Today was a therapy and nurse visit day. My physical therapist came for a morning visit. He had me do something different. I used a walker to go down my handicap ramp and get in the passenger seat of my car.That was followed by some work in my regular wheelchair up and down the driveway. I was just glad our Fort Collins driveway is not as steep as the one at our Lakewood home. It was a good workout, and I think I am still tired at the end of the day.

My home care visiting nurse came by to draw blood and change the dressing on my PIC line. Everything seems to be going well as far as antibiotic administration. It seems like blood work still shows some areas of concern. We hope that these will show improvement by the time we follow up next week with the infectious disease doctors.

Today was the closing for my mom’s house in Greeley. Everything went well and we are pleased that the home sold in one day just above the asking price. (Picture my mom and me at closing with proceeds check)I  got to show up for the photo op and my brother and sister had to do the heavy lifting over the past several weeks to make this all possible, which I appreciate. This home was purchased by my parents in 1973 at the end of my freshman year at UNC.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandment will grow in wisdom. Praise Him forever!”  Psalms 111:10

It isn’t too often that my scripture readings seem to have some kind of correlation. This morning I noticed the verse above as I came to the end of my reading in Psalms. I am also reading about Samuel and Saul in 1Samuel 13-15. Saul as the first King of Israel committed two fatal sins. The first is found in 1 Samuel 13:5-14. The Philistines so outnumber the Israelites that they are hiding anywhere they can find and even running away to surrounding areas.

Saul was waiting for Samuel the Prophet as he had been instructed. But when Samuel didn’t show and the troops were leaving faster than Saul could count, he took matters into his own hands and offered a burnt offering to the Lord himself. Just as he was finishing the sacrifice Samuel showed up.

Outside of the man of God being late (some things haven’t changed), Saul gave into fear and took matters into his own hands. He knew troops were deserting him; he wanted to make sure the Lord wasn’t either. Samuel rebuked him “How foolish!” (Opposite of wise) “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you.”

The second is In Samuel 15 when the Lord calls Saul to take vengeance on the Amalekites. His instructions were simple, “completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation.” Saul destroyed everyone except for King Agag. He also destroyed all the weak and poor quality livestock and kept all the others.

When the Prophet Samuel arrived Saul met him cheerfully and said, “I have carried out the Lord’s command!” Really?! What are these sheep and cattle, asks the Prophet? Saul back peddles and says, “We have kept the best but we are going to sacrifice them to the Lord.”

This rationale solicits Samuel’s well known response: “…Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

And as we see in Psalms obedience is the path of wisdom and life.

We can learn from Saul that…

1 – Disobedience is refusing to do what God says

2 – Disobedience is partial obedience

3 – Disobedience is thinking our plans and ideas are better than God’s

4 – Disobedience is toxic for leaders

Samuel said to Saul, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you King of Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission…”

When you are in a position of leadership you have a responsibility to others. You may not think highly of yourself. You may even feel unqualified for the office. But if you are in a position of leadership there are expectations that come with the office regardless of how formal or informal. As I have heard John Maxwell say on several occasion, “the higher the calling the fewer the choices.”

We see this principle in the first King of Israel, “as the leader goes so goes the people.” That is a sobering concept for spiritual, political, business and organizational leaders. It also challenges us to make sure that we keep our eyes on the Lord and to remember that “the fear of the Lord is the foundation of all true wisdom.”

It was good to be at Dakota Ridge Assembly in Littleton today. We were able to see many friends from our days as Pastors of the church. We appreciate the fine work and hospitality of Pastor Paul and Vickie Church. They are committed to developing a strong ministry and have established a good foundation on which to build. (Picture above with good friend Tammy Maseberg)

Congratulations to our friends George and Annette Brauchler on marking their 15th Wedding Anniversary. Even though the ceremony was cut short with George having a fainting spell and requiring a call to the paramedics, he revived strong enough to read his vows to Annette from his back before the paramedics arrived. I am pleased that I was able to connect with him later in the day and hear that he is doing better and will be in the hospital just a short time for some observation.

I received a copy of Andy Peterson’s book entitled, “Saved Twice”. It is hard to believe that it was 1998 when Andy was attacked by a mountain lion on Carpenters Peak in Roxborough State Park in south Jefferson County. Andy walked through the doors of our church the Sunday after getting released from the hospital still bearing the stitches, scratches from his attack. It was a privilege to see Andy make a commitment of his life to Christ to baptize him and to retrace the steps of his hike a year after the attack. Andy is now married to a wonderful wife (Cortney). They have two children and a great family. Andy is sharing his experience in churches and through media interviews and is being used in a powerful way. You can find out more about his story at www.lionkingministries.com

When I reflect on Andy’s life and experience I think of the words, restoration, reconciliation and renewal. In my relatively brief time with Andy I saw the Lord restore His body to wholeness and then reconcile Andy to himself and to family. When tragedy strikes family draws near even when there has been separation of stress in those relationships. This tragedy so many years ago provided Andy an opportunity to reset his relationship with his earthly and heavenly father.

