God and pain

The last post, based on Hosea 6 stated "God has torn us so that He may heal us."
"God is totally committed to you and He will accomplish the purpose of the pain," quoting James Mcdonald in His book Dounpour.

There are so many directions Hosea 6 could take us. Does God cause all pain? Does He just allow it? Or is He not involved in the pain or its source? What part does satan play in pain? Is pain just a result of our fallen status?

The challenge I pick up is: what is your view of God. How do you picture God?
* Like santa claus - One who has no expectations, just a loving Being who wants to give good gifts.
*A stern judge, with gavel in hand, high demands, heavy on the justice.
*An ethereal smoke ring, hard to grasp.
*An uninvolved, abandoning step father????

I believe A.W. Tozer is right when he said, "what you think about God is the most important thing about you." Our whole existence is affected by our view of God.

My view of God has evolved from that of a stern judge to a Loving Heavenly papa, who desires to give me good gift thers (Matt.7:11). Who promises to work everything that happens to me for my good (Romans 8:28). Whose expectaion of me is obedience to His Word - which has many ramific ations.

Thus my view of God in this 4 wheeler accident that leaves me in constant foot pain and unable to walk is: God allowed it. I believe He knew it was going to happen because it must have been Him who prompted me to take my cell phone. I wasn't into the habit of carrying it. Those close to me say there is a softening in my countenance. More peace. More gentleness. And I can tell a stripping of sself-sufficiency and pride. More of a healthy dependency on God and others. I could go on but the point is: God has torn me so that He canl heal me.

Loving on and encouraging people especially those who are experiencing some type of adversity appears to be my place of value - my ministry. One question that is often asked when going through a tough time is, ""what part does God play in this? Did He cause it? Or did He just allow it? Or has He no part in the etiology of this pain?"

My personal belief: 'God is sovereign - all powerful. All adversity is either caused or allowed by Him. He doesn't promse a stress-free life. He does want to use all that happens to us for our good, the good of others and for His glory. That is why I can accept (most of the time) stuttering, Parkinson's and a nerveless foot that feels like a block of wood. The Bible indicates that God is responsible for some pretty rough times. Look with me at Hosea chapter 6.
1 “Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
3 Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

"God has torn us that He may heal us." James MacDonald in his book DOWNPOUR, describes "torn" as a word used for a predator that grabs its pprey and shreds it with its sharp teeth, then consumes it. Macdonald states: " Make no mistake!God is behind the hurt in your life. When your life feels torn apart, God has not abandoned you. Far from moving away from you in callousness, He is moving towardyou with compassion for the pain He has allowed. He is totally committed to you as He accomplishes the purposes for that pain."

More in the next blog.

OUT OF THE HOSPITAL

AFTER 5 WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL, I'M "HOME"- WHHICH IS AT OUR DAUGHTER'S PLACE ON THE FARM NEAR ALEXANDRIA, KY. 4-5 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. MORE LATER. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

GOOD NEWS

VISITED MY SURGEON YESTERDAY. SAID IT LOOKS GOOD AND CAN BEGIN PUTTING 25 PER CENT WEIGHT ON IT. SO, REHAB HOSPITAL, AFTER A MONTH I'M OUTTA HERE. HE THINKS THE NERVES WILL REGENERATE TOTALLY. I PRAT THAT IS TRUTH.

OTHER GOOD NEWS - A HUGE MEDICAL BILL IS REDUCED TO $1000. PTL

I APPRECIATED GARY'S RESPONSE TO MY YESTERDAY'S POST:

Yeh! You see it, you are right on the mark.

God is working, and as usual for most of us, not quite the way we expected.

Yes, you have been wrestling with God and your “hip” has been touched in the process; you may walk with Jacob’s staff, this process may mark a turning point in your life, but as with Israel, you will be a different man and your generations will be blessed through what you have experienced with God.

It just doesn’t feel like it.

You will be called blessed of the Lord. You will see the blessing of God upon your offspring and generations

Grandparenting Ministry???

