Today was day three and that was the toughest arms and shoulders workout I've done in years. There were several curl combinations that were new to me, and the sequence put incredible balance to work across the upper body. Afterwards I was fried and then had the ab ripper x to tack on. Ouch. The ab ripper is short - about 16 minutes, but incredibly hard. With few exceptions, I can only manage about one half of each exercise. That's lots of room for improvement, which is hardly surprising. I'm bringing it - doing my best and forgetting the rest, as the old saying goes. I sure recommend the workouts I've had so far, and look forward to tomorrow's suffering.
This isn't a casual enquirers workout. This requires considerable time, a lot of effort, and investing in some weights, protein, and eating well. In other words, P90X is a high-commitment, high-reward workout. If that's the kind of thing you're about, jump on board.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Toni Times 10-31-10
Hey, nothing scary to report for Halloween. Toni's next appointment in Dallas is now set for November 11 and will involve an MRI, lip biopsy, and further consultation on treatment. The lip biopsy has to do with Sjogren's, and again we are hoping those tests prove negative as the presence of that disorder can signal a greater potential likelihood for Transverse Myelitis to make a fresh onslaught at a later time.
Toni had a very challenging first part of the week, but did very well on Thursday to Saturday, even making that first HEB trip. So long as she held on to the cart, she was OK. We also popped into Home Depot for a few minutes to say Hi to Claire and then pick out a screen door for the back entrance. That was enough for one day, and she slept well afterward.
Today started well enough but things turned sour around mid-morning. she suffered a pretty sever case of trembling, numbness, and pain that led to several hours of sleep. She's much better tonight though - the kind of roller coaster we expect during her recovery. We continue to expect fewer difficult days and far more good days as the weeks pass.
Thanks for your prayers, and lets hope for good news with the tests on November 11 back at Southwestern.
Toni had a very challenging first part of the week, but did very well on Thursday to Saturday, even making that first HEB trip. So long as she held on to the cart, she was OK. We also popped into Home Depot for a few minutes to say Hi to Claire and then pick out a screen door for the back entrance. That was enough for one day, and she slept well afterward.
Today started well enough but things turned sour around mid-morning. she suffered a pretty sever case of trembling, numbness, and pain that led to several hours of sleep. She's much better tonight though - the kind of roller coaster we expect during her recovery. We continue to expect fewer difficult days and far more good days as the weeks pass.
Thanks for your prayers, and lets hope for good news with the tests on November 11 back at Southwestern.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sermon Notes for Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Church Math 101
Genesis 22:1-18
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Reformation Sunday
October 31, 2010
Let me start with a question rooted in the message from last Sunday. When you think of church planting what comes to mind? Loss? Gain? Division or Multiplication?
Multiplication rather than division is Church Math 101
There was a young man from Trinity,
Who solved the square root of infinity.
While counting the digits,
He was seized by the fidgets,
Dropped science, and took up divinity.
I am convinced by Scripture, personal experience, and empirical good old fashioned statistics that the greatest evangelistic activity of the Church is two-fold: plant more churches and have large covenant families in which every child is taught to follow Jesus. Let me concentrate with you today on the first of those two.
• 60-80% of the new members of new churches were not previously in church.
• By contrast, in churches older than 15 years of age, 80-90% of their new members come by transfer rather than new conversion.
There are many essential reasons we have to own this dimension of our vision.
• The Great Commission is Churchly
• The Emergence of New and Currently Hidden Leadership
• The Need to Reach New and Different Kinds of People
• Grant Vibrant Visible Witness in Every Locale in a City
How does the Abraham story relate to this?
The salvation God brought to the world in his Son Jesus Christ came through the Jewish people - 'salvation is of the Jews', said Jesus. That great mission began with a man named Abraham, and in this episode we discover the scope of God's Mission and our own spiritual DNA, for we too are now the seed of Abraham, just as Paul says in Galatians.
This puts into perspective the three great practices we embrace to live out our vision of the Kingdom: liturgy, community, and ministry. Abraham was a worshipper; Abraham was a man in whom emerged a covenant community; and in Abraham was foreshadowed the shape and scope of the world's salvation.
I. Abraham and Liturgy - Genesis 22:1-8
This is the first time the word 'worship' ever occurs in Scripture, so we should pay close attention to what's going on here. There is a commanded, God-ordained sacrifice offered by man in resurrection faith in God. Worship is a sacrifice God commands offered from hearts he commends through the mediation of his Son.
From the first Abraham was an 'altar builder'. That's how the promised land was claimed. Let's keep that in mind.
The worship of Abraham foreshadowed the sacrifice of the Son of God, the One who carried the wood up another hill very nearby and died there to reconcile us to God who 'provided for himself' the lamb to be offered.
* Zacchaeus - Come down from that tree! Only One can ascend the tree for salvation.
II. Abraham and Community - Genesis 22:15-18
A. This the first promise God gave to Abraham, repeated over and over again: a family through which the world would come to enjoy the grace of God.
B. This was a warrior family, conquering enemies and rescuing the prisoners; this was a family of faith, passing along the covenant promise from one generation to the next.
God spoke of a 'seed', just as he had immediately after the fall of mankind into sin. This was a supernatural seed and family. Lets remember this too as we come to the main issue before us today.
The family of Abraham foreshadowed a covenant community that would fill a dark world with light.
III. Abraham and Ministry - Genesis 22:15-18
The family God gave to Abraham was to bring blessing to all the families of the earth. There is no tribe or tongue or people under heaven who now because of Jesus are outside of the family of Abraham. This mission remains unchanged and undiminished. God promised Abraham 'multiplication'.
* The 'far' - Disciples in Ephesus. - Acts 19
- From there, “all of Asia…”
Paul's ministry in Ephesus - 1 city - reached a whole region of the world in a very short time. The message multiplied.
The destiny of Abraham foreshadows our mission and ministry.
It is this fact that causes me to ask you whether or not we are 'doing the deeds of Abraham' our father, whether or not we are being an apostolic people.
Lets return to that question I asked at the beginning. When we think church planting, what comes to mind? Division? Loss? What about the word God gave to Abraham - Multiplication?
Spiritual Riches, unlike material riches, cannot be diminished when distributed. "Churches that don't multiply will divide." - Scotty Smith
So here's my proposal and to this I will return in the next several weeks. I offer it here today for you to prayerfully consider. We must not divide; Abraham didn't divide his family, he multiplied it supernaturally.
We can see Redeemer not just as a single destination in one place in Austin, but a congregation of many places and many faces all over Austin. Redeemer Central; Redeemer SoCo; Redeemer Round Rock; Redeemer Manor; Redeemer Cedar Park; Redeemer Southwest - one church, many locations; undivided, but multiplied across this city, reaching people we cannot reach only from here.
Like the stars spread across the sky, multiplied and undivided, carrying from here the Gospel to the world.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
For Accountability Purposes...P90X. Plus a Toni Times Update
Started P90X tonight. Terrific first work out. I'm on the comeback trail after the knee problem (torn bursa sac) kept me from working out much of the summer, and Toni's illness has totally and necessarily occupied our full attention since July when things started going downhill.
So I'm just posting this here for accountability purposes with my brother workout fiends. Any advice you have - especially on the diet side - will be appreciated. If Tony Horton can be that fit at 52, I can get to at least a decent level at 51. With cooler weather the garage is the perfect place for the workouts, and I'm hitting it early in the morning, generally speaking.
Got to go get the weights and the chin up bar tomorrow after Plyometrics. Lets bring it!
Thanks again for your prayers for Toni. She's had a much better day today, though she is still easily and quickly fatigued. I don't think what she's suffering at the moment is as much symptomatic of the disease as it is of the treatment. That was a tough week. Going through all of that pain, combined with the plasma exchange and the meds, has simply worn her out.
We have BIG plans for tomorrow though. If she's doing well enough, I'm sneaking her out to HEB so she can wander around a couple of aisles and buy some apple cinnamon tea for the cooler nights. Dancing will have to wait a few more weeks.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Numbers Don't Lie - Why Baylor will Beat Texas
Here's a comparison of the two team's national rankings in four key categories:
Passing Yards
Baylor - 5th
UT - 58th
Rushing Yards
Baylor - 26th
UT - 83rd
Points For
Baylor - 20th
UT - 80th
Points Against
Baylor - 49th
UT - 33rd
Could the UT defense could show up like they did in Lincoln and stop RG3? Sure, but I doubt it. Have you watched that guy? Wow. Also, go back and look at the dropped passes in Lincoln; if a couple of those are catches - and the receivers were open - that game goes the other direction. Unlike Nebraska, Baylor will be playing loose. That's the fifth ranked passing offense in the country. FIFTH! They may be scoring at will in front of a depressed DKR fan base with a LOT of BU fans showing up for this one and cheering loudly.
Look, whatever happens Saturday, those numbers for UT are so pathetic that it staggers the imagination. Frighteningly bad. I'm hoping for a UT win, but all I really want at this point is for the players to show up and act like they care. Where's the fire? If its a lost season anyway, then give the ball to the players WHO CARE and tell the smug ring-wearing Juniors and Seniors to take a seat. Give some experience to the players of the future seasons who understand that this is TEXAS FOOTBALL we're talking about here, not the Upper Middle Appalachian School of Baton Twirling and Copper Mining.
Sorry, didn't mean to insult the football of the Baton Twirling guys.
Passing Yards
Baylor - 5th
UT - 58th
Rushing Yards
Baylor - 26th
UT - 83rd
Points For
Baylor - 20th
UT - 80th
Points Against
Baylor - 49th
UT - 33rd
Could the UT defense could show up like they did in Lincoln and stop RG3? Sure, but I doubt it. Have you watched that guy? Wow. Also, go back and look at the dropped passes in Lincoln; if a couple of those are catches - and the receivers were open - that game goes the other direction. Unlike Nebraska, Baylor will be playing loose. That's the fifth ranked passing offense in the country. FIFTH! They may be scoring at will in front of a depressed DKR fan base with a LOT of BU fans showing up for this one and cheering loudly.
