Healing

It's been a week since surgery. I'm healing, but I know that healing takes time. It takes time physically and emotionally. For my injury I'm looking at a year to recover, but I have known people who were wounded emotionally who are still trying to heal after decades. Their scars aren't as visible, their wounds may not be evident, but they are handicapped by them. Healing takes time and it takes the right solution to the problem. My injury was a crushed heel, but if the doctor had suggested that I just needed some rest without fixing the problem I would be no better.

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Being a resident of a broken, fallen world is to live with the reality that we each have been wounded and need healing. What was clear from the beginning for me was that I needed the right doctor....a specialist....to fix my broken heel. He had to be someone who knew what to do, how to fix what was wrong. He needed to be someone who had studied the best way to fix broken feet. He needed to be someone who had done it before. I was blessed to find a great specialist in our area who knew exactly how to fix me, and he did a great job.

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For those with wounds that can't be seen there is still a need for a specialist, one who knows what's wrong, one who knows how to fix it, one who has fixed others before. His office is always open, he knows what to do, he's done it before....he knows exactly how to fix what's broken in our lives.... "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." -Jesus

Get it?

My friend, Heidi, sent me this video that posted on Youtube. It's well worth a few minutes to watch. I wish I could post it here, but it's not available in that format. Click on the link...it's very thought provoking.

As for my recovery- I'm doing much better each day. Getting rest, reading, less pain, starting to get stir crazy so I know I'm getting better. Thank you for your prayers.

Feeling left out

Today I'm beginning to feel a lot better, but still in need of rest and pain relief. I'm also aware that the world is moving on quite well without me. A step away from the pace makes me aware that I'm not as necessary as I would like, but that is life. Everything continues on just fine whether I'm involved or not. It's a strange realization that we aren't necessary for the world to function. It does quite a number on our egos, but it's true that with just a few adjustments all will continue on whether you or I are here or not.
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Today I'm reading a very interesting story in Acts 3. This guy was probably thought of as the ultimate "unnecessary individual." He knew from an early age that he was a burden on society, and as you read the story I want to share some other things about him that will make your world seem great, no matter how hard it looks today. Here's his story-
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Act 3:1- One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them. Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked. The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple's Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.
The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon's Porch to see it for themselves.
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This man was born lame. In the Jewish society of the day he was considered a sinner. He was so handicapped that others brought him to the gate of the temple each day to beg. He made his living asking for money from others. He watched them as they entered the temple, day by day. He had never been in the temple, the law forbade it, but he watched the flow of people coming and going daily and he begged for money. He saw Jesus enter the temple a number of times. He watched as the merchants scattered when Jesus made the whip and drove them out. I'm sure that was an entertaining day in a boring life. He watched as the blind man, maybe a beggar friend of earlier days, came into the temple to tell them how Jesus had healed him. He watched, he begged, but was always left out.
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Then the worse possible thing happened....Jesus, his only hope for healing, was crucified. I wonder why Jesus never stopped to heal this man, but it's obvious from the story that Jesus had decided to leave this one for Peter after the resurrection. If you could visit with this guy after Calvary he had to be thinking that all hope was gone. He was doomed to be a broken, handicapped beggar for the rest of his life. He had missed his only chance....then comes Peter into the temple and this man's life is changed forever.
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Most of us feel that we have been left out of God's care at one time or another. We may feel that he has passed us by, that he didn't notice our need, that he took care of everyone else....but I was left out. Nothing could be further from the truth.
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God has a wonderful plan for each of our lives and each of our lives is designed to give him glory. We have been created for his special purpose, and in that purpose is his timing. He has a plan that will bless us and glorify him, but you may feel, as you wait for him, that you missed it....that you were left out. You may feel that all hope is gone.
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You need to know that God has designed your life to glorify him if you will let him do so. It means trust, rest, peace in him and his timing, knowing you haven't "missed it," knowing that he didn't forget you. He's madly in love with each one of us, and has our very best in mind because if we have trusted Christ as our savior we are his precious children. We are the dear ones he died to save. He loves us. So relax. Rest. Trust. Don't worry, you aren't left out of his wonderful love and care.

Grace

Recovering from surgery is hard! Yes, there is the pain, but the hardest part is just sitting around, resting, recovering...I don't do that well. I'm finding that it's really good for me though. I think I could handle all of this better if I could read and study, but the meds I'm on for pain make my brain a bowl of mush! It's really hard to focus. No, I'm not complaining...in fact I'm very blessed....I'm just not "me" yet. I guess I have to be patient.

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One of my readers sent me an e-mail and said, "you're starting to act like a retired person....not blogging until mid-day....sleeping in..." And he's right. In fact last night I slept for 12 hours! I have never done that before. I feel pretty good, so I might try it again. All that to say that I'm really doing well....just trying to get the fog out of my head so I can study and write, but I know that will come.

