I saw it on my way down the mountain and I even got a picture of it! As we descended from 14,000 feet off Pike's Peak through the rough terrain, I noticed a bright flower growing all by itself on a small rocky ledge. And it just struck me how cool it was to see such a delicate plant in such a harsh environment.
More than that I marveled at the perseverance, the steadfastness of this flower, not just to grow but to bloom where it was planted. I've seen such tenacity before and I'm sure you have too. Like the grass and weeds that are growing in my driveway cracks even as the grass in my watered lawn struggles to stay green. How does that happen?
As I examined my picture later, I noticed only the smallest amount of rock dirt (my poor attempt at geological description) around its base on this ledge. Other than that it looked like it was growing right out of the rock, but what a great little flower this plant had produced. Sort of a bluish purple – again, very cool.
As I applauded God's creation in my picture, I thought about how we all could use a dose of this flower's tenacity, determination, endurance and strength. Sometimes blooming where you are planted is not an easy thing. Sometimes we wonder why we're planted in what seems to be a very difficult place. And we could apply this analogy to our work life or family life but I'm thinking about our faith life. My own in particular.
I've mentioned before one of my favorite verses is 1 Cor 15:58 which calls us to be steadfast and immovable. I guess you could say we are called to be flowers on rocks, to take our place and bloom where we are no matter how difficult that might seem. No matter how few might see. Why? Because as this verse later adds, nothing we do for the Lord is done in vain.
The Bible provides many calls to be strong and endure. 2 Timothy tells us to be 'strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus' and adds that if we endure we shall also reign with Him. James says 'we count them blessed who endure'. There are plenty more if you take a moment to look. So, be strong and determined, endure in your faith walk, be steadfast and immovable. Determined means resolute and staunch. Endure means sustain or suffer without yielding.
Based on the encouragement of a small flower we are all reminded to be resolute and staunch in our faith. To be unyielding to any circumstance pushing us to give up. We have a hope, a sure confidence that the faith God provides will be sufficient to help us bloom where we are planted- no matter how hard it may seem. We are indeed flowers drawing strength from THE Rock and that is all the soil we need for an eternity of blooming!
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Family Vacation
This week I write to you thanks to a slow internet connection from Colorado Springs on our family vacation. We've rented a house for the week in the historic Broadmoor area as a home base for the entire Petersen clan. We've hiked mountain trails, climbed to see waterfalls, and gone to royal gorges just for starters.
While we've done a lot of fun things like white-water rafting, my favorite part of the trip so far was our visit to the Air Force Academy where we attended church. And maybe you know what this chapel, this church looks like because it's one of the most famous and architectually stunning places of worship in the country.
If you haven't seen or heard about this church, it resembles a giant A-frame building with numerous points across the top. It is so big it can be seen from miles away. Once inside your eyes are automatically drawn upwards. The side windows provide a view of the nearby mountains. The giant silver cross hanging near the front boldly declares this as a place of worship.
Over the years on our family vacations we've attended services at a number of iconic churches. We've been to the Crystal Cathedral in Los Angeles, Southwest in Nashville ( one of the ten largest churches in America), oh and maybe my favorite, a small Missouri Synod Lutheran church in the heart of Atlanta led by Pastor Pete. Going to church is an important part of our family vacations.
Sunday, I wondered as I sat in worship, if Jesus were to return to earth to attend church, if He might pick a place like the Academy Chapel. Surely He would I guessed. Then I considered that church really is never a building, it's the people. Where Jesus would attend church certainly wouldn't be determined by the beauty of the building I decided. Better yet, I know that He does attend every service where two or more gather in His name. So I decided to strike that question.
Thinking about it now, I realize that I worshipped Him this week in another even more awesome cathedral than the Cadet Chapel as I spent time in the Rockies. This week I and my family have explored the proof of Romans 1- that God's great creation speaks to His presence. His creation is His cathedral and I have been blessed to get to view its awesome majesty.
Hey, I think a nice church building is a wonderful thing. By the power of the Holy Spirit it can inspire those who pass by to think about God. I even wish we were still building great cathedrals in His honor but that doesn't happen much anymore. The good news is we don't need cathedrals to worship our loving God. We can step into the great cathedral of His creation, our world, and give Him thanks anytime. And we can step into a small church in Keystone on this Sunday- another awesome place where He promises to be. See you fellow cadets there!
