Shriner's Hospital

The boys are back to school after a lengthy doctor(s) visit at Shriner's Hospital. There were several doctors going in and out of our room: genetist, genetic counselor, orthopedic doctors and their assistants, occupational therapists, and a doctor that builds prosthetic devices. The bottom line:
1. Samuel will soon be receiving a new arm - Samuel still needs to understand that a prosthetic limb is a tool. It cannot be like his other hand and arm. Can't improve on what God made. They let him play with an arm and he was able to make the hand open and close by simply moving his shoulder. He will be able to use his new arm to ride a bicycle or even play a trumpet.
2. Steven's kind of arthrogryposis was determined to be amyoplasia. This is the most common type of arthrogryposis. There is not yet a genetic test to determine this condition. The geneticist came up with this conclusion by examining Steven's condition. He feels that Steven can actually improve in some his his movements with physical therapy.
3. The orthopedic doctors and surgeon are scheduling surgery for Steven to improve his alignment. An epiphysiodesis surgery will be performed. It should alleviate some of Steven's leg pain while helping to correct bowing in his legs. Perhaps he will not fall down as often as he does.
4. The occupational therapist is very good. She really knows her stuff! She was so excited to learn that Steven actually has biceps. She believes these muscles can gain some strength.

We're not sure how we're going to work out the details for the surgery with my teaching schedule. Both of us will need to be there since both children have appointments that day. They will miss at least three days of school.

Our daughter is now a college student! She's already getting acclimated and is making new friends. I'll see her tomorrow and perhaps spend some time with her.

What would you do?

There is a TV program on ABC titled, "What would you do?" Actors simulate situations to gauge how people would respond, if people will be kind or tell someone off. Would you give gas to a person who approaches you at the gas pump and asks for some help? Would you try to stop a crime from being committed? Why would you help someone? WWJD? I hope I am one of many Americans who will not hesitate to assist someone in need.
This month has been brutally hot in the Mid Atlantic, especially at our home where the heat pump is not keeping up with cooling us down. It's about 90 inside! I think we will need a new one before long - not good news. However, there is a bit of good news. Grad school is nearly completed. Student teaching begins soon and there's a new job on the horizon.
The boys will soon be visiting Shriner's hospital to evaluate their personal and medical needs. Steven will undergo some genetic testing to determine the type of arthrogryposis. Steven will better be able to communicate his needs now that he has a greater command of the English language. Hopefully they will be able to help him with some of his mobility needs.

Limited Connectivity

Have you ever had this error message on your computer? This is a regular occurrence around our home. For some strange reason if two people try to access the Internet at the same time, the router bumps us off. We know this is happening when we see the yellow triangle with an exclamation point positioned over the Internet access icon on the bottom of the screen. Though it states we have access, that access is limited and in truth, we don’t really have the kind of connection that allows for browsing the net.

As I was pondering my dilemma, I recognized the parallel between this situation and the spiritual life. We are guaranteed access by to God by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1-2). Nothing can change this connection to the Lord. It was purchased for us by the very blood of Jesus, who died for our sins on the cross. However there are times when a problem of connecting to God occurs on our end. And what can affect that communication? First, sin hampers our relationship with God so that we fail to hear him. Our spiritual senses become dull and we choose not to walk in His ways. We don’t log on to Christ and live by His power. If there’s no spiritual power, the connection fades and the signal becomes weak. Second, we fail to personally apply our faith in the Lord’s promises. At times, I become keenly aware of my inadequacies and my short-comings. I begin to question myself and fail to trust in God’s plan for my life. Recently, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and I became discouraged and disheartened. I couldn’t find the words to communicate my feelings to the Lord. It was as if my connection was failing. I needed to be reminded of the words of Jesus who said, “I will never leave nor forsake you.” And again the words of Paul “For he who has begun a good work in us will bring it to completion…”. For those who feel discouragement, hold on to God’s very precious promises. God’s purpose and plan for your life will not fail.

