"And let not your behavior be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God." - Romans 12:2
Last week, I had lunch with Joshua. After we had finished eating, he asked me to come see his classroom. He wanted to introduce me to all of his classmates, and he knew that his room was the place to do that. So, after checking with his teacher, I agreed to walk back to his room with him and his friends.
When we got there, he had me stand at a certain spot (I got the impression he had seen others do this before) so that he could have his picture made with me by his teacher. After she took our picture, she asked him a couple of questions to help him introduce me. The first question was: “Joshua, who is this you have with you today?” As if they had rehearsed this, Joshua came right back with: “My dad”. The second question followed: “And what does your daddy do?” This one caused him to think a while (quite a while, actually… I was tempted to help him, but I decided it was good to let him answer it by himself… plus I was really curious to see what he would come up with!). After much thought, he replied: “He works on a computer.”
Now this, of course, was and is true and accurate. I do work on a computer (in fact, I am working on a computer right now!). And while I found Joshua’s answer to be humorous, I have since thought about the implications of it. From my son’s point of view, this is what I do. He has such a perspective because that is what he sees me doing most often when he visits me at the church building.
While I do use the computer often in my day, I hope that ‘what I do’ is much greater than that. My aim is to draw people closer to God… through worship experiences I help plan… through these devotions… in everything I do… so that ‘what I do’ is merely a means to a far more meaningful end.
It is easy to let the things we do sort of ‘take over’ our spiritual lives… to the point that we are so busy doing them, we aren’t accomplishing what we set out to do in the first place. Joshua’s brief remark prompted to reevaluate everything I am doing, asking myself the question: ‘Is this accomplishing the objectives God has planned for me?’
So, if any of you want to find out how you’re doing in ministry, I can loan you my five-year-old to follow you around and observe you for a day and critique you (some churches spend thousands of dollars to have such an evaluation… we won’t charge that much!). Or, better yet, ask the Holy Spirit to help you evaluate. And if the things you do are getting in the way of want God wants you to do, pray about what to cut out or how to change, so that you are effectively accomplishing His will for your life.
Daniel
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
#329.4 – “I Appreciate the Prayers (everything else, too… but esp. the prayers)”
"I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day." - 2 Timothy 1:3
Years ago, I was doing some visiting with Bro. Bentley (for those of you who did not know Bro Bentley, he was a retired Baptist preacher who was a member here at EBC). As we were riding that day from one home to wherever our next stop was, he told me a story (those of you who DID know Bro Bentley know that he was never at a loss for words!). This was a simple story about a man that had been visited years and years before, much like the folks we were out visiting then. In addition to the presence of the visitors, this man had been brought some beans. As the visitor was leaving the man’s home, the man told the giver how much he appreciated the beans… but that he especially appreciated the visit.
During my illness and recovery period, I had innumerable visits, cards, phone calls, texts, e-mails, gifts… not to mention all the meals that were brought to us (I think there were even some beans in there somewhere!), but while I am grateful for each and every one of those, the thing I am MOST thankful for were the prayers.
Many of you were praying for me. I know it now, because you tell me. But I knew it then, because I know you. And the knowledge that so many of God’s people were lifting me up in their prayers was and is a most precious thought. I just want to say again: ‘thank you’. I know that we use that phrase so many times and ways, but I hope you know how much I mean it. Thank you… for everything you did… but most of all, for your prayers.
And I hope that this is simply a reminder to us to take advantage of the privilege we have to intercede for each other. The fact that you and I can go to the God of the universe and make requests on behalf of one another is truly a treasure… one that should not be taken lightly. May we be diligent to lift each other up to our heavenly Father ‘without ceasing’.
Daniel
Years ago, I was doing some visiting with Bro. Bentley (for those of you who did not know Bro Bentley, he was a retired Baptist preacher who was a member here at EBC). As we were riding that day from one home to wherever our next stop was, he told me a story (those of you who DID know Bro Bentley know that he was never at a loss for words!). This was a simple story about a man that had been visited years and years before, much like the folks we were out visiting then. In addition to the presence of the visitors, this man had been brought some beans. As the visitor was leaving the man’s home, the man told the giver how much he appreciated the beans… but that he especially appreciated the visit.
During my illness and recovery period, I had innumerable visits, cards, phone calls, texts, e-mails, gifts… not to mention all the meals that were brought to us (I think there were even some beans in there somewhere!), but while I am grateful for each and every one of those, the thing I am MOST thankful for were the prayers.
Many of you were praying for me. I know it now, because you tell me. But I knew it then, because I know you. And the knowledge that so many of God’s people were lifting me up in their prayers was and is a most precious thought. I just want to say again: ‘thank you’. I know that we use that phrase so many times and ways, but I hope you know how much I mean it. Thank you… for everything you did… but most of all, for your prayers.
And I hope that this is simply a reminder to us to take advantage of the privilege we have to intercede for each other. The fact that you and I can go to the God of the universe and make requests on behalf of one another is truly a treasure… one that should not be taken lightly. May we be diligent to lift each other up to our heavenly Father ‘without ceasing’.
Daniel
Thursday, February 24, 2011
#329.3 – “Getting Better Each Day”
"Now the servant of the man of God, having got up early and gone out, saw an army with horses and carriages of war all round the town. And the servant said to him, O my master, what are we to do? And he said in answer, Have no fear; those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha made a prayer to the Lord, saying, Lord, let his eyes be open so that he may see. And the Lord made the young man's eyes open; and he saw that all the mountain was full of horses and carriages of fire round Elisha." - 2 Kings 6:15-17
It took two months for me to heal from my burst appendix (I had my initial surgery on Dec 15 and Sarah cleaned my wound for the last time on Valentine’s Day). I am happy to report that I now feel like I’m operating at 100%. I look back to the time when I was home after that first surgery (when I would have one or two ‘good’ days, followed by one or two ‘bad’ ones) and then I fast forward a little bit to my recuperation after my second surgery (when I was actually improving each day) and boy… what a difference there is between the two! The progress I made after completely ridding my body of the infection within me was so much greater than before. With nothing fighting against it, my body began to heal rather quickly. People would ask me: ‘How are you doing now?”, and I would reply: “Getting better each day!”
I can’t explain in words what a good feeling it was for me to be able to say that… and to mean it. That I was actually going to be well again soon… and that nothing was going to impede my progress… well, it was just such a relief! Knowing that I was fighting a winning battle instead of a losing one made such a difference in my attitude… I was not only getting better each day; I was looking forward to getting better each day.
Jesus Christ has gained victory over death and hell. He purchased your and my salvation. He rose from the grave and ascended to heaven to take His rightful place there. He is the King of Kings, to whom all nations of peoples and all kingdoms will bow and submit, declaring Him as Lord. He reigns forever and ever. There is nothing and no one who is not under His authority. That means that, if we are born again into His kingdom, then we are warriors in a winning battle. There may be days when it doesn’t seem that way, but it is in those days that we should pray like Elisha - that we would see the reality of the situation from God’s perspective, not ours.
Lord, help me have my eyes opened to the promises of Your Word and my ears attentive to Your Spirit’s voice, so that I see things as You see them, not as my emotions and enemies would have me see them. And help me remember always that You are in control of it all.
