February 8, 2023 Morning Post

In these blogs there has been a lot of information because that’s been the focus. We’ve all wanted to know. Somehow we deal better with the known, even if it is difficult, than we do with the unknown.

Let’s start with the information. Not much happening today. Blood work early and hopefully getting some questions answered about timing.

I said at the beginning of posting these blogs that 22 years ago I journaled and kept those “unpublished.” There was much in those daily journals that writing down my feelings somehow helped me deal with things. I am sensing that may become the case with these blogs going forward. We will still give you information to keep you in the loop of what is going on medically. Added to that you may get some insight into my heart and mind.

Sleeping is usually a challenge for most of us when we are in a crisis. That was the issue for me last night. There’s a lot on my mind. Realistically, the Lord willing, I have four more Sundays before I begin the radiation and hormone therapy. Then likely right into the treatment for the bone disorder.

I am not sure beyond the next four Sundays when I will preach again. That’s tough to think about when you’ve preached pretty much every Sunday for the last 50 years. As I laid there I began to ask, what do you preach on when you know it’ll be awhile before you have the privilege again? And in the stillness of the night, the Lord gave me four themes for the next four Sundays. I have been preaching through the book of Isaiah. This morning was the marvelous passage from Isaiah 61. Two of the themes for our Six Weeks to the Daybreak Lenten Devotional Guides come on back-to-back days from Isaiah 61.

So as to not steal any thunder from those devotions, let me quote a couple of verses beyond the verses for the devotions:
“to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.”

Beauty instead of ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.

Lord, if I can face this chapter of my life living out that promise, then maybe I can live out the end of verse 3:
“They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor."

I want to be an oak of righteousness for the display of Your splendor. Use me to that end.