This past week our foreign exchange student from Hungary Mate' and I were talking about music. And we shared a few favorite songs while looking them up on YouTube and watching and listening. We had fun hearing new songs. Then Mate' asked me what my favorite song of all time is- and that kind of stumped me a bit.
And maybe that is because I have such wide-ranging tastes in music. I grew up on country and church hymns. As I went through high school I enjoyed rock more and more. Later on I listened to a little jazz and spent some Friday nights at blues concerts. These days I mostly listen to Christian music. If you were to shuffle the songs on my ipod, you could hear a song from 'The Sound of Music' followed by an Alan Parson's song, then an Ann Murray song and then listen to the hard rock of AC/DC. It's very strange really even for me.
So I had trouble answering Mate's question. I maybe could give you a favorite in each category (even that would not be easy) but not an overall favorite. I finally answered with 'Dream On' by Aerosmith instead of avoiding the question. When you think about the music and songs you enjoy, I'll bet it's not easy for you to answer this question either. We have songs we enjoy for different reasons. Some we like the beat or beautiful background music. Some we like because of the singer or the lyrics and others the loudness or smoothness. Some have special meaning because of the memories we have attached to them. So you know from experience what I am talking about.
Later I began to wonder what my favorite hymn is. I know I have too many to pick just one but 'How Firm a Foundation', 'Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness', 'Holy Holy Holy' and 'Just as I Am' are good ones to start with. And I love Easter hymns like crazy as well. Favorite Christian song? Start with Chris Tomlin's 'Amazing Grace' and then Natalie Grant's 'I am Not Alone' or 'Held'. Add Mark Schultz's 'He's My Son' to that list which any parent could easily relate to. See, I can't even pick one when I'm trying to make a point.
But maybe that is my point. I was thinking that maybe God is like that with us. That He loves each of us so very much that He could never pick a favorite. And I know He loves each of us out of pure grace, for nothing we do- but maybe He loves you as well because He gifted you with the gift of encouragement and He enjoys watching you use your gift. And maybe God smiles when He thinks about the memories attached to you, like your baptism, your confirmation, and the times you were really taking time to pray and talk with Him. Maybe He made us all so different just so He could never have a favorite!
I think there is a good chance that when God spoke creation into existence, He did so with a song. And so maybe as an extension of this thought our lives are songs as well. Michael Card has a neat song 'Poem of Your Life' that hints at this. Here are a few of his lyrics: 'Life is a song we must sing with our days- A poem with meaning more than words can say- A painting with colors no rainbow can tell- A lyric that rhymes either heaven or hell.' And later he adds, 'We're the notes of the song of the chorus of faith'. When Psalms tells us to 'sing a new song to the Lord' maybe it means to live a new Spirit-powered life. Anyway, I just thought it was a cool way to think about our lives- as a song.
John reveals in Revelation that there is a continual chorus of praise music going on in heaven. Everyday songs of faithful lives are added to that chorus. When the final voice is added one day, what a feast for our ears that will be. Picking out a favorite song will no longer be a difficult choice! Until then we can only 'Dream On' about how awesome that will be. See all you new songs at chorus practice this Sunday.
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Giants and Grasshoppers
I think maybe Janica and I were the only ones who heard it and got a good laugh out of it. A couple girls were reading Romans 1:16 to the kids in VBS. Here is how the verse is supposed to read: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.'
What we heard was 'I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the giants. The giants? Really? I didn't know they were a particular target of God's redeeming work.
The whole thought of saving giants made me think back upon a sermon I will never forget. A group of men from our church had traveled to a Colorado PromiseKeepers event. And on the first evening Pastor EV Hill, a black preacher with a real distinctive preaching style who led one of the largest churches in Los Angeles spoke. His sermon was on giants and grasshoppers (or graaaass-hoppers in EV Hill's unique pronunciation).