Daniel
It took two months for me to heal from my burst appendix (I had my initial surgery on Dec 15 and Sarah cleaned my wound for the last time on Valentine’s Day). I am happy to report that I now feel like I’m operating at 100%. I look back to the time when I was home after that first surgery (when I would have one or two ‘good’ days, followed by one or two ‘bad’ ones) and then I fast forward a little bit to my recuperation after my second surgery (when I was actually improving each day) and boy… what a difference there is between the two! The progress I made after completely ridding my body of the infection within me was so much greater than before. With nothing fighting against it, my body began to heal rather quickly. People would ask me: ‘How are you doing now?”, and I would reply: “Getting better each day!”
I can’t explain in words what a good feeling it was for me to be able to say that… and to mean it. That I was actually going to be well again soon… and that nothing was going to impede my progress… well, it was just such a relief! Knowing that I was fighting a winning battle instead of a losing one made such a difference in my attitude… I was not only getting better each day; I was looking forward to getting better each day.
Jesus Christ has gained victory over death and hell. He purchased your and my salvation. He rose from the grave and ascended to heaven to take His rightful place there. He is the King of Kings, to whom all nations of peoples and all kingdoms will bow and submit, declaring Him as Lord. He reigns forever and ever. There is nothing and no one who is not under His authority. That means that, if we are born again into His kingdom, then we are warriors in a winning battle. There may be days when it doesn’t seem that way, but it is in those days that we should pray like Elisha - that we would see the reality of the situation from God’s perspective, not ours.
Lord, help me have my eyes opened to the promises of Your Word and my ears attentive to Your Spirit’s voice, so that I see things as You see them, not as my emotions and enemies would have me see them. And help me remember always that You are in control of it all.
Daniel
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
#329.2 – “Me and Food”
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:9
Food and I have always liked each other. For as long as I can remember, food and I have been ‘good buddies’, you might say. We’ve had an understanding: it tastes good… and I eat it! Well during my illness/recovery with my appendicitis, food and I had a bit of a ‘spat’, you might say. We no longer saw eye to eye. There were even a few days - during my feverish times in my last hospital visit – when we weren’t even on speaking terms. I didn’t want look at food… smell food… think of food… nothing. In fact, I can remember flipping through the channels on the television in my hospital room and seeing the Food Network, and just being completely disgusted by it!
But food and I have reconciled now. In fact, we’re kind of at that stage that you go through (and every last one of you who have ever been married HAVE gone through it) where you are kind of ‘making up’ (ohhh… that’s a great stage of life isn’t it?... the make-up stage… everything’s just so lovey-dovey again, and you’re just caught up in the whole thing… my, my, my). Well, that’s food and me right now. Man, is it good… and man, am I eating it up!
My walk with God since first becoming a Christian may have had its ups and downs - times when I have been steadfast and dedicated… and times when I have ‘gone through the motions’, with very little heart in it – but never has there been an instance of inconsistency with God. He is faithful and true always. Boy, am I grateful for that… because if it was left up to me to carry this relationship… whew!
Lord, I know that I will never be faithful as You, but I hope that Your faithfulness will bring about in me a desire to be more like You. I pray that You help me hunger for You like I hunger for food. Help me to not take You for granted like I take for granted my next meal. And Help me to find pleasure in knowing You like I find pleasure in the taste of good food.
Daniel
Food and I have always liked each other. For as long as I can remember, food and I have been ‘good buddies’, you might say. We’ve had an understanding: it tastes good… and I eat it! Well during my illness/recovery with my appendicitis, food and I had a bit of a ‘spat’, you might say. We no longer saw eye to eye. There were even a few days - during my feverish times in my last hospital visit – when we weren’t even on speaking terms. I didn’t want look at food… smell food… think of food… nothing. In fact, I can remember flipping through the channels on the television in my hospital room and seeing the Food Network, and just being completely disgusted by it!
But food and I have reconciled now. In fact, we’re kind of at that stage that you go through (and every last one of you who have ever been married HAVE gone through it) where you are kind of ‘making up’ (ohhh… that’s a great stage of life isn’t it?... the make-up stage… everything’s just so lovey-dovey again, and you’re just caught up in the whole thing… my, my, my). Well, that’s food and me right now. Man, is it good… and man, am I eating it up!
My walk with God since first becoming a Christian may have had its ups and downs - times when I have been steadfast and dedicated… and times when I have ‘gone through the motions’, with very little heart in it – but never has there been an instance of inconsistency with God. He is faithful and true always. Boy, am I grateful for that… because if it was left up to me to carry this relationship… whew!
Lord, I know that I will never be faithful as You, but I hope that Your faithfulness will bring about in me a desire to be more like You. I pray that You help me hunger for You like I hunger for food. Help me to not take You for granted like I take for granted my next meal. And Help me to find pleasure in knowing You like I find pleasure in the taste of good food.
Daniel
Monday, February 21, 2011
#329.1 – “Road Trip”
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
After my second surgery, Sarah’s brother (Rob) and sister-in-law (Debra) had their baby girl (Sophie). Now I knew that this was a trip that Sarah was going to make… whether I went or not… but fortunately, that was just about the time I felt like getting out again, so we ‘loaded up the van and drove to Tennessee’ (hills, that is… but I didn’t see any black gold or Texas tea). Sarah drove. I made the ride just fine.
Then we got to the hospital.
The parking deck was – according to my rough guesstimate - about forty miles from the mother/baby wing, and I was still walking slowly at that point… and I mean SLOWLY (most anybody over the age of ninety could have passed me like the road runner passing a turtle!). Walking didn’t hurt; I just took a really long time to do. About an hour and a half after arriving, I actually made it to the room (ok, ok… we made two stops – one to go potty and one to eat lunch in the cafeteria… which gave Debra and Sophie some time to get ready for company). Once in the room, I quickly spotted the glider rocker and planted myself there while Sarah and the kids ‘ooh’ed and ‘ahh’ed over Sophie (I think we, at some point, acknowledged that Rob and Debra were in the room). After a while, we headed back to the van. I don’t know how they did it, but someone rearranged the path back to the parking deck and had stretched it out to eighty miles! Three and a half hours later (ok, I may be slightly exaggerating), I made it back to the van. Compared to all that walking, the ride home was a breeze (I am grateful we don’t have a Fred Flintstone car!).
The truth is: it felt so good to get out of the house! The seventeen hundred and thirty miles of walking was worth it to be able to see Sophie and to just get away from those four walls for a day. In fact, I didn’t realize just how much I missed being out until I was… well, out.
Sometimes we don’t know what we’re missing… which makes me wonder (and yes, I invite you to wonder with me)…
What if God has some amazing things in store for me that I am missing out on, simply because I am accustomed to my four spiritual walls?
What if my comfort level ‘here’ is keeping me from venturing out ‘there’?
And what if I am letting the ‘miraculous life’ pass me by, and choosing instead the ‘safe life’?
What could God do through me if I would step out of my comfort zone and take a road trip of faith?
Daniel
After my second surgery, Sarah’s brother (Rob) and sister-in-law (Debra) had their baby girl (Sophie). Now I knew that this was a trip that Sarah was going to make… whether I went or not… but fortunately, that was just about the time I felt like getting out again, so we ‘loaded up the van and drove to Tennessee’ (hills, that is… but I didn’t see any black gold or Texas tea). Sarah drove. I made the ride just fine.
Then we got to the hospital.
