Blind Jack

Blind Jack - Story Jack was a little boy that loved to play. He loved to play all kinds of games but the thing Jack love...

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Blind Jack - Story Jack was a little boy that loved to play. He loved to play all kinds of games but the thing Jack loved most of all was playing in his sandbox. He loved to fill his dump truck with sand and push it to the building site. Then he would dump the sand and sprinkle it with water so that it would hold its shape. Then Jack would work for hours building big buildings, only to tear them down when he was done so he could build something else. Jack loved to build and piece things together. The only difference in the way that Jack played is Jack was blind, so he built by touch. Jack was a great builder, making much better buildings than most would, only to tear them down for the fun of doing it all over again. One day Jack went to play in his sandbox like he normally does but somehow Jack sensed that something was different, something was wrong. Jack could sense something but he couldn't tell what it was, so he started to play. Jack didn't know that a snake had crawled into the sandbox. It was a very poisonous snake. It was a rattlesnake. When Jack's hand got close to the snake the snake lifted its head and rattled it's tail in warning. Jack knew that sound meant a rattlesnake was near by. At first Jack was afraid but then Jack thought, what can I do? I don't know how the snake is stretched out. I could be moving away from the sound of the tail and run right into the head, so Jack sat very still and quiet for while. Then Jack thought this is silly, since there is nothing I can do, why worry about it. I might as well enjoy myself. So Jack began to play again and soon forgot all about the snake. The snake began bobbing its head back and forth trying to mesmerize Jack with fear, but Jack just kept playing. The snake was about to strike when something stopped it. Jack was not afraid; he could sense that. Jack was not even looking at him no matter how much he rattled his tail and bobbed back and forth. There is no threat here thought the snake and crawled off. Jack learned an important lesson that day. Animals can sense fear and looking directly at an animal is an act of aggression, when that animal is on the defensive. So the best thing to do is stop being afraid and just ignore them. Many times through Jack's young life this saved him from danger. Jack grew into a fine young man. He didn't feel that being blind was a handicap, it was just different from some and in many ways it made him special because his other senses were heightened. Though learning not to be afraid protected him from wild animals, it did not protect him from accidentally knocking a can onto his head from the top shelf or banging into a door someone had left open. He had his share of cuts and bruises just like any other kid. But one day he found out that he could have an operation that would enable him to see. He was very excited. Seeing would be a new and wonderful adventure. The operation was a complete success, and when the bandages were removed Jack could see. He loved the bright colors, the green of the grass, the blue of the sky and the brilliance of flowers. Blind Jack – Story Page 1 Copyright Carol J. Warren 2000 published by DramaShare

But as time went by Jack got used to being able to see and his other senses were no longer as sharp because they no longer needed to be. One day as Jack was walking through the park he ran into a ferocious lion. What was a lion doing in the park? This can't be. But there it was a big angry lion. Jack froze with fear. He couldn't take his eyes off the lion. The lion was so big and strong. He seemed so fierce. His teeth were sharp and his claws were long enough to tear Jack to shreds. The more Jack looked at the lion the more afraid he became. Then Jack remembered the snake and the other times that not being able to see had helped him not be afraid and helped him not focus on the enemy. So Jack shut his eyes as tight as he could and let the darkness surround him. He sat down by the sidewalk. There was no sand but there were lots of rocks, so Jack began to pile the rocks together and build with them. The lion was puzzled by this behavior. He roared louder to get Jack's attention but Jack just kept his eyes shut tightly and concentrated on building with the rocks. The lion could tell Jack was no longer afraid. Furthermore Jack seemed to pose no real threat. He got close to Jack and pawed the air right in front of Jack's face. Though Jack felt the rush of air from it he didn't know what it was and so he just kept building. The lion sniffed at Jack a few times and walked off. Jack was no threat and no fun to toy with. Jack kept building with the rocks. He hadn't heard the lion's movements in a while, so he opened one eye and peeked. The lion was gone. He reported the lion to the park officials and the lion was soon caught. Jack found out that the lion had escaped from the adjoining Wild Life Park. The Park Ranger told Jack that the lion was extremely dangerous. Several other people in the park had not been so lucky he said, two were wounded and one was in critical condition. It was a miracle that Jack had not been hurt. Just a down rite miracle. Though Jack firmly believed in miracles, he also knew that he had just used wisdom. Had he panicked, he too could have been a victim. Later when Jack encountered financial problems he again wondered what to do. Fear and worry crept in. But Jack knew that if he gave both his tithes and his offerings to the Lord as he was suppose to, he would be blessed, just like God said in His word. This he had done since he was young, so he knew the Lord would bless his finances. He thought about the lion and shut his eyes tight. He held his hands over his ears as a symbol to block out the whispering thoughts of worry and fear he heard, like the lion's roar. He read scripture that proclaimed the truth about his finances, several times a day, proclaiming it. Eventually the Lord met Jack's need and his financial lion was gone. One day Jack was getting ready for church when he noticed a small lump on his neck. Huh, Jack thought, I wonder what bit me. It was not very big so he forgot about it. But as the days passed the lump on his neck grew bigger and rather sore to the touch. Jack noticed that sometimes it was hard to swallow and a couple of times he had even choked on his food. So Jack went to the doctor.

