In Exodus 33:12-18 there is a very interesting exchange between Moses and God. The main point I got is that it is the responsibility of a spiritual leader to know God and His ways. Why? So that leader can continue to please God.
I was thinking. Here is Moses. He had “arrived.” He was the leader of over a million people. Granted, they were really spiritually dull sometimes. Just before this they had made that golden calf and had a “worship party” before it. Right before that they had promised Moses and God, “Everything the Lord says we will do.” But, to outsiders, Moses looked pretty successful.
Yet Moses sought God. Perhaps because of the two experiences mentioned in the last paragraph, Moses knew that his strength would come from God, and not his (Moses‘)people. Moses was an old man. 80-plus. He could have rested on what he knew of God and enjoyed the power of his position, but He did not. He wanted more.
Moses knew that without God’s presence, he, and the people who followed him, were in a mess. He wanted his own life and the life of his “nation” to evidence the presence of God. When God’s presence is present, it is obvious even to the godless.
Home
Doctors released me from the hospital today. I am home, and though a bit weak, feeling much better. Thank you for the prayers.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Willing
When God told Moses to collect the materials for the tabernacle, Moses took it to the people (Exodus 35). I find it interesting that it was the people who were willing—willing, who brought their offerings to the Lord. Some of those gifts were of jewelry, and items they could give. Other gifts of skill were given. But the thing that got my attention was that over and over in verses 21-29, was that these gifts came not from everyone, but from people who were willing.
So, people who come to God expecting much and giving little are not a new phenomenon. It started a long time ago. But just because there is historical precedent, being cheap before God is not a good idea.
God loves a cheerful (willing) giver.
Proverbs 3: 9-10 “Honer the Lord with your wealth and with the first-fruits of all your produce, then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
Pit Stop
This being the day after the Daytona 500, I am still thinking in race terminology. Most of you reading this will already know the last week hasn’t been much fun for me. High fever from Monday AM on, and ending up in the hospital on Thursday of last week for Pneumonia.
So, from racing around from one responsibility and opportunity to another to a dead stop has been the case for the last seven days. Not sure when I will get out of the hospital. Feel really good enough to be out. No fever now for three days. But my white count is low, so not sure what that will mean as far as time served. I have had lots of IV-Antibiotics, respiratory treatments, and a few sticks. So pray I keep doing better, those little white cells multiply righteously, and God be glorified in it all.
So, people who come to God expecting much and giving little are not a new phenomenon. It started a long time ago. But just because there is historical precedent, being cheap before God is not a good idea.
God loves a cheerful (willing) giver.
Proverbs 3: 9-10 “Honer the Lord with your wealth and with the first-fruits of all your produce, then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
Pit Stop
This being the day after the Daytona 500, I am still thinking in race terminology. Most of you reading this will already know the last week hasn’t been much fun for me. High fever from Monday AM on, and ending up in the hospital on Thursday of last week for Pneumonia.
So, from racing around from one responsibility and opportunity to another to a dead stop has been the case for the last seven days. Not sure when I will get out of the hospital. Feel really good enough to be out. No fever now for three days. But my white count is low, so not sure what that will mean as far as time served. I have had lots of IV-Antibiotics, respiratory treatments, and a few sticks. So pray I keep doing better, those little white cells multiply righteously, and God be glorified in it all.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ground Hog Day Reflection
Happy Ground Hog Day, 2011! (February 2) In most parts of the country, with the weather the way it is, most probably want to cover the little critter’s doorway so there is no chance he’ll get out to see his shadow.
I looked back at the calendar, and Ground Hog Day, 2010, was my first appointment at Emory. That would be the beginning of the process that culminated with my stem cell transplant on March 19. I had already had fifteen weeks (five cycles) of chemotherapy in Augusta, and now I was ready, more or less, to get on with the critical next phase of treatment. Those transplant days weren’t much to brag about. Lots of days I felt pretty rough, but that passed. I was home from Emory by the end of Master’s week, and began to slowly get back into my routine. For several months now, I have felt good, other than the battles with allergies and sinus stuff, but that is nothing new. I continue with a maintenance chemo med, and a few other things, but it isn’t bad.