The parking deck was – according to my rough guesstimate - about forty miles from the mother/baby wing, and I was still walking slowly at that point… and I mean SLOWLY (most anybody over the age of ninety could have passed me like the road runner passing a turtle!). Walking didn’t hurt; I just took a really long time to do. About an hour and a half after arriving, I actually made it to the room (ok, ok… we made two stops – one to go potty and one to eat lunch in the cafeteria… which gave Debra and Sophie some time to get ready for company). Once in the room, I quickly spotted the glider rocker and planted myself there while Sarah and the kids ‘ooh’ed and ‘ahh’ed over Sophie (I think we, at some point, acknowledged that Rob and Debra were in the room). After a while, we headed back to the van. I don’t know how they did it, but someone rearranged the path back to the parking deck and had stretched it out to eighty miles! Three and a half hours later (ok, I may be slightly exaggerating), I made it back to the van. Compared to all that walking, the ride home was a breeze (I am grateful we don’t have a Fred Flintstone car!).
The truth is: it felt so good to get out of the house! The seventeen hundred and thirty miles of walking was worth it to be able to see Sophie and to just get away from those four walls for a day. In fact, I didn’t realize just how much I missed being out until I was… well, out.
Sometimes we don’t know what we’re missing… which makes me wonder (and yes, I invite you to wonder with me)…
What if God has some amazing things in store for me that I am missing out on, simply because I am accustomed to my four spiritual walls?
What if my comfort level ‘here’ is keeping me from venturing out ‘there’?
And what if I am letting the ‘miraculous life’ pass me by, and choosing instead the ‘safe life’?
What could God do through me if I would step out of my comfort zone and take a road trip of faith?
Daniel
Friday, February 18, 2011
#328.4 – “The Changing of the Gauze”
"And He made low your pride and let you be without food and gave you manna for your food, a thing new to you, which your fathers never saw; so that He might make it clear to you that bread is not man's only need, but his life is in every word which comes out of the mouth of the Lord." - Deuteronomy 8:3
As you read today’s devotion, think of the title being set to the tune of ‘The Farmer in the Dell’.
Having fun with that? Good. Now let’s have some more fun talking about gross and painful stuff…
So after my second surgery, they left my incision open in order to let the infection drain. It was packed with gauze and some kind of sterile saline solution. They changed it for me in the hospital four times. I remember that it was done four times, because the pain of each account is so vivid in my mind (God did not make our bodies to be packed and unpacked, by the way). The way they explained it to me was that this was a wet-to-dry packing. They put the gauze in wet and then over the course of 24 hours, it dries somewhat and then, when they pull it out the next day, it pulls some of the yuck-infected flesh with it. The only problem with that is that it hurts terribly to pull flesh out of your body. Nonetheless, it had to be done every day.
When we got to go home, we were told that home health would come out and change it for us. In reality, what they did was quickly train Sarah (who was NOT eager to learn) how to do it. But for the next two weeks or so, she would change it out for me every day. Good, bad, or ugly… it had to be done. Without that daily changing, the healing that needed to take place would not happen.
We need daily changing in our spiritual bodies too. Each day, we come up against evil and temptation and ugliness of all kinds around us (sometimes we even go diving right into it). All of which is why we need to daily be renewed in mind and spirit through the Word of God.
Let me be quick to admit here that there are days when I miss my Bible reading. So don’t hear me as one who has it all together. I let something distract me… or get behind in my morning schedule… or whatever. However, I never missed a ‘changing of the gauze’. Sometimes I had to remind – occasionally even hound – Sarah about doing that for me, but I did… and why?... because it was vital to my well being!
How much more vital is the time I spend with the Lord in His Word?
Daniel
As you read today’s devotion, think of the title being set to the tune of ‘The Farmer in the Dell’.
Having fun with that? Good. Now let’s have some more fun talking about gross and painful stuff…
So after my second surgery, they left my incision open in order to let the infection drain. It was packed with gauze and some kind of sterile saline solution. They changed it for me in the hospital four times. I remember that it was done four times, because the pain of each account is so vivid in my mind (God did not make our bodies to be packed and unpacked, by the way). The way they explained it to me was that this was a wet-to-dry packing. They put the gauze in wet and then over the course of 24 hours, it dries somewhat and then, when they pull it out the next day, it pulls some of the yuck-infected flesh with it. The only problem with that is that it hurts terribly to pull flesh out of your body. Nonetheless, it had to be done every day.
When we got to go home, we were told that home health would come out and change it for us. In reality, what they did was quickly train Sarah (who was NOT eager to learn) how to do it. But for the next two weeks or so, she would change it out for me every day. Good, bad, or ugly… it had to be done. Without that daily changing, the healing that needed to take place would not happen.
We need daily changing in our spiritual bodies too. Each day, we come up against evil and temptation and ugliness of all kinds around us (sometimes we even go diving right into it). All of which is why we need to daily be renewed in mind and spirit through the Word of God.
Let me be quick to admit here that there are days when I miss my Bible reading. So don’t hear me as one who has it all together. I let something distract me… or get behind in my morning schedule… or whatever. However, I never missed a ‘changing of the gauze’. Sometimes I had to remind – occasionally even hound – Sarah about doing that for me, but I did… and why?... because it was vital to my well being!
How much more vital is the time I spend with the Lord in His Word?
Daniel
Thursday, February 17, 2011
#328.3 – “Am I Ever Going to Want to Eat Again?”
"And it came about that when they were on the way to Jerusalem He went through Samaria and Galilee. And when He went into a certain small town He came across ten men who were lepers, and they, keeping themselves at a distance, said, in loud voices, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them He said, go, and let the priests see you. And, while they were going, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was clean, turning back, gave praise to God in a loud voice; And, falling down on his face at the feet of Jesus, he gave the credit to him; and he was a man of Samaria. And Jesus said, were there not ten men who were made clean? Where are the nine? Have not any of them come back to give glory to God, but only this one from a strange land?" - Luke 17:11-18
Being cut on again was intimidating, I admit… but the worst point in all my sickness for me psychologically was having no desire to eat anything after my second surgery. I ran fever the night before, the day of, and the day after that cutting (due to the infection developing in me), and the fever just killed what little appetite I had (it’s not like I had been eating much before that, but I didn’t eat a bite for two days). Of course, they were pumping me full of fluids, which kept me hydrated. But after already losing so much weight after surgery, I truly became discouraged that I might not ever want to eat again. But now, I am happy to report that the ol’ appetite is back (maybe stronger than before). I have gained five pounds back of what I had lost and want to eat most everything in sight.
My whole ‘sick’ experience was good for me, in that it showed me so many things which I used to take for granted. Enjoying food was one of them. Before surgery, I was always a good eater (many of you could testify to that!). And to get to the point that I didn’t care if I ever ate a bite of anything again… well, it was sort of disorienting; I almost didn’t who I was. I took that joy for granted.
I take many things for granted…
… my health
… my family’s health
… my job/income
… my comforts
… my next breath
And yet, I am not guaranteed any of those things. I should be more grateful for all the blessings God has given me instead of complaining about what I don’t have.
So the next bite of food you put in your mouth (and please don’t hear me encouraging you to put too many bites in your mouth!), think about the simple pleasure of it and be thankful to God for it… and let that little reminder cause you to be thankful for other things He has given you as well.
