The Day After Angioplasty #2

Hi Friends,

I'm writing from my phone again, so this post will be short.

Yesterday I had my 2nd angioplasty. There were problems entering through my veins so Doctor Mehta had to go in through an artery in my left leg. I think I must have bled quite a bit, but have nothing to compare it to in order to say whether it was considered a lot.

I've been very tired today, which I expected.

Other than being tired, I'm really doing well.

I have chosen to start weaning myself off of some of the medications I've been taking for MS. I know my body well enough by now that I will be able to tell if I need to get back on them. If so, I will.

But if not.....what a blessing!

Lisa and I are going home on Friday. We will travel by train instead of by plane because neither Shane nor I have a peace about me flying this soon after having had an artery opened. (Opened may not be the correct medical term.) Whatever the correct word, we have all (Sweet Lisa included) just lived enough years that we know when we aren't at peace about something we'd better heed the warning.

So...a traveling we will go. The train trip will take almost 19 hours all total.

Would it be too selfish to ask you to pray for free upgrades to business class, or to a sleeper car?

At the least, having handicapped seating really would be a blessing!

How are you coming on the study? Any questions yet?

Snowflakes to Hotcakes...would you please tell me your real name again, so I can add you to our class list? :-)

Chaundra...it's not at all too late for you to join us! We'd love it if you could! May I add your name?

Chandy, are you going to be with us? I remember that you had commented that a study like this could work well for you. So hoping you will join too!

Love to all of you. Thank you for your countless prayers for Lisa and I!

Much love in Jesus,
Jes

Digging Into Psalm 77 - Questions & Comments Deeply Desired

I have come to dearly love and appreciate the transparency of the Psalmists. I've always loved poetry, and I think of the Psalms as songs and poetry to God. Over the next few days, I'd like it so much if you'd come along with me as we dig  this Psalm out. Remember, with inductive study, we aren't rushing right off to a commentary.  If you'll play along with me, if you'll trust me, I promise that I'll tell you when  the right time to dig into a commentary may be. If you're a colored pencil kinda person, grab them now, and print off a copy of  this blog post.  I'll share with you what words to mark, and goodness...you'll likely share a few  with me too! We're just going to start with 3 verses today. Remember, before you ever open the Word of God, you want to pray and ask  His Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, as the book of John promises us that He will. I shared with the Jehovah's Witness ladies who have been coming to my door,  that I never, ever study my Bible without asking for the leading of the  Spirit of God, because my flesh is weak, and proud, and will lead me astray.... but the Spirit of my Loving God will never do that! Here we go... Psalm 77:1-3 My voice {rises} to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice {rises} to God, and He will hear me.    In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted. {When} I remember God, then I am disturbed; {When} I sigh, then my spirit grows faint.  Selah. I just want you to take this slowly...I want to beg of you to ask some questions of the Word here. Normally, I would start with who wrote the Psalm, and we will do that...but later. For now, ask yourself ... Where was the Psalmist placing his hope? How did he feel about being completely transparent with God? What did he do when trouble came? Can you think of any promises that he might have known regarding what would happen for him when he sought the Lord? How successful was he at "keeping his prayers to himself?" What was his level of confidence that the Lord would care about his audible cries? What type of relationship or understanding of the Person of God must this Psalmist have had, to "put all of his eggs in one basket?" Do you see a contrast in these verses? Why is it important to see that? Ever have something so horrific happen in your life that it kept your focus, like this trouble did for the Psalmist? What was bringing comfort to the psalmist at this point, in these verses? What is he telling us in the last two verses? Has his trouble abated? Has he done all that a good believer should do to get what we want/need from God in a situation like the one the Psalmist was in? Selah has been said to be a pause, or a musical interlude. (That was a freebie, but I really do want you to think through these verses and answer from your heart.) Let's see if we can get an online Precept discussion going! I'll bring the popcorn!  No, I forgot, the kernels get all up in my gums and I look like a cow trying to slop them out. It's gross, I'll save you the pain of seeing it. I'll bring chips & salsa instead. ;) Love you all so! Would BEG you for your prayers as we will soon be looking for a home in Chattanooga. We're praying for a pool, as it helps so much with the MS in the summertime. Candee Sue told me to pray for the home that God has for me...the one He wants me in. I adamantly told her not to over-spiritualize things! I think she snorted something warm out of her nose when I shared that with her. Then she vowed that she would be talking with me more often, after I've taken my night-night meds. I wonder if she's up. They'll be hitting my system soon. :) I love you, Candee Sue. I love YOU too, sweet reader! Now, enough of this love stuff....ya'll have work to do! :) Comments....I need comments!  Big Hugs, Jes