I got going early this morning and attended the Larimer County Republican breakfast. It was good to meet some new people and to hear a guest from Australia talk about how their country faced the challenges of illegal immigration.

This weekend when we were in Lakewood we stayed with Mary Doherty at her lovely home out in the Trailmark area of south Jefferson County. Some of the homes in this area represented the southern most point of Senate District 22, the seat I ran for in 2012. In spite of her busy schedule and international travel as a geologist, last year Mary made several trips to Fort Collins to work on our yard and house and tend to things that needed attention. Our connection goes back to when Mary and her family attended  Dakota Ridge Assembly and when her now adult son was just a preschoolers. (picture Mary and me on her deck)

Mary along with a former high school classmate Debbie Proctor, our former renter Bill Hutchinson and friend Kathleen Talkington were those who helped behind the scenes last summer and were such a blessing to Debbie and allowed her to be with me at  the hospital knowing the “home front” was being taken care of.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “And let steadfastness [patience] have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4 (ESV)

As I was reading again this verse from James and the one before about the trying of our faith, it caught my attention in a new way. First of all I noted that the English Standard Version (ESV) uses the word steadfastness instead of patience. For some reason the impact of that was even greater.

We read consistently of the “steadfast love of the Lord.” So I identify steadfastness with God’s character. Also, for me “patience” tends to be a “biding of my time.” The picture that comes to mind is just waiting, relaxing, perhaps a twiddling of the thumbs kind of patience. Steadfastness communicates more of a grit your jaw, stand your ground, stubborn determination. Certainly that is what James is communicating to these first century believers and to us today.

The trying of our faith produces not passive consignment to God’s will, but a strong determination and confidence that means we are going to “hang in there.” Steadfastness is a character quality that grows and is developed. As it works its way through our life, it helps us to be mature and complete in our faith.

As people ask me about my recovery, I let them know that I am anticipating a full recovery. However, in the midst of the rebuilding of muscles it takes time and that requires patience, or being steadfast in hope, steadfast in faith, steadfast in the discipline of exercise and anything else that will enable me to make progress and reach my ultimate goal.

For some reason, I believe this applies to all of us at some point in our life. Whether it is a professional goal, a goal for our family or our spiritual life. As James say, “let steadfastness have its full effect…” It doesn’t happen with one test or trial, but over time you grow stronger and are prepared for the next challenge. And James says we can even do that with joy! (James 1:2,3)

As we move through these early days of August, I think back on one year ago and realize that it was during this time that I was fighting for my life. My body was in crisis and my condition had rapidly deteriorated. I am thankful for the prayers of so many and to be reflecting on those days and not living out those days!

This morning Debbie and I attended the Southern Gables Church “Day by Day” Sunday School Class. This class has led the way in support through prayers, cards, donations and following my progress. One of my rehab goals was to visit this class as soon as possible. I am thankful that I was able to do so even stronger than I would have anticipated. It was special to be able to thank people in person, and share a report of  my journey. I know they were encouraged to see the visual representation of their answered prayers. I have many friends in the church and it is always great to visit there and to connect with as many as possible. (see picture)

Later in the day we connected with our friends Glenn and Mary Janssen. We enjoyed visiting with them over lunch and sharing an update on my recovery and some of our recent activities. We then paid a visit to my mother and allowed her to get acquainted with our dog.

9 News Denver recently did an update on my recovery. You can find the video new report by going to 9news.com   and searching for “Ken Summers West Nile.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ….And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:2,9

Jesus summarized the Law of Moses as, “loving God with your entire being and loving your neighbor as yourself.”                     (Mark 12:28-31) This is the “law of Christ.” In Galatians 5:14 Paul says, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Paul asserts that bearing one another’s burdens is the practical demonstration of obeying (fulfilling) the “law of Christ.”  This goes beyond feelings of affection. Paul is talking about the way we live our lives and how we conduct our lives in front of others. For love to be genuine it has to be back by actions. 1 John 3:18 (CEV)  says, “Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.”

I am thankful for being one on the “receiving end” of many people committed to fulfilling the law of Christ. Family members and friends over the last year have earnestly prayed and served our practical needs. We are so grateful for this expression of love for God and love shown for us. The number of people is great and the way individuals  have come alongside and bore the burden of my illness is as great. People have sent cards, visited, helped out at the house, donated to our “medical relief fund” (which has been a tremendous blessing this year) brought in food and in many other ways have been more than willing to do what they could to ease our burden.

The second verse above is found later in the context of Galatians 5. It is an important one and one that I have needed to keep me going from time to time. “Don’t grow weary in doing good…” Certainly balance is important and at times people do get weary and need rest. But this verse shows us that it is important to keep serving, to keep helping, to keep praying for others. As we do the Lord provides us the strength we need and the “harvest” we need as we sow into other people’s lives.

I believe the Lord has allowed that to happen for us. In other words, the years of serving and coming alongside of others to help “carrying their burdens”  has resulted in an abundant harvest of help in our time of need. Our continued gratitude to all those who individually and collectively have help “carry our burden” this past year and continue to do so.