My medical reports are very good; I feel well enough now to get over-committed; And I have started getting my childhood immunizations again. Most of me is sixty, but my immune system is just a tad over ten months old. I cannot travel outside the USA until I get those done, and those of you that know me know that is a definite goal of mine.
As I look back over the past sixteen months or so, there are so many people, events and things to be thankful for:
In a month I will return to Emory for my one year post-transplant check up. It is a day of tests, including the ever popular bone marrow aspiration, along with many vials of blood given, and wouldn’t be surprised if they took some X-rays. Two weeks later I’ll go back to hear the report. Pray with me that the treatments are still doing their job, and keeping the cancer at bay.
Thanks for your prayers and support. My family and I are so blessed by what you have done and continue to do.
On a spiritual note, I have been enjoying reading a chronological one-year Bible. Reading large passages at a time is not my usual devotional strategy, but this is good. It helps remind me of the big picture of God’s redemptive work. In a few days, perhaps I’ll share an insight or two from that reading, but for now, I just wanted to get back to the blog and let you know what was happening.
I looked back at the calendar, and Ground Hog Day, 2010, was my first appointment at Emory. That would be the beginning of the process that culminated with my stem cell transplant on March 19. I had already had fifteen weeks (five cycles) of chemotherapy in Augusta, and now I was ready, more or less, to get on with the critical next phase of treatment. Those transplant days weren’t much to brag about. Lots of days I felt pretty rough, but that passed. I was home from Emory by the end of Master’s week, and began to slowly get back into my routine. For several months now, I have felt good, other than the battles with allergies and sinus stuff, but that is nothing new. I continue with a maintenance chemo med, and a few other things, but it isn’t bad.
My medical reports are very good; I feel well enough now to get over-committed; And I have started getting my childhood immunizations again. Most of me is sixty, but my immune system is just a tad over ten months old. I cannot travel outside the USA until I get those done, and those of you that know me know that is a definite goal of mine.
As I look back over the past sixteen months or so, there are so many people, events and things to be thankful for:
- Thousands of people, some way around the world (and many I will not meet until Heaven) prayed for me and still pray for me. The main ingredient in all my cancer treatment has been and is your prayers.
- The volunteers at church who kept things going while I was out for treatment.
- The men who came to my house to do some needed projects that I was unable to do.
- The many folks who provided meals for us during those treatment days.
- Those who transported R and P when needed while we were away at Emory.
- The doctors, nurses, technicians, and many other medical pros who have served me, treated me, stuck me, and cared for me during all this treatment stuff!
In a month I will return to Emory for my one year post-transplant check up. It is a day of tests, including the ever popular bone marrow aspiration, along with many vials of blood given, and wouldn’t be surprised if they took some X-rays. Two weeks later I’ll go back to hear the report. Pray with me that the treatments are still doing their job, and keeping the cancer at bay.
Thanks for your prayers and support. My family and I are so blessed by what you have done and continue to do.
On a spiritual note, I have been enjoying reading a chronological one-year Bible. Reading large passages at a time is not my usual devotional strategy, but this is good. It helps remind me of the big picture of God’s redemptive work. In a few days, perhaps I’ll share an insight or two from that reading, but for now, I just wanted to get back to the blog and let you know what was happening.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Not a Crutch...
Not sure what triggered this thought today, but it happened in staff meeting. Random thoughts do enter my head during meetings, at times. I was thinking about how some people criticize believers with comments like, “religion is just a crutch.” I would clarify my stand this way: Religion may be a crutch, but a pretty poor one. However, considering what I have been through this last year or so, a relationship with Jesus is not a crutch, it is a gurney! I am not leaning on Him, I am totally supported by Him.
Everyone leans on something, be it faith in Christ, religion, working hard, relationships, addictive substances, or self-reliance. Only Jesus will “never leave nor forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5) Faith is only as good and as strong as that in which it is placed. Sometimes my faith may waiver, but Jesus never does. He “loves us with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3) He is always interceding for us. (Hebrews 7:25). I’ll rest on Jesus.
What are you trusting in? Maybe a better way to ask, "Who are you trusting in?"