"If you're directed by God to pull up stakes from your comfortable position in Nampa Idaho and move across country to Northern Kentucky to focus on a grandparenting ministry, what are you doing laid up in a rehab hospital unable to put any weight on your left leg? And how about all the other roadblocks you' faced?"

Good question. We haven't thought about moving back to Nampa. We have thought of running back!!! Our plans are not God's plans. Our plans were to have a pole barn up by now, with fencing for cattle and horses and the beginnings of house construction. The initiation of a retreat center for grandkids, friends and others and to be a support to two of our children in their parenting prorcess.

A couple of Proverbs passages speak in part to our situation. "A man's mind plans hisway, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Roll your works upon the Lord, commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your lthoughts to become agreeable to His will and so shall your plans be established and succeed."

I believe God is telling us that what we're experiencing is preparation for our new ministry, just as if we wanted to be physicians, there would be at least 8 years of formal prep.

What does Grandparenting ministry look like to us? To influence our children and theirs to know, love and serve God by:
*innundating them with encouragement and love,
*being available,
* living a godly life,
*building a world view based on Scripture,
* touching the lives of others with loving encouragement,
*and allowing our grandchildren to observe how we handle life's challenges in a godly manner.

With this objective in mind, I would guess that the ministry is off and running. Just not lthe way we had planned.

PRAYER REQUEST

PLEASE PRAY FOR THERESA. SHE IS BED-BOUND WITH A NASTY FLU. FOR HEALING AND TO LISTEN TO THAT QUIET INNER VOICE. THANKS FOR HELPING CARRY OUR EXTRA LOAD

Nocturnal Disturbance

"Help! Help! Help! Help! Help!" Joe, next door, is having a rough night. The aids must be busy because that plantive cry for help goes on for quite some time.

At one a.m. "Housekeeping. Here to empty out your wastebaskets." Having just fallen asleep, I'm tempted to throw the basket at her. Justified by: "Christ was angry at the money chngers in the temple when he fashioned a whip and kicked butt."

2 a..m. - Pardon me," says the nurse. I MUST check your vitals." "Go away. Let me sleep. Besides my wife is the only one who does that!" "No," says nurse Kratchit. "Your blood pressure and temp." I'll show you my temp (er) next time you awaken me out of a deep sleep."

Then at 3 a.m. Ms.Dracula swoops in with her big black bag, loudly exclaiming,'GOTTA get your blood." She proceeds to try to find the vein, somewhere between elbow and shoulder. After raking the area causing considerable pin cushion pain, says, "let me try your right arm." what I want to say back is #%6@^&**&%$#.

Some time during the time when I would like to be sleeping, a little ol' lady tells me she is there to get my wheel chair for washing. She brings it back later when I'm asleep and leaves the chair out of reach from my bed.

And a couple times per night, I thank God for the person who invented the urinal!!!

The last two nighhts I've slept well. Besides the sleeping pill and three pain killers could it be that the sign I've taped to the door has helped? It says, "anyone coming though this door between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is in danger of experiencing the hidden trap bucket of human waste/"

TOUGH LOVE HURTS

Tough love can hurt!

Lisa, my physical therapist, is a prime example of the Scripture's challange to inflict ppain for ultimate good - be it the parent disciplining the child or God engineering some painful situation to expedite our growth. Whom the Lord loves, He chastens, says The Good Book.

LISA, IN HER LOVE FOR HER CLIENTS, TAKES AN APPENDAGE AND MAKES IT DO WHAT IT DOESN'T WANT TO DO. FOR ME, IT'S TAKING THAT SEEMINGLY LIFELESS LEFT FOOT AND STRETCHING IT OUT OF ITS LETHARGY. THE PAIN CAN BE RATHER SEVERE DURING THERAPY, BUT IT SEEMS THE NERVE PAIN LATER NEEDS A PAIN KILLER TO SUBDUE ITS INENSITY. THANKS FOR THE TOUGH LOVE, LISA. I FELT SOME LIFE IN TWO OF MY TOES YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A MONTH. I WEPT OUT OF GRATITUDE.