Blind Jack – Story Page 2 Copyright Carol J. Warren 2000 published by DramaShare

"I'm sure it's nothing to be alarmed about," said the doctor, "we'll just run a few tests to be on the safe side." But when Jack came back to the doctor's office for the test results, the doctor was not so cheerful. He told Jack that it was cancer. Not only that it was the worst kind of cancer and it was growing fast. He told Jack that he needed an operation right away and that he needed to start chemotherapy immediately. But much to the doctor's surprise Jack shut his eyes tight and covered his ears. The doctor had seen all kinds of reactions to cancer but never this. So, unsure of how to proceed, he waited quietly for a moment. After a few minutes Jack put his hands down and opened his eyes. I cannot be operated on yet; I need time to pray. "Well I understand how you feel," said the doctor "but it really isn't wise to wait and..." Jack held his hand out in a stop motion. "It doesn't matter," Jack said "I must have a little time." "Of course," his doctor relented, " but please don't take long. This matter is not going to stand still. It's getting worse fast." The doctor thought Jack was going to cover his ears again but Jack seemed to think better of it this time. Jack thanked the doctor and let him know that he would call him when he had reached a decision and with that he left. He was trying very hard not to think about it and not to be afraid but it wasn't working. It wasn't working at all. He went home and tried to pray but couldn't stop that hopeless feeling he was sinking in. He got down on his knees before the big easy chair in his living room and tried to picture the Lord sitting in the chair. He shut his eyes and put his head on the Lord's lap trying to block everything else out. Then he talked with his Lord. Lord, your little boy has cancer. I know you love me and you are bigger than the cancer but I don't know what to do or how to pray. I don't know what works and what doesn't. What am I supposed to do? He knelt there for a very long time. Sometimes he was weeping and sometimes he talked but finally he grew quiet and listened with all his heart. A sweet peace settled over him and he felt the Lord's hand on his head. "Jack," the Lord called. "Yes Lord I am here." Jack answered. "Jack" the Lord called again with more urgency. "Yes Lord," Jack answered. "JACK" the Lord called with passion. "Yes," Jack answered quite concerned that the Lord had called him three times. Then Jack realized he was hearing clearer and more focused than ever. "Jack, I have been with you all your life." the Lord said, "Many times I have helped you and you didn't even know it was Me. It was Me that spoke the wisdom into your heart of how to deal with the poisonous snake and Me that guided your heart when you met the lion in the park. I am still with you now and I'm not going to leave. Pick up the Bible and turn to Isaiah 42:19-21. Jack turned to Isaiah and began to read. "Who is blind but My servant? Seeing many things, but you do not observe; opening the ears, but he does not hear. The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness sake; He will exalt the law and make it honorable."

