Safely Home

"Is this the day that I die?" In Randy Alcorn's novel Safely Home, Li Quan asks himself this question every day upon awakening.  It's a difficult question; it's a question very few American Christians must face.  Perhaps we should all ask ourselves this question every day.  Would we be a different type of Christian if we did? 

Unquestionably, Christians in America are blessed; I am truly thankful for the privilege of being about to attend church, read and purchase Bibles and other religious books and materials, and to worship God freely.  It's a privilege that millions around the world can only dream of having.  In Alcorn's novel, a successful American businessman, Ben Fielding, is sent to China on business.  He re-connects reluctantly with a Chinese citizen who had been his roommate in college.  Ben Fielding is reluctant to reconnect with Li Quan because Ben has drifted away from God and he is afraid his Chinese roommate has not.  Ironically, Ben is the one who helped bring Li Quan to Christ, but that's where Ben's discipleship ends.  Ben has become caught up in the successes of life.  His goal is to be CEO of his company, even though that goal has cost him his family.  Nothing matters except financial success, right?

Upon arriving at his friend's home in China, Ben is struck by the poverty in which his friend lives.  He knows that Quan's goals were to become a university professor and write books.  Imagine Ben's surprise when he finds out neither dream came to fruition for his friend.  It is here that the discipleship tables are turned and Quan begins the task of bringing his American friend back to faith.  Some of the things Quan says to Ben may sound harsh.  For example, Quan tells Ben that America's idols are "Materialism. Pleasure. Entertainment. Worship of celebrities. Obsession with sex. Food. Fame" (p 71).  Quan is absolutely right.  Take a good look at the list.  How many of those can be applied to the American Church?  How often are church services judged by how "good" the worship service is?  How often are worship services that don't incorporate a dazzling show deemed inferior?  American culture is obssessed with entertainment.  It's an obsession that infiltrates everything.  School isn't "fun" if it's not entertaining.  The days in which students studied out of book or listened to a teacher simply talk about a subject are ridiculed.  Nope, we need the powerpoint, the prezi, the video.  In many ways, Church today has become a series of Lights! Camera! Action!  We don't want to listen to a divinely inspired message; we want entertainment.  Is the preacher a quiet, soft-spoken individual--he/she must be ineffectual--it takes charisma and razzle-dazzle to be a great preacher.  Often the fact that such "dynamic" speakers actually have little say is lost in all the spiritual gymnastics.

However, before you tag me as someone who thinks that we should all sit quietly and sing ancient hymns, let me assure you that is not the case.  I long for the move of the Holy Spirit, for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit, and the might move of God in our services.  Too often today, though, the gifts of the spirit are downplayed.  We're told to "seek the Giver of the Gift, not the gift."  This is true, but it's being used against those who ernestly seek a move of God.  We're tagged as "emotional," and told that our services must be "seeker-friendly."  We don't want to scare anyone off.  Really?  Was Christ ever afraid of scaring anyone off?  I think not.

Even our churches worship celebrities.  Perhaps we don't run after the Hollywood actor, but we very often run after the lastes and greatest spiritual trend and personality.  Hence the rise of the mega-church; it takes a big personality to attract that many people.  Now don't misunderstand; there's nothing wrong with wanting our churches to grow.  Growth is a sign of a healthy church.  The problem arises when the focus is on the number of people in the pew and not the number being discipled for Christ.  If the focus is on discipleship, the numbers will take care of themselves.

Far too often, Christians judge others within our churches and decide that there are those within the church body that are too wierd or non-traditional to associate with.  Often even church leaders warn new members to be careful about the friendships they make within the church as not everyone is considered suitable or desireable.  How many would have gone unreached if Christ refused to associate with anyone except the affluent or those considered part of the "in-crowd"?  Every Christian needs to adopt Quan's question:  Is this the day that I die?  Think what an impact we could have in our homes, in our churches, in our schools, in our businesses, in our communities, in our nation, and in our world?

In a perfect world . . . It's not too late . . .