I'M TRUSTING THAT THROUGH LISA'S TOUGH LOVE AND THE PRAYERS OF MY WIFE AND SCORES OF OTHERS AND THROUGH THE BODY'S NATURAL HEALING PROCESS, THOSE NERVES WILL REJUVINATE. I'M TRUSTING THAT THE TIBIA WILL ACCEPT THE METAL PLATE SO THAT I CAN PUT FULL WEIGHT ON MY LEFT LEG.

AND IF NOT, AS WITH JOB,I SAY, "THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TRUST HIM.

Ideal male relationships

Rare is the man who has a male relationship marked by total honesty and transparency.

This was the summary of my chat with Dr. John Vawter last night. I had just finished reading his inspiring and instructive manuscript on male friendships. A work very well done.

As I pondered our conversation and opened my Bible this morning for my "quiet time," the perfect passage loomed as a monument to the issue John and I were addressing. Galatians 6 from the Amplified Bible reads:

BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.
2Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and [a]troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete [b]what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

How would you like to have a friend who will "tell you when you've got a booger" as described in these two verses. He is one who walks closely with God and confronts you in meekness, gentleness, keeping an eye on himself lest he fall into some attitude or behavior that is not Christ-like. You know very well that his best interest is to build you up and not be haphazardly critical. The Galatians passage continues with:

3For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself. 4But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [[c]in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

5For every person will have to bear ([d]be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [[e]little] load [f][of oppressive faults].

What a rich man I am to have a handful of men with whom I have that kind of relationship. At the age of 71 I know there are still pockets of "less than godliness" that need to be cleaned out and replaced with Christ-like behavior and attitude.

Thank you, Steve, Greg, Jerry, John, Errol and Theresa (though not male). I am one blessed man in part because of you.

'warrior Prep

But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. - Job 36:15

Os Hillman writes in his blog TGIF about a boy born with a severe case of cerebral palsy who had sufffered much abuse and rejection during his growing up years. As a teenager, he met the Lord and began an intimate relationship with Him. Prayer began to be a focus in his life. God began showing him deep insights into other people, with whom he would share.
Today, this young man travels around the world as an internationally known intercessor and founder of a school of intercessory prayer. Literally hundreds of hours of knowledge about the way God speaks to His children have been birthed in and through this young man.

Hillman challenges us: "God's ways are not our ways. His preparation of His warriors seems cruel and hurtful at times. His ways are much higher than ours. Trust the God of the universe that He can orchestrate the events of your life when they seem the darkest."

What a fitting exhortation to this old norwegian/estonian warrior.

Thanks Kevin T for your note to the last post. Hope your studies are going well at Oxford and that all is well with the family. T and I miss you guys.

no dementia

After interacting with my new Parkinson's Dr. for a couple hours yesterday, he proclaimed, You don't have dementia." To which my wife Theresa LOUDLY exclaimed, 'PRAISE THE lORD. THANK YOU JESUS." With my loss of memory we both had wondered!!! Thus began the relationship with the University of Cincinnati which is rated among the nation's best in Neurology.

WOW ! AM I LEARNING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I HAVE THE OPTION TO DWELL ON MY CIRCUMSTANCES:
1. BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL 3 WEEKS WITH WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH LONGER;
2.WILL THE NERVES REJUVINATE SO I'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE FULL USE
OF MY FOOT?

AS I ALLOW MY THOUGHTS TO LINGER IN THIS ARENA THE RESU LT IS DESPONDENCY AND DEPRESSION. BUT I HAVE ANOTHER OPTION: TO DWELL ON CHRIST-LIKE THOUGHTS AS DEMONSTRATED BY RUTH MEYERS IN 31 DAYS OF PRAISE.

