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Healing Belongs To You

There has been some misunderstandings about God and healing that needs to be cleared up. Some people think that God puts sickness on people to teach them something, that is not true. The scripture says that Jesus came to undo the works of the devil (1John 3:8). What is one work of the devil, let's look at Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazereth with the Holy Ghost and power: who went about doing good, and healing all that was oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. So, sickness is not of God it is from the devil, and God sees healing a good. God anointed Jesus for the purpose of healing. Some people think healing is not important to God, but according to the scripture healing is very important to God. And since he doesn't change it is still important to him (Malachi 3:6).

Now, let's look at another point, God has already provided healing for you. He said in Matthew 15, that healing is the children's bread. What is bread, another word for bread is provision. It is something already provided. But, here's the thing you can not let your body dictate to you what God has done. Because your flesh can't know the things of God because they are spiritually discerned (1Corinthians 2:14). That's why this is a faith walk, because you have to believe independent of your senses. Let's see an example in Luke 17, ten lepers came to Jesus and asked him to have mercy on them and Jesus replied, "Go show yourselves unto the priest." Now in that time you only showed yourself to priests after you've been cleansed. And the scripture says that as they went they were cleansed. Now, when did Jesus provide the healing, when he said, "Go show yourselves unto the priests", because that was all he did. But, notice even though he provided something they didnt' look any different and they didn't feel any different. They did not let there bodies determine whether something was done or not and jesus called that faith.

Let's clear up something else God does not heal some and not other. God makes the provision to everyone and it's up to you to receive it. Let's look all the way back to the old testament up to the new to see this. Notice in Psalm 105:37 it is referring to the day after the Passover, He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble one among their tribes. God healed everyone, not some and not others. Let's see another example in Numbers 21:8, it refers to when serpents were bitting the children of Isreal and they were dying from the bites. God told Moses, "Make thee a fiery serpent, and put it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live". And it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man when he beheld the serpent of brass he lived. Notice God made the provision for everyone. Now let's come up to the new testament and again Acts 10:38, how Jesus healed all who were oppressed of the devil. Jesus never turned anyone away that came to him for healing. Not one time did he say no it's not God's will, that let's me know that it was always God's will for people to be healed and it's still his will. I wanted to get those things cleared up because there may have been some wrong thinking in those areas and John in 3John 2 makes this statement, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." So, your thinking can effect you receiving your healing. So, I just wanted to clear up some thinking that may not have been in line with the scriptures so that someone would be in a better position to receive their healing.

Communion: God's Healing Meal

We need to get the Bible revelation of communion, because it is not just drinking some juice and eating a cracker it is far more than that. But, through tradition you can make the word of God of no effect (Matthew 15:6). Communion is a powerful means of receiving healing. Notice what Jesus said, "Take eat; this is my body" and "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many." Jesus said that was his blood and in Leviticus 17 God established that the life of the flesh is in the blood, it is the life of the flesh. So as you take in that drink you are taking in the very life that was in Jesus. And what sickness can stand against the life in the blood of Jesus. It is like when you take in food in the natural, your body absorbs the nutrients that are in that food. So likewise, when you take in that drink your body can absorb the life that is in the blood of Jesus. The blood is a means of transferring the life that was in Jesus to you. Notice what Paul said in 2Corinthians 4:10, "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." It is his death(blood) that make his life able to be manifested in our body. Get a revelation of the blood of Jesus.

Put your faith in the blood of Jesus like people in the Bible put their faith in the anointing on his garment. They had faith that if they touched the hem of his garment they would be healed, not even him but his garment. And yet, we have some of him, some of heaven has come to us. Do you remember when God pronounced that the first born of Egypt would die and he told the children of Isreal to put the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of there homes and by the blood being on the doorposts of their homes that plague would not come near them. Notice God said that was a token, it was a shadow of when the lamb of God would shed his blood. What is a shadow it's a representation of something, God was showing what the blood of Jesus would do when it was shed. God said by the blood on their homes that plague would not come near them. We have the real thing, if lambs blood did that then how much more will the blood of the lamb of God do now. When you go to the doctor one of the first things they do is draw blood because they want to see what is in it. Can you imagine the healing, anointing, and life that is in the blood of Jesus. That is what you are taking in. Imagine the blood of Jesus flowing throw you eating up any sickness in you like when the rod of Moses became a snake and Pharoahs magicians threw down there rods and they became snakes, but Moses rod that was turned into a snake ate the magicians rods that was turned into snakes. Notice what the Bible says about Jesus, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse", Jesus the rod. Everytime you take in that drink you should say, "The life of God is manifesting in my body" or"By his stripes I am healed." Notice in Revelation 12:11 it says, we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. Get a revelation of the blood and put your faith in it.

