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Last week I posted on Facebook and Twitter about the daughter of the former preacher where my wife and I used to attend church. She has been in the hospital for over a week now and is nowhere near being “out of the woods”.

She contracted the flu, and later went into sepsis, sending her to the hospital. Her heart, lungs and kidneys began shutting down. Over the next few days, her blood pressure dropped dangerously low and could only be maintained with several risky medications. She has also been on a breathing machine because she cannot breathe on her own. Then her hands and feet began to turn black due to lack of circulation. It has been a very up and down hour to hour situation.

If you would, take a few minutes to read some of the updates on her CarePages Site. You can avoid registration by using the login name Jenny@Bizaillion.com and password Friends. The family has been updating very regularly. The comments and posts show how many people are praying and keeping vigil for Jenny.

The following is a letter from one of the Shepherds at the Decatur Church of Christ where Jenny’s father is the preacher. If you are able to help, please do. Also repost this on Facebook and Twitter. I was without health insurance for over two years and it is by the grace of God that nothing serious happened to me. I cannot imagine the stress financial worry would add on top of the medical situation of a loved one.

The past several days the burden of this hospital bill has been weighing on my heart. David & Jenny have no medical insurance. When they first arrived, the hospital assured David not worry about how they would pay for her stay and that the quality of Jenny’s care would in no way be diminished due to this fact. We have been earnestly praying for a week for God to miraculously heal Jenny.

It is obvious that He has heard our leading by the fact that she is alive right now. Wouldn’t it be an incredible witness to this world for the 4,000 plus people who have been praying to each contribute $100? Let’s challenge ourselves, be diligent, and act quickly to ease this burden from the family. We can return this hospital’s generosity to the Bizaillion family by helping take care of this debt. The hospital didn’t hesitate to take care of her, let’s not hesitate in giving sacrificially. Please give something even if its not $100. Our goal is $500,000!

Here’s the simple process: Go to the Gregg Pearson Foundation at www.greggpearson.org, click on “donate”, during the donation process click on “special instructions” and type “Jenny Bizaillion”. 100% of what is donated will be given to David and Jenny. The GPF is a tax deductible 501c3 organization.

From Russ Hamilton, Shepherd at Decatur Church of Christ

There are also links below this (and every) post to make it easy to send it to others.

I’m sure you’ve know many godly or spiritual people in your life. But every now and then comes along that rare individual who seems to personify the lessons we grew up hearing about Jesus. They are the ones you turn to for advice, comfort, solace, wisdom, and understanding. They often are great leaders, teachers, and counselors, but they are also humble, gentle, and non-judgmental. So it breaks your heart when something bad happens to them.

At the same time, you get to see how they handle adversity. It is in this time where you see the power of their spirit and the strength of their faith. There is that quiet strength ever present even when fear tries to subterfuge a lifetime of belief in an almighty God who can deliver us from any obstacle.

Such is the story of my friend, Ray Hardin. Today he sent out the following email. Please pray for Ray. Many people depend on this great man, whether he will admit it or not. His friends and colleagues are a testament to the love and respect that Ray commands simply by being the man he is. I am posting this here because a simple prayer request on Facebook or Twitter is not enough. I wanted you to hear the faith and strength in Ray’s own words.

January 5, 2010
Providential Patient
 
*PROVIDENTIAL: Happening as if through divine intervention
*PATIENT: A person who is under medical care or treatment
 
In the Fall of 2009 I had a wicked case of the flu…like so many others! It ran it’s course in less than two weeks, but instead of completely running away it took up residence in my chest. And it hung on. And on. And on. I couldn’t quit coughing! Fearing I might OD on Robitussin DM, I called my doctor to see what we might do. He ordered a chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia. Sure enough: no pneumonia. But we saw something else that didn’t look so good. We followed up the very next day with a CT which showed that “something else” even more clearly. That was followed up with a bronchoscopy, a lung exam with a tiny camera on a long tube-thing. A tiny ½ cm tumor in an airway was seen and biopsied. And that biopsy brought the news: small-cell lung cancer. Small-cell is the most aggressive, relentless and deadly kind. It can’t be removed surgically.
 
So more tests were done to see if that little tumor had spread any…to any other part of my body. A head MRI, a full-body CT with contrast media and a bone scan were all done. And all showed the tumor has not spread beyond two adjacent lymph nodes. So now, at Baylor Dallas, we begin chemotherapy and radiation therapy to blast that area. There is no cure for cancer…yet. But we have evidently discovered this one pretty early. And it hasn’t spread. So I have a fair chance of beating this. That’s medical lingo.
 