Daniel
Being cut on again was intimidating, I admit… but the worst point in all my sickness for me psychologically was having no desire to eat anything after my second surgery. I ran fever the night before, the day of, and the day after that cutting (due to the infection developing in me), and the fever just killed what little appetite I had (it’s not like I had been eating much before that, but I didn’t eat a bite for two days). Of course, they were pumping me full of fluids, which kept me hydrated. But after already losing so much weight after surgery, I truly became discouraged that I might not ever want to eat again. But now, I am happy to report that the ol’ appetite is back (maybe stronger than before). I have gained five pounds back of what I had lost and want to eat most everything in sight.
My whole ‘sick’ experience was good for me, in that it showed me so many things which I used to take for granted. Enjoying food was one of them. Before surgery, I was always a good eater (many of you could testify to that!). And to get to the point that I didn’t care if I ever ate a bite of anything again… well, it was sort of disorienting; I almost didn’t who I was. I took that joy for granted.
I take many things for granted…
… my health
… my family’s health
… my job/income
… my comforts
… my next breath
And yet, I am not guaranteed any of those things. I should be more grateful for all the blessings God has given me instead of complaining about what I don’t have.
So the next bite of food you put in your mouth (and please don’t hear me encouraging you to put too many bites in your mouth!), think about the simple pleasure of it and be thankful to God for it… and let that little reminder cause you to be thankful for other things He has given you as well.
Daniel
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
#328.2 – “Cut Again?!?!”
"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he said to his disciples, be seated here while I say a prayer. And he took with him Peter and James and John, and grief and great trouble came on him. And he said to them, my soul is very sad, even to death: be here a little time, and keep watch. And he went forward a little, and falling down on the earth, made request that, if possible, the hour might go from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: but even so let not my pleasure, but yours be done." - Mark 14:32-36
Once being checked out by the doctor after my fever, I received the joyous news that I was going to have to be cut again. This time, it would just be a small incision to let the infection drain and the area heal… but I have to tell you that the news of going under the knife twice in less than a month was no small thing to me. I dreaded it something awful. I wished there was some other way. I didn’t want to have to go through all that again. And yet, I knew in my heart that this had to be done.
In the account of Jesus’ last hours - when He was faced with the reality of death – He saw through what had to be done. We get a glimpse of the struggle that He had with the idea of all the pain He would endure, but we really have no idea of what it must have been like for Him… we can only imagine.
Oh I hope today that the truth of Christ’s pain and suffering (and, just as important, His willful choice to undergo that pain and suffering) will be a blessing of comfort and joy to us who have been afforded the grace-gift He so richly purchased on our behalf, as we realize just to what depths His love went and still goes today. May the thought of His decisions and actions remind us of His true love for us.
Daniel
Once being checked out by the doctor after my fever, I received the joyous news that I was going to have to be cut again. This time, it would just be a small incision to let the infection drain and the area heal… but I have to tell you that the news of going under the knife twice in less than a month was no small thing to me. I dreaded it something awful. I wished there was some other way. I didn’t want to have to go through all that again. And yet, I knew in my heart that this had to be done.
In the account of Jesus’ last hours - when He was faced with the reality of death – He saw through what had to be done. We get a glimpse of the struggle that He had with the idea of all the pain He would endure, but we really have no idea of what it must have been like for Him… we can only imagine.
Oh I hope today that the truth of Christ’s pain and suffering (and, just as important, His willful choice to undergo that pain and suffering) will be a blessing of comfort and joy to us who have been afforded the grace-gift He so richly purchased on our behalf, as we realize just to what depths His love went and still goes today. May the thought of His decisions and actions remind us of His true love for us.
Daniel
Monday, February 14, 2011
#328.1 – “Fever: The Tell”
"Then Joseph said to his brothers, come near to me. And they came near, And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sent into Egypt. Now do not be troubled or angry with yourselves for sending me away, because God sent me before you to be the savior of your lives. For these two years have been years of need, and there are still five more years to come in which there will be no plowing or cutting of grain. God sent me before you to keep you and yours living on earth so that you might become a great nation. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God: and he has made me as a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt." - Genesis 45:4-8
A conclusion that I have come to since my being hospitalized is that I don’t do ‘sick’ well. I am not accustomed to being sick and, therefore, don’t know what to do when I am. All those days at home… dealing with pain as I would get up and down… not realizing that it was infection developing in my body causing me all that grief… is all just evidence of my amateur rank in this matter.
Then again, my missing the problem was not entirely my fault. That infection was downright sneaky! It was very slow to develop (the doctor said they usually show within a week, whereas mine was nearly three weeks after surgery)… and it was unusual (he also said it was in the most improbable location for a post-surgical infection). The fact is that that little bug was some kind of good at playing hide-and-seek with me! The only ‘tell’ that gave it away was the fever that I began to have one evening.
I had gone a couple of days when I felt extremely good. I had been walking more, and I didn’t seem to have quite the severity of pain of getting up or down as I had been. Although I had not been eating much anytime since being home, I at least was eating three times a day. I didn’t feel great, but I felt okay. And then that Thursday afternoon, I began to have chills that didn’t seem to stop. Sarah brought my supper to me that someone had just delivered to our house. I remember not wanting anything to eat. I forced myself to eat a few bites and warmed myself with the dish. Sarah checked my temp (as she had been doing twice a day) and it was on the high end of 99. She waited a little while and checked it again. It was over 100. A little while later, it was over 101. Since by this time it was after office hours, she called the doctor’s answering service and asked them to page him for us. He called us right back and she explained the situation to him. To make a long story short, I went back to the doctor’s office the next day and then was directly admitted to the hospital again.
The fact is that, while that fever (and the chills associated with it) was no fun (I remember freezing when getting out of the van to walk into the doctor’s office), it was the only way I knew that something was not right. It was a definitive thing that could not be explained away as just part of the process. It was evidence that I didn’t need to just tough it out, but that I was still very sick. The truth is: the fever was the key to my getting well again.
Sometimes we experience things in life that, while not any fun, are necessary for our health and growth spiritually. Though temporary pain and sadness may be associated with these experiences, we are ultimately strengthened and encouraged by Christ through them.
While admittedly a difficult thing for which to give thanks at the time of its occurrence, I can now look back on that event and honestly be so thankful for ‘the tell’ of that fever. And I sincerely hope that, if you are going through a tough time right now, that you too will be able to look back one day and give thanks for whatever it is.
Daniel
A conclusion that I have come to since my being hospitalized is that I don’t do ‘sick’ well. I am not accustomed to being sick and, therefore, don’t know what to do when I am. All those days at home… dealing with pain as I would get up and down… not realizing that it was infection developing in my body causing me all that grief… is all just evidence of my amateur rank in this matter.
Then again, my missing the problem was not entirely my fault. That infection was downright sneaky! It was very slow to develop (the doctor said they usually show within a week, whereas mine was nearly three weeks after surgery)… and it was unusual (he also said it was in the most improbable location for a post-surgical infection). The fact is that that little bug was some kind of good at playing hide-and-seek with me! The only ‘tell’ that gave it away was the fever that I began to have one evening.