Ambition--a Double-Edged Sword

Ambition.  We all need it to some extent because without it very little would be accomplished.   However, for all the good ambition can bring, it can also develop into a deadly trap.  Ambition can drive us to achieve the impossible, or it can completely destroy us and those around us.  Lee Strobel's novel takes a hard look at both the positive and negative effects of ambition.

Before I discuss Strobel's novel, his first, let me say that I was a bit skeptical.  I've read many of Strobel's other nonfiction works such as The Case for Christ, The Case for Creation, and The Case for Faith, just to name a few.  I'm a Lee Strobel fan.  His nonfiction writing is deep, and, quite frankly, not an easy read because it's so packed with research.  It's fascinating.  Strobel was an atheist who set out to prove Christ was a myth and ending up encountering Jesus!  His book The Case for Christ, outlines his journey to salvation. 

I've actually put off reading the novel because I fell into the trap of stereotyping an author.  I knew I enjoyed reading his nonfiction work but wondered if he would be able to hold my attention with a novel.  He did!  This novel is a page-turner!  My advice is to allow yourself plenty of reading time when you begin because you're not going to want to put it down.

The novel follows the pastor of a modern-day mega-church who is being pushed toward politics.  In this respect, it's a great read for those going into the ministry because the novel illustrates what can happen when pastors, who begin with a heart for ministry and people, become side-tracked by ambition and power.  One of the interesting aspects of the novel, and one that I believe increases the novel's versimilitude, is the fact that not everything turns out perfectly for everyone.  Strobel takes ambition, shows its corruptive power, but also shows how even those who become lost in it can experience restoration.  Not all the novel's characters are Christians; one of the main characters is an investigative reporter who is an atheist and sets out to "expose" the mega-church when is live-in girlfriend accepts Christ and moves out.  Given that the novel is set in Chicago, there is, of course, mob involvement. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it for everyone.  I hesitate to include too many details of the plot because I don't want to spoil the read for anyone.  There are many lessons to be learned for everyone in this novel.  This is a novel you definitely want to put at the top of your reading list!

Christians Would Have No Fear

The doors to the church were locked.  The doors to my church.  I stopped by church last Friday afternoon in the middle of the afternoon to drop off a document for my husband, and the doors were all locked even though people were clearly inside.  I checked the side door and the front door. I never imagined a day would come when the doors to the church I've attended for over fifteen years would be locked in the middle of the afternoon. 

Don't get me wrong; I understand the reasoning behind locking the doors.  It's unsafe for the church secretary to be alone in the church; a crazed gunman could enter at any moment and kill all the staff; the list is endless. It could also have been an oversight; someone simply might have forgotten to unlock the doors when returning from lunch. 

Reflecting back, I can remember a day when I would stop by unannounced and visit with the pastor and/or staff. It wasn't something I did on a regular basis, but I always knew the doors to the church were open and I would be welcome.  As I made my way around the building looking for an open door, I couldn't help but wonder how I might react if I had a real crisis, or if I were a soul desperately seeking God.  I didn't have a problem, so the doors being locked was only an annoyance, but what if I was in a moment of personal crisis?  What if I were a soul hanging in the balance?  What would I have done if I were met with a locked door when people were clearly present?  Given my personality, I probably would have left, never to return. 

While I completely understand the need for security, I also question what seems to be a bit of paranoia.  Locking the doors in the relative small town we live in is seen as a necessity.  Really?    When did the church become fearful of evil?  When did we as Christians come to value our safety over the need to reach out to and help souls in need?  Unfortunately, I think too many Christians have become so immersed in culture that we've lost sight of the vision Christ set before us.  It's a problem common to churches across the country. 

Well, so much for my little rant.  I love my church, and I wouldn't consider going anywhere else.  We have a wonderful pastor, whom I think the world of.  He's been my pastor for over fifteen years.  In fact, my family and I joined our church just a few short months after he became pastor.  He has been a rock in so many family situations.  I don't blame him or the church for locking the doors; our culture has drifted so far from God that the moral compass of our society is broken. Not everyone who walks through the doors of a church has pure motives.  In defense of our church, I must admit that when we were part of a national prayer line we kept the doors locked when someone was alone in the church late in the evening (which included myself).   However, I'm also reminded of scripture that tells us God hasn't "given us the spirit of fear."  Perhaps it's time that we as Christians begin to stand boldly against evil and be the beacon of light and hope our churches are supposed to be.  Embrace an open door policy (to the extent possible) so that people in need have a safe haven. 

