PJ (Personal Journal): This will be part of the blog that doesn't start with Scripture, but starts with my own trials of being in pain and trying to heal.
What now? I have to keep reminding myself that my priorities are just that, mine. For the past three weeks, I have been trying to get into see a neurologist. I saw him five years ago, but at that time, he started me on shots into my back. I went to someone else for my surgery, partly because I was highly frustrated with this particular neurologist at the time. Now, after a surgery, multiple shots, a stimulator placed into my spine, and various physical and drug therapies, I have been told to see this surgeon once again. Because my condition has worsened and my spine is 9mm forward of my sacrum (for all the anatomy buffs out there) he seems to be the only surgeon in town that is able to help me. However, I have found that getting into see him is not at all that easy. First, my referral was incomplete, I still had to have a test done. It was scheduled, but we couldn't make an appointment for afterward, we had to actually have the test completed. So, I completed the test and called again. "I'm sorry, we spoke before?" Now I know I'm not the only patient, not even important, but she had paperwork the first time I called. "Let me call Peggy" was what we needed. That caused me to call a third time. "Yes, we have all the paperwork we need from your doctor, now we have to wait for our physician to look over your file and see if he'll take you as a patient."
So What? That's what I have to keep telling myself. This, as in all things, will come in God's time. Just because something is my top priority, does not mean it will be a priority for anyone else. In my own mind, I had already planned out when I could have the surgery, what insurance we would use, and when and how long I would need to recuperate. What I had not planned for was God's timing. That is what is always primary. So when I make plans, I must always remember to include, "...if it is in God's will." When I don't do that, I hit frustration like I'm running into a brick wall at full force. You would think one time of that would be enough!
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27 November 2009
23 November 2009
Suffering: The "In Good Company" Series Job IV
Now: We left Job and his three friends sitting on the ground, Job in ashes, in silence for seven days. Job, as was proper custom, was the first to speak. He did so starting by cursing his own birth.
The Arguments: The three friends, once let loose by Job's own speaking, began to "educate" Job as to what his problems were. They were so sure of their own righteousness, they thought it easy; Job was either a sinner himself, or he was paying for his ancestors. However, at each turn, Job answered them, like Perry Mason or Matlock. Job knew that no man can be totally righteous before God, therefore both suffering and blessings come from God at His pleasure. What Job wanted was his day in court. Job wanted to speak with God, to argue his case before the Almighty.
Lessons I've Learned: First, from someone in chronic pain, I must always maintain my proper place before the Lord. He has made me, not the other way around. I can bemoan my condition, but I must always know the Lord is with me; that there is a reason He has me in this condition. I should listen for God, as I wish others would listen to me. That's the second point, for those who know someone in pain or suffering; be very careful when you tell the person what their problem is. Our Lord, Jesus said it best when he told people to worry about the plank in their own eye, then help the neighbor with the speck in his or her eye. Since we are not God, we do not see how and what He does, then we don't really know about a persons problems, be they physical, mental, or spiritual. We can speculate, we can propose, or we can discuss; however be very wary about telling someone what their problem is. Our best response is to direct or guide someone to Scripture for answers, and listen to what their concerns are. Since God has the answers, let Him tell the person what comes next.
Next: Young Pup Roars Like a Lion
The Arguments: The three friends, once let loose by Job's own speaking, began to "educate" Job as to what his problems were. They were so sure of their own righteousness, they thought it easy; Job was either a sinner himself, or he was paying for his ancestors. However, at each turn, Job answered them, like Perry Mason or Matlock. Job knew that no man can be totally righteous before God, therefore both suffering and blessings come from God at His pleasure. What Job wanted was his day in court. Job wanted to speak with God, to argue his case before the Almighty.
Lessons I've Learned: First, from someone in chronic pain, I must always maintain my proper place before the Lord. He has made me, not the other way around. I can bemoan my condition, but I must always know the Lord is with me; that there is a reason He has me in this condition. I should listen for God, as I wish others would listen to me. That's the second point, for those who know someone in pain or suffering; be very careful when you tell the person what their problem is. Our Lord, Jesus said it best when he told people to worry about the plank in their own eye, then help the neighbor with the speck in his or her eye. Since we are not God, we do not see how and what He does, then we don't really know about a persons problems, be they physical, mental, or spiritual. We can speculate, we can propose, or we can discuss; however be very wary about telling someone what their problem is. Our best response is to direct or guide someone to Scripture for answers, and listen to what their concerns are. Since God has the answers, let Him tell the person what comes next.
Next: Young Pup Roars Like a Lion
20 November 2009
Suffering: The "In Good Company" Series Job III
Now: We last left Job and how I felt about his wife telling him to curse God and die. Let's look at Job's friends, basically three different guys, from three different neighborhoods. We can say with absolute conviction that these were not just business acquaintances, they weren't coming to see if the rumors were true, and they weren't going to see Job out of some sense of formality. How do we know? Because of the way they acted when they saw Job. When Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar saw Job, we read that they hardly even recognized him.
Picture this: One of your closest friends, one of the most upstanding men you have ever known, someone of wealth and power, a man devoted to family and who had an enviable estate is now sitting in a pile of ash, swollen with massive, full body sores that are oozing and obviously painful, nearly naked covered with the ash he was pouring over his head. The three friends reacted personally and deeply. As soon as they saw their friend from a distance, they cried out and tore their sleeves from their tunics. They tossed dust into the air and allowed it to fall onto their heads, a sign of their grief and empathy.
A lesson in friendship and suffering: They sat with Job in silence for seven days. Sometimes, grief is so great, there are no words that will help at the moment. Being there, just knowing someone is there for you, is what many people that are suffering all types of problems really want and need. You don't have to say something, you don't have to do something. Sit with a friend in need and just be there.
Next time: Listening versus Speaking
Picture this: One of your closest friends, one of the most upstanding men you have ever known, someone of wealth and power, a man devoted to family and who had an enviable estate is now sitting in a pile of ash, swollen with massive, full body sores that are oozing and obviously painful, nearly naked covered with the ash he was pouring over his head. The three friends reacted personally and deeply. As soon as they saw their friend from a distance, they cried out and tore their sleeves from their tunics. They tossed dust into the air and allowed it to fall onto their heads, a sign of their grief and empathy.
A lesson in friendship and suffering: They sat with Job in silence for seven days. Sometimes, grief is so great, there are no words that will help at the moment. Being there, just knowing someone is there for you, is what many people that are suffering all types of problems really want and need. You don't have to say something, you don't have to do something. Sit with a friend in need and just be there.
