This has been an interesting weather day. Fall must be on its way. I’m glad that I got out with the dog during our brief morning time of sun and warmth. I had a good visit with my palliative care nurse today. We are working on the coordination of a care plan with all of my doctors. The goal is to ensure that the issues that confront me are having the follow up that will lead to restoration of full health. My reoccurring infections are certainly at the epicenter of these concerns.

Tomorrow morning I return to Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital for my outpatient therapy. It will be interesting to see where I stand as they will need to do some reassessments after my recent hospitalization.

This past Friday, I was able to stop at L&R Pallet Company in Denver. Larry and Doris Ruder started this company over thirty-five years ago. Oldest son James and his wife Carie are now overseeing the day to day operations of this successful family business. Debbie and I have known the Ruder family since we were first married. It has been a joy to see the Lord’s blessing on their life.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

The Lord’s work that begins in our life when we begin to follow Him, is an ongoing work until Christ returns. We continue to be a “work in progress” because we all face challenges and ups and downs in life. As Paul writes to believers in the city of Philippi he thanks God for their partnership in the gospel and being fellow partakers of God’s grace. ( 1:5-7) Yet as with any follower of Christ in the first century they encountered opposition. Paul writes this letter to let them know they can experience joy as they serve the Lord. At the end of the letter he says, “…rejoice in the Lord always…” (4:4)

At the bedrock of that ability to rejoice in the Lord is the knowledge that God doesn’t give up on us, He doesn’t stop working in and through our lives as we follow Him. That means we learn to trust Him and to keep our eyes upon Him. It is in this letter that Paul himself expresses his priority in life when he says, “…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (3:13,14)

There is an end point of God’s work in our lives. It is the day when Christ returns for His children. The Apostle John wrote of that day in these words, “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)

In the mean time be open to the work that Lord is doing in your life. In good times and in tough times. Devotional writer Sarah Young in her book, Jesus Calling reminds us, “[The Lord] is always available to you. Once you have trusted in [Him] as your Savior, [He will] never distance [Himself] from you.” (Jesus Calling, pg. 263)

Whether “seasoned saint” or “diligent seeker” the Lord desires to work in you to conform you to His will…His ways…His character. That is what following Him is all about. If we continue to follow Him, He will lead us to His home.

The middle of my day ended up being fairly full. I attended a luncheon event for Governor candidate Bob Beauprez. It was good to connect with some political people here in Fort Collins. I then had an appointment with my Urologist in Greeley. Debbie met me and we made the trip over to his office in Greeley for a consult. The visit was beneficial and I appreciate his thoughtful approach to investigating the cause of my reoccurring infections. There is one test that he recommended as a “rule out” possibility regarding the amount of pressure in my bladder. We have a tentative schedule for that procedure.

I am always pleased and humbled when I learn of the number of people who are following my progress and praying for me. This past Friday when I was visiting my aunts. Paula brought me a prayer pillow from the congregation of Eagle Bend Community Church. Her church makes these pillows with a scripture verse and with strings of yarn that are tied in knots that represent prayers that have been and are being prayed for someone. She was surprised when they were announcing the names of individuals for whom pillows could be picked up after a recent service and heard my name called.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And she [Delilah] said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”  Judges 16:20

When it comes to Bible heroes, Samson is an enigma. How can God use someone who does so much wrong to accomplish His will? Samson had more glaring weaknesses in his character, than strength in his body. I once heard him described as the “He-Man” with the “she” weakness.

However we see God’s grace and sovereignty at work as He used Samson to gain victories over Israel’s archenemy the Philistines. But in the end it was as Philistine woman named, “Delilah” that became his downfall. When you read the story of multiple times that she tried to get Samson to reveal his strength, you would think that Samson would have “got it” that she was not to be trusted. He thought he was playing her, but she was playing him and in the end he found you can’t “play with God’s grace.”

God had shown his faithfulness to work through Samson for many years. He finally gives in to the continual pleading of Delilah and reveals the true source of his strength; his hair – the outward sign of an inward devotion to  God. Samson’s fatal error was taking God’s grace for granted. Even though he revealed all, when he awoke he told himself, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.”  But something was different, Samson was the same man, his muscles mass was not diminished, but his strength was gone, because the “Lord had left him.”

It is interesting to find that the same thing is said about King Saul. (1 Samuel 16:14; 28:15,16) The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul to anoint him for leadership. But through disobedience and arrogance Saul disobeyed the Lord and the Lord reject him as King, which lead the prophet Samuel to find a shepherd boy named David to anoint was the next King of Israel.

