I was looking at my grass and it seemed that it needed to be mowed already after my Saturday evening mowing. But it is raining again and it looks like more rain will come tomorrow. I am glad that this morning Ted Grizzel was able to come over and help with some trimming of our peach tree which looks like it is on its last leg after 15 years. He also took time to help me remove the bottom plate off my power wheelchair so I will keep from catching my garden hose, electric cord and dog’s leash underneath on a bolt designed for locking the chair in place when driving the van.

I accomplished my assigned duties of making follow up doctor appointments for the next few weeks and adjusting my outpatient therapy sessions. With my IV port and the rain it has restricted me from getting into the pool for my normal workout. Christian and family are to return this weekend. My hope is that I will have my IV port out of my arm long enough on Friday to go swimming with the grandkids. (That means I may need to remove it myself, but don’t tell Debbie!)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship…Saul went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.”  1 Samuel 10:24-27

The story of Saul is an interesting one. It is an important one. As the Children of Israel move into the promised land, they demand of Samuel a King to rule over them. They wanted someone to “lead them into battle” and they wanted to be “like other nations.”

While the Lord raised up Judges who would lead Israel for certain periods of time, it was obvious the Lord was the One leading and fighting for His people. God told Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.” (1 Samuel 8:6)

Just think Samuel has the duty to select a human King to replace God as the King of His people. And the one chosen has an apparent inferiority complex, which is in part due to his family and tribal history and his own awkward physical condition of being “head and shoulders taller than anyone.” I have this mental picture of Saul being the “Jethro Bodine”  (The Beverly Hillbillies clan) of his family and the tribe of Benjamin.

When Saul is anointed and presented to the people they have to find him hiding in the baggage. After the coronation ceremony Saul returns home and with him “men of valor whose hearts God had touched.” But in spite of their demand for a King and the divine selection by God through the prophet Samuel there were still some, “worthless fellows [who] said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present.” Anyone involved in politics today, has to chuckle at that reality. Even if you are hand picked by God you will have your detractors! Makes me feel better about my critics when I served in elected office.

However Saul’s first expression of wisdom is seen in that, “…he held his peace.” A leader has to realize that regardless of what you do or say, you can’t win over those who are adamantly opposed to  you for whatever reason. Perhaps the Lord allows that to keep us all humble.

Earlier when Samuel first encountered Saul there were (by my quick count) at least twenty-two details that the prophet articulated in his instructions as to what would happen. The passages goes on and says “all of them happened on the same day.” It also reports something else of significance. It says that “God gave him another heart.” I believe that was the heart of a leader. A heart of wisdom, courage and strength.

There is an old well-worn adage, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” I believe we see that in scripture and I know that I have experienced it in my own life.

The leadership lesson, the life lesson is that God uses people to accomplish His plans and His purposes. Those He chooses may seem unlikely and view themselves as unqualified. But when God calls them and they respond in faith, He empowers them to do His work. As He empowers them to do His work, it is critical to realize that which is happening is from the Lord and not from our own wisdom and strength.

This morning I seemed to sleep in later and feel a little more fatigue than yesterday. I wasn’t sure if that was due to my lack of activity with hospital confinement or other issues. I was somewhat relieved when my infectious disease doctor did say one of the side effects off the antibiotics is fatigue.

This morning Debbie brought in LaMar’s Donuts and then Christian and Bridget and the grandkids arrived. I knew it was going to be a good day! I did get the confirmation that I will return home today and that is in the works as I write my blog for today. I will continue on home antibiotics for two weeks. I did review my year and infection episodes and I have had an infection reoccur every six weeks or so after finishing a round of antibiotics. It seems now that we need to take action on some potential causes and be more aggressive in order to avoid the development of super infection through repeating infections and resistance to antibiotics.

Last night it was good to have Michael come into my room and serve as my nurse for a couple of hours. He was my intensive care nurse during my initial hospitalization and during my surgery last September. He was down on my floor covering for my assigned nurse who had to leave early.

During this hospitalization is has been interesting to compare it to previous ones as far as my strength, independence and range of motion. It is good to be able to manage with just a walker, get myself out of bed and to reach the bed controls. Even in times of setback there are signs of improvement and progress.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

These verses are ones that continually remind us of the Lord’s outstretched hand of invitation to our lives. The challenge for us is to respond. I think of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem saying, “…how often would I have gathered you as a hen her chicks, but you would not.”  (Matthew 23:37)

The operative words, the requirement to receive “rest for our souls” and a lift for our load is to “come” “take” and “learn.” We must come to the Lord. He alone is our strength, refuge and source of life. So often we choose other strategies and resources to deal with the burden of life. Jesus simply invites us to come to him. Come with our burdens and fatigue and find rest.

