The Loveland Reporter Herald printed a story about the tribute at Northern Colorado Rehab and Acute Care Hospitals. You can find the article by following the link below:

http://www.reporterherald.com/lifestyles/health/ci_26246411/hospitals-honored-life-changing-care

It is nice to have sunny day after all the rain we have received. I will need to mow my grass later this evening to stay on top of the  growth. I had a dentist appointment today and ran some errands while I was out. I actually filled my car with gas, that is the first time since I was hospitalized last summer. Another first was stopping by Sonic during their afternoon “happy hour” and picking up (at half price) a cherry slush! It took me about year, but I made it. You might recall that one of the things I was requesting in the hospital even when I was on life support and only allowed a few ice chips, was a slush from Sonic.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”  Hebrews 11:1,6

The first “sermon” I preached was when I was about 11 years old. It was a children’s church service and I read Hebrews 11:1 about the importance of faith. I’m not sure what I said in that lengthy five minutes that felt like five hours, but now almost 50 years later the importance of faith to me is as real as ever.

In this chapter we see faith defined in words and then in the illustration of lives throughout Biblical history. This “Hall of Faith” as it has been called includes some you would expect and some you would not. For example Samson is mentioned. The strong man of the Bible seemed to have more confidence in his natural strength, but we see that he had faith in God’s consistency in his life.

Faith is critical to have relationship with God and it is critical in our life of following and serving the Lord. I like the simplicity of verse 6. To please God or to draw near to Him you must believe that He exists (seems simple enough) and that He rewards those who diligently (NKJV) seek Him. I believe the Lord is a “rewarder” and not one who steals our joy, health and life. Some may struggle at times to believe that God is a good God. The circumstances that arise that bring those doubts are opportunities to show true faith, just as those who are called to our attention in Hebrews 11. It is our challenge to be diligent seekers after the Lord and not just casual inquirers.

Faith is not always getting what you want. I believe we can ask God boldly in faith for our needs and any issue that confronts our life. We need to pray and keep praying. We need to believe and keep believing.

However, I notice twice in this chapter the writer points us to the reality that faith is not just about this life. It is about being a citizen of heaven.

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth…And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised….”   Hebrews 11:13, 39

These verses remind us that, at times, the fulfillment of our faith, as in Abraham and Sarah, is found in the generations that follow. Some times we receive in this life the miraculous through faith. It also reminds us that our faith is about the eternal and not just the “external.” So we fix our eyes on Jesus and we set our course on the future that He has promised for us. And that takes faith. Bold, persistent, life-changing faith.

And If I were sharing this as a “sermon” it would take longer than five minutes.

Today was a significant day for me at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. I was joined with State Representative Perry Buck in presenting a tribute honoring Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital and Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital. This was my home for three and a half months in 2013. It was good to see the cross section of the staff present and to have a representative from Ernest Health, the parent company of the hospitals present. Members of the local media were also present and even joined us on the tour of the hospital.

I used my four-wheel walker to get into the building. Dr. Lanig the Medical Director was walking in at the same time, she said, “I didn’t realize you were so tall.” I  don’t think she had ever seen me standing, only sitting in a wheelchair or in bed. It was also good to see and visit with Dr. Asadi who is the medical director for the acute care hospital. He was very impressed with my progress and reminded me of the challenges the I faced and overcame to get to this point.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY “…the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning.So it was always: the cloud covered it by dayand the appearance of fire by night. And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped.”  Numbers 9:15-17

I recall a message I shared many years ago based on this passage entitled, “Following the Cloud or Following the Crowd.” When you read the entire description of the Lord’s presence guiding the Children of Israel through the “cloud by day and fire by night” it reveals a total dependence upon the Lord.

When the cloud moved so did the Children of Israel, when the cloud stopped they stopped. Sometimes it was a day or a few days,  sometimes it was months. Moses’ job was to simply keep his eye on the cloud. When the cloud moved everyone had an assigned responsibility to perform in order for the people to move forward in an organized manner. As they were prepared to set out Moses would say, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” And when it rested, he said, “Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”  (Numbers 10:15)

For forty years in the wilderness the Children of Israel were in total dependence upon the Lord directing them step by step to the next destination, and ultimately the Promised Land. If they were inpatient and took off on their own they did so without the cloud. If they felt like they did not have enough time at a place and wanted to stay a while longer and the cloud moved on, they would be left  behind. When God said “move” the moved. When God said, “stop” they stopped.