When the Lord lifted His hand from Saul, an evil spirit began to torment him. When the Lord “turned away” from Saul his life was void of the fellowship and direction that he needed as the leader of God’s people. This led him to seek out a medium, which even Saul had banished from the land, during a time of following after the Lord. Saul found himself lost as a leader, lost as a man.

Samson found himself as the one who is ridiculed by his archenemy. He lost his eyes, he lost his freedom, he found what strength he possesses used to provide power for the grinding stone in the Philistines mill. The man who had killed 1,000 Philistines with the jaw bone of a donkey, now takes the place of a yoke of oxen. All because, “he did not know the Lord had left him.”

I have always view Judges 6:20 as one of the saddest verses of the Bible. God promised His people that they were special only to the degree that His presence was among them. The same is true of those who would follow Christ today. God’s presence is a gift of His grace and something to be highly valued, cherished and cultivated. One can find joy in many ways, but “only Jesus [and His presence] can satisfy your soul.”

Then I am thankful that God’s grace can overcome our deficiencies. When we fail, He is still faithful. His love is everlasting. As a result we see Samson crying out to God one more time for strength to have victory over his enemies. God hears his prayer and grants his request.

The end of Samson’s life, the end of Saul’s life are marked by tragedy, even in the face of God’s grace. You will always find that God’s ways are the best ways. His plan for you is the best plan you can have for yourself. Staying close to Him not only saves you from the world around, it saves you from yourself.

It has been good to get caught up on some rest after a busy weekend. Debbie and I attended the late service at Timberline Church and began our new ministry as part of the prayer team after the weekend worship services. We went through the training and gained appreciation for the thoughtful preparation that is needed to facilitate this important ministry in a large church.

On Friday I traveled to Denver and met up with two of my aunts (my father’s sisters). It was special being with my Aunt Margaret the oldest of my father’s siblings and my Aunt Paula the youngest. My father was the oldest of ten children of Guy and Ione Summers.

Margaret is now in her early 90’s and beginning to slow down. She said she is “still a good driver” but doesn’t trust those “other people” on the road. So her children have talked her into giving up driving. She has been the leader of King’s Daughters a missionary support group at Calvary Temple in Denver for 41 years. She has just turned over leadership to someone else, but still attends the monthly  meetings. I still recall Margaret being helpful in getting signatures for Jane Norton’s petition drive to be on the primary ballot of U.S. Senate in 2010. In appreciation, Jane’s staff made sure Margaret was present for the trip to the Secretary of State’s office to turn in the boxes of ballots from around the state. (picture of Margaret and me)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand,my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches,my glory fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.’”      Job 29:18-20

“I am sure you are beginning to identify with Job.”  That is a statement that I heard as I was dealing with my month on end hospitalization, including setbacks, new discoveries and complications that seemed to be routine. At one point I told Debbie, “the theme as we head to surgery is no more crisis.”

I have known others who have suffered the hand of grief and physical and financial challenges greater than what we have experienced. Many of those like me felt their life was on track for abundant “test free” living. In spite of my experience and those that I have known, I still don’t think anyone can compete or compare themselves to Job. He lost children, servants, livestock, homes and health. But he also lost something that is difficult to measure. He lost his respect and dignity among the community.

If you read through the stanzas of Job 29 you will gain an appreciation for Job’s life before and after all of his losses. That chapter opens with this lament from Job… “Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me,when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness,as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent,when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were all around me…”  Job 29:1-5

Job talks about young men clearing the way before him and the elders rising in his presence. He was one who shared wisdom and helped the downtrodden. He summarized his life of comfort as follows… “I lived like a king among his troops…” (Job 29:25)

In Job 29:18-20, we see Job’s confidence in life. The sea of life was smooth sailing and any destination was available. Now that is something that I can relate to. I am not comparing myself to Job as far as wealth, wisdom, and status. But I was as Job said in another chapter “at ease.” We had just moved to Fort Collins and were beginning a new chapter. It was a fresh start in many ways after the last fifteen years back in Lakewood. We had made many friends and I had just finished my legislative service. Outside of not being as “fleet of foot” on the base paths of the softball field I had few complaints. I was looking forward to directing my undivided attention to the work of Teen Challenge, but open to opportunities that may arise.

Within three weeks of our move to Fort Collins this new venture changed venues from a new home to a hospital room. As a result I spent most of 2013 away from our new home instead of in our new home.

At times I have a hard time articulating some of the “lessons learned” over the last year, but one that has come to the forefront is “don’t take life for granted.” I am confident that is what Job would advise as well. The other important aspect of dealing with the setbacks in life is, you can lose your ability to earn a living, you can lose your dignity, your can lose your independence, but nothing and no one can take your faith and your true friendships away. That is what has sustained me and for that I will be ever grateful.