And I’m sure not discounting that. I have the highest admiration and appreciation for my physicians and for medicine in general. It is my intent to fight this with every ounce of energy I have.
 
But I’m actually more interested in spiritual lingo. I’m now a providential patient because I had that flu last Fall…which let us discover this hidden killer. If God allowed that circumstance to unfold, He can also see me through this. And He can certainly heal me if that’s what He thinks is best all round. He hasn’t let me know yet what He has in mind here, but I’m listening very, very closely.
 
A small group grew organically and walked with me through this discovery process. They have prayed several weeks now for my healing and well-being. I invite you now to join in praying for me, too. However works best for you… and with whatever words…or with no words. And, of course, please feel free to pass this message on.
 
I believe—above all else—that God knows us, understands us and loves us outrageously. He is letting me lean on Him through this challenging episode. And in His care I am and shall be completely safe.
 
Thanks, love and blessings,
Ray Hardin

Our Sunday morning class is three weeks through an eight week series where we are taking a look at the book unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters. The book is “groundbreaking research into the perceptions of sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds [and] reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward in one of their most important assignments” (unChristian.com). So far, this has been a very interesting study. Last Sunday we discussed the number one way “outsiders” perceive Christians: anti-homosexual. But it also became a discussion about loving sinners apart from their sins.

I have known many Christians in my day that wouldn’t associate with someone based upon their sexuality. However, I can also say the same thing about race, religion, etc, etc, etc. Jesus did not avoid those with whom he disagreed with. For some reason, those that we think Jesus would have the hardest time getting along with, were those who were drawn to him. The tax collectors, prostitutes, and thieves all had meals with Jesus, or changed and followed Him. He saw beyond their sins and offered help, hope, and love. These people were not dismissed because of their lifestyle, their nationality, or their past.

Yet, as Christians, we do this everyday. Hypocrisy is another major turnoff to non-Christians, yet there is no small amount of it among the Christian community. Today I came across the video below. Though satirical, it plays off the behaviors of many Christians and churches. (Listen closely because some of the digs are smooth). One church even makes national headlines professing that “God hates fags” and “God hates dead soldiers”. VERY Christian, behavior.

Watch the video, then remember we are all God’s children. It is possible to hate the sin and love the sinner. If we had to be perfect to join a church or fall in love with Jesus, who amongst us would be worthy?

I originally found the video at my friend Keith’s site, BagOfNothing.com

Tonight I picked up Tquan Moore’s new CD, “All I Need”. The songs are as good live as they are on the CD, which speaks to Tquan’s talent as an artist.

I was fortunate tonight to be part of a wonderful house concert at a friend’s house who also happens to be a long time friend of Tquan. In addition to the music, he also delivered an inspiring message from John 14:12-14. His experience as a youth minister, speaker, and worship leader shone through in his music, message, and challenge he laid before us.

Tquan told us tonight that he believe’s God has called him to change peoples lives. Music is his catalyst. Most of his songs are originals he has composed, but his covers of other artist’s song and traditional hymns have a quality that is reflective of his passion for music and the Message.

Find a way to see him in concert. Here is his tour schedule, his website, and his Twitter page.

What if church was more like a sporting even? Would it look like this?

Please read this post by Trey Morgan and then send a few dollars. He posted back in November about the Adventures in Mission Team that made the trip to Honduras and went to the dump to hand out sandwiches. They make and handout up to 3,200 sandwiched a day! Here is the really shocking part. $20 per day will feed everyone at the dump for the day and $80 will take care of them for an entire week!

From the most recent post:

“If you have read my blog in the past month, you know I’ve asked that this Tuesday you consider making a donation to the “Dump Fund” to help feed the people who live and eat at the dump. Although I haven’t officially asked for money yet, a few of you have already sent some. You guys are amazing. In fact, one person has contacted me and said they’d match dollar for dollar anything given over $2500 (up to $2500). That means if we raise $5000, this very kind person will write us a check for $2500 to make our total $7500. I’m praying that this happens. This Tuesday I’ll give you all the details how you can give, and please understand that 100% of what you give will go to feed hungry people.”

Last Saturday Highland Oaks sponsored an Easter Egg hunt at a local elementary. Over 300 children turned out. I took some pictures, and these were a couple of my favorites. I love the messages on the eggs. What a great idea.

