tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233866632024-03-12T20:29:26.458-04:00Whitfield's journey:Life is a journey - measured by our relationships - not by our wealth.Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-6765121645986575262014-03-14T11:43:00.004-04:002014-03-14T11:43:42.886-04:00Sabbatical again (on purpose this time)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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resuming a consistent effort at blogging. Last year my “excuse” for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this failure was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the fallout from heart surgery in
February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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real reason other than a lack of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>discipline to make this an important part of each day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Recently, I had been musing
on the question of whether my “close encounter with death” had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>resulted in any permanent changes in attitude
and behavior.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I have concluded that there is very little “dramatic”
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of weeks ago that</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">“We
should not wait for (or expect) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a major
event to cause changes that make our lives better change to fully live" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>because <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ gives us the ability to change to live
fully in whatever circumstances exist in our life."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I have been aware for a long
time<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of a number of “deficiencies” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in my attitudes and behaviors that have
limited<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my relationships and ability to
break free<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from my worldly nature and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span>be transformed by the renewal of <s>your</s>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(my) mind, that by testing <s>you </s><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I)may discern what is the will of God, what
is good and acceptable and perfect." <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12:2&version=ESV">Romans
12:2</a></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(through
faith) been making<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>efforts to allow the
transforming nature of the Spirit work on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These deeply ingrained behaviors do not die easily and there is
often<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a lot of “2steps forward – 1 step
back” and even on occasion “1 Step forward – 2 steps back”. Of course,
significant “trauma” can serve to bring these things into focus and provide a
renewed commitment to change <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but, if
dramatic change were “easy”, it is likely <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would already have made those changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">So I conclude<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there is no “Damascus road”
change<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in my attitudes of behaviors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Having said that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>after 1 year I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>see the
following<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“long term” changes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I am less obsessive about my failures to follow
through on “big ideas”. For example, in the past I would beat up on myself and
neglect other important things to chase a “dream” such as developing a “meaningful”
blog<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with connections to a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>community of bloggers with a similar focus
and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>writings that had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>meaning and worth to a group of readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in this obsessive pursuit I would in
fact<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fail<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>ripple effect of neglecting other things would<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>create a huge depressing ring of failures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Today I can accept I’m simply not ready to do that and let it go until
such a time as I believe I am ready to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>dedicate the time needed and in doing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that I am remaining more focused on other important things and reducing
that sense of “never getting anything completed”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I am more prone to depression and procrastination.
I don’t know whether it is a lack of energy as a residual effect of the surgery
(in which case<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this may<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>get better); the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>long, brutal winter (in which case spring
will help) or if it is the other side of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>coin from point 1 – namely, a bit of “what’s the use”; I can’t do all
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>things I dream of so I’ll just sit
around and read and play games because those give immediate “wins” (but in the
long run are depressing way to live).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQmU3S89WVpHE49cxO2CGPmmBGm7WmlxeS-lSvgT7vbc_4WtAuQDHNfR18daSKzF5nFfl1504p68P5nZfw_GN2yU7vbvz-WBnZRcupea1iwS31uxydAPcwqu66L-U7D8br5Ns/s1600/sabatical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQmU3S89WVpHE49cxO2CGPmmBGm7WmlxeS-lSvgT7vbc_4WtAuQDHNfR18daSKzF5nFfl1504p68P5nZfw_GN2yU7vbvz-WBnZRcupea1iwS31uxydAPcwqu66L-U7D8br5Ns/s1600/sabatical.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">In any case <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to take a "sabbatical" “sign off”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for an indeterminate period. (and I hope it doesn't mean that I'll take this a permission to just lie around :))</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> This is a change since previously I've more or less just stopped without any acknowledgement that I was doing so .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Perhaps at some point I will see
a way clear to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dedicate<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>time<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>to a “purposeful” blog and will resume again</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">God Bless "until we meet again"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Charlie</span></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-51092412147922757312014-03-04T15:58:00.000-05:002014-03-04T15:58:06.028-05:00Change is a process<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">A little over a year ago I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had open heart surgery to replace<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a “badly stenosed” aortic valve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">In<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the past
three weeks,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reflecting on "how has this changed
me?". (or has it changed me in any significant way?).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">So far the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>conversation has been pretty erratic.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/to-change-or-not-to-change.html" target="_blank">started</a> with the question(s)</span></div>
<br />
<ol style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: decimal;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Has this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"near death" experience has
resulted in any significant and permanent change in my life. </div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Why or why not? </div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does this relate to the changes we might
see in the lifes of those who - through faith - are seeking to have their
lives transformed by the Spirit (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2+&version=ESV" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rom. 12:2</span></a>) <b><i><span style="background: white; color: blue;">Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind</span></i></b></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">So far I really haven’t
addressed those questions. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Instead I’ve stated that
this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“life event” has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>renewed my <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a desire to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>live by <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/good-change-bad-change.html" target="_blank">3 key principles</a> </span></div>
<br />
<ol style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: decimal;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I
will live today in the moment.</span></b></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will live today as if it were my last day
here on this earth and</span></b></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will dream and plan today for tomorrow
because </span></b></i></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">(“Today
is the first day of the rest of my life; I will rejoice and be glad in
it” (cf. Psalm 118:24-KJV).)</span></b></i></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I’ve<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>talked
about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/a-change-of-heart.html" target="_blank">types of change</a> (mostly
negative) that “people” often experience post surgery </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I’ve <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>referred to a <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/i-am-second.html" target="_blank">U-Tube video by Scott Hamilton</a> describing
how<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>health problems have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>brought him to a deep(er) faith and trust in
God.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I’ve reflected<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>statement by a friend of mine to ask the question</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">“</span><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Do
we need to wait for a major event to cause changes that make our
lives better change to fully live" or does Christ give us the
ability to change to <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/change-in-midst-of-all-circumstances.html" target="_blank">live fully in whatever circumstances</a> exist in our life?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I have asked <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/embracing-life-in-jesus.html" target="_blank">“Have I changed?”</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and concluded that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there hadn’t been much)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">And last time I reflected on the <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/grace-serenity-and-change.html" target="_blank">“Serenity Prayer”</a>
and Change. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I have done this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“review”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for my own benefit – as a
way of trying to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>put<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some structure and purpose into this meandering “stream”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">As a colleague at work used to say to me when
I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rambling on pursuing a bunch of ideas "all at once" “Charlie – is there a caboose to this
train?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">(In fact I guess I’m asking is
there even a train?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope so – we’ll
see.)</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rhjyD9v11nBNirjRgp_42PF1rXVpNfPyMC5A9GzgbOfYNxqMcwj4XMjpJwi-O9OJQ_riAv_GYlXA4Nn-En6gAGM0AGkgVrq_1VR9ohSRGgiqjODUPdV1TRrEy06RWlT6I_gu/s1600/change-process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rhjyD9v11nBNirjRgp_42PF1rXVpNfPyMC5A9GzgbOfYNxqMcwj4XMjpJwi-O9OJQ_riAv_GYlXA4Nn-En6gAGM0AGkgVrq_1VR9ohSRGgiqjODUPdV1TRrEy06RWlT6I_gu/s1600/change-process.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">One thing that I was reminded of is the saying "Change is a process not an event" -- and so perhaps the "train" (change) needs some "tracks" (process) before it can be put together in a meaningful way</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Charlie</span></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-49216238746469659212014-02-28T06:55:00.001-05:002014-02-28T06:55:21.339-05:00Grace, Serenity and Change<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A household project and a lame shoulder are interfering with my ability to write so I've missed 4 day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am continuing to think about change and to-day I offer some thoughts on the "serenity prayer"</span><br />
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<h4 class="bold_dark">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Serenity Prayer ( original form)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">A modified form of this prayer is commonly used within Alcoholics Anonymous and has sometimes been attributed to St. Francis. However, the earliest known forms of it appeared in the early 20th century, and it is generally credited to </span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">an</span> </span><nobr><span style="font-size: x-small;">American</span></nobr><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Protestant theologian,<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Reinhold Niebuhr </span>(1892 –<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="1971">1971)</a></span> </div>
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<dl><dd>
<dl><dd>God, give me grace to accept with serenity</dd><dd>the things that cannot be changed,</dd><dd>Courage to change the things</dd><dd>which should be changed,</dd><dd>and the Wisdom to distinguish</dd><dd>the one from the other.</dd></dl>
</dd></dl>
<dl><dd>
<dl><dd>Living one day at a time,</dd><dd>Enjoying one moment at a time,</dd><dd>Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,</dd><dd>Taking, as Jesus did,</dd><dd>This sinful world as it is,</dd><dd>Not as I would have it,</dd><dd>Trusting that You will make all things right,</dd><dd>If I surrender to Your will,</dd><dd>So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,</dd><dd>And supremely happy with You forever in the next.</dd></dl>
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<dl><dd>Amen.</dd></dl>
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<span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It seems to me that the serenity prayer is important this discussion for several reasons</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. God's grace and strength is at the heart of living a "serene" life. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J7T_CquaP-I3umqW00K6HQIscj32GOKqrJQzpaGHGrOavlUS4uo0i0zpjZ1CWi4hhjAOxDnMc3hbSXkPRNShCekezkZoJDfu2MJ3gqth8VEHjP1b3dV_6co1OAAJMYAQIf4x/s1600/don-qiote-windmills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J7T_CquaP-I3umqW00K6HQIscj32GOKqrJQzpaGHGrOavlUS4uo0i0zpjZ1CWi4hhjAOxDnMc3hbSXkPRNShCekezkZoJDfu2MJ3gqth8VEHjP1b3dV_6co1OAAJMYAQIf4x/s1600/don-qiote-windmills.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Obviously (to me at least) when I explore the question of change (in myself) I'm not interested in being a "Don Quixote" "tilting at windmills". I am thinking about those things that I can, with God's help, change (within myself) especially things that will make me a better person. And it is true that change takes courage (and persistence and faith and ... ?).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 3. I would change the first statement slightly to say "today accept with serenity things as they are right now" (because "what is" can't be changed).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I think of the apostle Paul writing from prison when he says in Philippians 4:10-13</span><br />
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<i><span class="text Phil-4-10">I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-11" id="en-ESV-29437"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-ESV-29438"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>I can do all things through him who strengthens me.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><i><span class="text Phil-4-11" id="en-ESV-29437"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I note in particular</span> (paraphrased slightly) <span style="font-size: small;"><b> "in whatever situation (</b></span></span></i></span></i><i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span class="text Phil-4-11" id="en-ESV-29437"><i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439">in any and every circumstance) </span></i>I have learned to be content.</span></i>"</b></span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><span style="font-size: small;">And it is this ability</span></span></span><i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">to be content in any circumstance that</span></span></span><i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> "can be done through Him who strengthens us".</b></span></span></i><br />
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<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First and foremost any change I desire in my attitudes is aimed at the "being content" wherever I find myself to-day even when I desire for a different tomorrow.</span></span></span><i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439">In a way this brings me "full circle" back to my <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/01/beginnings-endings-part-1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"theme song" for 2013 </a></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><br /></span></i>
<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I will live today in the moment. I will live today as if it were my last day here on this earth <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I will dream and plan today for tomorrow because <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Today is the first day of the rest of my life; I will rejoice and be glad in it”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(cf.Psalm 118:24-KJV)</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God Bless</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Charlie </span></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></i></b>Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-1463352663630041352014-02-21T15:32:00.003-05:002014-02-21T15:32:48.488-05:00Embracing life in Jesus<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've been thinking about whether surviving a "life threatening" heart condition has changed me and if so how?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Looking at the past several posts on this will make it clear that I really haven't gotten any "traction" on this question. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yesterday I digressed to cover the point that we can't depend on significant events to create change -- we seek "change" no matter what circumstances we are in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So p</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">art of the reason I may appear confused and disoriented is that I was thinking "a close encounter" should produce change -- but to a large extent I seem to be much the same person that I was before the surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Of course there are (at least) 3 aspects of "who I am" -- there's the physical body, there's my emotional/mental and there's my spiritual nature. I am a firm believer that for Christians a healthy spiritual view is holistic -- in other words you can't separate "living in this world" from your spiritual health. But teasing this apart to get a complete understanding of what it means is sometimes not an easy task.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Having said that I will make the following observations</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. My physical health is much better overall than it was before the surgery -- even though I wasn't aware (for long) that I had a serious problem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The reality of my illness hasn't done much towards causing changes in my exercise and diet that would be considered a more healthy life style. I rationalize that by thinking that I really wasn't doing too badly before -- it wasn't "poor lifestyle" that resulted in my heart problems -- although a more active exercise program might well have pointed out the problem before it got the state it was. (On the other hand if I were a very active "exercise fanatic" I might have experienced a sudden cardiac arrest without warning) -- I don't know -- only God knows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I still work at maintaining a healthy diet and improving in my exercise but as before I find it difficult to develop the disciplines required to do that. My wife is my conscience in this area and in general my diet is "healthier" than before and I've managed (so far) to level out at 10 pounds lighter than I was before surgery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. In the area of emotional/mental and attitudes I don't believe there has been any dramatic change either. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I do think (without any professional assessment to back it up) that I am tending more towards being depressed. I have less desire to accomplish things -- or perhaps the better way of saying it is to say that I am even worse than I used to be at procrastinating and I'm less obsessed about focusing on projects (such as writing this blog). This is a "double-edged" change if it is a correct assessment -- because I am (in general) doing better at staying on top of day-to-day things which I used to let go in order to focus on things I wanted to do -- (I've written about this before). But I am also more easily distracted from staying focussed and getting things done so they tend to pile up even more than they used to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. It is hard for me to assess whether there is any spiritual change. I am more convicted than ever of the reality of God's presence in my life -- but whether than conviction is being demonstrated in my day-to-day thinking and action (points 1 & 2 above) and in particular in my relationships with others is unclear to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is in this area -- how my faith in Jesus translates into changed thinking and actions in my relationships that I am really asking when I ask "has this changed me?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The qualities I would want to examine are described in 2 Peter 1:3-11 (ESV)</span><br />
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<i><span class="text 2Pet-1-3">His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-30466c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201&version=ESV#fen-ESV-30466c" title="See footnote c"></a>]</sup> his own glory and excellence,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-30466d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]"></sup></span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-4" id="en-ESV-30467"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.</span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-5" id="en-ESV-30468"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-30468e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]"></sup> and virtue with knowledge,</span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-6" id="en-ESV-30469"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,</span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-7" id="en-ESV-30470"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.</span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-8" id="en-ESV-30471"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>For if these qualities<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-30471f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]"></sup> are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-9" id="en-ESV-30472"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.</span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-10" id="en-ESV-30473"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Therefore, brothers,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-30473g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]"></sup> be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.</span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-11" id="en-ESV-30474"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text 2Pet-1-11" id="en-ESV-30474">and in Colossians 3:1-17</span></span><br />
