Last
Thursday, June 18, I was facing some serious surgery estimated to last about 2
½ hours. Let me give a little background here. In 2006, I was experiencing some
issues related to acid reflux. I made the decision to visit a
gastroenterologist for testing. The result was a diagnosis of both a hiatal
hernia and a paraesophageal hernia. The doctor advised surgery at that time as
the latter could be quite dangerous. Of course, being a guy, I dismissed the idea of surgery. Fast forward
to this January, I had an accident, which resulted in two broken ribs. The
x-ray also showed that the hernia problem was much worse. At that time, my
physician friend recommended a surgeon who had pioneered a surgical technique that involved
both laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
The
surgery last Thursday was scheduled for 7:30 a.m., which meant a 5:30 arrival
at the hospital. Under the new Coronavirus rules, Peggy was not allowed to
stay with me in pre-op, so we kissed goodbye in the waiting room at about 5:45.
I has almost two hours to contemplate what was about to happen. Here is the
point of the rather lengthy prologue:
I had
been praying through some of the Scriptures I have memorized and was flooded
with “the peace that passes all human understanding”(Phillipians 4:7) Many
friends had told me they would be praying for a successful outcome. I truly
felt the weight of those prayers. Now, you have to really know me when I say
that ordinarily, I am a fairly matter of fact guy. I am not terribly emotional
usually. I have talked about feeling peaceful before, in the context of
surroundings, but never really truly experienced God’s peace like the one I
felt that morning.
The surgery ended up taking much longer and was more difficult but I recovered
quickly and have experienced very little pain or discomfort since that time.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Going
forward from here, with all the strife and turmoil in the world, I know that we
can truly experience that Phillipians peace if we open ourselves up to allow
His Spirit to move in us. Here is the
complete text of that Phillipians verse:
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
MINISTRY NEWS
AND NEEDS:
After many
months of sheltering in place, I am beginning to have face-to-face meetings
with men again! Before now, I largely communicated by email, text, phone, and FB
messaging during this time.
The next
quarterly newsletter will be published in late September. Donors who give on a
monthly basis will be furnished three return envelopes with the appropriate
month listed on the front. All other donors will be furnished with one envelope
per quarter. This move is being done to be good stewards of the resources God
has provided us. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate
to call me at
678-986-4814.
Please do not
forget!
When you
purchase something from Amazon, please go to:
www.smile.amazon.com/ch/58-2009795.
Amazon contributes a portion of each sale to our ministry.
I am so very
grateful to each one of you for your prayers, encouragement and financial
support.
We are Together,
In His Love and Service,
Buck
No comments:
Post a Comment