly had pupated into a butterfly. April found Woolly upside-down on the floor on Friday. It was dead. Her mum told me that April was very distraught because Woolly had died and was now very worried about the oblation surgery for her heart. Was she going to die too?
April came into the living room looking very sad indeed. Her bottom lip quivered as she carried a blue box, which she handed to me. I looked inside and there was Woolly, lying on a piece of cotton wool. Yes, Woolly was dead. I looked at April, wondering how I was going to pray for her heart when she was so distracted with the death of her pet. I said a brief prayer for Woolly. Although I don’t remember what I said, I do remember the look on April’s face – a look of absolute astonishment. I turned to look at Woolly. It’s antennae were moving. Then the legs started moving, then slowly the wings moved. Then to our amazement, Woolly, who had died three days earlier, took flight and landed on the window. I was then able to pray for April’s heart. Later that evening, April’s Mum told me how amazing it was to see Woolly alive and how April was now filled with the joy of the Lord.
April went with confidence and bravery to her successful surgery. A week or so later she wrote an essay on the miraculous event and submitted it in a competition. She won the $5000 first prize, and had her essay turned into a book.
What did I learn? I confess I don’t remember the prayer. I felt like it was a throw away prayer, a stop gap until I could put my hands on April’s heart. I learned that we must not limit God. He will do what He wants to do. This little girl, her Mum and I witnessed a miracle that gave us a huge faith lift. We knew that God’s Kingdom was very near. The very presence of the Resurrection Power, that Power and Glory we remember as we say the Lord’s prayer. Yours Lord is the power and the Glory.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Lord, let me not be guilty of limiting you ever again.
May the healing Grace of the Lord be with you,
Rev. Nigel
Asleep, I listen.
A meditation for Care Givers
By
The Rev. Nigel W D Mumford
Asleep I listen,
To the breathing, to every precious breath,
To any change, to a groan, to the pain, to the fear,
I listen to the fear, in me, and in my beloved.
Asleep I listen,
To any need and want, my body asleep but my ears open,
The constant vigil, ready at a moments notice
To leap out of bed to address the need.
Asleep I listen,
To the phone, to the TV, to the radio, to God.
I pray and wonder what will happen?
Am I doing my best, what else can I do?
Asleep I listen,
Even when awake guilt pervades my mind.
How can I even go to the store, how can I leave the house?
I listen to the cell phone, did it beep, is it vibrating?
Asleep I listen,
To My faults, to My responsibility, to My blame.
What if? If only! But Why God, WHY?
I can’t I even pray anymore I am so tired.
Asleep I listen,
My mind wonders what will it be like afterwards?
What will I do? Where will I go? How will I live?
Oh NO it’s not about me, guilt pervades again.
Asleep I listen,
A friend calls and asks me out for a coffee.
“I will call you back, if there is a change.”
I wonder, can I really step out of the house?
Asleep I listen,
To God,
Who says “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Do not be afraid, I am with you always.
Asleep I listen to my conscience and all is well with my soul.
May the healing Grace of the Lord be with you,
Fr. Nigel Mumford+
www.byhiswoundsministry.org
RAIN.
As a kid growing up in England I have fond memories of rain.
It felt cozy and safe.
My sisters and I wrote and sketched on the condensation on the windows, there was a lot of it as we did not have double glazing! (Not sure if it was even invented yet!)
What to do when it rained?
Funny, I still feel safe and content when it rains.
The music on the windows…
I suppose I am used to it!
I don’t really know why we spoke of the weather all the time as it rained…a lot!
“How’s the weather in your village?”
“It’s raining!”
Kind of redundant, oh well!
“Ok, so what do you want me to do inside when it rains God?”
“How about writing about rain!”
“Good idea God.”
Perhaps God is washing away our sins.
A time to stay in and reflect?
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *
all winds and fire and heat.
Canticle 12 (BCP)
God bless you. Allow Joy of the Lord to fill you when it rains!
~Nigel Mumford+
www.ByHisWoundsMinistry.org
TESTIMONY
“Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
Acts 13:15(NIV)
Here follows a word of Exhortation.
I have permission from Deacon Dave to share the following testimony..
