Reflections on Tuesday morning

 It is Tuesday of Holy Week. We are moving steadily towards this coming Thursday and Friday. What difference does this make? We are moving towards the most important event that has ever happened in this world. Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, true God and true Man, is going to the cross. He will be nailed to the tree. He will suffer terribly. He will die. He will be buried. As amazing as all that is, that isn't the most amazing thing that takes place. What is?

Jesus rises from the dead! He rises! He lives again! Death could not hold Him. The grave had to give Him up. He crushed that power of death. Wow! I think about that and I am blown away. 

As Jesus' body is laid in the grave on Friday late afternoon, there was no life in it. It was a corpse. We don't like to think about Jesus being a corpse, but that is what it was. Lifeless. That was the goal of the cross, to kill a person. It wasn't meant to be nice. It wasn't an easy way to die. They did not think about a "humane" way to put a person to death. They knew that crucifixion was inhumane and terribly painful. And the outcome was meant to kill a person. They meant to torment Jesus. They meant for Him to suffer. They meant for Him to die. 

And He did. He died.

Overwhelming to think about. Jesus, God's Son, died. He was a corpse. He was lifeless. I think about that every time someone dies. There is no life in the body. It is terrible. The body is cold, lifeless, clay. No matter what we do, no matter what we want, death wins. The grave holds them. Tears flow. Hearts break. And emptiness ensues.

Except for the fact that Jesus did not remain dead. He rose on Sunday morning. He destroyed the power of the death. He broke open the wicked little fingers of the grave. He bent them back and broke them off so that they could not hold onto Him. He came to life again. He lives!

That assures us that death is not the end. It takes each one of us. It pulls us into the ground. It laughs at our tears and at the terror it brings to the life of the one dieing and to those around him. And then Jesus steps out of the grave, and the grave reels in terror. Jesus defeats death! He brings life from death. He gives more than just a few more years. He gives eternal life. Everyone who dies will rise again - those who believe in Jesus as their Savior will rise to eternal life with Him in heaven, those who do not believe in Him as their Savior will rise and spend eternity in hell, separated from Him for an eternity. 

Yes, we are moving towards this most important event in the history of mankind. There is no other event that has such eternal significance. Jesus' life, death and resurrection. It is amazing, wonderful and beyond comprehesion. Thankfully we do not have to fully understand it to receive the gift of life. By faith, we hold fast to the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

It's raining, it's pouring, I sure wasn't snoring

 Sitting here watching it rain. We need this rain at this time of the year. Helps get the plants growing. I put some grass seed out and I sure hope that it takes hold. This last winter was hard on the yard. It needs the seed to grow and fill in the spots that are bare, especially where the dogs like to walk or stand at the fence so they can bark at anything that happens to go past.

Makes me think about my life. The winter was hard on me too. In truth, this last year, with all the covid stuff, the challenges of worship and gatherings, the decisions that needed to be made at different times, was really difficult. There are some bare spots in my life because of it. Worn down and bare, I seek ways to fill those spots in. But in the end, just like me making my grass seed grow, I cannot fill those spots in on my own. I might want to try but I have to finally say, "I can't do it." 

This is when I turn to the Word of God for strength and for filling in the bare spots in my life. Isaiah 55:10-11 states, "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." What a wonderful promise the Lord gives in these verses. He will water my dry soul. He will cause the seed sown in my heart to sprout and to flourish. He will fill in those "bare spots" that some after a particularly difficult time. Instead of looking to myself, I look to the Lord. He waters me. He causes me to grow. He fills in all those areas for me. Praise be to God!

Yes, it is raining. What a lovely rain. If only Wrigley hadn't wanted to go out and play ball right when it was starting. Standing there in the rain, picking up and tossing the ball for my chocolate lab, I thought about how God stands in the rain, and takes care of me. I will run around here and there, getting soaking wet, and God will smile and stay with me the whole time.

What a wonderful God we follow. He loves us so much. As we are drawing close to Holy Week (this Sunday is Palm Sunday), we learn just how much He loves us. I look forward to seeing you in worship. If you are from another congregation, I will bet that your pastor would love to see you in worship too. Let's get together and see what the Lord has done and continues to do for us. 

