Living Well, Finishing Well

We all want to do things well. For each of us "doing well" will look very different. The season of life we are in,  life circumstances we experience and what we believe will all affect how we define doing well and ultimately affect our finishing well.

In the Christian church, we are in the midst of the Easter season. For many it is a time of reflection on the horror and the beauty of the cross. There, Christ's work was accomplished to save us from our sinfulness and restore us to a right relationship with God. The ultimate sacrifice was made for me to be forgiven. Gethsemane was that dark night which lead to the cross and death, but burst forth brightly in the resurrection of Christ. Sorrow and love were mingled as blood poured on the ground, but death had no hold on him. Stunning!

When I survey the wondrous cross
 on which the Prince of Glory died;
 my richest gain I count but loss,
 and pour contempt on all my pride.

 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
 save in the death of Christ, my God;
 all the vain things that charm me most,
 I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
 that were an offering far too small;
 love so amazing, so divine,
 demands my soul, my life, my all.
1707 Issac Watts

Having put my faith and trust in Christ I often catch myself thinking,"Do I live like I have put my faith and trust in Christ?" Am I coldly mouthing words? Is the gospel reality as fresh in my heart and mind with the passion and zeal as the day Christ changed my heart? Do I live my life in such a way that people can't help but see Christ in me? When its all been said and done, did I do my best to live the truth? Did I live my life for you?

Dear reader, these are good questions for us to be asking ourselves. If you are like me, living in the 4th quarter of life, these thoughts and reflections become more frequent.  So today, as my mind is full of soul music I find myself connecting the dots between the wondrous cross, a thorny crown pressed into flesh, love so amazing, so divine, Lord, I'll live my life for you. Only what I've done for love's reward will stand the test of time!

When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's Reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord Your mercy is so great
That You look beyond our Weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints

I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You've shown me Heaven's my
True home
When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone

Lord I'll live my life for You
Robin Mark

Bursting Forth

It has been an unusual and early spring for our mid-western climate.  I am struck each day at the beauty of the blossom of spring. Pictures can not  come close to capturing the daily, hourly bursting forth of color against the backdrop of an azure blue sky. Though my attempts with the camera are not in vain, they don't even come close to reproducing the images. I keep looking and watching at this gorgeous display trying to capture it in my memory to be retrieved if winter returns for one last hurrah!

 Today, while driving home from my routines, I found myself completely immersed in the worship and wonder of the God I love. What beauty to behold!

It is the Easter season in the life of the Christian. What an appropriate  phenomenon to be experiencing the awakening of the season from winter to spring at this time. Dark and cold has burst forth into light and brilliant color. It causes me to ponder the darkness of Gethsemane and the cross bursting forth into the light of the resurrection. We were once lost, but have been found. We were once spiritually dead, but are now alive in Christ. Just as we take refreshment in the brilliant and colorful display of our early spring, we are invigorated by the wonder and the power of the cross as it brings us from the dark winter of our sinful souls into colorful spring of life found only in Christ.

All Is Well Even When the Elevator Gives You The Shaft

Some moments stick in your mind like glue to paper. We call these times defining moments. Change is in the air. The wind begins to blow in a different direction, and we find ourselves defining our new normal.

Through the course of the past 32 years we have had many such moments. Grief, loss, sorrow disappointment, and dashed dreams have all found their presence in the warp and weft of the fabric of our lives. Do we despair? I would not be honest with you if I said,"no and thank you for asking, but we have it all together." That would be a lie beyond proportion.

On this journey of life I have learned that as a child of God we are to walk the path of suffering because Jesus walked that path to bring us back to God. It was the only way our sins could be forgiven. Why should we expect so little pain when He endured so much? Joy shows up where sorrow looms.

It has been 10 years since Byron took a walk down a path he had hoped he would never walk. I am honored to have him share with you why he can say it is well even when the elevator gives you the shaft.

Meet My Husband Byron

Ten years ago our lives took a distinct turn after a flurry of doctor visits to evaluate my wife's crescendo of odd neurological symptoms.  One visit led to another which finally led to an MRI of the brain to evaluate these new concerns.

As a physician, I have often been amazed at the significant weight of health and emotional problems many patients carry.  I have been privileged over 27 years of practice to observe many profound acts of courage from patients as they confront these significant, life-changing challenges.

I have also been reminded, sometimes rather painfully of the sterile, unemotional way in which I have carried this type of life-changing news to my own patients.  I am reminded over and over again of the privilege and responsibility of communicating tactfully and truthfully to patients but, perhaps, more importantly helping these patients see a path of hope and purpose in this turn of events in their lives.

