No more Red Roof Inns or Econo Lodges for me and my wife! Not after the weekend we just had. We spent three nights in a $12,000 a night room in suburban Allentown. Let me tell you about our room.
The room was finely appointed, with laminated wood floors, a beautiful mosaic art piece on the wall, and many high-tech amenities. The bed was very comfortable. The staff was quite attentive. At the push of a button, staff members were prompt in meeting all our needs. Room service was available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Despite the quality of the room and service, I do have a few complaints. For some reason, the staff insisted on interrupting us several times each night. We found that to be annoying at times. Also, the management insisted that my wife sleep on the sofa bed in the room rather than with me in the comfortable, high-tech bed that I enjoyed each night.
On Saturday night, we enjoyed a fireworks display from our sixth floor window. Well, actually it turned out to be a series of electrical transformers exploding on a nearby street.
You probably know that I am not actually talking about a hotel room, but about my room at Lehigh Valley Hospital. In all seriousness, the room was quite nice and the nursing staff was excellent! We are very pleased with the care I have received at the hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital on Friday night, my white blood count was almost zero and my hemoglobin level was half the normal. Apparently, I felt much better than I actually was. Over the weekend, I received IV antibiotics and two units of blood. By Sunday, my blood counts were rising and I was feeling much better. It is true. The life is in the blood.
One funny story. If you have my warped sense of humor. On Sunday, Merrily went out to get me lunch. She called me when she was out, but reversed the numbers and got the morgue. When she told me what happened, I told her that I did not realize that my condition was so bad.
I was released early Monday afternoon. Instead of driving home, we went to Lancaster, spent the night at a motel, and went to my doctor’s appointment this morning. We met with the surgeon’s assistant to finalize plans for my surgery on the 19th. Then we went to Lancaster Regional Hospital for pre-op work. By noon, we were on our way home.
After an unexpected hospital stay and a re-arrangement of the family’s weekend plans, we are back together at home. That is always a good thing. We are thankful for God’s care and provision. We are thankful for the prayers of many, from Pennsylvania, to Michigan and Ohio, to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, to Kentucky, and to Brazil. God’s people are lifting us up! We are thankful for close friends who are willing to re-arrange their schedules and make sacrifices in order to care for our children, help us with transportation, and do whatever they can to help lighten our load.
Each time I enter the hospital, the admitting nurse asks what kind of support system I have. I tell her I have the best!
Cost per night at a Red Roof Inn: $72
Cost per night at Lehigh Valley Hospital: $12,000
Cost of a strong network of praying friends: Priceless
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Friday Thoughts
Thoughts on Matthew 5:6 . . .
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Jesus tells us that of we want to find true happiness, if we really want to be satisfied, we must hunger and thirst for righteousness. Cravings for food, pleasure, power, and things are never really satisfied. They always leave us wanting more. Think about how difficult it is to eat just one potato chip!
To hunger and thirst is to be in desperate need. We must realize our deep and urgent need for the righteousness of God.
This desire for righteousness is only found in a person who has been born again by the Spirit of God. God places within that person a new heart and an appetite for righteousness (John MacArthur).
A desire for righteousness is a desire to be right with God. It is a longing to be holy.
In longing for holiness, we must put aside everything that hinders us from seeking the Lord.
Jesus promises that if we seek righteousness, we will be filled. We will be given what we desire. We will be satisfied. In Christ, we have everything we need. He is our all in all (Colossians 3:11).
Thoughts about routine days and unexpected events . . .
Many days are filled with routine. Our faithfulness and persistence in the routine mark our character. When one is faithful day in and day out, we know that person as one who is dependable. That is a person that can be counted on to get things done.
And each day there are unexpected events. Things that interrupt the daily routine. Things that reveal and test and, ultimately, strengthen our character. These are things that we cannot anticipate, but we can prepare for – by being faithful and persistent in the routine times.
Team sports provide us with good examples. Players spend hours and hours at practice working on the basic skills – dribbling, passing, shooting. Hour after hour, as they persist, the players improve their abilities in all these areas. In a game situation, a well-practiced team will make good passes, avoid double dribbling, and sink foul shots. Evidence of practice. If they had not practiced, they would not be prepared for the game. But where the hard work really shows is in the unexpected events of the game. The fast break. The steal. The last-second shot. The overtime. Players that have been faithful to practice often shine during these unexpected moments, because they are prepared for the unexpected.