It has been rewarding to follow Andy’s life and to see the great family he has developed. He is now living in Tennessee and we have had the opportunity to meet him and his family. With the foundation of his relationship with God and his commitment to his family Andy is being used by the Lord to share his story and experience. His story is not just an attack by a mountain lion, but a story of survival from the jaws of a lion and how that experience became a turning point in his life and relationships.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful!  Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near. Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Devotional writer Sarah Young says, “Rejoicing in the Lord can protect you from the temptation to complain.” That is something that is good to remember whether dealing with the stress of life from crisis or just life. It is easy in a world filled with fear and negative news and people to slip into a focus on what is wrong instead of what is right and just complain.

In Philippians 4 it is no mistake that the words joyful and giving of thanks and a reminder to pray about everything are precursors to receiving the peace of God. In our world today we need our thoughts and emotions guarded by the peace of God. In following the formula of God’s Word we find a steady anchor for our lives in this storm-filled world.

Today we made a early afternoon trip to Lakewood. We met up with Christian and Bridget and the grandkids at one of our favorite Chinese food restaurants. Tomorrow we will attend Dakota Ridge Assembly and be present for the vow renewal of George and Annette Brauchler. I married George and Annette 15 years ago. Our thanks to Pastor Paul Church for his thoughtful consideration in arranging a hotel room for us and facilitating our visit to the church we pastored for almost 15 years.

Taking an overnight trip reminds Debbie and me of the times we had little children. Instead of diaper bags and playpens it is my medications, including my IV poll, antibiotics, saline, alcohol swabs, along with walker and sometimes extra wheelchair, along with all the other regular stuff. But it is worth it because these opportunities right now don’t come along that often. Debbie is a real trooper in all this because she if responsible forgetting everything in the van including me!

This morning I was reading in Psalms 107 and there is a reoccurring verse that caught attention.

Before I point out that verse this Psalm begins with the exhortation, “Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. Let the people the Lord defended repeat these words…” (Psalms107:1,2)

Once again we find this declaration about the goodness of the Lord and His enduring mercy. The repetitious verse that provides the lead in to the main sections of this Psalm is designed to underscore the Lord’s goodness and His consistent mercy.

Psalms 107:6  “In their distress they cried out to the Lord. He rescued them from their troubles.”

Psalms 107:13 “In their distress they cried out to the Lord. He saved them from their troubles.”

Psalms 107:19  “In their distress they cried out to the Lord. He saved them from their troubles.”

Psalms 107:28  “In their distress they cried out to the Lord. He led them from their troubles.”

The consistent connection we find is God’s people in distress, and God rescuing, saving and leading them in response to their cry out to Him. The distress God’s people found themselves in was mostly if not exclusively of their own doing. Yet God was faithful and showed His  mercy endures forever. Not for a month or a season, or a year or a decade or a millennium but forever!

This Psalm tells how God responded to the distress of His people, sometimes it was in deliverance at other times it was in discipline. Yet regardless of how God worked at a moment in time we find another consistent theme that directs the response of our heart and lives.

Psalms 107:8 “Let them give thanks to the Lord because of his mercy. He performed his miracles for Adam’s descendants.”

Psalms 107:14 “Let them give thanks to the Lord because of his mercy. He performed his miracles for Adam’s descendants.”

Psalms 107:20,21 “Let them give thanks to the Lord because of his mercy. He performed his miracles for Adam’s descendants. Let them bring songs of thanksgiving as their sacrifice. Let them tell in joyful songs what he has done.”

Psalms 107:31,32 “Let them give thanks to the Lord because of his mercy. He performed his miracles for Adam’s descendants. Let them glorify him when the people are gathered for worship.Let them praise him in the company of respected leaders.”

 The response of our hearts and our lives is to give thanks and to worship the Lord. To rejoice in His deliverance, to trust Him and honor Him even in the midst of the challenges of life. To be in awe of His mercy. No wonder this Psalm begins with the exhortation, “Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. Let the people the Lord defended repeat these words…”

And the Psalm ends with these verses…”But now he lifts needy people high above suffering and makes their families like flocks… Let those who think they are wise pay attention to these things so that they may understand the Lord’s blessings.” Psalms 107:41,43

I would encourage you to carefully, thoughtfully read the “in between verses” of Psalms 107 to get the entire context.

As I reflect on the fact that three weeks ago I was once again in ICU following a life threatening crisis, when I read these final verses of Psalms 107, I want to rejoice in a God who is able lift people high above suffering, to bless their families and to allow them to understand the Lord’s blessings. With the Psalmist of old I want to declare, “He is good! His mercy endures forever!”

