Rejoicing doesn’t alleviate the pain. But it sets an atmosphere where pain is more manageable.Mondy morning, 7:30, I was modeling the gown that receives he most ink – the open back surgery gown.Rejoicing? I was not. But there  was  peace. Dr. Mandybur could easily have as his theme song: Crown Him with Many crowns.He was deftly applying a titanium crown, beginning with  gently ramming two side pieces in to each ear in my skull. He used that as  the guiding points for placement of the crown’s four-foot thorns…about 79 of them. Just teasing. That was fairly painful. But the locals he gave, about eight, to deaden the skin for entry of the probes, was rather unpleasant. Then, because the cat scan was not processed correctly he had to give them all  over  again.

After the crown was dug into my skull, he put me out and I was out for an hour or two. To be awakened with  questions and directions to perform. I told him if he could find the stutter button and disconnect it, I’d pay him double. He did find the speaking in tongues button. One prod triggered a language I hadn’t heard before. Actually, I would have called it garbolly-goop. That all happened in 4 -5 hours.

 The pain continued the following day at home with a neck sting. Tomorrow, surgery continues with the placement of the battery pack in my chest. Hopefully the  spine problem can be corrected soon.

Scores of people have told us they have been praying for me. THANKS

Brain Drilling

Two types of drilling will be going on Monday at 9 a.m. My home state  of North Dakota  has hit the big time in oil production.Drilling is non stop in scores  of wells. The other kind of drilling I’m concerned about is the two holes that will be drilled in my head.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) begins  at 9 a.m. with connection of two wires to spots in the brain, then directed to my chest. Thursday a power pack will be inserted in my chest that qualifies me for participation  in the best looking bionic man contest.

I’m surprised by my lack of fear. I’m at peace about the whole affair.Several people have told me they were praying for me. That must be the cue, cuz normally the fear would be internalized and come out with some bodily dysfunction.

A decision had to be made between the DBS, hip replacement or possible back surgery for a disc out of  line. That, along with the ongoing ATV accident which has depleted much of the nerve activity in left leg and foot, I’m beginning to feel a little like Job. Job’s  response to his adversity was, “The Lord gives and he Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised.” I’m endeavoring  to know more deeply the truth of God’s sovereignty. He either causes or allows our circumstances – “the Lord gives and the Lord  takes away.”

 Then the ultimate goal is found in Job's  remarks half way through the book,  “though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” I don’t know what to expect from DBS – could be a  stroke. My hope is not in the surgery results but in God alone who, according to Matt. ?:11, wants to give good gifts to me.

If you have been following this blog, you will recall that a week or two ago we were examining the James 1:2-8 "Rejoice in adversity. This is probably not my final test in rejoicing. But this seems like a big one...Rejoice in brain surgery? Rejoice because my back is at times in excruciating pain? Rejoice  when I'm experiencing the bone on bone hip situation? It seems like an unattainable task. Too idealistic!
That is when God slips up on me and gently whispers, "Ray,  trust  me. I'll use what  ever happens  through the surgery, for your growth in Christ and so that others can see my hand and learn  to trust me also.You are smack dab in the middle of my will. The results of your  brain surgery are in my hand. I love you more than you can imagine."
Peace, wonderful peace.

Brain MRI

 Had a brain MRI this week. Good news. Bad news. Good news?  They were able  to  locate a brain. For many norwegian-estonians, that is sometimes a stretch. But they had to work for it and finally the machine located the target half ways between my feet and my head. No, just kidding.

The bad news? The diagnosis was insufficient dopamine caused by eating too much lutefisk and lefsa.  No, just  messing with you.The MRI was done in preparation for DBS. (Deep brain stimulation,) scheduled for Monday morning. The doctors will drill two holes in my skull into which they will insert wires. Another surgery four days later to insert a battery pack in my chest to which the wires will be connected.Then a few doctor visits to regulate the juice.

Kinda scarey. But the people who I talked to about their experience with DBS are gung hoe about the procedure.  Your are  the counselor. You ask me, “How are you feeling about this operation?”

I reply, “Three months ago I had said ‘No way, Hosea. No one is messing with my brain.’” Now my response is if there is a way to lesson the symptoms, lets go for it. Especially for  Theresa’s sake. She has been a wonderful care-giver, but I don’t want her to have all that extra pressure of taking care of an old invalid.

God says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And that is over-riding the fear.

My quick prayer every time I am fearful is: “Lord, I’m in your hands and I trust your promise that “all things will work together for my good, the good of others and for your glory.”

Another M RI tomorrow on my back and hip. Will keep tabs for you.

HE IS RISEN

“He is risen!”

“He is risen indeed.”

This is a common Easter greeting for Christians around the world. Easter is my favorate  time of the year. So, I share with you appropriately some exerts from one of my favorate passages of Scripture – 2nd Corinthians 5:15-21

 He (Jesus) died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Doesn’t that blow your mind. The pre-Christian hears the Gospel. Receives Christ as Savior and Lord. He/she is a new person. A fresh influence within, called the Holy Spirit,  empowers the new believer to live for God and for others. We don’t have to be controlled by fear, resentment, self-centeredness and other unhealthy attitudes. As we yield our lives to Christ and His ways,  the Holy Spirit empowers us to become more Christ-like … more peace of mind, more joy and contentment - a new person.

However, some of the most miserable people I’ve met are Christians, torn between their self-centeredness  and the new life Christ has given them. Sometimes the problem lies in a rebellious spirit. But most  of the time, the cause for their misery is not being honest with themselves. They blame others for their angry spirit, their negative critical attitude. Or they make excuses like, “I’m just kind of on edge today.”  Rather than face their tendency  to be negative, angry and critical, followed by confession to God and the other person involved.

He is risen!

He is risen indeed and is showing me unhealthy attitudes (like spiritual pride) and empowering me  to change and  mature in Him.

I trust He is risen in your life also.