Next time: Listening versus Speaking
16 November 2009
Suffering: The "In Good Company" Series Job II
As we ended our last discussion on Job, I made the statement that pain and suffering have a purpose. Sometimes, it is actually for the benefit of a loved one, especially if it is a loved one we have lost. No matter the age at which we leave this earth, our Lord calls us home for His purpose. If a loved one is ill, the Divine Purpose can have a myriad of folds; for the one who is ill, for the family, for the caretakers, the list can go on and on. One of the reasons I gave can be quite controversial, but at the same time, to me it makes Biblical sense.
Throughout Scripture, we find that angels exist in heaven, and have also been here on earth with us. We know by Scripture that; God did not spare angels that sinned and sent them to hell (2 Pet 2:4), we know the angels desired to see and know Christ on earth (1 Pet 1:12), some people have entertained angels unaware, while they were helping strangers (Heb 13:2), angels serve the Son, but the author of Hebrews also mentions in the same chapter, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb 1:14, emphasis added is mine), and finally Paul asks us if we understand that we will judge angels? (1 Cor 6:3). Therefore my friends, are we to say that our sufferings do not stir the angels as they watch us deal with our earthly circumstances? My point in this long winded paragraph is this; if we can entertain angels unaware, what do they see and how do they feel as we lift our sufferings to our Lord? Do we really know how far the effect our ability to accept pain and suffering reaches?
Although difficult to ascertain, we can safely say that Job was written between 2,000-1,000 BC. His suffering has helped the people of God for thousands of years understand how suffering can come, and how one can answer their opponents. Which leads us to the next part of Job's story. When we left Job, he had lost his children, animals, servants, and all his belongings in the span of a few hours. It is most unfortunate that this same kind of loss can still happen today, but can we really empathize if we have not gone through such pain? Loosing all ten children, as well as all your other means of security and support is overwhelming to say the least. However, this was not enough for Satan.
Again, when the angels presented themselves to our Lord, Satan was with them. For a second time, God asked Satan about Job, and how well he is doing despite all his loss. God even says about Job, "...he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." So let's understand that once again, God calls out Job to Satan, because Job has stayed true to his God. When our Lord says that Job maintains his integrity, can we think of times in which we have lost our own integrity for far less than what Job has gone through?
Enraged, Satan says that Job will certainly curse God if Satan was just allowed to do him physical harm. For Satan, our ability for material loss, as well as our ability to accept the loss of others pales in comparison to our own comfort and bodies. Satan was sure that, as he walks about the earth, it is when people suffer pain within themselves that they buckle under the pressure. He is convinced that man will do anything if in pain, including curse God to His Face. However, we must wonder how such a high level angel doesn't see the omnipotence and omniscience of God. God says that Satan may do any physical harm to Job, but he must not kill him. This reminds me of the movies in which the evil torturer says, "You will wish you were dead when I get through with you!" Apparently, these movie characters have not read Job.
Satan goes back to the earth and afflicts Job with what is described as "painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head." Job, who was already sitting in ashes in mourning, now he uses a potsherd to scrape these painful sores. This is where his wife comes in. Now it was only today, in preparing to write this, that I finally found two ways to look at this woman. My initial reaction to her statement, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!", has always been one of disbelief. I mean, of all Job's loss, God couldn't take her as well, or did Satan know she would help him out? She falls into the category, "with friends like these...". Then as I was praying and looking into my work today, I realized something for the first time. She too is in grief. She too is mourning the loss of children and home, lifestyle and prestige, although I don't mean that in a vain way. She went from having servants, to having less than a servant. She must have been incredibly frightened.
Her statement also gives Job an opening, if you will, to help us learn about the nature of God, again in just chapter 2. Job replies to her, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" So I now see two things. First, I now don't believe she ever was a foolish woman, just one who was sad and angry about her losses. She must have been a noble woman, and again, I mean that in the sense that God kept her alive as well. Second, Job is able to state his basis for accepting all his pain and suffering because she verbalizes what the reader is thinking, certainly what Satan thought. For Job though, if we praise God for all of our good, why do we turn on Him so quickly? When bad things happen, we look for someone or something to blame, and too many people feel like blaming God is the way to go. I recently read some passed along email that had on it, "If you're mad, yell at God, he can take it". I'm not saying He can't, but what are you mad at?
Job makes it clear for all readers that God allows for good and He allows bad, but it is not for us to question why. Well, why not?!? What is it about integrity, our character before God, that is so important? Maybe even here, Job knows that he will have to face his Creator at some point. If we turn on God the minute something goes wrong in our eyes, why would He be faithful to us when we sin? This is somewhat an immature, but correct position Job takes. I say immature, because Job still has a long way to go in his trial. He will face his friends, finding that he must defend himself to these men. He will call out to God for an answer, and in the end, Job will actually hear from the One, True God directly.
This leads us to both an answer, and some more questions. First, as I have stated, any pain or suffering we go through is for a Divine Purpose. Like Job, we must accept this life's good with the bad, knowing it comes from the Almighty. How we can prove that, or how can we convince others regarding this will be brought out as we look at Job's later discussions. Right now, we still want to know, why does God allow Satan such power and evil? When we are in need, how are we suppose to hold onto integrity? Why, since we have Christ, do we still suffer? It is questions like these that we'll try and get to later this week. Until then, if you have a body in pain, or if your mind or spirit suffer, know this; God is not away from you, but rather has His attention on you. I would say that for now, accepting is half the battle.
Throughout Scripture, we find that angels exist in heaven, and have also been here on earth with us. We know by Scripture that; God did not spare angels that sinned and sent them to hell (2 Pet 2:4), we know the angels desired to see and know Christ on earth (1 Pet 1:12), some people have entertained angels unaware, while they were helping strangers (Heb 13:2), angels serve the Son, but the author of Hebrews also mentions in the same chapter, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb 1:14, emphasis added is mine), and finally Paul asks us if we understand that we will judge angels? (1 Cor 6:3). Therefore my friends, are we to say that our sufferings do not stir the angels as they watch us deal with our earthly circumstances? My point in this long winded paragraph is this; if we can entertain angels unaware, what do they see and how do they feel as we lift our sufferings to our Lord? Do we really know how far the effect our ability to accept pain and suffering reaches?
