Monthly Archives: May 2007

Hearts are on my mind!

On Wednesday I sat in on my wife’s pacemaker checkup.  The battery is doing well.  Batteries do wear down but she’s not yet there.  But her heart was acting up in April.  We have a cardiologist appoinment on Tuesday.

Gordon Verhaeghe, a friend, has heart problems.  He had a mild heart attack last week.  Tests show he needs bypass and valve replacement surgery.  That is sheduled for next Tuesday.

And later last night I heard Marilyn had a heart attack. She was out at her condo in Summerland, BC.  Final word on what will need to be done is yet to come.

Hearts are central muscle of the body.  When they stop, you stop.  They may wear out, have genetic defects, or be affected by diet and exercise.  Regardless of what brings you to an irregular situation, the facts still present themselves.  You could die.  Preparation for life after death — both for yourself and for those you leave behind — is vital.

As the Boy Scout’s would say, "Be prepared!"  As I would say, "Look Jesus’ way!"

In days of yore (a great way of saying you remember the old days!), there was a saying — "the life of Reilly." 

Now, I never did get a full explanation of what that was.  My sense as a child?  A lifestyle that was carefree, exuberant, and unfettered.  The end result?  Chaos and mayhem.  Reilly’s utopia ended in "hell."

Then, there is the other approach.  Gordon has gotten himself into various pickles (meaning he can be a bit vinegary at times).  At the same time, there is a true heart of compassion.  Sometimes the balance has been hard to maintain.

But, perhaps the test of relationships comes to days like this past week.  Gordon had a mild heart attack.  He is in for testing.  His hospital room has seen various visitors.  Today, while in Saskatoon, we went to visit him.  The hospital room at the Royal University Hospital was the regular size.  While we were there, no less than eight others were there as well — and that’s not including Gordon.

Therein lies a secret — a secret greater than "The Secret" currently being promoted in bookstores and on Oprah.  That DVD/book is based on selfishness and positive thinking.  "The life of Verhaeghe",  in many ways the opposite and checkered as that life may be, still reaps true friendship.  Not a bad reward!

Today the rain fell.  All day. 

No yard work — although we had planned for the exercise.  Instead, Jill came in the house and announced the rain gauge showed one inch of rain.  2.5 centimeters for those in metric mode.

In some places an inch is a pittance.  Here it is a bucket full.  The farmers (those who have seeded) will be happy — even more happy if the sun shines soon and the seeds germinate.

Oh, talk about coming up — the mosquitos are on their way.  Saw some yesterday.  Today’s rain will encourage more.  A bloody nuisance.

Speaking of blood!  After much blood, sweat and mostly laugther the "almost final" version of the CD project "Testify" was burned today.  I’m having withdrawal already!  How’s this for a picture for the front of the CD.

For a long time I’ve tried to decipher the people who turn the world upside down.

I think I’m getting closer!

I was reading and preaching on Daniel 6 today.  The thing that will get people into the most trouble?  The thing that will create opposition?  The thing that is explosive and dynamic?

PRAYER!

So quiet and seemingly serene an activity.  Rocks the world and changes the landscape!