Following the Way of the Lord

The world we live in is challenging. It is challenging to remain a Bible believing Christian. Many do not want to accept the Bible as the Word of God. Instead of looking to the Lord's Word for guidance in life, people today base their actions and thoughts upon their feelings or the direction of the world. The challenge for the Christian is to be in the world but not become a part of the world. What that is saying is that the Christian is to live each day as a Child of God, following the way of the Lord, instead of following the sinfulness of the world. Yes, Scripture tells us that the world and our very nature is sinful. The one that wants to follow the way of the Lord is challenged because it is tempting to turn from that Word and trust in one's own personal feelings. Those feelings change like the wind. The Word of God does not. That really makes it difficult to follow the way of the Lord.

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20 ESV) In order to justify one's own way of life, this is the temptation. It is good to act against the way of the Lord. It is evil and wrong to point out sinful behavior in the world. When the Christian does try to stay focused on that which the Lord says, he or she is attacked by many, until the Christian quits speaking out at all. Why? Because it is difficult to remain focused on the life of faith while being attacked over and over again by those who refuse to listen to the Word of God.

Jesus told us that it will become more difficult to remain faithful. He says, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all the nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:9-13 ESV) Yes, it will be difficult. It will be tempting to say nothing. It will be challenging to remain faithful to the Word of the Lord in a world that seeks to lift up sin behavior as normal. 

What shall I do? I shall continue to keep the Word of the Lord in my heart and life. I will hold fast to the way that the Lord would have me live. (No, I am not saying that I will not sin. I will. When that happens, I will confess my sin to the Lord and, repenting, I will turn from that sinfulness.) I pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide me as I try to live not according to my sinful nature, but according to the life I have in Christ. "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11 ESV) Lord, help me to live according to Your will. 

The change in weather.

 The weather is quite amazing. One week we are facing unbelievably col temperatures, hitting as cold as 24 degrees below zero. Snow piled everywhere. Bundling up. Caring for the animals, making sure they are safe in bitter weather. Farmers having to chip away ice to get water for their critters. People trying to keep their pipes from freezing. Layers of clothes. Heavy coats. Scarfs. Hats. Meetings cancelled. Schools closed. 

Then the next week, temps in the 50s, then the 60s and finally the 70s. Up to 90 degree temperature swing in about 2 weeks. 14 days after bitter cold, windows are open. People are walking in shirt sleeves and shorts. Sitting on the porch. Tulips pushing through the ground. Early trees looking like they are just about ready burst as the buds get their fuzziness of pre-explosion look. Night time lows in the 50s and 60s. Winds blowing without a wind chill. No wind chill! 

It is said many times that if you don't like the weather, wait till tomorrow and it will change. That is what is taking place. It happens regularly. Weather changes. Winds blow in warm weather. Winds blow in cold weather. Just wait, it will change.

Makes me wonder, is that how your spiritual life is? Do you change spiritually with the winds of change? When something new comes along, do you embrace it, without even thinking about it? I believe that it happens often. When the wind blows in something new or different, do you embrace what is said? If so, how do you know if it is true or correct? Or are you going to be like Pilate and ask, "What is truth?" 

When you look at a new teaching, don't just accept it. Open your Bible. Study what it says. See if the new teaching is based in Scripture or in the feelings of the person putting it forward. Often, we base things upon feelings, without Scripture. That is not only dangerous but it is spiritually deadly. Satan loves to have us base our faith upon feelings. Why? Because our feelings are shifting ground and changes with how the winds are blowing. 

I guess I am saying, continue to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Word of God. Make it a regular part of your daily routine. Spend time in Bible study with others. Attend worship and hear that Word each and every week. Don't rely upon yourself or your feelings. Rely upon the unchanging Word of God. 

What will the weather be next week? I don't know. What will God's Word tell us next week? Jesus loves us, dies for us, rises for us, cares for us, forgives us, helps us and it is all shown to us in that wonderful Word. Keep the focus where it needs to be. 

And...enjoy the beautiful weather.

Two weeks of thanksgiving

 Two weeks. Yes, it has been a little over two weeks since I had knee replacement surgery. It has been quite the two weeks. The first weekend was when we had the brutally cold weather. We were already going to be stuck inside so it didn't matter to us. Actually, we were going to be spending a lot of time in the living room, so having it cold made it possible to use the fireplace. So that wasn't so bad.

