Recollections from 2014
 |
| The old folks most recent shot that I could find on my computer |
2014 was one of the most eventful years of our over forty-eight years of marital bliss. One thinks of a roller coaster when trying to summarize the year and remain terse. January was rather uneventful with normal birthday celebrations for our granddaughter, Kaylee, who turned twelve and Joyce who just turned. If you want to know how old Joyce is, ask her but she is in the same decade again with me if that gives you any help. In February, I bought a new car. Well, new might be a stretch since it was ten years old. I was driving a 2003 Buick Park Avenue with 112,000 miles on it and had been surfing the internet for a year or two watching out for newer Park Avenues with lower mileage. One Sunday during my surfing, I ran across a 2004 with only 56,000 miles and it was with a local dealer. Despite the 'slick-in-spots' weather conditions, I was at the private dealership the next day before it was even open. The dealer found another dealer interested in my car, even with the high mileage, so we made a deal. What made the deal even better was discovering that the dealer was the husband of my dental hygienist whom I have been seeing for about fifteen years. I knew that her husband had his own car lot but didn't know any other details. I had to give up my sunroof, heated seats (only passenger side worked), and a few other luxuries, but I have been completely satisfied. Buick stopped making the Park Avenue in 2005 so this one needs to outlast me.
Joyce had a septoplasty in late February which appears to have been successful. I had the same surgery 10-12 years ago but the after-surgery therapy was totally different for her in that the surgeon did not pack her nose which mine had done. I remember trying to sleep in the recliner for a couple of nights until I removed the packing.
I joined the Kickingbird Senior Men's Golf group in March and played most weeks until August. Roger Pogue joined with me and we played together as a team in the team events. My scores ranged from 98 to 80 and I had a handicap of 19 when I stopped playing in August to prepare for surgery. I ended up winning $60 so I at least paid for my entry fee of $45. This is the third year that I have played in this league. First year, I did not have a partner; second year I played with Bo Loyd; and with Roger this year. The league has improved as far as faster play but I still really do not enjoy playing the same course week after week. I also played probably 3 out of 4 Saturdays when it was warm enough with Daryl Rogers and his group which began with Mark Shannon (Fullerton) 15 or so years ago.
April and early May were uneventful with vacation-planning being the main focus. Joyce and I left home on May 17 and returned home on May 30. We drove my 'new' car and averaged over 27 miles per gallon on the trip. We drove 5,475 miles and covered 17 states, 3 Canadian provinces, as well as Washington, DC. We had always wanted to visit Prince Edward Island since discovering the 'Anne of Green Gables' movies many years ago. Hardly a year goes by that we don't sit down and watch them again. Highlights on the way to PEI included visits to Niagara Falls, the Baseball Hall of Fame (Joyce waiting outside), crossing into New Brunswick and trying to figure out the cost of gas and the speed limit since they use the metric system, and our arrival at Prince Edward Island on May 22. We spent three nights in a delightful cabin and even though the weather was unseasonably cold and rainy, we enjoyed the beauty of the island. We were a little disappointed to find that most of the movie was shot in Ontario but the author of the Anne of Green Gables books was born in PEI and we visited some of the places that she used to live and also a museum of her memorabilia. The commercialized entertainment locations had only partially opened since we were a little early in the tourist season. Some highlights included a large quilting store and the Potato museum. PEI is famous for its potatoes and we brought a bag home - tasted the same to me.
We had prepaid non-refundable tours reserved for Boston and Washington, DC so we left PEI on May 25 heading toward home via the tour cities just mentioned. Probably the best of the Boston tour was a harbor cruise followed by a tour of 'Old Ironsides'. Did I mention that Boston has 77 Dunkin' Donut stores and only 59 Starbucks? The founder of Dunkin is from the Boston area. We had no real plans for NYC but I have been a Yankee fan since 1951 so we made it to Yankee stadium but did not get out of the car due to time constraints. How many people get to see Fenway Park in Boston and Yankee stadium in one trip? How many even want to since they are such rivals? Our night's stay for the 28th was near DC so we kept on motoring. The motel gave us instructions and directions so the next morning we checked out, drove to a parking garage near the terminus of the Metro, parked, bought tickets and took the Metro to Union Station with only one changing of trains. We were both in awe at the size of Union Station and it took us over an hour to find out where the tour buses were located and to traverse the many levels of the station.