I had gone a couple of days when I felt extremely good. I had been walking more, and I didn’t seem to have quite the severity of pain of getting up or down as I had been. Although I had not been eating much anytime since being home, I at least was eating three times a day. I didn’t feel great, but I felt okay. And then that Thursday afternoon, I began to have chills that didn’t seem to stop. Sarah brought my supper to me that someone had just delivered to our house. I remember not wanting anything to eat. I forced myself to eat a few bites and warmed myself with the dish. Sarah checked my temp (as she had been doing twice a day) and it was on the high end of 99. She waited a little while and checked it again. It was over 100. A little while later, it was over 101. Since by this time it was after office hours, she called the doctor’s answering service and asked them to page him for us. He called us right back and she explained the situation to him. To make a long story short, I went back to the doctor’s office the next day and then was directly admitted to the hospital again.
The fact is that, while that fever (and the chills associated with it) was no fun (I remember freezing when getting out of the van to walk into the doctor’s office), it was the only way I knew that something was not right. It was a definitive thing that could not be explained away as just part of the process. It was evidence that I didn’t need to just tough it out, but that I was still very sick. The truth is: the fever was the key to my getting well again.
Sometimes we experience things in life that, while not any fun, are necessary for our health and growth spiritually. Though temporary pain and sadness may be associated with these experiences, we are ultimately strengthened and encouraged by Christ through them.
While admittedly a difficult thing for which to give thanks at the time of its occurrence, I can now look back on that event and honestly be so thankful for ‘the tell’ of that fever. And I sincerely hope that, if you are going through a tough time right now, that you too will be able to look back one day and give thanks for whatever it is.
Daniel
Friday, February 11, 2011
#327.5 – “I Only Hurt Every Time I Get Up… or Down… or Move”
"Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." - Matthew 9:10-13
After my appendectomy, experienced a lot of pain when getting up out of bed or back into it… or up and down out of a chair… or even just walking around. I could stand or lie down pain free, but the ‘in between’ times were pretty rough. Yet I had to get up and down in order to function… and I was determined to walk, in order that I heal and improve. So I kept going, despite the pain I was having. I would have one or two ‘good’ days, followed by one or two ‘bad’ ones.
Looking back, I now know that the pain I experienced then was due to my infection that was developing inside of me. But I didn’t know that then; I just thought the hurt I was feeling was ‘normal’ pain after a surgery like mine. Having never had surgery of any kind before, or ever even been sick much before, I didn’t know what to expect and had nothing with which to compare it. I didn’t know how sick I was.
We live in a world of people who have no idea how much in need of God they are (by the way - sometimes, we are those people). They go on from day to day… trudging about their business or pleasures… living life as they have been… some ‘good’ days, some ‘bad’… with no awareness whatsoever of how sick they are. They do not realize how far from God they are, because they have never been introduced to Him in all of His holiness. They do not see how dark their path is, because they do not have the light of Jesus with which to compare it. They don’t recognize just how infected with sin their spiritual bodies have become. They are accustomed to ignoring the pain they experience; they might occasionally acknowledge that they hurt a little… but as long as they can keep going another day, they do. And all the time, they are terrifically desperate for the love of a living Savior. They stand in need of the complete and perfect healing that only He can provide.
We who have experienced that salvation and freedom and joy that He alone brings can show them that.
Today, I encourage us all to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He opens our spiritual eyes and ears to the people around us.
Daniel
After my appendectomy, experienced a lot of pain when getting up out of bed or back into it… or up and down out of a chair… or even just walking around. I could stand or lie down pain free, but the ‘in between’ times were pretty rough. Yet I had to get up and down in order to function… and I was determined to walk, in order that I heal and improve. So I kept going, despite the pain I was having. I would have one or two ‘good’ days, followed by one or two ‘bad’ ones.
Looking back, I now know that the pain I experienced then was due to my infection that was developing inside of me. But I didn’t know that then; I just thought the hurt I was feeling was ‘normal’ pain after a surgery like mine. Having never had surgery of any kind before, or ever even been sick much before, I didn’t know what to expect and had nothing with which to compare it. I didn’t know how sick I was.
We live in a world of people who have no idea how much in need of God they are (by the way - sometimes, we are those people). They go on from day to day… trudging about their business or pleasures… living life as they have been… some ‘good’ days, some ‘bad’… with no awareness whatsoever of how sick they are. They do not realize how far from God they are, because they have never been introduced to Him in all of His holiness. They do not see how dark their path is, because they do not have the light of Jesus with which to compare it. They don’t recognize just how infected with sin their spiritual bodies have become. They are accustomed to ignoring the pain they experience; they might occasionally acknowledge that they hurt a little… but as long as they can keep going another day, they do. And all the time, they are terrifically desperate for the love of a living Savior. They stand in need of the complete and perfect healing that only He can provide.
We who have experienced that salvation and freedom and joy that He alone brings can show them that.
Today, I encourage us all to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He opens our spiritual eyes and ears to the people around us.
Daniel
Thursday, February 10, 2011
#327.4 – “Home for Christmas”
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." - 1 Peter 1:3-5
Three days before Christmas, the doctor told us that we could go home. This could not have been better news, because it gave us the chance to celebrate my father’s birthday on the 23rd, Christmas Eve with all of the Brown family, and Christmas Day just resting by ourselves (all at our house, of course). I use the term ‘celebrate’ loosely, as my idea of celebrating consisted of me sitting in my recliner in the living room and watching everything go on around me (and sometimes sleeping while things went on around me!). But it was fun nonetheless… talking to our family… watching the kids open presents… and just being home.
On Christmas morning, while sitting in my chair and looking out the window, I felt a little guilty as I thought about all of our servicemen and women. I first imagined what it would have felt like to me to be stuck in a hospital room only five miles away from my house… how difficult that would have been… and then pondered what it would be like to be somewhere across the globe… to long for home all of the time, but especially at Christmas.
Home is something to which we all are drawn… something for which we all long… a place we truly miss when we are not there.
I think God instilled in us that desire for home. I believe it is something that is intrinsic to our nature… something we did not create ourselves. And I suspect that the reason we have such a longing is because it mirrors our ultimate longing to be with Christ. That is all purely speculation, of course, but here is a truth that is not:
For those of us who received salvation through faith, God is our eternal home.
He is the reason I long to be in heaven… not because of any mansions… or streets of gold… or anything else, as nice as all that will be. It is the fact that Jesus Himself will be central to all that is there. And as bad as I wanted to be home for Christmas, I want even more to be home with Him.
Some of you are home today because of the snow here in Athens… it’s a very satisfying feeling to be home, isn’t it? Well, we all know how feelings fade, but the satisfaction that comes when Christ calls us as His Body home with Him will be a satisfaction that will never fade or perish. Isn’t that a wonderful truth to ponder and give God thanks for today?
Daniel
Three days before Christmas, the doctor told us that we could go home. This could not have been better news, because it gave us the chance to celebrate my father’s birthday on the 23rd, Christmas Eve with all of the Brown family, and Christmas Day just resting by ourselves (all at our house, of course). I use the term ‘celebrate’ loosely, as my idea of celebrating consisted of me sitting in my recliner in the living room and watching everything go on around me (and sometimes sleeping while things went on around me!). But it was fun nonetheless… talking to our family… watching the kids open presents… and just being home.
