Getting back on top of my game physically is taking more time than expected or I thought I had patience for. That sounds a little bazaar when I think about it, considering five months of hospitalization and therapy in 2013. Perhaps that is a sign of normalcy.

Pastor Steve Harris dropped by today. It was good to see him for a short visit. He returned some of the strawberries from my garden that he picked last summer, in the form of some great strawberry jam.

This was a cool but pleasant fall day. After some rest, I did get out and till the garden space and prune some rose bushes. I failed to mention it a few days ago, but September 26 was the first anniversary of my surgery to remove the lower lob of my left lung and the tumor in my thymus gland along with the thymus. I can still some degree of numbness on my left side. That and a few surgical scars are the only reminders of what transpired a little over a year ago. That certainly was a turning point in my recovery for which I am truly thankful.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.”     Isaiah 33:22

When you read this verse from the perspective of our American political system, you quickly see a reference to the three branches of government; legislative, executive and judicial. Each on is tasked with a different responsibility.  One makes the laws, one administers the laws and one makes rulings over disputes about the law.

What is of interest is that our system was set up this way, to create “checks and balances.” It is referred to as “separation of powers.” Our founding fathers believes strongly that concentrated government in the hands of a few (let alone one) would led to tyranny and the oppression of people.

But that is human government. When we see the Lord functioning a lawgiver, king and judge it brings hope and salvation. It speaks of a day of a divine order and a divine government. That is what Isaiah is foretelling to God’s people. They had seen the oppression of ruthless Kings. They had experienced unjust laws and the perversion of justice. But the day when the Lord reigns supreme He needs no help in the execution of His duties.  He sits enthroned as the One who is all-sufficient, all-powerful and all-just and righteous.

I recall a legislative colleague making the reflection from some reading he was doing and remember his statement, “people really don’t like freedom.” That sounded fairly shocking, but he went on to explain that “people need to be led.” Our natural tendency is to look at human leaders and human institutions. When we do that we will be disappointed at least or vulnerable to tyranny at most.

But when we look to the Lord to provide the leadership over our life, we are kept safe. The Bible says, “…this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands [laws] are not burdensome…” 1 John 5:3 His judgements are true, His leadership can be trusted. Paul writes about God’s ultimate rule in these words, “When all things are subjected to Him [Christ], then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all…” 1 Corinthians 15:28

I am thankful for the Lord who not only saves us from our sin, but delivers us from the temporary kingdoms and rule of people to an eternity where He reigns overall and above all.

I woke up this morning feeling the way I thought I would wake up on Saturday; feeling like I am putting my cold and symptoms behind me. I am not 100% but certainly feeling better than the past two days. I did call and postpone my scheduled test for Tuesday. After that cancellation call, I received a call from my primary care physician telling me my latest test confirmed an intestinal virus. So I will be on some oral antibiotics for the next two weeks.

When she first called she said, “you are brilliant!” I said, “no my wife is.” Debbie was the one that felt we needed to get the last specimen into the lab. So it looks like her suspicions were confirmed. At any rate we have just found that with my issues it is important to be as proactive as possible, even with “routine” illnesses. Debbie recently commented, “I’m not sure if you are going to have any routine illnesses.”

I was able to get outside to trim some rose bushes and trim some grass before an early afternoon rain. While outside my dog ran off and I spent quite a bit of time tracking him down. Most of it was me chasing after him in my electric wheelchair. I thought, “this is not me taking my dog for a walk, this is my dog taking me for a ride!”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.”  Hosea 10:12                                                           “…the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”   Isaiah 32:17

Both Hosea and Isaiah addressed God’s people in the midst of their idolatry and impending judgement from the Lord at the hands of foreign nations. When you look at the activities and lifestyle of those who were to be known as “God’s people” they were anything but “godly” or “righteous.”

The call to righteousness is a call away from idolatry, dishonesty, immorality and trusting in the wisdom of man and power of political alliances with other nations. It is a call to return to “right living” a “right heart” and a “right spirit.” When I look at the cause and effect relationship of righteousness in both of these verses, I think of the old counseling adage that says, “you have to act your way into a better way of feeling, you don’t feel your way into a better way of acting.”

