My Mother In-law

Care for Your Mother-in-law

A man, his wife and his mother-in-law went on vacation to the Holy Land. While they were there, the mother-in-law passed away.
The undertaker told them, You can have her shipped home for $5,000 or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for $150.
The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your mother-in-law home, when it would be wonderful to have her buried here and spend only $150?

The man replied, a man died here 2,000 years ago, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance.
 
 
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If you would have told me 15 years ago that I would spend 30 minutes every day studying the Bible, I would have called you a nut.
I've grown in my relationship with Jesus from my current circumstances. Believe it or not, the last 10 years have been very good for me. I was a Christian before my accident, but I would have never experienced the growth that my accident led me through. My mother in-law has laid hands on me several times during prayer and helped me to understand scripture when I was at an impasse.

Right now I'm asking for prayer for her. She has a class reunion this Friday and Saturday and is really wanting to attend. Darla has a very bad infection in her inner ear and sinus, causing a considerable amount of pain. She has been to the doctor and is taking antibiotics plus pain relieving ear drops.

Lord God, please remove the pain and infection causing the pain so that she can attend and enjoy her class reunion .
I pray this in Jesus name, Amen




 

Dr. Frank Crowe

A good friend of mine Dr. Frank Crowe changed his address earlier this week.   He passed away quietly in peace at his home on Sunday.  I didn't know him very well other than a couple of visits shortly after he began practicing in Fairview. I actually don't even remember why.
 When my circumstances changed due to my accident I spent 60 days in Houston. During that time my mother and friends established a Care Pages account that allowed updates on my condition and permitted others to leave messages for my mother, Cheri and I who were many miles from home. Dr. Crowe and his staff left several messages. They were always compassionate with a genuine feel of warmth and love.

When I received this computer it enabled me to read and post on Care Pages and set up a Facebook account. It wasn't long before Dr. Crowe and I became friends online. Dr. Crowe soon became my good friend Frank Crowe.

Frank was a master of the art of laughter. He always had the best one-liners and comebacks along with posting of other funny material. Whenever I see something related to Walmart, I have to smile. If you were friends with him on Facebook you know why.

 Frank and I grew closer through private messages. We talked about faith and prayers.

He was not without problems of his own, but I don't remember him ever mentioning it. There were several occasions when you knew things were not well with him because he was a daily fixture on Facebook. He has moved on, but will not be forgotten. I look forward to greeting him in heaven.
Much love, Dennis

Pressure Sores

A farmer was driving along the road with a load of fertilizer. A little boy, playing in front of his house, saw him and called, "What've you got in your truck?"

"Fertilizer," the farmer replied.

"What are you going to do with it?" asked the little boy.

"Put it on strawberries," answered the farmer.

"You ought to live here," the little boy advised him. "We put sugar and cream on ours."

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I have been dealing with pressure sores for nearly 2 years. At 1 point there were 5 deep ulcers.

Today all that remain are 3 small scabs. I'm going to post 1 picture, because frankly they are gross. I am overjoyed for the healing, even though God's time table was slower than mine. I'm a happy boy.

 

Much love, Dennis

my wife's blog

This is a portion of my wife's most current  blog. It has been a very dry fall and winter so far. Today we did wake  up to  1/4 inch of snow.

I thought I would add a little "attempted humor" to start.

IT'S BEEN SOOOO DRY JOKES

So dry the Baptists are sprinkling and Methodists are spitting
So dry the trees are bribing the dogs.
Its so dry here that the fire hydrants are chasing the dogs around.
So dry I’m spitting cotton.
It’s so dry that the cows are giving evaporated milk
It’s so dry you’re only permitted to eat watermelon between 8pm and 8am.
It’s so dry the government has announced a water pistol buy back scheme.
It’s so dry, crooks are siphoning off radiators instead of gas tanks.
It’s so dry, they’re encouraging people to pee in the pool.

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click on this link to view Cheri's blog

 CHERI'S BLOG

Much  love, Dennis




 
















　

Delusions from a Hospital Bed

I am very thankful for the love expressed to my wife, daughter, and family, especially during the 1st 5 months after my accident. This Scripture means a lot to me today.
1 Corinthians 13
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 In place of a joke, I'm posting some of the wild things that I thought I was experiencing during the 1st 3 months after my accident.