The weather was nice and the tour was a real event. It was an off-on tour in which you could get off at any scheduled stop, tour the monument, building, whatever, and then catch the bus again when you had finished touring. Due to the amount of walking still required after getting off of the bus, Joyce and I only did it twice. Once at the Lincoln Memorial which included the Vietnam and Korea memorials and again at Arlington Cemetery where we took a guided tour on a tram. Obviously, sights from the bus included the Washington monument, the White House, the Capitol building, Smithsonian, etc but after 7-8 hours of touring we returned to Union Station for a meal followed by $8 ice cream double dips for dessert. Then, it was back on the Metro to our car and the final leg of our trip which included get home as fast as possible which we did. One day, we drove 893 miles so that the final day would only be 370 miles and we were home by noon on the 30th. Would we do it again? Not in the same way. Too much hurrying and not enough sight-seeing. Probably would be better to take three or four weeks but too much for two weeks. We both enjoyed the trip and each other (most of the time). Pictures by request only...............
June and July were fairly normal activity-wise. Reluctantly scheduled my second knee replacement surgery. All of the walking in Washington, DC convinced me that it was time and the surgery was set for Sept 12.
August 7 was my last golf in the men's league and I would not be playing again until after surgery.
My oldest sister passed away when I was three and she was the mother of three, ages 4, 3, and 1. I was their uncle yet two of them were older than me. They were Carolyn, Corky, and Glenda in that order. We spent a lot of time together while growing up and they were nearly as close to me as siblings. Corky and Glenda passed away first and Carolyn, being the oldest, was in failing health so her daughter, Valerie, who lives in Edmond brought her to Oklahoma from Borger, TX in February so she could take care of her. Her health continued to fail and she entered a nursing home, first in Guthrie and then Grace Living Center in Edmond. In the middle of August she was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and given less than six months to live.
On August 21, the doctor from Tuscany Village where Joyce's mother was staying told us that she was near death and nothing could be done but watch her die. Being a very determined person all of her life, she lived for six more days, mostly in a comatose condition. Joyce stayed all night one night and she passed away at 1:20 AM the next night, August 27. The nursing home called us when death was imminent but she was dead before we got there. Joyce and I stayed until the medical examiner came for her body. Joyce had prearranged everything based on what her mother had already pre-planned and her body was cremated awaiting transfer to Denver where her husband's ashes were interred in June, 1992. He passed away on May 30 of that year. Joyce, Mike, and Sheri transported her mother's ashes to Denver in early November where they met Joyce's brother who lives in California. Bonnie and Cecil are together again. Spiritually, they will be in heaven together forever and their ashes are in close proximity awaiting their glorified bodies.
On September 2, I was notified by her son Tony, that Carolyn had passed away about 3:45 PM that day. The funeral was held in Borger, TX on Sept 6. Joyce, Mike, Sheri, and Mike's daughter Kaylee, and I drove out for the service and returned home the same day. We stopped to visit with Carolyn's first husband, Don Harris, before the service. Had an opportunity to take a picture of my two kids and only granddaughter next to Don's house. Aren't they cute?
 |
| Mike, Kaylee, and Sheri |
As mentioned in a previous blog, Joyce had some tests run on Sept 9 (basically both upper and lower GI) and everything turned out fine. McBride had rescheduled my surgery from the 12th to the 11th. I checked in to Mcbride about 8:00 AM for scheduled surgery at 11:30. Everything was pretty much on time and I was in my hospital room by 4:00 PM. Not much different from the first replacement surgery. Less pain but more stiffness. Even today, Jan 2, the stiffness seems to have hung around longer than the first time but nothing that I can't live with. More consistent exercise seems to lessen the stiffness: Imagine that! Had nineteen therapy sessions at McBride clinic in Edmond. Definitely was the least enjoyable part but also the most necessary. Erin and Tyler were my therapists and were great. Erin also was my therapist after my first surgery. She has toughened up a lot. Last physical therapy session was Oct 29 and it was now up to me to continue rehab on my own. Last appointment with Dr Yates was Dec 9 and when he said 'no restrictions', I rejoiced. Went straight from his office to the driving range and played 18 holes on Dec 11. Can't say the golf was very good but the knees did not hurt. Haven't played since due to the weather but look forward to playing without fear of knee pain. Praise God for modern medicine and those who practice it well.
