It has been a while since I have written you on this blog. It isn't because I haven't wanted to write you anything...I just didn't have any good information to give you. Where I left you off last time, I was having some tests done and waiting for the results to come back. The auto-immune tests came back negative and most of my MRI came back negative...yes I did say most. I knew I wasn't right in the head. There was a spot found in the part of my brain they call the Cerebellum, which unfortunately still doesn't explain anything about my sense of humor...where that comes from is still unknown. On a serious note though...that part of the brain deals with speech, language, coordination and other motor skills, so I am needing to watch those closely to see if they get worse along the way. The Neurologist still isn't taking MS off the table as a possible diagnosis. There are about 5% of the cases that show no MRI abnormalities in the skeletal portion (which mine was normal there). We are doing a nerve test next Tuesday where they will be sending electrical shocks up and down the nerves...oh...and did I mention that they were going to be sticking a pin in my foot muscle. I am not allowed to have any kind of numbing medicine, so I will feel the full effects of the testing. I will call this my training for persecution- if that comes down the road. To similate a real life scenario, I will scream at the doctor a few times, "You can have my body, but you'll never have my soul." If not anything, I will- at the least- try to make the most of the situation. They are doing the testing to see something about the central nervous system or another nervous system. One of them is consistant with MS if an abnormal test comes back. I will be doing this test next Tuesday at 1:00pm(central time) if you want to pray for me. There has been a scripture I have had on my mind a lot lately...I got it from reading one of my pevious journals on the caringbridge site. I have memorized the scripture...let it sink in and move me. I guess you call that writing it on your heart.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are acheiving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Sometimes, when you become a Christian you think the rest of your life is going to be smooth and good. Unfortunately, some pastors preach this message. When the first sign of hardship comes your way, you think you aren't doing things right...or your faith isn't where it should be. I believe all throughout scripture the bible talks about suffering for the cause of Christ. Picking up your cross and following Christ. Everyone's cross has different things on it, but it is all for the Glory and Honor of Christ that we stick by our faith...it is all for the Glory and Honor of Christ that we cling to Him when we face trials and struggles in this life. When we became followers of Christ, a War was declared on us as believers. The more satan has to worry about, the more he is going to push toward you and try to take you off the path you are following...the path of Christ. I have held this verse close to my heart to remind me to fix my eyes on what is unseen instead of what is seen. Not that I have obtained this, as Paul states, but I am trying. For all you out there looking for something to pray for: I am going on a men's trip in September that is going to be very interesting. There are six of us going to the wilderness to reconnect our hearts with the heart of God. Each of us is going to be bringing a very important message from the bible to the rest of the guys at some point of time throughout the weekend. I have a crazy feeling that something incredible is going to happen during this trip and none of us are going to be the same. I would appreciate your bathing of prayers on each of the six of us guys going on the trip. Pray that we would be able to see the seriousness of the times we are living in today. Pray that we will have a clear vision for what we are supposed to present to the others. Pray that we would be sensitive to the calling of the Spirit as He guides us in preparing for this time. Pray that we will receive this word in good soil and become fruitful with the information we are given. Thank you guys for all that you do. Our family appreciates you very much.