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One thing I have been spending a lot of time in is the book of Romans. In fact, right now, I'm reading through Romans twice a month. It is one of the most important theological works in the bible, and I want to make sure I understand it well. Overarching this whole book is the theme of God's grace. Grace that does for me what I can't do myself. I find that the more I read Romans the more clearly I understand the gospel and the grace of God. Today I took some time to read Romans 8. It's an amazing chapter that is a review of the first 7 chapters. It's a chapter rich with some of the most amazing things I have ever read. Here is just one of them-

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Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

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If God is for us who is against us? If the sovereign creator, ruler of heaven and earth is on your side who could stand against you? In my mind I see the school yard when I was a kid as we picked teams for a sporting event. We take turns picking our teammates. I get my turn and I pick God. I am so excited. When the other team realized what I have done they refuse to even play. How could they have a chance against me and God? The game never happens because the outcome is already known.....I win! If God is for me....who is against me? And the silence of response makes it clear that everyone knows.......I have already won!

Different economies

Today I'm beginning to feel a little better. It sure takes a while! During a time of recovery there is also all the mood swings that go with something like this. It's a great time for me to realign my thinking with the way God looks at things, and I hope to do that through the week. Here are just a few verses that I'm starting with-

Isa 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.

1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Luk 16:15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.

1Pe 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,

Pro 8:11 "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

God's economic system is so different than ours. He values things the world doesn't. He looks at things differently than we do, so this week I want to take some time and begin to get my economies straightened out....I would like to get my values aligned with what God thinks is important....that and recovery from surgery would be a great week!

Home recovering

I am home recovering.

First, let me thank you all for your prayers.

I will try to quickly write down all that God has done in these days, but let me say first of all that God is a wonderful loving Father! He has graciously provided in every way through these days and has shown me his smiling face in the midst of this difficult time. God is good!

As I'm able, I will tell you what I have learned, what I have seen God do, what he has done through others.......it's amazing how much you can see of God's wonderful work if you will only look.

Again, thank you all so much for your care, concern and prayers for me. I want to assure you that God answered your prayers!

Time for a nap........

Closed for Repairs

I'm off to the hospital this morning for some repairs to my heel so I will close the blog for a few days until I'm feeling better. We met with the surgeon yesterday and he said the surgery will take about 3 hours. There are still some unknown issues until he's "in there" to look around. He asked if I had any questions, and I said, "Yes, would you please get a good nights rest?!"

Thank you all for your prayers. I'll update you on my repairs as soon as I possibly can.....

Thoughts on faith, part 1

I've been thinking some more about my life and walk with God through difficult times. Most who have heard about my accident have been very encouraging and supportive, but there are a few who have said, "This wouldn't have happened if you had enough faith..." and with the best of intentions (so they say) they tell me how to avoid this kind of thing in the future. (I'm glad that none of the later are part of our church family.)

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But I have been reading over James 1 and James says that faith does not grow without tests and trials. His reason for joy is that from these trials our faith will grow. Read James' words and then let's visit-

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Jas 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
Jas 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Jas 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

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If faith only grows through testing then why would I want to avoid a test? It's the same discipline that a weight lifter must exercise. He must lift weights to build his muscle strength. His strength doesn't increase without the test. James says this is true of faith as well. My faith needs tests to produce endurance and from those tests I grow in my relationship with God to a place where I am perfect and complete....lacking nothing.

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How can some in the Christian community say that hard times or trials are not in the will of God when all we read in scripture tell us that trials are a part of the life of faith? James makes it clear faith won't grow strong without trials. So if these are the "weights" that build my faith I want to use them for that purpose- to come to a place where I am perfect and complete....lacking nothing.

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For anyone to tell you that "if you had enough faith this wouldn't have happened" is to miss the very teachings of the bible. It's these trials that build my faith. If trials are not part of my walk then my faith is small. It's just the opposite of what some teach. So if you find trials in your life don't let anyone tell you it's because you don't have enough faith, instead respond in love by telling them, "On the contrary, this trial has come because I have faith, and I welcome it to make my faith even stronger. I will grow from this trial, and I will see God work in my life." Then smile and trust the Lord who is working in the midst of your trial.
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Some thoughts today

I have been laying here with my foot up for just a few days now and I'm already going stir crazy. What can I do but color, write and think? I can see why depression is a close companion to serious illness. When all you have to do is sit and think you think about yourself....and nothing good comes from that!

I know better, but have wished for a "do over" of the last week. I know we all do that when something bad happens...if only I could have, or if only I didn't....then I wouldn't be here.

But I wonder, is this situation meant to do more for me than I know? What is God's goal through all of this? I read that amazing passage in James 1 as he begins the book by saying, "Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials." That response can only come from a look at the bigger picture, a knowing that the sovereign God of creation has allowed this in my life for a reason, so how should I look at it? WITH JOY! I'm still working on that, but I can't wait to see what he is going to do with me through this time.

So many of you are praying for me, thank you. I can't think of anything more exciting than to know that your name is being brought before the Father by people all over the world. Thank you for your prayers.

I got an e-mail from a family who went through this very same thing 6 years ago. The husband fell and crushed both of his heels! It was a very difficult time for them. They have wandered off, and I have not seen them in a while, but when they heard about my fall I got a note from them saying they want to help me in the same way I helped them during their crisis. That's the family of God working like it should. It will be great to see them again.