Most memorable event in October was the death of a long-time friend, Bob Willis on the 27th. Bob was diagnosed with brain cancer in February and fought hard during surgeries, chemo, and radiation. He was only 53 but left a lasting legacy in the lives of so many people that he mentored at Bridgeway church. His memorial service was very uplifting and very convicting. How little I am doing for the Kingdom was made abundantly clear to me by the testimonies given regarding Bob's service to our God, Savior, and soon-returning King, Jesus Christ.
November and December seemed to be the quietest and most normal months of the year. I have continued therapy at home and at Gold's gym. In early December, we ordered new computer desks and hutches from Sauder for both Joyce and me. These come in a flat box and you have to assemble them. This has not been pain free and even today, the task is only about 95% complete and hopefully the last replacement parts have been shipped from California. Details are too painful but just shoot me if I ever order anything else that requires this much work. Our daughter Sheri bought her first house and closed on Dec 23 and is getting settled nicely. Doesn't she look thrilled after the closing?
I'm sure I have left out some significant events but my memory capacity is dwindling even at this moment. I'll close the recollections and start with the revelations. Keep in mind that all believers are a work in progress and God is revealing his perfect will to us as we walk in his ways, study his word, pray, and fellowship with other believers. I have much to learn and what I will be sharing is not meant to offend. My spiritual gifts are faith, giving, exhortation, administration, and mercy. Please keep that in mind if you read further.
Revelations from 2014
Theologian Charles Hodge is quoted thusly: "The progressive character of divine revelation is recognized in relation to all the great doctrines of the Bible... What at first is only obscurely intimated is gradually unfolded in subsequent parts of the sacred volume, until the truth is revealed in its fulness." Wikipedia (100% accurate source, right?) says: Progressive revelation in Christianity is the concept that the sections of the Bible that were written later contain a fuller revelation of God compared to the earlier sections. The ultimate revelation of God is understood to be found in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels. For example, the New Testament is to be used to better understand and interpret the Old Testament. Likewise, all sections of the Bible are believed accurate in conservative Christian theology.
I really have no opposition to the above. As we continue to study the Bible, God lets us in on more of his infinite knowledge. Being finite creatures, we will never know everything but learning about God is much more than going out on a starry night, sitting on a stump, and waiting for God to communicate with you personally and give you information that he gives to no one else. Testimonies of happenings like this are rife on the internet by personalities such as Beth Moore, Jesse Duplantis, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, and Sarah Young. The continuationists who focus on prophesy would be closely linked to these types since they believe that God gives prophesies to believers on an individual basis. Some teach that these prophesies may be false but that does not disqualify the person from possessing the gift of prophecy. Seems that the old testament teaching on the punishment for false prophets would discourage the encouragement of these so-called prophets. But that is a topic for another day.
Another term might be more proper but as I continue to grow older and continue to study God's word and read books written by those who have studied God's word more than I, I believe that God progressively reveals to me more of his truth as it relates to my individual walk and sanctification. The heart is deceitful but when we have strong urgings and feelings about issues, events, and people, remaining silent might be sinful. To know to do good (whose definition of good do we use?) and not to do it, is sin according to James 4:17.
Most believers in my circle of friends and acquaintances would definitely agree that the world's (especially the United States) theological views are out of sync with the Bible. This past year has been a year in which I have encountered many of these views from both close friends and relatives and the general public via the internet or cable news reports. One that has come up most often is that when someone dies, the following is stated: 'Well, guess God gained another angel." Where in the world does that thought come from? No where in the Bible are we taught that when we die, we become angels. God does not gain or lose anything. He is Sovereign and has all that he needs and will ever need and always has. Angels were created before man and are either God's messengers (the elect angels) or Satan's messengers (the fallen ones). When man dies, his body dies but not his spirit. The spirit of true believers immediately goes to be with the Lord as stated in these verses: 2 Cor 5:6-8 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight - we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
Since Paul's early theological teaching came directly from Jesus, it is obvious that the believer who is absent from the body is present with the Lord. Since we know that the physical body is still visible after death, it must be the spirit that departs to await a later uniting with a NEW glorified physical body that will never die. Conversely, the spirit of the unbeliever must not be present with the Lord. You can use your own imagination to determine where that spirit ends up. Again the scripture is clear on the final resting place of unbelievers and it is absent from the presence of the Lord. For certain none of us become angels after we die and that theology is not found in the Bible. This brings me to my next point.
