Thank you for all those who have been praying for me. Last night after my doctor’s appointment I began to feel some tightness and pain in my upper chest. I came to the hospital to have things checkout and they decided to keep me during the night. I was actually more concerned about the UTI than any issues with my heart. All the tests did come back positive on my heart. Today they did a CAT scan of my abdomen to see if there are any abscesses in my kidneys. I anticipated some results by now, but we are still waiting.

Debbie has been with me all day and working from the room the best she can. Christian and Bridget and the children came up. Being in the hospital is a tough way to spend some time with your grandkids and their parents. I am glad that I began feeling better around noon. This morning was fairly rough with some fatigue and headache and some of the pain in my chest. I hope to be able to return home early tomorrow depending on the results of the CAT scan and some of the blood and urine analysis.

The doctor just came in to give a report on the tests. The good news is that the kidneys show no new abscesses and the urine is free of any infections. He does believe that there may be some fluid around my heart and that it may be a viral infection that has created the symptoms that I have been experiencing. They do want to do some tests tomorrow as a follow up. I have been in cardiac monitoring unit and will move to a regular room tonight. Outside of all this, it has been like “old home week” seeing nurses and staff that we have known from previous hospitalizations.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days…..[people] having a form of godliness but denying its power….”  2 Timothy 3:1,5   “You are always on their [the wicked] lips but far from their hearts.” Jeremiah 12:2

Pastor Jeff Lucas was giving some stats on how often people pray and in the list were those who pray at least once a week were agnostic and atheists. It doesn’t take a lot of faith to recognize the reality of God, it is another to experience the life He has to offer and the work He desires to do in our life.

God is not a cosmic reality, He is creator and sustainer of all that exists. His power and work is available to work in lives today. I appreciate the prayers of people during my illness and recovery and believe much of the progress and my survival is because of G0d’s intervention.

Today I was visited by the hospital chaplain that I had met on previous occasions. I have always appreciate this man’s prayers and appreciated that he asked me how I was doing spiritually! What a gift this man is to this hospital.

I also appreciated the prayers of my family. Before Christian and Bridget left this evening we had prayer together. I was touched with Eliana’s (3 years old) prayer. I believe God honors the prayer of children. Christian also shared how their church was moving out in bold belief for God to help people and work in a powerful way in their lives. As a result, they are beginning to see some very specific answers to prayer.

It is one thing to believe in God, it is one thing to “look” godly, it is another to believe in and experience His power in your life. I like this verse from the Prophet Jeremiah: “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”  Jeremiah 17:14

I just returned from my doctor’s appointment today. Yesterday’s was postponed to today. The tests confirmed that I have another UTI. The doctor will know tomorrow more about the culture and the specific type of infection. She did begin me on some oral antibiotics in hopes that this will curb the infection while we wait for the final results. If the culture reveals the same type of infections as before it may require another round of IV antibiotics. It has been about five weeks since I finished my last round of IV antibiotics that were to “nuke” all infections.

I did get the lawn mowed before going to the doctor so I go that accomplished. I don’t feel real bad, I just don’t feel real good. The good news at this point is that we are getting a quick diagnosis and response as some of the more minor symptoms have been manifesting over the last few days. After transitioning for about a week to my regular wheelchair, I am beginning to use my power chair a little more to save on energy.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”  Jeremiah 17:7

I read this verse this morning during my Bible time. Perhaps it was providential that it arrested my attention. While I have staved off another crisis this time around with my health, I know that the reoccurring infections are of concern to the doctors. And when doctor’s are concerned patients should be as well. I just remember the last time I was in the hospital, one of the infectious disease doctor’s said, “Ken we need to be to the bottom of this because we are running out of options.” I was either too sick at the time or too scared to ask him to elaborate.

The verse above from Jeremiah 17:7 is set in contrast to Jeremiah 17:5

This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord….But blessed….”  Jeremiah 17:5

I am thankful today that my trust, my confidence is in the Lord. It is from Him that I want to draw my strength. I think of those in the Old Testament and the New Testament who stopped following the Lord wholeheartedly. One of those accounts in the New Testament is in John 6 when many of the “disciples” that were following Jesus turned away. One of Jesus most piercing questions comes when He looks at the twelve and asks, “do you want to leave me too?”

