My Doctor Visit Today

Just a quick note to all of you who have been praying for me. Thanks so much. I have been humbled by knowing that people from Finland and France, and from the East to the West Coast of the U.S. have been praying for me. Facebook is an awesome way to make your prayer needs known. Thanks for all the notes of encouragement. Many from people whom I've never met.

I will be going to Louisville, KY, probably Jan. 2nd, to be seen be world-renowned surgeons specializing in this type of injury. You may remember having heard about the world's first hand transplant a view years ago. It was done by doctors out of the same office that I'll be visiting, so I have the best doctors to work with it seems. There are a couple of choices as I understand it: 1) A heavy skin graft (taken from my wrist); or, 2) Taking skin from the surrrounding area and stretching it up over the wounded area.

Please continue to pray for wisdom and the best result possible. Blessings to all who read this. I'll update using this blog.

Michael

Yesterday

Why 'She' had to go, I don't know, she wouldn't say.....

Thanks, Paul, for summing it all up for me. You're the best.

I Left My Heart In San Francisco....or was it a piece of my finger at the elementary school?

More than the pain, I was struck with the horror of looking at my finger...a part of me, seeing for the first time in 54 years that part of it was missing. There are no adequate words for the experience. I awoke many times in the night...



Each time I would have an image of my little finger on the left hand with the fingernail fully intact with the nail extending over the left side as normal.......yet, with no finger behind it. I'm still not used to the idea. I need your prayer for a miracle. However,...



I will wear it though as a reminder of the brevity of life and the complete dependency I must have on/in HIM, for I have no control over what the day may bring. Yesterday was a happy day...it changed instantly with the close of a door. Yet, I have complete hope and joy knowing that even though All I know on this earth will come to an end, His kingdom and the inhabitance of it will endure forever.

When the Little Bird Speaks...

Nothing says what needs to be said by me better than directing you to this blogspot, www.vanderpoolfamily.blogspot.com. Read "Working Myself Out of a Job." Could a father have better affirmation than this? I think not.

"I'm going to dance her away.................."

It's been a while since I posted. I'm a teacher. School has started. Those leisurely days of summer have gone, and getting on here to post has been on the bottom of my list. I'm sorry to have disappointed the multiple thousands, maybe even millions by now, that have been faithfully checking this site daily for some crumb of wisdom, just to give their life meaning and to get them through the day. By the way, I'm am definitely not a sarcastic person.

So, what's up with the title? Well, I saw a TV commercial this morning about a man in his forties or fifties who just found out that he had diabetes and he was talking about his new blood sugar meter that was going to help him stay on top of the disease so that he could raise his 4 1/2 year old daughter and be able to 'dance her away' at her wedding. He even planned on celebrating her 40Th birthday with her. Hey, buddy, I got news for you. You got an awfully late start and there is a reason why our childbearing years are when we are young. Oh, well, better you that me. I have seven beautiful, extremely intelligent grandchildren, some older than your kid, and after I have a great time with them, spoil them, ring out all of the 'fun' to be had for the moment, guess where they go?? And by the way, they're probably a lot cuter and smarter than yours...(whoa, paPa......now you're getting mean). But I digress, as a friend of the family says, so back to the point I want to make.

I have not been so gracious, at times, dancing mine 'away.' I'm not referring to the dance floor at their weddings. No, I was awesome there. You should have seen my 'moves.' No, I'm talking about letting them grow up and leave. Whether that means my home, my state, or, yes, my country. I'm working on my 'dance moves' and will just have to keep on practicing I guess. You lose some of your 'flexibility' when you get older and some 'moves' are just difficult to pull off. By the way, I digress yet again. Have you noticed how I like to put this ' ----' around many of my words? We never laughed so hard as a family when we saw a sign while traveling that said, "Fresh" Fudge and "Hot" coffee...good times!" in the window of a conveninence store. Just what kind of coffee and fudge was that???


