A BOY AND THE LEGENDS OF ORIOLES BASEBALL

A BOY AND THE LEGENDS OF ORIOLES BASEBALL

by Joey Daddario

PARTS I - IV Original publish date: 3/28/24
PART V (A very cool ending) published 9/12/24

PART I

It’s not every day that Baltimore Orioles Cy Young award pitcher Jim Palmer knocks on your door and asks you if you’d mind catching for him. In fact it’s certain this kind of interaction between a 12-year old little leaguer and his MLB next door neighbor could EVER happen in today’s demographics. And yet it did!

In the 1960s MLB players lived in the home town of the team they played for.  In the neighborhoods among the upper-middle class.  Some even took jobs in the off-season.  But the coolest part for the boys of Timonium, Maryland was that the Orioles were neighbors.  And their kids played sports with them.  Little Leaguers Joey and Mike Daddario enjoyed a childhood with Scott and Steve Gentile, Gary Triandos, and Scott Miller to name a few. 

When Jim Palmer moved in next to little league catcher Jimmy Anderson, most of the neighborhood was unaware.  But Joey’s sister Fran Daddario kept asking who the cute guy was in the green Porsche racing by their house on Coldbrook Rd.  Eventually the Daddarios found out via Jimmy Anderson – Jim Palmer.

Jimmy details that magic day. “Jim Palmer said, I’m on the injured list and need to exercise my arm.  I noticed you with your catchers gear. Let’s walk up to the school and use the baseball field.”  So, on they went.  Jimmy later exclaimed to the Daddario boys, “You should’ve seen his curve ball, it curves 2 feet.” As expected the neighborhood little leaguers were jealous.

PART II

Tonight was a special night. Joey’s parents, Al and Ilda Daddario, were having Orioles pitcher Stu Miller and wife over to play bridge. His parents had attended Orioles dinners at their friends Gus and Evelyn Triandos. And had met Stu there. Joey and Stu Millers son Scott had become school buddies and hung after school playing Beatles records.  The 2 families had become friends. And later that evening would be a big night for Joey. He got Stu Millers autograph.  Joey made sure not to mention that Mickey Mantle hit his 500^th homerun off Stu. That would be off limits.

PART III

And on life went with the neighboring Orioles.  Joey recalls a visit to first base player Jim Gentile’s home. His sons Steve and Scot had invited him over one afternoon just after they had finished starring in a local commercial for milk.

Joey recalls, “I remember them showing me a closet full of their dad’s baseball bats. I picked one up and found it impossibly heavy.  How on earth do the players swing it?”  And something else didn’t make sense. “The Gentile brothers weren’t that tall. Yet their dad had the famous 9-foot stretch on first base.  Hmmmm.”

PART IV

Mrs. Daddario often gathered the boys together for evening Orioles games. Seated in VIP box seats behind home plate she would point out the players wives commenting on how beautiful they were, “Baseball players have the prettiest wives” she’d remark. “Oh look there’s Jackie Brant, they call him ‘Flaky’.”  How she knew such things was anybody's guess! Come to think of it maybe there was something to that.  "Flakey" had signed the baseball TWICE!

In addition to scoring the best seats in Memorial Stadium the Daddarios accumulated a box of Orioles team-signed baseballs as gifts from various players. Youthfully unaware of their true value the Daddario boys would use them to play catch in the back yard. Ball after ball. “Throw me a grounder”. Until there was only one left. Worn, tattered.  Joey still has it.  But it’s time to give it away. 

But to whom?  This ‘storied’ baseball represents a magical time in both the boys lives as well as baseball history.  Sure, you could buy one in great condition. But not with this provenance.  Heck the Orioles had the best record in the 1960s.  What a prize!  They were both champions and neighbors. Friends.