On Christmas morning, while sitting in my chair and looking out the window, I felt a little guilty as I thought about all of our servicemen and women. I first imagined what it would have felt like to me to be stuck in a hospital room only five miles away from my house… how difficult that would have been… and then pondered what it would be like to be somewhere across the globe… to long for home all of the time, but especially at Christmas.
Home is something to which we all are drawn… something for which we all long… a place we truly miss when we are not there.
I think God instilled in us that desire for home. I believe it is something that is intrinsic to our nature… something we did not create ourselves. And I suspect that the reason we have such a longing is because it mirrors our ultimate longing to be with Christ. That is all purely speculation, of course, but here is a truth that is not:
For those of us who received salvation through faith, God is our eternal home.
He is the reason I long to be in heaven… not because of any mansions… or streets of gold… or anything else, as nice as all that will be. It is the fact that Jesus Himself will be central to all that is there. And as bad as I wanted to be home for Christmas, I want even more to be home with Him.
Some of you are home today because of the snow here in Athens… it’s a very satisfying feeling to be home, isn’t it? Well, we all know how feelings fade, but the satisfaction that comes when Christ calls us as His Body home with Him will be a satisfaction that will never fade or perish. Isn’t that a wonderful truth to ponder and give God thanks for today?
Daniel
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
#327.3 – “The Snow Don’t Bother Me None”
"Who gave Himself for our sins, so that He might make us free from this present evil world, after the purpose of our God and Father." - Galatians 1:4
While in the hospital, we had one of our heavy snows. When it first started snowing, it was amazing to see how fast it was falling and how quickly it was accumulating. In virtually no time at all, there was a white blanket on everything (and the blanket was growing quickly!). But that snow did not concern me one bit. For one thing, I knew that the hospital had a generator; so if power were to go out everywhere around us, we would still be okay. And I also knew that we would be a priority should a need arise, and that all available resources would be on ready to help should any situation develop. So I lay there with peace of mind, enjoying the opportunity to watch the snow fall.
There was a strange sense of satisfaction in my being hospitalized, knowing that it resulted in us having a certain ‘immunity’ from the perils of the weather; no matter what went on ‘out there’, I was safe inside. There was such a peace… like the comfort a child draws from being held by a parent. I didn’t know what was to come, but I had assurance that we would be provided for.
That comfort and peace is what we as Christians can know despite what may happen all around us. Regardless of the economy, our government, the pressures of war, and all the evil that takes place in our world, we can know that Christ is in control, yes… but more than that, we can take comfort in the reality that He is holding us in His arms. Things may come against us… we may suffer various trials… persecution may come our way… but nothing can shake His love for us. He will ultimately deliver us from this world of sin into His blessed peace, and nothing that goes on ‘out there’ can change that fact.
Daniel
While in the hospital, we had one of our heavy snows. When it first started snowing, it was amazing to see how fast it was falling and how quickly it was accumulating. In virtually no time at all, there was a white blanket on everything (and the blanket was growing quickly!). But that snow did not concern me one bit. For one thing, I knew that the hospital had a generator; so if power were to go out everywhere around us, we would still be okay. And I also knew that we would be a priority should a need arise, and that all available resources would be on ready to help should any situation develop. So I lay there with peace of mind, enjoying the opportunity to watch the snow fall.
There was a strange sense of satisfaction in my being hospitalized, knowing that it resulted in us having a certain ‘immunity’ from the perils of the weather; no matter what went on ‘out there’, I was safe inside. There was such a peace… like the comfort a child draws from being held by a parent. I didn’t know what was to come, but I had assurance that we would be provided for.
That comfort and peace is what we as Christians can know despite what may happen all around us. Regardless of the economy, our government, the pressures of war, and all the evil that takes place in our world, we can know that Christ is in control, yes… but more than that, we can take comfort in the reality that He is holding us in His arms. Things may come against us… we may suffer various trials… persecution may come our way… but nothing can shake His love for us. He will ultimately deliver us from this world of sin into His blessed peace, and nothing that goes on ‘out there’ can change that fact.
Daniel
Monday, February 7, 2011
#327.2 – “Green Stuff Inside of Me”
"But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." - Isaiah 64:6
Warning: This devotion may not suitable for those of weak stomachs, weak minds, or weak backs… as you may find yourself getting queasy, sick in the head, or passing out and needing to get back up out of the floor. If at any point while reading this devotion you begin to feel nauseous, shove a six foot long tube up your nose (be sure to choose which nostril carefully) and sing today’s title to yourself to the tune of “Shoo, Fly, Don’t Bother Me”.
The NG tube did make an immediate difference in me. It did so by pumping this dark green liquid out of me. As soon as the two bouncers (I mean nurses) got the tube down to the right spot and turned the pump on, it instantly started pulling the gunk off of me and relieving the pressure I felt inside.
It was a real trip to watch the bile come out…
The color itself was fascinating; I never knew the body had such dark green stuff inside of it (I always pictured reds and yellows… not greens; how about you? What colors do you picture when you think of your bodily fluids?).
Then there was the mode of travel… watching it come out of my nose… go up the tube… and into a bucket behind my bed. It was like a little river of goo was flowing from within me… my very own little stream of yuck.
Then there was the sheer amount of it. I don’t recall how many days I was hooked up to that machine, but I remember vividly that I eventually produced two and a half buckets full (not bad for a first timer, huh?) of that marvelous forest green nectar.
I say all of that to say this: I had a lot of junk in me. And the truth is that, spiritually speaking, I have a lot of junk in me too.
Left unsaved by Jesus and unchecked by the Holy Spirit, my nature will inevitably produce sin like a green goo-making factory. It will run to the first temptation it sees and go after anything that feels or looks fun at the moment. It will, quite stupidly, stumble right into the very thing that seeks to kill and destroy me, without even so much as a hesitation. It is impetuous… it is without reason… and its effects are, at times, overwhelming. It can fill me with junk, and that is exactly why I need a Savior - to rid me of myself and impart His nature in me instead. I need His Word on a regular basis to pump my mind ‘full’ of Him and His nature, and ‘empty’ me of me and mine. I need Him to help me with the green stuff inside of me.
Thanks be to Jesus, who comes into my heart and life once I have invited Him by faith... who lives in me through the Holy Spirit from that moment on... who guides me in His ways through the Word... who atones me with His blood… who covers me with His grace and mercy… and who makes me pure and clean before Him.
Daniel
Warning: This devotion may not suitable for those of weak stomachs, weak minds, or weak backs… as you may find yourself getting queasy, sick in the head, or passing out and needing to get back up out of the floor. If at any point while reading this devotion you begin to feel nauseous, shove a six foot long tube up your nose (be sure to choose which nostril carefully) and sing today’s title to yourself to the tune of “Shoo, Fly, Don’t Bother Me”.
The NG tube did make an immediate difference in me. It did so by pumping this dark green liquid out of me. As soon as the two bouncers (I mean nurses) got the tube down to the right spot and turned the pump on, it instantly started pulling the gunk off of me and relieving the pressure I felt inside.
It was a real trip to watch the bile come out…
The color itself was fascinating; I never knew the body had such dark green stuff inside of it (I always pictured reds and yellows… not greens; how about you? What colors do you picture when you think of your bodily fluids?).
Then there was the mode of travel… watching it come out of my nose… go up the tube… and into a bucket behind my bed. It was like a little river of goo was flowing from within me… my very own little stream of yuck.