So, today is a day of rest and waiting...I will also use the time to pray. I'm not so interested in the "why" prayers as I am in praying, "Lord, will you work in my life through this time?" That's my desire....to see God glorified in my life when I am broken and hurting.

I'll keep you updated on what I find in my walk with God through this time......

Wonderfully made

It's times like these, when I'm in pain or hurt, that I realize how wonderfully made I am. I honestly take my health for granted most of the time, but when I take a moment to dwell on it the truth is that the human body is an amazing creation. Something so well designed that each part must do its job for the whole to work properly. For the moment I have a part that is hurt, and until that is fixed the rest of my body, almost like a union on strike, tells me it will not do it's job until I fix what's broken.

What an amazing creation, woven together in such a way that each part works for the common good. It is the language of the bible that talks about our bodies and the church. Each part doing its job for the common good. So today I am thankful to the Lord for my wonderfully made body that has worked so well, and I'm thankful for the church that works together for the care and common good of each part in it. Thanks Lord for making me in such an amazing way, and thank you for your church and the way it cares for each member of the body.

Psa 139:15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Psa 139:16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

A clarification from last Sunday's post

Pastor Brent called to check on me today. He said he hadn't called because it "sounded" like I didn't want to see or hear from anyone (based on my posts from Sunday.)

I am sorry for that misunderstanding. As I mentioned in that post the pain from my crushed heel made it difficult to be with people, so if I gave anyone the impression that I didn't want to hear from you I apologize. Sometimes it helps to have others comment on your words. When you hear how they "heard" them you realize that's not what you meant at all. Thanks for your understanding.

Update- my surgery is early Friday morning. The surgeon said I may be home by Sunday night.

Your prayers, calls and encouragement have been wonderful and a real blessing, thank you!

On another note I took delivery on my "knee walker" today. Joye ordered it for me. It's the perfect solution for someone who cannot walk on his foot for 3-5 months, as I am facing. It's a great invention to replace crutches. Here's a picture. What do you think? Cool, huh?

Traveling the world from my recliner

It's official! This blog has been viewed in 1/2 of the countries in the world! I've been watching my "country count" to see when I hit this magic mark. This whole blogging thing really amazes me. The ability to share your life and thoughts with others around the world is a really exciting thought to me. Because of this blog I have friends in places I have never been, and correspond with people I may never meet. To my friends in Singapore, Australia, Germany, and the many other places this blog has gone, thank you all for stopping by.

Star Wars according to a 3 year old.

Children explain things so well. It's fun to listen to the way they think. This a very cute video. Enjoy.

Difficult moments in wonderful days

I won't ever claim to "feel like Job," I'm far too blessed for that. But in the midst of wonderful days I have had some difficult moments. The big battle tonight is learning how to walk on crutches. I have nearly taken out a door, knocked Joye down, fallen down myself and stepped on the dog. I really don't like crutches. But welcome to my difficult moment....these crutches are about to become my good friends for the next 6 months!



I often think of Solomon's words in Proverbs, Pro 24:10 "If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited." In other words if you can't handle the little distresses of life how will you handle the real crisis? If your strength is not enough for crutches what will you do when....?



My personal battle is to not let the difficult moments cloud the whole of a blessed life, and it could happen easily if I let it. I know....I've watched others do it...one little, small problem after another becoming so big in their lives that they become bitter old people who are actually very blessed and simply don't see it anymore.



So when you see me this week you need to know two things, 1. stay far away, I have no idea what these crutches will do, and 2. my frowns only indicate a frustration with these silly things...nothing more.



As I live my wonderful life I won't let the difficult moments make me miss how wonderful God is and how well he had taken care of me. The moments will pass, but God will never leave me.

Rough road ahead

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon to see how my foot is doing. After his evaluation on how I'm doing he will schedule the surgery. It's really hard to get around on only one foot, but that will be my life for the next 6 months or more, so I better get this figured out quickly!
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We have already had some wonderful calls from our church family wanting to help, but for right now the pain is so bad I really don't want to see anyone yet and everyone seems to understand. We have such a loving community of believers, it's a real blessing to be part of this church.
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As I sit here resting and thinking my thoughts have raced to all the things I was going to do this spring. But now I won't be able to do any of them....fence repair, lawn mowing, painting, motorcycle riding, just the normal stuff of life, and suddenly I face the reality that I will need to get help with those things. It's amazing what a moment in time and a little fall can do in our lives, but the encouraging thing to me is the church. We are so blessed as a church family. There is a real love for one another here that feels like a safety net when the rough roads come. (Many of the men have already offered to ride my motorcycle for me so the battery won't die....these are some very caring men! Thanks, guys!)
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I know my little rough spot is nothing compared to many, but it's rough for me right now. When I hit a rough place my thoughts go to James. His words always encourage me during a time of difficulty.

James wrote, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it."

I have seen the sign and know the road will be rough for a bit, but I am not on it alone. I have the family of God with me, caring for me and about me. It's during this part of the journey when the church really shines....