Trust The Radar (LB)

LOOKING BACK - A repeat of a blog that I first published on March 27, 2010

          Recently we flew home from a vacation trip.  The flights were great - on time and without problems. Most of the time we were high above the clouds where the sun was shining brightly. But on the last leg of the flight we didn't go as high and for most of the trip we were flying right through the thick, gray clouds. Looking out the window it appeared that we were speeding through a thick fog. That was all that we could see. I imagine it must be difficult for the pilots to fly and not be able to see where they are headed. But because of the radar, they flew confidently and we rode feeling at ease knowing that the radar would bring us home. And it did. But I sat there thinking how much this experience illustrated our lives here on earth. So often we can't see where we are headed, especially when the problems and worries mount and we tend to feel overwhelmed. But we know that Jesus is our "radar". He guides us through those situations when we can't see what is ahead. And knowing this, we should be able to rest in Him, with confidence, knowing that He knows our ways and that He will bring us safely home. Recently we talked to a friend whose job will probably be eliminated in the near future. He doesn't know for sure, but He is trusting in the Lord to guide him through this uncertainty. He made the comment that He knows that the Lord knows what is ahead. He just wishes that the Lord would tell Him. How often we all feel that way. I know He holds my future, but it would be easier if He would tell me what it is. But maybe it is good that we don't know what tomorrow holds. We might be fearful. It is better to face today, in His strength, realizing that He will provide the wisdom, strength and peace that we need to face tomorrow – when tomorrow comes. I'm not preaching, I'm just talking to myself – the world's best worrier. But if you are listening in, maybe the message is for you, too. One of my favorite verses, Psalm 139:2 (KJV), "Thou compasseth my path, and my lying down, and art acquainteth with, ALL my ways." Knowing that, let's just trust and follow the "radar".

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

Strength for today is mine all the way,

And all that I need for tomorrow.

My Lord knows the way through,

All I have to do is follow.

Sing Along Once Again

 

      A few weeks ago I wrote a blog sharing some of the children's choruses that I grew up singing and teaching to others.  Those were good times.  And since some of you "sang" along, I felt that I'd share a second blog on the same topic.   So here are a few more that you may remember.  If you do, sing along.  Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart.

What a mighty God we serve
what a mighty god we serve
Angels bow before Him
Heaven and earth adore Him
What a mighty God we serve.

Can you remember the motions to this one?

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

He made the trees

He made the seas

He made the elephants too

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

The mountains are his

The rivers are his

The skies are his handy works too

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

There's nothing my God cannot do

There's nothing my God cannot do

For you

Happiness is to know the Savior,

Living a life within His favor,

Having a change in my behavior,

Happiness is the Lord.

Happiness is a new creation,

Jesus and me in close relation,

Having a part in His salvation,

Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,

No matter if the teardrops start,

I've found a secret,

It's Jesus in my heart.

And who doesn't remember this one?  But this time you don't need to stand as you sing a phrase, unless you have somebody to sing with.

Hallelu! Hallelu! Hallelu! Hallelujah!

Praise ye the Lord!

Hallelu! Hallelu! Hallelu! Hallelujah!

Praise ye the Lord!

Praise ye the Lord! Hallelujah!

Praise ye the Lord! Hallelujah!

Praise ye the Lord! Hallelujah!

Praise ye the Lord!

Now this is really an old one that probably most of you won't remember.

1   Come and go with me to my Father's house,

To my Father's house, to my Father's house.

Come and go with me to my Father's house;

There is joy, joy, joy!

2   Jesus is the way my Father's house,

to my Father's house,  to my Father's house.

Jesus is the way to my Father's house

There is joy, joy, joy!

This one you probably learned as a preschooler.

The B-I-B-L-E, yeah that's the book for me

I stand alone on the word of God

The B-I-B-L-E

Ready for some more motions?  Then stand up and let's go.

I may never march in the Infantry,   (march)

Ride in the cavalry,   (pretend you're riding a horse)

Shoot the artillery.   (clap hands together)

I may never zoom o'er the enemy,   

(spread arms out and pretend to be a plane)

But I'm in the Lord's Army.   (point one finger up to God)

I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)   (salute)

I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)

I may never march in the Infantry,

Ride in the cavalry,

Shoot the artillery.

I may never zoom o'er the enemy,

But I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!) 

And here is one the kids loved to sing - with motions, too.

The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

And the rains came tumbling down. 

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

But the house on the Rock stood firm.

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

And the rains came tumbling down. 

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

And the house on the sand fell flat.

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

And the blessings will come down. 

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

So build your life on the Lord.

Praise the name of Jesus,

Praise the name of Jesus.

He's my Rock, He's my Fortress,

He's my Deliverer.

In Him shall I trust.

Praise the name of Jesus.

Into my heart, into my heart,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;

Come in today, come in to stay;

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Hopefully the Lord has put a joyful song in your heart that fills your mind throughout the day.

TAVR -Amazing!

 

        The adventure started when she was just a child.  She was a victim of rheumatic fever and while she survived to lead a normal life, she did live with the effects of this disease for decades.