Today after taking care of some Saturday chores and a quick run down to the swimming pool (for me), Debbie and I headed to Lakewood. This afternoon was a surprise 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration for our friends Randy and Cheryl Thurston. I served as Randy and Cheryl’s pastor when I was at Dakota Ridge Assembly.

Randy was the first person that I knew to every have a bout with West Nile Virus. Cheryl Thurston and I have a special connection in that we share an aunt and uncle. Cheryl is a niece to my aunt Paula Baer’s husband Jim. We have tried to stay connected over the years and we are pleased that after some time in California (San Diego) that they have moved back to the Denver area.

Tomorrow we visit Southern Gales Church in Lakewood. We have many friends and supporters who have prayed diligently and encouraged us along the way. We are looking forward to extending our thanks to them and for them to see the answer to their prayers.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY... “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”      Psalm 138:8

As I was preparing for the tribute for Northern Colorado Rehab and Acute Hospital this past Wednesday, I was reflecting on how it was one year ago on the same date that I was rushed to ICU in a crisis. My lungs were shutting down and my brain was beginning to swell.

I am thankful that I have come a long way since that time. Much of it seemed like crawling is for me now. Pretty strenuous, awkward and difficult. But through it all the Lord has been faithful through His direct intervention in answer to prayer and through friends and relatives who came to my side.

During times like these it is easy to revert to the “fall back” verse of Romans 8:28 “…we know all things work together for good…” While I believe the Lord is able to work through all situations that He allows to come into our life, I like the confident declaration of the psalmist when he says, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me…”  

The psalmists confidence is founded in the steadfast love of the Lord that endures forever. God is on our side. He is for us. He will not forsake the work of His hands. God did not walk away from creating the heavens and earth before they were finished and “good.” And we can be confident that He will not walk away from the work He is doing in and through our life, until it is finished and good!

As I prepare for the remaining months of this year. My theme, my focus is, “the Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.” I appreciate the encouragement and prayers for many of my friends who are believing with me for this to happen.

Today was about as close to a “normal” day that I have experienced in the last year. I left home at 8:30 a.m. drove to Denver for a meeting and returned home through traffic at 4:00 p.m. I didn’t have to collapse in bed for a recovery nap either. The other good part of the day happened when I returned home and figured out how to address the malware virus infecting my computer and creating problems.

My meeting today was with the Attorney General’s “Substance Abuse Trends and Prevention Task Force.” This was a good meeting with some helpful information. It was interesting to see issues related to some bills that I sponsored and supported being reported on as to their impact and effectiveness. I hope to be more involved in some legislative issues in this next session. Since Attorney General John Suthers will be leaving office after the first of the year, I took this opportunity to get a picture with him in case I don’t have one in the future. John Suthers has led with integrity and adherence to the law and constitution during his eight years. He has been supportive of the Governor he has served with even though they come from opposite political parties.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…   “…the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.”  Hebrews 9:4

Two questions that dominate the Biblical archeology is “where is or what happened to the ark?” and “what was in the ark?” The second question is answered in Hebrews. Originally the ark of the covenant contained the tablets of covenant that God gave Moses on Mt. Sinai. But we see two other items were added; a jar of manna and Aaron’s staff the budded.

I have recently read through Exodus and Numbers where the accounts of the events causing these items to be placed before the ark took place.

“…But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” Numbers 11:6

“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?”  Numbers 12:1,2

Now Korah and Dathan and Abiram, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel…well-known men.They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”  Numbers 16:1-3

Moses faced these two challenges to his leadership. After the second one with Korah and his cronies, the Lord confirmed His choice by having a staff from each tribe place before the Ark of the Covenant. The next day Aaron’s staff, budded and even bore almonds!

The bottom line to these items is that they are all related to the rebellion of God’s people. Rebellion against God’s laws, rebellion against God’s provision, rebellion against God’s leadership. Before we look in condemnation at the Children of Israel in the wilderness, we need to examine our own lives.

In what ways have we rebelled against God’s ways? His commands? His will? In what ways have we complained and rebelled against God’s provision? Sometimes what God provides for us is a “test” just like manna? Will we be thankful for His provision or will it be a source of complaining? Do we say like the Children of Israel, “not enough, not good enough.”  Finally we need to ask in what ways have we rebelled against God’s leadership? Either directly in our lives or through His appointed and anointed leaders?

Each of these areas of life are critical for us today. Different in their manifestation, but still applicable in each of our lives. The good thing we observe is that on top of the Ark of the Covenant is the “mercy seat.” It was on the mercy seat that the blood of the lamb was spilled on the day of atonement. So all aspects of rebellion against God were covered by the blood of the sacrifice. And when God looked down on His people, mercy was extended instead of judgment against their sin.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Christ our high priest and sacrificial lamb entered heaven and offered the provision that would satisfy the wrath of God against our rebellion so that we would receive mercy. That is good news! Regardless of how often or how intense, our rebelli0n we can be covered by grace and forgiveness because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for  us.

That’s better than wandering in the wilderness for forty years; or being cursed with a plague; or being cursed with leprosy (like Mariam); or having the ground open up and swallow us alive (like Korah and his followers).