Blind Jack – Story Page 3 Copyright Carol J. Warren 2000 published by DramaShare

Jack read the passage out loud several times asking the Lord for the meaning. The Lord asked Jack a question instead of answering him. "Why did the lion leave?" "Because I was not afraid," Jack said, "and I paid it no attention." "Is cancer not a lion in the spirit?" the Lord asked. "Well, I guess so but..." Jack started but the Lord interrupted. "Jack, did you know that the enemy is drawn to fear and that you give power to what you look at?" "So if I think about it in worry and fear?" Jack asked. "Then it will devour you." The Lord answered. "But if I am blind and deaf to it?" Jack queried trying to understand. "Then I am free to step in as always I have." The Lord answered. "But I have tried not to be afraid and it hasn't worked." Jack said frustrated. "Of course" the Lord answered, "and it won't work." "But you just said not to fear." Jack said confused. "How do I do that." "You" don't," the Lord replied, "You ask me to do it through you and then I will give you My grace to feel what you must to overcome. Whenever you feel afraid at all, start building with scripture building blocks made of words of faith and life. Run and hide, but in Me and shut your eyes and cover your ears until the fear is gone. Saturate yourself with the word, that is my law and I will honor it, just like I said in Isaiah." "Ok," Jack said, "then that's that." At first Jack was spouting scripture and proclaiming it every few minutes, focusing on the Lord and being blind to the cancer and deaf to the whispers of fear that bombarded his mind. It wasn't easy but Jack was diligent. He had to be. But soon he gained a steady pace of proclaiming the word. Then he encountered another problem, scary dreams. How could he proclaim the word while he was asleep? So, he took it to the Lord. The Lord told him to make a tape of the scriptures he had been proclaiming and play it on continuous play while he slept. The word of God, the Bible says, is alive and sharper than any two edged sword. As the life enters in, soaking into you, the death has to flee. "Jack?" The Lord called. "Yes Lord." Jack answered. "Haven't you wondered, why this happened to you?" The Lord asked. "I thought I wasn't suppose to ask that question." Jack replied, because he had thought of it. "Actually you are suppose to ask that question, Jack, just not as an accusation against the Lord." The Lord said. "You are suppose to ask what opened the door for me to have this cancer in my life, so you can shut it. I want you to be very careful to spend time with Me daily and be sure not to get in such a hurry that you cannot listen as you are now. At these times I will begin to reveal these open doors to you and what you must do with each one in turn to shut it and lock it." "Yes," Jack said knowing this made sense. "I will. Jack refused to tell anyone that he had cancer. He didn't want well meaning people talking about it and making it harder to be blind to it. The truth of the matter is for the first month or so Jack grew progressively worse. People were beginning to make comments on how sick he looked but Jack assured them all was fine, he just needed to Blind Jack – Story Page 4 Copyright Carol J. Warren 2000 published by DramaShare

rest more. Not giving them room to say more. But in the third month Jack began to notice he had a little more energy. It was still hard to swallow, so he made sure he ate in private, so people wouldn't notice. He read the Bible every chance he got, out loud when he could. The Lord had been teaching Jack that something has to give the enemy the authority to attack. The Lord spoke sadly, showing Jack the scripture in Hosea where it said; "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." As Jack began to study about other people that had been healed of cancer, he found some amazing similarities. Many of them had some form of unforgiveness, anger, bitterness or hatred in their lives. When these were removed and repented of, the healing soon followed. There were some that had inherited a curse of cancer handed down from generation to generation. He even found a few instances where the enemy was just seeing if he could get by with it and really had no authority or open door to allow attack. Jack began to understand cause and effect. If the Lord healed him of cancer and the cause was still there and not dealt with, it would either return or show itself in some other way that might be equally as bad. Jack asked the Lord for permission to go on a 3 day fast. He knew that he would need the Lord's help if this fast were to accomplish anything, so he first made sure the Lord would honor it. He proclaimed that the fast was for the Lord to show him the root cause of the cancer so it could be removed. Then he made sure that he spent the greater part of the time either studying God's word or praying and listening. Finally toward the end of the third day he heard the Lord. It wasn't what he expected to hear though. The Lord told him to call his mom and ask her about cancer in the family. When he called her she began to cry. She did not know that Jack had cancer and he did not tell her. I had breast cancer when you were younger. I had to have my left breast removed. I remember being so afraid because my mom had died of cancer. But the Lord saw me through it. Why do you ask? Just doing some family medical research for a study I am doing, Jack answered evasively. When Jack hung up he knew that he had the answer. His cancer was inherited. He wondered that his Mom had never told him about this. But then he guessed he should know, it's not easy to talk about. So he began to ask the Lord how to remove this curse. He knew that he should not pray anything or take even the smallest of steps without the Lord's direction. Soon the Lord showed him that because he was bought by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, he could pray and sever the bloodline curse. Blind Jack – Story Page 5 Copyright Carol J. Warren 2000 published by DramaShare

