Still Only a Light Affliction

The visit to the VA Hospital in Birmingham on November 12th provided no diagnosis for the symptoms I’m experiencing. Whereas once thought that it might be ALS, now my current doctors say that it’s not ALS; yet, they cannot say what it is.

The symptoms are very ALS-like, however, through all the testing the neurologists don’t know what to make of it… yet. In the meantime, I’ll be going to physical therapy and perhaps they might offer some helpful input. I have already been exercising three times per week or more with no physical improvement nor lessening of symptoms. In fact, it is sometimes quite difficult to exercise with my decreased dexterity and coordination being just two of my several symptoms.

Nevertheless, all my ailments are still only a light and momentary affliction. I certainly do serve a sovereign God and I am tremendously thankful for all He has allowed me to go through with this. Here are just a few of the wonderful things I have learned in the last three years with these increasing symptoms:

1. My wife, Lisa, loves me deeply, dearly, and sincerely. God has used my oft times helplessness, falling, and dropping things to manifest Lisa’s love toward me, her patience with me, and her care for me. Is that not an incredible blessing?

2. Sometimes we wonder what would happen to our faith if we were suddenly struck with some life-altering or life-threatening news. Would it cause us to cling more closely to Christ and serve Him more fervently? Because of my ailments, I believe that, by God’s grace, He has allowed me to see how He has grown me in grace and built me up from faith to faith.

3. As I am reminded that doctors are mere mortals and can’t figure out what it is that God has allowed in my life by His divine providence, I now look ahead with the questions, “Will my Christian witness be strengthened even more to persevere?” or “Will my zeal fade and my fervor wane because I’ll be around for longer than I thought?” I pray that, by God’s grace, I will endeavor to be more diligent to keep at the Cross of Jesus Christ, clinging to the Savior alone for strength, and grace in time of need.

New News with Good News and Bad

Having returned from the VA Hospital in Birmingham yesterday evening, 11/12/09, we were delighted to receive some good news and some bad news. First, the good news: after 3 years of testing they've decided that they don't think it's ALS. The bad news: they may be naming a disease after me.

Seriously, they don't know what to make of it. I'll be writing a newsletter to in the next week or so to fill everyone in.

I'm so thankful I serve a sovereign God!

Expect Suffering

Our beloved sister, Jill, once again provides some gospelly good insights from her recent post at her blog, "Altered."  As a saint blessed with the light affliction of ALS, she writes:

"If suffering as Christians is addressed over and over in the Bible, why are we often surprised when it happens? What if suffering for our faith was taught as part of counting the cost?

I've wondered a lot about teaching on suffering. It almost seems like we have it backwards. I am repulsed by the health, wealth and prosperity gospel, but wonder if we subconsciously give people the impression that following Jesus means that your life will be trouble-free. I don't know anyone who believes that but I really do wonder if that is the communicated message……follow Jesus and life will be easy and comfortable."

Check out Jill's entire article here.

Introducing Sister Jill

Blogging her own journey with the Lord through her own light affliction with ALS, Jill Hollis presents this incredibly candid video of her progression through the disease.

I have to admit that I did shed a few tears watching it; not because of what my family and I may have to look forward to, but with a bit of shame, that I may not have weathered my small struggles (compared to hers) with the kind of joy in Christ, and courage in the Holy Spirit, and steadfastness upon His Word to the glory of God, the Father.

Read and follow Altered, Jill's blog.  Watch her amazing 3 minute video.  Whatever You Want.

How're You Feeling Today?

Or "How y'all doin' today?" is more like the question I'll hear in Anniston, Alabama. I've been asked that question a bit more lately. It may be because I'm not walking too well. I have to use a cane now because I fall down quite a bit from my legs "going weak;" that is, going weaker than they already are (my right thigh has lost about 1/3 of its muscle). I actually drive better than I walk. I drop things alot more often. It's less fatiguing to type than it is to write with a pen or pencil.

All in all, though, I'm doing very well. What a blessed and gracious God we serve! I don't recollect that I've had any bad days since these symptoms came on. Certainly, I've had days where my own sin was overwhelming. Surely, I've had days when I was self-consumed and full of self-pity. Yet, I've also had days where I could feel the pain, but I really couldn't FEEL the pain. I've had days of tremendous prayer and communion with my Sovereign; and I've had days of utter anguish because my sins have driven me to realize how far short of the glory of God I truly am...

YET! the LORD God was there in every one of those days; in every one of those instances; throughout every jot and tittle of every circumstance. How could one possibly have a bad day with God in it? The Master was working in all those things to conform me to the image of Jesus Christ. That is unbelievable! and I mean that literally, because there's no way that fallen man can believe that because that is most assuredly revelation truth that only comes by the Spirit of God by the grace of God according to the Word of God!

Moreover, when I hear the question concerning my health, especially in the last few weeks, my mind immediately rushes to my wife, Lisa; to my daughter, Rachel. How are they doing because of how I'm feeling physically? Though she tries not to show it, I know that Lisa cries when she is overwhelmed because I collapse. I have prayed many a prayer that has sought to keep them from hurting over my condition. I can't imagine what they must be going through; yet, I know that whatever the Lord is bringing to them in this, He is working His grace in them by it, and working faith through them for it.

This experience, as a minister, has allowed me to think more of the loved ones whose spouses, children, parents, &etc. are sick, infirmed, afflicted, or diseased. O, how horrifying it must be to feel so helpless in the midst of the physical sufferings of dear ones. As a parent, I can relate a bit to that, for watching a child with a fever brinking 105 degrees F. and standing by being able to do nothing about it. It is in these times that the Spirit of God brings us a glimpse of the Father's heart... not in helplessness; God forbid that we should suggest that of a sovereign and omnipotent God; but in watching the cruelty of mankind inflicted upon His one and only Son, and then, on top of that, in order to save the very ones that inflicted cruel torments, humiliations, mockings, beatings, unbelief, &etc., He poured out His holy wrath upon His willing, obedient, righteous, sinless, innocent Son in the most holy act of grace, love, and justice that the universe will ever see for all eternity!

At the bank, at the church building, at the barber shop... when folks ask me, "How y'all doin' today?" I smile with even greater revelation of the truth that I've been replying with for years now, "I'm more blessed than I deserve."

"What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour" (Psalm 8:4-5).

Reformation Month Sale!

Beginning today, October 1st, until the anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing the 95 Theses on Wittenberg’s door at the end of the month (October 31st), our printed publications will be significantly discounted. Our paperbacks are print-on-demand through CreateSpace.com and we want to make them available at the lowest price possible. We currently have 5 books available.

Please copy the discount code (copy the 8-digit code only) and follow the link to the book. When checking out, paste the discount code into the box where the discount applies.

Book #1:
Essential Spurgeon for Today’s Reformed Pastor
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Book #2
A Puritan Family Devotional
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Fullness of the Time
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Lord, Teach Us to Pray
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John Bunyan’s Classic: Christian Behavior
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Teach Us to Pray (in print soon)

Lord, Teach Us to Pray will be available as a printed publication… a traditional paperback book. This 96-page book will be available for only $7.77 through CreateSpace.com, a division of Amazon.com. Click on the book cover to the left or CLICK HERE for a preliminary look at the book... or you can check it out on the Lord, Teach Us to Pray weblog by CLICKING HERE.