On May 1st I had to make a 911 call because of Bob. Before I tell you the reason why let me give you some background which goes back to Bob’s college days when his sporting activities first became quite active and then on to include nearly 10 years of being slammed into the ground while body surfing when he was living in Hawaii and serving as the Chaplain of Waikiki Beach in the 70’s. His ocean frolics were ‘cool’ in that decade but that wear and tear finally came to a head, or more accurately, came to his back. Oh yes, and let’s not forget 30 years of intensive weight lifting.

I say all that to say this – for the past several years he has suffered from back pains but for a while prior to May 1st his back spasms were increasing to a severe level. The LOWlight came on May 1st when he had a such a bad reaction to two different pain killers prescribed for him, that I had to call 911. The paramedics took him to our local hospital.

For the past two weeks we have been in and out of the hospital and doctor’s offices. X-rays and MRIs have shown that Bob has Osteoarthritis in his spine (both cervical and lumbar) coupled with what is called Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (the narrowing of the spinal column that adversely squeezes nerves), along with Adult Degenerative Scoliosis, and all of this has hurt his Sciatic nerve. He is not sick, but he is injured. His many physically active years finally caught up with him and my macho man is now “paying the price.”

In the ER room on May 1st we prayed for Divine intervention and asked God for an “instant” healing. But it didn’t happen. Not that night, nor since. As the days have gone by we are now aware of why it didn’t.

If Bob had been instantly (miracously) healed he wouldn’t have met the people he met. Instead he took advantage of his condition and initiated conversations with doctors, nurses and technicians, and in several conversations was able to witness for Christ. We both believe in being Alert To Life and since God is Sovereign in our lives 24/7 we know these ‘opportunities’ are for His good purpose – with or without pain in our temporary earth bodies.

Various hospital and doctor’s office personnel would hear him say something like, “Thank you and God bless you,” or twice with a smile and semi-laugh to say to two different doctors, “One of the authors in the New Testament was a doctor – his name was Luke – are you related to him?” <smile> Anything to get a conversation going!

Next month we will share several lessons God is teaching us both during this medical challenge, which by the way continues as I’m writing this. Bob is still in much pain and although he can walk he has difficulty doing so and needs the use of a cane. We believe this is temporary but in the meantime his frequent visits to those who want to care and help him continues to present opportunities to reach out and care and help them. A role reversal that we’re delighted to be a part of.

Some Examples Of How God Is Using This

We both had an opportunity to talk with a nurse named Karen who herself was facing a possible back operation and was very uneasy about it. Bob asked her what spiritual values she followed? Our conversation with her was off and running with that. God used us to help calm her fears, give her peace and a renewed focus on her relationship with Him. If Bob would have been healed the night the paramedics brought him into the ER we wouldn’t have met Karen.

Nor would Bob have met an MRI lab tech and since he had to be in the MRI room for quite some time they were able to engage in long conversations. The end result was that Bob presented him with our TeamMates book that he promised to read. When Bob did finally leave the room both men agreed it was not a “coincidence” they met and talked.

He also talked to a radiology nurse who was experiencing a second divorce. End result of their free-flowing talk was our TeamMates book presented to her.

Bob also spoke on the phone several times to

a nurse practitioner named Sarah. When she discovered what we do she started asking a lot of questions regarding marriage and then opened up her heart to some of her areas of struggle. Again a “God thing” as she didn’t know Bob nor has yet to meet either of us in person. Strictly Holy Spirit guided phone conversations. She wanted some input especially in the communication area – so guess what? That’s right. Another TeamMates book is on its way. Our Holy Bible instructs us to “bear one another’s burdens” and we were able to do just that. We were giving spiritual aid to those giving Bob physical aid. Again, if God healed Bob that 911 night or even shortly thereafter we wouldn’t have had these shared opportunities.

None of the above is written to bring a focus on what we have done, but to show you what God can do when any of His children are Alert To Life.

Bob’s therapy is daily and his pain

continues. He has difficulty walking and as of this writing must have the help of a cane, which is debilitating since Bob has been in such top physical shape all of his life. You may wonder, is he discouraged with all of the rehabilitation he’s going through? No. He’s not. The reason? We’re commanded to not be discouraged as written in Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The Lord our God is with us with each visit to a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or medical technician. We look forward to helping those who are placed to help us.

We know God understands Bob’s pain and

that He does provide natural, medical and spiritual ways for we humans to overcome pain and be healed – whether divine intervention or through good nutrition, exercise, prayer, Scripture and/or faith in Jesus Christ. We are following the above including good care from a chiropractic friend. We are knowledgeable to all this which includes trusting God to use whatever vehicle He chooses and when He chooses it.

We now make our living with speaking engagements

, so please be in prayer for Bob – and for me – that we won’t have to cancel any of them. We’re believing that he will again be able to walk well enough so we can get on board airplanes and travel. Please join us in that belief. And even though we have some medical insurance we’ve taken quite a personal fiscal hit, so please pray for our finances too. We thank you for your prayers and for caring. Again next month – some special lessons WE have learned through all of this. Lessons we hope will transfer to you as well.

I close with Bob’s favorite personal life verse

and I ask that you read it slowly and prayerfully and let the meaning of these two verses dwell in your heart and mind. So much of what Bob is ‘experiencing’ flows with Romans 12:1-2 —

“I plead with you to give your bodies to God.

Let them be a living sacrifice, holy – the kind He can accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn form your own ‘experience’ how His ways will really satisfy you.”