Wow. So much stuff has happened that I barely know where to start. I guess that is really an untruth because we got a phone call yesterday and found out that Ruth does not have cancer. Praise God above for his mercies! She does have some problems that are serious but the original reports were very bad. A very touchy biopsy had to be performed and several doctors would not even do it. Ruth ended up going to Lousville to have the procedure. Thank the Lord that the biopsy reports were negative and that she will be able to be treated. Please continue to prayers for Ruth, Jan, Craig and Kathy.
David and Julia Banks are neighbors of ours. A while back both of them told us to let them know if they could do anything to help. We didn't have to ask for the help. David and Richard came over in 20 degree weather and finished the deck on the porch. The only thing left to do is put on the ramp and rails. I can't tell you the feelings that I am experiencing through the love and kindness of family, friends, neighbors and even strangers.
We had snow during the last few days. Every morning I go to see how much it has snowed and every morning our porch, walks and driveway have been shoveled. Not only has David been doing our walks and driveway, he has done the whole sidewalk around our cul-de-sac so I will have a place to walk without worrying about falling on ice. Also, mysteriously, our woodpile on the porch has not been going down even though we are burning a lot of wood in the stove to help with utility bills. What can I say but Thank you Dave and Julie. Julie even comes over and "borrows" our German Shepherd, Silka, to play with her dog and make sure they get exercise. There is a special place in my heart and prayers for people who are so giving.
Joan and I went out to eat last night after I went to Cardinal Hill Hospital for physical therapy. Those of you who know Joan and I know that Cielito Lindo's is our favorite restraunt. We have known the owner for years and think the world of him. Snow was coming down pretty hard as we ate dinner and it was getting pretty slick outside. When Joan went out to warm up the car there was a path cleared and salted all the way to both of the doors. The owner had slipped outside and made sure I didn't have any trouble getting to the car.
I have both braces for my hands now. I wll go next week and get the ones for my legs and feet.
For those of you who feel that the world is going to the devil, I hope that you are understanding that there are still a lot of fantastic people left in this world. Through my illness I am seeing more and more of these people everyday. Thank God above for his blessings.
Here we go again so I will start this off right. Praises to my God! Yes, I do claim his as my God but he's big enough for all of us to claim.
As this disease continues to progress with me physically, I am mentally coming to see more and more of God's kindness and power through his people. For those who know me and my past I think you will realize that this is one of the greatest things that could have ever happened to me. I have always retained a belief in God but there was a time when the word "Christian" sat on my tongue like a drink of spoiled milk. I had very little faith in people or the claims that they made. I have always felt that actions speak louder than words.
If God is the author of love and kindness then he is definately showing a following through his people. I don't need a burning bush and a voice from the fire to tell me that my God is Alive! All I have to do is look around me on any given day and I will see his teaching being shown through his people.
If you go back through this web page you will see requests for prayer for several people. To date, everyone of those people have been touched by your prayers! My God is alive because a dead God wouldn't hear your prayers! A dead God wouldn't answer prayers because he'd be dead. A dead God wouldn't comfort anyone or touch a life in any way! My God is Alive and smiling from above.
To those of you who want to scoff and use my illness as an example, I have this to say. God did not cause my illness. If you want to point a finger, then point it at Satan. Satan is the author of confusion, pain, suffering and evil. He would like for us to blame God for the illnesses, the hate, the predjudice and the evil in this world. So many times I have heard "how can God let this happen?" Instead, why don't you ask, "Satan, how can you be so cruel?" Don't blame God for Satan's deeds. That's like blaming a child for the war in Iraq.
I've got a gripe and I hope it goes to the heart. Not too long ago there was a fire in one of Kentucky's communities. I know that 10 people died in the fire and little else about the tragedy and nothing about the people who died.. Now for the gripe. An "antigay church" from another state was planning on protesting at the funeral of the people who died. They claimed none of the people in the fire deserved to go to heaven or to have a part of God's mercies. All I can say to these people is that I am praying that you will wake up and realize who you are actually serving. My God said that he sent his son to earth to die for everyone who would come to him and ask for forgiveness. That includes sinners of all gender, race, nationality and orientation. Jesus taught that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glories of God. It is only through his son's sacrifice that any of us have the hope of salvation. That is the word that we need to teach. Christ did not die on the cross so we could preach hatred and malace.
