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.

Talkative Week

My first week out of hibernation is complete, and it was a busy start. Sunday was preaching, and every day except Monday and Wednesday had something scheduled.

Tuesday was a doctor's appointment to see how my pressure sores are doing. I have heard good reports from my caregivers, and the doctor agreed that it's going in the right direction. Instead of seeing him twice this summer, I don't need to return until September. It was good to hear his confirmation of what I have heard and one less appointment this year.

Friday was my first school visit, but not the regular disability awareness talk. I was asked last summer to speak at a school's chapel service, and scheduled it for March. Christian schools generally start one, or more, days a week with a special time of learning from God's Word. An outside speaker may came in, or it could be covered by an instructor or a class. I don't get asked to give chapel presentations very often and was thankful for the opportunity.

The challenge with this school was that all grades are present, from Pre-K through eighth grade. Therefore, I had an age range of around 5-14 to keep interested and try to teach. I have spoken at this school before, but it is still an interesting.

I taught on knowledge and wisdom from a few verses. For part of it, I demonstrated "running" fast and coming to a quick stop. Knowing the rule not to run in the house is knowledge, wisdom comes when breaking the rule, getting hurt, and understanding why it exists. However, without the solid foundation of the Bible from God who cannot lie, we can't truly know anything.

Both Sunday and Friday's messages seemed to go well. I didn't fall asleep at my own message and students seemed to learn. This week, I'm scheduled to be at another grade school and give my regular presentation on the quad life. I always look forward to getting to work with kids again and thankful for the opportunity. Now if the weather would improve for spring, it would be even better!

Cold Start

St. Patrick's Day is now behind us, that means my regular time of hibernation has ended. While the calendar says spring is one day away, it doesn't feel like it.

This weekend, a model train show is being held in downtown Des Moines. Advertising said it had 150 tables for vendors along with several train displays. Dad and I considered going yesterday to give support for such events and see if we could find anything to purchase. However, it was the second night in a row of no nurse and wind chills were around -4°F. We would have enjoyed going, but decided circumstances weren't favorable and decided to stay home.

Most years, late March is starting to get warmer and it is more favorable to get outside. Today was forecast to start out around 12° with highs eventually getting into the low 40's. According to dad, the pants I normally wear when preaching are thin and not very warm. As the barefoot preacher, breeze also has easy access to go up my pant legs.

Despite getting new shirts for preaching last year, I have never warn them in public and they still don't fit correctly. Therefore, I continue to only have one shirt/tie combination that I use when preaching and it isn't very warm either. Figuring out how to stay warm, and awake, while in church is a challenge I try to avoid.

Looking at the remainder of the week, I have outings scheduled for three different days. Thankfully, the weather forecast sounds better than today, but still colder than I prefer for going outside. I have wondered if I should delay my end of hibernation longer, but don't want to miss on activities while I can. Two churches contacted me to preach today and it sounded like I was the last person contacted and they were getting desperate. Each one said they knew I tried not to go out in winter and that was why the delay. I'm hoping I'm not the last contacted due to preaching ability.

The quad life is interesting with trying to manage activities and weather. I'm thankful that this week should return to full nursing schedule and will help with having more energy to get things accomplished.

Tired, but Productive Week

When I graduated from my first round of college in 2003, my night schedule changed. If a nurse is unable to come, I stay up with mom so she can stay awake more easily. This has been the case for two decades now, and it's starting to become harder.

Last week, I said my main night nurse will be gone for a few weeks and my day-time caregiver, Sara, was out one day for illness. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to return this week which meant only two days and three nights were covered. I've had several times this week I have not had energy to do much and start dozing off when I'm watching something I do want to see.

Thankfully, I was able to finish one website project I have been working on and I'm waiting back to hear from the site owners before starting three more. Therefore, my week was fairly free from more detailed items that could impact other businesses. I did get more editing done on my book and worked a few days until my mouth hurt, and then did some more.

With this week's progress, I'm over 2/3 complete with editing. It has been encouraging to see occasional remarks from the publisher of areas she liked or was happy to read. In one section, around 2009, I wrote about having night shifts not covered and my parents having trouble coping with the sleep deprivation.

Yes, it is a reoccurring theme that doesn't stop and gets old. I realized that I am now only a few years off from my parent's age at that time. It has me curious if the body goes through certain transitions at different ages or if any correlation exists. Whatever the reason for extra tiredness with this round of care shortage, it makes me especially thankful for all the care that I have been blessed with.

This week, I need to finish final preparations for preaching and speaking at a school chapel. Dad also saw a model train show is scheduled to be in Des Moines on Saturday. It sounds like a fun excursion, but will depend on how much energy we have and if I'm ready for Sunday. I will see what God has in store for another week of the quad life.

Be Careful on Plans

In two weeks, I'm scheduled to preach at my first church for the year and officially start a busy spring. The message I plan to give, and still need to finish, is on James 4:13-15 and to remember that life is short and to spend time doing God's will. I have received a reminder of that in the past few days.

Thursday morning was a regular day with biking in the morning before having lunch. It was a short day for my caregiver, Sara, and we planned to do biking and record a video on Friday. Just as we were working toward lunch, a phone call changed plans. My main night nurse had an unexpected death in the family and wouldn't be coming that night, or the next two weeks.

Sara's afternoon was extended by an hour as she did extra cares that would not get done at night. Early Friday morning, dad received a call that Sara was ill and would not be coming. Therefore, that canceled my activities for the day and I accompanied my parents on household errands and touring eastern Iowa.

My nursing agency was able to cover some nights for the next few weeks, but not all. Therefore, my parents have been adjusting work schedules to allow for nearly sleepless nights and later mornings. We are also praying Sara is able to return next week as normal.

While writing this, my mind is swirling with work on upcoming talks, more web updates than usual, and attempting to continue video updates while more consistently fighting sleep during the day. During all this, my trach also broke Thursday night while dad was getting me to bed and we had to go over emergency trach change procedures. 

Living the quad life indeed has unexpected times and trials from various sources. I'm thankful for everyone God has put around me and that I am able to be active in a variety of ways. The next two weeks, or really two months, will be a time of careful schedule management and working as God allows.