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<i><span class="text Col-3-1">If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.</span> <span class="text Col-3-2" id="en-ESV-29503"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.</span> <span class="text Col-3-3" id="en-ESV-29504"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.</span> <span class="text Col-3-4" id="en-ESV-29505"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>When Christ who is your<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29505a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"></sup> life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.</span></i></div>
<i><span class="text Col-3-5" id="en-ESV-29506"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29506b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]"></sup> sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.</span> <span class="text Col-3-6" id="en-ESV-29507"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>On account of these the wrath of God is coming.<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29507c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]"></sup></span> <span class="text Col-3-7" id="en-ESV-29508"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.</span> <span class="text Col-3-8" id="en-ESV-29509"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.</span> <span class="text Col-3-9" id="en-ESV-29510"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29510d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">[</sup>with its practices</span> <span class="text Col-3-10" id="en-ESV-29511"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.</span> <span class="text Col-3-11" id="en-ESV-29512"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29512e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]"></sup> free; but Christ is all, and in all.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Col-3-12" id="en-ESV-29513"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,</span> <span class="text Col-3-13" id="en-ESV-29514"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.</span> <span class="text Col-3-14" id="en-ESV-29515"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.</span> <span class="text Col-3-15" id="en-ESV-29516"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.</span> <span class="text Col-3-16" id="en-ESV-29517"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.</span> <span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-ESV-29518"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-ESV-29518">I keep on thinking.</span></i><br />
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<span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-ESV-29518">God Bless</span><br />
<span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-ESV-29518">Charlie </span><i><span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-ESV-29518"><br /></span></i>Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-59808205181702900502014-02-20T14:11:00.000-05:002014-02-20T14:11:02.754-05:00Change in the midst of all circumstances.<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have been thinking and writing on the subject of change -- especially change resulting from a "significant event" in our lives </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of my friends provides a daily quote to is intended to challenge our complacency that as Christians we have "all the answers".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Recently he posted this quote which addresses an important (to me) point: Do we need to wait for a major event to cause changes that make our lives better change to fully live" or does Christ give us the ability to change to live fully in whatever circumstances exist in our life?</span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"Elisabeth Elliot (in her book </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/121518">Keep a Quiet Heart</a> </i>(see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Quiet-Heart-Elisabeth-Elliot/dp/0800759907" target="_blank">Amazon</a>) wrote, 'The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.' The bigger story of our life begins the moment we understand this truth. Life does not begin when you get married, land your dream job or board a plane to travel the world. It is found in the beautiful, powerful love of Christ, which changes us in the midst of all circumstances, especially the ones we find most difficult."(Cara Joyner)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Elisabeth Elliot</b> (née <b>Howard</b>; born December 21, 1926) is a Christian author and speaker. Her first husband, Jim Elliot, was killed in 1956 while attempting to make missionary contact with the Auca (now known as Huaorani) of eastern Ecuador. She later spent two years as a missionary to the tribe members who killed her husband. Returning to the United States after many years in South America, she became widely known as the author of over twenty books and as a speaker in constant demand. Elliot toured the country, sharing her knowledge and experience, well into her seventies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cara Joyner</b> is a freelance writer and stay-at-home-mom living on the East Coast with her husband and two sons. After years of working in student ministry, she has come home to raise her boys and pursue her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The above quote by Joyner which includes the Elliot quote is from an article</span> <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/life-won%E2%80%99t-begin-your-next-milestone" target="_blank">"Life won't begin at your next milestone" in Relevant magazine </a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This quote caught my attention because</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1) It seems to fit with Phillipians 4:8-13 where Paul writes:</span><br />
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<i><span class="text Phil-4-8" id="en-ESV-29434">Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-9" id="en-ESV-29435"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Phil-4-10"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-11" id="en-ESV-29437"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-ESV-29438"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-ESV-29439"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>I can do all things through him who strengthens me.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Paul tells us to be content in whatever circumstances -- not to wait until circumstances change and somehow that changes us. It is clear however that being content doesn't mean complacency -- it means accepting that the Spirit can work with us to make us more Christ-like no matter our circumstances. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2) The second reason this "resonated" with me is that I believe that in our prayers (for ourselves and for others) we need to focus on the "grace" to experience God's strength, to be peaceful and love-filled in whatever the circumstances -- of course we can also pray fervently for change in circumstances but our faith and connection with God is not dependent on that change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So as I think about change I don't want to miss the blessing of God's love in the here and now and in my current "messed up" state.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God Bless</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Charlie </span><br />
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<br />Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-71795537721988554932014-02-18T08:55:00.002-05:002014-02-18T08:55:45.969-05:00I am second <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this series of posts I'm thinking about change -- especially long term change following surgery to correct a "major life threatening" medical problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span>Scott Scovell Hamilton is a retired American figure skater and Olympic gold medalist. He won four consecutive U.S. championships, four consecutive World Championships and a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span>Along with his sports success Scott has faced some serious health issues. </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In this video </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9ZcN_6wzp8" target="_blank">I am Second</a>)</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">he talks about some "defining moments" in his life. Not so much about dramatic change but rather how these "moments" made a difference in his life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I think about the change resulting from my "brush with death" it seems that if there is change it is more of a gradual nature - nothing dramatic -- but perhaps as I reflect on it, I will see it as a "defining moment" that allows me (by God's grace and the help of his Spirit) to build on prior strengths and "overcome" in some sense a number of weaknesses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One thing that has come from all this is the certainty that any (positive) chage comes from trusting in God and Psalm 121 comes to mind </span><br />
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<span class="chapter-3"><span class="text Ps-121-1">I lift up my eyes to the hills.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-1">From where does my help come?</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-121-2" id="en-ESV-16084"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>My help comes from the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-2">who made heaven and earth.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-3" id="en-ESV-16085"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>He will not let your foot be moved;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-3">he who keeps you will not slumber.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-121-4" id="en-ESV-16086"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Behold, he who keeps Israel</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-4">will neither slumber nor sleep.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-5" id="en-ESV-16087"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is your keeper;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-5">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is your shade on your right hand.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-121-6" id="en-ESV-16088"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>The sun shall not strike you by day,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-6">nor the moon by night.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-121-7" id="en-ESV-16089"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will keep you from all evil;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-7">he will keep your life.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-121-8" id="en-ESV-16090"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will keep</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-8">your going out and your coming in</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-121-8">from this time forth and forevermore.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God Bless</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Charlie </span><br />
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<span id="goog_1608962495"></span><span id="goog_1608962496"></span><br />Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-26781929859810903582014-02-17T11:10:00.001-05:002014-02-17T11:10:16.724-05:00A change of heart?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thinking about how or whether a "significant, life-threatening" event is "life-altering". I an just past 1 year since I had open heart surgery to replace a "badly stenosed" aoritic valve. In a period of six weeks I went from thinking I was as "healthy as a horse" to being told by a cardiac surgeon look at my echocardiogram and "you are a very high risk of sudden cardiac death" and shaking his head and saying "I don't understand why you are still walking around".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, the surgery was successful and here I am a year later as "healthy as a horse". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a report by </span><a href="http://heartdisease.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Conditions-and-diseases/Mood-and-Personality-Changes-after-Bypass-Surgery.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lifewire</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> heart bypass patients often experience post-surgery significant changes including</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><strong>Fear:</strong> Being afraid of what lies ahead, especially concerning your health</li>
<li><strong>Anxiety:</strong> Sleeplessness, feelings of nervousness, tension</li>
<li><strong>Depression:</strong> Sadness, low energy</li>
<li><strong>Loneliness:</strong> Feeling no one understands what you're going through</li>
<li><strong>Anger:</strong> Losing your temper, negative feelings for those around you</li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist and New York University associate professor is quoted as saying</span> "What triggers this is people feel they don't have control over their situation,"<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(To be clear heart bypass is a different procedure than a valve replacement but they both involve the trauma (and risk) of open heart surgery where the patient is put on heart-lung machine and the heart is stopped so I'm assuming this is applicable to my situation).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The report goes on to say that</span><br />
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"patients who felt fine until they discovered they needed a heart bypass, the shock of suddenly dealing with health problems can be overwhelming."<br />
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"Medication such as <a href="http://heartdisease.about.com/od/coronaryarterydisease/a/betablockers.htm">beta blockers</a> -- often prescribed for heart patients -- can cause depression, and researchers are investigating whether anesthesia may be a culprit as well."<br />
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"Some people also feel their memory is not as good after the surgery."<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main focus of the article is to recognize these effects quickly and take action to restore emotional "strength".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It may be of value to go back and look at this process of "sudden loss of (perceived) health" and coming to grips with the new reality. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did touch on this in one of my pre-surgery po</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sts</span> <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/01/beginnings-endings-part-3.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Beginnings and Endings" - Part 3"</a> especially whether the Kubler-Rosss <span style="font-family: Calibri;">stages of grief model would apply. (this model is described by </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN">the acronym <b>DABDA; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><strong><br /></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">However at this point I'm more focussed on whether there is any long term change whether "negative" or positive"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am particularly interested in examining changes in spiritual attitudes.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have started some research in this area which I will share as it unfolds. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What makes the difference between "Damascus road changes" (cf. Acts 9) and other reactions (no change or a "turning way from God). </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In my case I don't think there has been any dramatic change but there has been some change - some I would see as "good" and some that's "not so good". </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Perhaps musing on the "why or why not" of change can be helpful. We'll see</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">God Bless</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Charlie</span></span></span>Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-32861054139734490942014-02-14T11:30:00.002-05:002014-02-14T11:30:47.890-05:00Good change - bad changeI mentioned in my last post (2 days ago) that I wanted to reflect on whether there were any "significant" changes in my approach to living as a result of my open heart surgery a year ago. The fact that I missed writing anything yesterday is a symptom of what might be considered a "negative" change. <br />
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I have ( it seems) always had a tendency towards procrastination when I'm starting something new. Part of that is a desire to have a "grand plan" and "do it right" -- part of it is the tendency towards day-dreaming about what might be rather than getting on with living in the present -- whatever the reason finding a balance between planning and doing has always been a "challenge" for me.<br />
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I have written about this before (long before the surgery). in a post called <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=23386663#editor/target=post;postID=115273622539464009;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=4;src=postname" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Living by the Nike creed?"</a>.<br />
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Last January before I knew that I had a very serious problem with my heart, I had re-stated several principles for living that I wanted to keep my eye on. These principles are summarized in this "theme for living" which remains "front & center" in my thinking.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I will live today in the moment. I will live today as if it were my last day here on this earth <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I will dream and plan today for tomorrow because <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Today is the first day of the rest of my life; I will rejoice and be glad in it”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(cf. Psalm 118:24-KJV).</span></em></strong><br />
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<o:p>During the recovery period from my surgery my thinking was mostly on "how do I make the most of each moment?" and "What would I be doing if this were the last day of my life?" -- however, in the past few months I've been wanting to shift more into "first day .." thinking.</o:p><br />
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<o:p>So that's what I "want" to do -- and you'd think that bumping up against your mortality would make it easier to live this way. But as time goes by I find myself drifting back into old habits ... and in particular letting unimportant, things fill my time while procrastinating on the important or at least what I consider to be important.</o:p><br />
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<o:p>So, in an effort to get past that I'm committing a relatively short time - half hour at least - to writing in this blog. To see how it evolves and whether it is helpful to me -- and maybe to others in being more satisfied that I am "making good use of the time" God has given me here (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A15-16&version=ESV" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:15-16</a>, Col. 4:5).</o:p><br />
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<o:p>My point in this post is that I have found myself drifting very much into procrastination and "time wasting" activities such as playing games and over attention to things like FACEBOOK. </o:p><br />
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<o:p>I hope re-focussing on "just do it" will help -- although what I "do" must have meaning and purpose -- I found myself thinking of Abraham's servant in Genesis 24 when he was sent to look for a wife for Isaac -- </o:p><br />
<o:p>He had completed a long and tiring journey -- he might have been forgiven if he'd said "I'll rest tonight and do my business tomorrow" but in Genesis 24:33 we find "</o:p><br />
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<o:p><em><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” </span></em></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: black;">If something is important (to me) and has a purpose for me, I pray for this attitude to "just do it".</span><br />
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God Bless<br />
CharlieCandle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-37165219135907024082014-02-12T10:59:00.004-05:002014-02-12T10:59:57.855-05:00To change or not to change?Here I am again in my sporadic efforts to get back to a regular routine of blogging. <br />
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The blogs I posted in 2013 where dominated by the themes of "endings and beginnings" and in a particular by the major life event of having open heart surgery to replace a "broken" aortic valve<br />
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That part of my journey was covered in a 4 part series in February 2013 called <strong><a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/02/how-to-fix-broken-heart-part-4_17.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Fix a Broken Heart</a></strong> <br />
Link goes to the 4th (and final) entry for the series) <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/02/how-to-fix-broken-heart-part-4_17.html">http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/02/how-to-fix-broken-heart-part-4_17.html</a><br />
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I also reflected on some spiritual lessons related to this event in a sermon series in November-December called <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=23386663#editor/target=post;postID=2057162977312149667;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=1;src=postname" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>"The New Heart: My Heart Story"</strong></a><strong>. </strong><br />
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Today is the 1st anniversary of my surgery and I have been reflecting on "how has this changed me?". (or has it changed me in any significant way?). <br />
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Last night Linda and I watched a "cartoon" movie called the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fVCKy69zUY" target="_blank">Croods</a>. It looks at the need to for a "cave man" family adapt (change) when an earthquake destroys their "safe" cave.<br />
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It is an often stated truism that it requires a significant event to make significant change. However, it doesn't always seem to happen. <br />
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So if I'm disciplined enough -- over the next while I will explore this question related to whether or not a "near death" experience has resulted in any significant and permanent change in my life. and Why or why not? and how does this relate to the changes we might see in the lifes of those who - through faith - are seeking to have their lives transformed by the Spirit (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2+&version=ESV" target="_blank">Rom. 12:2</a>) <em><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><strong>Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28232B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>the renewal of your mind</strong></span></em><br />
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<span style="color: black;">God Bless</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Charlie</span><br />
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<br />Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-20571629773121496672013-12-03T10:45:00.002-05:002013-12-03T10:45:59.751-05:00"The New Heart: My heart story" Section 4: Waiting for Diagnosis
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm developing the second half of my sermon on <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-new-heart-my-heart-story-part-1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"My heart story" -</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My<a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-new-heart-my-heart-story-section-3.html" target="_blank"> last post (Section 3)</a> - which was about moving from "ignorance" and "denial" to "acceptance" - </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ended with these observations</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">"We need to come to the same point<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of accepting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that there is <strong>"bad news"</strong> - denial - blaming and all that stuff doesn't change the fact that “I am responsible for my situation” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- it is up to me to do something about it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">And there is <strong><span style="color: blue;">good news</span></strong> --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our physical problem there are (often) health restoring) medical treatments and ..... (more importantly) ....</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">For the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“spiritually broken hearts”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>promised a 'new heart'" </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">This is a draft of the next section on "Diagnosis" (I may update it as I develop the thought and any comments by readers would be helpful)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Knowing there was a problem and GOOD NEWS that (potential) treatment was available wasn't enough. The specific problem needed to be diagnosed.</span></div>
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<span><strong>-- 5<sup>th </sup> comparison:</strong> I took (and failed) a stress test on
January 4th. Any illusion that there really wasn’t a problem was gone but we
still didn’t have a definite diagnosis – getting that required further testing.