Take Your Medicine

God has given you a prescription for your healing. In Proverbs 4:20-22 God says, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." That word health is translated as medicine, remedy, and cure. So, God has already made a way for you out of that sickness. But, you have your part to play in receiving your healing. In the natural if you went to a doctor for a health problem and he wrote you out a prescription you would look to get better. Also you would agree that you had your part, taking the medicine is your responsibility. And just as that medicine has ingredients in it that aids the body, God's word has healing power in it. But, you have to take it.

How does it work, what you feed into your spirit feeds your flesh. In Proverbs 14:30 it says, "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." Your spirit gives life to your flesh and according to what you put in it will determine whether you get healed or stay sick, "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity" (Proverbs 18:14). Notice his word is life, the very life of God is in his word (John 1:1). It's a feeding process, remember Jesus said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). What is bread, nourishment for your body. You take it in and the nutrients are sent throughout the body. So likewise, when you take God's word in the life in it is sent throughout the body and gets rid of any sickness and disease. Like in Romans 8:11, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ shall also quicken your mortal bodies by the Spirit that dwelleth in you." That word quicken means to make alive, give life, and vitalize(to fill with life, vigor, energy). God's word is spirit and life(John 6:63), and that spirit and life will quicken your body. But, notice it says to keep the word in your heart(spirit) so give it some time. I gave it some time and I got my healing and you can too.

Safely Home

My father, Charles Wells spent a year and a half creating this series of blogs. Sometimes, even when he was too weak to stand and had difficulty breathing, he would sit at his computer and type the words he was receiving from the Lord. What normally took him ½ hour could take up to 4 hours, but he was committed to sharing until his final breath.

On the day he went home to bask in the awesome joy known only in Heaven, he handed me a poem and said “I like this. Maybe you can read it at my memorial service”. I’d like to share that poem with you today:

Safely Home

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this Everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus’ love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread,
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s Will.

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth –
You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is all completed
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

While my father has gone Home, you can pick up the baton and carry it forward to people who might learn and benefit from his words of wisdom and comfort.

There is work still waiting for you.

Patricia Wells
thepatricia1@gmail.com

He Went Home

My name is Patricia Wells. Charles Wells is my Dad. Last night I posted an update about his health situation, at his urging. He finished his struggle with pulmonary fibrosis this morning. But I am convinced he gained the prize which he sought, to be in the presence of his Lord. His physical body couldn't go on anymore. But his spirit soared to the foot of the throne of the One he served and worshipped. He cherished that idea. Heaven wasn't just theology to my dad. It was reality. He viewed Heaven as Home. Home with Almighty God and Savior, the Lord Jesus.

Dad was diagnosed at the end of January 2009. Daily life has been difficult for him since then, but he was thankful that the Lord gave him time to help his family prepare for the future without him. We expect to be reunited with him in Heaven someday.

Patricia Wells
thepatricia1@gmail.com

Near the Finish Line

Near the Finish Line

Friday, November 12, 2010

Hello. My name is Patricia Wells. I am the daughter of Charles Wells who started this blog over a year and a half ago. He is too ill to post this update, but it’s very important to him that you all know how he is doing today.

He met with his pulmonary doctor yesterday and they had a very frank discussion about what the next stage may look like for my father. He was not able to perform any of the breathing tests they had scheduled because any exertion causes his blood oxygen level to drop significantly. Until last week, the lowest it had dropped after one of his coughing spells was 75. This past Sunday, it dropped to 69 and the following day it went as low as 62.

This last week has been almost surreal given how quickly his health has deteriorated compared to the plateaus and declines he has experienced up until now.

He left the appointment with a hug from the doctor and prescriptions for a high powered antibiotic (in case there was some infection that hadn’t been discovered) as well as Ativan and Roxanol to help with anxiety.