Although difficult to ascertain, we can safely say that Job was written between 2,000-1,000 BC. His suffering has helped the people of God for thousands of years understand how suffering can come, and how one can answer their opponents. Which leads us to the next part of Job's story. When we left Job, he had lost his children, animals, servants, and all his belongings in the span of a few hours. It is most unfortunate that this same kind of loss can still happen today, but can we really empathize if we have not gone through such pain? Loosing all ten children, as well as all your other means of security and support is overwhelming to say the least. However, this was not enough for Satan.
Again, when the angels presented themselves to our Lord, Satan was with them. For a second time, God asked Satan about Job, and how well he is doing despite all his loss. God even says about Job, "...he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." So let's understand that once again, God calls out Job to Satan, because Job has stayed true to his God. When our Lord says that Job maintains his integrity, can we think of times in which we have lost our own integrity for far less than what Job has gone through?
Enraged, Satan says that Job will certainly curse God if Satan was just allowed to do him physical harm. For Satan, our ability for material loss, as well as our ability to accept the loss of others pales in comparison to our own comfort and bodies. Satan was sure that, as he walks about the earth, it is when people suffer pain within themselves that they buckle under the pressure. He is convinced that man will do anything if in pain, including curse God to His Face. However, we must wonder how such a high level angel doesn't see the omnipotence and omniscience of God. God says that Satan may do any physical harm to Job, but he must not kill him. This reminds me of the movies in which the evil torturer says, "You will wish you were dead when I get through with you!" Apparently, these movie characters have not read Job.
Satan goes back to the earth and afflicts Job with what is described as "painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head." Job, who was already sitting in ashes in mourning, now he uses a potsherd to scrape these painful sores. This is where his wife comes in. Now it was only today, in preparing to write this, that I finally found two ways to look at this woman. My initial reaction to her statement, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!", has always been one of disbelief. I mean, of all Job's loss, God couldn't take her as well, or did Satan know she would help him out? She falls into the category, "with friends like these...". Then as I was praying and looking into my work today, I realized something for the first time. She too is in grief. She too is mourning the loss of children and home, lifestyle and prestige, although I don't mean that in a vain way. She went from having servants, to having less than a servant. She must have been incredibly frightened.
Her statement also gives Job an opening, if you will, to help us learn about the nature of God, again in just chapter 2. Job replies to her, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" So I now see two things. First, I now don't believe she ever was a foolish woman, just one who was sad and angry about her losses. She must have been a noble woman, and again, I mean that in the sense that God kept her alive as well. Second, Job is able to state his basis for accepting all his pain and suffering because she verbalizes what the reader is thinking, certainly what Satan thought. For Job though, if we praise God for all of our good, why do we turn on Him so quickly? When bad things happen, we look for someone or something to blame, and too many people feel like blaming God is the way to go. I recently read some passed along email that had on it, "If you're mad, yell at God, he can take it". I'm not saying He can't, but what are you mad at?
Job makes it clear for all readers that God allows for good and He allows bad, but it is not for us to question why. Well, why not?!? What is it about integrity, our character before God, that is so important? Maybe even here, Job knows that he will have to face his Creator at some point. If we turn on God the minute something goes wrong in our eyes, why would He be faithful to us when we sin? This is somewhat an immature, but correct position Job takes. I say immature, because Job still has a long way to go in his trial. He will face his friends, finding that he must defend himself to these men. He will call out to God for an answer, and in the end, Job will actually hear from the One, True God directly.
This leads us to both an answer, and some more questions. First, as I have stated, any pain or suffering we go through is for a Divine Purpose. Like Job, we must accept this life's good with the bad, knowing it comes from the Almighty. How we can prove that, or how can we convince others regarding this will be brought out as we look at Job's later discussions. Right now, we still want to know, why does God allow Satan such power and evil? When we are in need, how are we suppose to hold onto integrity? Why, since we have Christ, do we still suffer? It is questions like these that we'll try and get to later this week. Until then, if you have a body in pain, or if your mind or spirit suffer, know this; God is not away from you, but rather has His attention on you. I would say that for now, accepting is half the battle.
11 November 2009
Suffering: The "In Good Company" Series Job I
Back to the "In Good Company" series, I have leap frogged over a few important people so we can go to the original King of Pain. For readers who have been here before, it is not unusual for me to do things out of order. Then again, those of us in pain, can use pain or pain medication as an excuse. Let's face it, I started with Adam and Eve, who are almost never connected to pain and suffering, and then talked about Noah and his family. Now I decided to go to the big gun, the man who lost it all and got through to the other side.
Yes, this is the first in our discussion of Job, because when it comes to pain and suffering, it seems like Job is the go to book of the Bible. The problem I find when I hear this is that most people know very little about the Book of Job. Most people know that he lost a lot, and something about sitting in ashes, then God said he was okay now, and...the end. You see, many people who are in pain don't have the time, inclination, or focus to read all the way through the book. It doesn't help that the Book of Job is 42 chapters long. When you're looking for answers to your pain and suffering, you want to skip to the end, however with Job, that doesn't work. That's why I am going to give job more than one look at, and see if we can't pull out some helpful points as we go along.
One thing I want you to know is I did the same thing as many people have done. I got into pain, and turned to Job. It was long, I got frustrated, and then I skipped to the end. Doing it that way, I was able to get, well, NO help! Why? Because the Word of God doesn't work that way. We can memorize certain verses that can help us in times of distress, but we can't just pull out verses we find in the back of a Bible when we think we need them. The Word is more than that. It is the whole Word, everything that we find in the Scripture that teaches and prepares us. Basically, Christians don't use cliff notes for the Bible. So, it is important to read all of Scripture, and we should start to see this as the treasure that this is. So, with that said, let's start looking at what we can find in Job that will help.
I would like to start with two of the biggest pieces of information that most people overlook when they study Job. The first thing is how righteous Job was, right up front. Job, who lived in Uz, was the father of seven sons and three daughters that were all grown. He was the greatest man of wealth in his day. Having all that was not what made Job righteous, though. His sons were in the habit of hosting feasts in their own homes, inviting the other siblings along. When the time of feasting was done, Job would send for them and have them purified. As their father, he would rise early in the morning and offer sacrifices to the One, True God. He did this in case his children had sinned and cursed God in their hearts. So lesson one: Job did not rely on his own wealth, position, or abilities to consider himself righteous. In fact, he didn't necessarily see himself as righteous. His habit of offering up sacrifices and praying for his children never stopped. Our Scripture tells us that this was his regular custom. He never gave up on being a father.
