Reviewing Faiths

A few months ago, I posted about a series I was doing on YouTube called The Barefoot Preacher. It had about a month-long break in March, but I have been trying to regularly post videos. For the past few episodes, I have been comparing some of the world religions with Christianity. So far, I have gone over Judaism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, and just finished another one to release later this week.

It has been a few years, but I purchased a couple books that give details on world religions. One gives only basic information on about 12 faiths, but the other gives a lot of detail on about 30 different religions. I don't think many Christians take time to study alternate beliefs, but I think it has been helpful.

First, if someone comes knocking at the door to talk about their faith, I can give more thought out responses. Later this week, I also plan to be with an outreach group at my town's annual spring festival. If, or when, I speak with people that have other faiths, it helps to know their basic beliefs and I can describe differences from being a Christian.

Most religions outside of Christianity teach you have to do various works to merit salvation. Some prescribe certain chants or actions that need to be done to cover sin while others say yo can help dead relatives get to heaven. Eastern religions, like Buddhism, have permeated western culture with its teaching in reincarnation and getting to try multiple times to get it right.

Ultimately, only two religions exist in the world, God's and not God's. Their is only one true faith that is fully based on God's Word in the Bible. The rest have been made by mankind's thoughts and trying to blend what they like and don't like.

I'm thankful that God has allowed me to use the quad life He has given me to serve Him and be able to tell others about the good news of Christ. This week ahead will be busy, but it's something I look forward to in order to help others.

Finding Supplies

I have posted a few times about monthly supplies. Every day, I use various items in order to keep my lungs clear, restroom needs, and more. While it usually goes well, this past week and month have been an extra challenge.

After ordering a new trach in December, it finally came on April 13. When I finally had time to look at it, something didn't appear right. I waited until one of my more mechanical minded caregivers came, and we saw that the new device didn't have the ability to use a blocker to seal off the trach (so I breathe my nose) or anything else. It was the right size, but that's all that was correct and is otherwise useless to me. Therefore, it's back to the doctor for corrected orders and try again. Hopefully it won't take until August or September to get another one.

On Wednesday, I asked my caregiver to check supplies to see what I needed to order. When she finished, everything was about what I expected, except one item. She only found ten suction catheters remaining. I knew I had ordered a box of 50 in March and had used several since then, but not that much. My caregiver, and the next two, searched everywhere, but couldn't find more. The paperwork from March said it was ordered and shipped, but not we couldn't see evidence of it. Friday night, the caregiver came who had unpacked the boxes last month. She did not remember ever seeing a box of suction catheters come, even though they had been charged to my insurance.

With this result, I'll make sure to have everyone use the system of marking off what is received and if done at night to also tell me. I ordered supplies Wednesday and everything was received Friday, except suction catheters. One of my first calls on Monday will be to check on their status and see where they are and expected time of arrival. I will also hope I don't need suctioned a lot until I can get more, or I'll need to try to see if I can get any from hospitals.

Such is the quad life sometimes. I also had trouble with getting medication refills this week, but that has now been resolved. Hopefully everything this week will get resolved without an issue. I am thankful such supplies are available though and they help to maintain health.

Far Reach Preaching

It is mid-April and Iowa's weather can't decide what season we're in. Last week had several days with temps in the upper 70's and low 80's. It felt great to get outside in the sun and feel the warmth on my face again. Today, it seems like summer has past with winter returned. It was predicted to be a mix of rain and snow with temps ranging from 34°-42°. Of course, today is the day I also went out to preach.

Several congregations in my area are without pastors and are utilizing pulpit supply, like me. However, so far at least, I have only been asked for two nearby churches this year. Today, I traveled to eastern Iowa near the town of Iowa City. It's a new community for me to visit and the congregation is also new, a Chinese church.

I received my license to exhort, or substitute preach, in late 2017. Since then, I have had the opportunity to serve with a number of different congregations. The farthest I have traveled to preach was in October 2018 when I went to a pastor friend's church near Louisville, KY. That venture took several months to plan and also included a visit to the Ark Encounter. Today's activities didn't take that long to decide, but did take thought.