I have gone to a cane. I am walking stairs, one at a time. Up with the good, down with the bad. That is the mantra I have as I do the stairs. Up with the good, down with the bad. Anyone who has had leg problems probably knows the mantra. It works. It really works. Slow but sure wins the race, or at least gets you to the top of the stairs or the bottom of the stairs - in one piece, not in a pile at the bottom trying to sort out if you are hurt or not. Thankfully, I have never fallen down the stairs. Thank God for that!

Physical therapy - need I say more? Really? You don't get it? They are good at what they do. They push you, they pull you, they make sure that you are doing what you are supposed to do. I was at 1 degree on laying my leg straight. That is actually better than the right leg. It also bent to 111 degrees without any help from Jordan the PT. With her help, it went to 116 degrees. Wozzer! That was good. 

Staples came out Friday. The PT took them out. At least 14. Didn't hurt. Looks really good. No, I will not post a picture of my knee. It isn't gross looking. There is no redness or anything that looked like an infection. So that is good news. That big bandage is finally gone. Now the staples are not pulling, might be able to bend even more. Keep us the exercises. Keep bending. Build up the strength in the quads. 

Getting back to live preaching this weekend. The last 4 services (actually 6 but Saturday/Sunday are counted as one) have been recorded. Attended worship for two of them. Gave me a chance to see myself preach, and figure out what I could do better or differently. I look forward to being back to leading worship. 

Was it worth getting my knee replaced? Yes it was. Is it comfortable yet? No. Is there still pain? Yes. But it is still worth it. The pain will go away. I know that because my right knee is doing well. Do I grumble about the pain? Oh yes. Not openly. Not to other people. But to Penny and to my dogs. I even grumble to my turtles. But they don't tell anyone what I say. There are times when I wish the pain would be gone. There are times I pray for a miracle to take it all away. And as Penny tells me, I am getting that miracle, as the healing takes place and the pain lessons, as I am able to lift my foot off the bed, as the staples came out without any infection. Yes, a miracle of healing from the hand of the Lord. I give thanks for that healing. As I lay in bed, offering up my prayers, I have found myself spending more time thanking God for the many blessings He has given me. In fact, it seems as though I am spending less time asking for something for myself and more time thanking Him for all He continues to do for me, that come without any merit or worthiness in me. I know, sounds Lutheran. But that is what I am. And it is very Scriptural. 

So if you see me walking with a cane, rejoice for me. If you see me wince in pain, give thanks to God for me. For these are part of this wonder of having a new knee. I can't believe how amazing it is that God has given doctors the ability to replace an old, worn out knee with a new, improved knee. 

Stepping into a new week, we will see where it will take me. And where it will take you. Lord, lead us on.+

One week reflection

 One week. That is all that it has been. Last week, Thursday, Feb. 11th, I was laying in the hospital bed at Clarinda Regional Healthcare, having just had my left knee replaced. It was a grand night. I could move fairly well. The pain killers were working, the leg was still waking up. I could move my leg. I could stand up. I could sit up. I was doing all right. I was thinking, "This isn't so bad. I should be back to leading worship in a week. No problem." Then reality set in.

That brings us to today, Thursday, Feb. 18th. One week later. Yes, I am walking. But when I lay on the bed and try to lift my foot, forget about it. It won't move. Really. It won't come up off the bed. What is up with that? Last Thursday it did. Today, nope. Not happening. No matter how hard I strain, it won't raise itself. Oh, Jordan helped me Wednesday to lift the leg and lower it back to the bed. Without her help, it wouldn't have happened. What is going on? My leg has to heal. It has to relearn what it was doing. It has only been one week since the doctor was playing around in there, grinding, drilling, hammering, cementing and moving things around. That still amazes me that they are able to do that work. I don't remember any of it at all. I praise God for that. Thank God for being knocked out. Thank God for the amnesia drugs. Thank God that the doctors know what they are doing. 

So that brings me to this evening, the 18th. I sit here, let up, trying to get comfortable. Penny keeps giving me pain pills. I think, I don't need one. So I skip it. Wrong! I needed it. Then I have to wait for the pain killers to catch up. OK, so I keep taking them. Yesterday's PT was tough. Jordan did a good job. But it wore me out. It was painful (yes, I took my pain pill beforehand). I came home and slept for and hour or two. I was hurting. But I tried to do the exercises that evening. I did them again today. That is how I know that my foot wouldn't come up off the bed.

