Brief Is Best

Oftentimes the best teachers can say the most by saying the least. Jesus was a master teacher and often spoke in pictures of lilies, foxes, widows, sheep, and other subjects. Dr. Charles Ryrie was known at Dallas Theological Seminary for having that gift. In reading Psalm 28 recently, it struck me that David used two words to describe what the Lord was to him, his shield and his strength. So his response to those two characteristics of the Lord was for his heart to affirm it's trust in Him and confidence...I am helped. It is good to know that amidst so many circumstances, adversaries, and clear opposition, we have a Protector. Our response is simple in that we are to trust and understand we are helped.

Medical update: Bilirubin has come down to 23. Dismissal from Nebraska Medical Center was welcome news. The hospitality of my brother Kevin and his family was graciously enjoyed, but it is good to be back in McCook, back to ministry, back to family, and back to what we love.

Update 04-25

(1) I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
(2) I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. - Psalm 9:1-2
We have some great thing to rejoice in today! Dad is doing much better as the doctors continue to search for answers. His bilirubin levels continue to drop and we are now in the mid 20's. (A long way from the 40's!) He has also been able to eat and get some much needed sleep. Continue to join me in prayer over his body and the doctors wisdom.

On a side note: For those of you that don't live in the great state of Florida, here is what your are missing today :)

Update 04-23

Hello everyone, this is Andrew, Chris and Eunice's middle child. I wanted to take an opportunity to give a short update on how dad is doing and request everyone to spend some time today to pray for them. Dad is on his way to Omaha where he will receive specialized treatment/tests. Although not confirmed, there are signs of Hepactic Encephalpathy- a disorder affecting both the liver and the brain. We are grateful he will be in good hands and have faith God is in complete control.

On a side note: I want to say how amazing it was to meet so many of you this past weekend. It was truly a blessing to see your love and friendship first hand. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. God bless.

Grateful and Humbled

I wrestle with how to say thanks to so many who have done so much in relation to the recent Fernando Ortega concert, the potluck meal after our Sunday morning service, and dozens of acts of kindness. Over the next several days I will try to enumerate some of these but there is always the concern of inadvertently leaving someone out. So forgive me for sometimes being general in my thanks and not as specific as what I would like. Let it be said again that I am extremely grateful for sponsors, donors, gifts and all those that made my biological family so welcome during their time here. Right now, please know that you are greatly loved.

The Torn Veil

It hung there for years. It was beautifully embroidered in blue and purple and scarlet. It was there to keep sinful men out and it was there to enclose God in, in front of His mercy seat. I refer to the veil in the Jewish temple that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. When Jesus died, suddenly without warning, the veil was torn from top to bottom, as if by a pair of unseen, giant hands. James Stewart states that the torn veil stands for several things: (1) The opening of a road - the offer of a right of way for all who care to travel it. (2) The confirming of a hope - the guarantee of life eternal. (3) It reveals the very heart of God, as if to say, "God loves you" and it is the cross that declares that without ambiguity.

On a medical note: We were thrilled to receive the MRI report today, that it is clear, with no change from last month! Blood work was also done today, but we have not received that report.

That First Easter Sunday Morning

The followers of Jesus have never struck me as the athletic type, but when Mary was told to go tell the disciples that "He is risen, just as He said," John arrived at the tomb with unusual speed. The Bible says that he looked in the empty tomb to see what he could. The verb "to see" is simply one of the most common words in the New Testament. Peter quickly caught him and pretty much barged past him to see what he could. The verb changes here to "thereo" from which we get our word theory, and carries the idea of scrutinizing. John goes in to the tomb further to see the folded linen burial cloth and now he sees "orao," which means to see with understanding, and it becomes clear from the text that he now believes in the resurrection for the first time. In fact, I believe at this point we can say with certainty that John is saved. When the Awana children were asked Wednesday night the significance of the linen cloth being folded, one young lady correctly replied that if someone stole the body they would not take the time to be folding the burial cloth. One of the boys submitted the amusing observation that "Women just don't like to leave things untidy, so they must have folded it!" The joy that swept over the women and the other disciples must have been palpable. I trust that your joy is full this Easter season as we consider His triumph over the grave.

On a medical note - please pray that the MRI this next Tuesday will go well. Issues related to the liver are still frustrating because most enzyme levels remain high, including an 11 point rise in the bilirubin, to 44.1.