This morning, Hospice was called in and he was having a pretty tough time. The nurse worked with my mother to move him from his chair to the hospital bed that he’s been sleeping in for several weeks. He asked for his children to come see him and we have been gathered by his side since early this afternoon. New, better oxygen tanks were delivered and he was breathing relatively comfortably on 15 liters of oxygen.

He slept peacefully for a couple of hours late this afternoon, but had a coughing spell which caused his blood oxygen level to drop to 59. His oxygen was turned up to 20 liters and after several minutes, his blood oxygen level was on its way back up.

He asked me to type this quickly and read it back to him so he could verify the technical details and add any thoughts he has at this time. My father is an amazing man who has not complained throughout this entire ordeal. The doctor commented how inspired he was by my father’s courage. We’re inspired by it too.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Patricia Wells

(thepatricia1@gmail.com)

Independence

I guess it is hard for people to give up their independence as they age, and as their health declines. We start life being dependent on others to care for us. Many of us end our lives the same way. In the last two weeks I have lost what little independence I had been clinging to.

A couple weeks ago I decided to give up driving. No one made me do that. I realized that I can no longer drive safely. My reaction time is poor. My vision is blurry due to medications I have to take. My feet are numb, so I cannot feel the pedals very well. I did not want to endanger myself, my passengers, or other people on the road.

As of the last couple days, I can no longer be left alone. This week we plan to check into respite services so my wife can get away to do the grocery shopping and run errands. I need someone to always be here. As children, our parents will have a babysitter come and watch us so they can go out. Now I need a babysitter again.

I cannot stand, even for a minute. I have to sit down to shave now. I cannot walk to the bathroom. My wife has to take me to the bathroom in the wheelchair. That is many times a day because I have to take Lasix every day to fight the fluid retention.

The oxygen equipment we have is no longer adequate to meet my needs. The maximum capacity of the concentrator is only 5 liters/minute. That's not enough anymore. This has all developed during the past two weeks. I have an appointment with my pulmonary doctor this Thursday. We will be discussing the oxygen equipment issue, and the plan for this final phase of my illness. I doubt that I will be able to do the breathing tests. This is probably the last time I will be able to go there.

I plan to post an update after my doctor appointment this week.

--cw

Oxygen

My lungs continue to lose their ability to transfer oxygen to my blood stream. For the past year I have been able to get by using 2 liters/min. of oxygen while resting and slowly moving around in the house. That is not good enough anymore. I have gone up to 4 liters now, and that only helps a little.

It is very difficult climbing those six stairs to the kitchen so I can have my meals there. My wife will have to bring my meals to me soon. I no longer feel comfortable driving. My wife will be doing most of the driving from now on. I don't leave the house much. I still go for medical appointments, and I try to go to church unless I feel too sick to get up and around. I try to schedule appointments in the afternoons. I feel worse before noon.

My independence is slipping through my fingers, and that is discouraging, but not unexpected. Daily life continues to be more difficult. This is a tough journey. We appreciate your faithful prayers for us.

--cw

Health Update

This is the sickest I have been with this illness. After 17 months since my first sharp decline, I had a severe decline in July that lasted about a month. That left me without the ability to do much of anything. Now after only 7 or 8 weeks since the July decline, I am suffering another severe decline. It started about 2 weeks ago, and I continue to get worse every day.

I can barely put one foot in front of the other to get back and forth to the bathroom. It is more difficult to make it up the six stairs to the kitchen now. The fluid retention is getting worse, and I have to fight it with meds every day. Some days I cough a lot. Some other days not quite as much. I sleep more now, both at night and during the day. I feel exhausted all the time.

Today a staff member from my granddaughter's school brought four high school seniors to visit me. It was an opportunity to share my testimony with them. I challenged them to make God their top priority every day. First thing in the morning ask themselves how they are going to honor and glorify God during the day. If God is not our top priority, we are just part of the problem. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with them.

--cw

Answered Prayer

I have been feeling weaker and sicker the last several weeks. Since I am not able to do physical exercise, I just keep getting weaker. As I continue to get weaker, I am less able to do physical exercise. It is a vicious downward spiral, and it is very frustrating.

The good news is that the coughing has been better the last two and a half or three weeks. I have had only two bad coughing spells during that time, and the overall coughing has decreased somewhat. Before that I had been having lengthy coughing spells nearly every day. I am extremely thankful. Even if the coughing improvement turns out to be temporary, I understand that it is by God's grace that I am enjoying this relief.