Look, whatever happens Saturday, those numbers for UT are so pathetic that it staggers the imagination. Frighteningly bad. I'm hoping for a UT win, but all I really want at this point is for the players to show up and act like they care. Where's the fire? If its a lost season anyway, then give the ball to the players WHO CARE and tell the smug ring-wearing Juniors and Seniors to take a seat. Give some experience to the players of the future seasons who understand that this is TEXAS FOOTBALL we're talking about here, not the Upper Middle Appalachian School of Baton Twirling and Copper Mining.
Sorry, didn't mean to insult the football of the Baton Twirling guys.
Real Clear Religion
I've been a fan of Real Clear politics dot com for some years now as a terrific source of news and data on the political scene. The people behind the site have now launched a new site on religion - equally ecumenical and interesting. Check it out and bookmark it.
http://www.realclearreligion.org/
http://www.realclearreligion.org/
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
What! You Haven't Read Bavinck?
Those who love theology that is deeply Biblical, unashamedly Reformed, and seminal in its influence MUST read Herman Bavinck. Ron Gleason also has just published a new biography of the great man as well. The new book isn't out just yet, but pre-order it now as a Christmas gift and you won't be disappointed.
And if you want to go deep with an author that is pre-Bavinck, why haven't you read Turretin yet?
Gleason: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596380802
Bavinck: www.amazon.com/Reformed-Dogmatics-Baker-Publishing-Group/dp/0801035767/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288154781&sr=1-7
Turretin: www.amazon.com/Institutes-Elenctic-Theology-vol-set/dp/0875524567/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288154856&sr=1-1
And if you want to go deep with an author that is pre-Bavinck, why haven't you read Turretin yet?
Gleason: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596380802
Bavinck: www.amazon.com/Reformed-Dogmatics-Baker-Publishing-Group/dp/0801035767/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288154781&sr=1-7
Turretin: www.amazon.com/Institutes-Elenctic-Theology-vol-set/dp/0875524567/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288154856&sr=1-1
1000 Greatest Films
Ok, you know I'm a movie fan. I'm also a list fan. Zagat has published a list of the 1000 best films of all time and here it is -
http://www.zagat.com/About/Index.aspx?menu=PR199
I think there's some really nutty choices here, but I appreciate the effort. The top three are dead on. After that, let the debate rage. Pass the popcorn.
http://www.zagat.com/About/Index.aspx?menu=PR199
I think there's some really nutty choices here, but I appreciate the effort. The top three are dead on. After that, let the debate rage. Pass the popcorn.
Top Ten Myths of the Middle Ages
Was there darkness? Of course! Post Tenebras Lux.
Was it all darkness? Of course not! People believe all kinds of silly things about the so-called Middle Ages. Here's a list of myth-busters.
http://listverse.com/2009/01/07/top-10-myths-about-the-middle-ages/
Now as for me, I still prefer to live in the age of air conditioning and baseball.
Was it all darkness? Of course not! People believe all kinds of silly things about the so-called Middle Ages. Here's a list of myth-busters.
http://listverse.com/2009/01/07/top-10-myths-about-the-middle-ages/
Now as for me, I still prefer to live in the age of air conditioning and baseball.
Predictions
The World Series gets underway tomorrow, with your Texas Rangers taking on the San Francisco Giants. Advantage Giants on home field - no wait, the Rangers prefer to win away from home. Advantage Rangers on hitting. Advantage Rangers on starting pitching. Advantage Giants on bullpen. Even on Managing. Advantage Rangers on defense. There are a lot of GREAT Giants fans who have waited a long time for World Series title and this could be their best shot in years. That said, this Ranger team is crushing the ball and their starting pitching has been stellar. I'm an NL guy, and won't complain about a Giants win. However, on paper I'd have to say Rangers in 6.
Election Day is next Tuesday. Sure, the GOP is going to get control of the House again. The issue is by how much. The conservative estimate is 55-60 seats swing the GOP way. That's too low. There is some real anger out there, and its going to show at the polls in unprecedented ways. Republicans gain 70-80 seats - or more - this time around. Even so, its going to be tough for them to gain control of the Senate. If West Virginia ends up Republican, then maybe Washington does too. The GOP wins Arkansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Illinois - and maybe Colorado. Hard to see Boxer losing in California, though the GOP just dumped $3m bucks into that race. Delaware and Connecticut are safely tucked away as Democratic holds. I'm going to say it ends up 50-50. The wild card is Alaska - it could go Democrat with Republicans splitting their vote in an intra-party war. Whatever happens, GOP celebrants should be careful; its always easier to critique than to govern, and their mid-term success doesn't mean that they will enjoy the same in 2012, as the 1994-96 election cycle shows.*
Can Texas beat Baylor this week? Hey, I'm not sure Texas can beat Florida International. OK, yes on both counts. They will be bowl eligible. I will make three predictions however: a) if Baylor wins, a Texas coach will be fired before the season ends; b) if Texas reaches 8 wins, I'll be pleasantly surprised; and c) there are going to be a LOT of tickets available for UT home games over the next several weeks. This team can't beat Missouri or Oklahoma State. They can beat A&M, but by then I'm not sure it will matter to Texas, in which case A&M wins for the simple reason that it ALWAYS matters to the Aggies.
A Pastoral Caution on Politics -
Excessive gloating or mourning about political outcomes, or basing fellowship with people on tax policy, is unbecoming to the Christian. Whatever political views you may hold, don't imagine that your party is altogether righteous and just and the other guys altogether wicked and corrupt. There's plenty of corruption to go around, and there are also good people on both sides of the political divide. I can NEVER vote for pro-abortion candidates. NEVER. I earnestly hope I can persuade others to take such a position as well. That isn't a matter of party; its a matter of principle that transcends all such temporary labels. First things first folks.
And so let us pray for all candidates and their families, and seek the Lord that he would be pleased to have mercy on us and direct the hearts of all who govern to his precepts and ways.
*When it comes to political analysis, I like the work of the people at Politico and Real Clear Politics. The Daily Telegraph, Financial Times, and The Economist are often very helpful too. If all you're doing is watching FOX, MSNBC, or other channels that major in shouting matches you will miss the real hard numbers.
Election Day is next Tuesday. Sure, the GOP is going to get control of the House again. The issue is by how much. The conservative estimate is 55-60 seats swing the GOP way. That's too low. There is some real anger out there, and its going to show at the polls in unprecedented ways. Republicans gain 70-80 seats - or more - this time around. Even so, its going to be tough for them to gain control of the Senate. If West Virginia ends up Republican, then maybe Washington does too. The GOP wins Arkansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Illinois - and maybe Colorado. Hard to see Boxer losing in California, though the GOP just dumped $3m bucks into that race. Delaware and Connecticut are safely tucked away as Democratic holds. I'm going to say it ends up 50-50. The wild card is Alaska - it could go Democrat with Republicans splitting their vote in an intra-party war. Whatever happens, GOP celebrants should be careful; its always easier to critique than to govern, and their mid-term success doesn't mean that they will enjoy the same in 2012, as the 1994-96 election cycle shows.*
Can Texas beat Baylor this week? Hey, I'm not sure Texas can beat Florida International. OK, yes on both counts. They will be bowl eligible. I will make three predictions however: a) if Baylor wins, a Texas coach will be fired before the season ends; b) if Texas reaches 8 wins, I'll be pleasantly surprised; and c) there are going to be a LOT of tickets available for UT home games over the next several weeks. This team can't beat Missouri or Oklahoma State. They can beat A&M, but by then I'm not sure it will matter to Texas, in which case A&M wins for the simple reason that it ALWAYS matters to the Aggies.
A Pastoral Caution on Politics -
Excessive gloating or mourning about political outcomes, or basing fellowship with people on tax policy, is unbecoming to the Christian. Whatever political views you may hold, don't imagine that your party is altogether righteous and just and the other guys altogether wicked and corrupt. There's plenty of corruption to go around, and there are also good people on both sides of the political divide. I can NEVER vote for pro-abortion candidates. NEVER. I earnestly hope I can persuade others to take such a position as well. That isn't a matter of party; its a matter of principle that transcends all such temporary labels. First things first folks.
And so let us pray for all candidates and their families, and seek the Lord that he would be pleased to have mercy on us and direct the hearts of all who govern to his precepts and ways.
*When it comes to political analysis, I like the work of the people at Politico and Real Clear Politics. The Daily Telegraph, Financial Times, and The Economist are often very helpful too. If all you're doing is watching FOX, MSNBC, or other channels that major in shouting matches you will miss the real hard numbers.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tell the Truth Mack
"I told them if one of your guys is playing bad, I can change them. If three of your guys are playing bad, I change you," Brown said.
That's Texas Coach mack Brown today on his Assistant Coaches.
OK, but here's my question: Who made the decision in the off-season to change the offense anyway? I'm guessing it wasn't an Assistant Coach.
OU dropped to 8-5 last year because Sam Bradford went down, along with other premier players. Texas is in the middle of a pathetic season and it has practically nothing to do with injuries. This is a coaching problem, pure and simple. They have the athletes, but they lack the heart. Heart beats talent almost every time.
Is it too late to regain respect and set a tone for the off-season and next year? No, but time is running out.
That's Texas Coach mack Brown today on his Assistant Coaches.
OK, but here's my question: Who made the decision in the off-season to change the offense anyway? I'm guessing it wasn't an Assistant Coach.
OU dropped to 8-5 last year because Sam Bradford went down, along with other premier players. Texas is in the middle of a pathetic season and it has practically nothing to do with injuries. This is a coaching problem, pure and simple. They have the athletes, but they lack the heart. Heart beats talent almost every time.
Is it too late to regain respect and set a tone for the off-season and next year? No, but time is running out.
Toni Times 10-25-10
Toni has wrapped up her second full day out of the hospital. Pretty weak today after a very good Sunday. The bruises seem to get more and more colorful every day. She's had a lot more discomfort today, though that is not unexpected. She's in good spirits, and we're hoping for continued improvement - a little bit every day. We've been chatting about short term goals - little walks, maybe a field trip later in the week to the grocery store, and as soon as she can getting back to church. That still feels a long way off, but we'll see how it goes.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
More Weird
Yes, that's Baylor - BAYLOR! - at number 25 in the AP Poll.