Wouldn’t it be great to give this magic ball to an Oriole who is currently playing? But which one?  It would have to be a player who appreciated the history and ‘times gone by’ of Orioles memorabilia. A collector. One who hopefully likes the movie ‘Sandlot’ (LOL)? And perhaps even a player who’d one day hand it down to their children. Who would you choose??? 

NOTE 1:  Many details of this story can be verified by property records showing the proximity of the home owners to one another. 

NOTE 2: from author Joey Daddario:  I am 69 years-old as of this writing. I have no offspring. This baseball is almost 60 years-old.  It deserves a new home.

PART V
A VERY COOL STORY ENDING

Tonight my friend Paul and I went to Triple-A minor league baseball game where we watched the Orioles Triple A farm team, Norfolk Tides,  play.

In addition to a new unsigned baseball, I brought the 1960s era Orioles team signed baseball with me with the intention of handing it off to a player who would appreciate it. I taped a folded-up hard copy of parts I-IV to the bottom of the container in which the baseball was housed. The baseball without the story is....well...just a baseball.

We had great seats...so close to the dugout that at times it felt like we were eavesdropping on the players. As some of the players walked by they were signing autographs for a small group of professional collectors in front of us. I asked one of the players if he knew who Gus Triandos was. He got a funny look on him face and said "no". Well that was a pass!

Then a pitcher named Bruce Zimmerman came by and seemed to know more about the early Orioles team. I gave him the elevator pitch on its origin and asked if he wanted the ball. He said "my niece and nephew are big Orioles fans and they would love it." So I handed him the ball. And said "take good care of it."

Before "Zimm" could get away the Professional autograph collectors (ever the dealmakers) quickly sweetened things, leaned in and suggested Zimmerman take my new baseball "as part of the deal" and get the Norfolk Tides players to sign it as a team. He seemed OK with that so I handed that over as well.

Well how 'bout that?  Just the type of  interaction I was hoping for.

Bruce Zimmerman has played Major League Baseball for some years but is currently in the Minor League Triple A team. I didn't realize how good a pitcher he was until the next evening I read he had pitched a 5-inning shutout! Very cool!

Thanks for reading.

Joey Daddario
2226 High Rigger Court
Fernandina Beach, FL. 32034

904-206-1070 Cell/Text

The Crying Shame

The Crying Shame

In May, 2023 a dear friend called me in a panic. She had received a letter from her APRN’s office notifying her that after 8 years of treatment they would no longer be able to provide hormone medical therapy due to the passage of Governor DeSantis’ Florida Senate Bill 254.

WHAT???

My friend is an adult MTF transgender woman. Didn’t this Bill only affect people UNDER age 18?  The short answer is NO.  It affects adults too. I know because I downloaded the Bill and read it. Then read it again. Printed out the 10-page document and while slowly reading it for the 3^rd time began highlighting it - just to make sure there wasn’t something I had misunderstood.

Bottom line? We have been hoodwinked. In criminal terms it’s called ‘bait and switch’. Even today, the media mentions Bill 254 as a law that affects minors. But this is misleading, a lie, and frankly insulting.

Here is the verbiage that was kept quiet from Americans. By the Bills own admission it was added at a later date:

“…such  [sex-reassignment] prescriptions and procedures for patients older than 18 years of age be prescribed, administered, or performed…providing that only a physician may prescribe, administer, or perform such prescriptions and procedures.” 

 In my friends case this means the APRN who had prescribed her hormone medical therapy could no longer treat her.  What a slap in the face to APRNs and yet another ridiculous hoop my friend has to jump through.

Futhermore if you have a state group health insurance program Bill 524 has prohibited, “…use of state funds for sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures…”

Are state laws allowed to ignore the Supreme Court? On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark 6-3 decision affirming that the prohibition on sex discrimination in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extends to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In the mid-1960’s I witnessed the inhumane treatment of Blacks in my home town. A bigoted swimming pool owner would not just turn away Blacks from his property but would lock them up in a chicken coop; call the police; and have them hauled off to jail.