In our walk with Christ, spiritual growth happens as the result of consistent, daily discipline: praying, reading the Bible, serving others, fellowshipping with other Christians, etc. The faithfulness in the daily routine builds our character, and forms us into the image of our Savior. And it prepares us for the unexpected events.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Jesus tells us that of we want to find true happiness, if we really want to be satisfied, we must hunger and thirst for righteousness. Cravings for food, pleasure, power, and things are never really satisfied. They always leave us wanting more. Think about how difficult it is to eat just one potato chip!
To hunger and thirst is to be in desperate need. We must realize our deep and urgent need for the righteousness of God.
This desire for righteousness is only found in a person who has been born again by the Spirit of God. God places within that person a new heart and an appetite for righteousness (John MacArthur).
A desire for righteousness is a desire to be right with God. It is a longing to be holy.
In longing for holiness, we must put aside everything that hinders us from seeking the Lord.
Jesus promises that if we seek righteousness, we will be filled. We will be given what we desire. We will be satisfied. In Christ, we have everything we need. He is our all in all (Colossians 3:11).
Thoughts about routine days and unexpected events . . .
Many days are filled with routine. Our faithfulness and persistence in the routine mark our character. When one is faithful day in and day out, we know that person as one who is dependable. That is a person that can be counted on to get things done.
And each day there are unexpected events. Things that interrupt the daily routine. Things that reveal and test and, ultimately, strengthen our character. These are things that we cannot anticipate, but we can prepare for – by being faithful and persistent in the routine times.
Team sports provide us with good examples. Players spend hours and hours at practice working on the basic skills – dribbling, passing, shooting. Hour after hour, as they persist, the players improve their abilities in all these areas. In a game situation, a well-practiced team will make good passes, avoid double dribbling, and sink foul shots. Evidence of practice. If they had not practiced, they would not be prepared for the game. But where the hard work really shows is in the unexpected events of the game. The fast break. The steal. The last-second shot. The overtime. Players that have been faithful to practice often shine during these unexpected moments, because they are prepared for the unexpected.
In our walk with Christ, spiritual growth happens as the result of consistent, daily discipline: praying, reading the Bible, serving others, fellowshipping with other Christians, etc. The faithfulness in the daily routine builds our character, and forms us into the image of our Savior. And it prepares us for the unexpected events.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Guarding Against Infection
I am feeling down today. Physically depressed. Each day this week, I have had less strength than the day before. My blood counts are low. I am running a low-grade fever. I am tired.
The nurses have cautioned me to avoid any contact with people that are sick. I am quite vulnerable to infection right now.
Spiritually, we must always be on guard against things that infect our soul. We are always vulnerable to wordly influences. How easily our minds can be filled with thoughts that turn us away from God.
That is why Paul cautioned us in Philippians 4:8 to dwell upon things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise.
Today's beatitude . . .
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Meekness is often confused with weakness. Meekness is better defined as strength under control. It is a strength produced in believers who are under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Meekness is where humility and self-control meet. - John MacArthur
A person who is meek is satisfied with what God has given him.
A man who is truly meek is a man who is always satisfied, he is a man who is already content. - D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
A person who is meek does not insist upon his own rights, but readily gives up his own rights to serve others and to glorify God.
Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. Lloyd-Jones comments that there is both a present and a future reality here. There is the present reality that the person who is meek already has everything he needs because he is satisfied with what God has given him. But there is also the future reality that the man who is under the control of the Holy Spirit will receive salvation and inherit eternal life.
The nurses have cautioned me to avoid any contact with people that are sick. I am quite vulnerable to infection right now.
Spiritually, we must always be on guard against things that infect our soul. We are always vulnerable to wordly influences. How easily our minds can be filled with thoughts that turn us away from God.
That is why Paul cautioned us in Philippians 4:8 to dwell upon things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise.
Today's beatitude . . .
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Meekness is often confused with weakness. Meekness is better defined as strength under control. It is a strength produced in believers who are under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Meekness is where humility and self-control meet. - John MacArthur
A person who is meek is satisfied with what God has given him.
