We are blessed

7/12/12 Thursday

          We are blessed. Blessed in so many ways that it is hard to count. One of the biggest blessings is to know real followers of Christ. In this world there are many pretenders, when it comes to the faith. They say all the right words and are sure to be seen in the right places, but when it comes to practicing our faith, particularly when that involves personal sacrifice, they are noticeably absent or quick with excuses and justifications why they can’t participate. This is nothing new. It has always been this way even going back to the foundations of our faith as found in the old testament. Jesus explained it would be this way many times in His teachings, once likening the church as a field of wheat full of weeds, all growing together till that final day. It is then that the true believers will be revealed, based on what they have or have not done, especially in regards to how they treated fellow believers.

          I have a busy day ahead so must resist the temptation to preach a sermon here. What I will take the time to do is praise the Lord for His provision and honor those who were eager to make themselves available to do His will. We have had one of the two trucks that broke down repaired, a car given to us to help provide reliable transportation, and yesterday got our well repaired. When word got out about us not having any water a brother, from the prison ministry, offered to help me do the physical work of pulling the dead pump out and putting a new one in. He learned we did not have the funds to purchase a new pump so made some calls to others in that prison ministry. It only took two calls to find someone eager to purchase that pump for us. Ken came over this afternoon with the pump and we worked about 3 hours getting in installed. Cherie had to hold back the tears when she came home and found we now have running water. It was good to take a bath.

          This is how it should be in the church. In Acts, where it describes the early church, we find that people were selling their land and property to help provide for the needs of those who had little. It states that there was no one who lacked because of this display of caring for others more than for themselves. This is the Love that you hear so much about, but sadly often have a hard time finding. Love is the foundation of our faith and it started with God’s love for us. That is a love so deep that He sent His only son to earth, to grow up from birth in a human body, and then to die a horrible death in order to pay the price of all the wrongs we have done. Jesus said “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12) If more would practice this the church would be triumphant over all the earth and we would not hear the common excuse given about going to church. “I won’t go to church because of all the hypocrites”. It’s a lame excuse but a common sentiment, based on what people see in reality.

          Today I will spend a lot of time at the VA hospital. They suddenly stopped my medication, based purportedly on a lab test that indicated I was not taking the pain medications. It is a mix up because this is the same lab test the doctor read when he approved renewal. One of them showed zero but the urinalysis test verified I was taking the medications. Thus I will be taking lots of lab tests and must visit with the doctor again and get it resolved. Always something. The medication is a vital help for me in overcoming pain and allowing me to continue the hard manual work I must perform on the farm, as well as when I help others.

          Gotta go. First I must write a letter to the doctor, as I can explain things better in writing than when trying to formulate speech in person. When stressed my brain often slows down, making communication difficult.