In an attempt to crawl out of the proverbial hole I've just dug myself into, let me say again that this is a wonderful church with wonderful people, and I know they mean no harm; safety and security is the intent.  I think the doors are only locked when the church secretary is alone, so it's understandable.  Our church is a missions-minded church, and we love people and want them to come to know Christ. I know that the church staff doesn't see locking the doors as a sign of fear, but it could be an obstacle someone who is lost, hurting, and seeking solice from the church that might prove to be too big to overcome.  I used this incident only as an example of the state of our society; we've experienced tragedies in our lifetime that past generations of church-goers would never dream possible.  Those tragedies have changed who we are as a people; we must safe-guard those around us.  Crazed gunman can't be allowed to walk into our churches and take the lives of innocent people, but we must also stand boldly in the face of evil!

 

Everyone Would Believe In Miracles!

In a perfect world, everyone would believe in miracles! I'm constantly amazed at those who deny  the possiblity for miracles.  In today's society, education and science are deified while God is vilified. It's very common to read comments by skeptics ridiculing those who believe in God and his ability to do the miraculous.  The skeptics don't realize that it takes more courage and intelligence to believe in the unseen than the tangible.  It takes courage to hold fast to faith in God when the nay sayers posit that faith is only for the weak and uneducated! 

My granddaughter Avery is a perfect example.  When she was born, in addition to her heart defect, she also suffered a neonatal stroke.  Her neurologist told my daughter that Avery would be virtually blind and suffer a host of other problems.  In short, he envisioned her life in a quasi-vegetative state.  Honestly, the MRI taken at birth showed a significant portion of brain tissue regulating vision had been destroyed. When she was given this diagnosis, our family called upon all the prayer warriors we knew, and they in turn called on others.  In short, prayers were being offered for Avery around the globe! 

Avery spent approximately four months in the hospital and was tested for everything possible.  Not only did Avery have reconstructive heart surgery less than 24 hours after her birth, but her liver functions skyrocketed and she was tested for biliary atresia--which she didn't have.It seemed every time a doctor came into the hospital room, they came bearing bad news.  Still, God had given me a promise.  Ephesians says "having done all--stand."  That's what I did, and it was extremely difficult.  It was difficult to speak words of encouragement to my daughter in those difficult times, epecially when it seemed as if the only news we ever received was bad news.

However, faith is the evidence of things not seen.  I'm reminded of the myriad of scriptures that contain the phrase ". . . but God," because God began to move.  Avery began to make astounding progress!  Every single one of her doctors were amazed at her progress; the last doctor was to astound was the neurologist.    Avery was scheduled to see the neurologist six months after she was born for a check-up on her progress.  On the sceduled day, my daughter and son-in-law took Avery to his office.  Avery was asleep when the doctor came into the examination room.  He looked at her and asked sympathetically,"How's Avery doing?"  My daughter replied that Avery was great and that she could see.  The doctor was very surprised to hear this.  At this point, Avery woke up and began to interact with the doctor.  He was simply astounded at her vision and her motor skills. His response was that she must have been able to re-wire her brain.  My daughter  told him we are people of faith and that we believed God had healed Avery.  His response was the same:  Avery must have been able to re-wire her brain.  My response is that even if she did re-wire her brain, God still gets all the glory because He's the One who did the re-wiring!

Skeptics amaze me!  They are willing to only accept what is tangible and nothing that appears miraculous.  My prayer is that the skeptics will see the truth before it's too late.  Until that time, it's our responsiblity as Christians to presenting the truth of Christ.

In a Perfect World . . . We'd train them up to be healthy!