In other words righteousness comes first. That which is so often sought in other areas and by other means is a byproduct of righteousness. So Hosea call is for God’s people to sow righteousness to reap steadfast love. Turning to the Lord, seeking Him is what brings that strength that is needed for “righteous living.”

Isaiah then adds that righteousness has the effect of “peace” and results in “quietness and trust forever.” You will find that when you put the Lord first and walk according to His ways, it is the best way to live. You discover God’s faithfulness and love which produces greater trust in the Lord.

We can see it in recorded history, we can see it in our world today, living by God’s standards, being “right” in His eyes is the only way to live. Are you looking for “peace and quiet”? Sow righteousness, seek the Lord, allow Him to rain righteousness on you.

This has been an interesting day, a somewhat of a “turn around day” I pray. I woke up this morning feeling as tired and weak as when I went to bed early last night. We placed a call to an “on-call doctor” for some input. I really anticipated a trip at least to the urgent care center. But I slowly began feeling better and really believe someone was praying for me. Some of my issues have continued, but I have felt strong enough to be up and about and even mowed the lawn. Your continued prayers as appreciated. I maybe rescheduling my test for next week because I need to be in optimum health (for me) for this test.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”  Isaiah 26:3,4

Isaiah’s prophecies contain many words of correction and judgment for the sins of Judah and Israel. But he also foretells a time when things will be far different. A time when the hearts of God’s people return to Him. A time when they will “know Him.” A time when they will trust Him. These words above are actually part of a song that will be sung when God’s ransomed people return to His Holy city in the Land of Judah.

When Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians they did not know peace. There were attacks from Egypt, Assyria and finally Babylon. But they did not know inward peace as well. As it is today, when people forsake the Lord there is strife, confusion, moral decay.

As a result these words come as divine encouragement and relief. That “perfect peace” comes from a mind fixed on the Lord. He is the faithful God, He is Jehovah our provider, He is the miracle working God. In a storm tossed world, in a world of strife and division, a mind fixed on the Lord can know “peace in the midst of the storm.”

Trust is the foundation of this perfect peace. I like the words of a song that says, “God will make a way, where there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me…” When we place our trust in God to do exactly that, our mind can stay fixed on the Lord and His promises, His faithfulness.

Trust in God, is trust in a sure foundation. We can trust forever, because God’s love abides forever, He never changes. Trust in God is not a shaky trust, where we feel like, “I am trusting in God, I hope He comes through.” Trusting in God provides confidence for our lives. Psalm 20:27 puts it well, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.“ The in Psalm 62:8 the psalmist calls people to, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.“ Trusting in God doesn’t mean we don’t express our hearts and minds to the Lord. As we do that we find God surrounding us, God sustaining us, God as the foundation of our life.

In your life, live a life of trust in the Lord. As you do you will find a sense of peace from the Lord “guarding your heart and mind.” (Phil. 4:7)

After anticipating a good day and moving on from some of the symptoms that I have been experiencing this week, today has been a rough day. Last night, after the reprieve of the previous night, my cough returned and some of my other issues symptoms have not improved. I’m glad that I was able to make it to my doctor’s appointment yesterday and have as active a day as I did. Perhaps I over did it a little.

I hope to be feeling better through the weekend because I have a significant test with my urologist scheduled for next Tuesday. This test will involved some IV antibiotic doses in preparation for the test. So, today has been a day of rest and running a specimen to the lab. I like my doctor, when I emailed her a description of my  some of my issues her first word back was, “YUCK!” When I saw her on Wednesday morning she said, “Ken you are a complicated patient.” After almost 60 years of good health where a cold or bronchitis was a major event every two or three years this is a new paradigm for me.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

It is interesting how people feel they can understand and explain God and issues of faith and if they can’t, they can’t be real. It has too do with the limits of the human mind, even in light of “mind boggling” discoveries in our world today. Some of this leads to the idea that the human mind, if fully utilized would be equal to that of God or make someone “god-like.”