Blest Regards,
Keith
While we've done a lot of fun things like white-water rafting, my favorite part of the trip so far was our visit to the Air Force Academy where we attended church. And maybe you know what this chapel, this church looks like because it's one of the most famous and architectually stunning places of worship in the country.
If you haven't seen or heard about this church, it resembles a giant A-frame building with numerous points across the top. It is so big it can be seen from miles away. Once inside your eyes are automatically drawn upwards. The side windows provide a view of the nearby mountains. The giant silver cross hanging near the front boldly declares this as a place of worship.
Over the years on our family vacations we've attended services at a number of iconic churches. We've been to the Crystal Cathedral in Los Angeles, Southwest in Nashville ( one of the ten largest churches in America), oh and maybe my favorite, a small Missouri Synod Lutheran church in the heart of Atlanta led by Pastor Pete. Going to church is an important part of our family vacations.
Sunday, I wondered as I sat in worship, if Jesus were to return to earth to attend church, if He might pick a place like the Academy Chapel. Surely He would I guessed. Then I considered that church really is never a building, it's the people. Where Jesus would attend church certainly wouldn't be determined by the beauty of the building I decided. Better yet, I know that He does attend every service where two or more gather in His name. So I decided to strike that question.
Thinking about it now, I realize that I worshipped Him this week in another even more awesome cathedral than the Cadet Chapel as I spent time in the Rockies. This week I and my family have explored the proof of Romans 1- that God's great creation speaks to His presence. His creation is His cathedral and I have been blessed to get to view its awesome majesty.
Hey, I think a nice church building is a wonderful thing. By the power of the Holy Spirit it can inspire those who pass by to think about God. I even wish we were still building great cathedrals in His honor but that doesn't happen much anymore. The good news is we don't need cathedrals to worship our loving God. We can step into the great cathedral of His creation, our world, and give Him thanks anytime. And we can step into a small church in Keystone on this Sunday- another awesome place where He promises to be. See you fellow cadets there!
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
A Different View
Sherri wrote a very nice article about her father for our upcoming paper newsletter but I wanted to share it with all of you here as well- mostly because I am very proud of my talented writer wife! kp
When mom died, Keith wrote a beautiful story about the week we spent on the cancer floor of Immanuel Hospital. The large window of the family waiting room looked out on the parking lot, surrounded by fields of trees and grass gently covered with snow. He told of the 2000 piece puzzle which we mindlessly worked in an effort to think past the painful reason we gathered. He shared the significance of the single puzzle piece missing at the end of the week when the puzzle lay completed on the table as we grieved the loss of my mom. This past week, I feared that another story would be written about the untimely death of someone I love, my father.
Dad has always been a "health nut". He works out at the YMCA on the treadmill and exercise bikes and lifts weights. His diet usually consists of food considered to be healthy and he certainly keeps the vitamin industry afloat with his lengthy list of supplements. He subscribes to four healthy-living magazines and follows closely the latest trends and medical breakthroughs.
The last two years have been rough on Dad. First he lost Mom. Then his grandson, Christopher. In addition to his mental anguish, his very tall frame (6'7") began to experience some problems. The bones in his neck broke down and resulted in terrible headaches. The discs in his back caused great pain in his legs. He was unable to do many of the things that he enjoyed previously: attending ball games, driving the car and playing golf. He eventually discovered the source of the problems and waited impatiently for the surgeries to cure what ailed him. First Dad had cataract surgery which went very well and gave him 20/20 vision for the first time in 70 years. The neck surgery in May was successful, also, eliminating the headaches. He eagerly awaited the back surgery. The night before, he planned to throw the first pitch at our family softball game, because he felt he could. Dad wasn't sure how quickly he would heal and did not want the season to end without his participation in at least one game, lest he ruin his long-standing record. Unfortunately, we were rained out and he will have to wait until the end of the season to float one home.
The surgery went better than expected and within days he was walking, without pain and without a cane. A few days later, his recovery took an abrupt turn for the worse when he was rushed by ambulance into the hospital, barely able to breathe. After many tests and scary moments, the doctor discovered a large "saddle" pulmonary embolism, bigger than most he had ever seen. The doctor delivered grave news: Dad was very ill; they could not sugar-coat it: the next 2-3 days would be critical.