– I wished it would happen faster because it was very <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stressful not knowing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- I wanted to know even though it was
possible the news wouldn’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>A song
by Toby Keith contains the line <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeBGuLK5Pgc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“</a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeBGuLK5Pgc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then”</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">and , of course <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your mind goes in that direction <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but I believe that “knowing is always better
than not knowing” (and as I said in an earlier post whether I knew or not didn't change the reality of my situation and the danger I was in) - so I wanted to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>get on
with it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I praise God that he answered <u><strong>your</strong></u> prayers.
The diagnosis was made very quickly (in less than 3 weeks on </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">January 22</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">In the spiritual
realm, once we see that there is a problem and we turn to God for answers the
diagnosis can be immediate. No waiting – worrying – wondering what it is and
whether it can be fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diagnosis
is already known – we are “out of step” with God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it seems (from my personal experience and
observation) that very few people easily and immediately accept that God is the
answer. There is a struggle between “the ignorance is bliss” state that they were
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in and the “freedom given by truth” that
can be theirs. When we see people in that struggle we pray, we encourage and we
wait<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>because it’s their journey and as
much as we would like to we can’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“force”
the process.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">... to be continued</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">God Bless</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Charlie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-46322114821037211752013-11-27T11:59:00.001-05:002013-11-27T11:59:41.942-05:00"The New Heart: My heart story" Section 3: Bad news - Good news<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfflc8yRRhyphenhyphen9WE7RwygiKViFCO_fLGJbLgVvnKcS0LQOJGq0fJe77LvcszGVXc77CuWDNTGH1XAL_2NPPPQpcANxfDFei44-gWvPVgdKcJficVSe4D2504WDq0PITzOA2D0vT/s1600/God's+Heart-Psalms+73-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfflc8yRRhyphenhyphen9WE7RwygiKViFCO_fLGJbLgVvnKcS0LQOJGq0fJe77LvcszGVXc77CuWDNTGH1XAL_2NPPPQpcANxfDFei44-gWvPVgdKcJficVSe4D2504WDq0PITzOA2D0vT/s200/God's+Heart-Psalms+73-26.jpg" width="200" /></a>The previous 2 posts have been sections of a sermon presented Sunday morning November 17 2013 at the Pinehill church Sault Ste Marie Ontario titled <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<strong>The New Heart: My heart story</strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>"</strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
<a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-new-heart-my-heart-story-part-1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Section 1 was titled "God's "heart" story"</a> and <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-new-heart-my-heart-story-part-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Section 2 was titled "Comparing My "physical" story with God's "Spiritual Story"</a><br />
<span class="text"><u><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span></span></u></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">Today I'll post the 3rd section of the sermon which describes how hearing "bad news" is necessary before we can recognize (and take advantage of) Good news</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Last section ended with the statement </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">"In both cases (my
heart problem and</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> for those </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">who reject God) ignorance is NOT bliss." </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Continuing on ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span><strong>3<sup>rd </sup>comparison:</strong> But knowledge may not be the answer. I
was very aware of the potential for heart problems. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span>Heart disease (either over time or
suddenly)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had caused<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(what I thought was more than my share of)
the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=23386663#editor/target=post;postID=1369399716966600150;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=16;src=postname" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“painful loss”</a> of those<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cared
deeply about <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and I know that pain was
experienced even more directly by several here today) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> ... </span></span></div>
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<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(For readers not present - this turned out to be a very emotional, tearful moment in the lesson as I looked at the faces of those who I knew had experienced these losses -- especially the wife of my friend and fellow elder who had died suddenly in August 2012 and of my sister-in-law who lost her husband (my brother) in August 2011 after a lengthy period of heart disease and the reality of that pain of loss swept over me. It was good to know that God through Jesus and His Spirit was there with us - standing by us - weeping with us and giving comfort as only He can )</em></span></span></div>
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<span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Heart disease <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had caused<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the “painful loss” of many <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cared deeply about ...</span></em></span><br />
<span><em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></em></span><br />
<span></span>and yet I had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(arrogantly) rejected the possibility that it could happen to me. <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">There are many who
have done the same with God, they have heard His story, and they have rejected
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing about “heart disease:” again
was not going to make me seek treatment. And hearing the “gospel” over and over
again is unlikely to cause this “non-believer” to turn to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">How do we come from
denial to acceptance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For illnesses,
sometimes we find out suddenly (e.g. a heart attack), sometimes through gradual
awareness that something may be wrong, sometimes because of serious symptoms,
sometimes because of routine testing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">For those with
“broken spirits” awareness of their state may also come in various ways and how
we “teach” them will differ dependent on the situation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">What changed me was a
“significant event” (although it didn’t seem significant at the time) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- I had gone to the ER because of a
persistent cough and,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as an
afterthought, told a nurse-practitioner about a mild burning sensation in my
chest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and let met tell you mentioning
chest pain in an ER is like yelling “Fire” in a crowded room </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">People who observe
and study these things say that, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if
anything will—it takes a significant event to cause a “wilful non-believer” to
turn to God (or Jesus) (cf. Saul on the road to Damascus). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">May God give us the
ears to hear and the heart to serve that lets us be there for people in those
moments when they become vulnerable and are open to the possibility that they
may need help. (Reference at lecture series by Dr. Garry Bailey on shame, vulnerability and reconciliation held 2 weeks prior to my lesson - I hope in the coming days to write more about that and how it all fit's into my journey) </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">4th comparison: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">When I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>accepted the fact that there was a problem, I wondered<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if it was my “fault”- could I have prevented
it – could I have exercised more; had a better diet – I felt guilt and even
shame because maybe I had let people down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or maybe it was genetic – it was my parents “fault” – there was nothing
I could have done – it wasn’t my fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And those<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“blame and shame"
thoughts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>flowed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>through my mind <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>endlessly for a while – haunting my nights and
crippling my days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>However, in the end,
I came to accept that the truth was ““Why”? didn’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>matter - “It was what it was” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> - there was <strong>"bad news"</strong> </span>and I needed to do something about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The same thing can happen
when we realize that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there may be
something wrong with our “God heart” –and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>we need to come to the same point<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>of accepting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that there is <strong>"bad news"</strong> - denial - blaming and all that stuff doesn't change the fact that “I am
responsible for my situation” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- it is up to me to do something
about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">And there is <strong><span style="color: blue;">good
news</span></strong> --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our physical problem there
are medical treatments and cures – in my case the “broken valve” could be
replaced. For the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“spiritually broken
(dead) hearts”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>promised a “new heart <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">and that is <span style="color: blue;"><strong>GOOD NEWS<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Well when I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>started preparing
this sermon I thought it would be one sermon – but the time is up and the story
is not completed – so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we end on the fact
that there is <span style="color: blue;">GOOD NEWS</span> and will<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wait
for “Next time” for <em>“the rest of the story"</em> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">God Bless</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Charlie</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-53494597491873667052013-11-25T12:36:00.001-05:002013-11-27T11:20:14.729-05:00The New Heart: My heart story: Section 2: Comparing My "physical" story with God's "Spiritual Story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKvv0gED7oeCDIPmaR8_QqkIk8RAVjO3we7-8s6ZTrPNH6MgXV-rZK4o4_00Q6HY0VCfo1LAM44pKymZ8sGUIJA7NXFar1GhMDSwDwEtyHrgDlit6GBnkNyj8-Axot3ch1sFt/s1600/Gods+Heart+Story.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKvv0gED7oeCDIPmaR8_QqkIk8RAVjO3we7-8s6ZTrPNH6MgXV-rZK4o4_00Q6HY0VCfo1LAM44pKymZ8sGUIJA7NXFar1GhMDSwDwEtyHrgDlit6GBnkNyj8-Axot3ch1sFt/s1600/Gods+Heart+Story.png" /></a>Last time I posted <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-new-heart-my-heart-story-part-1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">section 1 of a Sermon</a> presented Sunday morning November 17 2013 at the Pinehill church Sault Ste Marie Ontario titled <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<strong>The New Heart: My heart story</strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>".</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;">Section 1 told God's "heart" story -- the old, old story of Jesus and His love.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: black;">The sermon was prompted by Bible verses describing how God "strengthens" and "cleans (makes new) our heart.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><u><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span></span></u></span><span class="text"><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalm 73:26</span></u></span><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></sup></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My flesh and my heart may fail,</span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: black;">but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: black;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Psalm 51:10</span></u></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Create in me a clean heart, O God, </span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and renew a right spirit within me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">This post is the continuation of that sermon.</span></strong><br />
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I
love explaining things using analogies and metaphors. I think they are a good
way of using familiar things to help<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>us <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>understand unfamiliar things (Jesus did this
with parables).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 2 dangers with
this approach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt;">1)
the point (or meaning) you are intending to make may not be understood (as was
often the case with Jesus parables)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt;">2)
we may “reverse” the process and use something that is true about the
“analog” to show that the same thing must be true about the “real thing” - <strong><u>and that isn’t always the case</u></strong> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt;">
In this sermon lesson I am<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>using<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>something that happened to me in the
“physical” world to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>draw</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">
spiritual lessons </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt;">– and, it is possible I may not<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>gotten it completely right. </span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt;">I pray like the Bereans, you will search the
scriptures to see that these things are so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">So here are some things
I observed during <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this "physical" journey that led
to spiritual lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><strong>1<sup>st </sup>comparison</strong>:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">No matter how healthy I was a year ago,
10 years ago or even at the moment of my birth – my body is subject to the
ravages of time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The fact is “I will<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>die
sometime”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Hebrews 9:27 “</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>appointed</b>
for man to <b>die</b> once”) ,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in words attributed to Benjamin Franklin
“nothing in life is certain but death and taxes”. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The same is true of our “spiritual
heart” – as innocent and pure as we are when we are born – we all (eventually) die spiritually – “fall short
of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">In the case of our
physical health there are things we can do (or refrain from doing) which
tend to keep us healthy longer or tend to speed up the “decay”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, Linda has and continues to be “my
conscience’ in that area - watching my diet and encouraging me to exercise and chiding
me when I spend too much of my time “hunched over the computer”. But in the end we all die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Equally it is true
the spiritual world; nothing I can do will affect the process of "dying" - it isn’t
up to me. In a very real sense, <strong>without Jesus,</strong> I am (already) dead - no matter how innocent I am, or how hard I try to be or
do good. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">2<sup>nd</sup> comparison:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> A year ago I didn’t know there was
anything wrong. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was blithely unaware
of the problem – but that didn’t mean the problem wasn’t there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(as an aside – Linda is more “intuitive” about
these things and she sensed there was something wrong – but she thought it was
just that I had been too tied up in teaching and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had gotten “out of shape” and her answer was
to wait until January when I was done and march me off to the gym </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">How many people in
the world have “broken spirits” and don’t know it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What of those who totally reject God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- they are dead – and don’t know it. Their
lack of knowledge doesn’t change their situation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may have “no clue” or they may, as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linda did, sense “something isn’t right”
but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>really not know what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I hope<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there are none here today in this position but
if you haven’t received a “new heart” from God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>– please<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>let’s talk more.. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">In both cases (my
heart problem and</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> for those </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">who reject God) ignorance is NOT bliss. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">.. to be continued<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><br />
</strong></span></span>Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-34766161756306475352013-11-21T09:12:00.002-05:002013-11-27T11:12:51.508-05:00The New Heart: My heart story: Section 1 - God's "heart" storySermon - Sunday morning November 17 2013 at the Pinehill church Sault Ste Marie Ontario<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Good morning: Last
time I stood here to give a lesson was almost a year ago. (I believe it was
December 9 2012)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw93nFlOXsS_sXphwi72mpRzwO_HQlXaazoo4x3skjDR56sxaiwXDNbAUvl_jWbO26-vQw_9KvNyn0RBwmx-1AoVsj_r9WI14CKmByYb1jZ880tjYfTJqXep9G7w9lRXnWImiP/s1600/Baptism-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw93nFlOXsS_sXphwi72mpRzwO_HQlXaazoo4x3skjDR56sxaiwXDNbAUvl_jWbO26-vQw_9KvNyn0RBwmx-1AoVsj_r9WI14CKmByYb1jZ880tjYfTJqXep9G7w9lRXnWImiP/s200/Baptism-crop.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">A lot has happened
since then – as a family of God’s people we have experienced to full cycle of
life. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYLlRbIB9KhZvpRhoFClNQZfgphRWwbIsg-ISlYSCKv4xstL3lZ7GaL9pWtO1kIeXV7GQQhf5uJo6mpAvKmInZVlTbyONHO8nBPr0wNBQW65dMwcq7mR3v7FzyU2QfRPHiX1V/s1600/til+we+meet+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYLlRbIB9KhZvpRhoFClNQZfgphRWwbIsg-ISlYSCKv4xstL3lZ7GaL9pWtO1kIeXV7GQQhf5uJo6mpAvKmInZVlTbyONHO8nBPr0wNBQW65dMwcq7mR3v7FzyU2QfRPHiX1V/s200/til+we+meet+again.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">We have rejoiced at new births (both<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“physical” and even more importantly “spiritual births” ), we have
mourned the loss of loved ones,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have
experienced weddings and other joyful events and we have experienced illness
and other challenges in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">(As most of you know)
the reason I have NOT preached a sermon for over a year is because I too have