The second point, one that we learn within the first chapter is this; God sold Job out! We learn right off the bat that certain angels are called to come before, and present themselves to the Lord. Satan was there, as is his job, and talked about walking about the earth. Satan was probably in his usual mood (sour), and the Lord, without prompting, says, "Have you considered my servant Job?" God goes on to say how Job fears God and shuns evil, and Satan retorts that it is only because of all the grace the Lord has bestowed on Job that makes him upright. With some more back and forth, God allows Satan to afflict Job's "holdings", but not to harm the man himself. Within 12 hours, everything Job held dear, except his wife (we'll deal with her next time), was gone. Children, homes, animals, and servants are gone. It is here that we hear Job utter, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away."
This information sets up the rest of the book. Even when more destruction happens, and it will; even when Job's friends show up and try to make Job out as some kind of deviant or descendant of some horrible sinners, we, the readers, know that Job is an honorable man in the eyes of God. Right here, before we go any further, we know that Job looses everything he had, and there is no reason that we can humanly understand. None. Among all the men on earth, God points Satan right at Job. A righteous man, a man who prayed to God, who loved his children. who shunned sin, is given up to Satan by God. What does that say to us? I believe that it says that our pain, our suffering, has purpose. Our pain is not tied to our sin, however God does allow our suffering; it is God who is in control. How do we answer this? Do we fight this, or do we find out what the Lord is saying to us, or trying to teach us? Or is He teaching the angels by using us? Is He teaching Satan? Does God believe in us, as much as we believe in Him? We'll ponder this until the next time.
Yes, this is the first in our discussion of Job, because when it comes to pain and suffering, it seems like Job is the go to book of the Bible. The problem I find when I hear this is that most people know very little about the Book of Job. Most people know that he lost a lot, and something about sitting in ashes, then God said he was okay now, and...the end. You see, many people who are in pain don't have the time, inclination, or focus to read all the way through the book. It doesn't help that the Book of Job is 42 chapters long. When you're looking for answers to your pain and suffering, you want to skip to the end, however with Job, that doesn't work. That's why I am going to give job more than one look at, and see if we can't pull out some helpful points as we go along.
One thing I want you to know is I did the same thing as many people have done. I got into pain, and turned to Job. It was long, I got frustrated, and then I skipped to the end. Doing it that way, I was able to get, well, NO help! Why? Because the Word of God doesn't work that way. We can memorize certain verses that can help us in times of distress, but we can't just pull out verses we find in the back of a Bible when we think we need them. The Word is more than that. It is the whole Word, everything that we find in the Scripture that teaches and prepares us. Basically, Christians don't use cliff notes for the Bible. So, it is important to read all of Scripture, and we should start to see this as the treasure that this is. So, with that said, let's start looking at what we can find in Job that will help.
I would like to start with two of the biggest pieces of information that most people overlook when they study Job. The first thing is how righteous Job was, right up front. Job, who lived in Uz, was the father of seven sons and three daughters that were all grown. He was the greatest man of wealth in his day. Having all that was not what made Job righteous, though. His sons were in the habit of hosting feasts in their own homes, inviting the other siblings along. When the time of feasting was done, Job would send for them and have them purified. As their father, he would rise early in the morning and offer sacrifices to the One, True God. He did this in case his children had sinned and cursed God in their hearts. So lesson one: Job did not rely on his own wealth, position, or abilities to consider himself righteous. In fact, he didn't necessarily see himself as righteous. His habit of offering up sacrifices and praying for his children never stopped. Our Scripture tells us that this was his regular custom. He never gave up on being a father.
The second point, one that we learn within the first chapter is this; God sold Job out! We learn right off the bat that certain angels are called to come before, and present themselves to the Lord. Satan was there, as is his job, and talked about walking about the earth. Satan was probably in his usual mood (sour), and the Lord, without prompting, says, "Have you considered my servant Job?" God goes on to say how Job fears God and shuns evil, and Satan retorts that it is only because of all the grace the Lord has bestowed on Job that makes him upright. With some more back and forth, God allows Satan to afflict Job's "holdings", but not to harm the man himself. Within 12 hours, everything Job held dear, except his wife (we'll deal with her next time), was gone. Children, homes, animals, and servants are gone. It is here that we hear Job utter, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away."
This information sets up the rest of the book. Even when more destruction happens, and it will; even when Job's friends show up and try to make Job out as some kind of deviant or descendant of some horrible sinners, we, the readers, know that Job is an honorable man in the eyes of God. Right here, before we go any further, we know that Job looses everything he had, and there is no reason that we can humanly understand. None. Among all the men on earth, God points Satan right at Job. A righteous man, a man who prayed to God, who loved his children. who shunned sin, is given up to Satan by God. What does that say to us? I believe that it says that our pain, our suffering, has purpose. Our pain is not tied to our sin, however God does allow our suffering; it is God who is in control. How do we answer this? Do we fight this, or do we find out what the Lord is saying to us, or trying to teach us? Or is He teaching the angels by using us? Is He teaching Satan? Does God believe in us, as much as we believe in Him? We'll ponder this until the next time.
09 November 2009
Medical Test Results: Good or Bad
Friday I had my second EMG, or electromyography, on my legs. The first one I had was in 2006, so it had been some time ago. Oddly enough in today's medical market, I had the same physician do the test again. Having that familiarity can be nice, especially when our first encounter went quite well. We discussed why a new test had been ordered and what differences my back had gone through.
For those who have not had this test, let me give you a brief introduction. The purpose of an EMG is see if the muscle cells can generate the proper electrical potential when those cells are both mechanically active and at rest. I guess, some may call it a nerve conduction study, but that's not completely true. It starts with the small sticker pieces, the kind you may be familiar with for an EKG that they place on your chest. Or, if you have kids, those little foil stickers, except these have wires, which would mean your kids are playing with either really advanced toys or you're a descendant of Frankenstein. Anyway, they place these little stickers on the muscles in question, in this case my calves, quads and low back. Because it was for my lower body, I had to continually move from one side to the other and also be on my back so he could have his little stickers in the right spot. Since the study is about a problem with my back and legs, these are not easy movements, I can assure you. At this point, they run an electric current to the sticker and force your muscle to contract. This causes the muscle to contract, and depending on the power level, either just the muscle, or the whole body! Like I said, I've done this before, so I knew what was coming. Still, knowing you are about to have an electric shock and getting one, well, they are two different things.