How close are we to this today? Dangerously close.

For the first time in my life I can see how Nazism took hold – it starts with the declaration of a master race that finds fault in those that are ‘different’ from them. Then convinces society that those people are detestable. Sound familiar?

Bill 254 states “at a later date exceptions will be announced.”  Really?  So here is an incomplete Bill passed into Law without regard for adults with exemptible medical issues.  This is incomprehensible. Reckless.

Laws that turn us against each other on personal issues restrict our freedom. And sadly the seeds of these ideas gain traction from the few who manage to get the ear of media to amplify their voice. Laws like this cause a deterioration of society which now focuses more on our differences than similarities. I guarantee you we are more alike as seen from Gods Hill.

But God loves variety. Just look at all the examples in the world. Why did God do this? For our pleasure – not to provoke hate towards one another.  Would you walk into a room and pick out the most outrageously ‘different’ person and say hello to them?  Christ would…and did!

The more research I did the more horrified I was.  Did you know that 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide? Unacceptable. (Feel free to fact-check this).

The Solution:

Racism is fear-based. We have developed a built-in warning system that tells us to shun those who look different, dress different, and talk differently than us. The solution to racism is education.

Hate starts at home.

Parents, teach your children to love and accept those that are different than them. We are more alike as seen from Gods hill. 

Otherwise what’s next? The chicken coop?  An underground railroad?

Joey Daddario (Author)

I'm On Fire For The Lord

I'm On Fire For The Lord

DO I REALLY MATTER?

(The real impact of one person on another's soul)

INTRODUCTION:

I wanted to preface the story below.  It is a text conversation between me and Joan Elizabeth Proctor, the daughter of my Little League Coach Mr. Proctor, who made a significant impact on this troubled child.

ME: 12/10/17

Hi Joan. This is Joey Daddario. I grew up in Timonium Maryland. I wanted to share a word of thanks with a little league baseball coach I had around age 12. I believe his name was Jim Proctor but I'm not sure. I do recall that he was a mail carrier and that his son also played on our little league team. Do you know how I can get in touch with him? Or are you related to him in any way? Thanks. I'm sorry to bother you if there is no relation. Sincerely, Joey

JOAN:

Yea it's my dad ! And he'd love to know you remembered him ! I'm thinking my brother James was in the team , although he coached when my brother David was too . I remember you ! Dad is on fb and also I could give u his number if u like . They aren't in Timonium anymore . Now they are in Parkton . On fb he's under James proctor

ME:

The sermon today in church was about thinking back to people who had brought light into our lives. People who had a positive lasting impact on us.

Mr. Proctor you came to mind right away. You were my coach in little league baseball. I believe I was 11 or 12 at the time. I could not hit a ball worth beans - a terrible hitter. Struck out almost every time I got up. But you took the time to instruct me how to hold a bat, how to stand with my right foot planted, how to keep my left arm straight. How to keep my eye on the ball and swing through. And then amazing things started happening…

I started to hit the ball. Not only was this a success by your teaching, I went from being the worst hitter on the team to the best hitter as the games progressed through the season. Even making “All County” in the 13-14 league. Obviously you had a significant impact on me. Something I will never forget.

You see my own father was not available emotionally nor in most other ways. I will never say that my parents didn't provide because they did. They were just very troubled people. My mom an alcoholic. My dad a man who played around on my mom. My home life was hell.

Little League was an outlet. At least I was hoping it would be. Before you took the time to instruct me and Coach me I was such a bad player that I remember crying once after striking out yet again. And I have to tell you it is so uncool to be 12 years old and be crying in front of your teammates. But like I say you changed all that coach Proctor.

Although I am semi-retired now, I sing and write songs and Lead worship at our Methodist Church here in North Florida. Yes a place in life I would never have imagined I’d be led.