Peter speaks up for the group and says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”  John 6:68, 69

I am not sure about others, but for me, I’ll stick with Jesus!

I mentioned my aunt and uncle Jim and Paula Bear meeting me at the Colfax 5K finish line.  They have been so instrumental in my recovery through helping me secure the handicap van, the power wheelchair and in following closely my progress. My father was the oldest and Paula is the youngest of ten children in the Guy Summers (my grandfather) family. My aunt has made a commitment to walk with me in the first 5K that I am able to. So I am already looking forward to the Colfax 5K 2015 and having my aunt and several relatives and friends join me. That is really a challenge and an invite to my friends and relatives. (picture above me with Jim and Paula Baer)

Today I drove myself to my massage appointment. It was somewhat challenging in the logistics of maneuvering my  four-wheel walker but I made it. I believe the services of Twyla Osler will be a good complement to my  therapy and aid my recovery.  Debbie and Twyla grew up together in Timberline Church.

This morning I woke up feel pretty rough. Soon after getting up I began to get sweaty for some reason. I didn’t have fever almost the opposite. My pulse was irregular but then settled down. Debbie came back by the house after she left for her patient visits to check me out. I will go see one of the primary care doctors at Kaiser tomorrow. We are in the process of finding a new primary care physician.

Tonight will be my first HOA Board meeting. This will be a new and interesting area of involvement. The Home Owners Association includes a large housing area that includes single family homes as well apartment complexes. We manage over 40 acres of open space and a community pool with a swim team.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.”      Jeremiah 12:1-2

These verse caught my attention during my morning Bible time. Jeremiah joins with David and Job and many others I am sure that are named in the Bible and continue through time that question, “why to the wicked prosper?” As righteous people seem to be marginalized and mocked and even persecuted, seems like those who don’t serve the Lord or really care about His priorities are doing very well in life.

The Psalmist offed this observation: “This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments.”  Psalm 73:12-14

It is understandable to say to God, “Not fair!” “Where is the justice in what we see?”   The crucial perspective is what “we” see. This is especially true when struggles come our way. When hardship hits whether in health or in finances and it is easy to ask, “does it pay to serve the Lord?”

The prosperity of wicked is like opposites attracting in relationships. The saying is, “opposite attract but not for long.” From God’s perspective the wicked my prosper but not for long. God in responding to Jeremiah’s complaint challenges him to be tough during the hard times that are coming and then God reassures Jeremiah the wicked will be “uprooted from their land.”

The Psalmist came to this realization about the wicked: “Surely you (God) place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!” Psalms 72:18,19

The Christian life, like running, requires you to look straight ahead. If you look to the side or behind you – your focus on the finish line diminishes and forget what you are running for. Hardship for a Christian may come, but they come to pass. Those who deny God don’t have that assurance. But what we see in the Bible is that God desires all to come to Him for forgiveness and new life. We see that in the Old Testament and we see it in Revelation in the New Testament.

Look at the Psalmists assurance…‘I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.You guide me with your counsel,
 and afterward you will take me into glory.Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 72:24-26

God’s comfort to His people, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not”. Malachi 3:17-18

It is vital for us to keep the eternal in view and to consistently place our trust in God. He knows the beginning from the end and He will be faithful, even when we are not. Remember for the wicked, this earth is the closest to heaven they will get and for the believers this world is the closest to hell they will get.

We slept in a little today and went to the second Sunday morning service at Timberline Church. Once again Jeff Lucas did a great job communicating practical concepts of God’s Word in the current, “While You Were Sleeping” series, www.timberlinechurch.org For the first time I tried to stand for at least part of the closing chorus at the end of the service. That was a first and felt good even if it was for only 30 seconds or so.

The last two weekends have been the busiest the I have experienced since coming home from the hospital. They have involved travel, staying away from home, navigating crowds, helping perf0rm a wedding and the Colfax 5K. This past Thursday night was my first night to stay away from home by myself. I was really tired at the end of the day, so once Christian made sure I was in bed working on my blog, I wasn’t involved in too much activity and soon went right to sleep.

So, today has been a good “day of rest.” I will be ready to hit it once again tomorrow with some calls and contacts for the Rocky Mountain Energy Forum and my home exercise program and mowing the lawn.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Jeremiah 2:13

God’s chosen people struggled with idolatry from the time they left Egypt. In the wilderness it was the golden calf. Then during the reign of King Solomon the intensity and temptations grew when Solomon married foreign wives and accommodated their pagan practices with altars to their gods.