I can say that I have been sleeping well this time. Lat time, I slept for about an hour then work up. I did that all night for a couple weeks. Every hour, on the hour, I would wake up. Thankfully, I would go back to sleep after a bit. But this time, I am sleeping much better. I am thankful for that. I sleep during the day. And I sleep at night. Let the body heal! 

I am asked, how is it going. It is going well. Recovery is doing well. Healing is happening. PT is doing what it is supposed to do. I am thankful for it all. But most of all, I am thankful for your prayers and support. I feel blessed to have people from around this nation praying for my health and healing. I feel blessed to know that I am not facing this alone. Each and every one of you is a blessing to me and to Penny. Thank you. Thank you so much for lifting us up. For supporting us. For loving us. For caring for us. Those phone calls or texts have meant a lot. Those little messages mean so much. I give thanks to God for you. 

I am doing well. I would prefer to be up and walking without a walker or cane. I would prefer to be without pain. All of that will come one day. Probably sooner than I think. So Lord, grant me peace in this midst of all that I am facing, peace that passes all human understanding. 

And off I go, lifting my foot. Lowering my foot. My knee crying out. It has only been a week. 

Another day, another knee, and super cold weather. This too shall pass

Negative 8. That is 8 degrees below zero. That is cold. Really cold. That is what temperature it has been today, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. It was zero around midnight. Then it just decided to get colder. I watched as it dropped from -4 when I got up to -6 and then to -8. It has remained at that temp for the most of the day. There has been snow in the air. The wind has blown. It is a polar vortex at its best or worst or whatever you want to call it. Then I looked at next weekend, and it will be in the 30s! That will feel like a heat wave after all this cold weather.

So what did I do today? Stayed inside. But wait, aren't I a preacher? Isn't this Sunday? Wasn't I supposed to do a worship service. Well...kinda. I did preach today. But I had recorded it 2 weeks ago in preparation for this weekend. No, I am not a prophet who can foretell what is coming. I had the knee replacement surgery on Thursday and I knew that I would not be able to preach last night or this morning. And I was right. My mind is not clear enough for that. The pain meds and the pain itself would have made it impossible to lead worship. I thank God that I have a strong Board of Eldes who led the worship services. Then I recorded the sermons and Casey Brown was able to play them ont he screen. I watched it on YouTube this afternoon. Not a bad Transfiguration/Valentine's sermon. God's love really shown through. He loves us so much He sent His Son to be our Savior. That is the great news He shares with us each day.

Knee replacement. Some of you have gone through it before. I had the right one replaced last October 8th. It is going well now. Boy was it sore. You begin to forget the pain that you had with it. Then I had this one done last Thursday. It seemed ok while at the hospital on Thursday. Walk. Easy peasy. Get in and out of bed. No trouble. This is cake work. 

Then it begins to wake up. The nerves begin to fire again. And suddenly, "Ouch!" that doesn't feel so good. It hurts to move the leg. It hurts to try to lift it to the stool. Elevate it, you are told. OK. But that isn't quite as easy as you think. Wozzer. That let is mighty heavy. I thought the right one was heavy because it was so swollen. But the left one isn't nearly as swollen, and it is just as heavy. Close to impossible to lift without help. Turn the wrong way? You realize it immediately. I have cried out more than I ever thought possible. I am so glad I only have 2 knees to be replaced so that I don't have to go through this again. 

Is it worth it? Yes it is. The right leg does not have the pain. And the left leg doesn't have the same pain it did when I went in Thursday morning. There is surgery pain. Pain from playing golf with the bones in my leg. Pain from moving things around. Pain from stapling it up. Pain, pain, pain, but it is different. This pain will get better. It will go away. The pain I had before didn't go away. It just got worse. So I thank God for the doctors and medical teams who are able to do such things as total knee replacements. Soon (not soon enough for my thinking) I will be able to walk without pain. 

Physical Therapy starts tomorrow. Heel slides. Leg lifts. And a whole host of other things. Challenging? Oh yes. But soon it will be all right.

My point? I have no point. Just an afternoon of rambling about anything. I thank the Lord for Penny as she takes care of me. I am thankful that I have such an understanding congregation to work with me, so they can see me on the big screen, bigger than life size. I will be back to leading the worship in a few weeks. We will see how quickly this heals. I have 4 sermon recorded. 1 has been used, leaving 3 more. This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. The Senses of Lent begins. 

Bundle up. Stay warm. Be at peace and love one another. Till visit again.