been<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a part of that story of the “<a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/01/beginnings-endings-part-1.html">beginnings and endings</a>” of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">A year ago I thought
I was as “healthy as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a horse” (sure I
had a few aches and pains that seem to come as our bodies get older but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I (thought I) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was in very good health. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to get the “A” rating for health
insurance when we travelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
blessed with good health and I have to confess I was (maybe more than) a little
proud of that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I should have heeded
Solomon’s’ advise <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16:18&version=ESV"><span style="color: maroon;">Proverbs
16:18</span></a>)</span></strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Pride goes
before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Within a month my
“winning streak” had ended. I discovered that I had a serious problem and on
February 14, I had open heart surgery to replace a “broken” aortic valve. It
was the beginning of a new phase of living with a “new heart”. I praise God for
the wonders of modern health care that I am well on the way to be able to say
once again “I’m healthy as a horse” (and pray I’ll never say it again with ‘arrogance’)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Of course, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the “clinical” facts about my illness and the
medical steps taken to “fix” my heart are <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NOT the real story – the real story is the
emotional and spiritual response to this “wild ride”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the life lessons learned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s
not just about me – it’s about Linda, my earthly family and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>very much about you - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my church family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Over the past year I
have had a lot of time to reflect on how<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>my “heart” story<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could be
used<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as a means of thinking about and
illustrating <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s story of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>healing ”broken spirits (hearts).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
following verses in particular came to my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt;">
<span class="text"><u><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></span></u></span><span class="text"><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalm
73:26</span></u></span><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My flesh
and my heart may fail,</span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;">but God is the strength of my heart and my portion
forever</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: black;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Psalm 51:10</span></u></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Create in me a clean heart, O God, </span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and renew a right spirit within me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+11:19&version=NASB"><span style="color: maroon;">Ezekiel
11:19</span></a></span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will give them one <b>heart</b>, and
put a <b>new</b> spirit within them. And I will take the <b>heart</b> of stone
out of their flesh and give them a <b>heart</b> of flesh,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+18:31&version=NASB"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ezekiel 18:31</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cast away
from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a
<b>new</b> <b>heart</b> and a <b>new</b> spirit<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><u><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Ezekiel 36:26</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">"</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">new heart</b> also will I give you, and a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">new spirit</b> will I put within you, and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart
of flesh."—</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The rest of the lesson
makes comparisons between my “heart” story and God’s “heart” story. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">First some context
- a summary of the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>great account of God’s
love as revealed to us in the Bible. (likely a review of something all of you <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>already know)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God in his divine love created
humans as perfect beings (in his image) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but they “fell down” (sinned, became wicked in
the sight of God) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when they disobeyed
God’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">single command </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the garden (Genesis 1-3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">From that point forward, we all “fall down” – we all “fall short of the
glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). And are in the position that we deserve to suffer
the consequences of God’s justice (we deserve punishment)(Genesis 4 and
following). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">God went to work immediately on His plan <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>teaching,
training and sometimes punishing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- so
that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his “fallen” humans would allow him to “pick us
up” and “bring us home” so <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we could
abide in his love and receive protection from his justified anger at unjust and
unrighteous people” ( see Genesis, Exodus, Judges<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the summary in Hebrews 11 for some of
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“chapters” in this story that show God
working to renew <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>relationships with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fallen and broken <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>humans) . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u></b>despite those efforts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>humans”
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had “</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"> no hope
and (were)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>without God” (Eph. 2:12)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 5pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">As the climax of that plan he sent Jesus – His son (see John 3:16) to
make available a “new heart” .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
and the power of God's <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spirit we are being
“remade” into “perfect health” and (ultimately) will experience eternal life in
the new heavens and new earth . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a Wonderful
thing! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“broken, sick, and sinful humans, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he
sent<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the “Great Physician”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 5pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">We are now living out the concluding chapters of this story –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not yet written <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- until <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the “new creation” is fully visible to us in
that great day when Jesus returns (Revelation gives us this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>picture of that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>final chapter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">Revelation 20: Then the angel<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>showed me the river of the
water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the
Lamb</span> <span class="text">through the middle of the street of the city; ….</span>
<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 </span></sup>No longer will there be anything accursed,
but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will
worship him.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 </span></sup>They will see his face,
and his name will be on their foreheads.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 </span></sup>And
night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God
will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">... to be continued</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">God Bless</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">Charlie<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-36825915895655841022013-11-20T09:17:00.002-05:002013-11-20T09:17:51.064-05:00Retuning to a "new" normalIt has (again) been quite a while since I ventured into "blogland". As mentioned in my "Beginnings and Endings" series in January and February (see <strong> <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/01/beginnings-endings-part-1.html">January 23 post</a>) </strong><br />
<br />
I started this year by discovering that I needed "open heart" surgery. At the same time I was dealing with the deaths of a number of people close to me continuing a " series of losses dating back to 2010. One of the series was titled <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/01/every-ending-is-beginning.html">Every ending is a beginning</a>.<br />
<br />
After my major surgery in February 2013, I was beginning a new phase of life of "learning to live with a "new" (repaired) heart. and it took until well into August before I was "back to normal" (actually it's more like learning to live in the "new" normal" ) and it was my intent to do continue writing about that "new life" -- <br />
<br />
Well - intentions are just that and the doing doesn't always follow and I have NOT resumed my blogging (even though I made one "false start" in late June (see <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/06/bouncing-back-slowly.html">"Bouncing back (Slowly)"</a><br />
<br />
I can make the excuse that it took me until well into August before I was able to take on the level of activity that I had previously into a "new" normal.<br />
<br />
I also - because I was unable to get medical coverage to travel "out of country" - had to give up plans to travel to Ireland this fall so I took on a contract to teach a course in Systems Analysis at Algoma University which has kept me fairly busy this fall.<br />
<br />
I do want to get back to this. It helps me keep focused on "what's important" and not get to wrapped up in all the "busy work" that so easily fills my days.<br />
<br />
I'm reminded of 2 verses as I write this <br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+12:13&version=ESV"><strong>Ecclesiastes 12:13</strong></a> ...<em><span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"> <b>Fear</b> <b>God</b> and keep his commandments, for this is the whole <b>duty</b> of man.</span></span></em><br />
<br />
(Figuring out what this means to me and living it - That's what is important)<br />
<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1&version=ESV"><strong>Hebrews 12:1</strong></a> .<span style="font-size: small;"> ...<span class="text Heb-12-1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><em>let us also lay aside every weight, and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30197A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>sin which clings so closely, and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30197B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>let us run <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30197C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>with endurance the race that is <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30197D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>set before us,</em></span></span></span></div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span class="text Heb-12-1"><em></em></span></span> </div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="text Heb-12-1">(taking this out of context , I'm using it as an encouragement to "stick to it" and continue a regular posting discipline)</span></span></div>
<br />
I took my turn at preaching a sermon this past Sunday - first time since December 9 2012 and I plan Lord willing to post this sermon "My "heart" story" vs. God's Heart story over the next few days. We'll see were it goes from there.<br />
<br />
God Bless<br />
CharlieCandle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-11285022182603726432013-07-01T20:20:00.000-04:002013-07-01T20:20:12.762-04:00Canada Day and Freedom
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HVvud0s_uCvNhJwhs8mYvjdUPC1nJ6Kf7iQz_cCu-CVP4f7VOSzuUsVh69oMFGGc5mwdHb1059m0euXWNIcVPvyKFX8rfxI6mA7ZZ17Xj6ttFz9D4FGBil4Sbvd3pkHKmB3E/s263/Canada+Flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HVvud0s_uCvNhJwhs8mYvjdUPC1nJ6Kf7iQz_cCu-CVP4f7VOSzuUsVh69oMFGGc5mwdHb1059m0euXWNIcVPvyKFX8rfxI6mA7ZZ17Xj6ttFz9D4FGBil4Sbvd3pkHKmB3E/s263/Canada+Flag.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">July 1</span>
is Canada Day </strong><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language" title="French language"><span style="color: blue;">French</span></a>:
</span><span xml:lang="fr"><i><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;">Fête du
Canada</span></i></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">) </span><strong>–
“</strong><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">celebrating the
anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_North_America_Acts#British_North_America_Act.2C_1867" title="British North America Acts"><span style="color: blue;">British North America Act, 1867</span></a> (today
called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_Act,_1867" title="Constitution Act, 1867"><span style="color: blue;">Constitution Act, 1867</span></a>), which united three <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_colonization_of_the_Americas#British_colonies_in_North_America" title="British colonization of the Americas"><span style="color: blue;">colonies</span></a> into a single country
called <i>Canada</i> within the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire" title="British Empire"><span style="color: blue;">British
Empire</span></a> Originally called <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Day" title="Dominion Day"><span style="color: blue;">Dominion
Day</span></a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language" title="French language"><span style="color: blue;">French</span></a>: </span><span xml:lang="fr"><i><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;">Le Jour de la Confédération</span></i></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">), the holiday was renamed in 1982, the
year the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Act_1982" title="Canada Act 1982"><span style="color: blue;">Canada Act</span></a> was passed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><strong>(Source <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Day"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Wikipedia</span></span></a>)<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
<strong><o:p> </o:p></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Celebrations
such as Canada Day and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the USA<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Independence Day (July 4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have a theme of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>patriotism for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For
Christians,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>patriotism <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">devoted love, support, and
defense of one's country; national loyalty.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can raise some questions. In fact
there is a lot of debate over the degree of national patriotism and involvement
in that are appropriate for Christians. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Since
I tend to be apolitical by “nature” I could easily justify this by
referring<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to scriptures such as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:10-12&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue;">1
Peter 2:10-12</span></a></strong><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Once you were not a people, but now you
are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the
passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct
among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers,
they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation..<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, that would be dishonest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The firm conviction I have is that my
citizenship in God’s kingdom is of first priority. I’m also mindful of Jesus’
words when he said <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:24&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew
6:24</span></a></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
“No one can serve <b>two</b> <b>masters</b>, for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve God and money..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a reference to letting money (materialism) dominate
our lives; however the principle seems the same we can`t serve (be loyal to)
two “kings” at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So my belief is that if Christians involve themselves in
national patriotism it must be driven by their loyalty to Jesus. The rationale
must be that doing that is the best way to follow <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus rather than some idea that political activity
can create a “Christian” nation that forces Christians values onto the citizens
of that country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians are called
to be salt and leaven that lead others to the kingdom of God – not <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>policemen and judges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyone interested in investigating this subject in more
detail is invited to look at </span><a href="http://www.timothyarcher.com/kitchen/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">TimArcher’s blog (Kitchen of Half Baked thoughts)</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> under the topic </span><a href="http://www.timothyarcher.com/kitchen/?cat=487"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Christian Nation </span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another theme that comes to mind when celebrating days like Canada Day is
freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again there is a lot of debate
both in nations and in theology about the meaning of freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing that is clear t never means freedom
to do “whatever I want to do, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>whenever I
want to do it <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and wherever I want to do
it” – that’s chaos – not freedom although there are certainly some who want to
define freedom this way. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Bible speaks many times of the freedom we have in Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few examples are<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:1&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue;">Galatians
5:1</span></a>: <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For <b>freedom</b>
Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke
of slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5:13&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Galatians
5:13</span></a><b><u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">For you
were called to <b>freedom</b>, brothers. Only do not use your <b>freedom</b> as
an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+2:16&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">1
Peter 2:16</span></a><b><u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Live as
people who are free, not using your <b>freedom</b> as a cover-up for evil, but
living as servants of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter+2:19&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">2
Peter 2:19</span></a><u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">They
promise them <b>freedom</b>, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For
whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something to ponder is “what are Christians free to do,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when