Last Sunday at Highland Oaks Larry James, President and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, was our guest Speaker. During his sermon he mentioned the work that his organization does. While they have numerous programs, one stood out to me, a support group of 22 men who have been wrongly convicted of crimes and spent time in prison only later to be exonerated. I can’t imagine having to spend a week in jail for something I didn’t do, much less 27 years!

I first became aware of the Innocence Project a few years ago because of the work of Dallas District Attorney, Craig Watkins. You can
Google him to see all the work he’s done getting wrongly convicted people released.

I’ve heard it is difficult for someone that has been in prison for a length of time to adjust to being back in the “real world”. I can’t pretend to imagine how difficult or frightening this would be. Imagine how much has changed in the last twenty years. And what do you do after 10, 15, or 20 years without any job history? How hard must it make it to get a job?

One reason this is an issue for me is because I have had the chance to meet and speak with a handful of these men. My heart goes out to them. I cannot fathom the trials they have been through. Yet, what amazes me the most, is that not a one of them I have met seemed angry or bitter. In fact, they have been wonderful to talk to, once they get going. There is often a shyness that seems strange to me. I met a man the other day who must be 6′ 5″ tall and looked like a former NFL defensive lineman, but he was so quiet, soft spoken, and reserved that it took him awhile to begin to talk with me.

In a way, it saddened me because these gentlemen can seem as if they have a broken spirit. Perhaps some of them do. I am sure there is fear of how they will be perceived, or what someone may want from them. At the same time, many have wonderful spirits and the desire to take action and prevent this same injustice from happening again. The gentleman I met this week will be in Austin on Monday and Tuesday to testify before our state representatives about a witness identification bill to standardize witness identification procedures. Many others are public speakers and authors.

I have had the opportunity to meet these gentlemen through my work. The optometrist I work for is providing free comprehensive eye exams and diagnostic testing to these exonerees. We were put in contact with Dr. Page at UTA by one of our patients. This same patient has agreed to pay for the cost of materials for these exonerees to get new glasses. I can tell you that the people receiving these services have been VERY appreciative, and I am blessed to be a part of the process.

One thing this also reminds me of is the importance of not judging others. Often, this type of behavior is a central reason why so many people have been wrongly sent to prison. The person you see may not be the person you are looking at. It’s easy to make judgments about someone because of the color of their skin, the place they live, who their friends are, how many tattoos they have, or where they go to church. I have met great people in the worst parts of town, just as I have met dishonest, angry people that are respected members of their community. When you look at each person as a child of God, no better or worse than yourself, you can see amazing people and opportunity. Don’t close doors on people based upon what you don’t know about them.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Mt 7:1-2

Because so many of my new online friends are ministers, preachers, or regular church attendees, I have a new feature that I would like to keep up with once per week. I am going to be posting a few questions that I have always wondered about and many new ones that arise as I make my way through the Bible.

So preachers, ministers, teachers, elders, deacons, etc, etc, add me to your feed reader and submit your answers, and tell your preacher / minister friends to do the same. It will be interesting to see different viewpoints and interpretations and get answers to questions that I can’t be the only one wondering about. I will try to get all questions up by Saturday night.

Week One Questions

1. Was God literally walking in the Garden of Eden? How can / should this be interpreted?
Gen 3:8

6. I think this question was answered in a sermon a few months ago, but I will pose it again for alternate responses and for those who have wondered the same thing. Why was Jesus baptized? He had no sins to forgive. Mt 3:13-15

You may see all of the questions in this series here.

The church service this morning was great. What a perfect way to start the new year. It was a shortened sermon in order to fit in some first-of-the-year-business, so take about 15 minutes and listen to the podcast. (It should be available later this week.)

The topic this morning was “Holy Because God is Holy”. Christopher made the point that the “overriding quality of God…He is always Holy”. Last year was not an easy year for many people, myself included. While it was certainly better than 2007, there will still challenges. I am sure we can relate to the difficulties of trying to be holy in the face of the challenges and struggles we face. But God never falters. He is always holy.

We will continually fall short of His standards. We will screw up, suffer weakness, entertain doubt, and question ourselves and His love. Nevertheless, He wants to have a relationship with us and He continually pursues that relationship. 2008 brought my wife and I friends that have helped us grow our relationship with God. At the same time, our relationship with each other has blossomed fantastically (and we just celebrated 9 years last month!).

2008 was a year for us to get off the sidelines and into the game. We have become much more involved and have been blessed as a result. This morning, Christopher read this quote from D.L. Moody, “A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine”. So in 2009 I aim to talk less, listen more, and shine brighter.