My mother-in-law and I were discussing something and I recalled one of those "nightmares". She suggested that I write some of them down so that others may understand what someone under heavy sedation may be experiencing.

My 1st "memory" post accident was waking up in a room full of hospital beds. I sat up in bed and announced that I was ready for some coffee. A nurse came close to my bed and said; what do you think this is, a restaurant. 

I remember talking to my dad and he was wearing a monocle, yes a monocle. We were underneath a very large billboard along the side of a highway. 
Next we were on a small cruise ship. The vessel was full of people in distress, just like me. Evidently the purpose was to find 2 people who were healthy enough to receive treatment for their injuries. I was one of the 2 that was chosen. They then moved me into a house with 6-8 other critically injured people. We were in bunk beds that were in the corners of a large room. I watched as a doctor began to work on a young lady who was in the bunk above me. After a minute or 2 the doctor left and the young lady's arm fell over the edge of the bed. I knew for certain that he had done something to take her life. I spoke to Cheri and told her the doctor was a very bad man. I think that I may have caused that man to be transferred to a different patient.

I smelled a very strong odor of new fiberglass and resin. On the wall hanging like a picture was a very large Scarab cigarette boat that was cut in half lengthways.
I have many more memories that occurred in the 1st 3 months of my 5 month stay. I may post a few more at some other time.

Much love, Dennis

MISSIONARIES

An archaeologist was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy. After examining it, he called the curator of the Israel museum in Jerusalem.

"I've just discovered a 3000-year old mummy of a man who died of heart failure! the excited scientist exclaimed.

The curator replied, "Bring him in. We'll check it out."

A week later the curator called the archaeologist, "You were right about both the mummy's age and cause of death. How in the world did you know?"

"Easy. There was a piece of paper in his hand that said '10,000 Shekels on Goliath'."

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I have a couple of friends who are full-time missionaries outside of the United States. One is in Italy, Hannah, and Andy, in Ecuador. Another friend, Chris, is transitioning from stateside ministry to overseas service.  I have tremendous respect for them because they heard God speak and listened to what he asked them to do. I know that God equips those he calls, and he obviously knows what he's doing because these people have been very successful spreading the Gospel throughout the world.

Many other friends have been equipped to minister to people closer to home. Some visit people in prison, people trapped in substance abuse, people living in poverty, the homeless, hungry, those struggling with health issues and many other infirmities. All of these are done in the name of Jesus, because of a love that has been instilled in a newborn heart.

Romans 12:1-2

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Love in Action

 Romans 9:12-16

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.


Much love, Dennis

A New Season

Now that flu season is winding down, my Dr. and Nurse are allowing me to venture out into public settings.

 Saturday evening was the annual Valentine celebration hosted by the Methodist Mens Group at my church. 

They had several different entertainment portions during the evening,

here's a link to the skit that I enjoyed the most.

http://youtu.be/GhQvSirjCsI?t=1m30s

I could have made a small contribution to their skit.

I was able to attend church for the first time in many weeks.

 Another public event that I have been missing but made it on Monday evening was the Fairview High School basketball games. Since I am a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, I know most of the athletes on both teams. I am partial to one particular person, my niece Karly Boyer #12.  It was Parents Night and as you know, everyone in the gymnasium from Fairview knew there was a VIP not physically in attendance, my sister-in-law Gretchen. I know there were many tears shed before the game and a few during the Parents Night celebration. I'm very thankful for the support given to Alan, Gavin, and Karley (through God)  by those that truly care for them. 

Much love, Dennis

Just Another Bump in the Road

1st Peter 4: 12-13
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, in as much as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Winter has been rough so far and we are still barely into February.

Satan has tried to steal the joy from myself and my family. We are learning to resist him, standing firm on our faith in God.

No sooner did I get through two months of powerful antibiotics, than my power chair broke down. That only lasted about six days, but I do appreciate being mobile again.

 Four days ago I went through some sort of stomach bug that tugged downward on my attitude. I have decided that I will choose JOY. Today I am feeling about 90%.