It sounds simple, but it is a test of trust and obedience and patience. It was a reminder that not even Moses was in control, God was! Our greatest challenge in life is to follow the cloud of God’s presence and the path He has laid out for us. We make our plans, we have our goals, we have our “to do” list, we are people of action on the go! But are we moving in the direction that Lord is leading. Perhaps God is saying it’s time to get going. At other times He is saying it is time to rest, to stay put.”

As I consider this, I recall Jesus getting up before the sunrise and going to a private place of prayer. After the prayer time He returns to His disciples and says, “it is time to move on.” They were confused about that when things were going so well where they were. But Jesus was showing them, you have to follow the “cloud” not the “crowd.” You can’t let others and you can’t let your own desires circumvent where God is leading and where He is going.

As I am in this time of “resting” it serves as a good opportunity for the Lord to show me how eager I have been to chart my own course and head off in my own direction without making sure the He was leading the way. I am thankful that God is always “with us” but that challenge for us is to make sure that we are allowing Him to lead the way. Follow the cloud and you will get to the Promised Land.

A few weeks ago at the Western Conservative Summit, it was good to run into Ron and Amy Stephens from Colorado Springs. Amy and I served together in the Colorado House and were part of the large group of new Representatives and Senators elected in 2006. Amy served as our majority leader my last two years in the House. She is a principled, passionate and practical legislator. I was supporting her in her bid for the nomination to the U.S. Senate before our mutual friend Cory Gardner entered the race.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds of many of our “class of 2006”. As far as I am concerned Amy would be at the top of my short list for Governor in the future.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 125:1,2

We often hear of “mountain moving” faith. Yet we find in Psalm 125, one of the “Psalms of Ascent”, a reference to our trust in the Lord being like Mount Zion. The imagery is clear and significant. Trusting in the Lord brings stability to life. In an ocean of uncertainty the one thing that we can do to bring steadfastness to our world is to trust in the Lord. Trust and not be afraid. Trust and not waver.

Trust is needed when we don’t understand and when we face challenges beyond ourselves. (sounds like everyday) It is the companion of faith. When God called Abraham, he believed God, and he trusted  in God to do what God had promised. Charles Swindoll well know pastor and President of Dallas Theological Seminary said, “That’s what this thing called Christian life, is all about….Going…yet not knowing.”

Trust provides a confidence to our life. Notice the psalmist says, “those who trust in the Lord…”  are like Mount Zion. We can and do place our trust in various places. Our friends, our financial security, our government (sometimes), our spouse. Yet it is only trust in the Lord that brings true stability and confidence. At one time I would say that I trusted in my health. I use to go see my family physician every two or three years because of some strep or flue type symptoms and because we were both from the same high school. While I had some issues that seem to crop up with age and stress my body incurred in my running years, I really did not have or expect any challenging issues with my health. I found trusting in your health provides greater opportunities to trust in the Lord.

The second verse of Psalm 125 provides the reason for the assurance of our trust. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem so the Lord surrounds His people…” This reminds me of the time the Assyrians were coming against the prophet Elisha and his servant was trembling in fear. Elisha prayed for the servants eyes to be opened. “Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17)

Trust in the Lord enables us to see the natural through supernatural eyes.

When doubts and fears arise….just trust

When finances are in a crisis…just trust

When the doctor’s report is negative…just trust

When your kids are struggling…just trust

When relationships are on the rocks…just trust

When the job you counted on comes to an end…just trust

When God calls you to a God-sized cause…just trust

As you do you will find the Lord surrounding you now and forevermore!

Today as we were traveling to Lakewood we found ourselves at a stoplight right next Raimund Ruf. Raimund is a friend a former church member from Dakota Ridge Church and has been working in a local roofing business after nineteen years as an inspector with the City of Denver. It was great to see Ray and to get caught up, since he had lost track of me and did not know of the events of the last year. I was just getting ready to call him about some roofing business for my mother and me. Ray followed us to Christian’s home and helped me get into the house, which was needed because Christian wasn’t home at the time. I felt it was one of those “divine connections.”

