Just Thinking Out Loud...

Seeing that this is the 4^th of July weekend coming up, I want to share this story from one of my all-time heroes, Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, and served from 1953 until 1961. He was also a five-star general in the United States Army. Eisenhower had a speckled religious background growing up, but truly gave himself to the Lord in his early adulthood. Two major things he did for our country that continues to exist today are that he got “under God” placed into our Pledge of Allegiance and he also fought to get “In God We Trust” placed on our currency.

This is a quote from him in regards to church. “The schools were three in number; churches abounded. From memory alone I can identify seven and everybody I knew went to church. Social life was centered around the churches. Church picnics, usually held on the riverbank, were an opportunity to gorge on fried chicken, potato salad, and apple pie. The men pitched horseshoes, the women knitted and talked, the youngsters fished, and everyone recovered from the meal.”

This makes me question, what happened? Why is church not a central part of the lives of Americans today? What has happened in the last 50 years that has drawn even so called 'strong Christians' to push God to second and third place in priority behind work and family? Why is it that soccer games and work related parties cause so many people to bypass their weekly time of corporate worship? Is there something that can be done?

Just thinking out loud...

Three weeks and one day until my surgery...

Gathering Info

My surgery is scheduled for July 22. I have prayerfully decided to take an entire week off of work to give myself proper time to heal. In my mind I was thinking I would have this major surgery on Wednesday and be back in the pulpit the same weekend. It was insane, but sometimes our minds make us think we are invincible.

I have been talking to several people who have gone through with this procedure. Every person says that if they had it to do over again, they would. That says a whole lot to me. Also, I have been feeling the pain from my weight in my legs and hips like never before. Perhaps it is psychological, or perhaps it is because I am trying to play softball. I love ball, and summertime naturally means ball. That is something that I am truly looking forward to next summer.

After this surgery, I will never let myself get in this shape again! This is a picture of me from Sunday with a neighbor pastor.

Surgery

I have just gotten my final approval for me to receive gastric bypass surgery in July. I have to admit that I am a little bit more than scared about this. It will be a major change for my life. I am going to have to re-do a lot of habits in my life in order for this to be successful.

Here's the deal though... If I do not have the surgery, I am going to die a very early death. I am more than 100 pounds overweight. I have very high blood sugar levels. My blood pressure is higher than it ever has been. My joints and muscles are sore when I walk. I could not run the base paths in softball to save my life. I need this surgery.

I neglect this website a lot, so I do not know who keeps up with it. I plan to try to keep a regular log of how I am progressing. I would truly appreciate your prayers.