Have you ever noticed too that the world, for as much as 'they' study the behavior of man, has no real answers as to why man 'dances' as he does (does wrong?)...The sermon, the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus, teaches us about the 'dance moves' of man (nature of man, the problem with man, and the solution needed.) The nature of man (all of mankind) is that he is a sinner (Romans 3:23), the problem with man is that he cannot fix himself (Jeremiah 13:23), and the solution man needs is forgiveness that comes from the cross of Jesus Christ. I'm so happy to have the solution for my 'faulty moves' on the 'dance floor' of life!!!! (...but, hey, some of those moves were pretty awesome.)

Who needs a disco ball!!!!!

To 'blog' or not to 'blog'

It's been 10 days since my last blog posting and a lot of life has gone by. In fact, I've been too busy to even reflect on the last 10 days. I wouldn't even know where to begin. I feel numb, uninspired, tired and just dried up today....(funny how one student can do that to you.)

So, what's a guy to do? Make a short posting just so the 1000's that read my blog won't think I'm dead! Here's goes, and this is the best thing I can think to say right now:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:54-58

Hot, Burning Sand on a Kid's Feet!

As a child growing up, my parents took us to basically two locations for a vacation. We either went to the mountains or to the beach. One particular memory from those times was going to a Florida beach in the middle of the summer and experiencing the burning, hot sand under my feet as I made my way to the water, the whole reason for going there in the first place! To me it was a large giant pool, those cool waters of the ocean. I couldn't wait to explore all the secret promises it held for me. Nothing was more fun. But, I had to get there by way of the hot, burning sand. Needless to say, it was a very quick, painful run, but worth it in the end.

As I looked a Isaiah 35 again today in my Bible study, I was struck by this passage: ..."the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water;"


For sure, if I stayed on course and focused on my destination, I reached that cool water every time, and boy were those waters a relief! Yesterday, I thought about how important it is for me to maintain proper focus. I can't just sit around and stare into an empty nest. And, one thing is for sure, everyone who has raised a family and then sends them on their way is faced with looking in new directions and re-focusing. So, put on those new glasses!!!

Christ has promised, He Promised!! that He is all we need on this earth and that He can fill every need. Looking in a new direction and re-focusing is uncomfortable for me...and frankly, I feel dryed up and dehydrated by it all. This 'thirsty ground' called "Mike" needs some spiritual H2O.

To sum it up, I found this story told to be 'refreshing!'

One time a missionary in India spoke near a fountain on the subject, "Jesus, the Water of Life." A Muslim interrupted, "Your religion is like this little stream of water, but Islam is like a great ocean!" "Yes," said the missionary, "but there is this difference: When men drink ocean water they die of thirst. When they drink the water of life which Christ gives, they live forever!" The stream is small, but it can satisfy your thirst. "He who has the Son has life" (John 3:36).

And now that Jesus has poured His life out unto death for me, I realize again that I find my life in Him.

Cheers and drink up!

It's all about where we keep our FOCUS isn't it?

The whole point of my 'blogging' is for me. It's all about me!!!! (Always wanted to say that.) Not really, of course, because when the focus is on me, problems arise. The reality is, what I see in me and what I see in the world around me, pulls me down. Satan is a thief and comes to steal, kill and destroy. How does he do that? He changes my focus.

Consider this quote from a song (the group 'Mascot') that really describes me (it's always way cool to use the lyrics of a song....kinda makes you seem deep, mystical, spiritual...you know what I mean):


"It used to be that all I knew was endless hives of avenues that turned into the oceans,
and now I see only the last page,
only vivid luck, only truest age.
What was that movie with the bluebirds in heaven?
Or the houseboat that she made into a home?
I need more life,
I need more love.
I've waited so long.
The things I've seen,
oh they cannot last"

The last two lines...the things I've seen, oh they cannot last" is all about changing your focus to what will last and what is true and eternal. Here's what happens when I change my focus (and sometimes I think the Lord has to just reach down, literally take my eyes and turn them!)

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing...." Is. 35:1-2 Wrong focus = wilderness, dry land and desert! Apparently I like to hang out there!

Take time and read all of the passage quoted above, Isaiah 35:1-10. Notice the end result in verse 10, when you keep your focus.

So....we Dad's try to fix things, right?