Then there was the sheer amount of it. I don’t recall how many days I was hooked up to that machine, but I remember vividly that I eventually produced two and a half buckets full (not bad for a first timer, huh?) of that marvelous forest green nectar.
I say all of that to say this: I had a lot of junk in me. And the truth is that, spiritually speaking, I have a lot of junk in me too.
Left unsaved by Jesus and unchecked by the Holy Spirit, my nature will inevitably produce sin like a green goo-making factory. It will run to the first temptation it sees and go after anything that feels or looks fun at the moment. It will, quite stupidly, stumble right into the very thing that seeks to kill and destroy me, without even so much as a hesitation. It is impetuous… it is without reason… and its effects are, at times, overwhelming. It can fill me with junk, and that is exactly why I need a Savior - to rid me of myself and impart His nature in me instead. I need His Word on a regular basis to pump my mind ‘full’ of Him and His nature, and ‘empty’ me of me and mine. I need Him to help me with the green stuff inside of me.
Thanks be to Jesus, who comes into my heart and life once I have invited Him by faith... who lives in me through the Holy Spirit from that moment on... who guides me in His ways through the Word... who atones me with His blood… who covers me with His grace and mercy… and who makes me pure and clean before Him.
Daniel
#327.1 – “The Tube that Saved My Life”
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16
A day or two after my surgery, I was still vomiting. I don’t remember how often it was, but it was often. I was in a cycle of sickness that I couldn’t seem to get out of. As the doctor on call came in my room to check on me, I threw up again. After seeing that, he immediately ordered an NG tube (which has some other kind of medical jargon associated with it, but they described to me as a Nose to Gut tube). This little baby (well, I’m, not sure little is the right word) goes in your nose, down your throat, past your esophagus, and into your gut. He said I needed it to help pull the bile my body was producing off of me (apparently, the body produces bile whether or not you are eating anything).
Within minutes, I had two nurses coming at me with what looked like a six foot long clear rubber hose. They stood on either side of me (I think they knew that, if given the chance, I might bail out of that bed and run!).They looked up into my nose, to see which nostril looked the most promising (who knew there was a preference amongst nostrils???). They decided on their approach and then gave me my instructions. I received a cup of ice chips and was told to swallow one or two. I did… and then I was told that I was to repeat that simple act, but that this time there would be a tube following the ice chip down my throat. Reluctantly, I complied.
Have you ever seen those children’s puzzles with the different shaped blocks and correlating shaped spaces for those blocks… and have you ever watched a child try to put a square block into the circle hole? Well that’s what it felt like on that first try.
They shoved and twisted and pushed. Meanwhile, I wondered and freaked out and hurt. But the tube did not go in. Like a well-disciplined army, they regrouped and began plotting a strategy for their next attack. One looked up the other nostril while the other began greasing up the end of that tube with some Vaseline-looking goop.
I knew we were getting serious.
I was told that we were going to do it again. Thrilled with the opportunity to enjoy this immensely wonderful experience once more, I gladly agreed (yeah, right). I took my couple of ice chips and placed them in my mouth. They told me to swallow, and began shoving. This time, it went down.
The doctor said it would feel like sticking your finger up your nose. That description was incomplete; it was more like a really big, really long finger up your nose… and down your throat… and into your stomach.
I gagged a little at the beginning… swallowed many times… and eventually got used to this tube, which did immediately make a difference in the way I felt. It did its job (which I will describe in vivid detail another day) and pulled that bile off of me. I never threw up again, and my nauseous feeling left me.
I am convinced that that tube saved my life. I was in a position I could not possibly get out of without help from an outside source. And it was such a simple thing, really… just a matter of displacement. But without it, I don’t know how I could have kept going. I needed it.
We all have that same kind of desperation for Christ… for salvation, yes… but also for daily living. Whether or not we see or feel that is irrelevant. It is a fact. We need Jesus. He provides a salvation that we cannot possibly achieve on our own. And He provides a way of life that we cannot possibly live apart from His grace and mercy and love. He is our NG tube; He is that outside Source of life eternal and abundant. And it is so simply a matter of displacing our weaknesses and inabilities upon Him and relying on His strength and His blood and His sacrifice and His Word.
Won’t you let Him meet whatever need you have today?
Daniel
A day or two after my surgery, I was still vomiting. I don’t remember how often it was, but it was often. I was in a cycle of sickness that I couldn’t seem to get out of. As the doctor on call came in my room to check on me, I threw up again. After seeing that, he immediately ordered an NG tube (which has some other kind of medical jargon associated with it, but they described to me as a Nose to Gut tube). This little baby (well, I’m, not sure little is the right word) goes in your nose, down your throat, past your esophagus, and into your gut. He said I needed it to help pull the bile my body was producing off of me (apparently, the body produces bile whether or not you are eating anything).
Within minutes, I had two nurses coming at me with what looked like a six foot long clear rubber hose. They stood on either side of me (I think they knew that, if given the chance, I might bail out of that bed and run!).They looked up into my nose, to see which nostril looked the most promising (who knew there was a preference amongst nostrils???). They decided on their approach and then gave me my instructions. I received a cup of ice chips and was told to swallow one or two. I did… and then I was told that I was to repeat that simple act, but that this time there would be a tube following the ice chip down my throat. Reluctantly, I complied.
Have you ever seen those children’s puzzles with the different shaped blocks and correlating shaped spaces for those blocks… and have you ever watched a child try to put a square block into the circle hole? Well that’s what it felt like on that first try.
They shoved and twisted and pushed. Meanwhile, I wondered and freaked out and hurt. But the tube did not go in. Like a well-disciplined army, they regrouped and began plotting a strategy for their next attack. One looked up the other nostril while the other began greasing up the end of that tube with some Vaseline-looking goop.
I knew we were getting serious.
I was told that we were going to do it again. Thrilled with the opportunity to enjoy this immensely wonderful experience once more, I gladly agreed (yeah, right). I took my couple of ice chips and placed them in my mouth. They told me to swallow, and began shoving. This time, it went down.
The doctor said it would feel like sticking your finger up your nose. That description was incomplete; it was more like a really big, really long finger up your nose… and down your throat… and into your stomach.
I gagged a little at the beginning… swallowed many times… and eventually got used to this tube, which did immediately make a difference in the way I felt. It did its job (which I will describe in vivid detail another day) and pulled that bile off of me. I never threw up again, and my nauseous feeling left me.
I am convinced that that tube saved my life. I was in a position I could not possibly get out of without help from an outside source. And it was such a simple thing, really… just a matter of displacement. But without it, I don’t know how I could have kept going. I needed it.
We all have that same kind of desperation for Christ… for salvation, yes… but also for daily living. Whether or not we see or feel that is irrelevant. It is a fact. We need Jesus. He provides a salvation that we cannot possibly achieve on our own. And He provides a way of life that we cannot possibly live apart from His grace and mercy and love. He is our NG tube; He is that outside Source of life eternal and abundant. And it is so simply a matter of displacing our weaknesses and inabilities upon Him and relying on His strength and His blood and His sacrifice and His Word.
Won’t you let Him meet whatever need you have today?
