Matthew 24:42 says that we do not know which day our Lord is coming, but that we should be on the alert or "watching." When a scheduled airline arrives in Denver the controller knows all the details about the plane and the various stages in its flight. He knows when it will arrive. On the other hand, a young lady whose fiance is on the flight knows only the approximate time of arrival, but is overjoyed at the prospect of his coming. Wouldn't you agree that it is better to know little about Christ's coming and have a heart full of anticipation than to know specific details and be indifferent. Perhaps this is the difference between watching and waiting. A person watching has a joyful heart that is waiting in hope. All I know is that with the passing of this day we are closer to His return and I hope that finds you waiting in hope with a joyful heart also.
On a medical note, the bilirubin has moved up four points, to 35.4, and as of today, Wednesday, we have not received the results of the MRI brain scan I had done yesterday. We continue to value your prayers for issues pertaining to the liver, the dry mouth and the mind.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Walking With God Then and Now
I was reading in Genesis 5 today, where it tells us twice that Enoch walked with God, and in v. 24 says, "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not for God took him." I remember hearing or reading that at the end of the day, after walking together, Enoch was closer to God's house than his own, so God extended the invitation for him to stay. That is a very wonderful and attractive picture, is it not? Another writer has worded it that Enoch and God were in constant touch with each other. Is that not both a possibility and joy for us, that we can remain in constant touch with our God...today, tomorrow and throughout eternity. It is a great realization to know that what was true of Enoch can be exactly true for every believer. Are you staying in regular or constant touch with the Father?
On a medical note, this next week, Tuesday will be a significant day. Blood work will be done to gauge the level of bilirubin and other liver enzymes and shortly thereafter I will have an MRI of the brain. Sometimes I feel selfish in asking for your continued prayers, yet just knowing that you bring my name before the throne of grace is comforting. We are enjoying these days back at work and with our girls.
On a medical note, this next week, Tuesday will be a significant day. Blood work will be done to gauge the level of bilirubin and other liver enzymes and shortly thereafter I will have an MRI of the brain. Sometimes I feel selfish in asking for your continued prayers, yet just knowing that you bring my name before the throne of grace is comforting. We are enjoying these days back at work and with our girls.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Amazing Love - How Can It Be?
Although I cannot say with 100% certainty, Valentine's Day probably has roots in one form of paganism or another. Most of us can nonetheless take the opportunity to show that special person in our life our love and appreciation for them. I suppose the traditional ways are cards and flowers, chocolates, a quiet dinner out together, or some similar expression. Better yet, it does provide opportunity to rehearse aspects of the One Who loved us with a lavish love. I speak of God the Father in giving us His Son. Romans 5:8 indicates that He loved us with an unconditional love. Ephesians 3:18-19 affirms that it is an immeasurable love. Romans 8:38-39 declare to us that it is an inseparable love. Countless verses declare the sacrificial nature of God's love. Perhaps if the Father were sending us a card it would have on the front or inside I John 3:1, "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are..." I hope that you will give some time to thinking about these or other facets of His love as He has revealed them in His Word.
Medical update: I have been told by the liver specialist my ammonia level in my blood is too high, so medication has been prescribed to reduce it. Next week could be a busy week as we anticipate a meeting with our oncologist in North Platte, and possibly making a trip to Omaha for a second liver biopsy, since the bilirubin level increased to 39.5. Your prayers for dry mouth syndrome are urgently requested. I ask the Father daily to touch my gland so that I may eat and swallow with greater ease. The time that we have been able to be in our own home with our children has been immeasurably meaningful, along with returning to work and worship at MEFC. Our love and God's love to you.
Medical update: I have been told by the liver specialist my ammonia level in my blood is too high, so medication has been prescribed to reduce it. Next week could be a busy week as we anticipate a meeting with our oncologist in North Platte, and possibly making a trip to Omaha for a second liver biopsy, since the bilirubin level increased to 39.5. Your prayers for dry mouth syndrome are urgently requested. I ask the Father daily to touch my gland so that I may eat and swallow with greater ease. The time that we have been able to be in our own home with our children has been immeasurably meaningful, along with returning to work and worship at MEFC. Our love and God's love to you.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Trusting When There Are No Answers
Ruth Graham Lotz has written a provocative book called "My Heart's Cry." It's subtitle could be "Longing for More of Jesus." The chapters delineate what she means, such as "More of His Tears on My Face," "More of His Courage to My Convictions," "More of His Fruit in My Service," "More of His Praise on My Lips." The chapter that I read today that was of particular help was chapter 11, "More of His Answers To My Prayers." Let me just quote a few lines from that chapter: "Has Jesus done something you don't understand? When have you asked Him to explain? Jesus is not offended by our ignorance or our confusion or our questions. On the contrary, He knows exactly what we are thinking and feeling and He takes the initiative to help us understand, but our understanding is limited. At a time of unanswered prayer in my life years ago, my mother taught me the verses to a hymn that I still quote when I am baffled by events that seem to careen out of the orbit of what I have asked. 'Trust Him when the dark doubts assail thee, Trust Him when thy strength is small, Trust Him when to simply trust Him seems the hardest thing of all; Trust Him! He is ever faithful: Trust Him for His will is best; Trust Him - for the heart of Jesus is the only place of rest.'"