What is interesting is that God’s wisdom is not always expressed in lofty ways people can not understand but simple ways people will not accept.  Paul said, “…since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21) Paul goes on and says later,  “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”  (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Corinth was a key city of Greece. Human wisdom was not only valued but almost worshiped. The enlightenment of the mind was the highest that man could achieve in their thinking. This lead many of them sitting around debating and listening to the latest ideas. This focus is shown in Paul’s visit to Athens and his discourse on Mars Hill.

Some believe that this experience prompted him to write to the Corinthians about the failure of human wisdom and superiority of God’s wisdom. The key to this as revealed in verse in 1 Corinthians 1-3 is that as God’s children we have the wisdom of God available to use to understand and accept the ways of God.

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)

Paul simply says no one knows better what is in a person’s mind more than the spirit of the person. When we come to Christ His Spirit is given to us for us to know the things of God related to spiritual matters of faith. This result is…

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.                                      (1 Corinthians 2:9,10)

When it comes to spiritual matters, issues of faith and someone says, “that doesn’t make sense to me?” or “I can’t understand that.” You can say, “I know.” But you can let them know how it can make sense by receiving God’s Spirit through faith in Christ.

Today, I have been gradually overcoming my cold symptoms. Hopefully tomorrow, I will wake up to more of a “normal” day. I had my neurologist appointment today for a nerve conduction test on my legs. After two and a half hours and feeling like a pin cushion the appointment came to an end. My left leg is looking good (which I already knew), my right leg is still showing some slower nerve regeneration, which hinders muscle development.

I thought that report was pretty encouraging enough, but my doctor thought it would be good to perform a spinal tap. That almost makes me want to stop going to doctors. 🙂 He did show me the MRI pictures of the restriction in my spinal cord around C5, C6 vertebrae. He thought it would be good to get a consult from a neurosurgeon. (Did I say that almost makes me want to stop going to doctors?) Perhaps I should just make sure that I don’t play tackle football and sleep with my head propped up to keep pressure off my spinal cord. If you see me walking around with my chin down, now you will know why! (just kidding). Since I have not had any symptoms the spinal cord issue doesn’t seem to be a major concern, even though the consult was recommended.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…. so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 1:4-7

As I am reading through 1 Corinthians once again, I find myself drawn to the affirming and positive words of Paul in the opening verses. This is because for the following chapters Paul will address at least issue after issue that the Corinthians were getting wrong or about which they needed correction. This should be encouraging for us all!

God’s grace through Christ is not a response to our goodness, or having our act together. Grace is unmerited favor. God’s grace saves us, sustains us, and helps us to grow as we look forward to the return of the Lord.

God’s grace bestows gifts to empower and work through our lives even as we experience the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in His church.

And in the midst of it all God’s grace sustains us to the end and allows us to be guiltless when Christ returns. I am drawn to both being “sustained” and “guiltless.” When you look a the Corinthians your find them guilty of divisions, guilty of relying on human wisdom, guilty about tolerating sin in the Church, guilty of suing fellow church members, guilty about violating the principles of marriage, guilty in abusing the Lord’s supper, guilty regarding the return of the Lord, just to name a few.

So when Paul says Christ will sustain you to the end and you will be found guiltless, that is good news! Christ will never give up and never let go. A song by Phillips, Craig and Dean says it well in these words…

I think I am having one of those days where “I feel better than I sound.” After a better night of rest, I still felt pretty run down this morning. I am glad the I kept my scheduled doctor’s appointment. I think my primary care doctor was glad to see me for a “normal” illness. I hope to be making progress and be much better by tomorrow. That will be good since I have an appointment with my neurologist. I did feel well enough to get out and mow the lawn.

My doctor did have the results of my head and neck MRI. My brain looks good. I forgot to ask her if I can still use traumatic brain injury as an excuse. However, she did mention my C5 and C6 vertebrae were putting pressure on my spinal cord. It didn’t seem to be a major concern other than to what extent it may be related to nerve transmission to the muscles. My nerve conduction test tomorrow and next week will help get all that figured out.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Remember Lot’s wife.”  Luke 17:32

The shortest verse in the Bible is found in John 11:35, it simply says, “Jesus wept.” It was Jesus’ emotional response as he stood at the tomb of Lazarus. The verse above would be then the second shortest verse with three words. Three words but words that carry a significant impact because they were from the lips of Jesus.