We discovered many things about embolisms during the hours and days to follow. 50% of all those with pulmonary embolisms die. A vast majority of those with saddle embolisms never make it to the hospital. We credit fast response by family, emergency personnel and doctors and of course, answered prayers, for the miracle that put Dad in ICU instead of the morgue.
The waiting room for ICU was a nice large room, big enough for my 40+ family members, plus the families and friends of other patients. This time, the scenery was not as pleasant as the window looked out onto the roof of another section of the hospital. Boxes of puzzles sat on a table in the corner, untouched. I do not consider myself to be superstitious, yet I was uncomfortable even looking at them that first day. Eventually the fear of repeating the events of Mom's hospital stay lessened and a Star Wars battle scene began to form, piece by piece. Everyone who came to visit took turns searching for the piece which would fit into their designated section. By Sunday night, the puzzle was completed, with the exception of one single piece. The facial expressions of all those present confirmed that we were all thinking the same thought: Coincidence or not, the missing piece had to be found! The entire group began to scan the floor. We all prayed that the piece was hidden under the table leg, or a chair. None of us wanted that puzzle to become a representation of another loss, another missing piece of our family puzzle.
When someone shouted "There it is!" Caleb lunged forward, almost knocking heads with the "finder", and quickly locked it into place and we all shared a collective sigh of relief. Later, as Dad recalled Mom's hospital stay and his great loss just a few floors away, we shared the puzzle story. We wanted to assure him that even though he was in the same hospital; even though his family was gathered together praying for him; even though friends and relatives filtered in and out; even though the doctors could not offer any guarantees, this time was different.
And indeed, this time the miracle we prayed for did happen. This time our news was favorable. This time the end result was the blessed opportunity to spend more time here on earth with my Dad. This time, our puzzle remained intact. This time, the view from the 4th floor thankfully is completely different as we view it through the God-given lens of a healing miracle. This time we return to the ground floor of life with my father healed and my faith strengthened!
When mom died, Keith wrote a beautiful story about the week we spent on the cancer floor of Immanuel Hospital. The large window of the family waiting room looked out on the parking lot, surrounded by fields of trees and grass gently covered with snow. He told of the 2000 piece puzzle which we mindlessly worked in an effort to think past the painful reason we gathered. He shared the significance of the single puzzle piece missing at the end of the week when the puzzle lay completed on the table as we grieved the loss of my mom. This past week, I feared that another story would be written about the untimely death of someone I love, my father.
Dad has always been a "health nut". He works out at the YMCA on the treadmill and exercise bikes and lifts weights. His diet usually consists of food considered to be healthy and he certainly keeps the vitamin industry afloat with his lengthy list of supplements. He subscribes to four healthy-living magazines and follows closely the latest trends and medical breakthroughs.
The last two years have been rough on Dad. First he lost Mom. Then his grandson, Christopher. In addition to his mental anguish, his very tall frame (6'7") began to experience some problems. The bones in his neck broke down and resulted in terrible headaches. The discs in his back caused great pain in his legs. He was unable to do many of the things that he enjoyed previously: attending ball games, driving the car and playing golf. He eventually discovered the source of the problems and waited impatiently for the surgeries to cure what ailed him. First Dad had cataract surgery which went very well and gave him 20/20 vision for the first time in 70 years. The neck surgery in May was successful, also, eliminating the headaches. He eagerly awaited the back surgery. The night before, he planned to throw the first pitch at our family softball game, because he felt he could. Dad wasn't sure how quickly he would heal and did not want the season to end without his participation in at least one game, lest he ruin his long-standing record. Unfortunately, we were rained out and he will have to wait until the end of the season to float one home.
The surgery went better than expected and within days he was walking, without pain and without a cane. A few days later, his recovery took an abrupt turn for the worse when he was rushed by ambulance into the hospital, barely able to breathe. After many tests and scary moments, the doctor discovered a large "saddle" pulmonary embolism, bigger than most he had ever seen. The doctor delivered grave news: Dad was very ill; they could not sugar-coat it: the next 2-3 days would be critical.