Once the shock part is over, the needle starts. In this study, the physician inserts a needle connected to a wire so you can actually listen to the muscle and its nerve connection. This needle is small, but here again the patient has to move into position, and then once the needle is in the muscle, you must contract and relax the muscle. During the this part of the test, you can listen to the muscle through a speaker, which the physician can interpret as whether the nerves and muscles are actually working properly. This is crucial to the physician, and can be excruciating to some patients. For me, it's not that big a deal. When I was a paramedic supervisor, I would sit with a cup of coffee and let the newbies try to get an IV in my other hand. So the needle part, not so bad. Contracting around the needle, a little uncomfortable. For those that are needle-phobic, or just really not masochistic in nature, this may not be an enjoyable test for you!
At the end of this, and it didn't take very long for me, probably under an hour, the doctor leaves and you must wait for the results. As in most medical testing, you must sometimes wait more than a week before getting some kind of answer. This can be a really difficult time for some folks. When the test is routine, or you're not expecting anything big, the time in between, goes by without a thought. However, for some who are relying on a test to confirm a possible diagnosis of a disease, or direct them to a new treatment, the time waiting can terrible. Being human, we can measure time by the most accurately; but how time feels going by depends on what is going on. That waiting can be as painful as the problem.
The reason is found in our sinful human nature. It's the not knowing, the "what if's", and the possible effect this news can have on our lives. Not just our lives, either. Do you know that as a paramedic and trauma nurse, as well as a patient, I have yet to find a disease that only effects one individual. All diseases, all injuries are family or social issues. It has an effect on the person, but like the pebble hitting the pond, the ripples spread from the center and move out. It is at times like these that the words of my Savior really help me.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 27, our Lord says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (All verses here and elsewhere are taken from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible) The plain reality of this is, no matter what the test says, it is God's way of saying, "This is your next step, and I am with you". As I have tried to point out in other posts is that many times our illnesses and injuries are a way of God putting us, and possibly our loved ones, on a particular path. Many of us have also met others on this new path that we would have not met before, and we couldn't imagine our lives without this new relationship.
So how do we answer the question, when a medical test result comes back, what makes it good or bad? I believe that it all depends on how we respond to the result, not the result itself. Let's consider three things: Fist in Proverbs, we read that "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control". In this, I find that although I may not agree with, or even be angry over the test result, I cannot give into my emotions. I must look to wisdom, and by grace, I know right where to go. That's number 2, Jesus Himself gave us words, maybe not words of wisdom we humans would ever think of, but the Savior said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". Think of that. You will have trouble, but when Christ says He has overcome the world, He is giving you a hope. He overcame sin, so we can now approach the Almighty, but there is still the trouble of this world. That leads us to number 3, something I found in Ephesians, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom, and revelation, so that you may know Him better." To know God better! Like CS Lewis said in his "The Problem of Pain", I quote"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." So when we get a medical test back, and it's not what we hoped for, or flat out wanted, we can as Christians: Keep calm, understand that our troubles are bound to happen, but we can receive the Wisdom of God and get to know Him better. Therefore, a test result cannot be good or bad, it can only guide us in what God has in store for us. It is He that is in control, and in that I am thankful.
For those who have not had this test, let me give you a brief introduction. The purpose of an EMG is see if the muscle cells can generate the proper electrical potential when those cells are both mechanically active and at rest. I guess, some may call it a nerve conduction study, but that's not completely true. It starts with the small sticker pieces, the kind you may be familiar with for an EKG that they place on your chest. Or, if you have kids, those little foil stickers, except these have wires, which would mean your kids are playing with either really advanced toys or you're a descendant of Frankenstein. Anyway, they place these little stickers on the muscles in question, in this case my calves, quads and low back. Because it was for my lower body, I had to continually move from one side to the other and also be on my back so he could have his little stickers in the right spot. Since the study is about a problem with my back and legs, these are not easy movements, I can assure you. At this point, they run an electric current to the sticker and force your muscle to contract. This causes the muscle to contract, and depending on the power level, either just the muscle, or the whole body! Like I said, I've done this before, so I knew what was coming. Still, knowing you are about to have an electric shock and getting one, well, they are two different things.
Once the shock part is over, the needle starts. In this study, the physician inserts a needle connected to a wire so you can actually listen to the muscle and its nerve connection. This needle is small, but here again the patient has to move into position, and then once the needle is in the muscle, you must contract and relax the muscle. During the this part of the test, you can listen to the muscle through a speaker, which the physician can interpret as whether the nerves and muscles are actually working properly. This is crucial to the physician, and can be excruciating to some patients. For me, it's not that big a deal. When I was a paramedic supervisor, I would sit with a cup of coffee and let the newbies try to get an IV in my other hand. So the needle part, not so bad. Contracting around the needle, a little uncomfortable. For those that are needle-phobic, or just really not masochistic in nature, this may not be an enjoyable test for you!
At the end of this, and it didn't take very long for me, probably under an hour, the doctor leaves and you must wait for the results. As in most medical testing, you must sometimes wait more than a week before getting some kind of answer. This can be a really difficult time for some folks. When the test is routine, or you're not expecting anything big, the time in between, goes by without a thought. However, for some who are relying on a test to confirm a possible diagnosis of a disease, or direct them to a new treatment, the time waiting can terrible. Being human, we can measure time by the most accurately; but how time feels going by depends on what is going on. That waiting can be as painful as the problem.
The reason is found in our sinful human nature. It's the not knowing, the "what if's", and the possible effect this news can have on our lives. Not just our lives, either. Do you know that as a paramedic and trauma nurse, as well as a patient, I have yet to find a disease that only effects one individual. All diseases, all injuries are family or social issues. It has an effect on the person, but like the pebble hitting the pond, the ripples spread from the center and move out. It is at times like these that the words of my Savior really help me.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 27, our Lord says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (All verses here and elsewhere are taken from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible) The plain reality of this is, no matter what the test says, it is God's way of saying, "This is your next step, and I am with you". As I have tried to point out in other posts is that many times our illnesses and injuries are a way of God putting us, and possibly our loved ones, on a particular path. Many of us have also met others on this new path that we would have not met before, and we couldn't imagine our lives without this new relationship.