When Jesus alludes to this Old Testament account He is speaking of His return. When we look in the context we notice that the time just before Jesus returns will be time of great confusion.

“The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them.” Luke 17:23

There will be times when there is a great desire for the Lord’s return, but it will not happen. When the desire for the Lord to return is high, it makes individuals vulnerable for false Christs. This calls for patience and discernment.

Then we see that coming of the Lord will be sudden.

“For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.” Luke 17:24 “…in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left.” Luke 17:34

The suddenness of the coming of the Lord will find many off guard. They will be preoccupied, busy with life, caught up in the things of the world. Some years ago when I was diagnosed with a small amount of cancer, I choose an option referred to as, “watchful waiting.” That is what believers are called to do as far as the return of the Lord. Watchful waiting, means we take care of the business of this life, but we are aware of Christ’s promise and we are attuned to the signs.

The coming of the Lord challenges the focus of our hearts.

“On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:31,32

When the Lord returns, we are to be ready to go! When the exodus took place from Egypt, the Children of Israel were instructed to have themselves ready. When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, there was no time to pack and go through an extensive inventory. When Lot’s wife “turned back” I don’t think she was thinking, “did I remember to turn off the coffee pot.” The  judgement she received is an indication that her heart was too connected to Sodom.

Abraham was the nomad, Lot was the settler in plains. Perhaps Lot’s wife didn’t embrace the sin of Sodom, but it was all she knew, so much so, it hindered her ability to obey and trust God, and leave it behind. I think of the words of an old hymn that say, “have thine affections been nailed to the cross?”

There is a lot that we don’t know or understand when it comes to all the details of the Lord’s return. But what we do know, what we do need to focus on is “seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” and the King. And we should take to heart the words and caution of Jesus to, “remember Lot’s wife.”

I had a pretty rough night last night. My hacking cough not only disturbed my sleep but Debbie’s as well. I had a consult with my doctor and I have a tentative appointment for tomorrow if I am not feeling better. I have felt better for most of the day, although my energy level is pretty diminished. It is probably pretty remarkable that I have not come down with a “normal” sickness in this last year.

One of the things Debbie mentioned this last week was that we should have kept a daily log of some of my gains in recovery. Some of them on the surface my seem small and insignificant but considering where I have been they are great strides. For example just being able to use the shower in our master bath has been a major step forward. One of the challenges that I am faced with is that with just the ability to move my arms, I still face the challenge of building muscle mass and strength. But praise the Lord it is all coming and for that we are glad and appreciative of the prayers of so many.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” Luke 21:34

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building…” Luke 17:26-28

I have always found it interesting that awareness of “end of world” events are not uncommon. It would be interesting to get some “on the street” responses to the word, Armageddon. You would probably find more people familiar with the name being related to the end of the world, than their ability to name at least one member of US Senate.

For a long time I thought the coming of the Lord would catch people off guard because of their lack of knowledge. But in reading Jesus words it seems that it is because they are just too self-absorbed. They are so much caught up in survival mode and “doing life” that they are not paying attention to the signs of the Lord’s return.

While we see Jesus command to “watch” as far as looking for His return, we also see Jesus give the command to “watch yourself.” Our lives are not to be so consumed with the activities of this life and our plans for the future that we are oblivious to the fact that Christ will one day return, and we are living on borrowed time.

Earlier in Luke we see Jesus talking about His return and he  compares the “days of Noah” and the “days of Lot.” Although separated by hundreds of years the lifestyle and focus was the same. Eating, drinking, buy, selling, marrying….. and Jesus says the same thing will occur just before He returns.

As I consider these verses I am reminded of the Parable of the Sower. The seed that fell among thorns was “choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” (Luke 8:14)

Don’t allow the care of this life to choke the spiritual life out of you. As we journey through this world, we are to take care of the business of life without it consuming our life. We are to remind ourselves that even if Christ’s return is another hundred or more years away, that we are all living on borrowed time. We need the perspective of life that only Christ can provide. As we keep life in balance we are ready for eternity in Christ’s presence whether through the end of life or the Lord’s return.