Thursday morning my dad called and he was also not feeling well. Cheri has had to do double duty pretty much on her own because Darla is still doing rehab on her dislocated shoulder.
Garen, fortunately (for our credit card) Cheri and Jana did not get to attend the Affair of the Heart show! :-)

John 10:10  Jesus said
10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they (Me) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I remember that Jesus also said, " In this world you will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

JESUS AND SATAN ARE HAVING A CONVERSATION...
Jesus and Satan were having an ongoing argument about who was better on his computer. They had been going at it for days, and God was tired of hearing all of Satan complaining.
Finally God said, "Cool it. I am going to set up a test that will run two hours and I will judge who does the better job."
So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away. They moused. They did spreadsheets. They wrote reports. They sent faxes. They sent e-mail. They sent out e-mail with attachments. They downloaded. They did some genealogy reports. They made cards. They did every known job. But ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, the rain poured and, of course, the electricity went off.
Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld. Jesus just sighed. The electricity finally flickered back on and each of them restarted their computers.
Satan started searching frantically, screaming "It's gone! It's all gone! I lost everything when the power went out!"
Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours. Satan observed this and became irate.
"Wait! He cheated, how did he do it?"
God shrugged and said, "Jesus Saves."

Much Love, Dennis
much love, Dennis

much love

much love

Antibiotics

I finished my six weeks of two different antibiotics on Tuesday. Thursday, Cheri and I went to Oklahoma City for my follow-up appointment with the doctor who had ordered the initial antibiotics. He had looked at the results of the blood work and recommended two more weeks of the shots, but not the oral dose. Bummer! I know that Cheri was ready to get out of the injection routine. I have shots at 6:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 10:30 PM. Home health takes care of the 2:30 PM dose and helps my dad dress the wounds three days a week, but Cheri has to do the 6:30 AM and 10:30 PM. This is in addition to everything else that she does, which includes working full-time. I don't know what I would do without her. :-)
After six weeks of the hard stuff, I think I can do another two weeks with both hands tied behind my back.

And now for something completely different. 

These are quotes I found about marriage. I didn't do any checking, so they may or may not have been actually quoted by these people.

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. 
- Socrates

I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me. 
- Bill Clinton

"Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays." 
- George W. Bush

"I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years." 
- Rudy Giuliani

"There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage." 
- Michael Jordan

"I've had bad luck with all my wives. The first one left me and the second one didn't. The third gave me more children!"
- Donald Trump

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming 1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it, 2. Whenever you're right, shut up. 
- Shaquille O Neal (Really, I thought it was mine!)

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once... 
- Kobe Bryant

You know what I did before I married? Anything I wanted to. 
- David Hasselhoff

My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met. 
- Alec Baldwin

"Honey, what happened to ladies first?". Husband replies, "That's the reason why the world is a mess today, because a lady went first 
- David Letterman

First there's the promise ring, then the engagement ring, then the wedding ring...soon after....comes Suffer...ing! 
- Jay Leno

Much Love, Dennis 

Pressure Sores

Since I have my weight down to 150, I no longer have a lot of excess padding when I'm sitting down. Last Saturday my wife and father noticed a red spot on my tailbone. Many people have this problem and if left untreated all open sores can be devastating. I already had an appointment with my wound care Dr. on Monday. She prescribed bed rest except for three times a day when I could spend 45 min. in my chair. This came as an unexpected blow and felt like another attack. I talked to Dr. Rogers and the nurses about specifics and options that may be available. We agreed that I could spend a couple of hours with some great friends New Year's Eve. I'm very thankful for the time that I get to spend with my "Special People"

  I can use my laptop while in bed, and that makes the days go by much quicker.

I have five more days of antibiotics and I'm looking forward to an infection free body. For those of you who are not familiar with a pressure sore, I have posted a link that shows what my tailbone looks like. As I said it's not bad and is looking better. The picture has been cropped so you don't have to worry about me exposing myself   :-)
I wanted you to read his popular quote before you look at the picture.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/baboon.jpg

Much love, Dennis

Answered Prayers

I received my last antibiotic injection today and will finish the other three oral doses by tonight. I was told that these would cause me agony and distress throughout the 14 day period. God is good! My stance and Your prayers have been answered by the Lord. There have been no side effects and I'm certain that God has more restoration for me in the near future.Thank you for your prayers (past & future) and most of all~~THANK YOU JESUS.