So how do we answer the question, when a medical test result comes back, what makes it good or bad? I believe that it all depends on how we respond to the result, not the result itself. Let's consider three things: Fist in Proverbs, we read that "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control". In this, I find that although I may not agree with, or even be angry over the test result, I cannot give into my emotions. I must look to wisdom, and by grace, I know right where to go. That's number 2, Jesus Himself gave us words, maybe not words of wisdom we humans would ever think of, but the Savior said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". Think of that. You will have trouble, but when Christ says He has overcome the world, He is giving you a hope. He overcame sin, so we can now approach the Almighty, but there is still the trouble of this world. That leads us to number 3, something I found in Ephesians, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom, and revelation, so that you may know Him better." To know God better! Like CS Lewis said in his "The Problem of Pain", I quote"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." So when we get a medical test back, and it's not what we hoped for, or flat out wanted, we can as Christians: Keep calm, understand that our troubles are bound to happen, but we can receive the Wisdom of God and get to know Him better. Therefore, a test result cannot be good or bad, it can only guide us in what God has in store for us. It is He that is in control, and in that I am thankful.
05 November 2009
In Pain, or Loved One in Pain: Which is Harder
Okay, so I would guess that title is a trick question, especially for a parent. Being in pain can be terrible, it can be nearly impossible to bare. When we suffer, it is between us and God, and we look for some means of comfort. However, when a loved one is suffering, there is no means of comfort for those of us who watch on. It is at this time that we turn to God in our solitude, for there is no other medicine, no procedure, no cure for the bystander.
For those of you who are first time readers, I have chronic nerve pain in my back, and it is debilitating. As a parent though, any sickness in my girls is far worse. We have no strength, no brilliance, no power to automatically "fix" our child. And what of the one we chose to marry? For me, this woman is my confidant, my lover, my friend, my ally, my partner in life, and the one I share all my secrets with. Then there are parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, other family, and that friend that has been with us through thick and thin since we can't remember how long. When others suffer, we have nothing that can truly be done by us to instantly remove the problem. Oh sure, when they are young and get a "boo boo" and we can kiss it and make it all better, that's one thing. When the illness and injury are long past being a boo boo, what then? We need to be able to make it better. On the other hand, should we? Let me tell you a story, a true story:
Some years ago, a thirteen year old girl was stricken with Leukemia. She was the daughter of a minister, a pastor of a church. The family did everything the doctors prescribed, and prayed without ceasing. The girl was getting worse. One evening, while the pastors and elders were around the girl praying, one of the faithful said, "...if it is Your Will O Lord..." "NO!" cried the father. "I have served you faithfully, I have done all you've asked of me, I want my child healed. Lord, I want my little girl to be made whole, to be well again. This is my prayer, heal my daughter."
Within a few weeks, while the doctors were at a complete loss, the girl walked out of the hospital, no signs of cancer. It is as if she had never been sick. For all appearances, this was a miracle of the first order.
Now no one knows whether it was that she perceived that her parents smothered her, whether she felt like she was always the center of attention, or what it was; but by the age of sixteen, she had run away from a loving, Christian home. By seventeen, she was selling herself to strangers for sex, to support her drug habit. Before she turned eighteen, her parents identified her body at the city morgue. Was this the punishment for her father's prayer? Was God showing His displeasure of this family? Did she rebel at God just because she went through her illness and this is how He answered her? No.
You see, our Lord is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He knew that the Evil One had her in his sights just because she was of the Lord, that happened when she accepted Christ. By allowing her to be sick, she could have missed going through those teenage years and horrors. However, the pastor made a request, and God gave his servant what he asked for. As parents, we can see how this happens. As little ones, they want what they want, even if it is not good for them; they think it is and want it. We have the ability to teach them some things, but as they grow older, they will have to learn some things on their own, despite our best intentions. God is our Father, and he gave this pastor what he wanted, even though He knew the consequence.
It isn't always this way. Sometimes, people pray and are healed. For those who are healed and go on to great things, does this mean the Lord is at work here as well? Is it because someone prayed correctly and were rewarded appropriately? Is God playing favorites? Not necessarily. As I have said, the Lord sees all in a completely different way, and sometimes it is good for healing to take place, and sometimes not; we just cannot expect to see which is which within our human minds, our human lifetime. This can confound the atheist and the philosopher equally. Why?
Just because our finite minds cannot fathom the infinite mind of God, why should that surprise us? What it should do is the following: Get believers to release our false idea of control and expectations and allow for the Lord's control in all things. In fact, this is what I believe is the greatest duty of all the faithful. Maybe duty is the wrong word; I think it is our purpose, or responsibility, or how about evidence of our salvation? To give up our desires, our concept of control, our expectations, basically our very selves is the Way of the Christian. So how does this help us with our sick children? With a spouse who's dying?
I'm not sure it does so in any kind of neat package. Being human, will we ever reach a point when seeing a loved one suffering not upset us? Hopefully not. My hope is that we realize that our Father loves all of His children, and He is closer when they are hurting, not further away. Our Lord sees the situation differently than we do though, and we have to try and accept that. It's tough, no doubt about it. Yet maybe, just maybe, knowing this can give us the assurance that while we feel like we can only sit on the sidelines praying, the Holy Spirit is truly deep in the situation; listening to us and our loved one, helping them, healing their soul, readying them for their next step in God's plan, and walking with us on our own journey.
For those of you who are first time readers, I have chronic nerve pain in my back, and it is debilitating. As a parent though, any sickness in my girls is far worse. We have no strength, no brilliance, no power to automatically "fix" our child. And what of the one we chose to marry? For me, this woman is my confidant, my lover, my friend, my ally, my partner in life, and the one I share all my secrets with. Then there are parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, other family, and that friend that has been with us through thick and thin since we can't remember how long. When others suffer, we have nothing that can truly be done by us to instantly remove the problem. Oh sure, when they are young and get a "boo boo" and we can kiss it and make it all better, that's one thing. When the illness and injury are long past being a boo boo, what then? We need to be able to make it better. On the other hand, should we? Let me tell you a story, a true story:
Some years ago, a thirteen year old girl was stricken with Leukemia. She was the daughter of a minister, a pastor of a church. The family did everything the doctors prescribed, and prayed without ceasing. The girl was getting worse. One evening, while the pastors and elders were around the girl praying, one of the faithful said, "...if it is Your Will O Lord..." "NO!" cried the father. "I have served you faithfully, I have done all you've asked of me, I want my child healed. Lord, I want my little girl to be made whole, to be well again. This is my prayer, heal my daughter."
Within a few weeks, while the doctors were at a complete loss, the girl walked out of the hospital, no signs of cancer. It is as if she had never been sick. For all appearances, this was a miracle of the first order.
Now no one knows whether it was that she perceived that her parents smothered her, whether she felt like she was always the center of attention, or what it was; but by the age of sixteen, she had run away from a loving, Christian home. By seventeen, she was selling herself to strangers for sex, to support her drug habit. Before she turned eighteen, her parents identified her body at the city morgue. Was this the punishment for her father's prayer? Was God showing His displeasure of this family? Did she rebel at God just because she went through her illness and this is how He answered her? No.