Missouri shelled Oklahoma.
Which also means the number one ranked team in the nation lost for the third consecutive week.
Is Oregon a sitting Duck now?
Michigan State is undefeated and leading the Big Ten while Michigan is irrelevant and Ohio State still thinks beating Michigan is a big deal.
Oh, and Colt McCoy just whacked the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. Really.
Its a weird year friends and will grow weirder still.
Do you wonder if the good people at Auburn are wondering if they could run the table, win the SEC, and still get left out of the title game? You KNOW those guys are nervous.
Lets see - Boise vs TCU for the BCS Title? Maybe Oregon vs. Auburn? The wacky thing is that its unlikely that either Auburn or the Ducks run the table, though Oregon clearly has the better shot. So assuming both lose at least one, that might give us TCU vs. Boise for the national title. Just crazy. Look, ANY of those four teams playing for a national title can happen only in a year officially declared 'Weird.'
Personally, I still think a one loss Alabama makes it back to the title game and wins it again, over Boise. Its more likely that Michigan State rather than Auburn ends up undefeated and snubbed.
Its a season to remember precisely because for the real football powers this is a year to forget. The earth will return to spinning normally again next year - when the Big 12 is actually the Big 10, and the Big 10 is actually the Big 12. Oh, wait. Maybe not. Hey, I even feel sorry for Oklahoma. They lose to Missouri for the first time since men wore platform heels and then discover that their win over Texas was drained of any meaning.
In conclusion, let us ponder a mystery: the number of games Texas will lose this year.
How do they beat Oklahoma State? Missouri? Can they beat Baylor? Right now, a Texas win over the Baptists would be an upset . Crazy man. Check the standings - Da Bears are in first place in the Big 12 South, ahead of Texas and Oklahoma. WHAT!? I'd love to say that the Longhorns come out next week and thump Baylor, but does anyone really think that's a sure thing? Its about as sure as beating Iowa State. Right. What do the coaches do with this sorry bunch of underperforming, passionless, arrogant (Mack's words, not mine), inconsistent players? That's terrible senior leadership; that's ridiculous offensive scheming; that's horrendous defensive execution. I'll say this as a Longhorn fan: if they come out flat against Baylor, I'd cheer for the Bears, a team that will no doubt be playing with passion. I'll take 'heart' over multi-star recruits who meditate on their press clippings any day.
I say they lose to Missouri, OSU, and A&M in what will be the Aggies last stand and Mike Sherman's last game as coach in College Station. Francione beat the Horns and then walked. Sherman has his bags packed too. That's 6 Longhorn losses. Maybe they find a way to recapture the Nebraska magic; maybe they win one of those games, or possibly two. Either way, it doesn't really matter for this year. Wave it goodbye and start following the recruiting reports. Start thinking Sun Bowl, if they're lucky; maybe the Alamo Bowl. It will be the irrelevant bowl, wherever its played, and the players and coaches have earned it.
Weird man, really weird.
**** This just in*****
The BCS has Auburn at 1, followed by Oregon. That's good news and bad news for the men from the SEC. The good news is that if they win out, they're not going to be snubbed. The bad news is that they won't win out; note record of previous three number one teams after they get top billing: 0-3. Hey, may the War Eagles exact revenge on the ghosts of championships past and invite Tommy Tuberville to the celebration.
Missouri shelled Oklahoma.
Which also means the number one ranked team in the nation lost for the third consecutive week.
Is Oregon a sitting Duck now?
Michigan State is undefeated and leading the Big Ten while Michigan is irrelevant and Ohio State still thinks beating Michigan is a big deal.
Oh, and Colt McCoy just whacked the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. Really.
Its a weird year friends and will grow weirder still.
Do you wonder if the good people at Auburn are wondering if they could run the table, win the SEC, and still get left out of the title game? You KNOW those guys are nervous.
Lets see - Boise vs TCU for the BCS Title? Maybe Oregon vs. Auburn? The wacky thing is that its unlikely that either Auburn or the Ducks run the table, though Oregon clearly has the better shot. So assuming both lose at least one, that might give us TCU vs. Boise for the national title. Just crazy. Look, ANY of those four teams playing for a national title can happen only in a year officially declared 'Weird.'
Personally, I still think a one loss Alabama makes it back to the title game and wins it again, over Boise. Its more likely that Michigan State rather than Auburn ends up undefeated and snubbed.
Its a season to remember precisely because for the real football powers this is a year to forget. The earth will return to spinning normally again next year - when the Big 12 is actually the Big 10, and the Big 10 is actually the Big 12. Oh, wait. Maybe not. Hey, I even feel sorry for Oklahoma. They lose to Missouri for the first time since men wore platform heels and then discover that their win over Texas was drained of any meaning.
In conclusion, let us ponder a mystery: the number of games Texas will lose this year.
How do they beat Oklahoma State? Missouri? Can they beat Baylor? Right now, a Texas win over the Baptists would be an upset . Crazy man. Check the standings - Da Bears are in first place in the Big 12 South, ahead of Texas and Oklahoma. WHAT!? I'd love to say that the Longhorns come out next week and thump Baylor, but does anyone really think that's a sure thing? Its about as sure as beating Iowa State. Right. What do the coaches do with this sorry bunch of underperforming, passionless, arrogant (Mack's words, not mine), inconsistent players? That's terrible senior leadership; that's ridiculous offensive scheming; that's horrendous defensive execution. I'll say this as a Longhorn fan: if they come out flat against Baylor, I'd cheer for the Bears, a team that will no doubt be playing with passion. I'll take 'heart' over multi-star recruits who meditate on their press clippings any day.
I say they lose to Missouri, OSU, and A&M in what will be the Aggies last stand and Mike Sherman's last game as coach in College Station. Francione beat the Horns and then walked. Sherman has his bags packed too. That's 6 Longhorn losses. Maybe they find a way to recapture the Nebraska magic; maybe they win one of those games, or possibly two. Either way, it doesn't really matter for this year. Wave it goodbye and start following the recruiting reports. Start thinking Sun Bowl, if they're lucky; maybe the Alamo Bowl. It will be the irrelevant bowl, wherever its played, and the players and coaches have earned it.
Weird man, really weird.
**** This just in*****
The BCS has Auburn at 1, followed by Oregon. That's good news and bad news for the men from the SEC. The good news is that if they win out, they're not going to be snubbed. The bad news is that they won't win out; note record of previous three number one teams after they get top billing: 0-3. Hey, may the War Eagles exact revenge on the ghosts of championships past and invite Tommy Tuberville to the celebration.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Articles and Updates from Lausanne III in Cape Town
Over at Reformation 21 there is a post noting that Ligon Duncan is tweeting from Cape Town and the conference. I have a link to Ref 21 in the side bar for those interested in following along more closely.
Here's a link to a summary of presentations on Urban Mission, noting Tim Keller's helpful contribution as well.
www.lausanne.org/articles/the-church-and-the-urban-world.html
This is the best site to examine all the activities of the conference and follow developments.
Here's a link to a summary of presentations on Urban Mission, noting Tim Keller's helpful contribution as well.
www.lausanne.org/articles/the-church-and-the-urban-world.html
This is the best site to examine all the activities of the conference and follow developments.
New Evangelization - Quotable
I'm excited about Lausanne III, the conference on world evangelization taking place now in South Africa. Quotes from there forthcoming. In the mean time, here are words on the same subject from the late John Paul 2.
From Redemptor Missio:
“The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion. As the second millennium after Christ's coming draws to an end, an overall view of the human race shows that this mission is still only beginning and that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service. It is the Spirit who impels us to proclaim the great works of God: 'For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!’ (1 Cor 9: 16)
“In the name of the whole Church, I sense an urgent duty to repeat this cry of St. Paul. From the beginning of my Pontificate I have chosen to travel to the ends of the earth in order to show this missionary concern. My direct contact with peoples who do not know Christ has convinced me even more of the urgency of missionary activity, a subject to which I am devoting the present encyclical ...” [John Paul II, 1990, §1]
“For missionary activity renews the Church, revitalizes faith and Christian identity, and offers fresh enthusiasm and new incentive. Faith is strengthened when it is given to others! It is in commitment to the Church's universal mission that the new evangelization of Christian peoples will find inspiration and support.
“But what moves me even more strongly to proclaim the urgency of missionary evangelization is the fact that it is the primary service which the Church can render to every individual and to all humanity in the modern world, a world which has experienced marvelous achievements but which seems to have lost its sense of ultimate realities and of existence itself.” [John Paul II, 1990, §2]
“God is opening before the Church the horizons of a humanity more fully prepared for the sowing of the Gospel. I sense that the moment has come to commit all of the Church's energies to a new evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” [John Paul II, 1990, §3]
From Redemptor Missio:
“The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion. As the second millennium after Christ's coming draws to an end, an overall view of the human race shows that this mission is still only beginning and that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service. It is the Spirit who impels us to proclaim the great works of God: 'For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!’ (1 Cor 9: 16)
“In the name of the whole Church, I sense an urgent duty to repeat this cry of St. Paul. From the beginning of my Pontificate I have chosen to travel to the ends of the earth in order to show this missionary concern. My direct contact with peoples who do not know Christ has convinced me even more of the urgency of missionary activity, a subject to which I am devoting the present encyclical ...” [John Paul II, 1990, §1]
“For missionary activity renews the Church, revitalizes faith and Christian identity, and offers fresh enthusiasm and new incentive. Faith is strengthened when it is given to others! It is in commitment to the Church's universal mission that the new evangelization of Christian peoples will find inspiration and support.
“But what moves me even more strongly to proclaim the urgency of missionary evangelization is the fact that it is the primary service which the Church can render to every individual and to all humanity in the modern world, a world which has experienced marvelous achievements but which seems to have lost its sense of ultimate realities and of existence itself.” [John Paul II, 1990, §2]
“God is opening before the Church the horizons of a humanity more fully prepared for the sowing of the Gospel. I sense that the moment has come to commit all of the Church's energies to a new evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” [John Paul II, 1990, §3]
Sermon Notes for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Look Out!