I went for my pulmonary doctor appointment this afternoon. Thankfully the breathing test results are about the same as last time in mid-August. Even though I feel worse, the test results were only slightly lower than last time. For all practical purposes, my lung function is the same. What is a sick person to do?

"Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him" (James 5:14-15).

I have heard Christians say that they prayed for something, but their prayers were not answered. What that really means is that they did not get what they wanted, or hoped for. Do children always get everything they ask from their dad? Of course not. Dad is generally wiser than the child.

We don't really know how to pray in accordance with God's will. The Holy Spirit indwells us, and translates our requests to align with God's will. "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26-27).

Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. "Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us" (Romans 8:34).

I understand the Bible teaches that God hears all prayers, and answers all prayers. Sometimes the answer is "yes". Sometimes it is "no". Sometimes the answer is "it's not the right time yet". And sometimes it is "My grace is sufficient for you for My power is perfected in weakness" (II Corinthians 12:7-10).

In the first few months after I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, I prayed for healing a couple times. I did not have peace about praying that way. It didn't seem right. It was like the Lord was telling me that physical healing was not what this is all about. It is about Him, and His honor and glory. He is the Master. I am His servant. I need to stay focused on Him, and be obedient to Him. I need to share my faith and my convictions with others. I need to be a good role model.

Recently, He has drawn me back to the words in James 5:14-15. He led me to be obedient to those words. I asked the elders of our church to come and pray for me. They came to our home the evening of September 7th. They prayed for me and anointed me with oil in obedience to the biblical instructions. I was happy to share my convictions with the elders that evening.

I have always believed that God can heal me in an instant, if that is His will and His plan and purpose for my life. He hears all of our prayers, and He always answers. I explained to the elders that I am not concerned about His answer. Whether I live or die, I know that God knows best, and His will for me is the best.

He has answered, and I clearly hear His answer, "My grace is sufficient for you for My power is perfected in weakness." His answer is sufficient for me. I am satsified with His answer, and I rejoice knowing that His grace is truly sufficient for me in all circumstances. By His grace, His power is perfected in my life through my weakness. I do not have to live by my own strength. Although I am weak, the power of God is my resource.

You will know my work is finished when you hear about my funeral. Until then, I will try to be and do my best a day at a time.

--cw

Health Update

I had relief from severe coughing spells for six days. I am thankful for that. However, the coughing is coming back yesterday and today. I don't know what's going on. I coughed a lot last evening, and did not sleep well last night because of it. I have coughed most of the day so far today. The coughing just makes life really hard.

Everything is hard now. Everything takes so much effort and time. I am slow, and getting slower. Standing up and moving around a little is work. Everything is work. The bathroom remodel and shower addition project we did a year ago is paying off now. I can still take a shower most of the time without help, because I can sit down in the shower.

I am fully moved down to the family room level now. This is where I live. There are six steps up to the kitchen, and I want to continue going up there for my meals as long as I am able. It takes a lot of effort to make it up those six stairs. I have to sit down when I get there. At this rate, I probably won't be able to do that much longer. Giving up independence is difficult. I just keep needing to adapt to a new reality as my physical condition worsens.

We know that hundreds of you pray for us regularly, and we really appreciate your faithfulness. Pray especially for my wife, Agnes. She does all of the household work that she has always done, and she does all the outdoor work that I used to do. In addition, she takes care of me. That means she is doing the work of at least three people, and I will continue to take more of her time as my health keeps declining. That makes for long and tiring days.

I am thankful that the Lord keeps my spirit alive and well, even as my body is failing. I experience His hand of mercy, peace, comfort, and joy. I can't really explain it, but I know it as I experience His presence. I know He loves me and has my best interests at heart, as I am coming closer to the finish line. I know this trial has been beneficial to my faith. I can be joyfully thankful for that.

--cw

Jesus walked

Jesus walked. He walked a lot. He mostly walked, and rode in boats. He didn't have a car, or motorcycle, or bicycle. He didn't even have a skateboard. There is no record that He ever owned a horse, camel, or mule. He did borrow a donkey that He rode into Jerusalem for the last time.