These are my beautiful granddaughters Addison, Avery (sitting in her sister's lap), Ragan, and Kenedie.  They are the picture of health!  If you don't know anything about my family, you might be surprised to learn that baby Avery is a miracle!  She had major reconstructive heart surgery less than 24 hourse after she was born; then she was diagnosed with multiple other problems--liver issues and hyperinsulinism (low blood sugar).  I'm pleased to report that she has made huge strides in her health; she no longer is on continual feed, most of her liver issues have been resolved, and her blood sugar levels are stable.  Unfortunately,just recently she was diagnosed with a leaky heart valve--completely unrelated to her heart surgery.  She's one of the biggest reasons my family is making major dietary changes.  Of course, the scare that Max gave us a couple of weeks ago with his blood pressure that resulted in a trip to the emergency room also contributed. Even in the face of all this, God is faithful and performing miracles!

The change in our diet is long overdue.  However, it's not an easy transition when you've grown up with chicken fried steak, cheeseburgers, and decadent deserts!  My "excuse" is that nutrition wasn't anyone's radar when I was growing up--not even the medical community! Hence the reason so many of the baby boomers in my generation are having heart attacks at such an early age.  Our arteries are clogged with plague!

But enough of my self-pity.  It's never too late to turn the ship around, and that what we're doing!  Max and I have both lost weight over the past several weeks (ok, Max has lost much more than I have, but then, men always loose more than women--that's a travesty!).  I'm proud to say that even our Easter Sunday meal underwent changes this year.  I still cooked a ham, but instead of macaroni and cheese, we had parmesan crusted roasted asparagus and no fat lima beans (yes, I resisted the urge to drop in a ham bone I had in the freezer).  Deseart was blueberry/raspberry fruit mini tartlets--super foods on the antioxidant chart!  Even the boiled Easter eggs were retired this year in favor of plastic eggs and coloring books for the girls' Easter baskets.

I'd love to tell you that everyone has embraced this way of eating with no reservations, but that wouldn't be the truth.  I've met with resistance at almost every turn (sometimes I was the resistor).  It's the little ones that are having trouble, especially Addison.  I tried to tell my daughter that stopping for cheeseburgers wasn't a great idea when Addison was learning to eat, but healthful eating wasn't on her radar at that time.  It's amazing how quickly attitudes can change when a health crisis arises. 

What's important now is that we're beginning to make the change; it's going to be a long road.  However, when diet is considered in light of scripture, and we begin to look at our bodies as a temple reflecting the glory of God, why would we want to junk it up with food that doesn't promote good health?  Already we're beginning to see and feel the benefits of healthful eating.  My mind is clearer, I'm not as fatigued, and my clothes are fitting better.

So, in a perfect world, we'd all eat the foods God designed our bodies to eat, and we wouldn't begin feeding our precious children things that will only end with poor health.  I, for one, am determined to clean out my temple and restore it to the condition God intended for all of us.

In a Perfect World . . . No one would be overweight!

This is me at SAGU's fall graduation 2011--all 200 pounds of me!  I'm the short round in front.  I really hate to admit how much I weigh, but I think that's the only real way I'm going to be able to change.  So, I'm admitting it--I'm addicted to food!  I love it!  Especially gooey chocolate deserts! Let me also admit that I've tried every diet known to mankind--and nothing has worked--because I haven't stayed with him.  That's my confession.  I've finally said what I've never wanted to admit. 