Daniel
Friday, February 4, 2011
#326.4 – “Much to Write about Nothing”
"The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light." - Revelation 21:23
One of the things that changed from being a ‘pretty big deal’ to ‘no big deal at all’ with my hospital stay was time. That was true with regards to my internal clock. After only a couple of days in the hospital, I found myself sleeping as much or more during the day as I did at night (part of that was because I was sick and my body needed extra rest, and part of it was due to all the pricking and poking and other stuff they find to do to you when it’s dark out)… little vampires, they are.
Another way that time proved to not be such a big deal was with regards to the way I spent it. Before my hospital stay, my days and nights were usually pretty full of all kinds of activity (notice that I didn’t claim ‘productivity’, but ‘activity’!) - mostly work-related stuff in the daytime, and running kids around in the afternoons/evenings. Once in the hospital, sleep became one of the primary ways to pass the day. Staring at the walls was another biggie. TV watching would hold my attention for a while, but then I would drift off to sleep again. Visiting with those who came to see me was quite often a nice reprieve from the nothingness, but… as with so many other things… I would find myself snoozing it up even with people there. I just lay there most of the time… thinking… praying… talking to Sarah some… but mostly just laying (oh, and did I mention sleeping?). That was the longest stretch of not ‘going and doing’ I have ever had. It was really… well, weird. Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy rest and relaxation as good as the next guy… but this was over the top.
One of the consequences of such inactivity is that time becomes fairly irrelevant. I had no schedule. My days and nights were pretty much the same. Life was what it was, regardless of time. Nobody was counting on me being where they were; everybody who saw me had to come to me. I didn’t have anywhere to go… anything to do… and anybody to see, per se. The world felt like it had pretty much stopped.
And then it snowed.
It snowed like I have never seen it snow in Athens in my years here. Sitting in my bed watching the snowflakes come down and pile up on the roads outside my room… blockading us in, as it were, was just another step further into this feeling that time had essentially stopped. Cars were not going up and down the streets. The garbage truck was not banging against dumpsters at 5 am. People were not out… doing whatever they do.
Life had stopped (or so it felt).
And it was during one of those half-awake… somewhat reflective… somewhat hallucinatory moments, when I thought how – in a way – this is what heaven will be like.
Time doesn’t matter in the New Jerusalem. The Bible clearly says that Christ Himself will be our light, and that there will be no need for sun or moon. Consequently, we can reasonably conclude that ‘days’ and ‘weeks’ and ‘months’ and ‘years’ will be no more. Calendars and day-planners and reminders of appointments on our phones will be a thing of the past. We who have trusted Christ as Savior will experience eternity with Him. Even after a week of being snowed in at the hospital, I cannot fully get my head around what that will be like... but I am looking forward to it.
So the next you’re running late to something… or you just don’t have enough time to get whatever it is that you’re doing done… remember that there is coming a ‘Day’ when ‘days’ will be no more… and rejoice in the thought of an everlasting Love that is so great and so powerful and so awesome that time will not matter anymore.
Daniel
One of the things that changed from being a ‘pretty big deal’ to ‘no big deal at all’ with my hospital stay was time. That was true with regards to my internal clock. After only a couple of days in the hospital, I found myself sleeping as much or more during the day as I did at night (part of that was because I was sick and my body needed extra rest, and part of it was due to all the pricking and poking and other stuff they find to do to you when it’s dark out)… little vampires, they are.
Another way that time proved to not be such a big deal was with regards to the way I spent it. Before my hospital stay, my days and nights were usually pretty full of all kinds of activity (notice that I didn’t claim ‘productivity’, but ‘activity’!) - mostly work-related stuff in the daytime, and running kids around in the afternoons/evenings. Once in the hospital, sleep became one of the primary ways to pass the day. Staring at the walls was another biggie. TV watching would hold my attention for a while, but then I would drift off to sleep again. Visiting with those who came to see me was quite often a nice reprieve from the nothingness, but… as with so many other things… I would find myself snoozing it up even with people there. I just lay there most of the time… thinking… praying… talking to Sarah some… but mostly just laying (oh, and did I mention sleeping?). That was the longest stretch of not ‘going and doing’ I have ever had. It was really… well, weird. Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy rest and relaxation as good as the next guy… but this was over the top.
One of the consequences of such inactivity is that time becomes fairly irrelevant. I had no schedule. My days and nights were pretty much the same. Life was what it was, regardless of time. Nobody was counting on me being where they were; everybody who saw me had to come to me. I didn’t have anywhere to go… anything to do… and anybody to see, per se. The world felt like it had pretty much stopped.
And then it snowed.
It snowed like I have never seen it snow in Athens in my years here. Sitting in my bed watching the snowflakes come down and pile up on the roads outside my room… blockading us in, as it were, was just another step further into this feeling that time had essentially stopped. Cars were not going up and down the streets. The garbage truck was not banging against dumpsters at 5 am. People were not out… doing whatever they do.
Life had stopped (or so it felt).
And it was during one of those half-awake… somewhat reflective… somewhat hallucinatory moments, when I thought how – in a way – this is what heaven will be like.
Time doesn’t matter in the New Jerusalem. The Bible clearly says that Christ Himself will be our light, and that there will be no need for sun or moon. Consequently, we can reasonably conclude that ‘days’ and ‘weeks’ and ‘months’ and ‘years’ will be no more. Calendars and day-planners and reminders of appointments on our phones will be a thing of the past. We who have trusted Christ as Savior will experience eternity with Him. Even after a week of being snowed in at the hospital, I cannot fully get my head around what that will be like... but I am looking forward to it.
So the next you’re running late to something… or you just don’t have enough time to get whatever it is that you’re doing done… remember that there is coming a ‘Day’ when ‘days’ will be no more… and rejoice in the thought of an everlasting Love that is so great and so powerful and so awesome that time will not matter anymore.
Daniel
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
#326.3 – “Big Things become Little Things and Little Things become Big Things”
"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:38-42
One of the things that I noticed early on in my hospital stay was how my perspective changed with my experience. Things that used to be such a big deal to me – like appointments and schedules and work and time – suddenly became less important. And things that perhaps I had not put as much emphasis on before my sickness – like family and friends and relationships and my prayer life – were suddenly extremely important. My entire view changed with the shift from being the one who visits folks in the hospital to being the one lying in the hospital bed. All the things that I would worry and fret over didn’t matter at all to me; my focus shifted to getting well and being thankful for my relationship with God and all of you and others who love me.
And so I am reminded, as I write this, that whatever things may come my way this day, I need to keep an eternal perspective on what matters and what doesn’t. I need to treasure and invest in my relationship with the Lord and with others, and I need to do whatever I can to prevent little things from becoming big things… and big things from becoming little things.
Daniel
One of the things that I noticed early on in my hospital stay was how my perspective changed with my experience. Things that used to be such a big deal to me – like appointments and schedules and work and time – suddenly became less important. And things that perhaps I had not put as much emphasis on before my sickness – like family and friends and relationships and my prayer life – were suddenly extremely important. My entire view changed with the shift from being the one who visits folks in the hospital to being the one lying in the hospital bed. All the things that I would worry and fret over didn’t matter at all to me; my focus shifted to getting well and being thankful for my relationship with God and all of you and others who love me.
And so I am reminded, as I write this, that whatever things may come my way this day, I need to keep an eternal perspective on what matters and what doesn’t. I need to treasure and invest in my relationship with the Lord and with others, and I need to do whatever I can to prevent little things from becoming big things… and big things from becoming little things.
Daniel
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