One solution to the problem of limited connectivity is rebooting the router, modem, and computer. It works in the spiritual life too. Take a morning or a day off; get away on a date with the Lord and spend time in communion with him, away from distractions to read and to pray. Stay on your retreat until you make a breakthrough and you can really find the words to communicate and to listen. Yes, listening is an important part of connecting with God. Turn off the radio, cell phone, TV, iPod, CD player, computer, and other peripheral devices; use that time on the knees with God. Our generation is addicted to noise. Take this simple test to determine if you have a noise addiction. When you start your car in the morning and prepare to leave your driveway for work do you reach for the radio and turn it on? Try driving without any noise whatsoever in the car for one week. Can you stand being alone with yourself? Now take that time normally spent listening to the radio and use it to touch the face of God. Moses communicated with God face to face as a man talks with a friend. When he spent time with the Lord, his face glowed with the radiance of standing before the Holy One. He wore a veil to cover this glory and perhaps to cover his own shame as that glow began to fade over time. Perhaps it is this shame prevents us from connecting with God so we reach for noise to fill the space. The ancients often practiced the discipline of solitude as a way to commune with the Lord. How long has it been since you spent real time with the Lord, just listening for a change? The spirit within us desires more than five minutes of time with God. It craves for spiritual food and drink which only comes through spiritual connection. Don’t settle for limited connectivity.

Class in session

While the kids are out of school, I'm back in - a week of intensives, exams and presentations. And fantastic devotional sessions. There are times when one feels "will I make it?" The answer from heaven is "with my power you can". Just as Caleb asked for the mountain to conquer it at the age of 80+ years old, and Abraham entered the promised land as a senior citizen, so and I with God's help.

Congratulations Graduate

Another milestone - Amy has officially graduated from high school and she has the diploma to prove it! We're so proud of her accomplishments; we look forward to great things as she enters nursing school in the fall.

"Commit your way to the Lord", the Scripture says. That's just what she is doing as she pursues a career that helps others through their illnesses and hurts. May God bless her endeavors.

We'll celebrate her achievements with a small party this weekend with family and friends. The weather should hold up well. If I can find the camera patch cord, I'll upload photos.

The Living Cross

We hope you all experienced the blessing of the Resurrection. Our family participated in the 22nd annual Living Cross at our church. Over 8,000 visited the event and 70 decisions were made during the 8 presentations. "What a blessing!" said one of our fellow vocalists.

One of the things I learned from the Living Cross was the fact that Christ came to die alone so that we may never live without Him. " This truth was reinforced as a fellow singer nearly fainted right next to me. I grabbed him and helped him get down to the lobby where a paramedic worked on him till an ambulance arrived. Thankfully he will be OK but I was determined to stay with him until help arrived. The Lord promises to be with us forever. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." One of the most comforting passages of Scripture is found in Romans 8:38 ".... nothing will ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Can you fully grasp the extent that Jesus Christ went in order to bring life to you?

May we live daily with the profundity of this truth.

Scarce Commodoties

There is a principle in economics: People have infinite needs and wants and they draw from limited resources. There is scarce supply. We proved this principle last night when we asked the boys to go brush their teeth. They turned on the tap and nothing came out! Why was there no water? I checked the fuses to make sure the well pump was receiving electricity. I looked all over the house for the cause but couldn't figure it out. After putting the boys to bed we talked about all the possible causes. Did the boys turn on the outside faucet and leave it on? That turned out to be the case. And then we prayed that the pump had not burned out from continually sucking dirt.
This morning I as awoke from praying for the Lord to replenish our water supply, I had these thoughts:
1. In John 4 Jesus told a woman that the water she drew from would not satisfy her thirst. but the water that he gives would be eternally fulfilling. It's a supply that will never run dry.
2. The Scripture also states that the Lord will satisfy all your needs according to his glorious riches. (see the supply and demand working here?)
3. Jesus also taught us to pray "give us today our daily bread". Interestingly I prayed this with the boys last night before bedtime. We must pray believing that God cares about our needs and He will provide what we need for the moment. Someone once stated that God will supply our needs, not our greeds.

This morning we have water. I don't know how restored our water supply is, but we will have enough for today. For this we must give thanks. Therefore we can have confidence that God will supply gainful employment, enough funds to pay our necessities. And even when we have lean times, we can experience the security of knowing that God's unlimited supply of his love and grace is ours.