However, I'm pleased to say that I'm actually making progress.  I've lost a few pounds--I'm now at 194--not much, but it's a start.  Perhaps it takes a life-threatening event to really get your attention and motivate you to get serious.  I've had that life-threatening moment--it happened to my husband, Max.  That's the same as having it happen to me.  A couple of weeks ago, Max and I went to see a surgeon about lap band surgery--not for me--for Max.  When we were called, the nurse weighed and measured Max, then she took his blood pressure.  I should have become alarmed when she said, "That can't possibly be right.  I'll take your blood pressure manually before you leave."  His blood pressure was 203/110!  Scarey, stroke-level high!  But we both brushed it aside without giving it a thought.  After talking with the patient advocate and realizing that our insurance wouldn't pay for the procedure, we left.  We told the patient advocate we needed to think about whether this was financially possible for us.  Then, we did what we always do--we stopped at Red Lobster and had a huge meal.  Later that afternoon, the surgeon's office called because she had forgotten to take Max's blood pressure.  She asked us to take it again, and to our horror, his blood pressure hadn't come down at all.  We immediately put in a call to our family doctor.  When our family doctor's nurse returned our call, she asked us to take  his blood pressure again.  This time, we couldn't even get his blood pressure to register.  I finally convinced Max to go to our local clinic just to have his blood pressure checked.  Once there, after the doctor's office had taken his blood pressure, he was advised to go the the emergency room because his pressure was so high.  It took me pleading and crying to get him to go.  This ER visit has put us on a roller coaster trying to control his blood pressure, which still isn't under control.  However, this event has made us very aware of the need to take control of our health.  

Max has been so motivated and determined.  He's probably lost 20 pounds in the last couple of weeks.  I wish I could say I've lost that much weight, but I haven't.  But I will.  Even though I haven't had to go to the emergency room, I know that my weight could cause me just as many serious problems.  

I've decided that I need to write about my journey.  If anyone reads this blog, my prayer is that it will help someone realize that they can take control of their life.  I know that I can't do this alone.  First, I will need to rely on God to help me stay determined and give me wisdom in making food choices.  I also think it's easier to stay on track if you have have someone to offer moral support; Max and I do that for each other.

Let me end this blog by telling of some small victories.  Last night, Max and I went to one of our favorite local restuarants with our son, daughter-in-law and two of our granddaughters.  Max and I actually passed on the rolls!  This may sound like a small thing, but when you love bread like I do, it's a really big deal!  This afternoon, after a bit of shopping, we stopped at Red Lobster.  However, rather than eating a huge, high fat, high carb meal, we asked for the lunch menu and ate very sensibly.  

In order to stay focused, I plan to post pictures in order to chronicle my weight loss.  I'll try to post pictures every ten pounds.  So until next time . . . in a perfect world, when no one is overweight! 

In a Perfect World . . .Freedom

In a perfect world, freedom wouldn't be an issue.  We would all be free to make decisions and do things that we love; however, we clearly don't live in a perfect world.  That idea became crystal clear this past week when the Komen Foundation was forced to cave to the outcries and intimidation of Planned Parenthood.

In a perfect world, the Komen Foundation, which recieves no federal funding, would be free to give money to whatever organization it wished.  Planned Parenthood seems to think that it's entitled to Komen's money simply because they want it and because it has been given to them in the past.  I applauded the strong stand that Komen took against funding abortions.  Komen is an organization dedicated to the eradication of breast cancer, not the funding of killing innocent children.  I was really taken aback at the very vicious, vitriolic attack on the Komen Foundation by Planned Parenthood.  Is this really what our country has digressed to?  Do we really feel justified in villifiying and trying to destroy another person or organization because they make us angry.  Apparently, this is exactly what Planned Parenthood thinks.  The moment Komen made the announcement that they would no longer extend funds to Planned Parenthood, they were attacked by the very liberal left.  To accuse an organization such as Komen of not caring about the health of women is beyond the pale, especially given all they do to raise funds for breast cancer research.  It should be noted that breast cancer is the primary targer of the Komen Foundation, not women's health in general.  Planned Parenthood certainly has the right to express disappointment, perhaps even anger, at loosing this funding, but it has no right to set out to destroy an organization that works tirelessly to find a cure for breast cancer.

Let me put the argument in the form of an analogy.  Let's say that Organization 1 sells a certain product door-to-door.  This organization depends on individuals buying their products in order to function, so it's reasonable to assume that they will return to those homes that support the organization by buying the product every year.  Let's also say that one year the person who always buys a large number of the product decides not to purchase any.  This makes Organization 1 very angry, and the organization immediately proceeds to destroy the person who decided not to purchas the product.  I think we would all say that the person has the right not purchase the product; the person isn't obligated to purchase the product just because he has done so in the past.  But this is exactly the tactic Planned Parenthood has adopted. 