Who qualifies for heaven and eternity with our savior, Jesus Christ? The world seems to be convinced that most everybody from Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Robin Williams, Joan Rivers, etc are already in heaven because they were celebrities and great entertainers. They were famous so that must qualify them for something and heaven is a lot more desirable than the alternative. Be assured that the only thing that qualifies anyone for heaven is having placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. HE is THE way, THE truth, and THE life as stated in John 14:6. Another favorite passage is the following. Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. From this it is clear that salvation is not the result of good works but good works are the result of salvation. People should not have to try to figure out whether we are a Christian or not; it should be obvious by the way we live.
I've heard many times during the past year that someone is relying on walking an aisle, praying a prayer, signing a card, joining a church, etc as proof of their salvation. This event may have occurred 20, 30, 40, or even 50 years ago but their life since that event has produced no good works nor shown any evidence that they are indeed a new creation in Christ Jesus. There is no comfort in God's word for these people. The further I go the more I suspect that many are deceived by themselves and the world and believe that they are saved because of something that they have done in the past. We are saved only by something that God has done. He gives the gift of faith to those whom he chooses and they are then able to believe and repent and become the children of God. They will then become new creations and will produce good works as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit of God that now indwells them. They will not perform perfectly but their lives will reflect a growing-up in Christ which occurs at differently for each believer. The scriptures tell us that we are to be holy as He is holy. It is not an option, it is a command. There are many parts to this growing-up or sanctification process. They include but are not limited to: Bible reading and study on a regular basis, prayer without ceasing, testifying to others about the Savior, visiting the sick, ministering to the hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, etc., loving our neighbors and enemies, loving God, and lastly, fellowshipping with other believers regularly. This can be wrapped up by setting the following priorities: God, first; others, second; and self, last.
I'm sure you have encountered the following at some point.
I agree in theory that going to church doesn't make you a Christian, but most people simply use this as an excuse not to go to church and to deny the importance of it. I can't prove this from the Bible, but I do not think that heaven will be heavily populated by people who didn't attend church on a regular basis unless providentially hindered by circumstances. Hebrews 10:23-25 says: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. How much plainer can the scriptures be? You cannot stimulate me to love and good deeds nor encourage me if we aren't spending time together.
One of the best books that I read during 2014 was "Things That Go Bump in the Church" authored jointly by Mike Abendroth, Clint Archer, and Byron Yawn. Here is an except from chapter 10 by Clint Archer regarding church membership and involvement. "Okay, so this is serious stuff. This is why pastor and author Mark Dever, who has taught and written extensively on church membership, often begins his sermon on the topic with these attention-grabbing words: If you are not a member of the church, you may be going to hell. He goes on to explain that in the same way that a desire to be accountable and to be involved in God's family is a sign of grace, the converse is true. If you don't want accountability or involvement, what does that say about the state of your soul? Christians are by definition sinners who repent. If you refuse to repent of your neglected involvement of your church, it may be right to question the assurance of your salvation."
I am aware of several people that would call themselves a Christian yet their church involvement is minimal at best. The church is often referred to in scripture as the Bride of Christ. Make sure that you do not miss the wedding reception!
Finally, as George Younce, one of my favorite bass singers, said (rough paraphrase) on a Gaither Homecoming video featuring the Cathedrals (you can find it on youtube if you're interested): "I've got a lot more days behind me than I do in front of me and I know that but I'm packed and ready to go. Should he return tonight, I've got my house in order." There is nothing else to say. Come, Lord Jesus!
Resolutions for 2015
I quit doing resolutions many years ago. Got tired of failure and it was always the same song, next verse. Exercise more, eat less. How boring! I hope you have a Blessed New Year.