Nigel,
I don’t know if you remember but one Saturday night at Incarnation Parrish in Oviedo, Fl. you had a corporate prayer for my daughter. She had Liver sclerosis and things were looking bad. She has been in rehab for 4 mos. Thanks for your prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit. Her liver has gotten better day by day. We are no longer thinking that a liver transplant will be needed. We thank you for your prayers.
Praise God!!
Deacon Dave Aycock
I do remember… Vividly. I remember the look in her eyes…
Nigel Mumford+
“A word of encouragement” for clergy and worship leaders.
Personally, I really want to hear what God is doing today, so during a healing service I often ask if anyone has a story or testimony of healing. I have someone hold the microphone and take it to the person who has the story. That someone does not let go of the mic!
Some stories we have heard during testimony time are so uplifting and encouraging. We get a faith lift… We realize that the book of Acts is still being written “today”. I base this action on: Acts 13:15 The Message (MSG) “Friends, do you have anything you want to say? A word of encouragement, perhaps?”
I have taken the time to look at a few bible versions on Acts 13:15 and would Encourage worship leaders to pray about listening to what The Lord is doing in you congregation.
If you have a brief word I would love to hear from you.
Please let me know any feed back…
Thank you.
Pax
Nigel+
Here follows other Bible versions:
Acts 13:15New International Version (NIV) “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
Acts 13:15Amplified Bible (AMP) “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation or consolation or encouragement for the people, say it.
Acts 13:15Good News Translation (GNT) “Friends, we want you to speak to the people if you have a message of encouragement for them.”
Acts 13:15New Life Version (NLV) “Brothers, if you have any word of comfort and help for the people, say it now.”
Acts 13:15 King James Version Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
WHILE I WAS IN HEAVEN.
Close to death, nearly five years ago
I saw and studied a single blade of grass
for a very long time, it was so beautiful, so much color,
whilst I was in a coma.
I just knew that blade of grass was in heaven.
It was wonderful.
I was in heaven!
I observed that single blade of grass for a very ling time.
While I was in heaven.
I saw three white tulips… And three stone steps.
While I was in heaven.
Then I saw a path that led to my house.
While I was in heaven.
My house, one of many mansions,
Was made of glass,
While I was in heaven.
The glass was held together with bright fire engine red metal.
While I was in heaven.
I saw the number eight slightly on its side
on the door.
Infinity?
My body was in room number eight
While I was in the ICU
And on my way to heaven.
Living water ran through the house
There was no kitchen
While I was in heaven.
There were gold chains with gold goblets
To feed on the living water… So incredibly delicious.
While I was in heaven…
Thank you God for a “glimpse on heaven.”
While I was in heaven,
I was in heaven.
Nigel Mumford+
Testimony: “I no longer desire tobacco”
The Rev’d. Lionel. England.
My meeting the Rev’d Nigel Mumford came on the evening after Christmas day 1999 at a Boxing Day drinks party at a large house of one of our parishioners. As a Vicar within the Church of England I was not unused to prayers being answered but on this occasion The Rev’d Nigel ‘s ministry left a memorable and lasting impression on me.
The drinks party was formal but with a number of people I know and with whom I felt I could relax. This was particularly welcome after the many services and celebrations during the Christmas period. After several glasses of wine I saw someone smoking. Normally I do not smoke and regard it as an unhealthy and destructive habit. However, my father smoked and before the 2nd World War the family owned a small tobacco business in South London – so smoking was “in the Blood.”
Nigel saw me smoking (I was even wearing my clerical collar) and after a brief introduction and a few words, I admitted a weakness for tobacco and general dislike of inhaling. I also admitted that I was mildly ashamed of this tendency towards tobacco.
“Do you wish to be cured of smoking?” Nigel asked me. I paused, slightly embarrassed, not quite wishing to own up to my occasional habit.
“Well, yes. I suppose I do,” was my reply.
“Give me your smoking hand – the hand in which you normally hold the cigarette.”
I did as Nigel asked.
In the middle of the party, but out of most people’s hearing, Nigel prayed that I may be cured of the desire of smoking. After a brief but intense prayer, he relaxed my hand. I thanked him and carried on talking, having of course extinguished the cigarette!
What was remarkable about this incident was that from that day to this I have not touched a cigarette, even on holiday when I normally have the occasional puff. Furthermore, I no longer desire tobacco. Praise the Lord!