This has been a busy weekend. I have done well in my recovery avoiding falls. (for the most part) So last night at the Teen Challenge banquet I feel like I can make a few remarks to attendees and while I am talking holding a mic and learning on my walker, I can tell I am beginning to get weak. As I started to reposition my walker, I am trying to explain to the people that I need to make an adjustment so I don’t fall. I wasn’t quite successful. So this fall was witnessed by about 200 people. It will be hard to deny that one to my physical therapist this next week!

After spending the night with Christian and Bridget and taking an unplanned two hour nap, I headed to meet Debbie at her company picnic in Lafayette. It was good to see so many of her co-workers who have shown their support and interest in my recovery. Especially her boss and company owners, Rod and Sonja.

I then returned to Fort Collins and got ready to go to a Children’s Evangelism Fellowship banquet at Life Bridge Church. John Weston and the men of the “Higher Ground Men’s Chorus” were singing. I enjoyed some of the old songs. There was actually one I didn’t know. The picture is me with some of the choir members that I have known for some years, that I met through a variety of contacts.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses…” Colossians 2:12,13

When I look at these verses I think of my friend Andy Peterson who was attacked by a mountain lion on  Carpenter’s Peak in south Jefferson County. His testimony book is entitled, “Twice Saved.” It is a play on words that relate to his being “saved” from the mouth of a mountain lion and being “saved” from his life of sin through relationship with Christ.

Life through death is the biblical story of redemption. In the Old Testament the life sacrificed was a spotless lamb or goat that was offered in the stead of human life for the forgiveness of sin. In the New Testament the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was to provide forgiveness for our sins, so that we don’t have to die and face eternal separation from God.

However, we see this death and resurrection scenario pictured in the life of Jesus has an application to those who are followers of Christ.

New life begins with death. Spiritually we identify with the death and resurrection of Christ through baptism. This symbolizes death to sin and an old life and a “resurrection” to a new life in Christ.  Many have failed to understand this significance and think that being a follower of Christ is just a belief system or a philosophical approach to life. It is more. It is a life change, it is a new identity. Paul said in Romans 6:11 “…count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”  Paul also says that those who come to Christ are “…new creations, the old is gone and the new is come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  In order to experience the “new” in its fullness one must be willing to let go of the “old.”

New life springs forth from the dead. Paul simply asserts that the spiritual condition of an individual is death. You may be the “life of the party.” You may feel you have the “world by the tail.” God looks at your condition as terminal and good as a “dead man walking.” The good news is that when Christ came to life, God provided life for those who are spiritually dead.

Remember God has made us to know and experience life. In Colorado we enjoy the change of seasons. But everyone anticipates the spring  growth and the summer glory of flowers and tress after the deadness of winter. What we see and identify with in nature, is reflective of what God’s plan is for our souls. John puts it in the simplest of terms, “He who has the Son has life.” (1 John 5:12)

What is the season of your soul? Why not embrace life?

I drove to Denver today for the Teen Challenge banquet. On my way I stopped and visited my Aunt Margaret Shuler (my dad’s sister) along with my Aunt Paula Baer. I also stopped and visited our friends, James and Carie Ruder and dad Larry. I will share more about those contacts over the next few days.

It was good to see many friends that I have not seen in over a year at this year’s Teen Challenge 180 banquet. The attendance was good and the activities seemed to be enjoyed by everyone. Daniel Petruska (pictured with me) has been at 180 Ministries for twelve years and is doing a great job with this program for men overcoming alcohol and drug addictions. September is National Drug and Alcohol Awareness Month. We are constantly made aware of the devastation of substance abuse on individuals, families, businesses and society as a whole. You can find out more about Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains at www.teenchallengerm.com

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!… For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”   Romans 11:33,36

An old hymn contains the words, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene and wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned unclean.”

At tonight’s banquet Pastor Daniel was sharing about some of the “unsung heroes” that are part of the work of 180 Ministries. Many of these serve and just show love to the men  in our program. It may be as simple as a birthday cake or hanging out and visiting. Daniel shared that when these volunteers leave it is not unusual for one of the men to look and him and ask, “Why?”

Why do these people do this when our own parents have given up on us? These men now broken in life due to their substance abuse are blown away by expressions of unmerited love.

When we get a full glimpse of God’s love for  us. For the unmerited favor and love shown to us through Christ, we too can stand in amazement and ask, “Why?” That was the  Apostle Paul’s response to  the plan of God that would bring all people into relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ.

I find it interesting when people stumble at accepting God’s love, because they don’t understand it. If we could understand it, grasp it…we would be…God. Instead the appropriate response is to ponder and stand amazed.