The blind man is here

A Nun was taking a shower one day and she heard the door bell ring, she yelled "Who is it?"

And the person ringing the door bell yelled, "I'm the blind man."

So the Nun got out of the shower and wrapped her hair in a towel, she didn't bother putting a towel around herself because the person behind the door was blind.

She opened the door and said, "What do you want?", and the man said, "I'm here to check your blinds."

Much Love, Dennis 

one week

Just say short note to let you know that God is in control and my joy is intact.
Much Love, Dennis

Breakthrough

I'm still battling issues with pain in my abdomen. I've been blessed with a doctor who is willing to work with me beyond usual practices. The first hour after I wake up is usually the toughest part. I have medication that kicks in after about 45 min. This morning was going just like every Saturday morning. Cheri and my dad were getting me ready for the day ahead. One of the things that we do every Saturday requires unhooking my diaphragm pacer and changing the tape on the bracket that keeps the wires in place. I was still feeling a little plain, but not much during this process. I am laying flat, so I can't see what is actually happening, but I knew they had changed out the pacer tape and started changing the dressing on the skin breakdowns  (these are healing well).  I was feeling lethargic and really felt like I was not getting deep full breaths. When they rolled me over onto my right side I had them stop and lay me back flat because I could tell my oxygen saturation was low. What I actually was feeling was me breathing on my own for about 15 min. The pacer had not been turned back on and I was controlling every breath on my own. I have done this in the past, but that was before I went through a setback about a year and a half ago. It may not sound like much, but   Praise Be To God,  I know that He is not through with me and my healing process. When I came home from Houston over six years ago I had virtually no activity in my diaphragm. The have an instrument called a spirometer, and most of the time their measurements of my diaphragm activity was zero, so today is actually a pretty big thing. THANK YOU JESUS.
I don't want to dismiss the significance of this breakthrough, but it always feels good to close with a joke. Here is one that includes someone having trouble breathing.

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says "Calm down. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a gun shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says "OK, now what?"

OK, don't tell me that you didn't smile  :-)

Much Love, Dennis

The favor of God

I've been spending time reading and listening to teaching concerning "the favor of God". Basically Romans 4. Abraham believed what God told him concerning his children, even though he and Sarah were both past the normal age of childbirth. God told him that his offspring would also receive favor, not only those who were of the law (legally of the same bloodline) but also those of us who believe as Abraham believes. You'll probably have to read Romans 4 to follow my train of thought.

The reason for this is because of the many times that I have prayed for others and myself to receive favor here on earth. I can't testify for others specifically, but I can tell you about a particular set of circumstances that I'm going through.

I am seeing Dr. Charles Shields concerning the pain in my abdomen. I have seen him before, but it's been several years and that was for my neck. About three months ago one of my doctors referred me to him and at that time there was no clear diagnosis for the source of my pain. I met with him and after 20 min. of discussion he said he really could not do anything until a couple of the things were ruled out. He told me that it was good to see me again and that there would be no charge because he considered this to be just a reunion of a couple of friends. What a guy!

After  other organs were ruled out I was once again referred to Dr. Shields. His schedule was full for over a month, but he overheard his receptionist mention my name and came to the phone to talk with my dad. After a short discussion, my dad said that sounds great, we will see you then. He had agreed to meet me later that week after hours. Cheri and I went to the appointment, we discussed some procedures and medications. Dr. Shields also asked for my e-mail and wanted to know if I would be interested in using Skype to make it easier for me to connect with him. We have been e-mailing, but we haven't done a Skype session yet.

Here is my point, Dr. Shields is a great guy, a great Doctor and God is using him to show me favor. I HAVE NO DOUBT.

Thank you Lord for using Dr. Shields

Much Love, Dennis

PS

An old dollar bill and an even older $20 arrive at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired.
"I've had a pretty good life," the $20 says. "I've been to Vegas, the finest restaurants in New York, and even on a Caribbean cruise."
"You did have an exciting life!" the dollar says.
"Where have you been?" the $20 asks.
"Oh, I've been to the Methodist church, the Baptist church, spent some time with the Lutherans..."
"Wait," the $20 interrupts. "What's a church?"