Rescue, Restoration and Redemption...The Jason Mirikitani Story

I'll be honest with you...I don't normally watch The 700 Club. Okay, truth be told, I don't know if I've ever actually watched the program. That being said, I will be setting my DVR to record it on May 4th. This is because my friend Jason Mirikitani will be featured.

On January 15th, 2002, Jason's car flipped 5 times, killing his wife and leaving him terribly injured and close to death himself. Against this bleak backdrop, Jason's life is still one of God's faithfulness. He shares this story in the book Mile Marker 825 and I look forward to seeing him share it once more on television.

Even if you've never watched The 700 Club before and might never watch it again, please consider tuning in May 4th to catch Jason's compelling story of rescue, restoration and redemption. Click here to see when and where you can find it. 

Book Review - Mile Marker 825

In the spirit of full disclosure, let me say this: Jason Mirikitani is a friend of mine. Last month I mentioned him and his new book a couple times here and here. Were Jason not a friend though, I am quite certain that I would find his story no less amazing, no less compelling, no less inspiring.

Mile Marker 825 is the story of how Jason survived and recovered from an automobile accident that took the life of his wife.  Jason writes in a down-to-earth, conversational manner.  Therefore, as you read the book, it feels more like you're sitting across the table from him, listening to him tell his story.  And as you hear him speak, he tells you of how his recovery was not only physical, but also emotional and spiritual as well.

Jason shares how everything he has endured has been a small part of God's larger plan.  Part of that plan was that he might learn some lessons along the way for the purpose of sharing them with others.  Among these are the fact that Christ's power reaches its perfection in our acknowledged personal weakness and a realization that far too often churches fail to be "suffering-safe" places.

Among the most meaningful passages of the book for me was when Jason points out, "Throughout all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, the most often asked inquiry is, 'How long, O Lord, how long?'...Ironically, though, the most repeated command from God is 'Do not fear' or 'Do not be afraid.'  God does not give a direct answer to the 'How long' question.  Instead, he responds with His own imperative which, in essence says, 'Trust me.  I've got everything under control.'"

This seems to be the heartbeat of Jason's message -- not that bad things won't happen, but that even when they do, our loving God is still in control.  Jason speaks of how he was "scarred by grace" and is convinced that he is called to be "a wounded healer."  Read Mile Marker 825 and you're likely to be convinced as well.

I Know the Plans I Have for You...

Last week I posted that a friend of mine, Jason Mirikitani, had written a book that I was looking forward to reading. I just got it and (though I haven't yet completed reading it) I want to once more encourage you to read it.  In it, Jason shares the inspirational story of how his life was devastated by an automobile accident that took the life of his wife, and how he was rescued and restored by God himself.

After the accident, Jason spent roughly five weeks in the hospital.  He was forced to start from scratch both physically as well as, in many ways, mentally.  He writes about this period:

During this time, while I couldn't remember my own name, and couldn't even remember my own mother, something unbelievable happened, something that could only be attributed to the God of the universe.

According to the doctors and friends present, I'm told that I sat up one day in my hospital bed and told everyone I would be preaching on Sunday. When laughter subsided, they asked me what I would preach about, to which I quickly replied, "Jeremiah 29:11." Although my memory had lost several other intimate things, it still held tight to that particular Biblical reference, to a verse which says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"

So even though I could barely walk, I was actually wearing an adult diaper, and I thought my name was "Betty," the Creator and Restorer Himself put His Word on my mind, specifically about how He had a plan to give me a good hope and a bright future. I'm living out that future right now.

Click here to purchase Mile Marker 825, and read more about Jason's amazing and inspirational story.

Mile Marker 825: A Story of Tragedy and Hope

Jason Mirikitani is a friend of mine.  In fact, you may have noticed his name listed among my "Friends Who Blog" in the right hand column of Sola Gratia.  His story is an amazing one of tragedy and hope, and this is why I am so glad that he has written a book to share it with the world.   Here is a short synopsis of the newly published Mile Marker 825:

On January 15, 2002, this man's car flipped 5 times, his wife died, and his skull cracked open...but he was rescued.  Join Jason Mirikitani on his miraculous real-life journey that is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming, as he re-learned faith in a God that was present when He seemed most absent, hope in a God when He seemed most unreliable, and love for a God that seemed to leave him in the dark. This unbelievable story will grab you and not let you go...and leave you at the end with a refreshed sense of newness and trust in a faithful God.

The book has received endorsements from two of my favorites: Bryan Chapell of Covenant Theological Seminary and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals!  I don't have a review to share with you at this date, because I haven't gotten my copy yet.  But I have ordered it and recommend that you do the same!  Click here to do just that.