Today was the birthday celebration for our grandson Caedmon Reese. This is Christian and Bridget’s second child. It was an enjoyable time with a few close friends and their children and by Caedmon’s request an ice cream sundae bar with no cake. Caedmon turned six and Bridget invited family to submit a special letter or prayer for Caedmon as he begin his journey through the next 12 years of school.

My mother was able to join us and she enjoyed the time with the family for this special occasion. She continues to do well, still living in her own home at 89. (My mother is holding Caedmon in the family picture)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1

The brevity of life and uncertainty of that which we are certain is one of the realities of life. I’m not sure if I “boasted” about tomorrow, but I lived with a confidence that some of the misfortunes that happened to other people would not happen to me. In my years of pastoral ministry I faced the cold reality of the brevity and uncertainty of life when I would be standing at casket of a church member on Friday who was in our worship service the previous Sunday. Yet that seemed far too removed from my personal reality. “It can’t, it won’t happen to me.”

The apostle James sounds the warning in the New Testament, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”  James 4:13,14

During recent years I would attempt to relieve Debbie’s anxiety about the “what if” question by reassuring her our finances were in order and how to access any information that she may need. I would then tell her how healthy I was and that I was in good shape and active. My somewhat rhetorical question was, “what could possibly go wrong?!”

It would seem strange that the answer to that question would be “a mosquito bite!” A mosquito infected with West Nile Virus that entered my body that, unknown to me, had a compromised immune system from a underlying condition of Myasthenia Gravis. The ensuing meningitis and encephalitis brought about a life threatening combination creating respiratory failure, and swelling in my brain.

The Apostle James says that the proper perspective is view life in terms of, “…if the Lord wills….”  (James 4:15) For me that means understanding that everyday if a gift from God. It also is reminder to live a God-centered life and to realize that God is with us and what He does not keep us from, He will be faithful to see us through.

For me, I am trusting the Lord to see me through each day and each step to full recovery. Living life with perhaps more humility and appreciation of what can happen so quickly.

I have been reading through old CaringBridge posts to review what was happening during my early days and weeks of hospitalization. As I have done this I have been reminded of the key individuals who came into our life at just the right time.

One of those was my Physical Therapist at McKee Hospital Gary Harkness. Gary is not only an experienced and knowledgeable professional he is also a fellow believer. After I left McKee Hospital Gary continued to follow my progress, pay me visits and we have benefited from his support, friendship and prayer over the months. (Picture above Gary when I was at McKee, August 2013)

Gary and son Grant visit me at home

As I was battling with West Nile Virus and meningitis and encephalitis it was discovered that I was also experiencing a Myasthenia Gravis crisis. This required a specialized dialysis type of procedure that removed my old antibodies and replaced them with new. While the diagnosis was an important discovery, it was very discouraging at the same time. The procedure would take place over five days and would take several hours each day. This took place just as we were anticipating a transfer to Northern Colorado Acute Care Hospital.

It was during this time that Gary was visiting with Debbie and uttered words of encouragement that became our slogan for the coming months, “stay the course, keep your eyes on the cross.” As we faced disappointments and setbacks in the coming weeks and months, Debbie would say, “stay the course, keep your eyes on the cross.” I am thankful that one of the ways the Lord shows His love for us is in sending the right people at right time with the right message.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”  Proverbs 23:17,18

One of the legislative awards I received was called, “Common Sense in the Court Room.” It was given to several Representatives and Senators who supported tort reform in Colorado. I recall one event where there were little cards on the table that contained the wording of “warning labels” on products that were the result of past litigation. You have probably seen those in the past. The warnings that “coffee is hot” “don’t use the hairdryer in the bathtub” and the like. The sad reality is that those warnings are there because people don’t always use common sense and actually do some of those things that warning labels list.

In like fashion we read in the Bible warnings and admonitions because they represent real risks.  Many of the prohibitions in the Book of Leviticus for example are there because they were to keep God’s people from common practices of the pagan people whose land their were going to occupy.