Luke 24:44-53
Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost
October 24, 2010
In this sermon series we are reflecting on the vision we have as a congregation. We summarize that in the great word of Jesus' mission and message: Kingdom.
Three great activities in his work, noted in Luke 6 and Acts 13, give practical shape to how we tangibly express that vision in our life together: liturgy, community, and ministry.
In Liturgy we open our hands to God in worship, offering to him the sacrifice he commands from the heart he commends and receiving his incomparable blessings.
In Community we open our hands to one another in selfless service that bears witness to the love of Jesus in the life of his people.
In Ministry, we open our hands to a world not yet met by the saving message of the Kingdom, by word and deed bearing witness so that in the words of Isaiah, 'those who have had no news of him may see and those who have not heard will understand."
It is to this last of the three we turn today and next week, pondering in our hearts the command of Jesus to go and make disciples, or as Luke has it to proclaim the message of 'repentance for the forgiveness of sins in His Name to all nations', to be 'witnesses of these things.'
• Backing up the truck – “Look Out!”
• Ghengis Khan – Kublai Khan and the lost opportunity; the Polos sought missionaries; only 2 responded and they turned back.
• Better today? Yes. Still, the need is massive, both here and abroad.
He promised his disciples the Holy Spirit's anointing and empowering to carry forward this work.
Two non-negotiables in being a People of Ministry -
* The Scriptures
* The Holy Spirit
We proclaim his message in his power. This is what makes us a truly Apostolic People. We are a people who have been commanded to 'Look out!' on our world with the eyes of Jesus, speak to the world the words of Jesus, love it with the heart of Jesus, and serve it with the hands of Jesus. This is exactly what carried Paul from the corridors of power in Jerusalem into the paths of sacrifice across the Gentile world.
I. An Unmistakable Summons of the Holy Spirit
• The wearing of the Green
• Lausanne 1-3; from Francis Scaheffer to Tim Keller
• Call to New Evangelization – Pope John Paul II.
"Those who have had no news of him shall see, and those who have not heard shall understand." - Romans 15
These words are from Isaiah 52 and lead to the great text of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the One who is our substitute, the lamb who was 'pierced for our transgressions and by whose stripes we are healed', the One who was 'crushed for our iniquities', who made his soul a guilt offering for our sin. This great labor of the Savior is certain of worldwide fruitfulness, and that is celebrated in Psalm 22, which we sang earlier.
It begins with the agony of the crucifixion; it concludes with the joy of a converted world. Paul grasped this, and embraced his mission to the world.
Do we?
We cannot ignore the call to "Look out", for since Abraham's call, the people of God are the people called to be those who 'Go and Tell' saying to others, "Come and see." If our burden is simply the preservation of our personal space, or the protection of our sacred space, we will have fallen prey to the great sin of Israel - seeing God as their God but not a God to be given to others.
II. An Undiminished Anointing of the Spirit
Going in mission - locally, nationally, and internationally - is not an option. Indeed, to avoid it is a sin. Get that. Its a sin. The great commission cannot be the great omission. To be an apostolic people is to be a people on the go.
A. How does Paul go about his work?
1. Paul says that he carried forward his work in three ways: Signs, Words, and Deeds, and all in the power of the Spirit. We cannot choose between the three, as is so often done today.
- We must have a Ministry of the Word in the World.
- We must have a Ministry of Deed in the World.
- We must have a Ministry of Signs in the World.
2. All are through the power of the Spirit.
B. Valuing Mission
1. If we value worship, we must seek others to become worshippers.
2. If we value community, we must seek to include those who are as yet alone.
Ministry reaches to those as yet unreached to bring to them the blessing of the good news of Jesus and his Kingdom. The end of Paul's work in the world was a reproduction of new churches - new colonies of the Kingdom - spread across the world.
Are we apostolic? Then one of the hallmarks of that identity will be new churches planted from here all over the world, and all over this city.
• The first people in the Bible about whom it says that ‘the Holy Spirit came upon them’? Artists. Those who crafted the beautiful tapestries and furnishings of the Tabernacle.
• Art and Mission
- “I know Carravagio. Who is Paul?”
Every neighborhood and every realm of our culture – business, education, arts, law, politics – all are to have vibrant testimonies of the Gospel.
The Seminary here is a challenge to us in this regard. The growing city of Austin invites us to come and serve, to look out upon it and seek its peace, to enter her neighborhoods with word, deeds, and signs, to make Jesus known and plant new congregations. This is not an option.
Are we preparing? Are we embracing the call to go? Do we look in, or will we be those who 'Look out'?
• Mandy at check-in : “Let me take you”
Luke 24:44-53
Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost
October 24, 2010
In this sermon series we are reflecting on the vision we have as a congregation. We summarize that in the great word of Jesus' mission and message: Kingdom.
Three great activities in his work, noted in Luke 6 and Acts 13, give practical shape to how we tangibly express that vision in our life together: liturgy, community, and ministry.
In Liturgy we open our hands to God in worship, offering to him the sacrifice he commands from the heart he commends and receiving his incomparable blessings.
In Community we open our hands to one another in selfless service that bears witness to the love of Jesus in the life of his people.
In Ministry, we open our hands to a world not yet met by the saving message of the Kingdom, by word and deed bearing witness so that in the words of Isaiah, 'those who have had no news of him may see and those who have not heard will understand."
It is to this last of the three we turn today and next week, pondering in our hearts the command of Jesus to go and make disciples, or as Luke has it to proclaim the message of 'repentance for the forgiveness of sins in His Name to all nations', to be 'witnesses of these things.'
• Backing up the truck – “Look Out!”
• Ghengis Khan – Kublai Khan and the lost opportunity; the Polos sought missionaries; only 2 responded and they turned back.
• Better today? Yes. Still, the need is massive, both here and abroad.
He promised his disciples the Holy Spirit's anointing and empowering to carry forward this work.
Two non-negotiables in being a People of Ministry -
* The Scriptures
* The Holy Spirit
We proclaim his message in his power. This is what makes us a truly Apostolic People. We are a people who have been commanded to 'Look out!' on our world with the eyes of Jesus, speak to the world the words of Jesus, love it with the heart of Jesus, and serve it with the hands of Jesus. This is exactly what carried Paul from the corridors of power in Jerusalem into the paths of sacrifice across the Gentile world.
I. An Unmistakable Summons of the Holy Spirit
• The wearing of the Green
• Lausanne 1-3; from Francis Scaheffer to Tim Keller
• Call to New Evangelization – Pope John Paul II.
"Those who have had no news of him shall see, and those who have not heard shall understand." - Romans 15
These words are from Isaiah 52 and lead to the great text of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the One who is our substitute, the lamb who was 'pierced for our transgressions and by whose stripes we are healed', the One who was 'crushed for our iniquities', who made his soul a guilt offering for our sin. This great labor of the Savior is certain of worldwide fruitfulness, and that is celebrated in Psalm 22, which we sang earlier.
It begins with the agony of the crucifixion; it concludes with the joy of a converted world. Paul grasped this, and embraced his mission to the world.
Do we?
We cannot ignore the call to "Look out", for since Abraham's call, the people of God are the people called to be those who 'Go and Tell' saying to others, "Come and see." If our burden is simply the preservation of our personal space, or the protection of our sacred space, we will have fallen prey to the great sin of Israel - seeing God as their God but not a God to be given to others.
II. An Undiminished Anointing of the Spirit
Going in mission - locally, nationally, and internationally - is not an option. Indeed, to avoid it is a sin. Get that. Its a sin. The great commission cannot be the great omission. To be an apostolic people is to be a people on the go.
A. How does Paul go about his work?
1. Paul says that he carried forward his work in three ways: Signs, Words, and Deeds, and all in the power of the Spirit. We cannot choose between the three, as is so often done today.
- We must have a Ministry of the Word in the World.
- We must have a Ministry of Deed in the World.
- We must have a Ministry of Signs in the World.
2. All are through the power of the Spirit.
B. Valuing Mission
1. If we value worship, we must seek others to become worshippers.
2. If we value community, we must seek to include those who are as yet alone.
Ministry reaches to those as yet unreached to bring to them the blessing of the good news of Jesus and his Kingdom. The end of Paul's work in the world was a reproduction of new churches - new colonies of the Kingdom - spread across the world.
Are we apostolic? Then one of the hallmarks of that identity will be new churches planted from here all over the world, and all over this city.
• The first people in the Bible about whom it says that ‘the Holy Spirit came upon them’? Artists. Those who crafted the beautiful tapestries and furnishings of the Tabernacle.
• Art and Mission
- “I know Carravagio. Who is Paul?”
Every neighborhood and every realm of our culture – business, education, arts, law, politics – all are to have vibrant testimonies of the Gospel.
The Seminary here is a challenge to us in this regard. The growing city of Austin invites us to come and serve, to look out upon it and seek its peace, to enter her neighborhoods with word, deeds, and signs, to make Jesus known and plant new congregations. This is not an option.
Are we preparing? Are we embracing the call to go? Do we look in, or will we be those who 'Look out'?
• Mandy at check-in : “Let me take you”
Toni Times 10-23-10
Toni is home. She's bruised, bloody, and beaten, but she's unbowed. She's also a lot better than she was 11 days ago.
Anna said to me tonight, "Now Dad, me and mom need some girl time. I haven't seen her for a week. I know you guys like to talk, but you can talk to her tomorrow. She's mine tonight."
I think they did the girl talk thing for quite awhile and watched three episodes of I Dream of Jeannie as well. Maybe Gilmore Girls too. Not sure.
No place like home Toto.
This leads me to a final comment. While Toni is better than she was she is not yet as well as she will one day be. She has many difficult days ahead. The final spinal lesion continues to cause problems; strength must be slowly regained; the danger of relapse remains. Toni has a lot of hard work yet to do, and our hope is that the next few months will see her efforts directed toward recovery rewarded with increasingly pain-free and impairment-free days. We will be grateful for your prayers with us as we work toward that goal.
