Saved By Grace
Born-Again
Friday, January 31, 2014
Blessings
This is been a busy time. My heart still aches for Alan, Gavin, and Karley.
Tuesday evening my mother-in-law, Darla tripped over our dog Deacon. The lights were turned off in the living room and Deacon is solid black in color.
He is now up for adoption. :-) (attempted humor)
When she fell, she dislocated her right shoulder. God was watching over us and I can list a few examples.
1. One of the EMTs (Rita Anthony) in the ambulance is a friend and attends church with Darla. I know that there was a lot of pain during the trip to Enid. Rita prayed with Darla and they sang praise songs throughout the drive. I'm sure that the road trip was a little easier and seemed a little quicker because of Rita.
2. She has persevered, without complaining and is able to do nearly every thing that she was doing before the fall.
3. There appears to be no other damage to her shoulder. She is very sore and there will be some physical rehab, but no surgery.
Psalms 23. Amplified
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
About three weeks ago my power chair started to act up a little. For about two weeks we were able to just push the reset button on the electrical system and be back in business. My dad called the people who do repair work and described the problem. The chair has a display system that gave us a diagnostic code. They seemed to be fairly certain of the problem and ordered a new part. Last week my chair quit working completely. For the last several long days I have been in my manual chair that I keep as a backup for occasions just like this. That means I can't raise or lower my legs, tilt my chair, recline the back, or move around on my own. This has helped to remind me to be thankful for what I have. You may remember that about a month ago I was confined to my bed for several days. That was also a good reminder.
I'm writing this on Friday at 2:00 PM. The repair man is scheduled to be here between 3:30 PM and 5 PM. Right now I kind of feel like it's Christmas Eve. I'm just waiting for the gift of mobility.
This post is a little long, I wanted to leave you with something I found humorous. Some might take offense, but I look at this "wheelchair thing" as temporary.
I can't stand being in a wheelchair.
Much love, Dennis
Tuesday evening my mother-in-law, Darla tripped over our dog Deacon. The lights were turned off in the living room and Deacon is solid black in color.
He is now up for adoption. :-) (attempted humor)
When she fell, she dislocated her right shoulder. God was watching over us and I can list a few examples.
1. One of the EMTs (Rita Anthony) in the ambulance is a friend and attends church with Darla. I know that there was a lot of pain during the trip to Enid. Rita prayed with Darla and they sang praise songs throughout the drive. I'm sure that the road trip was a little easier and seemed a little quicker because of Rita.
2. She has persevered, without complaining and is able to do nearly every thing that she was doing before the fall.
3. There appears to be no other damage to her shoulder. She is very sore and there will be some physical rehab, but no surgery.
Psalms 23. Amplified
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
About three weeks ago my power chair started to act up a little. For about two weeks we were able to just push the reset button on the electrical system and be back in business. My dad called the people who do repair work and described the problem. The chair has a display system that gave us a diagnostic code. They seemed to be fairly certain of the problem and ordered a new part. Last week my chair quit working completely. For the last several long days I have been in my manual chair that I keep as a backup for occasions just like this. That means I can't raise or lower my legs, tilt my chair, recline the back, or move around on my own. This has helped to remind me to be thankful for what I have. You may remember that about a month ago I was confined to my bed for several days. That was also a good reminder.
I'm writing this on Friday at 2:00 PM. The repair man is scheduled to be here between 3:30 PM and 5 PM. Right now I kind of feel like it's Christmas Eve. I'm just waiting for the gift of mobility.
This post is a little long, I wanted to leave you with something I found humorous. Some might take offense, but I look at this "wheelchair thing" as temporary.
I can't stand being in a wheelchair.
Much love, Dennis
Friday, January 24, 2014
Gretchen Boyer
Her parents, Philip Semrad and Nancy Saunders introduced her to the world on April 2, in Enid Oklahoma.
She graduated from Round Rock High School in Austin Texas. An Okie at heart, she graduated from Oklahoma State University and earned her license as a Certified Public Accountant. A profession that suited her perfectly as she was a stickler for details.
Gretchen was the ultimate multitasker. She juggled working from home, parenting, community service, (Gamma Mother's club, Relay for Life, Fairview Sports Boosters) and many other volunteer activities. I always looked forward to attending an event at their house because Gretchen was an excellent cook/chef.
It was rare to see her without a smile on her face. I don't think that she missed more than a handful of her children's activities and was a season ticket holder for the OSU Cowboy football team. I'm sure that her closet had a large section of orange and black apparel. Those were the colors for the Fairview Yellowjackets as well as the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
My brother Alan and Gretchen were married in 1990. I don't know if he fully realized it at the time, but as the years passed I think he began to understand just how fortunate he was.We will be celebrating her life on Saturday. Because she was involved in so many different things, she had tons of friends and I am sure St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Okeene will be overflowing.
Thank you Lord for the time that we had with Gretchen.
We love you much and miss you much, Dennis
Friday, January 17, 2014
Mountains and Molehills
It seems like things have been piling up over the last few weeks. It's not my intention to complain or whine, but to declare and demonstrate to Satan that I have faith in my God and his word and what Jesus accomplished while he was here on earth. I won't be making a list of things that concern me, but I am praying for all circumstances to be handled according to God's will. I can see some things working out in time, but "being patient" is a very hard lesson to learn. It reminds me of the old joke: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. Some of the molehills have been conquered and others will be soon. The Bible says that we can move mountains with our faith.
Mark 11:23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
I am standing on that Scripture daily.
Another Scripture that lifts me is Proverbs 4: 20-27
My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.
One more week of antibiotics and hopefully I'll be clean as a whistle.
Sometimes the sayings that we use such as "clean as a whistle" interest me as to their meaning and origin. This is the definition I found from ASK.com.
Where Does the Saying Clean as a Whistle Come from?
Answer
The saying 'clean as a whistle' means to be as smooth and clean as a clear-toned whistle, meaning that the person or item has no imperfections or is not guilty. The origin of the saying is not really known, though it appeared in a number of writings from the 18th century.
Much love, Dennis
Mark 11:23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
I am standing on that Scripture daily.
Another Scripture that lifts me is Proverbs 4: 20-27
My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.
One more week of antibiotics and hopefully I'll be clean as a whistle.
Sometimes the sayings that we use such as "clean as a whistle" interest me as to their meaning and origin. This is the definition I found from ASK.com.
Where Does the Saying Clean as a Whistle Come from?
Answer
The saying 'clean as a whistle' means to be as smooth and clean as a clear-toned whistle, meaning that the person or item has no imperfections or is not guilty. The origin of the saying is not really known, though it appeared in a number of writings from the 18th century.
Much love, Dennis
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Antibiotics
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
Thursday, January 2, 2014
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.
http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/baboon.jpg
Much love, Dennis
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
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