We discovered many things about embolisms during the hours and days to follow. 50% of all those with pulmonary embolisms die. A vast majority of those with saddle embolisms never make it to the hospital. We credit fast response by family, emergency personnel and doctors and of course, answered prayers, for the miracle that put Dad in ICU instead of the morgue.
The waiting room for ICU was a nice large room, big enough for my 40+ family members, plus the families and friends of other patients. This time, the scenery was not as pleasant as the window looked out onto the roof of another section of the hospital. Boxes of puzzles sat on a table in the corner, untouched. I do not consider myself to be superstitious, yet I was uncomfortable even looking at them that first day. Eventually the fear of repeating the events of Mom's hospital stay lessened and a Star Wars battle scene began to form, piece by piece. Everyone who came to visit took turns searching for the piece which would fit into their designated section. By Sunday night, the puzzle was completed, with the exception of one single piece. The facial expressions of all those present confirmed that we were all thinking the same thought: Coincidence or not, the missing piece had to be found! The entire group began to scan the floor. We all prayed that the piece was hidden under the table leg, or a chair. None of us wanted that puzzle to become a representation of another loss, another missing piece of our family puzzle.
When someone shouted "There it is!" Caleb lunged forward, almost knocking heads with the "finder", and quickly locked it into place and we all shared a collective sigh of relief. Later, as Dad recalled Mom's hospital stay and his great loss just a few floors away, we shared the puzzle story. We wanted to assure him that even though he was in the same hospital; even though his family was gathered together praying for him; even though friends and relatives filtered in and out; even though the doctors could not offer any guarantees, this time was different.
And indeed, this time the miracle we prayed for did happen. This time our news was favorable. This time the end result was the blessed opportunity to spend more time here on earth with my Dad. This time, our puzzle remained intact. This time, the view from the 4th floor thankfully is completely different as we view it through the God-given lens of a healing miracle. This time we return to the ground floor of life with my father healed and my faith strengthened!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
God Has Helped!
Our family is working puzzles again. And that's never a good thing because we only work puzzles as we nervously wait in hospitals. This past week we worked three big puzzles which means we've been at Immanuel nonstop for some time now. The good news is our puzzle-working days are numbered (just a few more) as Sherri's dad Howard is on the road to recovery.
This past week we've also learned new terms like embolus and thrombus. To be exact we have learned that a saddle embolism is a blockage which has moved to straddle both lungs and deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous blood clot which could become a deadly embolism (a clot on the move!). And we've learned that when you have a large saddle embolism restricting blood flow and a deep vein thrombosis you shouldn't buy green bananas if you know what I mean.
Most importantly we learned that we have experienced a miracle healing. I'd say it is a healing of Lazurus proportions. The doctors tell us they don't see many embolisms like Sherri's dad has, that really these would be much more common for a coroner to see. In fact, some have said this is the largest embolism they have ever seen survived. Doctors and nurses gather to see something they have never seen before so large on the scans and x-rays. So again I say this is a healing miracle of Lazarus proportions.
Howard does something kind of funny with each of his grandkids. He often calls them by their first name and adds his name as their middle name. A couple of the grandkids Caleb and Alex already have Howard as a middle name. For the girls it's kinda funny to hear Howard as their middle name. His great-grandchild Kenadae gets it and I'm sure new little Mia will as well. Based on this healing I'm changing Howard's middle name to Lazarus- Howard Lazarus sorta has a ring to it.
I'm sure you know the story of Lazarus. How Lazarus had died and how Jesus brought him back to life. But as Paul Harvey would say, do you know 'the rest of the story'? This amazing historical event is recorded so beautifully and is absolutely chocked full of life lessons for us. There is so much to the rest of this story that I would ask you to closely read it again (John 11). Here is a bit of the rest of the story for me, especially in light of our own miracle.
Jesus delivers some of His most powerful words for us in performing this miracle. He tells His disciples they are going to Bethany and Lazarus and that what will happen there will build their (and our) faith. Jesus also uses this occasion to provide great comfort to all those who have suffered loss saying, 'I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die.' Martha says she believes these words and adds a wonderful profession of faith. Then Jesus with a brief tear, gives us a resurrection preview of sorts, bringing Lazarus back to life. 'Lazarus' means 'God has helped' and the name certainly fits this man from Bethany and a man in Omaha some 2000 years later.