You see, our Lord is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He knew that the Evil One had her in his sights just because she was of the Lord, that happened when she accepted Christ. By allowing her to be sick, she could have missed going through those teenage years and horrors. However, the pastor made a request, and God gave his servant what he asked for. As parents, we can see how this happens. As little ones, they want what they want, even if it is not good for them; they think it is and want it. We have the ability to teach them some things, but as they grow older, they will have to learn some things on their own, despite our best intentions. God is our Father, and he gave this pastor what he wanted, even though He knew the consequence.
It isn't always this way. Sometimes, people pray and are healed. For those who are healed and go on to great things, does this mean the Lord is at work here as well? Is it because someone prayed correctly and were rewarded appropriately? Is God playing favorites? Not necessarily. As I have said, the Lord sees all in a completely different way, and sometimes it is good for healing to take place, and sometimes not; we just cannot expect to see which is which within our human minds, our human lifetime. This can confound the atheist and the philosopher equally. Why?
Just because our finite minds cannot fathom the infinite mind of God, why should that surprise us? What it should do is the following: Get believers to release our false idea of control and expectations and allow for the Lord's control in all things. In fact, this is what I believe is the greatest duty of all the faithful. Maybe duty is the wrong word; I think it is our purpose, or responsibility, or how about evidence of our salvation? To give up our desires, our concept of control, our expectations, basically our very selves is the Way of the Christian. So how does this help us with our sick children? With a spouse who's dying?
I'm not sure it does so in any kind of neat package. Being human, will we ever reach a point when seeing a loved one suffering not upset us? Hopefully not. My hope is that we realize that our Father loves all of His children, and He is closer when they are hurting, not further away. Our Lord sees the situation differently than we do though, and we have to try and accept that. It's tough, no doubt about it. Yet maybe, just maybe, knowing this can give us the assurance that while we feel like we can only sit on the sidelines praying, the Holy Spirit is truly deep in the situation; listening to us and our loved one, helping them, healing their soul, readying them for their next step in God's plan, and walking with us on our own journey.
02 November 2009
Suffering: The "In Good Company" Series II
Hello faithful readers, although my wife has finally found work, God has given it in another city, where she will live for the week. This could only have been done by God, so we know we're right. As for the those of us left at home, we move on by faith. We will be together on the weekends. So, here is my next part of the series, that those of us who are in pain or suffering are in good company.
When I started the series, I started with Adam and Eve, the first couple, and at times the most hated couple in Scripture. Going along the Old Testament, I move to Noah. Now, considering everyone else in the world drowned, a lot of folks wouldn't really think Noah would fall under suffering. However, let's look at the whole picture. The entire earth was like living in Las Vegas, let's face it, it's known as "Sin City". He lived, as most did at the time, in a small, poor village; but still it was a nasty, despicable, vile place. I say that so you get the idea that although Noah was a righteous, Godly man, the rest of humanity was corrupt, rampant with impurity, and full of violence. God tells Noah that He is done with the earth as it is, and will destroy it right after Noah builds an ark for Him. Noah was a man of the earth, a farmer, and according to Scripture, people had never even seen rain. The water would swell up from the ground, and they lived by rivers and had wells. Did I mention Noah was well into his 500th year of age by this time as well?
So now, you being Noah, have information that the world will end, except who would believe you? You've got to build the biggest ship the world has ever seen, in a desert area. You're 500 plus years old and the world is nuts. It doesn't say how long Noah took to build the ark, but let me ask you: Without power tools, how long would it take you to build a great big ship? Can you imagine the ridicule he got from his neighbors? Maybe even worse than ridicule. Have you had a job where you thought you were the only believer in the whole company, even the world? In some parts of the world, you just might be the only believer there, and you can also be killed for it. Noah suffered every day he labored over the building of that ark. Not to mention, he was building it for God, you want to talk about pressure? However long it took, that job had to be one of the most pressure filled jobs of all time. "I am building a large ship to save my family and I, along with many animals, all for God. Everything else will die."
When Noah was done, he was now 600 years old, The animals entered, Noah and his wife entered, as well as his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, along with their wives. All along the ark were animals; livestock, birds, and wild animals, obviously tamed by the Lord for the trip. There was also food for the trip, for the Lord truly provided. With all of this, Noah went from master ship builder, to the captain of a rudderless love boat for animals. After one week, God closed the door, the rain started. Can you imagine the sounds of those first few days? The absolute panic of the heavy rain, the first rain in history, the people storming the ark and banging on it, the ship beginning to lift and move, bouncing along the waves. Let's not forget feeding his family and animals, and what comes after a meal! Once again, after Noah had a difficult job just building the ark, now he and his family were living in it while the Creator, mostly wiped the slate clean of His work. Sometimes when you know God is with you, it can still be frightening for us mere mortals. He had no idea what to expect next.
Every kid knows that it rained for forty days and forty nights, but can you tell me how long Noah and company stayed in the ark? Although the flood came for forty days and nights, the Bible also says the earth was flooded for 150 days, For another 150 days winds blew to help dry the land. By the time the dove did not return to the ark, it was almost a full year that Noah, his family and the animals were on the ark. Can you imagine what that was like? After all they went through, now it was time to go to work.
At 600 plus years old, Noah first built an altar to the Lord and offered burnt sacrifice to Him. After that, he again began to farm. It was up to Noah and his three sons and their wives to tame and repopulate the earth, although I see no evidence that Noah and his wife had anymore children. It seems the Lord was certainly merciful to this unnamed woman! However, Noah lived another 350 years after the flood, farming and dealing with his sons. Not long after their historical cruise, Ham entered his father's tent and saw Noah lying naked, asleep. Instead of taking care to cover him, Ham simply went out and told his two brothers. Shem and Japheth took care to walk backwards, covering their father with a blanket, not seeing his nakedness.
This one indiscretion caused a rift, a curse between the flood-saved family that would last generations. Ham's son Canaan and all his family, were cursed to be slaves to his brothers forever more, and the Canaanites were at war with the Hebrew people years later. After all the family went through together, before the death of Noah, there was a terrible split in the family. Do you think Noah was in pain over this? Do you believe his heart suffered over what his youngest son did, and what must have happened afterward? All actions have consequences, and no matter your past, it is your ever present that can be a downfall and cause pain and suffering to yourself and family. At the age of 950, Noah died. He literally lived lifetimes of pain and struggle we can only imagine.