Why is that? Why is it that Dad's want to fix things; make things right? Could it relate back to the very first dad?? Adam, who had the life of Riley, even though Riley hadn't been born yet, messed up. Big time!! As a result he spent the rest of his life trying to fix things. He was cursed by God and spent the rest of his 930 years working, sweating, making mistakes with his wife and kids, but constantly trying to 'fix' the situation. Maybe, just maybe, he was trying to control situations as a way to fix and protect. Hmmmmmm.........

When Adam and Eve sinned, some concepts (sins) were introduced into the world that had never been seen before. Check out the Scriptures and you'll see these descriptive 'first-timers': nakedness, painfulness, cursing, sadness, fear. thorns, sweat, sword, etc. and the biggy.......death (separation). All of these became a part of the daily experience for Adam and all mankind. But, this was not part of God's plan.

When we have those little children, those sweet little off springs that take over our lives for 18 + years, as hard as it is to believe, they come to us cursed from the moment of inception. Note, I'm not saying that we are cursing, at least not the first few years, but they are cursed (Mike, that was not necessary!) Now, we may not experience the reality of it from the onset, but they are. Just as dad's were. We dads know that our children are going to experience all of those 'first-timers' sooner or later, just as we did, but we don't want that for them. We want to shield them, protect them, somehow make it different for them. Well, we can't. But for some odd reason, I felt that I could, as long as they were still in the nest. And the reality was, in my attempt to do so at times, I hand delivered some of those 'first-timers' into my children's lives not even realizing what was happening.

So, the nest empties, as it should, and the young 'birds' are now required to fly around in a world that is full of: hate, danger, deception, confusion, shame........the list goes on....you know, all those things that are now 'common placers' ...and I want to fix it.

And then comes the revelation. Are you sitting down? Ready?? I AM NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!!! (Say is again slowly and with an incredulous tone for the complete effect.) Seriously, I know you're shocked, but I'm not. And then, there's another revelation. It has been fixed and by the best dad of all. We just don't see the full results around us yet. This world is not, nor are our experiences in it, what God intended. I have to remind myself of that. It seems I have these sensors within me that are constantly reminding me, "We have a problem, Huston!" Here's a quote by Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis that helps:

"...the world we're living in today is not the world God made. It is a groaning world because of sin. Although we see beauty in this world, we also see ugliness. We see life, but we also see death. We see health, but we also see disease.

It is only the Bible's account of a perfect world marred by sin that explains why this world is the way it is. Therefore, Christians shouldn't tell non-Christians that this is a beautiful world God made. We can tell them that there is a 'remnant' of beauty in this fallen creation. The venomous animals, stinging plants, disease-causing bacteria, etc. were not this way before sin. Everything has changed because man rebelled against God.
This is a very, very important point because one of the most-asked questions from non-Christians is, 'How can there be a God of love when there's all this death, disease, suffering, and violence in the world?' We need to explain to them that this was not the world as God made it. It's not God who's responsible for this mess. We are responsible because we all sinned in Adam."[1]

The good news? All have been forgiven and relieved of the curse by the 2ND Adam, Jesus Christ: all who place their trust in Him. And my birds, even though I don't like where they have to fly at times, belong to and are following the Lord (even if their beaks are pierced). For what else could I ask??!!

OK...so you're walking around and see that dead uncle approaching and waving.....

Can you imagine seeing a bunch of friends or relatives that have passed away, just walking around after years of not seeing them, just getting on with life?? (Think about how that would change your holidays!) Well, that's what happened when Christ was resurrected.


The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection. They went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52-53


I don't know about you, but I think I'd be afraid to come out of my house, or, even open the door for awhile. It's just had to imagine such a thing. Now that's what I call power! If He can do that, He can do anything.

Maybe it's not true "the older you get, the less you know." Maybe it's "the older you get, the more you learn to rely on Him." There's hope for us!!

Trials and difficulties can have a way of obscuring the smiling face of God.

...if I become focused on them.



You know what's difficult for me? (Well, there are several things actually.) But, right up there at the top of the list is seeing those I love go through difficult times, or to be separated from them. As a dad/husband we do what? We FIX things. And nothing is worse than when we can't. What else do we do? We protect. It's just in our DNA I guess. Anything else? Oh, yeah, there's that provision thing. Fix, Protect and Provide. That about covers it, doesn't it?



