How do we keep focused on Jesus and not let the Evil One be of influence?

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Jesus speaks on how much God wants to bless us.

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My knee is healing well, but one of the things I miss is walking with a cane. Not because it makes you feel like Sherlock Holmes (the Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett Holmes, not Robert Downey Jr.), but because it gives you a whole new perspective about human kindness.

Even in congested and not-always-laid-back LA, a cane brings out the best in people. Walking into a store and having teenagers trying to help you out, even if they look like they are going to trip with their pants hanging down around their knees. Or walking into mall and having an 80- something "litte old lady" open the door for me!

People smiling, people giving me wide berth, I better rethink this walking-without-a-cane lifestyle. Canes are more than an aid for walking.

Maybe I could even get one with a sword…
One can only dream…

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I have visited many people in the hospital, including, of course,  Nancy and our children on the maternity ward! Yet, in all these years, I have never stayed in a hospital myself. Only have had outpatient surgery a couple of times.

When I knew I would be hospitalized for a few days after my knee surgery, I thought about this. I made two decisions.

1. I would try to be the best patient they could experience.
2. I would connect with as many people as I could, and pray or ask for prayer with those who were receptive.

Interesting how many opportunities you get to do #2 if you practice #1.

Before surgery I connected with:

The admissions person who checked me in. Same guy who had previously done my pre-admissions the week before. So. we remembered each other and continued our conversation.

The nurse in "preop." From India (for some reason, meeting many people of peace from India, lately). We talked about Bollywood movies, and I was the first "native" American she had ever met since moving here in the 70's who knew about Indian film. For instance, I told her I really enjoyed the actor, John Abraham, and she said he is from her village and her parents know his parents. And they are Christian! I prayed for her, and though she wasn't used to it, she prayed aloud for me.

The nurse in surgery "bull pen." He gave me words of encouragement along with patience because his patient was a bit nervous.

The anesthesiologist who was sent by God, as he gave me the most encouraging word about how fine my surgeon was and how everything would be completely safe, all the while gently rubbing the top of my hand (it wasn't wierd, it was comforting, though I did have a glimpse of "The Mentalist" go through my head). He had a head cold and was sniffling and I kept thinking of that dude who did eye surgery on Tom Cruise in "Minority Report."

The nurses in the operating room. Just before I went under we were talking about "Sugar, Sugar," by the Archie's (junior high flashbacks) which they were playing on a boom box. If the surgery had not gone well and they lost the patient, my last words on earth would have been singing along with "Sugar, Sugar."

Who listens to the Archie's in surgery? Thought Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" might be a little more appropriate, but Oh, well…

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Back to the blogging after having a full knee replacement on January 20th.

Where do I begin?

First of all, why a knee replacement? Let's just say,

BAM!

Bone-on-bone arthritis in my right knee.

Arthoscopically repaired torn meniscus five years ago.

Misaligned knee. A technical way to say I am "bow-legged."

You add them all together and you get-

(after having exhausted all other remedies short of surgery, including, most recently, a series of hyaluronic acid injections in the knee that didn't take well…)

Knee replacement.

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Buzz Brown teaches on Jesus and the power of prayer.

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In his encounter with Martha and Mary at dinner, Jesus speaks about love in action in the strongest way.

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"Loving your neighbors" means enhancing their lives even if they are a challenge for you. 

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Here is the presentation of the February 7, 2010 information meeting of LIFEhouse Church concerning the Church and School budget.

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Note: I wrote this, December 27, 2004, reflecting on the devastating tsunami that hit in the East. I reflect on this again, as it speaks to the devastation we witness in Haiti.

natural disasters

Living in earthquake country, whenever I hear of one occurring somewhere else, I take notice. But, when the earthquake is followed by tidal waves, or tsunamis, as they are called, the notice is followed by amazement. I have been through a big earthquake, but waves traveling at 500 miles an hour? I can’t even imagine.

My prayers go out for the families and loved ones of so many; 23000+ at my last check. The devastation of 20 foot walls of water is pronounced. In the days ahead there will be many questions. First among them will be why?

Why did so many die? Most of the death occurred on islands and low-lying coast land. Also, tsunamis are so rare in the Indian Ocean that, unlike other areas of the world, there was no early warning system. Many of the dead were clad in swim suits. There is another why question whenever there is a natural disaster of such magnitude. Why did God do this?

Consider two points. First, only people who live in these kind of island and coastal areas, or are visiting, are going to be affected by tsunamis. We know where we live has an impact of our risk level of certain disasters. Hurricanes in Florida, earthquakes in my backyard; we know what is possible and are willing to take the risk. Humans choose to live where they are susceptible. It’s not a God thing where we settle.

Second, why tsunamis in the first place? Factually, earthquakes and tsunamis are essential to “stir” up nutrients in the world’s oceans. Without them, we would not be here. This is no solace for those who have been so devastated, but without natural “disasters,” advanced life would not be possible on earth.

So, what does this all mean? I don’t know about tsunamis. I don’t know why God designed earth’s life enhancing systems in such a way. I only know that one way or another we all face personal “tsunamis” in our lives. Devastating, unexpected disasters come calling as part of the human condition. And I do know something else.

I know that when I have been wiped out, it was holding on to Jesus that got me through. Jesus was able to bring new life in the midst of the pain. And I know another thing. The earth is not my home. My home is the kingdom of God where I live now, and will live face-to-face with Jesus forever, some day. Martin Luther said it in the old hymn, A Mighty Fortress,

Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.

I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’ll stick with Jesus.

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