Whenever I agree to help a congregation, I consult with my parents first. Since they need to do the extra work of getting me dressed up more than usual and driving to an unfamiliar location, I want them to have opportunity to say yes or no. In today's scenario, it meant driving over 90 miles one way before getting to the facility to setup what I need. Thankfully, the English version of service didn't start until late morning and allowed us travel time.

I'm very thankful for opportunities to get to serve different congregations and preach God's Word. I am also thankful for willing parents to help me with these ventures, but I still wish I didn't need to make their Sunday busier than regular. It is part of the quad life that is sometimes hard, but it is a blessing when everything works.

Hurry to What?

It seems to be a usual circumstance, but it has been a busy week with a lot of hurry up and wait. I have been working with a few clients on different projects. Two in starting phases of redesign, one in posting registration, and two others with help desk items.

Most of these have required research, either in design ideas or how to solve issues, and others speaking with customer service reps. Whatever I am doing, I have a constant eye on the clock as to when I need to either go flat in bed or sit and work on something.

Friday morning, I had my regular scheduled appointment with my pulmonologist in Des Moines. I have been having a lot of junk in my lungs and trouble with clearing it ever since returning to the trach in December. I hoped he could provide some input, but of course my lungs were perfectly clear during the appointment and x-rays. He said to keep him updated, but couldn't really say what was the cause or what to do.

When leaving the clinic, a couple Canadians watched me get loaded in the van. The hurried feeling continued as my caregiver and I found fast food so we could get home, do my afternoon medical cares, and be ready for Good Friday service that evening.

Sitting in church Friday evening as the sun set, it was a well done service of going through the stages of Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The entire time, I couldn't shake the feeling of looking at my watch and wanting to get on to whatever was next. I wanted to be in church, take communion, and reflect on what Christ has done for me. However, the week's work stayed with me and was hard to overcome.

On this Easter Sunday, take time to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. All who truly repent from sin and trust in Him alone will be saved from eternity in hell. In current society, we are pushed to go from one thing to the next and always keep going. However, make sure to stop and give attention to Him who is in charge of all. Whenever this life ends, you don't want to regret missing the most important assignment for everyone.

Who is in Control?

For me, this past week has been relatively uneventful. I spoke with two classes of second-graders on Friday and it went well. However, a lot has gone on in the country and that is today's post topic. I don't normally exclusively discuss national topics here, but I want to look at a few things.

The first major topic was last Monday, with another school shooting. This time, it was a Christian school in Nashville where three children and three adults were killed. The shooter was a 28-year-old woman who had recently started transitioning to becoming a man. Her manifesto was quickly found, but it has not been released to the public. From what has been seen, it looks like she was targeting Christians due to not being accepting of her transition.

In response, most media outlets and many political figures have said Christians are to blame and the shooter was forced to her actions. This weekend, a planned meeting in Washington D.C. for trans-people was adjusted to be a revenge rally. Much of big tech has hidden it though and may even cause this post to be withheld.

Late in the week, former President Donald Trump was officially charged with a crime and is, currently, expected to be arrested this coming Tuesday. Several law experts have noted the charges would normally never be enforceable and the statute of limitations has expired. However, since his election in 2016, news media and some political parties have been very opposed to the former president and this action appears to be nothing more than trying to press blame and squelch competition.

As the United States, and many countries, fall into more chaos, it's hard not to be fearful of the future. I would be lying to say I haven't had such thoughts, but then I remember to look to God and His word. Speaking the truth isn't popular, saying that all sins earn us the sentence of eternal hell. However, if we care for someone, we will warn them and show how to come to Christ. Jesus said just as the world hated Him, it will also hate Christians. The US has had over 200 years of freely practicing as a Christian, but we may soon learn, and be tested, on what persecution is.

Also, as political factions get worse and those with alternate ideas are suppressed, it's hard to be bold in all circumstances. That is when we need to remember that God is King of kings and Lord of lords. He will judge nations for rejecting His laws, but also spares a remnant of those who truly follow Him.

I don't know what this week will bring in the quad life or the culture. Whatever happens, I continue to pray for God to send workers to the harvest and use me for His purposes.