Your example taught me the impact of one man on another person's soul. And I wanted to share that with you. And I'm so glad that I had this chance to do so. I know now that we can change lives - one at a time. Some people never know about the significance of their actions until they reach heaven. But it's enough right now to know that one person can make a significant impact on another person. In fact your impact was significant enough for me to write a song some years ago called On Common Ground. It's a song about wanting to believe that my own father loves me but not being able to truly know if it's possible. There's a line in the song about “coaches who in Little League groomed and trained a wild seed, a star for the crowd”. That reference is you. It is a sad song. But not a song of hopelessness. But it is a tearjerker. LOL.

So I wanted to thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And I pray that I can carry forward your goodness to another and another. You see I believe that the blessings we receive become true blessings when we use them to bless others. And that is my intention. With much love and thanks, Joey Daddario

JOAN:

Wow , that is very touching ! That will mean a lot to my dad . Dad talks about old times all the time when us kids were little . He loves coaching , he's a huge baseball fan ! Never missing watching the O's games on tv ! What a nice letter! I love this . Love Joan

Well you certainly made my day ! I know this will really touch dad ! I just love that you are doing this !!!! You are a kind man !

 Joan ( keep in touch )

He had a stroke a few years ago so it takes him a little time sometimes to remember, I'm sure there's pics somewhere of the team . My mother had tons of boxes of pictures !

JOAN: 5/13/18

Just a little note to let you know three weeks ago dad found out he had a lot of cancer in his GI organs, liver gallbladder intestines and such . He wanted to die at home so mom took him home . He did well till two days ago and now he can't get out of bed and is on lots of pain meds so mostly sleeps. My family doesn't want anything on fb so I can't share it with my friends but I just had a need to tell you . Wanted to thank you again for your nice words . Love Joan

ME:

Thank you so much Joan. I really appreciate you letting me know about your dad. He is such a wonderful man. I'm so glad that you and I got a chance to connect. Let me know if there's anything I can do. I will certainly keep your family in my prayers. Love Joey

JOAN: 5/15/18

Dad passed tonight , I'm going to use your letter to read at his memorial if you wouldn't mind . He was so proud of that letter.

ME:

Hi Joan. I know this must be a hard time for you and your family. And my heart goes out to you. I would be honored if you wanted to read the letter I sent you and your dad. Truly it would be an honor. Thank you for staying in touch with me. Love Joey PS one thing I hadn't shared with you before but I will now is that I cried pretty much throughout the whole writing of that letter.

EPILOGUE

Somewhere between the time I first sent my letter to the time Mr Proctor died, I was rushed via ambulance to a hospital 3,000 miles away from home.  My appendix had burst and I was dying.

When I returned home weeks later, I was in such a depressive funk that I was crying several times a day.  My life felt violated – traumatized. Life seemed almost a joke. We live. We die in agony 3,000 miles from home without being able to say goodbye to our loved ones?  Or worse yet, not giving them a chance to say goodbye to us? 

Writer CS Lewis once cried out in grief, “Is God a cosmic idiot?”

So I got back into 1-on-1 therapy with a great counselor. Even finding her was a God-send. But the truly amazing thing is that some 4 months later I received the text from Joan that Mr. Proctor had died.  She had said he loved that letter I wrote and that she wanted to read it at his funeral. 

The tears flowed again. Isn’t God weird? Yes but God is not a cosmic idiot. Ha ha. You see, I was thanking Mr. Proctor for his time, caring, encouragement and he was elated to hear it.  But the story was not over as I thought.  Who knew that I would need, and in return receive, encouragement and purpose months later when my life was falling apart?  In Joan’s single comment asking to read my letter at her father’s memorial…well let’s just say I felt purposed by God.  We do make a difference – all of us.