OK, that's it on updates for a while. When there's something to report, I'll let you know. We will go back to Dallas sometime in the next month for more tests and follow up, but for now she just has to rest and listen closely to her body's signals about how much she can do and at what pace. My next goal: get her back to the church she loves. Not sure when that will be, but hopefully soon.
See you tomorrow.
Anna said to me tonight, "Now Dad, me and mom need some girl time. I haven't seen her for a week. I know you guys like to talk, but you can talk to her tomorrow. She's mine tonight."
I think they did the girl talk thing for quite awhile and watched three episodes of I Dream of Jeannie as well. Maybe Gilmore Girls too. Not sure.
No place like home Toto.
This leads me to a final comment. While Toni is better than she was she is not yet as well as she will one day be. She has many difficult days ahead. The final spinal lesion continues to cause problems; strength must be slowly regained; the danger of relapse remains. Toni has a lot of hard work yet to do, and our hope is that the next few months will see her efforts directed toward recovery rewarded with increasingly pain-free and impairment-free days. We will be grateful for your prayers with us as we work toward that goal.
OK, that's it on updates for a while. When there's something to report, I'll let you know. We will go back to Dallas sometime in the next month for more tests and follow up, but for now she just has to rest and listen closely to her body's signals about how much she can do and at what pace. My next goal: get her back to the church she loves. Not sure when that will be, but hopefully soon.
See you tomorrow.
The Year of Weird
Some years are just odd, and this affects sports karma too. Think about it: the Texas Rangers are going to the World Series, the Texas Longhorns lost to Iowa State (at home), Texas A&M couldn't beat themselves in a scrimmage, Texas Christian is in the running for the BCS title, and the Houston Texans have a better shot at playing in the Super Bowl than the Dallas Cowboys (and neither will get anywhere even remotely close). Seriously? Hey, Baylor is bowl eligible BEFORE Texas. In fact Baylor may be favored over Texas when they play. Talk about 'sawn off'. That's just weird. No, weird and weirder.
Some years it snows in Corpus Christi.
I wouldn't worry about all this too much. A little humble pie is good for the digestion. Here's my suggestion for putting the universe right-side-up: forget about the college and pro football this year kids, and notice how remarkable that baseball team in the Metroplex really is. Savor Cliff Lee. Stand in awe of Josh Hamilton. Buy some popcorn and get ready for the World Series. THE WORLD SERIES WILL BE IN TEXAS AND THAT TEXAS TEAM WILL BE FAVORED TO WIN IT!
That may be weird, but it is also wildly wonderful.
And it beats moping around DKR and hoping the Longhorns can qualify for the Motor City Bowl.
Go Rangers!
Some years it snows in Corpus Christi.
I wouldn't worry about all this too much. A little humble pie is good for the digestion. Here's my suggestion for putting the universe right-side-up: forget about the college and pro football this year kids, and notice how remarkable that baseball team in the Metroplex really is. Savor Cliff Lee. Stand in awe of Josh Hamilton. Buy some popcorn and get ready for the World Series. THE WORLD SERIES WILL BE IN TEXAS AND THAT TEXAS TEAM WILL BE FAVORED TO WIN IT!
That may be weird, but it is also wildly wonderful.
And it beats moping around DKR and hoping the Longhorns can qualify for the Motor City Bowl.
Go Rangers!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Toni Times 10-22-10: Breaking News!
Dr. Greenberg just finished meeting with us and has given Toni the all clear to go home tomorrow. The plasma exchange tube will shortly be removed, and after a good night's rest we will pack her up tomorrow and get her back to the hill country. She can resume a normal life as her strength allows. Some numbness is expected to remain in her left hand or arm, but mobility is back, and we have every reason to believe that she will continue her recovery over the next 8-16 weeks. I'm taking her dancin' for New Years.
Toni is beat up by all this - she kids around that she has more holes in her than a voo doo doll - but the Doctors tell us that she has responded very positively to her treatment. She has a follow up MRI and consultation ahead sometime in the next month, and some medications she will continue to take. We will know more then about how the remaining spinal lesion has responded to this treatment, and we will also have a good idea by then of how quickly she can get back to full strength.
Thanks for prayers. I will try to post some pics in the next few days.
For those at Redeemer, I will see you Sunday, and Toni hopes to be there as well before too long. She looks more tired and bruised than a left tackle at the end of the season, but she's also doing a victory lap.
The staff of Zale-Lipshy have been incredible. We are rejoicing to be headed home, but we remain so very grateful that we were permitted to come here in the first place. God has been most merciful and kind to us throughout this trial, and never more so than when he has embraced us through the many small but mighty acts of kindness bestowed on us by so many of you.
Toni is beat up by all this - she kids around that she has more holes in her than a voo doo doll - but the Doctors tell us that she has responded very positively to her treatment. She has a follow up MRI and consultation ahead sometime in the next month, and some medications she will continue to take. We will know more then about how the remaining spinal lesion has responded to this treatment, and we will also have a good idea by then of how quickly she can get back to full strength.
Thanks for prayers. I will try to post some pics in the next few days.
For those at Redeemer, I will see you Sunday, and Toni hopes to be there as well before too long. She looks more tired and bruised than a left tackle at the end of the season, but she's also doing a victory lap.
The staff of Zale-Lipshy have been incredible. We are rejoicing to be headed home, but we remain so very grateful that we were permitted to come here in the first place. God has been most merciful and kind to us throughout this trial, and never more so than when he has embraced us through the many small but mighty acts of kindness bestowed on us by so many of you.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Toni Times 10-21-10
Thankfully there is very little to report tonight. Toni had a recovery day and managed to actually rest. Things didn't start off all that well, with a lot of chest pain, weakness, nausea, and increased numbness, but those symptoms significantly decreased at around 10. I appreciated Greg Lewis dropping by for a coffee, and Bev Mercer came in to see Toni for a visit that definitely made Toni laugh - good medicine. Toni was able to get some much needed deep sleep between 2:30 and 5:30. Blessed boredom.
Tomorrow morning is the last plasmapheresis treatment - starting at around 8:30 - and then the tube will be removed. If all is well, Toni will be able to travel home on Saturday. Last Friday seems a LONG time ago, and she's pretty beat up, but is in good spirits and has found the grace to count this all joy in a measure I could never approach. What a gal, and I love her.
Thanks again for your prayers, cards, calls, and texts.
Joy - that pillow case is in use. Thanks!! Beautiful, and Toni loves it.
Tomorrow morning is the last plasmapheresis treatment - starting at around 8:30 - and then the tube will be removed. If all is well, Toni will be able to travel home on Saturday. Last Friday seems a LONG time ago, and she's pretty beat up, but is in good spirits and has found the grace to count this all joy in a measure I could never approach. What a gal, and I love her.
Thanks again for your prayers, cards, calls, and texts.
Joy - that pillow case is in use. Thanks!! Beautiful, and Toni loves it.
Tim Keller's Lausanne Speech on the Church in the City
Here's a good story on Tim Keller speaking at Lausanne III in South Africa:
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20101021/tim-kellerchurches-worldwide-need-to-move-into-cities/
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20101021/tim-kellerchurches-worldwide-need-to-move-into-cities/
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Toni Times 10-20-10 - Evening Edition (Plus Brief Update for Morning of 10-21)
OK, first things first: Toni is OK and resting well tonight.
But it was a very tough day.
The plasmapheresis tube leading into her heart became 'kinked' during this morning's treatment, causing so much pain that doctors had to suspend the procedure. This also meant that she had to receive an immediate CT Scan of her heart to make sure that the tube had not caused any damage, and she was also placed on a heart monitor as a precautionary measure. Worst of all, it meant that the surgeons had to come back and remove the original tube and replace it with a new one. They were able to do that this afternoon, which means that Toni was knocked out and will hopefully sleep through the night. In addition to all this, the docs discovered that one of her lungs wasn't 'breathing' as well as it should, probably due in large part to the sheer amount of time she's been bedridden, and so received a further chest x-ray and she is using one of those breathing exercise tubes to strengthen the lungs.
She amazes me in times like this. I'd be really upset, but she maintains her composure beautifully and hasn't uttered a word of complaint.
Today's treatment was far enough along to 'count' so one more awaits, on Friday. We hope there will be no further adventures. Tomorrow will be a much needed rest day for Toni.
Updated this morning: Toni was on oxygen through the night, but her breathing this morning is back to normal.
The plan at present is one more treatment on Friday followed by the removal of the tube on Saturday and then dismissal to head home.
Toni said to say, "I'm tired" and that she's thankful for your prayers sustaining her.
But it was a very tough day.
The plasmapheresis tube leading into her heart became 'kinked' during this morning's treatment, causing so much pain that doctors had to suspend the procedure. This also meant that she had to receive an immediate CT Scan of her heart to make sure that the tube had not caused any damage, and she was also placed on a heart monitor as a precautionary measure. Worst of all, it meant that the surgeons had to come back and remove the original tube and replace it with a new one. They were able to do that this afternoon, which means that Toni was knocked out and will hopefully sleep through the night. In addition to all this, the docs discovered that one of her lungs wasn't 'breathing' as well as it should, probably due in large part to the sheer amount of time she's been bedridden, and so received a further chest x-ray and she is using one of those breathing exercise tubes to strengthen the lungs.
She amazes me in times like this. I'd be really upset, but she maintains her composure beautifully and hasn't uttered a word of complaint.
Today's treatment was far enough along to 'count' so one more awaits, on Friday. We hope there will be no further adventures. Tomorrow will be a much needed rest day for Toni.
Updated this morning: Toni was on oxygen through the night, but her breathing this morning is back to normal.
The plan at present is one more treatment on Friday followed by the removal of the tube on Saturday and then dismissal to head home.
Toni said to say, "I'm tired" and that she's thankful for your prayers sustaining her.
