Witnessing to Telemarketers and Spammers

I am old enough to remember the days before caller ID and unwanted phone calls. When the phone rang, it was a friend, relative, or someone you actually wanted to talk with. When I went to college and had my own phone in the dorm, that's when I remember changes beginning.

On occasion, I would get a call from a guy that would try to flirt with my nurses, but hung up as soon as he know I could hear. The college said caller ID was available on campus, so I got a special box that hooked up to your phone and might display who was calling. It didn't work well, but the odd calls stopped coming. After college, for the few months I had my own apartment, I received a call from someone looking to get money for some police program. I hung up while being transferred to the money handler and didn't answer the next call.

Now, it's almost a dread to answer the phone as it's rarely an actual person you want to converse with. It may be an automated call trying to get information or sign up for something. Since I still use a land line, some people say getting rid of it would help. However, my main daytime caregiver only uses her cell phone and has the same problem.

Sometimes, if the caller is an actual human that speaks English fairly well, I'll have fun with them. I'll say something along the lines of, "I don't know you, are you a good person?" They'll hesitate, but often say yes. Then I continue with the Ten Commandments, "Let's put it to the test, the 9th commandment is do not give false witness, or don't lie. Have you ever told a lie, or will you in this call? Revelation says all liars will have their part in the lake of fire." By this point, most people stammer and hang up. If they continue to stay on, so do I.

"The 8th command is do not steal. The value doesn't matter, anything breaks the command. Have you stolen anything or will try to in this conversation?" I think I've only had one continue all the way through, but I conclude that all have sinned, but we can have forgiveness through Christ alone, not by works. The person returns to their script and I catch them quickly in a lie of some sort and they hang up.

Recently, I have also been getting emails to help promote my book, but with a small fee. I give the same response and never hear back from most, but a few continue to converse and try to continue with their script.

Even living the quad life and not getting out much allows for witnessing opportunities. I never know where the conversation will lead, but I at least plant a seed. The next call may make them consider their profession more, and that an alternative may be better.

Stick Trouble that Gets Sticky

I have used a mouth stick to interact with the world for more than 40 years. It is what I learned to use when I was originally injured and increased my skills as the years progressed. 

I primarily just use a straight wand that is 18" long and meets most of my needs. However, I have an abundance of other sticks and various sizes and functions. Some are short, some are long, and others can extend and go in between. Further varieties have capabilities of picking up items, holding a writing utensil, or allowing me to interact with a touchscreen. In some ways, you can say I have sticks coming out of my ears!

No matter the variety, they all have one thing in common and that is bite sleeves on the end. They are simple rubber cushions that I use to clamp onto and not have to bite plastic. Unfortunately, this is now become a major source of problems.

For over a year, I have had a hard time finding more sleeves to order. The only thing I could find have square ends that are not comfortable on my tongue. Digging through my collection of sticks, my caregiver found that one of them had brand new ends that had never been opened. The old style cushions are much more durable than those available today and the three sets that she found lasted an entire year. Unfortunately, I used them as long as I could but, had to switch last weekend. The only thing that was available were square tipped ends.

Within the first two days of using them, my tongue and entire mouth were sore by the end of the day. I was hoping it would improve, but it did not changed as the week progressed. I found myself to be forced to use more voice control in order to save extra pain. In fact, this week's entry has been primarily made by using voice control and much editing.

The problem with this method, is that my mouth quickly dries out and I need to get more drinks. I don't always have some one available that can give me a drink, so it replaces one problem with another. I know that various technologies are available for computer control, but I do more that just computer work with my stick. Reading, playing card games, and basically anything else I want to do require stick use.

I will continue to search and possibly come up with a method of making my own. However, that last option is currently completely unknown how it would be possible. I'm aware that I've been living the quad life for many decades and maybe do things a bit differently. Even with that, I do know younger quadriplegics use sticks as well. 

It looks like that one way or another I will be learning something new; either more voice control or how to make my pads. I will wait to see which one it is. 

How Many Times?

One of my endless number of faults is reacting too quickly when I hear erroneous Bible accusations. A few years ago, one of my caregivers had read something about the book of Revelation, She said it was confusing and was certain I hadn't ever read it. While I agree it has several interpretations with various Scriptural support, I reminded her of my routine.

For many years, I have done a morning reading plan from Genesis through Revelation. For about 20 years, I also read 3-4 chapters of the Bible every night which also went cover to cover in a year or less. Therefore, I estimated I read Revelation twice per calendar year and possibly three times depending on my night reading schedule. That schedule had likely been going on for 15 years if not longer. The next question was why I read it so much.

The result of the conversation made me curious though, how many times do I read a full book of the Bible every year? I still do my morning reading routine, so that's an easy calculation of once for every book. Two years ago, I adjusted my night ritual after getting a John MacArthur (JM) study Bible. It has small print with bright white pages, so my eyes can't take it nightly. Therefore, I read it four nights a week and another study Bible the remaining three nights.