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referral link
(an awesome TRUE  Angel Encounter story)

The Story Of Jean-Claude, A Cat With 10 Lives...At Least

JEAN-CLAUDE – A CAT WITH 10 LIVES…AT LEAST

by Joey Daddario

Seventeen days ago a cat wandered into my backyard looking very frail.  It was during a week-long Nor’easter. Windy.  Cold.  Wet.  Being a lover of animals I called it and it came over to me and we immediately bonded. Both alone on an unusually cold day on the coast.  (Jeanie will tell you that we bonded because we were both so needy. Lol.  )

I thought the cat was a stray until I saw a rather heavy looking tag hanging down from his tattered collar.  Aha!  His name is Jean-Claude.  Below his name were his initials “JC”. Now, where have I seen those initials before? Hmmm.  I picked him up and brought him inside.  He instantly began emitting the deepest purr I have ever heard – and after stroking him, his purring became incredibly deeper, sounding more like a relief. It said, “I’m home.”  I know we both felt it.  It felt good.

In addition to his name there was an address in Gainesville, some 2 hours away, a phone number, and a rather unusual last name.  I called the number. No longer connected. I searched Facebook, googled pet finder lost and found sites etc for hours.  No luck.   More on this later.

I called Jeanie.  She asked me if I needed anything.  I said, “I have dry cat food (as I like treating our community’s cat population) but I could use some wet food because Jean-Claude is only interested in eating from my safety can of tuna fish.  That tuna happens to be my safety net for food.  Only to be opened for ‘Joey emergencies’ – that is, when I have put off going to the market.  Jeanie replied she’d be at my house as soon as she went shopping.

Meanwhile, I started examining Jean-Claude.  It was clear he was an old, old soul.  He was so thin his spine practically pierced his skin.  He had the clumsiest walk because his hind legs didn’t bend like nimble young cat legs.  He walked a bit like a lizard.  In exaggerated motions.  He was dirty – fur unkempt - eyes crusty – claws in need of trimming…and I loved him.  Oh, did I mention he was almost completely blind?

While waiting for Jeanie to come over, I wet a wash cloth with warm water and began gently wiping his fur. He was busy eating my tuna and drinking from an old cat dish I saved from my cat Jordy who passed at the age of 16.  I proceeded to dry him off. Jean-Claude purred and purred and purred.  I brushed him out very slowly with only the softest of brushes. Eventually clipped his toenails and wiped the sleep from his eyes.

I noticed when he went to drink water he would slowly lower his head until his the pink of his nose contacted the wet surface. Then he’d jerk back as if startled.  I realized he couldn’t see the water.  Probably could smell it somehow and that this was his way of successfully getting a drink.

I laid back on the couch and let him sit on my chest.  Apparently this wasn’t close enough for him.  He needed to be closer.  He burrowed into the crook of my neck and literally vibrated. A warm natural relaxing sound.  A deep tissue massage for me on the outside.  But as good as it felt outside, it felt even better inside.  This was a rare event. Special. And definitely Godly. Ironically, at that moment, a flea jumped on me. God’s sense of humor.

I didn’t want Jean-Claude to suffer with fleas.  I took a risk of leaving him alone and ran out to the local Walmart, arriving mere minutes before closing.  Purchased the best flea and tick treatment for a sticker-shocking $53.  I’ve used the cheap stuff in the past and it just doesn’t work.

I got home. Jean Claude had found his way upstairs and was sleeping on the pillow on my bed. This cat was definitely communicating.  I put the flea and tick ointment on him.  I brought him downstairs and waited for Jeanie.

Jeanie burst in armed with Fancy Feast cat food, litter, a litter box, and a scooper shovel.  Wow!  She is a cat lover too and has rescued so many animals I have lost count.  I tease with her that when she is driving us, there is no guarantee we will make it to our destination on time. That’s right, if she spots a stray animal, all punctuality goes out the window. It’s rescue time. As disruptive as that can be, I love that quality in her.