are they free to do it and where are they free to do it?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to seek <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our own answers to this from <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>scripture <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and from critical <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>comparison of what others have concluded from <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>their reading of the Bible) – not simply
accept (be enslaved by)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>religious rules and
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>regulations that are passed on to us or
taught to us by others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something to think about as we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>celebrate our national holidays in whatever
country we live in as “aliens and exiles”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-60676759460490201112013-06-27T11:21:00.001-04:002013-06-27T11:21:57.044-04:00Bouncing back (slowly)
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I resumed blogging this year in January 2013<span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">I
intended to do a series of blogs on the theme of endings and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new beginnings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the same time I had just learned that I needed open heart surgery to
replace a badly stenosed (restricted) aortic valve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the posts in January and February
related to preparing for that major surgery and the impact it was having on me
– in the context of endings and beginnings. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My latest previous post from – February 17<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>read <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em>“Now out of hospital after successful
surgery. Home tomorrow - More later”<o:p></o:p></em></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was released from hospital they gave me a package
prepared by the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation called</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Bouncing back
from Heart surgery” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It said that with proper rest, diet and mild exercise I’d
be able to resume “normal” activities within 2 to 3 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>optimistically thought that I’d be able to
beat that timetable and be back<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>full
steam ahead in a week or so</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For sure, I thought I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would be able to resume blogging very quickly
and continue writing about that experience and the recovery process. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, I found that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“living in the day” post-surgery left very little time and energy for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>extra activities <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I gave up on that idea after a couple of
weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In general my recovery was smooth and as went pretty much as (other people had)
expected under the watchful eye of my “home nurse" (aka my beautiful wife).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had a good diet and was doing the recommended stretching exercises
every day. Beyond that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was spending
most of my time reading, resting (and getting extra sleep!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some
initial complications with an ER visit due to irregular heartbeat which was
corrected quickly with medication (that I no longer need)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a second ER visit due to a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>serious cough which<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was due to a cold and treated with over the
counter codeine based cough suppressant (Coughing when the ribs are still
healing from surgery is no fun!!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As far a blogging and other writing, I kept thinking I would
get going again by <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April 1 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(April Fool!!!) but for a various reasons it
never seemed to be practical. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By mid-April I was feeling much better, was attending a
cardiac rehab program 3 times a week. I had started going out some and
attending the church assemblies on Sunday and my head was full of ideas for blogging which I hoped to resume by May 1. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then a major setback. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I developed an abscess <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>near the top of the incision. It swelled<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>up the size of a large goose egg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without going into the gory detail I had 4 “I
& D’s” (I&D = Incise & Drain) (April 21, May 10, May 13 and June
5)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at that site (It would heal over and
within 2 to 3 days it would swell again). In addition, a second abcess developed
about 2 inches (5 cm) below the first one and it required an I & D <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>June 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point, I’ve been off antibiotic for 10 days (I had
been on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(4 different) antibiotics since
April 19 except for a brief period in early May). Both of
the sites are healed over for 7-10 days with <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no more signs of swelling. I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>still haven’t declared victory but certainly <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>feeling more optimistic than I’ve been since
April.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I’ve decided to try resuming my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still not sure what form it will take since
it has been “hijacked” by my surgery <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>problems so far this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won’t be writing (much) about my daily activities –
Facebook seems to have taken over as a place to do that. I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>expect that my writing will <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>discuss <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the impact of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>daily events<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>on my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>walk in faith <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ll see<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlie<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-65202363606230125262013-02-17T17:57:00.001-05:002013-02-17T17:57:36.095-05:00How to Fix a broken heart - Part 4Now out of hospital after successful surgery. Home tomorrow - More later.Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-21002796859415142502013-02-08T08:37:00.005-05:002013-02-11T15:10:33.689-05:00How to fix a broken Heart - Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoI2M1QIiNACdG1qHwALU3qpOyKbJpuX1EDSXdESNIvkPOWo7YM3kWfCdFZOG5E3ViLwerxxhdL-N51KbwrHMCzF3MGH9TOqyizt31dWWg8R6syrvK_6mQtR6_qsv7J5-Kywg/s1600/heart-stroke-shaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoI2M1QIiNACdG1qHwALU3qpOyKbJpuX1EDSXdESNIvkPOWo7YM3kWfCdFZOG5E3ViLwerxxhdL-N51KbwrHMCzF3MGH9TOqyizt31dWWg8R6syrvK_6mQtR6_qsv7J5-Kywg/s200/heart-stroke-shaded.jpg" width="100" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the third in a <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/02/how-to-fix-broken-heart.html">series </a>describing my journey through the process of discovering that I (literally) have "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a broken heart" and beginning the process of getting it fixed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this series I've been putting in a plug for the (Canadian) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.2796497/k.BF8B/Home.htm" style="color: #d6a0b6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: initial;">Heart and Stroke Foundation </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> which </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">provides funds for research and supports people who are dealing with heart disease and strokes.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; line-height: 18px;">Since, </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; line-height: 18px;">in Canada,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; line-height: 17px;"> February is</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://heartmonth.heartandstroke.ca/site/c.jhLOKYPDLqF/b.5203909/k.BEF8/Home.htm" style="color: #d6a0b6; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: initial;">Heart Month</a> and </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I am about to benefit from their work, I'd encourage you to consider contributing to this work. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the first part titled </span><a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/02/how-to-fix-broken-heart.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"How to fix a broken heart"</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I told the story of how I came to find out that I </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">had severe aortic valve stenosis. <b>(Step 1 - Diagnosis</b>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/02/how-to-fix-broken-heart-part-2.html">second part</a> described </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #474b4e; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Step 2:Talk to a cardiac surgeon</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been playing a catch -up game describing "what happened in the past" -this post brings us up to date.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Step 3 - Preparing for surgery</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last time, when I left off we were home waiting for a call from the hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Enjoying life:</b> On Friday (February 1), the day after our trip to see the surgeon, our daughter arrived home for the weekend. She had made the plan to come shortly after we knew that the "echo" was scheduled for the 19th and she </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thought it would be good to be here to help us pass the time while we were waiting </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to get the results on February 5. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little did we know that God had other plans and not only did we have a firm diagnosis but we also already had completed the surgical consult. However, her idea of helping us with waiting was still a good one -- just that we were waiting for a different thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a great time - see <a href="http://candlw.blogspot.ca/2013/02/snow-time-to-post.html">"Snow time to post". </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Facing reality:</b> I was sorry (even though it was out of my control) to see the distress in her eyes trying to deal with the fact that her "invincible father" was in fact very "vincible" (Yes Virginia that's a word - I looked it up!!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(And her brother's have shown the same thing as we have talked and Skyped with them)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(As an aside - I am so proud of the adults my children have become -- I am acutely aware of my many failings as a parent - I was too often too occupied with other things and not "there in the moment" with them when I should have been but as the saying goes "I must have done something right".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I continue to pray that I can, by the power of His Spirit, become a better husband, father and grand-father as I continue my walk with God through this world.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a time for lots of conversation, some serious, some painful, but mostly about daily routine and "the business of life". A few tears and lots of laughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>15-2, 15-4 and there ain't no more:</b> We played a few games of cribbage - something I enjoyed doing with my Dad -- and Melissa had the idea that there must be an online version. Sure enough there is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday morning we gave her mother a good laugh - Melissa was sitting at the desk using the laptop and I was sitting on the bed using my kindle and we were playing cribbage on-line while talking back and forth -- your play, 15-2, etc., etc. So we are all geared up to play a few games while I'm recuperating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The waiting game:</b> After we put her on the plane Monday afternoon we began waiting in earnest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Linda began packing and organizing for an extended stay away from home. We had been planning for her to stay at her niece's place - She is in the nursing program at Laurentian University and lives a couple of kilometers (mile or so) from the hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much of Tuesday was occupied with being "out and about" </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> doing a few errands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Linda's uncle called to tell us about the </span><a href="http://www.travelwayinnsudbury.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Travelway Inn </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> which is "next door" to the hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> For 2-3 days following the surgery I'll be in the <a href="http://www.hsnsudbury.ca/portalen/ProgramsandServices/CriticalCare/tabid/561/Default.aspx">ICU (cardiac intensive care)</a> which has restricted visiting hours (30 minutes every 2 hours) so it would be difficult to stay at the Hospital all day and equally difficult and time consuming to be running back & forth to Hilary's place. Since it's a few minutes to walk from/to the Travelway it seems like a good idea for her to stay there at least until I'm out of ICU.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I've moved to a "regular" surgical recovery unit the <a href="http://www.hsnsudbury.ca/portalen/PatientsandVisitors/tabid/60/Default.aspx">visiting hours</a> are more generous (</span>11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and Linda can move to Hilary's and mke 1 trip to hospital and stay for the entire period.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I began working seriously on "preparing for the worst" - although I'll confess there was a lot of procrastination - after all it wouldn't do to get it all done and then have to sit around "twiddling my thumbs". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The reality is that I was (self diagnosis) mildly depressed -finding it hard to focus on anything and spent (wasted) a lot of time playing free cell on my kindle and trying to clean up a large backlog of "C"-file email. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I also was spending lots of time on Facebook, on some discussion groups and using email to communicate with family and friends. And thee was of course my desire to keep writing in this blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On top of that (or maybe as part of it) I found I was tiring easily. That had been happening all fall but I wrote it off to the workload of teaching 3 courses - equivalent to a full time job and something I hadn't done for a long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess it wasn't the workload after all!!! (which I should have known because it was unusual for me to get that tired that easily).</span><br />
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S<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">o the days went by without much being accomplished or so it seemed -- although looking back perhaps I was using the wrong measure -- that I was doing more "living in the moment" and doing "last day" things in relationships - perhaps -- or perhaps I'm just rationalizing -- it is what it was. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was just reminded in this recalling of the last few days of this excerpt from the </span> <i>Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,<br />Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit<br />Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,<br />Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.” </span></h1>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we move on </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>What's really important? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout this waiting </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we continued to "pray without" ceasing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was also doing the most important thing. I wanted to spend as much time as I could being close to and talking with my beautiful "Irish eyes". She was having a difficult time - hovering a bit -- and being anxious about every little thing I did because of the severity of the stenosis and the increased risk of sudden death. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a test of our faith - repeating many times "Lord I trust you and help me in my lack of trust" and "not my will but yours but I really want it to be my will" -- I want to live - I choose life" -- not because of the fear of death but because my job here isn't finished and I don't want Linda to be left here without me. (Interesting conversation with our son the psychologist on the question he asks "Is there any part of you that wants to die?") </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am mindful of what Paul wrote in Phillipians 1: 18b-26 "</span>For to me <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29366AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></sup>to live is Christ, and to die is gain." <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but I'll admit that unlike him "</span><span class="text Phil-1-23" id="en-ESV-29368">My desire is <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29368AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)"></sup>to NOT depart and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29368AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></sup>be with Christ" <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> although I share his commitment to life because</span> .</span> <span class="text Phil-1-24" id="en-ESV-29369"><sup class="versenum">24 </sup> to remain in the flesh is more necessary on <strike>your </strike>(their) account.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We talk again about our constant prayer that when it's time "please God take us together" but we'll never do anything to help Him with that request -- and whatever comes we know that - if one of us is left here without the other -- we will find the good (cf. Rom 8:28) somewhere sometime after the "valley" has been walked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Another ending:</b> I am, along with my older sister, an executor for my Dad's estate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday I managed to complete a job that had been hanging around since September when I committed to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">doing the most of the financial "wrapup".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I completed my Dad's "final" income tax and a "balance sheet" for his estate so it could be wrapped up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And the wait is (almost) over:</b> This brings us to yesterday (Thursday) when the phone rang at 8:30 a.m. It was the hospital calling to say my surgery was scheduled for the upcoming Wednesday (13th). They said I needed pre-op and asked did I want to do it "tomorrow" (Friday) or Monday. Given the 7 hour round trip it seemed "prudent" to say "Monday" and just plan to stay there for the extra day so Monday pre-op and Wednesday surgery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was ecstatic</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - the wait was over - well almost anyway. Wednesday will be less than 2 weeks from when the surgeon said 3 to 6 weeks and only a week later than when I was originally supposed to be learning the results of the echocardiogram. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you my Father. I could almost hear the Hallelujah chorus. Of course, at the same time, my anxiety about the procedure increased - I'm not looking forward to the pain and tubes and all that major surgery entails and at the same time there is a wonderful anticipation of being able to DO things again</span>!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as I had finished notifying family the phone rang again - your surgery has been moved up to Tuesday - That's even better Double Hallelujah!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well - now we are up to date. Final preparations - do all those things I've been procrastinating on and get on the road on Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More to come - hope to describe the final days of getting "Ready for Surgery"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in a post on Monday night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God Bless</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charlie</span>Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-48931473988533605972013-02-07T17:09:00.001-05:002013-02-08T06:06:47.500-05:00How to fix a broken Heart - Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a broken heart -</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> literally – or to be more medically correct I have