When Solomon says, “don’t let your heart envy sinners” it is there because there are those times when we are tempted to “envy sinners.” The Psalmist in Psalm 73:3 says, “For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” If we are not tempted to envy sinners there are those times when situations arise that allow our eyes to be taken off the Lord.

Difficulties and trials can turn hope into hopelessness and trust into despair. It is in those times that we need to continue to walk in the fear of the Lord, to continue to believe, even when faith is not yet sight and the road ahead is clouded with darkness. We do need to fix our eyes on the future and not be locked in the present.

When I was awaiting my surgery that I knew would be needed the early part of August that didn’t take place until the end of September, the delays and setbacks were frustrating and discouraging. But now that it is over and now that I am where I am in my rehab process much of what was testing our faith and perseverance seems like a faint memory.

I have found what Solomon said so many years ago is true, “there is a future and your hope will not be cut off.”  Paul the apostle said, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…”                             (2 Corinthians 4:17)  So often my family was encouraged by the words of the song “God is With Us.” God is with us always; nothing can separate us from His Love and when He is with us nothing can defeat us!

I think I experienced some fatigue today from my schedule yesterday. I did have my massage appointment which resulted in discovering some tighter muscles and joints than in previous sessions. I need the massage after therapy to recover from therapy, and then I need a nap to recover from the massage!

I have been reading through early CaringBridge posts and have taken note of a few in the early part of August 2013 that Christian wrote. I learned a little more about what I was experiencing and Christian did a good job trying to explain to others the challenges of my immobility and debilitating condition. I believe he also did a good job challenging readers about lessons that were already emerging from the first few weeks of hospitalization.

Emily, my student occupational therapist, was working with me yesterday and found that my scapula in both of my shoulders did not seem to be moving properly. So, she spent quite a bit of time addressing that issue. I actually felt this was pretty insightful and helpful in pinpointing a key area to restoring my strength and range of motion in my shoulders and arms.

Emily (pictured with me) was working at McKee Hospital last year at this time. She recalls some of my early days of hospitalization and was present to help me sit up on the edge of the bed for the first time and also recalls the challenging trek to get me outside in a wheelchair with all my poles and tubes. That effort took a nurse, two therapists and several family members. It proved to be quite an undertaking, but was worth the few moments that I could tolerate the effort at the time.

It has been interesting to have someone working with me that had experience with me in those early days in the hospital and now as an outpatient. I trust it provides her a good perspective for her future work.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.”  Proverbs 23:12

When it comes to continued personal growth in all facets of life the issue is one of the “heart.” That is an inward commitment manifested in consistent actions. Solomon basically says, “when your heart is committed to instruction, you will be open to words of knowledge.” I notice it doesn’t say you will “speak” words of knowledge.

Life-long learning is a personal commitment that often makes the difference between the quality of leaders and ongoing personal growth. The opposite would be an individual who views themselves as having “arrived” and as one who, no longer views themselves as a “student” but only as one who possesses knowledge.

I found that sometimes “wisdom”  comes from reading, structured classes, from others or life experiences. One of the best approaches to life is to ask yourself, “what can I learn from this experience”? That is something that I have been doing considering the journey of my life this past year. (My hope is that I can quantify and articulate all those lessons.)

I also have observed that the more I learn, the more I realize “I don’t know!” As a matter of fact, speaking from my political experience, one of the best admissions (especially in an interview) is to simply say, “I don’t know.” Instead of trying to bluff your way through by sounding wise, it is often better to state what probably everyone else including yourself knows. You can only put yourself in a position to learn, when you admit your lack of knowledge in an area.

That can make you vulnerable. Because I have found that everyone has knowledge in certain areas of training or interest. They often use that to marginalize others. After all Paul the apostle said it well, “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Cor. 8:1) When some one attempts to test your level of knowledge on a subject only to assert their own pride of what they know, they aren’t a good source of “wisdom”. Somewhat when the religious leaders of Jesus day approached Him with a question. It wasn’t out of sincere desire to learn only to hear a response that they can “pounce on” to use to their own advantage.

Regardless of the challenges you may face, follow Solomon’s advice and “commit your heart to instruction, your ears to wisdom.” I like the adage “you don’t know what you don’t know.” But one committed to learning, especially from God’s Word, and you will grow in wisdom so that your leadership and personal influence can bring glory to God.