Shot…
Yesterday, I got my first round of immunizations. Other than sore arms and a bit of a headache (which could be just being allergic to Augusta), seems things are going well.
Pray that the immunities will build, and that the process won’t make me sick. :-)
Everyone leans on something, be it faith in Christ, religion, working hard, relationships, addictive substances, or self-reliance. Only Jesus will “never leave nor forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5) Faith is only as good and as strong as that in which it is placed. Sometimes my faith may waiver, but Jesus never does. He “loves us with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3) He is always interceding for us. (Hebrews 7:25). I’ll rest on Jesus.
What are you trusting in? Maybe a better way to ask, "Who are you trusting in?"
Shot…
Yesterday, I got my first round of immunizations. Other than sore arms and a bit of a headache (which could be just being allergic to Augusta), seems things are going well.
Pray that the immunities will build, and that the process won’t make me sick. :-)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
What Is Your "House" Built On?
Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus gives the wonderfully visual picture of two men who build houses. Yet there is quite a contrast between them. We know the first man is wise because he builds his house on the rock—on a solid foundation. We know the second man is foolish because he builds his house on the sand.
In some west coast locations, people build houses on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean. They have incredible views and beautiful homes. I am sure some of those places are solid enough, but others are not. When the rains come, they slide down the mountain or cliff. Still, people keep building in the sand. At best, unwise.
This isn’t Jesus’ version of This Old House. He is giving a “life” course. Are you building on something that cannot be taken away or lost? Most of us in the west build our lives on wealth. You and I may not be wealthy by American standards, but we still trust in the funds we have, the paycheck that is still to come, or our retirement investments. Jesus knew the temptation to put our faith in what we have or what we could get would be strong. In fact it would compete right at the top with either trusting God or trusting in wealth. “You cannot serve God and money,” he said earlier. (Matthew 6:24) Most of what we trust in can be taken away.
There are lots of things our society puts high values on, and encourages you to trust in them: Looks, Intellect, Personality, Athleticism. But the rain of time, adversity or thievery still come, and we discover all are sand. The only rock solid foundation you can have is your relationship with God through Christ. If you really have it, nothing can take it away.
The wise man (and woman) builds his house (life) upon The Rock.
Update
I am doing well. Have gotten very busy. Relating to the above passage of scripture, I note that I am the beneficiary of some wonderful health care, but my trust is in the Lord. It has to be. As someone well said, “Doctors practice. God heals.” I am doing well because God is working through, around, and beyond all the medicine—and that is a result of your prayers.
Jesus gives the wonderfully visual picture of two men who build houses. Yet there is quite a contrast between them. We know the first man is wise because he builds his house on the rock—on a solid foundation. We know the second man is foolish because he builds his house on the sand.
In some west coast locations, people build houses on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean. They have incredible views and beautiful homes. I am sure some of those places are solid enough, but others are not. When the rains come, they slide down the mountain or cliff. Still, people keep building in the sand. At best, unwise.
This isn’t Jesus’ version of This Old House. He is giving a “life” course. Are you building on something that cannot be taken away or lost? Most of us in the west build our lives on wealth. You and I may not be wealthy by American standards, but we still trust in the funds we have, the paycheck that is still to come, or our retirement investments. Jesus knew the temptation to put our faith in what we have or what we could get would be strong. In fact it would compete right at the top with either trusting God or trusting in wealth. “You cannot serve God and money,” he said earlier. (Matthew 6:24) Most of what we trust in can be taken away.
There are lots of things our society puts high values on, and encourages you to trust in them: Looks, Intellect, Personality, Athleticism. But the rain of time, adversity or thievery still come, and we discover all are sand. The only rock solid foundation you can have is your relationship with God through Christ. If you really have it, nothing can take it away.
The wise man (and woman) builds his house (life) upon The Rock.
Update
I am doing well. Have gotten very busy. Relating to the above passage of scripture, I note that I am the beneficiary of some wonderful health care, but my trust is in the Lord. It has to be. As someone well said, “Doctors practice. God heals.” I am doing well because God is working through, around, and beyond all the medicine—and that is a result of your prayers.
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