Reading all the Scripture and commentary in the JM Bible makes slow progress. However, I started in Genesis late in 2025 and I'm just now starting Isiah. It will take me more than a year to get through, but that's okay. In my other study Bible, I am skipping around some with having read Psalms-Song of Songs/Solomon before returning to the New Testament again. I also read two chapters in the New Testament every day for a month, but that can take a year to read one full book depending on the length.

At this point in 2026, with my various reading plans combined, I have read Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs three times. Isiah's 66 chapters will take quite a while at night, but I feel quite confident I will get through it before the end of the year. By the end of 2026, I'm guessing I will have read all the New Testament twice and likely another 5-6 of the Old Testament beyond what I said earlier.

With all this Bible reading, I don't consider myself an expert or even know where to find every reference. While my eyes are going over the text, my mind isn't always along the same course of study. It's a part of this quad life I enjoy and feel wrong the rare times I miss one of my studies. I'm thankful to live in a country where I can freely read the Bible and have easy access both digital and print format. I may change the routines again sometime, but for now, I plan to continue studying and teach when I can.

Another Loss, am I Now the Oldest?

Last weekend, the US, and other countries, celebrated the country's 250th birthday. While it was a time of celebration for some, it was a time of mourning for others. On July 3, while checking Facebook, I saw that my friend Brett Klusaw had passed away. He was 45 years old and had been a quadriplegic for 43 years.

Brett was one of two fellow quads I knew that had been injured longer than me. The other, Chuck Foss, died in 2024 also after 43 years of living the quad life. With Brett's passing, I no longer know anyone that has been injured longer than me. At 41 years post injury, I do not desire the title of longest living quadriplegic. It's an honor I genuinely hope somebody else holds and we just haven't met each other. Until then, I guess I presume the title whether I want to or not.

Other than being old quads, Brett and I didn't share a lot of similar interests. Nevertheless, he only lived a few hours away in Omaha, NE and I hoped to meet him in person. We tried last year, but it didn't work out due to scheduling. I last communicated with Brett in April and thought this may be the year to meet. However, he was having trouble with pressure sores (sounds familiar) and I didn't want to push anything if he was decreasing sitting time.

Most weeks, I email a friend who is a retired pastor, but had tremendous impact on my church and helped me to get my license to exhort. Even though I am decades younger, we both have the experience of losing friends around our own age. It's for different reasons, but similar feelings. My regret is that I never had a gospel conversation with Brett.

The few times we talked via Facebook messenger, it was generally discussing ideas on how to treat different challenges we were facing. His timeline mainly consisted of sports references or decorating for an upcoming holiday. It's good to see nothing posted bashing Christianity, like some I've seen, but nothing supportive either. While I know it's the Holy Spirit's role to act on someone's heart in conversion, but it has still been in my thoughts in the week since his death.

It is a reminder to never let an opportunity go by that you don't share the gospel with someone. Some ministries advocate friendship evangelism and getting to know the person for several months, or years, before getting into spiritual matters. However, none of us are guaranteed another day or even another minute in this life. Waiting doesn't always work or provide opportunity to share the good news of salvation.

For this coming week ahead, be sure to be mindful to share your faith, even with casual friends. Even though we all sin and are guilty before God, Jesus provided the way of salvation for all who repent and trust in Him alone, not our works. That is what I will try to be more active in doing as well as remembering our limited role.

Weekend of Freedom and Celebration

Yesterday, America celebrated 250 years of becoming an independent country. While no nation has truly been Christian, the US has come the closest.

The founding fathers wrote in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. From the country's foundation, God was acknowledged and the reason for our rights. Later on the 1st Amendment guaranteed all citizens the right to practice their faith and not have government force a certain belief.

At the time, the Catholic church was dominant in Europe and held strong influence over nations and local jurisdictions. As the protestant movement crew, Catholic leaders made it so that anyone who didn't follow Catholicism could be arrested, and most were killed for their faith. In this environment, being able to worship freely was indeed a welcome idea.

Today, the so called separation of church and state is taken to extremes. When prayer is allowed at public schools, or the Ten Commandments posted, it is strongly protested. At the same time, humanism is freely taught by saying evolution is the reason everything exists and God has no place in science.

This morning, I preached along a patriotic line using Romans 13:1-7. All leaders, whether good or bad, have been appointed by God. When they make rules that don't go against God's commands, then we are to obey them as commanded. The example I used was obeying the speed limit. Just as telling one lie makes you a liar, or one murder a murderer, so one mile-per-hour over breaks the law. Even if police won't pick you up unless you're much faster, it still breaks the command.

Unfortunately, as America becomes more secular and turns away from her roots and Christianity, not all laws and regulations are biblical. I recently heard of a 5th grade boy who was required to read a book to a Kindergartner about being trans. This went against the boy's belief as a Christian and he protested on reading it. Unfortunately, it is now up to courts deciding the student's freedom of speech.