Their idolatry was a shattering of the first commandment that was the basis of all the others. As God’s mouthpiece Jeremiah the prophet is speaking to  God’s people as judgement from idolatrous Babylon is ready to come upon them.

In one verse,  one statement, is the word picture that describes the actions of those who fail to follow wholeheartedly after the Lord. Two sins: (1) “forsaken me..spring of living water…”  When we visited Israel two things caught my attention, the heat, that gave you an appreciation for water and the rocks which seemed to be a challenge in getting anything to grow or building anything.

So God’s people in turning to the idols of other nations forsook the spring of living water. God says He is an artesian spring. That is one that comes from the ground without effort and has an endless supply. This is the rock from which water came to satisfy the thirst of a nomadic nation in the wilderness.

(2) they dug cisterns that did not hold water. Digging their own cisterns is a vivid picture by itself. Because that would require much effort and hard work. Then the water supply was not from a well but water from another source. Perhaps it was rain or watered that had to be carried from a river or some place else. The water would not be fresh and it required constant effort to maintain the supply. But these cisterns were broken and didn’t hold water. What a disappointment when the effort to collect water was made and you returned only to find an empty c0ntainer in the ground.

Given those two choices, no one would select a futile effort to collect water on  your own, for a spring that was fresh and constant and required no effort. But that is what God’s people did thousands of years ago and that is people continued to do today.

No wonder we read the words of Isaiah 55:1,2  “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

And we also read from Jesus lips the invitation “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.  John 7:38,39

I am thankful the invitation still extends to us today; but a choice has to be made. Is that which you are counting on to sustain your life fresh and vibrant or stale and inadequate.  Jesus words to the woman at the well in Samaria ring through time as an invitation today…“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10  Today choose to be refreshed by living water.

It is almost hard to believe but the Colfax Charity 5K took place today and it is over! A BIG THANK YOU to all those who supported me and helped support the cause of freedom from addiction through a donation to Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains. I just checked my Colorado Gives account and $2,225.01 has been donated helping me exceed my $2,000 goal!! With some donations sent directly to Teen Challenge it should be at a total of $2,500 or maybe more!

Thanks to my wife Debbie and Ted Cluett for helping along the course. With their help I pushed through the two mile maker and then my daughter-in-law Bridget caught up with us after finishing the race as a runner. (picture above our group at Teen Challenge tent in Charity Village) She pushed me running the final mile which helped me finish in 48:24. I did power myself the final 100  yards across the finish line. It was a delight then to find my aunt and uncle Paula and Jim Baer waiting to congratulate me!

We enjoyed out time at Teen Challenge 180 Ministries our program for men. A great lunch and opportunity to  meet and hear from some of the guys in the program and the difference that is being made in their life. Pastor Daniel and the staff are doing a great job and I am thankful and was encouraged to see the lives that are being changed!

I used my four wheel walker for most of the last few days and my racing wheelchair. I am not sure I did that well, but I made it and the leg exercise of pushing from the walker seat was good for me. For now, it is good to be back home!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….”Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”            1 Corinthians 9:24

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”  Hebrews 12:1

These two verses are  familiar ones that communicate spiritual truth through a “running” or “race” analogy.

Sometimes in a race the competition is other runners, at others times the competition is with yourself. “Can I improve, can I do better?” Bridget told me she shaved off two minutes from her 5K time from last year. Whether running the race against the other runners or just yourself a key to that is determination and focus. A casual approach won’t do! I believe that is what Paul is trying to communicate to the Corinthians. He is saying, “be disciplined, but focused, understand what is at stake.”

The familiar verse in Hebrews 12:1 has four distinct aspects: (1) the environment of the race – surrounded by a great cloud of witness. These are not just spectators, these are champions of the faith who have gone before. Those who have endured to the end and kept the faith. They are cheering from a position of experience and identification with those who are coming behind. It is as if they are saying, “we have finished the race, we have succeeded and so can you!”