Then we must “take” and “learn.” We must take his yoke. Notice Jesus does not take our yoke. He is the one who leads. When we are yoke with Jesus, we go where He goes, we do what He does. Then we learn of Jesus’ ways and His character. When we do that we find rest for our souls. This is strength from the inside out. Not just a physical rejuvenation. What Jesus offers goes much deeper and has a far greater impact. As I said a few days ago, “when it is well with our soul, it is well with our world.”

I was anticipating coming home today, but it looks like I will have to wait a little longer. My improvement is faster than the test results to confirm what is happening in my body. My doctor came in today to let me know that I do have a significant bacterial infection but the specifics will not be known until tomorrow. My infectious disease doctor should be around tomorrow to weigh in on the duration and type of antibiotic that I will need upon discharge.

It was good to have Jerry and Virginia Pippin to come by and visit today. They told me they usually don’t stay as long as they did. I told them, that I wasn’t sick (or at least feeling sick) any more.

Dr. Daniel Asadi is the Medical Director at Northern Colorado Acute Hospital. He oversaw my care during my most critical days when I was first admitted to the Acute Care Hospital. I continued to see him in passing after I moved on to the Rehab Hospital. He was always very encouraging and supportive and continues to be so. I was pleased the he was included on the 9News update report of my recovery from West Nile. I made sure I had a picture taken of the two of us when I was at the Rehab Hospital this past Wednesday.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”  Romans 12:9

There is not a shortage of things to “love” or those who profess to “love.” There is lack of understanding of “genuine” love. There are those who can tell you the painful stories of insincere love and love that faded not long after it was expressed.

That which is genuine is authentic, valuable, “the real deal.” As Paul writes about Christian character he says that love is to be genuine. I believe the phrases that follow give the first clue to genuine love.

Love hates. Love hates what is evil. It is not willing to look the other way or tolerate misbehavior under some false pretense of love. Genuine love holds fast to what is good. It cherishes and it persists.

We also get a glimpse of what genuine love is to Paul by looking at his other letters. When he writes to the Galatians he says, “…through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

This is reinforced by John when he wrote, “let us not love in words or in talk, but in action and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) So we see that love is a demonstration of the action of our lives more than the words that we speak from our lips. In relationships expression of love is important. But if actions don’t reinforce the words, the words lose their meaning.

When Paul writes to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts, he describes the importance of love. In 1 Corinthians 13 he says what love is and what love is not. (1 Corinthians 13:3-8) When you look at the descriptions you find that love has a focus on others, not self. You find that love, genuine love, is action oriented, persistent, wise, forgiving, upward in focus and tenaciously optimistic.

That is the love God the Father has for us and demonstrates to us. When we “allow love to be genuine” it helps us to reflect the character of a great God.

Last night Christian posted the prayer update on my recent hospitalization. I appreciate the prayers that have gone up on my behalf. I am feeling better and it seems the antibiotic treatment so far has made a difference. The doctors are still waiting on a definitive blood culture report to know what the specific infection is this time around. It was good to see Dr. Tony Pierson, who was the hospitalist on duty today. He was so instrumental in helping diagnose my original West Nile Virus case.

My late afternoon yesterday was eventful in many ways. While I cancelled my therapy appointment, I did show up at Northern Colorado Rehab and Acute Hospital to present the Chief Operating Officer’s (Beth Bullard and Dawn Morrisey) the official House Tribute on behalf of State Rep. Perry Buck.

I then headed to my doctor’s appointment at the Kaiser clinic. We met with the new internist on staff. After looking at some lab results, they placed me in their observation room where I started out over one year ago. That was an interesting experience. They gave me some fluids and a small amount of antibiotics and as we were planning a follow up appointment, the doctor came in and said she felt that I need to go the hospital. After my septic shock episode in February, I have learned not to be discouraged or too disappointed by that. When I was in the emergency treatment room, I told the hospitalist on duty that I thought he was going to tell me to “go home.” He told me “I can tell you anything I want; I just have to live with the consequences.”

The good news is that it seems we are catching infections early on. While there are set backs that come about every six to eight weeks, I am making progress in my strength and endurance and level of activity.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.”  Matthew 28:16,17

These verse always perplexed me. First of all there were undoubtedly more than the eleven disciples at Jesus ascension and what had happened previous to this event and the events that followed reveal that the “eleven” believed. However, there were those in the crowd (perhaps this is the time Jesus appeared to more than 500 at once, that Paul refers to) that saw Jesus resurrected, alive and giving His disciples the “Great Commission” yet they did not believe!