She set up the litter box and I told her about running out to the store, last minute, to pick up the expensive flea treatment.  I realized all too late I had set myself up for one of her smart-alek jabs. You know the type.  The ones that only people who know you really really well can fire back quicker than a reflex:  “Joey, I can’t believe you actually went out that late and spent that much money.  What’s gotten into you?”  And we both laughed at the absurd yet amazing difference this little animal had already made in my priorities.  Yes, God had provided a perfect outlet for me to escape my self-absorption and concentrate on helping another.

I said goodbye to Jeanie and asked her to come back in the morning to help me find the owners.

That evening I made a ramp from the floor up to my bed to help Jean-Claude.  Jean-Claude saw his opening and waddled up the ramp and attached himself to me like glue. Purred me to sleep.

The next morning I resumed searching for the owner.  In the process  I noticed there were people living in Gainesville with that unusual last name on his tag. I started googling them and making calls to Gainesville. Bingo. I got a call back from a neighbor living on the next street over.  His name was Wesley. The owner.

Wesley came over and picked up Jean-Claude, very appreciative that we had taken care of him.  He gave us a little peek into Jean-Claude’s history. Jean-Claude was 25 years old (are you kidding? !!!), born in Italy. His original owner, Wesley’s uncle, had died and left Jean-Claude to Wesley.  He said Jean-Claude was diabetic.  He mentioned that it was probably past due for him to be put down but that he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.  Well, that explained a lot. 

I totally understood where Wesley was coming from.  In the past several months of my late cat’s (Jordy) life, I worked diligently with the kindest vet to confirm when it was “time”.  And when it was time to say goodbye to Jordy, my dear friend Jeanie came with me. We sat with him the entire time.  I continuously petted and talked to my dear sweet 16 year-old companion.  It was, and still remains, the hardest day of my life.

Wesley left that morning, cat in hand.  Before the days end Jean-Claude was back.  Since all his “stuff” was still inside (food, water, litter) I picked him up and brought him in. As soon as I held him against my chest his deep soothing motor began rumbling.

He made himself “at home” and followed me around keeping very close.  It was as if he kept himself within some invisible boundary known only to him.  It seemed all this miracle-aged cat wanted…no, let me change that, all this cat needed was to be close to me. To be held. To love and be loved.  It is not lost on me how similar this relationship is to that of our heavenly Father and His children.  In fact, throughout the 17 days, there was much Godly symbolism.  And I believe there is much more overflow to be revealed from the encounter, in addition to what is written here.

I finally gave up taking Jean-Claude back to Wesley’s because he would come back again.  And over the few short weeks, a loose routine developed.  Jean-Claude would spend time with me. Inside on the couch.  Outside on the porch.  Night time in my bed.  A bit of a dependence was developing -  for both of us.  I asked myself, “How can this be possible in the short time I’ve known him?”  I found myself looking forward to snuggling up with him and greedily soaking in his generous healing waves of massage-like healing. It relaxed me. Purposed me. The relationship made me more responsible. Matured me. Grew me. Put life a bit more in balance as far as self-centeredness versus service-oriented living.  And truly, I say, it is much more rewarding to leave self-centeredness for the sake of helping others.

May 1^st 2016 was the last time I saw Jean-Claude.  A mere 17 days after we met.  I went to church that morning.  Instead of returning straight home, Jeanie and I had a concert to perform downtown.  I was away about 5 hours. 

When I arrived home, Jean-Claude was right where I left him on his blanket on the floor near his food and water.  But something was wrong.  He was lying on his side. Something he never does.  His little hands were twitching.  I dropped everything, only slightly aware that I had left my car open and all my equipment exposed.

Immediately I bent down and rubbed his delicate bony side. “It’s OK Jean-Claude, I’m hear,  I love you. Hey sweet boy.”  He responded.  But it was a blood curdling scream.  “What’s wrong baby?  Are you having trouble standing up?” 

Things started to add up.  I had left a message with Wesley the day before telling him that Jean-Claude wasn't doing very well.  He was having more trouble walking than usual.  His appetite had diminished, and he was not making it to the litter box in time.