severe aortic valve stenosis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">This series of posts is a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> record
of the steps that I am taking to fix my broken heart. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs4fZ8iaQsyHmNbgO57pz6tJDAfexBab_xf8ujL2qt_7TtvW1aoHvxsaiJlZzX-6uhDXXezGH9LonfsT0qRJxU_lz_rzS0axb2DKq3Uxwnq5eWDKfDXSrNNjTTaKP5td_Kyxj/s1600/HeartandStroke-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFs4fZ8iaQsyHmNbgO57pz6tJDAfexBab_xf8ujL2qt_7TtvW1aoHvxsaiJlZzX-6uhDXXezGH9LonfsT0qRJxU_lz_rzS0axb2DKq3Uxwnq5eWDKfDXSrNNjTTaKP5td_Kyxj/s1600/HeartandStroke-1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart And Stroke Foundation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Before proceeding, a reminder that, in Canada </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"> February is </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://heartmonth.heartandstroke.ca/site/c.jhLOKYPDLqF/b.5203909/k.BEF8/Home.htm">Heart Month.</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;">he </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.2796497/k.BF8B/Home.htm">Heart and Stroke Foundation </a> focuses on canvassing to raise funds for research and support of people who are dealing with heart disease and strokes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first post in the series covered </span><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step
1:</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Find
out it's broken (diagnosis).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This post describes</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Step 2:Talk
to a cardiac surgeon</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>It's a serious problem:</b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I finished the "Step 1" post with the confirmed diagnosis via an echocardiogram on January 22nd. I had been told that I would have to wait until a doctor's visit scheduled for February 5 before I got the results of the "echo". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">When the technician was finished the test I said "So I guess I have to wait for the doctor's appointment to get the results?" He said "Yes" and then asked "When is that?". I replied two weeks. He said "Finish putting your shirt on and then come out" and he left the room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">In less than a minute he was back with the doctor who said "The results show the valve needs to be replaced - I will refer you to a cardiac surgeon in Sudbury" -- he said the narrowing (stenosis) was severe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Waiting again but not as long as we thought: </b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> I "guessed" that the technician was able to tell that it was serious and had decided to inform the doctor so more time would be lost in waiting and -- what ever the reason -- I was thanking God that it was moving ahead -- because it's really tough waiting for answers once the test has been completed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I was told that I would hear from the surgeon in 2 to 3 weeks so I was (again) pleasantly </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">surprised</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> when I got a call from the surgeon's office on Friday for the "consult" on Thursday January 31. </span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"Snow" way to travel: </b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Three and a half hours on snow covered roads isn't my idea of fun but it wasn't as bad as had been forecast - so we made the trip pretty much as "normal" speeds (i.e speed limit or </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">slightly</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> below -- not my summertime speeds which I'll confess are often 10- 15% above the posted limit (90 km/hour or 55 mph outside the towns -- never go over in the reduced limits unless you want the OPP flagging you down!!) (We didn't take a picture - The forecast was for "snow packed" roads with snow flurries - there wasn't any snow falling flurries or otherwise. Anyone from Northern Ontario will understand what I mean when I say we had mostly "track bare with a few snow-packed sections" but for those from more friendly climates this picture (</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">taken from </span><a href="http://www.theweathernetwork.com/your_weather/gallery" style="line-height: 20px;">theWeathernetwork photo gallery</a>) <span style="line-height: 115%;">shows what we were dealing with. (It's NOT Northern Ontario and I forgot to note location before I saved it. When I went back I couldn't find it again.Sigh ...) </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;">What the surgeon said: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He started with<b> "</b>The stenosis is severe and the surgery needs to be done as soon as possible". He proceeded with his "due diligence" to explain the surgery and the associated risks and ended with "However you are healthy otherwise so it should go well -- but it is major surgery and I need you to be aware of risks and give informed consent" blah, blah, blah, the usual "doctor speak before surgery -- I've have 4 other relatively minor surgeries so I knew that drill.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Agreeing to proceed and signing the consent form was, for us, a "no brainer" -- however I did want (perhaps my analystical, engineering brain kicked in here) to know what they meant by "severe" .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;"><b>Wow -now that's severe alright!</b> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He proceeded to explain that with the echocardiogram they are able to calculate the pressure gradient across the valve and the size of the valve opening. Now he was talking my language. After all, I had just finished teaching a first year course in physics that had touched on fluid dynamics. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF3_V8HZPR99gFCDM7Cfc-jKxgXTe6RCA2mNn-knn0_YdBsuJCQKkKwZPYyVABg8FLjYe1yzT2oL9_T43OJr53PVkRcQ6F7g2GYQelEtll6Z5scCLwsst_3Mz0jbRTD5w6ykh/s1600/aortic-valve-stenosis-heart-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF3_V8HZPR99gFCDM7Cfc-jKxgXTe6RCA2mNn-knn0_YdBsuJCQKkKwZPYyVABg8FLjYe1yzT2oL9_T43OJr53PVkRcQ6F7g2GYQelEtll6Z5scCLwsst_3Mz0jbRTD5w6ykh/s200/aortic-valve-stenosis-heart-1.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;">In a normal aortic valve it opens fully and there is almost no pressure drop through the valve. If there is a 40% drop the valve should be replaced. Mine averaged 59% with bursts much higher. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The fully open normal valve has a cross sectional area of around 2.5 cm squared. They replace when it gets below 1 -- mine is 0.39 ! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Now I understood what they meant by severe. There were some other results of the echo showing thickening (hyertrophy) of the ventricle (muscle) wall, and distortion (distension) of the ventricle (chamber). These caused by </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">the increased pressures inside the ventricle.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Also some "ballooning" (distension) of the aorta just above the valve (caused by the high velocity "jet" exiting the narrowed valve </span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> - think putting your finger over the opening at the end of a water hose!!)</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">None of these were cause for serious concern and the Doctor thought they would "self-correct" after the valve replacement.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><b>What's a healthy guy like you doing in a place like this: </b> </span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The surgeon affirmed what the cardiologists had said: There's nothing you could have done to prevent this. It just happens to a certain percentage of the population usually between 65 and 70 (so I'm right in the window of age!!). The good news is that I'm otherwise very healthy - no clogged arteries, no high blood pressure, do diabetes, etc., etc. -- none of the "risk factors" that would increase the likelihood of complications or future problems. Fix this and you're "good to go".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;">To be (organic) or not to be:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big decision was the choice of valve type. There are two (major) options</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf4yy6DiVEbD-fixZSuQvGxDW9eBSkBW_PXn1ZmcillWIn4y-FIP1XdFj7EfjqwXMJ755SWf_dLUHIMITb9YUoXZp5YD2FyiewPQBV_aHkvClxBFxxD3euuj8_UIISOoP7Yvd/s1600/valve+types.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf4yy6DiVEbD-fixZSuQvGxDW9eBSkBW_PXn1ZmcillWIn4y-FIP1XdFj7EfjqwXMJ755SWf_dLUHIMITb9YUoXZp5YD2FyiewPQBV_aHkvClxBFxxD3euuj8_UIISOoP7Yvd/s400/valve+types.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">a mechanical valve which lasts a lifetime</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> but requires a lifetime regime of taking a blood thinner to prevent clots (and has a higher risk of bleeding and/or stroke )</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">OR</span></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">
<li>a tissue valve (in this case a valve constructed from bovine pericardial tissue, (the tough tissue sac that surrounds the heart of a cow) which lasts for 10 to 15 years without any requirement for blood thinners (and has a higher risk of future heart disease -- and possible need for another surgery --- when the valve begins to fail).</li>
</span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">
</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Doctor says less if you are younger than 55 or need to take blood thinners anyhow for other reasons you should chooses a mechanical valve for sure and if you are older than 70 then you should choose a tissue valve for sure. I'm in between and (as my lovely wife is kind enough to say) a young 68. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, I more inclined to go with immediate benefit of no ongoing medication and increased risk of stroke rather than the POSSIBILITY of future problems so out choice is to use the tissue valve.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I did have some second thoughts after we got home and did a fair amount of research which at the end confirmed my comfort with the choice. I was particularly influenced by 2 factors </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found some recent studies that suggest that for people over 65 over 95% of tissue valves are fine after 20 years </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are emerging "minimally invasive" techniques for valve replacement and even one that uses same process as is used for inserting artery stents that is done via inserting a catheter through the groin. So who's to say if the valve starts failing in 10 years that these methods won'y be more "routinely" available. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Go home and wait some more: </b>Having agreed to the surgery, discussed the severity of the stentosis and its side effects AND picked the valve - we asked "When?".</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seemed to us the sooner the better. The doctor sais he would inform the cardiac surgery coordinator at the hospital and they would get back to us. He said it was difficult to say how long because there could be emergency or other higher priority surgergies that came up but he expected the surgery would occur in 3 to 6 weeks.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was a bit challenging for us -- especially Linda since , with her medical knowledge, she was concerned of the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in the meantime and one of the less-than-comforting facts the surgeon had explained to us was that if I had cardiac arrest for any reason it would be highly unlikely that the heart could be re-started (for the mechanical minded think about trying to re-start a water pump if the outlet valve is clogged!) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trip home was uneventful (other than the challenges of the last 2 hours being after dark and some issues with getting the windshield properly cleaned and cleaning the grit of the headlights so she could see the road -- that was a kind of Gen. 1:3 moment for her :) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Certainly we were both anxious to get the surgery scheduled </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Continued to-morrow </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God Bless</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charlie</span></div>
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Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-40830991942577234152013-02-05T20:50:00.000-05:002013-02-06T23:20:17.986-05:00How to fix a broken heart! <br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
have a broken heart -- you might think I’m using this as a metaphor for the
emotional state of feeling very sad or deeply hurt -- as in “I’m heart-broken because ….”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">And you
might be wondering if I’m going to give advice for the love lorn – but no - I’m
not going into competition with Dear Abby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is
literally true – I have a broken heart – or to be more medically correct I have
severe aortic valve stenosis.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnznzJZVbBXC4S9wwMe14eXoJXfMjmtXvGQ7JIIkGZjwgZ6BLKlFBGWZXtV4zpB53L_tc3apGjoXDpUctPoVNAlBgX5TFuf3xJsP8_hTh3vDzuoBAoaNR-MwpZqczotpCGt1M/s1600/heart-stroke-shaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnznzJZVbBXC4S9wwMe14eXoJXfMjmtXvGQ7JIIkGZjwgZ6BLKlFBGWZXtV4zpB53L_tc3apGjoXDpUctPoVNAlBgX5TFuf3xJsP8_hTh3vDzuoBAoaNR-MwpZqczotpCGt1M/s1600/heart-stroke-shaded.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Because
of that I want to put in a plug for the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.2796497/k.BF8B/Home.htm"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Heart & Stroke Foundation</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">. February is </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://heartmonth.heartandstroke.ca/site/c.jhLOKYPDLqF/b.5203909/k.BEF8/Home.htm"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Heart Month</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For several years I have canvassed door to door
in my neighborhood in February. It is ironic that this year I said I </span><span style="line-height: 17px;">couldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> because I planned to be away all month.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Instead I’m at home waiting for surgery
– and if I had said I would canvas I would have had to back out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">This series
of blog posts will be a record of the steps that I followed to fix my broken
heart starting with …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Step
1:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Find
out it's broken (diagnosis).</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe
something’s wrong?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> In my case it was almost accidental – I was
in emergency (just before Christmas) because of a cough. I mentioned that I had
some minor indigestion-like “burning” pain in the right side of my chest. (I
actually thought it was likely a pulled muscle from coughing). Tests showed I was NOT having
a heart attack and everything looked OK. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Doctor
scheduled stress test to follow-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Nah – it’s just indigestion! </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I was fairly confident that it wasn't my heart
– although I had been noticing for a month or so that I would get this
“burning” (right side of upper chest and that’s not your heart – right!!) and
be mildly out-of-breath when walking briskly for a relatively short period but
I had “compensated” by just backing off and walking a little slower. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><b>OK-
something’s wrong but what? </b>Morning of stress test (January 4) I drove myself to hospital for the test and I
“failed” ( mild pain, minor shortness of
breath but “wacky ECG” resulted in
terminating the stress test.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Time for a conference with God!! </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I have a deep and abiding faith in
God – my “Abba” Father and I often find myself in conversation with him,
Sometimes thanking, sometimes asking and always listening in my heart
(metaphorical sense) for his guidance and answers. Sometimes more frequently than others – and especially
when things are going well I may not be as grateful as I should be. When I
heard the Doctor say “There’s a problem – we need more tests – prayer
was immediate and while hopefully not “demanding” I was pretty clear that I was
trusting Him to make this “go away” – Well I learned that for now his answer is “my grace is
sufficient..” (2 Cor. 12:9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACzRE6sB2k_7DRiXTu3by3794WxbC2gstbuyWBS_j8xkCGYghRGQU3cgirK_T6tSGItX5qdfcXqDE6xhzSEgiNsnvHfoyspAjhMVnBdDvnfnfQiY81wdQcLGcIc8slqJDi5hu/s1600/clogged+arteries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACzRE6sB2k_7DRiXTu3by3794WxbC2gstbuyWBS_j8xkCGYghRGQU3cgirK_T6tSGItX5qdfcXqDE6xhzSEgiNsnvHfoyspAjhMVnBdDvnfnfQiY81wdQcLGcIc8slqJDi5hu/s1600/clogged+arteries.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Maybe it’s clogged
arteries?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> -- </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Doctor was able to schedule me into his
angiogram clinic that morning – which caused a bit of frantic activity for
Linda to get a ride so she could be there for the procedure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Doctor was pretty sure there’d be serious blockages
and he was preparing me for needing to have that treated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nope
– plumbing is clear – Now what? </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The angiogram showed arteries were clear but doc couldn't get the catheter to
“thread” into left ventricle which suggested problem with aortic valve
(stenosis)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA6yKT2KkRN9GxVr7iP6Xg8OKawjKc1vPkq-H3eCHB3oY4v4Q-Qu6LlE4063LpIJGCCscUPvuqKLG0sTqQALeX88_bm8pGoAtIV5VIJb9IoSAADnRUNEodbNO79KLhlw6g1xk/s1600/aortic-valve-stenosis-heart-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA6yKT2KkRN9GxVr7iP6Xg8OKawjKc1vPkq-H3eCHB3oY4v4Q-Qu6LlE4063LpIJGCCscUPvuqKLG0sTqQALeX88_bm8pGoAtIV5VIJb9IoSAADnRUNEodbNO79KLhlw6g1xk/s200/aortic-valve-stenosis-heart-1.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As
part of the angiogram the catheter is “threaded” into the artery (from my wrist
– sometimes from groin) and up through the aorta and into the left ventricle
through the aortic valve where the dye is released to allow the cardiologist to
see the shape and size of the left ventricle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">When the cardiologist was unable to do this despite trying several
larger (stiffer) catheters he strongly
suspected a serious “narrowing” of the valve</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Waiting isn’t my strong suit: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The
doctor says<b> </b>he needs echocardiogram
to confirm and they’ll call in 3 to 4 weeks to set it up. So we come home from
the hospital to wait. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">First thing is to let our family and church
family know. It is good to know that many will be praying for a speedy test
(and maybe a less serious diagnosis).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Next thing
is <b>Research</b> – <b>What is it and what are the treatment options?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ASlwd7RY7aak5c5Cng-HfUUj1NFhVHX5lFIKOlcuuQZ-6-q_jT4A64yjPaGSLr-_C0f-yubmgbjhJ4d4G-qvdOUhmgBFtrbB8G59KO1ZFDP5on6RwcQSRgQfOnVFdwQ_F76/s1600/aortic_valve.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ASlwd7RY7aak5c5Cng-HfUUj1NFhVHX5lFIKOlcuuQZ-6-q_jT4A64yjPaGSLr-_C0f-yubmgbjhJ4d4G-qvdOUhmgBFtrbB8G59KO1ZFDP5on6RwcQSRgQfOnVFdwQ_F76/s200/aortic_valve.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aortic valve stenosis?</span><span style="color: #54585a; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><span style="color: #54585a; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">—
or aortic stenosis — occurs when the heart's aortic valve narrows. This
narrowing prevents the valve from opening fully, which obstructs blood flow
from your heart into your aorta and onward to the rest of your body.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">There are
many sources that can be found describing this disease and its’ treatment by
searching for </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001230/"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Aortic valve stenosis</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">.
