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Life Update: Knee Replacement #1

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On Tuesday, February 15, I went into surgery to get a total knee replacement, and it was successful. But, of course, I have the scar to prove it. But, seriously, I had dealt with knee pain for many years because I had cartilage removed from my knee when I was a teenager, and after my time in sports in high school and college, the surgeon told me that in my 40s, I would have some knee issues. Well, I’m in my 40s, and the time has come.

I’ve been keeping up on my exercises and rehab procedures. While there are times I’ve probably overdone it, progress is being pursued as I continue to exercise and rehabilitate this knee. The animation above shows what the procedure I got looks like. And I’m posting this today because I plan to return to regular activity this week.

Many of you have prayed for this, and you can continue to pray that my knee would heal well and that rehab would have the desired effect. I want my body to be helpful to show love to my children and neighbors. I feel like in recent years, in particular, I’ve been unable to live the kind of life I’d like to. So, you can pray for a restoration of those goals.

One Crazy Spring

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I thought I’d get a post up on an upcoming event in my life. On May 23, I was working in the yard and tore 3 tendons and a bicep tendon in my shoulder, which is getting me a rotator cuff surgery this Thursday, June 11. This means, among other things, that I’ll be one-armed for the next 6 weeks. I’ve heard from lots of people who have had this procedure and I guess the recovery is a rough one. So, there’s that.

Many of you also know that in late April, Meg was out teaching our youngest how to ride a bike and hopped on to show him how it was done only to have a freak accident that got her a concussion and quite a few weeks of bedrest, trying to recover from this.

While you’re keeping track, you know that with everyone else we were under stay at home orders due to COVID concerns in late March/April. So, this has been one crazy spring for us.

Some things I’ve noticed through these days already:

  1. We are surrounded by amazing friends and family who have supported us in these days. They continue to be there no matter what we need.
  2. I’m indispensable. I think that’s the way to word this. I’ve done some work to plan the upcoming weeks but the church has been served well as I’ve needed to back off from my public ministry. My friends have stepped in to serve in so many ways. I won’t be at VBS for the first time in a long while, but it will still be a great week. Even at home, my OCD tendencies are on pause (and Meg’s probably breathing a sigh of relief).
  3. I have a new appreciation for those who are battling long term illnesses or issues of pain. I can better imagine what your lives are like, and I’ll be praying God gives you mercy as you endure this.
  4. I’ve been humbled and reminded just how needy I am. We humans tend to do independence well. But, in this season, I’ve been forced to be dependent on others: God, my family, my friends, and others. This isn’t bad. In fact, it’s encouraging to be reminded that I’m created in the image of God and need Him.

Those are some quick thoughts. I’ll probably be in a different level of understanding about all of this soon. You can pray for a successful procedure, recovery, and support for my family in these days. I appreciate each of you.

2 Corinthians 4:7–11

[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (ESV)

Crazy Week But God Is Gracious

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Ok…It’s been a wild ride this week and so the blog has been crazy…

On Sunday, my heart raced to 160 beats per minute for about 45 secs.  This concerned many around me, so I went to the ER to get things check out.  All the tests came back fine.  Blood work, EKG and other tests showed my heart looked good.  Met with my MD on Monday morning, and he wanted to pursue a stress test to keep ruling things out.  That happened Tuesday.  Finally heard on Thursday that everything was a-OK there.  So, that’s the physical side.

The Youth Leadership Reno County program I help facilitate traveled to Topeka on Wednesday to tour our state Capitol.  We got a picture with the governor, got to see the legislature in action, meet with our elected officials, and got back early evening.

Thursday, I went to Kansas City to get some studying in.  Enjoyed some great fellowship and encouragement with some friends of mine and did some sermon work for the upcoming season.

Friday and Saturday, I met with students and sponsors from Crestview to take in the Ready Conference at MBTS.  We heard some amazing speakers: Owen Strachan, Trip Lee, John Mark Yeats, and Jared Wilson, enjoyed some good fellowship, and were stirred to live a life that honors God.

So, it’s been a full week.  Many have prayed or reached out to me with expressions of love and care.  I’m grateful to have such amazing people loving and supporting me in life.  Hope you have a great weekend.

At Crestview, Lord willing, I’ll be preaching tomorrow, continuing our short series on the church.

Drained – So What?

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drained

It’s been quite a few weeks for me.  You might remember back at the start of July, coming off the heels of vacation, I led our congregation in a Day of Prayer, which was simply my confession as one at a dry place and what I needed to do in that moment.

Last week, I was privileged to serve my family as my uncle passed away in Tyler, TX.  I left Sunday after church and drove to Tyler, helped with the service on Monday and led a graveside service in Shreveport, LA, then returned midweek.  On Saturday, my brother-in-law got married in Hutch.  My amazing wife and her mom were responsible for making all the flowers for this, which meant that I needed to help on the home front.  Stay at home moms have a much more difficult job than they get credit for.

After a full day on ministry Sunday (I’m currently serving our adults by teaching a Sunday School class where all our adults are together, giving teachers a break for the summer, plus my Sunday AM sermon, plus Small Groups), I was drained.

Monday I recharged by jumping into lots of administrative tasks and an Elders Meeting.  Today, I’m tired. Drained.  I feel the need in my soul to recharge.

What do you do in these moments?  How do you recharge?

Well, for me, the big priority is attending to my soul.  I haven’t been happy in God like I usually am.  And, my frustration has been because I haven’t been served (not very noble, right?).  So, today, I’m spending time the Psalms.  Praying some prayers in Valley of Vision.  Checking in on my soul.  I find God’s Word refreshing and life-giving.  In fact, I need God to come near to me through His Word.  So, the drain is slowly getting recharged.