Unfortunately, Komen caved to the pressure of an organization that , at its roots, was established to weed out the "undesirables" of society on the grounds that some women would not be able to have mammograms.  Planned Parenthood doesn't own any mammography equipment; it outsources mammograms.  Additionally, the number of mammograms funded by Planned Parenthood doesn't add up the amount of money contributed by the Komen Foundation.

There is a flaw in the argument; the bully pulpit has only recently been the acceptable approach.  No one likes a bully, especially one who receives federal funding.  So, it greives my heart when a noble organization such as Komen caves to bullies.  In a perfect world, Komen would have stood firm, and Planned Parenthood would have looked for other donors.

Prayers for a New year

It's been a long time since I've posted a blog, but this has been a semester of tremondous upheaval.  First, I was completely overloaded--I taught 10 classes (5 on campus and 5 distance ed).  I realized this almost isn't humanly possible (I say almost because I did manage to pull it off--well, perhaps I should wait to make this claim until after I read my student evaluation of instruction).  Perhaps the biggest hurdle to overcome was the birth of my grannddaughter, Avery.  She had reconstructive heart surgery less than 24 hours after her birth, then her bilirubin was very high (she looked like a little pumpkin for a while!); then, she had liver issues and the doctors suspected biliary atresia, which can be fatal.  Next, it was discovered she has hyperinsulinism, which is extremely rare; only about 80 cases per year in the entire country are diagnosed.  On top of that, she began to aspirate her milk to her lungs, so the doctors had to put in a G-button.  However, through all of this God's hand was at work, and He performed so many miracles!  It is such a blessing that we have Avery--every difficulty has only strengthened our faith.

Currently, we're dealing with another health issue concerning Avery.  She's back in Cooks Children's Hospital (she's actually been in more than she's been out!) because she contracted a head cold which turned into aspiration pneumonia.  She actually had to be transported to Cooks via ambulance because she turned blue and stopped breathing momentarily.  She's also developed severe reflux, which actually triggered her breathing episode.  Now, the doctors are going to add another tube which bypasses her stomach altogether.  This will stop the reflux and help prevent another breathing episode that actually caused her bronical tubes to swell shut, but it will also mean that she will have to go on a schedule of continous feeding; she'll be connected to her feeding tube 24/7.  The good news is that the doctors say she will outgrow all of this--none of these things are permanent.  God is so good!

Watching Avery over the past couple of months, I wonder how those who don't know Christ cope with such extreme adversity comes their way.  I know that it only by the grace of God that my family has been able to get through all of this.  My prayer for my family is that God will continue to minster healing to Avery, Addison, and her parents.  I know that my faith has been strengthened in all of this; God has given me strength and a peace that would not otherwise have been possible.  I have heard His voice in the dark of night and through scripture. 

For the next year, I pray that God's peace and healing will permeate not only my family, but the lives of everyone around me.  I know that I pray more ernestly for those who are hurting as a result of my experience with Avery.  It's amazing how difficult situations make you more sensitive to the needs of those around you.  I pray that my students know that when I say I'm keeping them in my prayers--I'm really keeping them in my prayers!

It actually feels good to write again, even if this post is a bit rambling--stream-of-consciousness is a perfectly acceptable mode of writing.  My plan is to do more writing this semester; I want to post on my blogsite regularly.  I also plan to begin working on more academic writing.  Perhaps actually putting my goals in writing will help me move forward with them.  Reading is also going to become a priority; I enjoy it and I haven't been able to read much over the last year.

Finally, I would like to close this post with this prayer for the new year:

Father,
I give you thanks that You are who you say you are, and You do what you say you'll do.  I thank you for bringing health and peace to my family and to each of my students.  Help each of us, dear Lord, to be more attuned to Your voice, to spend more time in prayer and in Your Word.  Open our hearts to the needs of those around us, and use each of us to be a blessing to those we come into contact with.  Thank you, Father, for loving us and surrounding us with a hedge of protection.  May we each walker closer to You in the coming year.
Amen