</span><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aortic-valve-stenosis/DS00418"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">This one</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> by </span><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mayo Clinic</span></a><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">seems to be one of the better ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><b>Treatment
is surgery!! </b>Most frequently </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.medsolution.com/surgery_cardiothoracic-openheart.asp" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Open Heart Surgery</span></a><b> </b>where </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">the chest
is opened by cutting through the breast bone (sternotomy). <span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">There are
other less invasive surgeries but they seem to be less well established and I
begin to prepare myself for the sternotomy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Now I know lots of people who have
had this surgery for “bypasses” and I tell myself this is not as complex because they don’t remove
the vein from the leg to graft into the
heart – they “simply” replace the valve. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I also learn there are two options for the "new" valve - “mechanical” and tissue both with
advantages and disadvantages – more on that later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I start
telling people what I've found out – and soon Linda is saying “ You've read so
much – next thing you’ll be picking up a scalpel and doing the surgery
yourself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yeah right – NOT!! I would likely faint at the first sign of blood!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><b>A new diet</b> In addition, Linda wants to be sure that my diet is the best possible to be prepared for
surgery if it comes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">So we consult with a nutritionist - Tammy at the </span><a href="http://www.thecountryway.ca/default.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Country
Way</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> who suggests a </span><a href="http://www.acidalkalinediet.com/alkaline-diet/high-alkaline-diet-does-it-really-help-or-is-it-a-myth"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">high alkaline diet</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.
Now I’m a little skeptical of the underlying science – and we aren't going the route of checking pH
balance. However adhering to a healthy diet plan that keeps us away from
processed foods, sugar and meat seems like a reasonable thing to try for at
least a month or so prior to surgery (if it comes to that). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I’ll warn
you that doing this is not for the faint of “wallet” – the supplements and vitamins
recommended are way beyond anything that our budget could sustain in the long
run – however we have been blessed with the resources (money!!) that will allow
us to do this for 6 to 8 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I’ll post a
separate item on the diet plan – for now suffice it to say it’s almost a
full-time job that fills our day trying to keep on top of it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Throughout
this waiting time I am operating on the “hope for the best- prepare for the
worst” philosophy and I’m working on getting our finances in order – updating
our records and preparing a “DRAFT” 2013 budget. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><b>Praying:</b> Linda & I talk about the “what if’s” and we continue in
prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) says
<i>“<span class="text"><sup> </sup>pray
without ceasing”</span></i><span class="text"> and I’m probably closer to this
being a literal fact than ever before in
my life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">We were geared up for
waiting and were pleasantly
surprised when the Doctor’s office called within a week and scheduled the
echocardiogram for January 19 and a visit with the Doctor on February 5 to get the results</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yep
–it’s a bad valve: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">anuary
19 the echocardiogram confirmed that I have severe
stenosis and that the valve needs to be replaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I’ll pick
up here next time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">God Bless</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Charlie</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br /></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-74479689515320059182013-02-02T18:38:00.000-05:002013-02-02T19:43:28.639-05:00Snow time to postDidn't post yesterday - was vegging out after our day long (600 km - 350 mile) round trip for a 30 minute consultation with cardiac surgeon. He seems quite good in terms of explaining things and answering our questions. We left home 8:30 a.m. and arrived back 8:15 p.m. <br />
<br />
I drove most of way there and Linda drove most of the way back -- neither of us likes driving after dark and Linda was pretty stressed for a while until I realized that the headlight lens were covered with grit -- when I cleaned them it was like Genesis 1:3 -- and it was almost tangible the wave of relaxation that Linda felt. Rest of trip was very smooth.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZfoAmOK4j9IS5l69_5OxUlJuxG90bsc68AmXFAeiQ_mOVieNj6vBgupqwBBNgVh9MoNB7zKjuRLeuvu2mpqH192Iw8rr457iNpuTbvtbgKvIHHnQ-Csq02cfZxFewkM9xkzb/s1600/p_00233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZfoAmOK4j9IS5l69_5OxUlJuxG90bsc68AmXFAeiQ_mOVieNj6vBgupqwBBNgVh9MoNB7zKjuRLeuvu2mpqH192Iw8rr457iNpuTbvtbgKvIHHnQ-Csq02cfZxFewkM9xkzb/s320/p_00233.jpg" width="240" /></a>I'll talk more about the health issues next post -- this is an interlude<br />
<br />
<br />
Our daughter flew in yesterday for the weekend and we've been enjoying a visit with her. Had a great game of cribbage with a close finish -- but she beat her Dad -- Sigh!!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9eYTLlMeuA5icvchT-hoIfh73IjXK6v084KBHaPkEUuLQbcR5eobwNplPge-YAvmVgl_kkPquTAcPwu0WuYZYENJKKDxUsNdt2nNOqbzoCTcs1gKBWokIofN4KyKmIwYRyjQ/s1600/p_00234.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9eYTLlMeuA5icvchT-hoIfh73IjXK6v084KBHaPkEUuLQbcR5eobwNplPge-YAvmVgl_kkPquTAcPwu0WuYZYENJKKDxUsNdt2nNOqbzoCTcs1gKBWokIofN4KyKmIwYRyjQ/s320/p_00234.jpg.jpg" width="240" /></a>This morning we SKYPed with our oldest son and his family. Got caught up on all the things our garandson and granddaughter are doing.<br />
<br />
Then we had a long phone conversation with our other son in BC and covered all the goings on in our lives and got caught up on his efforts to wrap up his dissertation and get licenced as a neuropsychologist .<br />
<br />
Later we enjoyed watching a pair of pileated woodpeckers, a red headed woodpecker and a downy woodpecker and lots of chick-a-dee's eating at our suet balls.<br />
<br />
This afternoon we went for a walk through the Bon Soo Winter Carnival -- and that's why there was "Snow" time to post anything more than this.<br />
<br />
God Bless<br />
CharlieCandle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-32571609565579802032013-01-30T23:17:00.003-05:002013-01-30T23:17:55.315-05:00Every ending is a beginning
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Sometime
last fall I read an article that made a reference to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>idea the </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“every ending is a
beginning”.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I thought
it was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some type of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>article - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>perhaps in one of the
daily items I receive or in one of the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>blogs I follow <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> -- </span>but I’m not sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The phrase
stuck with me even though I didn’t
remember where I saw it. After some searching around <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an article <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.heartlight.org/articles/201212/20121223_marydidyouknow.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">“Beginnings
in Endings: Mary Did You Know?” </span></a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">by Phil Ware published, December 23, 2012 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.heartlight.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Heartlight</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">(an
on-line magazine) .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it seemed to me that it had been
earlier in the year and there was some reference to the source of the phrase so
I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>GOOGLEd" it and found these references
(none of which seemed to fit my original recollection)… SIGH. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">However, most of them are relevant to where I (think) I'm heading in this (hopefully not de-railed) train of thought.</span></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">“Nobody
can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a
new ending.” </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.quotesdaddy.com/author/Maria+Robinson"><span style="color: blue;">Maria Robinson</span></a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">(</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">see</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.maria-robinson.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.maria-robinson.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make and end
is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from”</span></b><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://allspirit.co.uk/gidding.html"><span style="color: blue;">T. S. Eliot</span></a> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">(</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Four Quartets - #4 Little Gidding)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Every
beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning, don't worry, broken
soul, life will one day come to an end. ” </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>― </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.kalwar.com.np/about.html)"><span style="color: blue;">Santosh Kalwar</span></a></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A number of books on </span><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Amazon.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that come up if you search <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beginning
ending"</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Better is the end of a thing than
its beginning,..”</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Ecclesiastes 7:8 (ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I mention
this because it was this phrase that “inspired” the title of “Beginnings and
endings” which I have used in 3 of 4 of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2013 posts and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(as you’ve no doubt noticed is the title of
this post).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">When I
(re)started – made a new beginning on my blog on January 23, I planned (without
“promising”) to publish every (week) day. Well I did OK up until yesterday when
the number of errands on our list<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kept me
busy for most of the day and then I needed to rest from all that activity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">To-day was
more errands and tomorrow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we travel to
Sudbury for a consult with Dr. Barg so I’ll probably not have a post then. So I
decided I would publish something today – even if it is incomplete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I mentioned<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Part 1 of “Beginnings and endings”, my 2013 “theme song” </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I will live today in the
moment. I will live today as if it were my last day here on this earth and I
will dream and plan today for tomorrow because “Today is the first day of the
rest of my life; I will rejoice and be glad in it”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(cf. Psalm 118:24-KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>talked about a lot of endings – including the
BIG ending of my streak of “no major health problems” – For the next few posts
I will talk about the beginning of this new journey of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>living with a (hopefully) fully repaired “broken”
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>heart and how it fits with my "theme song".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Even though I'm confident that I will come through this -- this news has renewed the thought that we need to be prepared and to live each day asking ourselves "What if this were my last day. Tim McGraw captured that thought in his song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xSGLZd9Vg4">"Live like you were dying".</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6xSGLZd9Vg4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As I begin this journey I want to share the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>preparations<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
being made "for the rest of the journey" which I hope is a long one, </span> about living in the moment and savoring the good things ("stopping to smell the roses") and "living as if I were dying" and take you through</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I want to share my thoughts “go under the knife”, get a new valve and begin a new journey of living.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">One
thought I’ll leave you with for today is that Linda & I were talking and I
said<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought this was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>harder for her than for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>didn’t agree but I still think its'true. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><strong>Why?
</strong>She<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is very concerned about the amount
of pain that I will experience – and that’s a HUGE concern for her – she knows
about pain – childbirth and her nursing experience has seen to that. She wants to be "strong for me" and that she's good at and what's making it difficult is that I'm not able to be her "rock" and help her be strong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">However,that's not the reason I say it's more difficult for her. Although she tries to cover it up her biggest fear and burden right now is the
thought that I might not make it. And, if I put myself in her position that’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“GI-NORMOUSLY” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HUGE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The way I
look at it if I’m feeling PAIN that’s good – I’m still around and on my way to
recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m not feeling pain I’m not
here to be dealing with anything – and she is left to deal with a lot – so it’s
seems she has the larger burden .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">That's what makes
me the saddest and troubles me the most – even though it’s out of my control. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I
pray for her the message of Psalm 27 (see January 25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> post) if our
plans for the best turn out to be a need to face the worst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">God Bless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Charlie<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-61735341496914954652013-01-28T21:28:00.001-05:002013-01-28T21:28:41.674-05:00Beginnings & Endings – Part 3
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday I attended two funeral in one day – a record for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of those was a man a year
younger than I that I grew up with. The other a lady 3 years younger who was
the oldest daughter of an older couple who have been and continue to be <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“pillars <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>faith”
in our church family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first became an elder at the church her father was
one of the other elders (he is now <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>90+
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>retired <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as an elder over 10 years ago). Her mother<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>served as a Bible <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>teacher for many years and had one of the most
amazing abilities to recognize a Bible quote and give Chapter & verse of anyone
I’ve ever known – her health has deteriorated and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she has lost some of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her “edge” but still can outdo many in that
regard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first funeral was in Thessalon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(an hour drive one-way) at 10 a.m. and the
second was here at 3:00. For the second I had a role (prayer & scripture
reading) which was a little more demanding and stressful .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By Saturday night I was ready to crash and we spent the
evening watching a couple of movies via </span><a href="https://signup.netflix.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Netflix</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I found out that my consult with the cardiac
surgeon is this Thursday .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This leads me back to my ”beginnings and endings” theme .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>two parts I set some context that had already lead me to thinking more
and more about my own mortality and the need to be prepared “for the worst” while
always (with an acknowledgement of ‘if the Lord is willing’) planning for the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finding out about my heart problems, and sitting in these
funerals , <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>listening to the tributes <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>certainly has increased<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thinking <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘endings’
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and, in a way, has made my thinking
about these things over that past year seem<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“good”. (perhaps an example of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the good that can be found in ‘bad’ things as described in Romans 8:28) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So far I’ve talked mostly about endings - the endings of lives
– and the ending of my (almost 70 year) run of “perfect health. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I want talk about the response to those endings –
those losses that “hit us like a ton of bricks”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have often reflected before on the fact that it seemed
these things so often happened to others<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and I was thankful (and oddly at times felt guilty) that they didn’t
happen to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems that over the past several years <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“endings” have been a more frequent<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and closer to home. Being reminded of the
fleeting nature of life me led<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my
renewed commitment for 2013 to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Live in
the now as if it’s the last day while at the same time making plans for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the future” . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In part 2, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
described some of the events<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that led
to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an echocardiogram last Tuesday and
finding out that I have <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a “very
tight” (diseased) aortic valve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember hearing the Doctor say those words <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“ “It needs to be replaced – I’m referring you to a surgeon”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are have a 10
times increase in the risk of “sudden cardiac death”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(that seemed very
blunt – couldn’t he have<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>softened it by
saying <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cardiac failure – but I
understand he needs to speak the truth and the truth is that the risk is 10
times higher for me than for someone with no heart disease (and other risk
factors) )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now this is certainly less of a loss than a wife learning
that her husband has died or a parent learning that their child has died. I
know that – and I can’t really imagine how much of a shock that must be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it still ranks up there as a serious loss
– after all I was the one that never had a hint of serious illness – I thought
that would last forever (or at least for another 20 or 30 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But that was before <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>–
now I was “vincible” (actually I started to say “I was no longer invincible” and
wondered if <strong>vincible </strong>was a word – it is!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conventional wisdom in my circles would be that I would be
go through the Kubler-Ross stages of grief .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know the stages known</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <span lang="EN">by the acronym <b>DABDA;
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">(As
an aside – and I think I may do a post on this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sometime soon – when looking up the
Kubler-Ross model I discovered that there are some competing models<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for how people deal with loss which may
better represent what I’ve been experiencing over the past week) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can honestly say that it wasn’t shocking – I didn’t feel
any terror or panic or denial (saying<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it
can’t be I want a second opinion – etc.) in fact<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I’m experiencing anger, that
I’ve<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thought of bargaining, that I’ve
been<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or will be depressed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(a least not in a major way) –,.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to know
about this disease and the surgical options – I wanted to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be prepared<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>do my part<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so I can “hope for” (Biblical usage – meaning
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">confidently expect</b>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the best possible outcome and I want to be
prepared for the worst and this means<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want to get my affairs in order “just in case”. So I have researched these things
and made a renewed effort to “get my affairs in order” -- you know “plan for
the worst and hope for the best”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I think<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
moved<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>immediately to acceptance – and
action – and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my faith in God to
thank for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed coincidental
but Linda and I had just<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>listened to a
video from her ladie’s class that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>talked
about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Job’s phrase “The Lord gives
& the Lord takes away – Blessed be the name of the Lord” . I also thought
of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’ s statement in Phillipians <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“whatever state I’m in I’ve learned to be
content”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when occasionally I sense a bit of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>depression or anxiety I am reminded <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the man who after Jesus healed his child
said “ Lord I believe – help me in my unbelief”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In any case my emotional response is mostly <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sadness</b> – the loss of my ability to say
I’m in perfect health” – the loss of my ability to “pick up and go” – the loss
of my ability to step up if someone needs a hand to move something, to help a
neighbor dig out of the snow,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to take a
day and go skiing with my daughter when she comes home<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>next weekend <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">b)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">disappointment </b>(a bit irrational
because it’s not my fault –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it’s
out of my control) but none the less disappointment – I have failed Linda, my
family and others<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>around me because I
can no longer say<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>available and able to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>do whatever needs to be done” (well of course
I’m not superman and that “whatever” had limitations of strength and skills –
but it<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is (for now) severely restricted.