          Many years later her gastro specialist, during a routine exam, heard a heart murmur  This began an annual visit with a cardiologist who carefully followed her heart conditions and monitored the murmur.  We knew that at some point she would probably need a heart valve replaced.  I assumed that this could mean traveling to another location, such as Cleveland, to have the best surgeons do this surgery.  I did not look forward to this event.

          A few years ago she was sent to the hospital for a stress test after feinting at home.  Because of the results of this test she was kept there for a cauterization.  That resulted in surgery for the implanting of a pacemaker.

          Then in January, following her annual echocardiogram, her heart doctor told her that he felt that she needed to consider having the aortic heart valve replaced.  He said that not having it done would eventually lead to congestive heart failure and if she were ten years older he probably would not give her this advice.

          What was interesting, however, is that he thought that she might be a candidate for a relatively new procedure called TAVR.  Instead of breaking the chest bone they would go up an artery through her groin and place the new valve in her heart. Recovery time would be very short.  The only problem was getting Medicare to cover it.  The local hospital and two  surgeons were experienced in doing this new surgery.

          So we began trying to get through the hoops for approval.  This required a battery of tests and three approvals by three different heart surgeons.  This took us four months to complete.  Then we had to wait in line for scheduling since this surgery was only done every Tuesday.  Finally it was scheduled for June 11.

           The day of the surgery she entered the hospital late morning and by the middle of the afternoon she was finally in surgery.  Two hours later we were told that surgery was over and successful.  Two hours later than that she was in a hospital room.  Thank the Lord she even skipped time in the ICU.

          If she wouldn't have had some reaction to the anesthesia she might have been sent home the next day.  But they kept her another day and then released her with some new meds.  A week later she was taken off her restrictions and allowed to drive again.

          Now she will continue to have tests to make sure the new valve is working correctly.  And she will have about three months of cardiac rehab.  We asked the surgeon how long the valve will work and he told us that he didn't know.  The surgery is too new for them to know.

          We continue to be amazed at this unbelievable surgery.  We thank the Lord for an excellent surgeon right here in Lancaster.  And we thank the Lord for His leading and protection during this adventure.

(1)      O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

(2)      When through the woords, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

(3)      And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

(4)      When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

          

          

Up In Smoke

          Many things have changed over my lifetime and some of the changes have even been for the good.  One of the major changes has been with cigarette smoking.
          When I was a teen, smoking was widely accepted.  Ads for cigarettes were common.  Smoking in restaurants and in public transportation was tolerated and not even questioned.
          Because being exposed to smoke often made my wife sick, I was often blunt with smokers, especially on busses and at athletic competitions.  Often I would warn smokers sitting near us that my wife might throw up on them from the smoke.  Usually that was enough to make them stop or move.
          Thankfully, I never smoked, even though many of my friends did.  I didn't smoke because my parents didn't and because I was taught that my body was the temple of God.  However, I came close one time.  I was on a bus trip to a Phillies game with the Lititz Hot Stove League.  Most of the folks on the trip were smoking.  On the way home we stopped at a restaurant on the turnpike and my friends bought cigarettes from a vending machine.  I was tempted to do the same and was looking at the machine when somebody said "Hi Barry"  I turned to find that it was our assistant Sunday School superintendent.  That scare was enough to stop me.
          But since those days medical science has shown the evils of smoking and fortunately many have stopped.  Cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is nearly one in five deaths.  More than 10 times as many U.S. citizens have died prematurely from cigarette smoking than have died in all the wars fought by the United States.  Smoking causes about 90% (or 9 out of 10) of all lung cancer deaths. More women die from lung cancer each year than from breast cancer.  Smoking causes about 80% (or 8 out of 10) of all deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  If nobody smoked, one of every three cancer deaths in the United States would not happen
          And those facts should be enough to scare you.  But even though I never smoked, for some reason I have COPD.  As a result I have been going to pulmonary rehab two times a week for about a year.  I also use two inhalers and take a med for my breathing.
          One of the interesting things about rehab are the interesting people we get to know.  There have been three in particular who have been part of my group.  All are older than I am and all three must use oxygen. Recently all three admitted to being smokers most of their lives until they recently quit.
          However, C. recently quit rehab because she could no longer afford it.  I wonder how much she spent over the years on her habit and that may have helped drain her financially as well as physically.  Another, A., quit smoking just recently and is upset because she can no longer travel to Colorado to see her daughter because of her need for oxygen. The third, J., had gone to John Hopkins because of his breathing difficulty.  They told him that if he didn't stop smoking he would soon die.  And five years ago, with the help of doctors, he was able to quit.  But today he needs a scooter and oxygen to get around.  These are all nice intelligent folks who made bad decisions and are now paying for it.

          Working with these folks has made me more aware of the dangers of smoking and thankful that I never started.  PTL for the intervention the Lord provided that kept me from starting.

          But it does make me very sad to see young folks smoking, especially young girls.  Maybe all teens should be forced to visit rehab and talk to folks who are now on oxygen because they were smokers.  But would that make a difference?  Unfortunately, probably not.

1)   Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(2)   Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(3)   Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(4)   Living for Jesus through earth's little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.