Back On!

A little slow moving but I'm back on some sort of real life schedule today after nearly 2-days in the sick bay . . . .

My Father-In-Law came in town today and I had lunch with him and Cindy -- first real meal in over 2 days . . . still down ok . . .

Ready for a crazy weekned! Are you?

fasted today . . . .

Ok, well kind of not really actually fasting . . .

Cindy, Laura and I both woke with (very) bad stomachs this morning . . . I forget how easy it is to take for granted my health . . .


After going back and forth from the bathroom to the bed all day here is what I look like as I try to type out a few emails at 10pm (what's time when you sleep all day).

"I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick . . ." (Ezekiel 34:16)

In Need

You know it really stinks being sick! But it reminds me how much I take for granted being well 98% of the time!
I'm also reminded that Jesus said He came not for those who were well, but for the sick. It's in moments of need that His presence is most powerful.

Lord, help me to know what it means to be 'in need' of you - to long for you, for the Kingdom of God - continuously.

I took some new drugs today that have made me kind of loopy . . . we have a leadership meeting tonight that I really don't want to miss just because I love being with our leaders . . . hopefully my loopiness won't freak anybody out!

Yuck!

I've had a heavy cold/sore throat thing move into my body the last 36 hours and it stinks!

Had an early morning Elder Team meeting this morning (6:30), then spent a couple of hours finishing up my sermon, then I actually went back to bed for a couple of hours! Hadn't done that in a looooong time.

I think most of the time God allows these things to get my attention and say 'slow down!' You ever experience that?

Hello San Antonio . . . Goodbye Food!

I spent yesterday (Tuesday) with a pastor friend/mentor in San Antonio. Was a great day . . . just good to get away and get filled up some.

I know that my 'passion tank' is largely filled by being around others who are passionate! Being with them is best, but I also am filled by reading passionate folks.
I've also learned that nobody except me is responsible for filling my passion tank.
What fills your passion tank?

And then this morning I woke up with some kind of bug . . . have had to stay near (way near!) the bathroom all day. I feel like a pass-through entity if you know what I mean . . . haven't felt puny like this in some time . . . not fun!

The Hurting and Needy

This morning I took my daughter Sarah and a friend to visit another of their friends in the hospital. Every time I'm in that situation it reminds me so powerfully of God's heart for the broken and hurting.

I'm convinced that ALL of us who are Christ followers should intentionally - and regularly - put ourselves in situations where we are confronted with the hurting and needy. It takes us out of our little bubble and reminds us of the needs all around us. It draws us back to the mercy of God and what it means to follow Him.

"I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help." (Isaiah 58:7)

"And wherever [Jesus] went--into villages, towns or countryside--they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed." (Mark 6:56)