If you are struggling with a job, then listen. If you are in a job situation that you are certain the Lord has put before you, but it seems unbearable, read on. If you are in the middle of a family issue that stands ready to nearly tear the bloodlines of your clan, stay with me. For in all this, you are part of a journey that others have trod before you. This road, may be narrow and difficult, is filled with the footsteps of the saints of old. It is not an easy path, but it is the most prosperous of all routes. Whenever you feel lost, not sure of the direction, look to the map, the Holy Scripture, and follow the path that leads to victory. Noah was 950 when he died, do you think he feels those years after this long in the Kingdom of our Creator? I will bet that he still remembers the day our Lord came and threw open the doors of the dead, and took the faithful who had been asleep, into His Father's Kingdom. Although we may suffer here, we can stand on the promises of God that what is to come will have no pain, no sickness, only joy. And it is highly doubtful you'll have to bear this pain for 950 years!
All my prayers to you and yours. If you enjoyed this note, please forward it on, subscribe to it, and don't forget to leave a comment. For without a reader, one cannot be a writer, true?
Also, please add to your prayers my wife's new employment. I know this is of God, but she could use the power of your prayers. Thank you.
When I started the series, I started with Adam and Eve, the first couple, and at times the most hated couple in Scripture. Going along the Old Testament, I move to Noah. Now, considering everyone else in the world drowned, a lot of folks wouldn't really think Noah would fall under suffering. However, let's look at the whole picture. The entire earth was like living in Las Vegas, let's face it, it's known as "Sin City". He lived, as most did at the time, in a small, poor village; but still it was a nasty, despicable, vile place. I say that so you get the idea that although Noah was a righteous, Godly man, the rest of humanity was corrupt, rampant with impurity, and full of violence. God tells Noah that He is done with the earth as it is, and will destroy it right after Noah builds an ark for Him. Noah was a man of the earth, a farmer, and according to Scripture, people had never even seen rain. The water would swell up from the ground, and they lived by rivers and had wells. Did I mention Noah was well into his 500th year of age by this time as well?
So now, you being Noah, have information that the world will end, except who would believe you? You've got to build the biggest ship the world has ever seen, in a desert area. You're 500 plus years old and the world is nuts. It doesn't say how long Noah took to build the ark, but let me ask you: Without power tools, how long would it take you to build a great big ship? Can you imagine the ridicule he got from his neighbors? Maybe even worse than ridicule. Have you had a job where you thought you were the only believer in the whole company, even the world? In some parts of the world, you just might be the only believer there, and you can also be killed for it. Noah suffered every day he labored over the building of that ark. Not to mention, he was building it for God, you want to talk about pressure? However long it took, that job had to be one of the most pressure filled jobs of all time. "I am building a large ship to save my family and I, along with many animals, all for God. Everything else will die."
When Noah was done, he was now 600 years old, The animals entered, Noah and his wife entered, as well as his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, along with their wives. All along the ark were animals; livestock, birds, and wild animals, obviously tamed by the Lord for the trip. There was also food for the trip, for the Lord truly provided. With all of this, Noah went from master ship builder, to the captain of a rudderless love boat for animals. After one week, God closed the door, the rain started. Can you imagine the sounds of those first few days? The absolute panic of the heavy rain, the first rain in history, the people storming the ark and banging on it, the ship beginning to lift and move, bouncing along the waves. Let's not forget feeding his family and animals, and what comes after a meal! Once again, after Noah had a difficult job just building the ark, now he and his family were living in it while the Creator, mostly wiped the slate clean of His work. Sometimes when you know God is with you, it can still be frightening for us mere mortals. He had no idea what to expect next.
Every kid knows that it rained for forty days and forty nights, but can you tell me how long Noah and company stayed in the ark? Although the flood came for forty days and nights, the Bible also says the earth was flooded for 150 days, For another 150 days winds blew to help dry the land. By the time the dove did not return to the ark, it was almost a full year that Noah, his family and the animals were on the ark. Can you imagine what that was like? After all they went through, now it was time to go to work.
At 600 plus years old, Noah first built an altar to the Lord and offered burnt sacrifice to Him. After that, he again began to farm. It was up to Noah and his three sons and their wives to tame and repopulate the earth, although I see no evidence that Noah and his wife had anymore children. It seems the Lord was certainly merciful to this unnamed woman! However, Noah lived another 350 years after the flood, farming and dealing with his sons. Not long after their historical cruise, Ham entered his father's tent and saw Noah lying naked, asleep. Instead of taking care to cover him, Ham simply went out and told his two brothers. Shem and Japheth took care to walk backwards, covering their father with a blanket, not seeing his nakedness.
This one indiscretion caused a rift, a curse between the flood-saved family that would last generations. Ham's son Canaan and all his family, were cursed to be slaves to his brothers forever more, and the Canaanites were at war with the Hebrew people years later. After all the family went through together, before the death of Noah, there was a terrible split in the family. Do you think Noah was in pain over this? Do you believe his heart suffered over what his youngest son did, and what must have happened afterward? All actions have consequences, and no matter your past, it is your ever present that can be a downfall and cause pain and suffering to yourself and family. At the age of 950, Noah died. He literally lived lifetimes of pain and struggle we can only imagine.
If you are struggling with a job, then listen. If you are in a job situation that you are certain the Lord has put before you, but it seems unbearable, read on. If you are in the middle of a family issue that stands ready to nearly tear the bloodlines of your clan, stay with me. For in all this, you are part of a journey that others have trod before you. This road, may be narrow and difficult, is filled with the footsteps of the saints of old. It is not an easy path, but it is the most prosperous of all routes. Whenever you feel lost, not sure of the direction, look to the map, the Holy Scripture, and follow the path that leads to victory. Noah was 950 when he died, do you think he feels those years after this long in the Kingdom of our Creator? I will bet that he still remembers the day our Lord came and threw open the doors of the dead, and took the faithful who had been asleep, into His Father's Kingdom. Although we may suffer here, we can stand on the promises of God that what is to come will have no pain, no sickness, only joy. And it is highly doubtful you'll have to bear this pain for 950 years!
All my prayers to you and yours. If you enjoyed this note, please forward it on, subscribe to it, and don't forget to leave a comment. For without a reader, one cannot be a writer, true?
Also, please add to your prayers my wife's new employment. I know this is of God, but she could use the power of your prayers. Thank you.
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