I picked him up.  Carefully.  Like I always do.  I stood up with him and let his front paws hang on my shoulders.  He relaxed a little.  With cat-in-hand I rushed to the medicine cabinet to get a plastic syringe.  The idea I had was to fill it with water and feed it to my poor kitty.  Maybe he just needed hydrating.

Just as I got the syringe filled, Jean-Claude arched his head back in an impossible position and then became still.  I sat on the couch with my little baby stretched out on my lap. Jean-Claude had died in my arms.

I had never before heard the sounds that came out of me that day.  “Wailing” just doesn’t seem to be strong enough.  I screamed, “No! No! Please no!”  All while petting his still warm frail body with both hands.  And oddly, in my agony, rage, and devastating inconsolability, I noticed something.  Jean-Claude looked so peaceful.  At peace.  And then I got the point.  He had gotten exactly what he wanted – to spend his last days on earth with those that sincerely loved him. Yes animals know the difference.  And to, at last, die in the arms of one that loved him.

It is both hard, sad, and healing to tell this story.  I cannot let the traumatic, painful, final hours with Jean-Claude obscure the immense good and joy he brought into the world. It would be unfair to him, selfish on my part, and simply wrong. 

And yet therein lays a weird characteristic when we experience the death of a loved one:

When tragedy and loss befall us, it is overpowering.  For it requires our complete focus to absorb it. Yes this single event has the power to wipe from our minds, at least temporarily, all the good God has surrounded us with.  We can’t see God’s timing nor purpose at all. As a result, the good in our world shrinks.  We can’t see it because it is obscured by the huge amount of attention that our loss demands.

I have had the consoling benefit of seeing many of Gods awesome works in this experience. And I think that is the reason I want to share it. There are a few special folks that I especially want to share my grieving with.  They fall into a rare category I call "compassionate listeners".  And I wish to tell readers that the best in people can be brought out in the most unusual situations.

For instance…two dear friends, Chuck and Jeanie, came to my rescue that day. Yes, they both just dropped what they were doing and came over.  They quickly responded to my phone calls as my still weeping wavering voice cried out, “Help me, I don’t know what to do.”  I will NEVER forget their love, their soothing words, and even more, their soothing presence.  The comfort of the Holy Spirit worked mightily through them that day.

Chuck and Jeanie quickly, gently, and respectfully went into action.  I asked Chuck to verify Jean-Claude’s condition.  We needed a blanket to wrap him in.  Excellent, my prayer blanket from church. Perfect. I asked Chuck to please take Jean-Claude from me and wrap him.  He did.  Ever so gently.  And as if that weren’t enough, Chuck allowed us to bury Jean-Claude along the wooded acreage by his home where there is a small Pet Cemetery.  So the three of us took Jean-Claude to the site and placed him lovingly in his final resting place.  Even one of Chuck’s cats came over to attend the funeral and say goodbye. It was beautiful.

I welcome tears.  And it has been a long time since I have cried.  With the passing of this precious creature of God -  my dear pet, the tears are pouring out.  This is a good thing.  God knew I was overdue for release of much held-back emotion.  And in writing this, crying on and off, I am honoring the life and contributions of a little animal that roared life into a soul and into a community.  A creature God used to bring out the very best in His Children.

Most importantly this writing documents God’s hand in our lives - His incomprehensible love and mercy for us.  Jesus who cries when we cry and grieves when we grieve (my interpretation).  God the Father, whose workings and timing of events in our lives are always with precision, even though they seem to be out of control. Truly our best option is to “take it on faith” which, at times, is possible only with great difficulty.  But God knew this and gave us each other so that we might be comforted through His Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  It is our decision whether or not to seek God’s beauty in all things. When we can’t understand the whole picture, we need accept that God’s ways are higher than our ways.  And take one step forward.