Toni Times 10-20-10 - Morning Edition
Toni enjoyed a restful day for the most part on Tuesday, made much more so when she learned that the dreaded spinal tap had been cancelled. She did experience considerable chest pain on a couple of occasions but this is more than likely to be the result of the tube that has been inserted into her heart for plasmapheresis than any new negative development with the spinal cord issues. In fact, on that score, Dr Greenberg informs us that Toni is making very good progress. There was a notable increase in left-side strength yesterday, her vision was much improved, symptoms on the right side have nearly disappeared, and she shows significant improvement in her short-term memory and various issues related to brain-arm/hand coordination. She even enjoyed a ride in the elevator and very slow stroll in the ground floor lobby to get a latte (skinny of course) from the coffee shop there. Hey, that's cause for celebration - walking around wasn't an option last weekend. Gripping a coffee cup was out of the question as well. Not today.
On the future: Toni's final plasmapheresis round is this Friday. That doesn't mean that she won't need this again; indeed it would not be surprising in the least if she were to undergo more plasmapheresis in the months to come. Such future treatments would not represent a set back but would simply be part of the journey on the path to wholeness. The 'many months' recovery aspect of this disease remains unchanged. Even if an MRI showed the last of the offending spinal cord lesions to be gone today, it will take those somewhat ambiguous 'many months' for Toni to get back to what we would all consider normal strength and energy. We are assured that she will get there, but patience (my strong point) will be essential.
Thanks to Carlos Lowenberg for stopping in to visit, as well as our wonderful sister-in-law, Dana Cassidy. Both were in Dallas on business and made a big effort to come by and offer some much appreciated encouragement.
Emily Plummer came by too, and very kindly included Anna in a great play day with her children. Anna had a terrific time waxing some autumn leaves and doing dramatic readings. Anna, dramatic? Who would've guessed? Thanks Plummers! The memory of the play overshadowed a difficult and frightening moment in the morning for Anna. She was in the room when Toni had a very nasty onslaught of chest pain and needed some assistance. That just undid her, and it took awhile for Anna's tears to dry. "I want Mom to come home and be well", she said through floods of tears. Don't we all.
This morning we'd be grateful for your prayers that the fourth round of plasmapheresis will go smoothly and that Toni can rest well afterwards, free from pain. Pray for Anna as well to be free from fear and have a wonderful day with the Greg and Brittany Lewis family (thanks guys!). Since I am teaching a class at Redeemer Seminary this morning, your prayers for that effort (and the sanity of the students) would be also greatly appreciated. Please give thanks with us for the gifted and attentive staff of Zale-Lipshy Hospital, and pray for our doctors as they do the research on Toni's illness and seek to provide a path to recovery for her and others who similarly suffer. Continue to pray with us that we will count this trial to be joy and properly offer it to our Redeemer and Lord as acceptable service. I know you would not be surprised to learn that on two occasions this week already Toni has had opportunity to minister to the staff here.
I'll be back over to the hospital midday after this morning's class, and hope that by tonight I will have good news to pass along.
Your friendship, encouragement, and prayers are a great treasure. May the God of all comfort and grace grant to you and yours his peace and strength this day. From the rising of the sun to its setting, His Name will be great in all the earth.
On the future: Toni's final plasmapheresis round is this Friday. That doesn't mean that she won't need this again; indeed it would not be surprising in the least if she were to undergo more plasmapheresis in the months to come. Such future treatments would not represent a set back but would simply be part of the journey on the path to wholeness. The 'many months' recovery aspect of this disease remains unchanged. Even if an MRI showed the last of the offending spinal cord lesions to be gone today, it will take those somewhat ambiguous 'many months' for Toni to get back to what we would all consider normal strength and energy. We are assured that she will get there, but patience (my strong point) will be essential.
Thanks to Carlos Lowenberg for stopping in to visit, as well as our wonderful sister-in-law, Dana Cassidy. Both were in Dallas on business and made a big effort to come by and offer some much appreciated encouragement.
Emily Plummer came by too, and very kindly included Anna in a great play day with her children. Anna had a terrific time waxing some autumn leaves and doing dramatic readings. Anna, dramatic? Who would've guessed? Thanks Plummers! The memory of the play overshadowed a difficult and frightening moment in the morning for Anna. She was in the room when Toni had a very nasty onslaught of chest pain and needed some assistance. That just undid her, and it took awhile for Anna's tears to dry. "I want Mom to come home and be well", she said through floods of tears. Don't we all.
This morning we'd be grateful for your prayers that the fourth round of plasmapheresis will go smoothly and that Toni can rest well afterwards, free from pain. Pray for Anna as well to be free from fear and have a wonderful day with the Greg and Brittany Lewis family (thanks guys!). Since I am teaching a class at Redeemer Seminary this morning, your prayers for that effort (and the sanity of the students) would be also greatly appreciated. Please give thanks with us for the gifted and attentive staff of Zale-Lipshy Hospital, and pray for our doctors as they do the research on Toni's illness and seek to provide a path to recovery for her and others who similarly suffer. Continue to pray with us that we will count this trial to be joy and properly offer it to our Redeemer and Lord as acceptable service. I know you would not be surprised to learn that on two occasions this week already Toni has had opportunity to minister to the staff here.
I'll be back over to the hospital midday after this morning's class, and hope that by tonight I will have good news to pass along.
Your friendship, encouragement, and prayers are a great treasure. May the God of all comfort and grace grant to you and yours his peace and strength this day. From the rising of the sun to its setting, His Name will be great in all the earth.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Dr. Sinclair Ferguson Preaching in Austin this Thursday
Please make time this coming Thursday evening to worship with believers from across the area as we welcome To Redeemer Presbyterian Church Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina, and Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Ferguson is teaching this week at Redeemer Theological Seminary in Austin, and he will take up the magnificent subject of Justification in his message on Thursday night. This event is sponsored by the Seminary and we are delighted to serve as hosts for this important event.
The service begins at 7:00, and we hope that many will be encouraged by the ministry of Dr. Ferguson.
Toni Times 10-18-10
Anna and I arrived at the hospital around 4:30 today and found Toni near the conclusion of her third plasmapheresis treatment. All went well. We would ask you to pray for her strength tomorrow as she undergoes a fourth spinal tap. Those familiar with this procedure are aware of how painful and debilitating even one can be; four seems like torture. Nevertheless, it is crucial that she undergo a variety of tests to look for indications of recovery, spot any remaining signs of trouble, and continue the quest to understand the onset of the disease and thus - perhaps - the path to a full recovery. Toni is experiencing increased mobility in her left side, as well as decreased pain and numbness. This kind of improvement has been all too short-lived in days past, so I am earnestly hoping that these marks of progress will be sustained and increased as the week goes on.
If we have spinal tap results to report tomorrow, I'll pass those along, but usually that takes awhile.
My thanks to the Plummer and Lewis families for their help with Anna this week - good to have Redeemer friends and family all around.
I enjoyed teaching this morning at the Seminary in Austin, and look forward to presenting the same material here in Dallas at the mothership on Wednesday.
Don't forget the opportunity to hear and learn from Dr Sinclair Ferguson, one of the Reformed world's finest expositors, this Thursday evening at Redeemer, with the service beginning at 7:00.
If we have spinal tap results to report tomorrow, I'll pass those along, but usually that takes awhile.
My thanks to the Plummer and Lewis families for their help with Anna this week - good to have Redeemer friends and family all around.
I enjoyed teaching this morning at the Seminary in Austin, and look forward to presenting the same material here in Dallas at the mothership on Wednesday.
Don't forget the opportunity to hear and learn from Dr Sinclair Ferguson, one of the Reformed world's finest expositors, this Thursday evening at Redeemer, with the service beginning at 7:00.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Toni Times 10-17-10
Toni received the second plasmapheresis treatment yesterday. The pain from the incision and central line was pretty tough, but the procedure itself was not too troubling. Expected symptoms occurred but nothing unusual. The good news from yesterday was that the thoracic inflammation in her spinal cord had largely disappeared. Actually, that's GREAT news. The spinal lesion in her neck remains very large and visible on the MRI (that was the first time we'd seen it). The doctors were pretty surprised at how well Toni was doing given the scope of that lesion. It remains very troubling, but we also remain hopeful that the current round of treatment will result in the reduction and ultimate elimination of this lesion as well.
Plasmapheresis is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this week. We are grateful for the prayers and practical help of friends here and in Dallas. As I noted earlier, Anna will go with me tomorrow for the week, so lets pray that she will handle this upheaval well and not fall too far behind in her studies since she'll have me for a teacher this week. Yikes.
It was a great comfort to be in church this morning, rejoicing with the Redeemer congregation. I hope it will not be too long before Toni can join us again.
Please pray that Toni will be given the grace to endure the pain she is currently suffering, including the numerous injections she receives. Lets also pray that the new plasma in her system will be the home for antibodies that will work properly. Please pray for Dr Greenberg and all his associates as they care for Toni and assist her towards recovery. Again pray with us that in anything we suffer we will count it all joy, and offer it to the Savior as service to him.
Tomorrow will be a very busy day as Anna and I get everything together in Austin and head to Dallas, and challenging for Toni as well as she receives another treatment there.
Thank you for the great ways you have expressed your love for her. I will read to her any messages left on this site, so do feel free to leave a comment.
Plasmapheresis is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this week. We are grateful for the prayers and practical help of friends here and in Dallas. As I noted earlier, Anna will go with me tomorrow for the week, so lets pray that she will handle this upheaval well and not fall too far behind in her studies since she'll have me for a teacher this week. Yikes.
It was a great comfort to be in church this morning, rejoicing with the Redeemer congregation. I hope it will not be too long before Toni can join us again.
Please pray that Toni will be given the grace to endure the pain she is currently suffering, including the numerous injections she receives. Lets also pray that the new plasma in her system will be the home for antibodies that will work properly. Please pray for Dr Greenberg and all his associates as they care for Toni and assist her towards recovery. Again pray with us that in anything we suffer we will count it all joy, and offer it to the Savior as service to him.
Tomorrow will be a very busy day as Anna and I get everything together in Austin and head to Dallas, and challenging for Toni as well as she receives another treatment there.
