Homesick

Music camp, tennis camp, Bible camp. My daughter has had many options this summer for participation in various camps. The most recent camp experience has seen her come down with a case of real homesickness. I remember when I first went off to college suffering terribly as a freshman wanting yet to be back home. When Jesus told the disciples that He was leaving, He also reassured them that He was going to prepare a place for them. (The Greek word actually means "dwelling place" not mansion.) I have had one church member scold me for not using the word mansion that Jesus was preparing for her. Somehow she missed the point of the passage in John 14, that He was going to come and take them home so that they could be where He was. I am hoping and believing that my young daughter is homesick because of her mother and I (ok, her kitty too!) and not because of the big house on the tree-lined street. Are you homesick for heaven? If so, isn't it because of the Father Who dwells there and the Son Who is set to come at any moment? Is it not wonderful that Jesus takes up residence in us now, as He states in verse 20, that "I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." I guess heaven will be that place where this reality is not distracted from by all the trappings that surround us now. If you are not homesick for heaven and the Heavenly Father, you may need a spiritual check-up.

Prayer request: elevated bilirubin sure causes a lot of itching. Please pray that it continues to drop along with the liver enzymes so I can get some relief.

Acknowledging Christ in Everything

Many Christians memorized Proverbs 3:5-6 while they were yet children. Yet, we can spend all of our lives somehow escaping the action that we are exhorted to do...acknowledge Him in everything. Roger von Oech in his book "A Kick in the Seat of the Pants," suggests: "Take a look around where you're sitting and find five things that have blue in them. Go ahead and do it. With a "blue" mindset, you'll find that blue jumps out at you: a blue book on the table, a blue pillow on the couch, blue in the painting on the wall, and so on...In like fashion, you've probably noticed that after you buy a new car, you promptly see that make of car everywhere. That's because people find what they are looking for. At times in our lives, God seems strangely absent, but the problem is not that God has disappeared. We simply lack a "God" mindset. When we develop our sensitivity, we soon begin to see his work everywhere." How imperative it is for us to maintain the sensitivity to His presence and work in our lives.

On a medical note: The liver seems to be in a holding pattern presently, with the bilirubin level and enzymes moving up slightly. Please pray that the trend will be reversed again. I wish that there were something I could do to facilitate the liver's self-repair, but since I can't, I cast this constantly at the feet of the Great Physician.

The Greatest Word Uttered

The three words that Jesus spoke in John 19;30 is a single word in the original Greek text, that has been called "the greatest word which ever broke upon the ear of man." Frequently preachers look for a single word or thought to drive a point home with power to the hearer. The one word that Jesus uttered was "tetelestai." This means "It is finished." It is a declaration of victory. It was said to be an artist's word. When the painter had put the finishing touches to the vivid landscape, he would stand back and admire his masterpiece and murmur, "tetelestai." It is impossible here to exhaust it's depths, but we can make some observations. It was a word that indicated suffering was ended. The physical agony and mental anguish now culminated in his death for us. The word also indicates that revelation was finalized. Early in John's gospel we read that "no man has seen God at any time."
In Jesus, God became visible and tangible. In His humanity He interpreted the Father to us. The word also means that shadows became substance. Centuries of sacrifice revealed their insufficiency, but now the perfect sacrifice was offered. Finally, "tetelestai" means: the Father's will was fulfilled, Satan was defeated, and redemption was accomplished. An unknown author stated, "It is finished was His last voice, the sacred accents over. He bowed His head, gave up the ghost, and suffered pain no more." Truly that one word was the greatest word ever uttered.

On a medical note: The last MRI was clear, and showed no tumor activity. We give praise to God for answered prayer!

Jesus and Children

We read in the gospels that the disciples ran interference against young children trying to prevent them from the time and attention of the Master. Jesus quickly reversed their action and invited the children to come close. After a week of Vacation Bible School some of our disciples were ready to send the children away also! There were over 100 each day, and our three and four-year olds numbered close to 40. There were lighter moments, such as when one lad with a cherub face defined who Jesus healed. He healed the blind, who could not see. He healed the mute who could not speak. When asked about the lame he said they were the "totally uncool!" Children must have strongly appealed to Jesus for their honesty of reply and observation. I'm sure He would smile to hear the way the word lame is used in our culture today. We should do everything we can to bring children to Him at an early and tender age.

On a medical note: There is nothing to report concerning the MRI - we are still awaiting the results. However, the bilirubin count is as low as it's been, at 12.5! We rejoice that some enzymes are lower too. We continue to covet your prayers. Love, Chris

Truth and Love

I am neither chemist nor cook, so verification of the following may be necessary. Sodium is an extremely active element found naturally only in combined form. It always links itself to another element. Chlorine, on the other hand, is the poisonous gas that gives bleach its offensive odor. When sodium and chlorine are combined, the result is sodium chloride - common table salt - the substance we use to preserve meat and bring out it's flavor. Love and truth can be like sodium and chlorine. Love without truth can be blind and sentimental and carries a tendency to soften the sharp edges of truth. On the other hand, truth by itself may be overly offensive, sometimes even brutal. Spoken without love it can turn people away from the gospel. When truth and love are combined in an individual or church, then we have what Jesus wants His church to be - the salt of the earth. It is then we are able to preserve and bring out the beauty of our faith. The church and the individuals in it are the repository and pillar of the truth. The love of Christ has been shed abroad in our hearts and therefore we can love as He loved. I don't always keep these two elements in balance, and I know the result is diminished effectiveness. I can only say that I am a work in progress - Christ is not finished with me yet, and I hope to be saltier as time goes by. I hope you will be also.

On a health note: The bilirubin count now stands at 15.7! Our prayer is that the enzymes and bilirubin will continue to fall. The fourth post-surgery MRI is scheduled for Wednesday. Please pray that there will be what is known as a clear report - no new tumor activity. God bless you.