(2) the hindrances to the runner- the call is the “throw off” (that is a decisive action) anything that hinders and sin (it easily entangles) I recall days when I would go for a run and the weather was cold; I began bundled up, but as my body temperature rose, I was trying to peal off layers. The writer of Hebrews was addressing the importance of the race and the fact that you won’t make to the finish line with excess baggage.

(3) the call to perseverance  – I can’t remember any race I ran short or long were there wasn’t a battle in my mind that was saying, “maybe you should walk, maybe your should stop or why are you doing this!” Perseverance is overcoming the obstacles in our mind as well as those related to the course. Perseverance means that one bad mile doesn’t determine the outcome of the whole race.

(4) the design of the race – “race marked out for us..” The runners don’t design the race course. I have noticed over the years how some race courses are the same each year and how some are different. You have to be ready for whatever terrain or conditions the course may have. It is important to realize that one race may be different from another. You can’t run another person’s race. One last thing I recall from a mentor of mine in running. He said, always get a view of last 500 yards that lead to the finish line. You need to know what it looks like so you can be strong and make the best effort you can at the end of the race. We need to have a good view of our finish line in God’s presence for eternity. When we keep that in focus it makes all the difference in what transpires from the start of the race to that finish line.

I felt I was unusually tired today and so tried to get as much rest as possible. The day ended up going fairly fast with the wedding ceremony for Tammy Gonzalez and Evan Hunter taking place at 5:30 p.m. The wedding went well and as I mentioned it was the first one that Christian and I performed together. (see picture)

It was also good to connect with many friends that we had not seen for a long time. It was good to see them and for them to see my progress. Several had paid me a visit last summer when I was in the hospital.

Christian worked on the arms of my racing wheelchair to get them in a height and position to make it easier for my helpers to push me during the race tomorrow. It is hard to believe the Colfax Charity 5K will take place tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at City Park in Denver. The race begins and ends near the large lake in the Park and is located closer to the regular Sunday race course than normal.

I just checked my donation site and I am just $110 short of my goal of $2,000 for Teen Challenge. So if any one who hasn’t given would like to help me reach that goal, your donation will not only be appreciated but will empower life change for men, women with preschool children and teen girls overcoming life controlling problems.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:14

I shared this verse from 2 Timothy before praying the prayer of blessing over Tammy and Evan’s lives as husband and wife. When two are married the wedding represents the input of both families into the lives of their children. Both Tammy and Evan come from solid Christian homes, so faith and spiritual priorities are of importance to them and their families.

However, that “deposit” of truth and prayer and godly counsel must be guarded or it can be lost or lose its value. Paul in this context mentions Timothy’s family and his mother and grandmother who were people of faith. Paul served as spiritual and ministry role model and father in the faith to Timothy. He too had deposited truth and his life into Timothy.

Paul said, “guard this deposit…with the help of the Holy Spirit.” This shows that human effort and determination alone is not enough. Spiritual treasures must be guarded with the help of the Holy Spirit. He is the comforter, counselor, protector and guide.

I’ve know some who have not valued their spiritual heritage and like Esau “sold their birthright for a bowl of stew.” They made a spiritual decision based on human desires and appetite. This causes hardship and grief.

Perhaps you did not have a godly parent deposit valuable spiritual assets into the bank of your life. You can do it now with your own children with others. Timothy had a father who was a Greek and it is assumed that he contributed no positive spiritual influence in his life. That is why his relationship with Paul was so important. Perhaps you can be that to someone else.

The bottom line, value the truth the has been deposited into your life, guard it diligently with the help of the Holy Spirit.If you do you will “live happily ever-after.”

To help Ken reach his goal for Saturday’s race go to:  www.coloradogives.org/ksummers

Today was a full day of functional exercise. That means a lot of therapy just from the normal demands of taking care of getting ready for a trip to Denver. I was up and down from my wheelchair, in my walker walking, taking a shower, ironing and all the things that didn’t take me very long before my illness that tnow prove to be a test of patience.

That is not a discouragement, just an adjustment and really an improvement. Because what I needed help with or depended on others to be able to do, I am able to do on my own, even if it takes a little longer and is a little more draining.