I will never forget the important lessons of ten years ago in my own life as I walked quite unsuspectingly and unemotionally into the neuro-radiologist's MRI viewing room with my wife's MRI images tucked under my arms.  Tossing the films up onto his view-box and taking what seemed to be a very quick look, he casually and rather flippantly, for the first time, identified and named the chronic, progressive neurologic disease that for the rest of our days would become the uncomfortable "guest" in our lives and define a new "normal" for us.

I recall a sudden rock-like weight forming in my stomach. Quietly thanking the radiologist, tucking the films under my arm to go home I  now had to deliver this news to my waiting wife.  Walking down the hall toward the elevator I recall a flood of emotions, thoughts and questions crossing my mind.

There are few milestone moments in our lives that we look back on with a crystal clear memory.  These moments of significance land oftentimes unexpectedly and painfully but not without purpose.  I am reminded of the gift of God's grace which not only foreordains our life's sweet and bitter providences for His glory and our good, but sustains us through them.

With tears in my eyes, I recall standing alone at the hospital elevator shaft for what seemed like an eternity.  Feelings of doubt and uncertainty flooded my mind and emotions only to be replaced by the quiet sweet assurance that yes, even this, as painful and fresh as it seemed, had come into our lives for a grand and noble purpose.

Not infrequently now, when I find myself waiting alongside an elevator, I am reminded of this stone of remembrance. I am grateful for the Lord's comfort and strength that He has so graciously lavished on my wife and me since that defining moment by the elevator ten years ago.

I know that God is good and that I/we are in His hands...

Induced Sleep Deprivation

Daylight Savings Time! We look forward to it when it rounds the calendar bend. Days get longer with the turn of the clock. Today, when I went to my regular exercise place everyone that came through the door looked like a college freshman who had just pulled an all nighter studying for exams. As we all slogged and yawned around the work-out circuit we all agreed this daylight savings time thing is great, but.....

Change is not always easy. Whether we admit it or no, we like things to be predictable. We have a difficult time when routines get upset or plans don't go the way we think they should. But, we have a God who never changes, and Scripture reminds us of that in so many ways.

Malachi 3:6a  “For I the Lord do not change;" 

Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

As I am struggling through my day full of difficulty and change, disappointment and despair, I will take joy in the God of my salvation because He NEVER changes and His promises are true no matter the circumstance. I already feel invigorated and full of joyful hope no matter what the moment brings, even if it is as small as sleep deprivation.

Deep Weeds

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12

Spring is springing upon us. Warmer days mean it is time to get the garden cart out and head to the woods. Today is one of those days. I was out there faster than you could say, "jack rabbit!" And then, discouragement hit!

For 23 years I have been tending to the woods and every time I am there it looks like no progress has been made. Creeping Charlie!  Buckthorn! Virginia Creeper! Poison Ivy.! Yup, we have it all. And then, there is all that other nasty stuff!!

Why does it always seem that the bad stuff takes over the good? I can't find the hostas and hydrangeas that were planted and carefully tended to last year. I really need help. The roots of this stuff are so deep; I only scratch the surface. I am in very deep weeds.

Today as I weeded and pulled, yanked hard and tipped over I thought a lot about my own heart. The weeds of sin and pride get so easily tangled and deeply rooted in my heart. It robs me of joy. The struggles of life feel a lot like the futile gardening escapades in the woods. I am going nowhere fast. The entangling roots of sin need to be yanked out.  I need to be seeking the Lord, putting my faith and trust in His Word. I need to take my focus off the need and turn my face upward to Jesus the author and perfecter of my faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:2.

I need the root of sin yanked out by Him so I  can know His presence.  Just like I need to free my hydrangeas from the poison ivy that entangles them so they can grow into beautiful blossoming plants, I need to have a heart that is freed from the deep roots of sin, and that comes only by humbly bowing at the foot of the cross. Then, when the fiery trials come my way rather than producing sin in me, forgiveness and faith will bear the fruit of joy and deep roots of satisfaction in Christ!!!!!!!!  "Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus!"

What A Sunny Day Will Do To You!!!

Although it is very windy, today is warm and sunny. Birds are chirping. Buds are visible. The daffodils are starting to come up along the woods. I even saw a crocus.

I love changing seasons. For some odd reason they invigorate my soul. Spring's beauty is close. The heaviness of winter is soon behind us. It is hard to have anything but a joyful spirit on a day like today. Drink it in! Soak it up! Savor it to brighten those moments when your day seems dark.

God's promises are much like the freshness of spring.  They invigorate us. They build trust. They are  like a balm during those dark days.  When the storms rise cling to them and you will find great comfort.  The dark winter of sorrow will be transformed into springs of joy

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.

Is that a promise worth clinging to, or what?