This is dangerous because I think some competetors are now reading my blog, but here's where I am. I am down 17 pounds (172 from 189) and the final weigh out is next Monday. Please pray for me as my diet has now been restricted to dehydrated water and Metamucil. So in one of the churches we have served, there is this elderly couple. The woman was blind in one eye and had macular degeneration in the other. She, of course, was no longer able to drive and was about 86 years old. Her husband, who'll I'll call "Pappy" was 84 and had numerous health problems. He had several major heart attacks and had bypass surgery several times. He had suffered several major strokes and was completely paralyzed on his left side. The two enjoyed a cup of coffee and a donut from the local gas station where they went each morning to get the local paper. Pappy was the driver.
After one of his lengthy hospital stays, I had gone to visit them in their apartment. It was probably 95 degrees in there and Pappy was sitting in his usual spot, the wheelchair. I visited for a while, feeling badly for Pappy. Here was this once vibrant man who was slouching in his wheelchair, barely able to hold his head up to look over at me. He was nearly drooling from his gaping mouth, but still smiling and pleasant as ever.
After a little break in the conversation, his nearly blind wife in her small squeaky voice says with a big smile, "We have some good news...." Now I'm expecting the announcement of a new great grandchild, or that Pappy was able to secure an electric wheelchair, or something like that. But no, she says "We have some good news...Pappy's driving again!"
Now all that to say...I have some good news...Bretty's driving again!
Good news is open to interpretation....
That's right, I don't. I'd rather have your prayers. Let me explain.
I am sick and tired of hearing people saying "my thoughts are with you." I hear people in authority often say this after some tragedy. "Our thoughts are with the family...." Oh boy, that'll help. Do you think that by thinking anything that you can change the outcome of a situation? Craziness, I say.
How about this: "Our PRAYERS are with the family..." You know, God might be able to do something in the situation. It certainly seems it would be slightly more plausible than trying to "think" something to change.
I've had people say to me during my recent surgery "you'll be in my thoughts." Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather be in your prayers. Then maybe the ONE who can make a difference will! Thanks!
Shadrach is in the backyard, but because this blog has been approved for all audiences, I won't tell you what I see.
...as I sit here with my knee up in the air with ice wrapped around it, I decided you're all probably very interested not only in the large snowflakes I observe, but probably everything that goes on. So I'll keep you updated as best I can.
Right now the flakes are smaller in size but more numerous. Also, the ROF has increased. That's meteorology talk for Rate of Fall.
...I see the biggest snowflakes falling from the sky. They are bigger than any snowflakes I have ever seen in all of my 42 years, 318 days, 2 hours, and 16 minutes of life. True dat...
...but here is the update.
I went to the orthopedic dr. yesterday and he was pleased. I started therapy yesterday and it hurts like a son of a motherless goat but no pain, no gain.
I'm hoping to get the brace off, to ditch the crutches, and to be able to drive by the end of the week or Monday at the latest. Keep praying!!!
So I'm sitting here and from time to time, I check the blog roll. I have noticed something. My last blog post was about Scripture and stuff and how many comments did I get? Zilcho!
But, I blog about pooping and I get 15 comments!
So, does this say more about me, or the people who read my blog?
You know how many times I have shared Isaiah 40:28-31 with people who were going through difficulties? I've lost track! And even this week, I texted these verses to young people from C3 for them to read with me. But I have discovered that it is sometimes harder to hear and accept them when you're sitting on the other side of the Bible, so to speak. What good is the very Word of God if we don't really listen and internalize it? How can we truly be pointed to the Mighty One if we don't wrestle with Him? What good is good news if it doesn't change and transform people? So today, I'm asking the Lord to give me strength to WAIT upon Him...even though I'm starting to go batty from sitting in this chair with my leg up on ice!!!
I pooped!!! You know, after they dehydrate you for surgery, then after you puke up everything after surgery for the first 15 hours, then after you take those intestinal dumbing pain pills, this can be a great post-op concern. But alas, as my profile indicates. Life is good...for I have pooped.
I'll keep you updated as I progress with my healing, and as they say, film at 11:00!
Well, I had to have the total ACL reconstruction so it was more than I bargained for. I have to have my knee totally immobilized for two weeks so it will be at least that long on crutches. I see the doctor on March 3 to decide when and how to start rehab. Thanks to the Harris' family, our house is now wireless so I'm able to at least be in touch w/ the online world. Anywho, just thought I'd let you know. And yes, I am bored. Pray for me, but pray for Carla more!!
Then our youth did the 30 hour famine this weekend and it was awesome. We may not have the biggest youth group in the free world, but I am proud of how our kids are growing and going in ministry. Good schtuff...or should I say, God schtuff!!!
Now I know most of you (except for the ones who know the inside joke) are wondering what the heck that previous post is all about. It was my, as Keith puts it, droll attempt at exposing the latest American craze: being offended!
We LOVE to be offended. We go out of our way to be offended. Being offended isn't just a right, but a highly sought after privilege. We are offended about EVERYTHING these days.
And lemme tell you, I am sick of it! We need to grow up! We need to stop being so ridiculous. We need to exercise our bigger right and privilege to be free. Free to read this or not to. Free to watch/listen/read something in the media or not to. Freedom to follow Christ or not to. Instead, we seem to be obsessed with simply practicing the freedom to be offended.
You think people liked it when Jesus called them snakes and whitewashed tombs? You think Peter liked it when Jesus called him Satan? Did they walk around saying "I'm offended."
No, they practiced their God-given freedom to either follow or leave. Some left, and some like Peter grew up and sought out the truth in the "offensive" statement and grew to be more Christlike in it.
So what are we gonna do with such a childish national obsession? I, for one, am attempting to grow up. Thanks for "offending" me from time to time. I'm hoping that my faith, hope, and love are actually stronger for it...
I lost the weight I gained so that I could lose so that I could win. Now I just have to lose some weight that I hadn't gained in order to win so that I can win and be the biggest loser!
...and it is hidden in an old clock! Just kidding! My real secret is that I have been reading Nancy Drew stories lately (and am just starting into the Hardy Boys)! Why, you ask, would a grown man (insert nasty comments now!) read Nancy Drew? Well, when we were on our retreat, Carla and I rediscovered the art of reading for FUN! I read the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and then remembered reading these mystery stories as a kid. So, I have been securing these fun novels from my local library and losing myself in a world of innocence and goodness. What a blast.
It is helping me to, as the Lord said through Paul, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)
Today was the big weigh-in at my gym. A number of us are embarking on our own "Biggest Loser" contest over the next three months. The cost to enter is $50. The 2nd place contestant gets his money back...1st place takes the rest.
I have never been overweight so I had a problem on my hands. In order to have a chance to win, I spent the last 6 weeks eating anything and everything I wanted. The strategy was to be unhealthy and gain weight so that I could lose weight and be healthy. I gained 9 pounds and now am heavier than I've ever been in my life! Awesome!!! I have a real chance to be the biggest loser because I was striving to be the biggest gainer!!!
And don't we sometimes act like that in life?
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Just a quick note to wish all of you in Blog de Brett land a happy new year. I will begin blogging in earnest again on January 2, I promise. (I may then promptly end blogging in earnest very shortly afterward, but know that I will at least begin....)