Maybe you can guess this sermon recounted how the Israelite spies returned to report that the promised land was filled with milk and honey but more importantly giants. Giants so big they made the Israelites look like grasshoppers. They suggested God's plan to return the Jews to their homeland was not a good one. Caleb and Joshua were over-ruled as they tried to convince the people to trust God for the victory.
So as I thought about it later I guessed I could make an argument for our young girls translation. That Jesus died not just for the good folks, not just for the Jews, but for our enemies, for the giants in our lives. Giants are Gentiles and need saving too!
More importantly, the point of the verse we were reading was that we are not to be ashamed of the Gospel. Maybe for us a better translation would be to not 'be afraid' to share the Gospel. Like Israelites we look past the milk and honey of sharing the Gospel and focus on giants, like what other people will think. Even though sharing has great power- the power to save- somehow returning to the dessert seems better than confronting giants.
Maybe the girls had a funny AND meaningful translation. Maybe we could consider their words to be a call to be like Caleb and Joshua. A call to overcome the giant of fear and share the Gospel with everyone including our giants. See you grasshoppers at church this Sunday!
Blest Regards,
Keith
What we heard was 'I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the giants. The giants? Really? I didn't know they were a particular target of God's redeeming work.
The whole thought of saving giants made me think back upon a sermon I will never forget. A group of men from our church had traveled to a Colorado PromiseKeepers event. And on the first evening Pastor EV Hill, a black preacher with a real distinctive preaching style who led one of the largest churches in Los Angeles spoke. His sermon was on giants and grasshoppers (or graaaass-hoppers in EV Hill's unique pronunciation).
Maybe you can guess this sermon recounted how the Israelite spies returned to report that the promised land was filled with milk and honey but more importantly giants. Giants so big they made the Israelites look like grasshoppers. They suggested God's plan to return the Jews to their homeland was not a good one. Caleb and Joshua were over-ruled as they tried to convince the people to trust God for the victory.
So as I thought about it later I guessed I could make an argument for our young girls translation. That Jesus died not just for the good folks, not just for the Jews, but for our enemies, for the giants in our lives. Giants are Gentiles and need saving too!
More importantly, the point of the verse we were reading was that we are not to be ashamed of the Gospel. Maybe for us a better translation would be to not 'be afraid' to share the Gospel. Like Israelites we look past the milk and honey of sharing the Gospel and focus on giants, like what other people will think. Even though sharing has great power- the power to save- somehow returning to the dessert seems better than confronting giants.
Maybe the girls had a funny AND meaningful translation. Maybe we could consider their words to be a call to be like Caleb and Joshua. A call to overcome the giant of fear and share the Gospel with everyone including our giants. See you grasshoppers at church this Sunday!
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Busy!
It wasn't intended to be this way. It just happened. A confluence of events have come together to make for the busiest days I can ever remember at our house. Let me explain.
Months ago I agreed to help run VBS. August seemed so far away you know so no big deal. VBS is now here. And months ago Sherri and I agreed to host a foreign exchange student who arrives this week. The kids were still in school at the time and the next school year seemed very far away. We bought an old house for Jake in Maryville back in the spring that needed some work down the road. Down the road now means 'right now'. Dan decided on UNO for college months ago and now we need to get him ready to move out. The decision to redo Caleb's room to get ready for high school came early since the train motif had grown old- or should I say too young?
So what does all this mean? A perfect storm of crazyness for both Sherri and me. We spent hours and hours creating sets for VBS- laughing at our poor artists skills. When we got home we would tear apart Caleb's room- dismantling the bunk beds and taking out all the furniture and clothes and well, just the myriad of clutter that teenage boys pour into their rooms. We cleared Dan out of his room to make way for Mate (our exchange student) which resulted in another giant pile of stuff somewhere else. Thankfully Grandpa John has been helping fix up the Maryville house. All this as I make plans for a full week of travel for business next week. EEESCH!
When 'busy' is used in the Bible it's not usually a good thing. Like Martha is busy in the kitchen when Jesus is teaching. He tells her one thing is important and 'busy' isn't it. Ecclesiastes talks about busy people chasing after the wind- a clear indication that 'busy' is not really a productive activity. Jesus said in Luke 21, 'Don't be too busy with worldly things…the end might come when you are not ready'. No wonder then that 'busybody' isn't a term of affection.