Thank you for the great ways you have expressed your love for her. I will read to her any messages left on this site, so do feel free to leave a comment.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Toni Times 10-15-10: Into Southwestern
Toni and I had the privilege today of meeting with Dr Benjamin Greenberg at Southwestern here in Dallas. His analysis of Toni's symptoms, especially the spread of these from the left to the right side, led him to push for Toni's immediate admission to Zale Lipshy Hospital to commence a new treatment for the spinal cord inflammations which have afflicted her. Our appointment was at eight, and after blood work and a retinal exam, she was admitted to the hospital by 1:30. More MRIs are scheduled, but most significantly Toni has already had her first plasmapheresis treatment. There will be five in all, a second tomorrow, and then three further treatments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week.
This procedure involves the removal of Toni's plasma from her blood, replacing it with another substance, albumin. The rogue antibodies attacking her neurological system are in the plasma so its removal is essential to her recovery. Of course the plasma will be reproduced by her cardio-vascular system, but the new plasma is expected to be free of the confused antibodies.
Toni was knocked out for the insertion of a central line into her heart to retrieve her blood and send it into the rather technologically stunning machine that separates the red, white, and plasma cells of her blood, sending only the good stuff back in via another route. The first insertion went too deep so the surgeons took a mulligan and nailed it on the second try. The first plasmapheresis went very smoothly, so we're thrilled to be underway.
I will be back in Austin tomorrow night to get Anna and take care of household issues. Lord willing, I'll be at church on Sunday, and then return with Anna to Dallas on Monday to be with Toni next week.
Toni is out cold from the sedation as I write, but I am certain she would join me in thanking you for your prayers, your encouragement, and compassion. We are deeply grateful.
9:00 and they just came to get her for an MRI. Guess there's no time like right now!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Toni Times 10-14-10, and St Augustine on Unanswered Prayer
Toni had a pretty good day, especially considering that we made the drive to Dallas for the much anticipated appointment at Southwestern on Friday morning. She was very weary on arrival at 3:30 and slept until 7:30. She was up until 9:30 and we're hoping she'll be ready for the demanding day ahead.
During the drive up we talked about Paul's words in Romans 8 concerning our ignorance in prayer: "We do not know how to pray as we ought." This led on to a discussion of unanswered prayer, and to the comfort of knowing God uses our weaknesses to make his power known (this is a fairly regular topic of conversation with us because we both think we are utterly feeble in prayer and grow despondent of learning to pray well). These passages in Romans 8 and 2 Corinthians 12 end up being two places we always talk about, especially in relationship to the prayer of surrender as exemplified in Mary's words to Gabriel and supremely in Jesus' words to the Father during his agony in Gethsemane.
All well and good, but then I turned tonight to some reading in St Augustine, which happened to be a letter he wrote to one "Proba" about Paul's words in Romans 8 and the mystery of unanswered prayer. Well now, that's no coincidence! Augustine notes 2 Corinthians 12 and Paul's unanswered prayer for deliverance from that nasty thorn as an example of the circumstances in which we don't know how to pray as we should.
"In the kind of affliction that can bring either good or ill, we do not know what is right to pray for; yet, because it is difficult, troublesome, and against the grain for us, weak as we are, we do what every human would do and pray that it may be taken away from us."
That's how Paul prayed. God's answer was the great revelation flowing from the Crucified God that God's power is made known and perfected in weakness: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power shines forth more perfectly in weakness."
Augustine picks up on this answer and notes how it must be the foundation for our trust in God when the answers we think should be forthcoming are delayed or denied. He lists four great reasons God does not answer in the way we think he should, and instead allows his power to be seen in and through us by way of our suffering rather than our deliverance from the same.He also notes God's mercy in his denial of what we might regard as something which could only be a blessing as most people count such things.
1. God gives us power in weakness when a deliverance from weakness would cause us to have too high an opinion of ourselves, imagining that we 'deserved' the answer to the prayer or had 'earned' it.
2. God gives us power in weakness so that we will not grow dejected and discouraged in the patient wait for God's great acts of mercy to deliver us. His 'delays' - as in the case of Lazarus - work for his glory.
3. God gives us power in weakness when the thing for which we ask, if received, would bring us into an even great affliction which we cannot foresee.
4. God gives us power in weakness when the thing we ask for, if received, would bring about our ruin, drawing us away from the One who is Life indeed.
In these cases, says Augustine, we truly do not know how to pray, weak and frail as we are. We must come to Gethsemane and pray there with Jesus, "Father, not my will but Thy will be done. Amen."
Reading the Fathers
Finished Ian Ker's massive biography of John Henry Newman. First of all, I haven't read prose like Newman's apart from Churchill. Chesterton was clever, and to be admired. Newman is majestic and to be carefully pondered. One aspect of Newman's important story is his devotion to the Church fathers, especially Augustine and Athanasius. Now unlike the great Newman I don't read the fathers in their original languages, but like him I do seek to read them regularly. Every couple of years I read through the three volume set "The Faith of the Early Fathers", translated and compiled by William A. Jurgens, and published by The Liturgical Press. For those looking for an introduction to the thought of the fathers this is an excellent first set to own. The better known 'big volumes' with the complete works are essential too, but that can be a tad intimidating, despite being even more inspiring than these selections.
This week I'm making my way through volume one, and read last night and tonight from The Letters of Ignatius, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, Dionysius' Letter to Soter of Rome, Justin Martyr's First and Second Apologies, Canons of the Council of Nicea, and selections from Irenaeus' Against Heresies. Some might find these works to be a profitable cure for insomnia. I can't put them down: Ignatius' words on the way to his martyrdom (note the icon above) are riveting stuff.
I was asked last week about where to start reading in the fathers. My suggestions:
1. On the Incarnation, by Athanasius
2. Confessions, by Augustine
3. The Didache
4. First Apology, by Justin Martyr
5. Epistles of Ignatius
Miner Reflections
"He brought me up out of the pit of destruction..." - Psalm 40:2
I mentioned in a previous post that I couldn't stop watching the incredible rescue of the Chilean miners. Their story is made more remarkable by their ample testimony to grace and mercy, as already noted. The world was deeply moved by the scenes of reunion, and more than one Christian commentator has seen in this story a hint of resurrection and new birth. No wonder. So if we are moved by this blessed but temporal rescue, how much more should we rejoice in the eternal rescue of immortal souls from the miry and dark pit of destruction. The tears of joy shed rightly here for the 33 Chilean miners and their families, are surely an echo of a still greater joy found among the angels of heaven in the repentance - in the rescue - of one sinner who is turned to God our Savior. It is Christ who came from above and descended to the darkness of our helplessness to raise us back to the brightness of his Day.
Sermon Notes - Sunday, October 17th
So Who Cares?
Mark 2:1-12
October 17, 2010
We return today to the theme Vision. We are exploring how we answer the question, "What is the vision of Redeemer Presbyterian Church"?, looking to answer with words that grip us as members of this congregation and followers of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Please note that vision is not something we create, or form a committee to articulate, or a fancy ad campaign that is the outcome of good marketing and polling data. We don't 'get' a vision; on the contrary, a 'vision' gets us! It owns a person, and reorganizes their priorities, puzzling some and electrifying others. It turns fishermen into Apostles and the moribund into missionaries. Vision makes sacrificial lovers of those who were once in the grip of the self-centered acquisition of power and wealth. Vision makes warriors of wimps and turns the apathetic into the prophetic.
The one word that best encapsulates our vision is the great subject of Jesus' mission and message: "Kingdom".
Rooted in Luke 6, we noted three actions which summarize how the Church Jesus came to found and save manifests the life of his Kingdom: liturgy, community, and ministry. In Liturgy we open our hands to God in worship, offering to to him the sacrifice he commands from the heart he commends and receiving his incomparable blessings. In Community we open our hands to one another in selfless service that bears witness to the love of Jesus in the life of his people. In Ministry, we open our hands to a world not yet met by the saving message of the Kingdom, by word and deed bearing witness so that in the words of Isaiah, 'those who have had no news of him may see and those who have not heard will understand."
Three weeks ago, Dr Campbell brought you a wonderful message on community, and to that subject we turn again today for one more glimpse of God's grace in this aspect of Kingdom living.
I. Kingdom Community is Made Known in Covenant Commitment
A. Four Friends
- Do we know their names? I do!
- Life in the Invisible Church
B. Who will Carry us when We Cannot Walk to God's House?
* Faith made visible
* Hope made tangible
* Love made invincible
This is why small groups and parishes and studies and prayer gatherings and accountability partnerships and a host of other ways in which our lives are blended and really laid bare to be truly loved, really matter.
II. Kingdom Community is Made Possible in Covenant Theology
A. One Great Truth
* Truth Matters
* Doctrine humbly but firmly held, rather than Personalities arrogantly asserted, is the foundation of a long-term community.
* One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church
- We are one because we are Apostolic: we are founded on the Apostles and to the truth they have given us we must always turn and in that inheritance rejoice.
- JH Newman on Doctrine
This is why education at every level and training people for ministry really matters.
B. Two Great Practices
* Word and Sacrament - United around a font, a table, and a pulpit, for by these the risen and reigning Christ is made known among us and to us.
- Gathered hearts around the Scriptures
- Gathered fragments at the Table
Four Friends; One Truth. This is our shared life in the Kingdom. I asked at the beginning, 'So who cares?' If today's message strikes home, it won't make us ask, "Who are my four friends?" but rather, "Who may I befriend and carry?" If today's message is true, it won't make us simply ask, "What do I believe" but rather make us boldly declare as we come to this table, "I know in whom I have believed."
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
All 33 are Free
I couldn't stop watching this incredible rescue unfold last night.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/13/chile-second-half-rescues/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
One miner said, 'We did not have 33 miners down there. We had 34 - God never left us."
Amen brother.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/13/chile-second-half-rescues/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
One miner said, 'We did not have 33 miners down there. We had 34 - God never left us."
Amen brother.