A man who is truly meek is a man who is always satisfied, he is a man who is already content. - D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
A person who is meek does not insist upon his own rights, but readily gives up his own rights to serve others and to glorify God.
Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. Lloyd-Jones comments that there is both a present and a future reality here. There is the present reality that the person who is meek already has everything he needs because he is satisfied with what God has given him. But there is also the future reality that the man who is under the control of the Holy Spirit will receive salvation and inherit eternal life.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
An Ordinary Day
As I mentioned yesterday, I am looking at the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) in my daily devotions. Here are some thoughts on verse 4.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Mourning here refers to grieving over my own sin. John MacArthur, citing 2 Corinthians 5:10, describes mourning as the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation. This kind of sorrow produces repentance and results in forgiveness. To be comforted, in this context, is to be forgiven from my sins. As I must come to a place where I see myself as I really am, spiritually impoverished, before God, I must come to a place where I realize my sinfulness before receiving forgiveness. I need to be truly sorry, not just for the consequences of my sins, but for the sins themselves. Only then, can I receive forgiveness from God. Being forgiven, I can experience great joy!
Because of the kindness of others, my wife was able to enjoy “an ordinary day” at home with our four-year-old son on Monday. This got us to talking about ordinary days. Today, my wife shared with me these quotes she read.
The very pleasures of human life men acquire by difficulties. – St. Augustine
There are times when the entire arrangement of our existence is disrupted and we long for just one ordinary day – seeing our ordinary life as greatly desirable, even wonderful, in the light of the terrible disruption that has taken place. Difficulty opens our eyes to pleasures we had taken granted. – Elisabeth Elliot
In other words, we cannot truly appreciate the ordinary days without having experienced the days filled with disruption.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Mourning here refers to grieving over my own sin. John MacArthur, citing 2 Corinthians 5:10, describes mourning as the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation. This kind of sorrow produces repentance and results in forgiveness. To be comforted, in this context, is to be forgiven from my sins. As I must come to a place where I see myself as I really am, spiritually impoverished, before God, I must come to a place where I realize my sinfulness before receiving forgiveness. I need to be truly sorry, not just for the consequences of my sins, but for the sins themselves. Only then, can I receive forgiveness from God. Being forgiven, I can experience great joy!
Because of the kindness of others, my wife was able to enjoy “an ordinary day” at home with our four-year-old son on Monday. This got us to talking about ordinary days. Today, my wife shared with me these quotes she read.
The very pleasures of human life men acquire by difficulties. – St. Augustine
There are times when the entire arrangement of our existence is disrupted and we long for just one ordinary day – seeing our ordinary life as greatly desirable, even wonderful, in the light of the terrible disruption that has taken place. Difficulty opens our eyes to pleasures we had taken granted. – Elisabeth Elliot
In other words, we cannot truly appreciate the ordinary days without having experienced the days filled with disruption.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Some Advice and A Reality Check
Almost every day I hear about another person afflicted with cancer. Immediately, I pray for the person and his or her family. And every time, I ask myself what advice I can offer this person.
If I could pass along three pieces of advice to a person recently diagnosed with cancer, these would be the pieces:
First, understand that you will receive a lot of advice. Well-intentioned friends, family members and co-workers will share with you an experience with a particular doctor, a treatment, a nutritional supplement, etc. Remember, most people that offer you have good intentions and are only trying to help. Be discerning. You may receive some good advice, but be careful. Do your own research. In the end, you and your doctor(s) will have to make the important decisions about how your cancer will be treated.
Second, remember that you are not the only person affected by this cancer. It affects your spouse, your children, your parents, the rest of your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and others of whom you may not be aware. [I am not sure, but I think that cancer hits a nerve with us because, more than any other disease today, it reminds us of our own vulnerability.] Resist the temptation to get all self-focused and take on a woe-is-me attitude. Yes, you have cancer, but you are not the only one hurting. Think beyond yourself. Think about how you can comfort the people around you that are hurting as well. Take time to talk to your family and friends. Share this experience with them. The prayers, support, and encouragement of others is an important factor in your recovery from this affliction.
