Again: Blessed With The Best

 "God always sends me the best" not only is my favorite quote (Sharon Forgie as she went through cancer treatments), but has become my reality over the past four plus years of my ALS journey from Michigan to Texas. Caring professionals and amateurs :) have been used of God to help me and our family as caretakers and supporters. The most recent are  Bristol, Shay, Alma, Jenna, Jill and Joyce. There are many unsung heroes and I thank God for the ones who have crossed my life in this last chapter.

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth ...This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. ...for there is no want to them that fear him. ..they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing"

-Psalm 34

ALS Team Texas

RELOCATION AND RENEWAL

We are in a new place and meeting new people. God continues to connect us with those whose dedication is to help and give hope for full life regardless of diagnosis or progression. Houston is a big city, yet God has once again blessed our lives with such caring people. 

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/research/our-faculty/labs/appel-lab/

Many are simply unheralded and unknown yet working to give quality to life's difficult circumstances. Lou Gehrig gave his "Luckiest man alive speech" on July 4, 1939, and his overwhelmingly grateful tenor impresses me to proclaim that I feel I am the most blessed man alive!

Psalm 103:1-14

Bless the LORD, O my soul:

And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment

For all that are oppressed.

He made known his ways unto Moses,

His acts unto the children of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide:

Neither will he keep his anger for ever.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins;

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth,

So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west,

So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Like as a father pitieth his children,

So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame;

He remembereth that we are dust.

Thank each of you for your prayers and concern.

Blest With The Best!

One great thing forty years in ministering to people has exposed me to is the many, MANY health care professionals that help people deal with sickness and disease on a daily basis. I have been blessed beyond measure to walk with many through those storm tossed waters. 

A good attitude and a good sense of humor goes a long way on both sides of the equation.

One evening in September nearly eight years ago, I got a call to come to the ER at Genesys where a dear, sweet Lady in our congregation was at death’s door. They whisk us out of the room as their amazing team literally saved her life that night. Over the next week, I met people who worked in many disciplines, including palliative care (which I had to google), cancer doctors, surgeons, and many that I do not even know what they were doing other than obviously helping her.

Over the next three years, she was up and down in her strength as she went through chemo, rehab centers, possible food poison and one of her doctors was even arrested for Medicare fraud. Finally, stage 5 cancer took over meaning no more chemo and hospice was set up.

As she was in the hospital for the last time on that cold February day, she said something to Vicki and I that she had said over and over throughout her ordeal –

“They always send the BEST people to help me”.

Just 14 days later, she went home to be with the Lord, but her words, laughter and attitude have made such a lasting impression on my life.

As I have begun my journey facing many health uncertainties, I have already been blessed with the BEST that God has brought into my life because of this disease. I had my three month checkup and evaluation this week at University of Michigan ALS clinic and I took a few pictures to share and  I want to thank God for them! I was even able to share my faith with the nurse that drained seventeen vials of my blood that it would really be great if they found the key to the mystery of this illness from my Texas blood!

As they seemed encouraged by my continued physical strength, I too feel a renewed sense of vigor, not only for today, but for new opportunities to celebrate my life and faith in Christ in the months and years to come… as each day we are given grace and “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began…” (Titus 1:2)

It is overwhelming to me that so many people send notes to tell me they are praying for me continually. We must constantly be aware of the love and care of people around us.I have truly seen God work in my life this year in ways that I can only say “God is good to me”, and when you put your trust in Him, He can do things in and through your life in a purposeful way that when this life is through, He even has something better in store for us that will trust Him!

On Being a GRANDPARENT

A ugust 12, 2000. The day a new privilege and responsibility began. My FIRST grandchild was born. The greatest discovery that day was an unrealized newfound love in my heart. A new role also was impressed upon me of the high and holy calling from God to be a part of influencing the future.

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

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his day changed my prayer concerns as well. My prayers already involved my desire to develop a deeper walk with Christ for myself as a partner, as a parent and my role as a father, as a pastor, the flock and my ministry. Now my family concerns are greatly expanded and intensified. The prayer for my children and grandchildren’s needs include:

• Salvation, that they will come to know the Lord at an early age
• Sanctification, a pure relationship with God and growth in grace
• Satan’s reality, protection from the evil one
• Strength of character, health in mind, body and spirit
• Separation from worldly wisdom to a godly discernment of good and evil
• Singularity of life purpose and calling
• Spouses that are good life partners and wisely choosing godly companions
• Serving God and His church with an active love for God

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oday, we are on the verge of having our twelfth (an even dozen grandchildren), the last of which is known only to me as the “Little One” in my prayers. My love has already begun to well up in my heart for this one as well. I am thankful to my grandparents for turning the direction of our family around for God and have seen how God blesses those who follow Him. Psalm 103:17,18 reminds us “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

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t is my firm belief that we can make a difference as grandparents, regardless of the ungodliness of our culture. An encouraging reminder is given by David Jeremiah in “Family Factor” as he makes reference to grandparents’ influence in history.

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he Bolshevik Revolution took place in Russia in 1917, resulting in what became the Communist Soviet Union. Until that rule imploded in the late 1980’s, the faith of Russian Christians was severely tested by the atheistic Communist government. It is said that during the 70 years of Soviet rule, it was the grandmothers of Russia, the babushkas, who kept the faith alive. They were the ones who kept faith and hope alive in the darkest days of repression. Many of them obviously died before the Soviet empire collapsed, but their faith did not die with them. They taught their children and grandchildren so that, when conditions allowed, a vibrant church emerged from the ruins of Soviet atheism.

The Road Ahead

It was Augustine who said "We count on God’s mercy for our past mistakes, on God’s love for our present needs, on God’s sovereignty for our future." I am so thankful we have never been alone on our journey

..As We Travel The Days Ahead..

and that God is continuing to reveal Himself in our lives in ways we never imagined. I am full of hope and trust in His guiding, loving hand as we travel the days ahead. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Jeremiah 29:11

A Nation in Reflection

"The answer for our nation’s problems is not in Washington.
Nor will it be found in a politician, no matter how great!
The answer does not lie on a battlefield or in a great general.
The answer to our nation’s problems will only be found in a place of humility and repentance.
The answer for our nation’s problems begins and ends at an altar of prayer!"

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Twenty-One Gun Salute

Louie was 93. Fought in the Big War. As I looked at the memorial display of a newspaper clipping from June 4, 1944, it all seems so long ago. There was an article by General Eisenhower sending a message to the soldiers to "accept nothing less than complete victory". Our nation has certainly come a long way since that day. I think of all the lives that have been affected because of that great leadership. Freedom has cost a great deal.. for those who died and for those who lived through it.

Then I think of another war. It is the war of God for the soul. At today's memorial there were stories told of children who were picked up on a bus and brought to church. Of a Christian mother and of a dad who came to know Christ as a result and then lived out the remainder of his days in a different war... reaching people with the life-changing Gospel of Christ.

Today we said goodbye to that soldier. From a grateful nation and a grateful church, it has been a privilege to have known such a man. My prayer is that we will see more soldiers get involved in this long war for God. I hope I can say when this time comes "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)