He could replace it with the bloodline of Jesus Christ. So very simply he prayed. Then he saw the Lord cut this giant bloodline coming from Jack and place the end of it in His own heart. He felt a peace and strength spread over him. He knew that the Lord had done something wonderful. The Lord still dealt with him in the area of unforgiveness and anger. He told him that though this wasn't the root cause in his instance, these doors still needed to be shut and repented of. As Jack began to study forgiveness and unforgiveness, he found the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Wow, that made it pretty clear. If you don't forgive others, God won't forgive you. No wonder that is such a serious door to leave open. With each new revelation from the Lord of how to pray and press in, Jack grew stronger. Jack knew some people were healed instantly but this is how the Lord was leading him. By the fourth month the soreness was noticeably less. Jack almost stopped the process thinking it was over but when he inquired of the Lord, the Lord said not to quit until well after the last symptom was gone. By the end of the 6th month Jack could not find the lump and he no longer had any trouble eating. Praise God. But being well physically wasn't the only thing different in Jack. Jack was a new man in other ways. Not only had the Lord broken the inherited bloodline curse but all through the 6 months the Lord had been bringing people to Jack's remembrance that he needed to forgive or hurts he had walked away from that still lay deep inside of him. He had to deal with each unforgiveness, bitterness, anger and hurt until finally he knew the Lord had rooted it all out of him. "It leaves a lot easier if you catch it right off the bat," the Lord said, "but when you wait for years to deal with it, the roots of unforgiveness and bitterness twist all through your soul. Those take a while to root out and still leave you in one piece." Jack understood what the Lord was saying. Don't wait until you have cancer to forgive and release the hurt, keep it before the Lord at all times. Jack called his doctor for another check up. His doctor was expecting to see a very sick man but instead he saw a very healthy Jack with no lump. He ran the tests and then ran them again. No cancer! "Jack, How - I mean - I know it's a miracle but what happened?" The doctor asked. "I found the good side of being blind and deaf and used it." Jack said. "It was hard at first, and the Lord worked on some things that were open doors to the enemy in my life, like an inherited curse, unforgiveness, hurt and anger. But mostly I focused on the building blocks of the word and became blind and deaf to all sickness, fear and worry." Blind Jack – Story Page 6 Copyright Carol J. Warren 2000 published by DramaShare

"We give power to what we look at and listen to and I wasn't going to give this my attention." Jack said, "I took the attention it demanded and gave it to Jesus." There were tears in the doctor's eyes. He tried to talk but couldn't. Jack reached out and put his arm around him and held him until he calmed enough to speak. "I just found out a week ago that I have cancer of the colon." His doctor said, "I've seen people die from cancer and it's not easy. I've been so scared, so very scared. Do you think there is hope for this old seeing man to be blind and deaf?" "Yes," Jack said thoughtfully, " There is hope for you too." My friend, what are you facing today. I want you to know there is hope for you too. It's not too late to be blind and deaf, to focus on the Lord and not the situation. Select some scriptures to proclaim. Speak them anytime you even think of the problem, no matter how often that is. Record them to soak into you at night and no matter how things look, even if it looks worse or it doesn't seem to be working or it's taking months, don't give up, don't quit. Let the Lord deal with you in the middle of it. He may help you find some open doors, like unforgiveness that need to be shut. But I live to tell you; there is hope for you too.

Blind Jack – Story Page 7 Copyright Carol J. Warren 2000 published by DramaShare