Third, take some time to honestly evaluate your relationship with God. This is not a time to fool around with eternal matters. Are you trusting Him during this trial of life? Who is Jesus to you? Are you trusting in Him as your Lord and Savior? If this cancer takes your life, will you spend eternity with God or apart from God? Do you know for sure? If you have questions, please e-mail me or talk to a Christian friend or pastor. These questions cannot wait.
This morning, I began a devotional study of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Over the next few weeks, I will try to include some brief thoughts from my study.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).
God’s standard is perfection. Moral perfection. By myself, on my own, it is an unattainable goal. One of the biggest mistakes I can make in life is thinking that I have something to offer to God. I need to see myself as I really am. In myself, I have nothing worthy to offer to God. Just filthy rags. I must begin with a new attitude. Poor in spirit. A humble spirit. My only hope is in Christ, and His perfect righteousness. I am a desperate sinner in need of a Savior.
If I could pass along three pieces of advice to a person recently diagnosed with cancer, these would be the pieces:
First, understand that you will receive a lot of advice. Well-intentioned friends, family members and co-workers will share with you an experience with a particular doctor, a treatment, a nutritional supplement, etc. Remember, most people that offer you have good intentions and are only trying to help. Be discerning. You may receive some good advice, but be careful. Do your own research. In the end, you and your doctor(s) will have to make the important decisions about how your cancer will be treated.
Second, remember that you are not the only person affected by this cancer. It affects your spouse, your children, your parents, the rest of your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and others of whom you may not be aware. [I am not sure, but I think that cancer hits a nerve with us because, more than any other disease today, it reminds us of our own vulnerability.] Resist the temptation to get all self-focused and take on a woe-is-me attitude. Yes, you have cancer, but you are not the only one hurting. Think beyond yourself. Think about how you can comfort the people around you that are hurting as well. Take time to talk to your family and friends. Share this experience with them. The prayers, support, and encouragement of others is an important factor in your recovery from this affliction.
Third, take some time to honestly evaluate your relationship with God. This is not a time to fool around with eternal matters. Are you trusting Him during this trial of life? Who is Jesus to you? Are you trusting in Him as your Lord and Savior? If this cancer takes your life, will you spend eternity with God or apart from God? Do you know for sure? If you have questions, please e-mail me or talk to a Christian friend or pastor. These questions cannot wait.
This morning, I began a devotional study of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Over the next few weeks, I will try to include some brief thoughts from my study.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).
God’s standard is perfection. Moral perfection. By myself, on my own, it is an unattainable goal. One of the biggest mistakes I can make in life is thinking that I have something to offer to God. I need to see myself as I really am. In myself, I have nothing worthy to offer to God. Just filthy rags. I must begin with a new attitude. Poor in spirit. A humble spirit. My only hope is in Christ, and His perfect righteousness. I am a desperate sinner in need of a Savior.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Living Outside the Box
It is another beautiful day!My daughter and I left the house at 6:30 this morning. I stopped by the local hospital to have blood drawn, and then we went for breakfast. Despite all the great diners in town, my daughter chose McDonalds. I agreed. And then I took her to school.
After visiting with my colleagues for a few minutes, Bill arrived and we headed down to Lehigh Valley. A great drive. Great conversation. And a great lunch afterward! The lunch afterward is usually the best part of the trip!
My wife and younger son were waiting for me when I got home. It is good to be home. It soon will be time to build cars out of Legos and ducks out of Tinker Toys [This will certainly warrant a future blog entry and possibly a sermon illustration.].
A few quotes and random thoughts I've been thinking . . .
What I’d have settled for, You’ve blown so far away. What You brought me to I thought I could not reach. Rich Mullins
Have you ever thought to yourself that you are settling for too little in life? I’m not talking about settling for a smaller paycheck, or an older model car, or a smaller house. But settling for a comfortable existence when there are far more exciting things that can be done.
Sometimes, we put our lives inside a box and are often afraid to live outside the box. Because the box is safe. The box is comfortable. But life should be more about taking risks and less about living in the box.
Living outside the box involves loving people more. I mean really loving people. Right where they are. No matter who they are. It involves stepping out and serving others. It involves sacrificing for others.