Toni Times 10-13-10: BREAKING NEWS
Just received word that Toni has an appointment with the Neurology specialists at Southwestern in Dallas on Friday morning. After two pretty good days, she's having a very bad morning so this news comes at a time when some hopeful encouragement was needed. Please give thanks with us for this provision and pray with us for those doctors with whom she will meet. We hope to discover a more accurate diagnosis and see a plan for treatment developed. Obviously this may only be the first of many appointments there, but we trust in God's good providence to guide each step. Your encouragement means so much. Thanks.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Yes Prime Minister - S01E07 - The Bishops Gambit - Part 1
"Yes Prime Minister" was my favorite TV show when I lived in Britain. It is as hilarious now as it was 25+ years ago. This episode concerns the Prime Minister choosing a Bishop for the Church of England. It starts a little slowly but builds fast, and is frightfully funny. This is section one; follow the You Tube links at the end to watch the final two sections. Very droll. Trust me.
Toni Times 10-11-10
After several very difficult days, Toni has finally had a really good one. We are thankful. She was even posting on Face Book tonight - good stuff too, I might add.
I am faxing all the paperwork to Southwestern tomorrow, so do pray with us for an expedited decision on whether or not Toni will have an appointment with specialists there. If not, we'll look into alternatives like Mayo.
Our united and heartfelt thanks to all who have called to encourage us, pray for us, and who have championed Toni's cause behind the scenes.
If all goes well this week, I will be back to preaching this Sunday. That means I have work to do tomorrow! Ken, Danny, and Jack - what a treasure your ministry in the word is to the Redeemer Congregation and how grateful I am to labor with you, and with George, together with all of our Deacons and Elders, and amazing staff. I'd say its unlikely that Toni will be making worship services for a while yet, but we'll see how it goes.
I am faxing all the paperwork to Southwestern tomorrow, so do pray with us for an expedited decision on whether or not Toni will have an appointment with specialists there. If not, we'll look into alternatives like Mayo.
Our united and heartfelt thanks to all who have called to encourage us, pray for us, and who have championed Toni's cause behind the scenes.
If all goes well this week, I will be back to preaching this Sunday. That means I have work to do tomorrow! Ken, Danny, and Jack - what a treasure your ministry in the word is to the Redeemer Congregation and how grateful I am to labor with you, and with George, together with all of our Deacons and Elders, and amazing staff. I'd say its unlikely that Toni will be making worship services for a while yet, but we'll see how it goes.
Friday, October 08, 2010
Toni Times 10-08-10
That wasn't so good. Yesterday was by far the worst day Toni has had since returning home, and that after starting out so well. Seems to be the way this goes sometimes: a vibrant hour or two, followed by a complete collapse. The bad news beyond the pain and fatigue (she was asleep - mercifully - from 10 until 5), is that the numbness and 'deadness' had spread considerably on her right side.
Toni did manage to enjoy a very pleasant if somewhat subdued birthday celebration with Claire and Anna - and two pieces of her favorite Carrot Cake.
The news on Dallas wasn't all that great either. We had a call from the neurologists here who are arranging things, and the way it works could take a while. They've informed the specialist at Southwestern. That office in turn sends us a questionnaire to fill out and mail back (mail?!), which they will then evaluate. If they believe the answers provided indicate that they should take Toni as a patient, they will offer to set up an appointment. I have no idea how long that will take, or when an appointment, if granted, could be scheduled.
"Through faith and patience we inherit the promises..." - Hebrews 6:12
Wish I had more encouraging news this morning, but that's all for the moment.
Toni did manage to enjoy a very pleasant if somewhat subdued birthday celebration with Claire and Anna - and two pieces of her favorite Carrot Cake.
The news on Dallas wasn't all that great either. We had a call from the neurologists here who are arranging things, and the way it works could take a while. They've informed the specialist at Southwestern. That office in turn sends us a questionnaire to fill out and mail back (mail?!), which they will then evaluate. If they believe the answers provided indicate that they should take Toni as a patient, they will offer to set up an appointment. I have no idea how long that will take, or when an appointment, if granted, could be scheduled.
"Through faith and patience we inherit the promises..." - Hebrews 6:12
Wish I had more encouraging news this morning, but that's all for the moment.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
A Cessationist Position on Blogging
I appreciate the very kind remarks I've had from many quarters with regard to the Blog and urging me to engage again. On the other hand, I was amused by an attack on another site that was brought to my attention suggesting I ceased because I had something to hide. I don't; never have. Nor do I mind at all when people disagree with me thinking out loud, which is often what happens on a blog. Typically, sermon notes excepted, I wasn't writing to offer scholarly, defensible declarations but instead to offer observations and 'thoughts in motion'. Disagreement in such situations is helpful - only a fool hates correction, and a wise man suggesting that what I'd written wasn't reflective of truth and reality only helps me gain a greater grasp of both. What I have noticed is an unloving tone in the general area of blogging, from writers to commentators, and I think that tendency is growing. Its not a place for helpful discourse.
That said, it can be a place for helpful information being passed along, especially among friends and congregants. My friend David Filson (TE and Assistant Pastor at Christ Presbyterian PCA in Nashville) suggested I ponder using the blog for those purposes. In a way, that wouldn't differ too much from the updates on Toni. Boring? Sure, at least to those who see the blog as Gossip rags or as places to gather information to defame Pastors and others. Look, those hungry folks need to be fed too, and maybe a book or three I'm writing will give them plenty of material with which to work for awhile. So maybe after Toni recovers I'll take up the suggested alternative and just place sermon notes, prayers, and newsy stuff here for family, friends, and church members.
Here's a first announcement: I'm looking for a really good recipe for Beef Wellington.
Oh, and I won't try to prepare it until I'm back in the gym, which won't be until Toni is sufficiently recovered for me to take time for that activity.
Toni Times 10-06-10
Ok, here's the promised update from today's visits with the doctors, and it comes with gratitude for your continuing prayers and encouragement.
The Rheumatologist working on Toni's case determined that additional blood work was needed and sent us to the lab. This means that he wants more evidence before reaching any conclusions about the presence of Sjogren's disease being in her system. It is not in itself all that threatening to Toni, except in relationship to the traumas in her spinal cord. Those who have suffered in this way seldom relapse, but a very high percentage of those who do also have Sjogrens. So obviously we're hoping to hear that it isn't present and posing a future threat.
On to the neurologist then. I'll give you the short version: despite the group's best efforts and extraordinary testing, no firm diagnosis of the condition can be agreed upon, no clear cause for the rise of the spinal inflammations can be ascertained, and thus no certain path for treatment can be prescribed. For these reasons the Neurologists have agreed that it is time for Toni to go to Dallas and Southwestern to meet with specialists there who may be able to wrestle to the ground a solution to these baffling problems. The IVIG treatments will be effective in Toni's system for up to three weeks, so the next steps need to be discovered - or the treatment repeated - within that time frame. The Dallas trip will not initially involve a hospital stay (in so far as we've been told), and I will pass along the info when that gets scheduled.
The spinal lesions/inflammations have decreased in size but they are still present and could flare up again if left untreated. They are being suppressed by the IVIG and very strong doses of steroids (Toni wishes all to know that she hasn't yet grown a beard but is bench pressing 425 pounds now, maxing out at 5 reps).
She was very weak in fact today, until around 4:00, but has had a good evening, and we hope to have her well rested for a little birthday cake tomorrow. No, I will not disclose her age, but her preference for Carrot Cake has not altered over the many, many decades I've known her.
While she is showing signs of making progress, there was a troubling development today - numbness spread for several hours to her upper right arm; that's a first, and we hope that symptom won't be repeated in the coming days.
Continue to pray with us for her full recovery and for God's mercy to overshadow all who suffer among us.
The Rheumatologist working on Toni's case determined that additional blood work was needed and sent us to the lab. This means that he wants more evidence before reaching any conclusions about the presence of Sjogren's disease being in her system. It is not in itself all that threatening to Toni, except in relationship to the traumas in her spinal cord. Those who have suffered in this way seldom relapse, but a very high percentage of those who do also have Sjogrens. So obviously we're hoping to hear that it isn't present and posing a future threat.
On to the neurologist then. I'll give you the short version: despite the group's best efforts and extraordinary testing, no firm diagnosis of the condition can be agreed upon, no clear cause for the rise of the spinal inflammations can be ascertained, and thus no certain path for treatment can be prescribed. For these reasons the Neurologists have agreed that it is time for Toni to go to Dallas and Southwestern to meet with specialists there who may be able to wrestle to the ground a solution to these baffling problems. The IVIG treatments will be effective in Toni's system for up to three weeks, so the next steps need to be discovered - or the treatment repeated - within that time frame. The Dallas trip will not initially involve a hospital stay (in so far as we've been told), and I will pass along the info when that gets scheduled.
The spinal lesions/inflammations have decreased in size but they are still present and could flare up again if left untreated. They are being suppressed by the IVIG and very strong doses of steroids (Toni wishes all to know that she hasn't yet grown a beard but is bench pressing 425 pounds now, maxing out at 5 reps).
She was very weak in fact today, until around 4:00, but has had a good evening, and we hope to have her well rested for a little birthday cake tomorrow. No, I will not disclose her age, but her preference for Carrot Cake has not altered over the many, many decades I've known her.
While she is showing signs of making progress, there was a troubling development today - numbness spread for several hours to her upper right arm; that's a first, and we hope that symptom won't be repeated in the coming days.
Continue to pray with us for her full recovery and for God's mercy to overshadow all who suffer among us.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Toni Times 10-1-10
I hope this will be the last post until midweek when Toni heads back in for more tests and consultations. She had an up and down day, but enjoyed a great night's sleep and the pleasure of walking in her own yard for a while. We allowed her two laps and a trip up and down the driveway, all unassisted. Overall, this was a good first day out of the hospital. Hey maybe three laps tomorrow. Actually that driveway trip wasn't 'allowed' at all; she snuck out on her own and we had to chase her down. Shocking, I know.
A note about emails: I am hopelessly behind. There have been so many that we can't keep up and please be assured that each has been and remains a blessing to us. I may not be able to answer each and every one, but they are all treasured and appreciated.
Now then, we all know tomorrow is a very big day: Hook 'em!
A note about emails: I am hopelessly behind. There have been so many that we can't keep up and please be assured that each has been and remains a blessing to us. I may not be able to answer each and every one, but they are all treasured and appreciated.
Now then, we all know tomorrow is a very big day: Hook 'em!
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