Father, I’m so delighted that You are both loving and sovereign, and that You cause all things to work together for good to those who love You, to those who are called according to Your purpose. So I thank You for each disturbing or humbling situation in my life, for each breaking or cleansing process You are allowing, for each problem or hindrance, for each thing that triggers in me anxiety or anger or pain. And I thank You in advance for each disappointment, each demanding duty, each pressure, each interruption that may arise in the coming hours and days.
In spite of what I think or feel when I get my eyes off You, I choose not to resist my trials as intruders, but to welcome them as friends.
Thank You that each difficulty is an opportunity to see You work…that in Your time You will bring me out to a place of abundance. I rejoice that You plan to enrich and beautify me through each problem, each conflict, each struggle…that through them You expose my weaknesses and needs, my hidden sins, my self-centeredness (and especially my self-reliance and pride.) Thank You that You use trials to humble me and perfect my faith and produce in me the quality of endurance….that they prepare the soil of my heart for the fresh new growth in godliness that You and I both long to see in me…and that my momentary troubles are producing for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all, as I keep my eyes focused on You. I’m grateful that You look beyond my superficial desire for a trouble-free life; instead, You fulfill my deep-down desire to glorify You, enjoy Your warm fellowship, and become more like Your Son.

I thank You for the bitter things
They’ve been a friend to grace,
They’ve driven me from the paths of ease
To storm the secret place. Florence White Willett

Scripture References (by paragraph)

1. Rom 8:28-29; I Pet 1:6-7
2. James 1:2-4 (Phillips)
3. Ps 68:8-12; 138:7-8; Job 23:10; Deut 8:2-3, 16-17; 2 Cor 4:17-18; John 12:27-28
Taken from 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

MY CHALLENGE: BRING MY THOUGHTS INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE WORD OF CHRIST.

REFINING FIRE

So what are you learning, Burwick? What is the value of the tough time that your blog heading purposes? You gave up a comfortable life style and deep friendships in Idaho for what you thought was God’s call to minister love and encouragement to children and grandchildren living in Northern Kentucky. You thought you’d be building a pole barn and house. Instead, you are flat on your back in a hospital wondering if you’ll be able to use your left leg again.

In my journal of this morning, I think I plumbed some deeper depths. Kinda
embarrassing to share. The guy who counseled thousands, who memorized vast portions of Scripture, who seemingly had everything “together,” wrote:

“why did I say yesterday, I can run but I can’t hide? No place to run or hide. No deep male relationships to escape to. No performance opp, cept a little wood carving on my diamond willow. So am I acceptable as is? No advice to give. No trophies to recognize. Just a one-legged, good for little 71-year-old has-been. No strength. No energy. No goals. Why push hard in PT? To what end?”

Sounds like a good dose of pity-party. Ugly.
I’m not sure what I’m running from besides self-esteem issues. Possibly some
depression. I’m not sure what God’s plan is, except that which is given to His people in general throughout Scripture, encapsulated best in a “doing” and “being” combination.

Do: make disciples. Matthew 28:19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
”James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Be: conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) And it seems like the game plan to that end is for us to see what needs change to transform us to be more like Christ. This usually means experiencing a tough time or as MalachI 3 describes it - a refiners fire
2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,

“What is God doing with me through this trying time?” (Not only the physical challenges but the loss of what I had in Idaho.) I believe that God in His gentle, loving way is surfacing more of Burwick - my self-sufficiency, spiritual pride, self absorption…the kind of stuff that needs the refiner’s fire, conforming me to the image of Christ.'

GOD SPEED THE DAY

setback

Can an Idaho spud grow in Kentucky bluegrass? Yes… with set backs.
Got real discouraged yesterday. Nerve damage in ankle, foot and toes is severe. Minimal movement. Physical therapy is painful … without any promises. Team meeting yesterday suggested I stay much longer than I had hoped. Usually I can handle that kind of challenge with a focus on God’s love and grace, sufficient for the day. Living a day at a time- not looking at the “whatifs.”
Having a 71 year relationship with the Creator has given me sufficient evidence that He works in everything that happens to me for my good, the good of others and for His glory. For that reason I can rejoice - no matter the circumstances. I know that in my head - now to get it into shoe leather. It is easy to lose focus in the rehab/nursing home. Old age seems so cruel. One man sits slumped over in a VEGETATIVE state. Diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease. Will that be me?
The world of “what-ifs” is a lousy place to park my mind. I refuse to linger here one more minute. Besides, it is time for physical therapy