A challenging diagnosis.

A few months ago my doctor told me that I have Parkinson's disease.  This is a challenge to say the least because it answers some questions that I had over some symptoms I had been experiencing physically.  There was no doubt that I had been going downhill for many months but I just didn't want to see it.  Please understand that I am one of those crazy, radical Jesus lovers who has prayed for people, horses, and even a few sick cars over the years.  I have seen God heal many people with worse symptoms than I have...but this one thing I know and that is no one ever gets healed by ignoring a symptom.  It is time to apply God's promise to my life.  I Peter 2:24 by His stripes I am healed...Today I am reminding myself that God is not a man.  Numbers 23:19....check in with me from time to time and see how I am doing.

Disruption

The average married person in North America spends more time on the internet than with their spouse.  If facebook was a country, it would be the third largest country in the world.  I have a droid phone and it makes a droid sound every time I get a facebook, email, or text message.  Disruption is the word for the way our lives go today.  But in the middle of all the disruptions I must find a way to experience peace and hear the still small voice of God leading me through the day.  We must not let all the disruptions disrupt us on the inside.  This is our challenge today.

A water emergency

Do you ever have problems that spin out of control, and cost more than you can afford?  I had one this weekend when we called a plumber to help solve a small problem that became a big problem.  This all started with the first plumber coming on Saturday and should be done (I'm told) by next Monday.  When he left late Saturday night nothing was solved and I had less running water than before they started.  I brought in a second plumber Monday night with the same results, and then brought back the first guy on Tues. and Wed.  By the way we had no hot water for the entire weekend.  In the end I have hot and cold running water again for which I am very grateful.  I also have holes in two walls that I need to find help getting repaired...Anyone out there know how to repair drywall...The lesson I learned is that I still have a way to go in the patience department, and I have taken an awful lot of things for granted.  Thank you Lord that stuff doesn't break down very often...I'll try to remember these important lessons.

Being alone?

I'm alone this week while Cindi is in Miami helping our son find a place to live.  Being alone is a hard gig.  I can't wait for someone else to share the remote with.  I can cook what I like, but then I have to eat alone.  No conflict  this way, but no one to share with or snuggle with or work with or talk with or be with.  Being alone makes me grateful that I'm married.  It makes me grateful for family, and community.  Being alone makes me realize that I was not made to be alone.  God said about Adam "it's not good that man should be alone."  He was right.  There is so much more joy in a life that is shared.  I need people...this is what I am learning this week.  How about you?

Man up...2

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  I just read that our government spent over 900 million dollars of stimulus money on a study to determine the effect of "penis size" on a man's quality of life.  I am tired of seeing all of the commercials about "penis enlargement" and other drugs designed to enhance your sex life.  Now don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the sexual relationship that I share with my wife, but I refuse to allow my life to be controlled by my sexual appetites.  A life that is controlled by it's appetites is bondage, and not a life that is really enjoyed.  It's time for godly men to rise up against the darkness that is seeking to control their lives.  It's time for men to guard their hearts against Internet porn, or sexually explicit movies.  You can live a life free from the control of lust.  You may be weak in your flesh, but you can be strong in the Lord.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come on guys, let's make purity a priority...it's time to man up.

Man up

I wish that men everywhere would lift up holy hands without wrath or doubting.  Come on guys, it's time for us to remember what it means to be a real man.  Real men aren't weak, and they don't make excuses. This world needs to see strong men.  Character is the willingness to demonstrate strong moral courage.  We need men who will protect their families, and won't prey on young women.  The number of girls in our nation who are physically assaulted is outrageous, and it is because our nation is filled with men who are controlled by weakness instead of strength.  I have a vision of men who have strong moral convictions.  They don't tolerate pornography in their lives because they believe God has called them to a better life.  I am praying for a new movement of strong men,and I hope that you will join me.  It's time to man-up.

Embarrassed?

If you follow the news at all then you know that the rapture was supposed to  happen this past Saturday. At least that was the prediction made by a minister named Harold Camping, and apparently this was not the first time he made a prediction of this sort.  Don't worry he has done some recalculations and now he is saying we are leaving in October.  What about the words "no man knows" don't we understand?  Two thousand years ago in Matt. 24:36 Jesus Christ said that "no man" would know the day or the hour of His return, and ever since people have been spending copious amounts of time and energy trying to figure it out.  The news reported that this man's followers spent over 100 million dollars advertising this false prediction. Jesus told us that the most important commandments were that we should love God, and love others. (Matt. 22:37-39)  I've got an idea.  Why don't we spend all of this extra time, and money on these two commandments.  We could do a lot of better things with  100 million dollars.  It's time for God's people to actually read the book we carry.  Sometimes I am embarrassed by how dumb people can be.  Let's focus on what Jesus said was really important.