With dry mouth syndrome and liver questions still unanswered, I find myself somewhere in the middle of trusting Him and trying to find answers to my questions and confusion. I wish I could say that my trust was greater. Anyhow, the words to the great hymn of old seem to help me and I hope they help you, too, when faced with your next difficulty.
It is so good to be back in McCook with our two daughters and in our own home. It was exciting to learn yesterday that our church is bringing Fernando Ortega to our civic auditorium as a benefit toward our health expenses, on April 19th. So many have been so gracious and generous to us. We run out of words to say thanks. We covet your continued prayers over the two issues discussed above and will keep you informed as to any progress. In the love of Christ, Chris and Eunice
With dry mouth syndrome and liver questions still unanswered, I find myself somewhere in the middle of trusting Him and trying to find answers to my questions and confusion. I wish I could say that my trust was greater. Anyhow, the words to the great hymn of old seem to help me and I hope they help you, too, when faced with your next difficulty.
It is so good to be back in McCook with our two daughters and in our own home. It was exciting to learn yesterday that our church is bringing Fernando Ortega to our civic auditorium as a benefit toward our health expenses, on April 19th. So many have been so gracious and generous to us. We run out of words to say thanks. We covet your continued prayers over the two issues discussed above and will keep you informed as to any progress. In the love of Christ, Chris and Eunice
Thursday, February 5, 2009
First Priorities For Final Days
In 1 Peter 4:7 the Lord's disciple states that "the end of all things is near." Truly I am ready for the Lord to come and the church as a whole is to be looking for Him every day. Until He comes, Peter gives us a list of priorities (1 Peter 4:7-11)since we are pilgrims and aliens and this is not our home.
1. The alien's mind - we are to be of sound judgement and sober spirit, for the purpose of prayer. I can't help but think that Jesus' request to Peter to stay alert in the garden is responsible for this admonition. We are to remain on watch and on guard against our spiritual enemy.
2. The pilgrim's heart - keep fervent in your love for one another. I think another way of expressing this would be to remain lavish in your love, or to spend it without sparing expense.
3. The alien's home - I already think of the people at MEFC as being very generous in opening up their homes to other people. This is just a reminder that there is always a need for gracious hospitality.
4. The alien's service - all have received a special gift. We are to utilize it in the service of one another and for the building up of the body of Christ.
The Spirit's enablement can insure that we perform these priorities well. With the end being near, as Peter reminds us, it is more compelling for us to know how we ought to live.
Medical update: I had a sonogram in Omaha today, but we were then able to return home. Pray for the liver specialist as she works to determine the origin and correction of my liver issues.
1. The alien's mind - we are to be of sound judgement and sober spirit, for the purpose of prayer. I can't help but think that Jesus' request to Peter to stay alert in the garden is responsible for this admonition. We are to remain on watch and on guard against our spiritual enemy.
2. The pilgrim's heart - keep fervent in your love for one another. I think another way of expressing this would be to remain lavish in your love, or to spend it without sparing expense.
3. The alien's home - I already think of the people at MEFC as being very generous in opening up their homes to other people. This is just a reminder that there is always a need for gracious hospitality.
4. The alien's service - all have received a special gift. We are to utilize it in the service of one another and for the building up of the body of Christ.
The Spirit's enablement can insure that we perform these priorities well. With the end being near, as Peter reminds us, it is more compelling for us to know how we ought to live.
Medical update: I had a sonogram in Omaha today, but we were then able to return home. Pray for the liver specialist as she works to determine the origin and correction of my liver issues.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
People Who Are Ready To Be Used By God
I played football in high school, but I was not part of the starting team, which was extremely frustrating. I felt that I was ready to play and was frequently inserted in the second half at the position of defensive end. There are occasions in life when all of us feel frustrated because we are ready to "get in the game" but somehow never manage to. In Romans 1:14-16 we find the disposition of a person who is ready to be used by God. You may read these and focus on the "I am" statements.
1. I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians. In other words, Paul was a man for others regardless of class, status, age, gender or standing in society.
2. I am eager to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome. Paul states that he possessed an inner compulsion to reach others, to teach them, and to see the Lord change them.
3. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (1:16). The third quality of this individual is that he is confident that God is at work and that the gospel message is powerful.
Each one of these "I am" statements reveal a characteristic about that man or woman ready to be used by God. May you be that person. During our stay in Dallas, whether we were at the aerobics center or at the mall, I asked God to bring along the path someone who would be a divine appointment, because I was eager to share the good news.
Medical update: I was dismissed from the hospital in Dallas on Saturday and am now in Omaha scheduled to see liver specialists Thursday morning. Please pray that they will be able to determine why my bilirubin level is so elevated.
1. I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians. In other words, Paul was a man for others regardless of class, status, age, gender or standing in society.
2. I am eager to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome. Paul states that he possessed an inner compulsion to reach others, to teach them, and to see the Lord change them.
3. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (1:16). The third quality of this individual is that he is confident that God is at work and that the gospel message is powerful.
Each one of these "I am" statements reveal a characteristic about that man or woman ready to be used by God. May you be that person. During our stay in Dallas, whether we were at the aerobics center or at the mall, I asked God to bring along the path someone who would be a divine appointment, because I was eager to share the good news.
Medical update: I was dismissed from the hospital in Dallas on Saturday and am now in Omaha scheduled to see liver specialists Thursday morning. Please pray that they will be able to determine why my bilirubin level is so elevated.
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