What?! I thought “seeing was believing.” During Jesus ministry there were some Scribes and Pharisees that came to Jesus “seeking a sign.” You would have thought most of these would have been around to see some of Jesus’ miracles, so I’m not sure what “sign” they were seeking. Jesus basically responded to them the only sign you will receive is (the sign of Jonah) after I have been in the grave three days, I will rise again. Perhaps some of these Scribes and Pharisees were the “unbelievers” at the ascension of Jesus.

Jesus told the story of the “rich man and Lazarus.” The rich man ends up in hell and Lazarus is at “Abraham’s side .” The rich man in his torment is able to see Lazarus afar off and a rest and says, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” Luke 19:28-31

This certainly became a reality and perhaps this story was a prophesy of Jesus fulfilled at the time of Jesus ascension. Faith, belief is just that. It defies understanding, it doesn’t make sense, but it is what makes our relationship with God possible. If we understood it all, we would be God and we are not, so faith is needed. Thomas the  disciples is known as the doubter. He wanted proof, personal confrontational proof. Jesus in this situation provided it for him. But Jesus then said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Those of us today fall into this second group. We are not those who have seen Jesus, but we believe the testimony of those who have and we believe what God’s Word declares. Jesus pronounces a special blessing upon those who believe without seeing, because “seeing is not always believing.”

I am thankful for the many answered prayers of those who do “believe.” Even now during this recent infection and hospitalization. When science doesn’t have an answer for how and why certain things happen, you realize this world is not all about what we can see, perceive and understand.

I had the opportunity to reconnect with Pastor Steve Harris for lunch. It has been about three weeks or so since I last had the opportunity for an extended visit. I told him Debbie and I were ready to jump into some volunteer activity and we are looking forward to that. Tonight my  plan is to rejoin the “Allies” men’s ministry meeting at Church. It has been about a month since I have attend this event. They are studying Mark Batterson’s Book, “All In.” I probably have missed some great quotes from Batterson’s book for some of my blogs.

This week, I return to outpatient therapy and some of my other rehab appointments. I have an afternoon appointment instead of a morning one this week. I will be interested in seeing how that goes for me with that time of day.

Fall is on the way, along with football season. It looks like grandsons Riley and Caed are getting in the spirit of things.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”  Matthew 24:9-13

The disciples of Jesus asked him a lot of questions during His ministry. After all, Jesus spoke in parables and His teaching was nothing like the disciples had been exposed to before. One day Jesus made a statement about the destruction of the Temple. The disciples asked Him, “when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3) I don’t know about the disciples, but after Jesus’ discourse I would be thinking, “I’m sorry I asked!”

The verses above are a good summary of what Jesus had to say. Hard times that they could not comprehend, death, hated by all nations. (Here is an important footnote to the daily news as we see world opinion shape toward Israel.) But the outward persecution is nothing to compare to the betrayal and that which happens from the “inside.”

False prophets leading many astray. These are not the unbelievers, but those of the family of faith. As a result followers of Christ will be betrayed and hated by those who once claimed allegiance to the Christ. I recall during my pastoral ministry, the disappointment and hurt that was caused by individuals who would leave our congregation, join another, and then feel the compelled to throw darts by making phone, sending emails and trying to justify their actions by bringing confusion to others who were still a part of the church. This would be nothing to compared to those Jesus describes as being lead way from Christ and then joining the ranks of the persecutors of the world.

The final statement Jesus makes in this passage above got my attention. “Because of lawlessness the love of many will grow cold.” The application of this statement can be found in many ways. But the waning of love is directly related to an atmosphere of “lawlessness.” A loss in not only a moral compass for a society, but outward actions that result when that foundation erodes.

Love growing cold, could mean love for Christ, thereby making an individual vulnerable to deception and “giving in to the world around.” When I read this in light of some of the events of the day, I thought of compassion or even moral outrage against evil causing a calloused reaction to the lawlessness of the age.

I well remember the “Columbine Tragedy” and the pervasive grief that gripped our community and entire city of Denver and for that matter the nation, at the time. I recall a friend of mine who had served as the Pastor to Rachel Scott saying, “Ken, this won’t be the last of these that we see in our country.” At the time, 1998, I just could not believe that would be the case. It proved my friend Bruce Porter was more of a prophet than I wanted to recognize. What I have observed with each subsequent mass murder, crisis and act of terrorism, while there is support and people coming together, it seems we have become accustomed to this kind of news.

I fear our love is growing cold. Love that results in moral outrage, that says, “no more!” What do we have to do in our schools, homes and society to stem this tide?

Jesus speaks to His disciples and His followers today and says, “those who endure to the end will be saved.” I don’t believe this is a “strap yourself to the mast of the sinking ship and hang on” type of endurance. This is being strong in faith and love and action. Not giving in to prevailing culture, but being willing to be “counter-culture” and ready to pay the price for that commitment. That was the example Jesus left for us and I don’t believe He deserves anything less from His followers as we live in our present day.