People who feel like the above group are the same kind of people who are killing innocent people in Iraq under the name of religion. They have an agenda but it isn't of God. If it isn't of God then who can we blame? I think I've make that pretty clear already. I may get a knock on the door over this one but all I can say is "bring it on." They've already shown that they would be pleased to see children condemned to hell so I don't imagine it would bother them to pick on a cripple. Well, this is one cripple that won't sit by and let the name of my God be thrown in the dirt with the swine without protest.
By the way. I've got a Father that is bigger than yours and he'll be waiting at my door with me. He won't have a club or a gun. All he'll have is hands stretched out to help those who are troubled, have sins to be forgiven or a heavy heart to sooth.
Prayers needed for Jim, Pam, Ruth and the others that have been mentioned in the past. Glory to God!
Somebody who is visiting this site is guilty!!! Somebody is guilty of sending prayers to God with so much love and faith that the prayers are being answered in numbers. If you are guilty of this-- KEEP IT UP. Praise God!!!
I've got another one for you to take to God and I pray that you will do it now, before you read the rest of this post. I have already told the man to be expecting an outpouring unlike anything he has known and I trust that God will do it. Please pray for Lee and his family. Lee is a good man who has als and I pray that the hand of God be felt in his life so strongly that he will shout praises and have no doubt that our God is with him. . Continue the prayers also for everyone who has been mentioned here.
Now- Let move on.
For those of you who are my age, you might remember the science fiction televison show "Star Trek." For those of you who aren't familiar with the show you might have to rent one of the movies and watch it to get the point of this entry.
On the television show there was almost always a fight scene that took place in outer space. The Enterprise (the name of the spaceship that the good guys flew) always seemed to come under attack. When it came under attack the crew would put up the force field, an invisible shield that kept the ship from being damaged badly. Sometimes the force field would buckle and begin to crumble, but in the end the ship was saved.
Now, I need to do some comparing.
Years ago, I turned and walked away from God. (Notice who left and who stayed) During my absence, my shield (faith) began to waver and crumble. I almost joined the other side without even thinking about what I was doing.
When I came to the realization of what I had done, it was almost to late. My ship (soul) was very close to destruction. I had to stop what I was doing and get down on my knees and ask for help.. I needed a new start. When I got up off my knees guess what I found?
I found a brand new ship and a brand new force field, all ready to go and join the fight again. My soul had been repaired and the hands of God were once more guiding me on my way to new adventures.
That hand has just opened another door for me. I recieved a call last night that totally took me by surprise. I have been nominated to serve on the ALSA Board of Directors for the State of Kentucky. There will be a vote in March to confirm the position, then I will hopefully be in a position to help even more people who suffer from this horrible diesease. Everyone, please pray for wisdom and strength as I take this next step in my life. I have agreed, if I am voted on to the board, to do everything in my power to raise awareness of ALS and to assist in anyway possible to find a cure.
If you have an organization, church or school that would like to have a speaker come and speak about als, let me know. I am making myself and any others I can find, available to fill the requests. If you don't live in Kentucky please send me an email anyway. I am in contact with PALS (people with als) from all over the world. We will try to get someone to speak to your group.
Let's end this one right. If your "ship" is need of repair all it takes is a little talk to the man above. I did it and I know it works.
Praises to God the Father and Jesus Christ the Saviour. Continue to be our shield and guide us through the troubled waters of life. Satan, you won't quit trying but you don't have a chance! Praise God.
"Scotty, Warp ten and don't worry about the engines because they just got an overhaul!! "LOL" = Laughing Out Loud!
Craig has "spearheaded" a group of volunteers to make the changes in the house that are need in order for me to be able to get around in the wheelchair.
Unfortunately I did not get photo's of the first part of the deck construction.
Thanks Randy, Scott, Matt, and Craig
Here is Craig working on the plans for a deck and ramp on the house.
Here is David, Richard and Rosey working in 20 degree weather to put down the decking.
In the background you'll notice that my driveway is clear and the entired subdivision side walk is clear. I was told that's so I can walk without worrying about slipping on the ice.
I believe that David might be my guardian wood stacker also. The wood pile for my stove never seems to go down no matter how much I burn.
Thank you.
Yes, that is pure mud their working in.
My job during all of this was delegated as "watcher."