It is really tough to not be able to snowblow the driveway or go for a brisk
walk in the snow lined trails on a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>crisp
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sunny day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">c)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Impatience –</b> let’s get on with this –
and that too is a bit irrational since things are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>falling together and moving along very
quickly so far <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well as I’ve said – I’m not completely sure where I’m going with this but
I’m thinking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that this is the end of
talking about endings and losses and I will now move to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some topics related to beginnings – in this
case beginning to learn how to live after major surgery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-81449127671254346812013-01-25T16:01:00.000-05:002013-01-25T16:01:31.407-05:00Wait for the Lord
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>last (first?) 2 posts <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Beginnings
& Endings” I’ve said “I am not completely sure where this is going”. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have a general picture in my mind <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and, by that “hazy” map today was to be Part
3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on the topic of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>loss and our reaction to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But sometimes
the Spirit<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sets an idea before you and
so I’m<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>taking (as my friend Roger <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>calls it)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a “curbside stop” triggered by a posting in Facebook made by my cousin
Wilma. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wilma wrote the following </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">"And we, who with unveiled
faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness
with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 Corinthians 3:18</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">. What is our part in all of this.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just
get rid of the facade</b> (emphasis mine) as near as I can see. Is that
David's secret? Before us and before God he railed and he praised, he cried and
he sang - often, it seems, in the same breath. He threw off 'the veil'. To us
he is known as 'the man after God's own heart'.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently , I read or heard<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a statement caught my attention because it spoke to situations that I had been faced with during the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>events I’ve mentioned in the “beginnings and
endings” posts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It went something like this (with my apologies because I can't remember the source)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">So often Christians (think they) know the right words to say when faced
with difficult times and the words <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>come
out our mouths but in our hearts we are feeling something very different. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My response to Wilma’s post <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>affirms that it is more important to <em>“speak
from our heart”</em> than it is to say <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the <em>“right”</em> words (and to be clear I’m talking
about expressing our own honest emotional response to our own pain or loss – NOT
giving license to say the judgemental or selfish things that sometimes spring
from our hearts when we are faced with someone else’s pain – cf. James 3:1-12).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wrote <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">“Wednesday night we were sharing
scripture, songs and prayer as we remembered two families who had lost loved
ones on Tuesday and I made that same point using Psalm 27. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God wants honesty from broken hearts not the right words from
"righteous" people.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I read Psalm 27, I hear David proclaiming his trust in God while at
the same time expressing fear that God will <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>abandon <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>him in his time of greatest need . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
following <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“adaption” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of Psalm 27, I have substituted <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some more modern<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“trials and battles” for the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“physical” enemies and “real” battles <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that David wrote about. I pray that this
substitution makes it more real to us today without hampering the honest
genuine poetic expression of the wavering between fear and faith that I hear
throughout the original Psalm and especially <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in verses 4, 9 and 14. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="line" style="margin: 5pt 1.5in; tab-stops: 135.2pt;">
<span class="chapternum"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni;">Psalm
27</span></span><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif";">
</span>(ESV-Adapted)</span></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="text"></span><o:p></o:p></i><span id="en-ESV-14288"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> is my light and my salvation;</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /><span class="text">whom shall I fear?</span><br /><span class="text">The </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> is the stronghold of my life;</span><br /><span class="text">of whom shall I be afraid?</span></i></i></span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="text"></span></i></i></span></span><sup>2 </sup>When evildoers assail me</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">to eat up my flesh,</span><br />
<span class="text">my adversaries and foes,</span><br />
<span class="text">it is they who stumble and fall.</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span id="en-ESV-14289"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>3 </sup>Though problems overwhelm <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me,</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">my heart shall not fear;</span><br />
<span class="text">though turmoil surrounds <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me,</span><br />
<span class="text">yet I will be confident.</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span id="en-ESV-14290"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>4 </sup>One thing have I asked of the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">that will I seek after:</span><br />
<span class="text">that I may dwell in the house of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br />
<span class="text">all the days of my life,</span><br />
<span class="text">to gaze upon the beauty of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br />
<span class="text">and to inquire in his temple.</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span id="en-ESV-14291"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>5 </sup>For he will hide me in his
shelter</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">in the day of trouble;</span><br />
<span class="text">he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;</span><br />
<span class="text">he will lift me high upon a rock.</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span id="en-ESV-14292"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>6 </sup>And now my head shall be lifted
up</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">above my turmoil and pain all around me,</span><br />
<span class="text">and I will offer in his tent</span><br />
<span class="text">sacrifices with shouts of joy;</span><br />
<span class="text">I will sing and make melody to the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">.</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span id="en-ESV-14293"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>7 </sup>Hear, O </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, when I cry aloud;</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">be gracious to me and answer me!</span><br />
<span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-14294">8 </span></sup>You have said, “Seek
my face.”</span><br />
<span class="text">My heart says to you,</span><br />
<span class="text">“Your face, </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, do I seek.”</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="text"></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-14295"><sup>9 </sup>Hide not your face from me.</span></span><br />
<span class="text">Turn not your servant away in anger,</span><br />
<span class="text">O you who have been my help.</span><br />
<span class="text">Cast me not off; forsake me not,</span><br />
<span class="text">O God of my salvation!</span><br />
<span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-14296">10 </span></sup>For those closest to me
have forsaken me,</span><br />
<span class="text">but the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> will take me in.</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span id="en-ESV-14297"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>11 </sup>Teach me your way, O </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">and lead me on a level path</span><br />
<span class="text">because of my problems.</span><br />
<span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-14298">12 </span></sup>Give me not up to the agony
of my hurts and pains;</span><br />
<span class="text">even if <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lies are told
about me </span><br />
<span class="text">and they cut into my heart.</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 1.5in;">
<span id="en-ESV-14299"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>13 </sup>I believe that I shall look
upon the goodness of the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
<span class="text">in the land of the living!</span><br />
<span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-14300">14 </span></sup>Wait for the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">;</span><br />
<span class="text">be strong, and let your heart take courage;</span><br />
<span class="text">wait for the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">!</span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are
deeply wounded by the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>realities of this
life, when we are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hurt beyond
imagination, when we are heart broken, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we can (and need to) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be honest with God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about our fear and our pain and maybe even
doubt that we will ever feel God’s love and grace again. We can do that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and still
be confident - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as David was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that he would</span><span class="text"><em> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em>(once again)<em>“ look upon the goodness of the </em></span><span><em><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> in the land of the living”</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our call is to</span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “Wait for the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to bring
healing</span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">not to pretend or try to “force” it by saying the right words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you are hurting or heart-broken today, may God’s richest
blessings touch you and shorten the wait <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>until
your soul is restored (or has been reconciled)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and you are abiding in the joy, peace and comfort that only He can give<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God Bless<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Charlie<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23386663.post-32611227094922149472013-01-24T15:17:00.000-05:002013-01-24T15:17:04.355-05:00Beginnings & Endings – Part 2
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I will live today in the
moment. </span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I will live today as if it were my last day here on this earth and I
will dream and plan today for tomorrow because “Today is the first day of the
rest of my life; I will rejoice and be glad in it”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(cf. Psalm
118:24-KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday I started this series on “beginnings and endings”.
I am not completely sure where this is going – however it is an entry point
into sharing some aspects of my journey with God following my “theme song” as
shown above. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>listed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>some of the events that have led me to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“a renewed and clearer
understanding of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>temporary and fleeting nature of our life
here on this earth.”</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As these thing occurred over the past 2 years, there was
always a sense of loss and a deep sorrow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- a desire to be a source of strength and comfort to others who were
more directly affected than I and (except perhaps in the case of my Dad) a
clear recognition that any<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>loss I might
feel was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>very small in relation to that
felt by those (wives, children, parents, …) more <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>directly affected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">More significantly (at least to me) was a persistent
reaction – that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m somewhat embarrassed
to admit– of gratitude that it hadn’t happened to me or a member of my
immediate family and an (especially in the sudden deaths of those close to me in age) an arrogant <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> “thumping
of my chest” and saying “Well this wouldn’t happen to me because I’m in perfect
health”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This
was often ‘disguised’ as a prayer of thankfulness – but nonetheless in my heart
there was pride and arrogance).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
might have done well to remember the proverb.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Pride goes before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall.</em></span> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Proverbs
16:18)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In December 2012, I had a persistent severe cough for
several weeks and, finally at my wife’s urging just before Christmas, I went to
emergency to see about it. Well the cough was no problem but while there I
mentioned that I’d had a few minor incidents of very mild chest pain after
walking briskly. No need to bother you with the details but the outcome of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was that I was scheduled for a stress test <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on January 4 at 8:00 a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was so confident that there wasn’t anything wrong that I
drove myself in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so Linda wouldn’t have
to roust herself out that early in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well an hour later I had “failed” the stress test and was being
scheduled for an immediate angiogram. And Linda was left scrambling to find a
ride to the hospital so she could be there for the procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By 1 p.m. it was “good news and bad news” – good news
arteries are completely clear, bad news<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- doctor thinks I have aortic valve stenosis” ( a “sticky valve – more like
something I’d expect in my car than myself </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I was scheduled for an echocardiogram to verify<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this – and Tuesday (22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>) after
that test the Doc comes in and says “The valve is very tight and I think it
needs to be replaced” – didn’t seem to be any “wiggle room” – he was pretty
clear “It needs to be replaced – it’s only going to get worse and your risk of
sudden cardiac failure is 10 times higher than someone who has a healthy heart”
so he has referred me to a cardiac surgeon <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Sudbury (about 200 miles (300 km) away) and
we are waiting for the call. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An end to the illusion that I was in perfect
health and that would go on for “ever”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another ending and a beginning of living with a new reality.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When your own mortality hits you in the face it really stops
you in your track. For me, the way I process these things is to talk about them
(which can be a bit tedious for wife, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>friends and acquaintances) and to write about
them which I’ve <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>doing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in my journal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had also late last year been thinking of resuming my blog
and then early this week<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw a note
from a ”blogging buddy” that said she had published a blog <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for the
first time in quite a while. This inspired me to start (so your have </span><a href="http://deeandrews.net/2013/01/23/grace-note-to-amber-because-i-promised/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Dee
Andrews</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (see <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://deeandrews.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
to thank or curse depending on whether you think this is worthwhile
reading)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for having me “jump back into
the pool”. Thanks Dee you have inspired me many times and I am sorry to hear of
your current health problems)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So where am I going with this? Still not 100% sure but I
need to wait until tomorrow because there are “today” things I have to get to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll close some verses from Job that seems appropriate (not
that I think what’s happened to me and around me compares at all to what
happened to Job but it does deal with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>how we respond to “bad things”). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first one <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was
brought<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back onto my radar screen<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sunday when my Linda and I were watching a video that her Ladies’ class
was using.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><sup>21 </sup>And he said, “Naked I came from
my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
gave, and the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has taken away;
blessed be the name of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.” <sup>22
</sup>In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span> </span>Job 21-22, (ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second one has been for a long time <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a core part of my “theology” of suffering<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and accepting whatever outcomes occur when we’ve<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prayed fervently for healing or some other<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>good thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Shall we receive good from God,
and shall we not receive evil?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all
this Job did not sin with his lips.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Job 2:10b-11
(ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll pick up from here tomorrow in Part 3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Candle (C & L)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13983100658434245078noreply@blogger.com2