The German origin of 'busy' means 'occupied'. God certainly gave us a planet full of shiny objects to occupy our time and attention. Yet He was pretty clear about what is to be our top 'occupation'. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible uses the word 'busy' in a favorite verse 1 Cor 15:58 where it says, 'Always keep busy working for the Lord'. Are we 'occupied' with, busy with, things of the Lord?
Sometimes it seems like 'busy' just surrounds us. Like Sherri and I, we can get into busy times without even trying. The same thing happened to Jesus. Take a look at Luke 5: 15 and 16 to see Jesus' response. 'News about Jesus kept spreading. Large crowds came to listen to him teach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray'. I was going to use that as my excuse to get out of mattress frame construction last night but I knew Sherri wouldn't go for it.
All kidding aside- don't send God a busy signal when He is working in your life and heart. When you get busy, look for ways to occupy your time in prayer, praise and study away from the crowds and rush of life. That's not me speaking, it's Jesus' example. As the old hymn (Come Follow Me the Savior Spake) says, 'Take My example as your guide'! Gotta run, so much to do…have a great week occupied with Jesus!
Blest Regards,
kp
Months ago I agreed to help run VBS. August seemed so far away you know so no big deal. VBS is now here. And months ago Sherri and I agreed to host a foreign exchange student who arrives this week. The kids were still in school at the time and the next school year seemed very far away. We bought an old house for Jake in Maryville back in the spring that needed some work down the road. Down the road now means 'right now'. Dan decided on UNO for college months ago and now we need to get him ready to move out. The decision to redo Caleb's room to get ready for high school came early since the train motif had grown old- or should I say too young?
So what does all this mean? A perfect storm of crazyness for both Sherri and me. We spent hours and hours creating sets for VBS- laughing at our poor artists skills. When we got home we would tear apart Caleb's room- dismantling the bunk beds and taking out all the furniture and clothes and well, just the myriad of clutter that teenage boys pour into their rooms. We cleared Dan out of his room to make way for Mate (our exchange student) which resulted in another giant pile of stuff somewhere else. Thankfully Grandpa John has been helping fix up the Maryville house. All this as I make plans for a full week of travel for business next week. EEESCH!
When 'busy' is used in the Bible it's not usually a good thing. Like Martha is busy in the kitchen when Jesus is teaching. He tells her one thing is important and 'busy' isn't it. Ecclesiastes talks about busy people chasing after the wind- a clear indication that 'busy' is not really a productive activity. Jesus said in Luke 21, 'Don't be too busy with worldly things…the end might come when you are not ready'. No wonder then that 'busybody' isn't a term of affection.
The German origin of 'busy' means 'occupied'. God certainly gave us a planet full of shiny objects to occupy our time and attention. Yet He was pretty clear about what is to be our top 'occupation'. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible uses the word 'busy' in a favorite verse 1 Cor 15:58 where it says, 'Always keep busy working for the Lord'. Are we 'occupied' with, busy with, things of the Lord?
Sometimes it seems like 'busy' just surrounds us. Like Sherri and I, we can get into busy times without even trying. The same thing happened to Jesus. Take a look at Luke 5: 15 and 16 to see Jesus' response. 'News about Jesus kept spreading. Large crowds came to listen to him teach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray'. I was going to use that as my excuse to get out of mattress frame construction last night but I knew Sherri wouldn't go for it.
All kidding aside- don't send God a busy signal when He is working in your life and heart. When you get busy, look for ways to occupy your time in prayer, praise and study away from the crowds and rush of life. That's not me speaking, it's Jesus' example. As the old hymn (Come Follow Me the Savior Spake) says, 'Take My example as your guide'! Gotta run, so much to do…have a great week occupied with Jesus!
Blest Regards,
kp
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Rock Flower
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
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 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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