Debbie and I connect with Christian today for my ride to Denver. We had the rehearsal for the Gonzalez/Hunter wedding that I mentioned yesterday. We enjoyed a special rehearsal dinner at the home of Jeff and Lisa Hunter (the groom’s parents). Jeff and a friend are both chefs and their home is equipped with a wood fired oven. So we had endless rounds of a variety of fresh made wood-fired pizzas. This was topped off by homemade cheesecake and chocolate cake. I will begin a new diet tomorrow. (Picture above Tammy, Evan and me)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all…”         2 Cor. 5:14

“… the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2

Many people ask me about my wife’s commitment to hospice nursing. Certainly providing care for those who are in their final days is a calling that not everyone is suited for. Recently we were discussing this and two words seemed to form the criteria for a good hospice nurse and really for any nurse and those are “qualified and compassionate.” Certainly after my five plus months or more in the past year in the hospital I can attest to the importance of those two qualities for a nurse or any health care professional. But you certainly want them at the end of your life.

You can be qualified and have the necessary education and skill and training, but if you lack compassion people are treat like projects. If you have compassion, but lack qualification you can be sympathetic and caring, but if you don’t have the skill to address the symptoms or the know how to perform needed task the patient is not well served.

I began thinking of how that applies to the life of a Christian. Paul told Timothy

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy2:15 (NIV) The King James uses the word, “study” in place of “diligent.”

It is interesting that this admonition comes after Paul calls Timothy to share what he has learned with others, who will also be qualified to teach others. Making an impact on others does not happened by accident. To impart God’s word we need to know God’s Word and that requires a devotion to God’s Word that equips us or qualifies us.

But knowledge without love, as Paul says only puffs up. Compassion that comes from love for God and for others helps us build others up according to their need. Compassion for others and wisdom from God, helps us know when to be present in people’s lives and when to speak into people’s lives.

Empowered believers, qualified and motivated by compassion, making a difference in people’s lives is just “what the doctor ordered” for spiritually sick world.

Today has been a fairly busy and productive day. I had my weekly physical therapy session at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. The physical and occupational therapy sessions went well. I worked on some exercises that I have not done before so that was good. Once again I was reminded about the importance of brain signals, nerves and muscles working together or in I should say, in proper sequence in order for muscles strength to take place.

When I returned home Ted Grizzel who helped with my ride home help me get gas for my riding mower and supervised me as I tried to get familiar with the controls. I did get the lawn mowed for the first time with the riding mower, so that seemed more like a normal activity. After all, if you don’t have a motorcycle you should at least have a riding lawn mower!

The end of this week will be special in a couple of ways. I will be joining my son Christian for our first father-son wedding ceremony. We will be joining in marriage Tammy Gonzalez and Evan Hunter on Friday night in Highlands Ranch. I have known Tammy’s parents since they first come to Colorado from Puerto Rico to attend school. So I have known Tammy and her family all of her life. Christian also served as Tammy and Evan’s Youth Pastor at Dakota Ridge Church.

Then Saturday is the big day for the Colfax Charity 5K Run. A Rotary friend of mine, Ted Cluett, now living in Wellington is joining to come down to help me as a guide along with Debbie. We pray the weather will be good and all runners will meet their sponsorship goal to support Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:11,

I like 2 Timothy. Perhaps it is because it was one of the first books of the New Testament I studied diligently as a junior higher. But in reading it once again, some of the verses stood out in a fresh way. Paul is writing to a protégé of his. His osn in the faith. This letter is his last and is important because the work of the Church will only continue as new leaders are raise up and equipped and empowered. Paul is pouring his life into Timothy and as he does he reminds him of the Holy Spirit’s empowering:

 “…fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:6,7

Paul goes on and reminds Timothy that relationship with God (salvation) and the calling of God flows from God’s grace and desire to see His good news reach all people.

 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” 2 Timothy 1:9

Paul continues and discusses his life as a messenger of the gospel. A message that caused him much hardship, suffering and would lead to his death. When someone is facing the end of their life reflection on their life is only natural. Did I live my life in vain? Did I make a difference? Did I make a fool out of myself? Paul was bold in his assertion, “I am not ashamed!”

What was the source of his confidence? He simply said, “I know the One in whom I believe and have put my trust and He will protect and guard what I have entrusted to Him.” What had Paul entrusted to Jesus? His life! His life on this earth and his eternal destiny as a child of God.

I want to live as a “confident” Christian. One that knows that what he believes is the only way to live.  The message of God’s love and grace never causes shame but results in a desire for others to have that relationship with Christ which brings power for confident living.