Elders Blog
Ramblings, musings, and seriously deep thoughts from our elders. While we do not take ourselves too seriously we do take our roll as shepherds seriously. Hopefully you will be blessed or at least go away with a smile on your face after taking a peek into our little blog spot.
WELLNESS CHECK-UPS
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1
Recently I received a call from my doctor’s office reminding me of an overdue appointment. Each year I receive a “wellness check-up” as part of my participation in Medicare. I had rescheduled this several times, now I was out of excuses. Just like every “wellness check-up” before, I was asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding my general health, which included questions of emotional and mental health. And just like every previous time I rushed through each question. I was fine, no problems. But that wasn’t the truth. I am dealing with several health issues (private so don’t ask) nothing major. I have this past year dealt with some emotional and mental health issues as well (private so don’t ask). My answers didn’t reflect reality.
When the Doctor came in we discussed my answers. She knew everything that had transpired in the past twelve months. So, she had lots to say regarding my responses. It was not a pleasant conversation. She reminded me that the only way she could help me was if I were honest with my answers. We talked for about thirty minutes, she is not just my doctor but a good friend. She addressed my health issues firmly and reminded me of the need for proper diet, rest, exercise and to take my meds regularly.
I am a pastor, a doctor of the soul if you will. So almost everything that happens in my life passes through a filter of “how does this speak to the spiritual life I am called to live and call others into?” This conversation with my doctor was no different. I was drawn into a reflection of how would the great physician Jesus respond to a wellness check-up of my spiritual life. What health issues would be revealed in that conversation. The need for a proper and steady diet of the word (less junk food), a need to rest in the promises of God (stop stressing over things which you have no control), exercising the spiritual gifts entrusted to me, and to take seriously the need for a prayer life that reflects an awareness of my need for the healing blood of Jesus.
I can get away with missing an appointment with my doctor, but when I begin missing regular wellness check-ups with Jesus my spiritual health begins to rapidly deteriorate. I plan on seeing the Doctor this Lord’s Day, hope to spend some time with you in the waiting room.
Have a great week.
In His Love
Steve
Table Talk
An elder’s thoughts from Scripture
From Steve
All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16. (NIV)
When I enter scripture Paul’s words to Timothy are always first and foremost on my mind. All scripture is God breathed—all scripture is life giving, life sustaining, life supporting, life focusing, life nurturing…
So, recently I was bogged down in begats and begottens, endless genealogies in the Chronicles. Asking the obvious question, “What value is there here for me or anyone else in these long lists of long forgotten persons? Why would anyone waste valuable parchment or velum to record names upon names upon names?” I prayed, “God I want to claim the promise Paul made long ago to Timothy, I really want these words to be useful!”
Then, right then, as if God spoke, the Spirit prompted an idea, a thought, a realization. These unpronounceable names, these endless lists are a testament of faithfulness of God through the ages. Generation after generation of God’s faithfulness unfolded right on the God breathed page. God’s goodness, grace, mercy, love, provision, sustaining power, purpose, plan, will, and promises to Abraham all burst from the endless lists.
I immediately began to reflect on my own faith journey, the faith of my father, grandfather, great grandfather and all those upon whose shoulders I stand (along with all my mother’s family as well). All those whose names would make for endless lists as well. All these and more who knew the goodness of God and lived in faith. A list of begats and begottens of hope, faith and love.
There it was: a legacy of horse-back riding Methodist preachers along-side horse thieves. A glimpse of landed gentry and of sharecroppers. A survey of great success and even greater failure, but in and through it all the one constant God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit moving with love and grace, forgiveness and mercy to redeem, restore and renew. And is often the case when I enter scripture I ended where I began: All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
As an elder at the Foothills, it is my fervent prayer that you will join in this wonderful faith adventure God has called us to. I pray that each day you will discover anew the wonder of the God Breathed word. I pray your faith will sustain and keep you safe until His glorious coming.
Amen
2.7 mm Closer to God
From Darrin
A few years ago I developed a kidney stone. While many have had kidney stones mine were much worse because they were mine. Seriously. If you have ever had them you know how painful they can be. I have had them larger ones before and they were painful for about 12 hours. Then the pain was gone and I quickly forgot about everything but the medical bills.
This time was different. It was only 2.7mm but it was stuck and was not coming out on its own. I started feeling the tell tale signs of an epic battle coming on and thought I knew what I was in for. I was wrong.
Truth be told, I can find a lot to whine about like waiting in line for almost any type of self-gratification, especially in the form of something tasty. But when it comes to pain I am really a wimp, which is not good for me because I am married to a nurse. A nurse who told me at the beginning of our relationship that she was far less concerned with my level of pain than she was my overall health. I guess its part of the job requirement.
I say I am a wimp but really what I mean is that I have a pretty high pain tolerance but a very low tolerance with regard complaining about my pain. As my epic 12 day battle with near constant pain lingered on I found myself not quite as concerned with my level of pain and much more concerned with the need for our Father to give me what I needed to sustain life until the healing came. As the hours turned to days and days turned to weeks I became more and more dependent on Him for even a few minutes of rest. Even more dependent to get me through the grueling, two hour long bouts of pain. Yes, I realize this is nothing compared to the person who is in constant pain because of cancer or something like that.
What I found happening in my spirit was that God did give me the grace or mercy or strength to be sustained through the pain. So much so that my mind began to change about this experience. I don’t know when but at some point I began to think about the idea that the pain would eventually be gone and I started to miss it. What kind of freak was I becoming? I do miss it. Not because I love pain but because I knew this 2.7mm stone that would not move was driving me closer to God than I had been in quite some time.
What God began to show me was that I needed some level of pain in my life to keep me tapped into Him. I’m sure you’re different but I am kind of thick. Pain brings me to my knees quicker than blessing. Pain drives me to seek the only comforter that doesn’t bring shame or regret. Sometimes getting away for a weekend to focus only on my walk with Christ and my own restoration feels about like a kidney stone. The thought of the pain that may be around the corner is not a happy thought but the depth of intimacy and comfort from a good Father is something I start missing even before it is over.
In closing I would encourage you to think about life this way. Embrace the pain even it is just for a few minutes. Then let it draw you closer to the God that cares for you more than you know.
Darrin