I know many of you probably deal with more difficulties that I mention here.  But, I think the remedy is probably the same.  Attend to your soul.  Take some time and allow God to recharge you.  And, as you pursue this, I’d appreciate your prayers as I continue to recharge.

Summary of My Sabbatical

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July 15-August 5, 2012, I was blessed to be given the gift of a sabbatical, a time of rest.  The leadership in my church freed me from having to keep up with my responsibilities and, in particular, from preaching for the 4 Sundays I was gone.  This was a huge blessing.
Some highlights for me on this included:
1) Unhurried time with Meghan – Our life, like many others, is busy.  With pastoring a local church, being involved in some opportunities in the community, as well has having 3 very young children, I know I don’t do enough to prioritize unhurried time with my wife.  My sabbatical began, at the direction of the Elders, with a Romantic Reflections marriage retreat in Buchanan, MI.  Life Action Ministries has a Lodge that is devoted to serving pastors and those in full time Christian work.  We were blessed to be with 3 other couples and have unhurried time together.  We read, rested, pulled back from busyness and enjoyed our time together. 
2) Unwinding with the family – After our marriage retreat, Meg and I loaded up our family and headed to Illinois.  Picking up my Mom and attending a family reunion over a weekend, we ended up in Florida, taking our children to the beach for the first time in their lives.  We had a good time there.  All the kids loved getting in the water and having some time with my Mom.  We would typically go out in the AM to the beach and then end up resting in the afternoon before finding something fun to do in the evenings.  It was a good time of fun together.
3) Unfastening tires – Like any good family time together (and keeping with our “un” theme), we had our share of frustrations.  Whether it was a slow drain in a hotel room, having children get sick, waiting in long lines for meals, having a tire sustain heavy damage on the interstate in rural Kentucky or just dealing with being cooped up together in a van for long time frames, we made some good memories by facing difficulties together.  Many parts of each of our hearts were exposed.  I’ll remember these times for a while thinking about this trip.
4) Uncovering memories – my sabbatical came on the heels of preaching my paternal grandfather’s funeral. This, coupled with being on the road with my Mom for many hours, brought back many memories from my life.  At the reunion, for instance, I learned some things about my Mom’s Dad and our extended family, running a blacksmith shop in the early 20th Century.  These memories were definitely a highlight.
5) Unpacking –  I’ve lived out of a suitcase for nearly a month and I’m ready for home.
6) Unveiling – My sabbatical ended with me studying the book of Revelation at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY.  I had the opportunity to have some meetings with people, but much of my time was just praying over and reading the text in slow, undistracted ways.  I was able to be near some research and resources that help show me facets of truth I hadn’t seen before.  All of this time is helping me to slowly but surely begin to get passed so much of the mystery of this book to unveil the supreme glory of Jesus Christ shining brightly through it. 
I’m very blessed in what I was able to do in these 3 weeks.  I only hope my passion for God’s glory is unhindered as I continue to live a life unashamed of the Gospel.  Thanks to those of you who prayed.  I owe you a debt for bringing me to God.  Thanks to all who made this possible.  I hope there is tangible fruit in my life you are able to see.  

Slow Blogging Week…

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Yes, I know it’s been a slow blogging week. Lots of little things happening.

Tuesday I was at Lincoln Elementary for their end of the school year activities.
Wednesday I was supposed to be at Andrew’s school for end of the year activities, but that was postponed due to the rain and ended up getting some good time with a former student who currently ministers in Tulsa.
Thursday was wrapping up lots of little odds and ends including morning coffee date with Meg and lunch with family to celebrate Andrew’s last day of school.

Today, is Gabe’s Birthday – #3.

Tomorrow, we leave for vacation for a few days.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Heading To Lincoln Today

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Heading to Lincoln Elementary today for their end of year party. Should be a fun day and hoping the weather cooperates. Then, this afternoon, get to be a part of a Communities That Care training. All in all, good day to get some relationships cooking.

Computer Problems

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…might slow my blog this week.  But, we’ll see what happens this morning.  For now, necessary things (God’s Word/prep for Sunday, meeting with men, etc.) Draw me away from fixing my problems.  Hope you have a good day.

Loving My Wife…

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In light of Pastor Mark’s recent post Loving the Pastor’s Wife and my sermon last night on marriage being something God has done to point to the Gospel, I thought I should say something about what a blessing my wife is. I’ve been enormously encouraged by her in recent days through some internal struggles I was facing. She is definitely a “helper fit for me.” What I appreciate about her is her willingness to fly behind the scenes and devote herself to me and our family. Her life is given to serve in the church in ways, but her priority is to the Lord and, as such, the ministry we have been knit together to enjoy.

Even today, I got continual encouragements from her on a pretty consistent basis. So, thank God for the gift that He has given me and pray that Meg will love the Savior first and in so doing continue to be a gift to me (and Crestview).

Update on Lauren & Meg

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As many of you know, we gave birth to our third child on 2/17. About 1PM yesterday (2/18) we were able to come home. Now, a little over 24 hours at home, I thought I would update on some questions I get:

How’s Meg? — She’s doing well. Obviously, post pregnancy is a bit uncomfortable physically but she seems to have a good deal of strength and nursing is going well so far as well.

How’s Lauren? — She’s doing well, too. We had a rough night getting her to sleep (I’d forgotten that first night home with the child isn’t like the peaceful moments we’re used to before). But, eventually she calmed down and we were able to get some sleep. But, seems to be fine physically, getting acquainted to our world.

How’s the boys? — Lauren’s two older brothers seem to be doing well with everything. Obviously, they both want attention, too, so they are learning to be patient, and, having Meg’s mom here is a big help. But they are very gentle and anxious to help when we let them.

Thanks for the concern. Now, somehow, I have to recalibrate my settings to be prepared for a full Lord’s Day teaching SS, preaching AM and PM messages.