I bet Lazarus felt better than ever after his resurrection. I bet his knee didn't hurt anymore and his eyesight was perfect again. When Jesus heals, body parts listen. Some time later Jesus returns for a dinner with Lazarus and Martha and Mary. And John writes that folks come from all over to see Jesus AND Lazarus as they recline at the table. They loved seeing their old friend alive and hearing about his miracle healing. My guess is they treasured any time they could spend with him from then on. We know that exact, that very feeling now from our own personal experience.
We don't hear from or about Lazarus again. What we do know is that his earthly life did finally come to an end and that Jesus used Lazarus' healing to build faith- and to show the glory of God. I pray the same thing happens today, that all who know and love Howard Lazarus will come and visit and be strengthened in their faith because 'God has helped' him. God promises one day we will all get a resurrection experience. Until then, we give thanks for awesome miracle healings (including that of Howard Lazarus), for the gift of faith and for the blessing of God's help. I pray you experience each of these in your life.
Blest Regards,
Keith
This past week we've also learned new terms like embolus and thrombus. To be exact we have learned that a saddle embolism is a blockage which has moved to straddle both lungs and deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous blood clot which could become a deadly embolism (a clot on the move!). And we've learned that when you have a large saddle embolism restricting blood flow and a deep vein thrombosis you shouldn't buy green bananas if you know what I mean.
Most importantly we learned that we have experienced a miracle healing. I'd say it is a healing of Lazurus proportions. The doctors tell us they don't see many embolisms like Sherri's dad has, that really these would be much more common for a coroner to see. In fact, some have said this is the largest embolism they have ever seen survived. Doctors and nurses gather to see something they have never seen before so large on the scans and x-rays. So again I say this is a healing miracle of Lazarus proportions.
Howard does something kind of funny with each of his grandkids. He often calls them by their first name and adds his name as their middle name. A couple of the grandkids Caleb and Alex already have Howard as a middle name. For the girls it's kinda funny to hear Howard as their middle name. His great-grandchild Kenadae gets it and I'm sure new little Mia will as well. Based on this healing I'm changing Howard's middle name to Lazarus- Howard Lazarus sorta has a ring to it.
I'm sure you know the story of Lazarus. How Lazarus had died and how Jesus brought him back to life. But as Paul Harvey would say, do you know 'the rest of the story'? This amazing historical event is recorded so beautifully and is absolutely chocked full of life lessons for us. There is so much to the rest of this story that I would ask you to closely read it again (John 11). Here is a bit of the rest of the story for me, especially in light of our own miracle.
Jesus delivers some of His most powerful words for us in performing this miracle. He tells His disciples they are going to Bethany and Lazarus and that what will happen there will build their (and our) faith. Jesus also uses this occasion to provide great comfort to all those who have suffered loss saying, 'I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die.' Martha says she believes these words and adds a wonderful profession of faith. Then Jesus with a brief tear, gives us a resurrection preview of sorts, bringing Lazarus back to life. 'Lazarus' means 'God has helped' and the name certainly fits this man from Bethany and a man in Omaha some 2000 years later.
I bet Lazarus felt better than ever after his resurrection. I bet his knee didn't hurt anymore and his eyesight was perfect again. When Jesus heals, body parts listen. Some time later Jesus returns for a dinner with Lazarus and Martha and Mary. And John writes that folks come from all over to see Jesus AND Lazarus as they recline at the table. They loved seeing their old friend alive and hearing about his miracle healing. My guess is they treasured any time they could spend with him from then on. We know that exact, that very feeling now from our own personal experience.
We don't hear from or about Lazarus again. What we do know is that his earthly life did finally come to an end and that Jesus used Lazarus' healing to build faith- and to show the glory of God. I pray the same thing happens today, that all who know and love Howard Lazarus will come and visit and be strengthened in their faith because 'God has helped' him. God promises one day we will all get a resurrection experience. Until then, we give thanks for awesome miracle healings (including that of Howard Lazarus), for the gift of faith and for the blessing of God's help. I pray you experience each of these in your life.
Blest Regards,
Keith
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