So, let's take a look into that empty nest. Is there anything in there to do? Fix something? Nope. Or, protect? Nope. Oh, what about providing? Nope. Can't do that either. Hmmmm....what's a dad/husband to do?

He maintains his focus on the reality that whatever tomorrow may bring, he can face it because of what Christ has done on the Cross. Christians are not only realists, but also eternal optimists, for we believe we will be saved from the presence of sin and from the wrath of God. This is our future, our destiny. In other words, we have a hope that far exceeds the trials, the difficulties, the junk we all have to endure on this planet. I claim again today Jeremiah 29:11 as my very own.

Be encouraged if you are facing something difficult and remember the cross of Jesus Christ. Maintain your focus and rejoice in your secure eternity because of the death of Jesus Christ. (Did you hear that Mike...Dad??). You and I can live with the assured hope of an eternal life with Jesus, bought and paid for at the cross. The cross enables us to rejoice in hope, persevere in tribulation, and be devoted to prayer (Romans 12:12), because through it we know we will be saved. (Hey, Mike, oh, Daaad, are you still listening??) We know we will be saved not only from sin and its consequences, but also from these trials and hardships presented to us on this earth. What hope that gives me!

What hope there is in the gospel! And this hope is kept for us in heaven, out of reach of the enemy, where it cannot be lost or stolen. The empty nest for me, while normal and natural, feels like a case of theft: separation and/or pain and difficulty that was never part of the His original plan. But, that will all be fixed in the future, won't it?

PS Better add a couple of things to that list of Dad things: Trust Him, and Pray!!!!!!!!

Strike One, Strike Two, Strike Three....and you'rrrrrre....... IN!!

I am encouraged today by the fact that as I look at the Cross, and the work that Christ did for me upon it, I can see Three Benefits as outlined in the passage below:

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Eph. 2:1-8

There are Three Tenses of the Cross:

1. I have been saved by His death on my behalf..."For by grace you have been saved through faith..."
2. I am being saved on a daily basis from my sin nature as I walk with him and become transformed by His power..."even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive..." Am I perfect? Far be it! Am I moving in that direction? For sure!
3. I will be saved when I go to be with Him someday and avoid the wrath of a holy God towards the sin of this world that rejects what He has offered..."so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus... ."

PLAY BALL!!!

The Empty Nest

Two days before turning 54 and I'm still adjusting to the Empty Nest.


Welcome to Perusing Chapters!



Story:




There is a nest on our patio that was built last year by a bird. Eggs were laid and hatched. Babies were fed and cared for and then something terrible happened because the nest had been built at the top of a hollow column. One of the babies was perched atop the nest, just days, even moments from taking flight and leaving the nest forever, and then IT happened. The fledgling fell down into the column, a ten foot drop, trapped forever. There was simply no way to rescue it. I heard it for several days, fluttering around, trying it's hardest to get out. It couldn't. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to rescue it. There was no way for me to communicate with it and tell it that I had a plan that might work. "Just grab the rope with your beak when I lower it and I'll pull you up!"



It died and the nest was empty.


I decided to leave the nest in hopes that this year a bird would return and successfully raise and launch it's brood. It happened. The nest was adopted. Eggs were laid and babies were hatched and raised. It all happened in a blink of the eye and they grew so fast, then IT happened. Today, the second of two chicks successfully took flight as the mother and father bird watched on. The chicks were now free to enjoy their new lives as they were meant to and the parents' commitment to their young had been fulfilled. The parents' and chicks' lives had suddenly, almost instantly, changed. The endless task of catching bugs to feed the babies and keeping the young birds warm was over for the parents; the chicks are now charged with the role of the older adults. I watched the mother and father bird perched on our patio chairs, staring at the nest, not knowing quite what to do with themselves.



They lived and the nest was empty.



(Just as I was about finished with this post, I looked out and saw the father bird fly onto the patio and sit quietly on the patio chair. With food in mouth, he looked up at the nest. It was empty.......It's just hard to stop being a parent, I guess....no matter where you fit into God's creation.)