 It seems like spring is beginning to come to the Rockies after all. This afternoon I was able to get out of the house for a little “walk.” For me that is moving my feet in front of my power wheelchair. When I was doing this at the rehab hospital one of the therapists told me it was “cheating” because I was using a power wheelchair. But I figured it wasn’t much different than being on a treadmill. At any rate I can feel the tension in my legs and believe it is good exercise and allows me to enjoy our pleasant weather.

Speaking of exercise Pastor Steve Harris came by with coffee this morning to check up on me. I didn’t let him get away without helping me with some of my shoulder exercises. He visited me at rehab hospital during one of my therapy sessions so I am trying to make a therapy technician out of him. Also, it was good to have Cindy Luzinski stop by and bring me lunch, and review some of my medical records. How about that, a visit from a physical therapy technician and a community health nurse in one day! It is great to have friends who journey with you through challenging times. Both Pastor Steve and Cindy paid visits to me early in my hospitalization last summer.

Those who have journeyed with me through this illness and setbacks and recovery include some doctors and medical people who are not actively involved in my care but still express interest in my progress. One of those is Dr. Pierson who was the hospitalist at McKee Medical Center that was instrumental in making the dual diagnosis of West Nile Virus and Myasthenia Gravis. This proved to be critical in my early treatment. He was also the doctor that was interviewed by news reporters when my case drew some media coverage. Dr. Pierson was at NCRH when I was there last week and caught me during one of my workouts, just to say hello and check on my progress. (Picture above me and Dr. Pierson)

It is also encouraging having many throughout the country who are following my progress and showing their support. Robert and Patricia Polvado from Owasso, Oklahoma have been consistently following my progress, praying for me and demonstrating their support of my full recovery. Robert was a District Youth Director for the Assemblies of God in Colorado and Utah when Debbie and I were finishing college and first married. While most of their ministry ended up in Oklahoma the timing of their involvement in our lives was instrumental and always appreciated. I’m not sure if I ever told Robert that several people over the years mentioned that the two of us resembled each other, including my sister!

Robert and Patricia sent me a card that contained by following from well know inspirational writer Roy Lessin.

Ten Things God Wants You to Remember…

I am for you
I love you
I believe in you
I will not fail you
I will be with you
I will provide for you
I will bless you
I will give you rest
I will strength you
I will answer you

These were encouraging reminders for me and I trust they will be for you as well.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Romans8:31, 32

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I read the Book of Ruth this morning as part of my daily Bible reading. This brief book is somewhat of an interlude in the historic account of Israel moving into the Promise land.

It is significant at the end of the story because Ruth from a foreign country (Moab) becomes the great grandmother of King David.

The story could be named after Naomi, because much of the story focuses around her and her being instrumental in the life of Ruth, after Ruth leaves her own country to follow Naomi back to Bethlehem.

Briefly, Naomi and her husband and two sons go to Moab during a time of famine in Israel. In Moab her husband dies. He sons marry and ten years later they die. Naomi is alone without husband or sons. She decides to return to Israel hearing the famine has come to an end. Her daughter-in-laws decide to leave their country and stay with Naomi. Naomi implores them to go back to their own country. After an emotional time of decision Orpah returns home but Ruth is determined to stake her future with Naomi and a new home in Israel.

Ruth is sent out by Naomi to glean wheat and barley in the fields of wealthy landowner by the name of Boaz. The ensuing events find Boaz, a relative to Naomi’s husband, marrying Ruth to preserve the family name in Israel and Ruth has son named Obed who has a son named Jesse who has a son named David.

That is the quick male summary of an otherwise Biblical love story. What caught my attention during this reading was Naomi’s perspective of her life and what she went through. When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, she did so without husband, sons and only her daughter-in-law. She had endured great loss after thinking she and her husband years ago had made a good decision for their family.

When she returned to her friends and home town people were excited to see her but this is what she said, “Don’t call me Naomi [Sweet]. Call me Mara[Bitter] because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi when the Lord has tormented me and the Almighty has done evil to me?” (Ruth 1:20,21)

Later when Naomi found out that Ruth had been gathering grain in the field of Boaz, her perspective changed.  She said, “May the Lord bless him. The Lord hasn’t stopped being kind to people—living or dead…That man is a relative of ours. He is a close relative, one of those responsible for taking care of us.” (Ruth 2:20)

 What a changed in attitude and perspective! As the story unfolds you can see Naomi’s faith and confidence in God’s care and provision begins to rekindle. At the end of the story with the birth of Obed the Bible says, “Naomi took the child, held him in her lap and became his guardian.”      (Ruth 4:16)

What a turnaround for Naomi; from blaming God to blessing God; to having no family to being the guardian of the ancestor of King David.

Based on this story I would challenge you to keep the following in mind…

1 – Don’t make hasty conclusions about your life, or God

2 – Regardless of how you may view the events of your life, God will not abandon you or stop working for your good

3 – Don’t write the conclusion of your story while God is still writing your story

We consider those who endure to be blessed. You have heard about Job’s endurance. You saw that the Lord ended Job’s suffering because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.  (James 5:11)