When we live outside of the box we discover things about ourselves, others, and God that we never knew were possible.
Jesus said, Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13.
When I try to control something too tightly based on my own little ideas, I miss all the creativity and serendipity in life . . . How often when I insist on my own way I miss a way that is far better. John Ortberg
Tinker Toys and Legos await . . .
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Home Again
After posting last night’s entry, I realized that I should probably not try to write when all of my neural synapses are not firing properly. But today is another day.
It is Saturday morning. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). We had a good night’s sleep in our own bed. Our four-year-old son joined us a 6:30 this morning and proclaimed that he was glad that we were home. A few hours later, we began my daughter’s fourteenth birthday celebration with cinnamon rolls and presents.
Our two older children are upstairs panning an afternoon outing with friends. My wife is playing a game with my younger son on the living room floor. In a few minutes, I will be accepting an invitation to play with Legos and Tinker Toys.
It is good to be home. It makes me think about how good it will be to be welcomed into our eternal home. If coming home to this house feels good, how good will it feel to finally be living in the home that was prepared for me by my Heavenly Father? Beyond imagination.
New subject.
As a pastor and a teacher, it is a blessing to hear how others are following Christ. John said it well when he wrote, I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth (2 John 4).
This morning I read a newsletter from a Stefanie, a former student now serving on a music ministry team. She describes her experience in India and shares this from her first day there:
I had decided to climb to the roof of the building, and while there I was able to have a 360o view of the skyline of India! It’s one of those “words cannot describe: moments. I was just overwhelmed. Questions such as “Why did God bring me here?” and “What could I possibly do here?” started to pop into my head. Satan was attacking, but God intervened. He reminded me that He has a purpose for all that He does, and that He would be able to use me if I would just be willing to let Him lead and to trust in Him fully.
God painted the most beautiful sunrise that morning. I had never actually been up before to witness the dark, star spotted sky be transformed into colors of pinks and oranges. Beyond amazing!!! I knew in those few moments that if God could create a beautiful picture such as that sunrise, He could use me, despite whatever doubts I had in my head! Praise God for His patience and power.
Thank you, Stefanie, for sharing the lessons you are learning. May each of us increase in our understanding of God’s sovereignty and the graciousness of His allowing us, as His children, to have a part in His eternal plan of redemption.
Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.
- Corrie ten Boom
It is Saturday morning. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). We had a good night’s sleep in our own bed. Our four-year-old son joined us a 6:30 this morning and proclaimed that he was glad that we were home. A few hours later, we began my daughter’s fourteenth birthday celebration with cinnamon rolls and presents.
Our two older children are upstairs panning an afternoon outing with friends. My wife is playing a game with my younger son on the living room floor. In a few minutes, I will be accepting an invitation to play with Legos and Tinker Toys.
It is good to be home. It makes me think about how good it will be to be welcomed into our eternal home. If coming home to this house feels good, how good will it feel to finally be living in the home that was prepared for me by my Heavenly Father? Beyond imagination.
New subject.
As a pastor and a teacher, it is a blessing to hear how others are following Christ. John said it well when he wrote, I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth (2 John 4).
This morning I read a newsletter from a Stefanie, a former student now serving on a music ministry team. She describes her experience in India and shares this from her first day there:
I had decided to climb to the roof of the building, and while there I was able to have a 360o view of the skyline of India! It’s one of those “words cannot describe: moments. I was just overwhelmed. Questions such as “Why did God bring me here?” and “What could I possibly do here?” started to pop into my head. Satan was attacking, but God intervened. He reminded me that He has a purpose for all that He does, and that He would be able to use me if I would just be willing to let Him lead and to trust in Him fully.
God painted the most beautiful sunrise that morning. I had never actually been up before to witness the dark, star spotted sky be transformed into colors of pinks and oranges. Beyond amazing!!! I knew in those few moments that if God could create a beautiful picture such as that sunrise, He could use me, despite whatever doubts I had in my head! Praise God for His patience and power.
Thank you, Stefanie, for sharing the lessons you are learning. May each of us increase in our understanding of God’s sovereignty and the graciousness of His allowing us, as His children, to have a part in His eternal plan of redemption.
Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.
- Corrie ten Boom
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