I am thankful for the 250 years God has blessed this country. I continue to pray that leaders will truly come to Him and live as God commands. Many today twist Scripture to their own desires and not what it actually means.

Have a great remaining time of celebration and may we look to God's law as our basis for government and living. 

Progress Made in Answers

Sometimes, I have to wait long periods for insurance approvals and then see what treatment I will be allowed to use. This week was not one of those times and progress was made on getting questions answered, but not sure on full solutions.

Tuesday was the first visit of the week. Jeff, a technician for my diaphragm pacemaker, flew in to Des Moines and arrived in my bedroom at noon, just as planned. I reiterated what I had experienced and he was soon off to work on my DPS patch.

While Jeff works on the wires, the system doesn't work and I have to breath on my own. I had anticipated a lengthy time of breathing exercise, but just two three-minute periods was all he needed. The old silicon that had become like glue was removed, wires inspected, and new silicon added for protection. He said it usually happens when the patch gets wet. I couldn't think of a time it had, but noted to be more aware of it.

The repair maybe took 10 minutes total. I have seen Jeff a couple times in my 15+ years of using the DPS and we always got along well. After another 30 minutes of getting caught up, he headed back to the airport to catch his flight home. I don't know how his company does these maintenance visits so easily, but I'm very appreciative of them.

Thursday evening, I emailed my wheelchair tech to see if I could get scheduled for a pressure mapping of my chair. After a few messages Friday morning, he was in my room that afternoon with the needed equipment. My day caregiver had called off sick, but thankfully dad was available to move me around.

First, he noticed my chair's seat cushion was low on air, even though it had been pumped up a few weeks ago. Submerging the cushion in my parent's bathtub confirmed no air leaks, so it was dried off and further inflated. After I was sat in my chair, the cushion was partially deflated to its optimal thickness. Testing with the mapping system showed everything looking good.

Unlike last November, I also asked to test my bed while sitting. It took a few tries to get the system properly placed, but it did reveal increased pressure in the area I'm having trouble. The colors didn't look bad to me, but he recommended sitting in bed for 30 minutes at a time, 45 at the most. My usual schedule is 1-1.5 hours of sitting and then flat for the same period. That already makes it difficult to get work done, cutting time down further will be very hard to do. I could possibly do more while in my chair, but my computer and everything else isn't setup for it.

As of this writing, I haven't changed my schedule much, but have shortened upright time a little. I'm scheduled to preach the next two weeks and will have end/beginning of the month items to do for web work. As I always say, living the quad life has challenges. No matter what, I will rely on God's guidance and strength to get through.

What's a Schedule?

In Proverbs, we read that man makes many plans, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. This week has been one of change and adjustment.

Tuesday, Sara, my day-time caregiver, thought the new skin area was looking worse. Therefore, I called my dermatologist to see if I could get in any earlier than my late July appointment. A few hours later, I had an appointment for Thursday that someone had cancelled. This was good news, but required rescheduling my hair cut. That is actually a challenging task, but was done.

My doctor wasn't too concerned and said it currently looks superficial. However, he doubled a steroid I've been taking to encourage protein absorption. He also ordered a new treatment to the area, but insurance is now debating if they will cover it or not. I'm thankful to be making more effort in this area, but that's not the only problem.

Every few weeks, my caregivers change a patch on the right side of my chest that connects to my diaphragm pacemaker. In the first few years I had it, I had trouble with wires getting damaged and not working. The solution at that time was to put some silicone gel to restore connection. That worked, but other improvements made this need obsolete and everything has been working well for at least a decade.

For about a month, when changing the patch, one of my caregivers said the silicone was getting sticky and adhering to the dressing over it. I consulted with my other caregivers and an expert nurse on the system, and they weren't concerned. Early this week, I had a different nurse change the patch, and he had the same issue, but maybe a little worse. Wednesday morning, I emailed a different technician on the DPS than I did previously to check his thoughts. He now has flight plans and should arrive Tuesday to work on my patch. What one person thought was fine, another says it needs immediate repair.

Things I had planned to do this week didn't happen and what I hadn't expected to do did happen. Late Tuesday morning, I spoke to a class of Occupational Therapy Assistants. One of their questions was if I could work a full-time job. I answered that I did a couple full-time temp jobs after college, but that was 23 years ago. At this point in the quad life, especially with my caregiver schedule, it would not be a possibility. It seems like I spend an increasing amount of time just trying to maintain my health. 

With all these unexpected twists, I'm especially thankful for my dad. He continues to make sure I have a working vehicle I can use and works at least full-time so I can keep medical insurance. As my physical needs change, I also become more dependent on his care when I don't have caregivers.

God has blessed me with great parents that do so much for me. I never know how long we will be able to continue, but am thankful for all the years so far and look forward to another week to come.