Prayer Of Protection & How To Pray For Healing

A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION (To be prayed before ministry)

In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of his Cross and his Blood, we bind up the power of any evil spirits and command them not to block our prayers. We bind up the powers of earth, air, water, fire, the netherworld and the satanic forces of nature.

We break any curses, hexes or spells sent against us and declare them null and void. We break the assignments of any spirits sent against us and send them to Jesus to deal with them as he will. Lord, we ask you to bless our enemies by sending your Holy Spirit to lead them to repentance and conversion.

Furthermore, we bind all interaction and communication in the world of evil spirits as it affects us and our ministry.

We ask for the protection of the shed blood of Jesus Christ over _______ . 

Thank you, Lord, for your protection and send your anqels, especially St. Michael, the Archangel to help us in the battle. We ask you to guide us in our prayers: share with us your Spirit's power and compassion. Amen.

P.O. Box 9520 • 438 West 67th Street

Jacksonville, FL 32208

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www.christianhealingmin.org

 

PRAYER TO BE SET FREE (To be prayed following ministry)

 Lord Jesus, thank you for sharing with us your wonderful ministry of healing and deliverance. Thank you for the healings we have seen and experienced today.

We realize that the sickness and evil we encounter is more than our humanity can bear, so cleanse us of any sadness, negativity or despair that we may have picked up. If our ministry has tempted us to anger, impatience or lust, cleanse us of those temptations and replace them with love, joy and peace.

If any evil spirits have attached themselves to us or oppressed us in any way, we command you, spirits of earth, air, fire, water, the netherworld or the satanic forces of nature, to depart - now - and go straight to Jesus Christ for him to deal with you as he will.

Come Holy Spirit: renew us -- fill us anew with your power, your life and your joy. Strengthen us where we have felt weak and clothe us with your light. Fill us with life. Lord Jesus, please send your holy angels to minister to us and our families-guard us and protect us from all sickness, harm and accidents. (Give-us a safe trip home.)

We praise you now and forever, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we ask these things in Jesus' Holy Name that he may be glorified. Amen

(Prayers by Dr. Francis MacNutt)

How To Pray For Healing (put on the face of Jesus)

1.      Ask “Where does it hurt? When did it start? “Listen on both natural & supernatural level.

2.      Determine why they have this condition. Unresolved emotions often root^a.

3.      Prayer types (always ask God 1^st how to pray for them): Petition to God; Confront demon (remember satan lost & now knows you know it); The person can pray for self.^b

4.      With oil anoint forehead w/cross, “In the powerful name of Father, Son & Holy Spirit come minister to ___”; ask to lay on hands; more Q&A. They also need to tell their condition to leave to break bond of familiarity with ailment.

5.      Post Prayer: When healed- “sin no more and don’t follow flesh”.(Jn 8:11)^c

          Not healed- say “God loves you”. Seek more LT healing, scripture.

 

^aHigh blood pressure – loneliness.

  Years of sorrow/weeping/grieving – too long

  Cancer – “In the name of Jesus I curse you & command you to die, every cell. Immune system, thank you for helping.

^bWe need to assume our power & authority. God wants ailment gone more than us.

^cWhen healed they walk away with deeper understanding of God’s love.

 

Other Important Points

6.      Leave people alone who have been slain. HS is working on them.

7.      Quell distractions: Remove distractors from area.

8.      Pray out loud (demons can’t hear our thoughts)

“Lord God I call your big angels with swords to do the battle in the spiritual realm that I can’t see. Lord, cancel any assignments given to demons sent against me in the spiritual realm. The One True Lord Jesus, Lord of this room, gives me His full authority over this room. I will only allow what He wants. You demons may not act out in any way that may frighten us.”

9.      The demonic does not respond to medication nor counseling. We can only cast them out in Jesus name.

10.  Often illness comes from sinful behavior in these 4 areas: physical, emotional (forgiveness issues), spiritual, relational. Healings are often a process. We can pray for ourselves, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I bless my body for health.”