Health care professionals keep telling us that walking is good for us. Walking burns calories, and builds muscles. Walking is healthy. We should walk more. I used to walk our dog, Trixie, two miles a day. We both enjoyed that very much. We got to meet other people and other dogs. It was good to be outdoors in all seasons. We enjoyed seeing the ducks, and geese, and birds, and squirrels, and an occasional fox or coyote. I enjoyed spring flowers, and fall colors.

But I can't do that anymore. I can still walk to the bathroom on my own. I can move around in the house as long as I don't have to climb stairs much. I can walk out to the garage to get into the car. My wife let's me out of the car close to the door at church. We park in a handicap parking space when we go other places. Otherwise, I stay in the car while my wife goes into the store. I miss being able to walk. I miss walking with Trixie the most.

Please, never take for granted your ability to walk. Do it. Walk often. Enjoy the outdoors, and the changing of seasons. Walk while you are still able. Thank God that you can walk.

--cw

Coughing

After months of coughing, including coughing spells that would last for 30 minutes to an hour, I am finally experiencing some relief. I have not had a coughing "fit" for a week, and I have been able to talk a lot the last two days without triggering a coughing spell. I still cough some; that same old hacking cough I have had for several years. But, I am so thankful for the current relief. The coughing is what makes me most miserable.

I am still weak. It is difficult to walk and to climb stairs. But I am adapting to that new reality. The relief from coughing is a huge blessing, and I thank my Lord for allowing me this reprieve.

--cw

My Journey

July was a hard month. Beginning the first week of July I suffered a severe decline in my condition. I felt like I was getting worse every day. That seemed to level off the second week of August. I am much weaker now, and climbing stairs is very difficult. I walk slowly, and I am not very steady. July was a month of bad coughing spells every day. The coughing has settled down some now, but is still worse than it used to be.

My pulmonary doctor appointment was today. Breathing test results were worse than 2 months ago, but I expected that. There was some good news. My doctor has concluded that the Cytoxan is not helping me, so I will stop that now. There are no more meds to try. I will be on Prednisone for my remaining days. It is the only thing that has helped the coughing.

From early in my illness, I realized that God wanted people to know what a trip like this means to a man of faith. That has been my assignment. Over the course of the last year and a half, I have tried to share my thoughts about my journey on the path that the Lord set out for me. I wanted people to know more about God, and what He has done for us, and what He expects of us. I wanted people to know that Jesus is the only way into the presence of God, and He is the only means of redemption. Apart from Jesus, we are lost souls.

I wanted people to think about ministry to the sick and the elderly. The Bible says that Christians have a responsibility to one another. We need to learn how to minister to others. I have tried to communicate the Gospel in as many ways as I can; to give examples of how others can share the Gospel. Christians need to learn how to study the Bible, and how to share their faith.

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you" (I Peter 3:15).

During my Christian life, I have tried to be a good Bible teacher, "accurately handling the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). I have wanted to be a workman approved by God. I have wanted to be diligent in the work, to do the best I can. I trust in God's promise that His Word will not return to Him "empty" (Isaiah 55:11).

I am thankful for all of your faithful prayers for me and my family as we have been traveling together through this dark valley. I ask you to look to Jesus for all your needs. Do not take Him for granted. Cherish the Word of God. Encourage one another. Love one another. Pray in faith.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all" (II Thessalonians 3:18).

--cw

I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

(by Chris Tomlin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf7t3P9ISrE

Transitions

Life is a lot about transitions. We learn and we grow. What was new becomes old. Life circumstances change. My life changed dramatically in January of 2009. That's when I learned that I have pulmonary fibrosis. The disease tends to follow a pattern of relative stability followed by a sharp decline. Then a period of stability, and then decline. During the more stable periods, the disease seems to progress slowly. The sharp declines are rapid and severe.

My first decline was in January and February of last year. That's how I found out that I have the disease. My second decline started the first week of July. July was a hard month. I was getting worse every day. My condition is way worse than it was two months ago. After a severe decline, that is the quality of life you have remaining. You can't go back to where you were. You have a new reality that you need to adjust to. It just keeps getting harder to live with it.

A used hospital bed was donated to us today by a lady who was looking for a good home for it. After we are finished with it, we will find another good home for it. We are beginning the process to transition my living space to the family room on the ground floor. Last year we remodeled the bathroom down here, and added a shower. My computer is here already. As long as I can still climb the stairs, I will use the hospital bed for naps. At some point I will not be able to do the stairs, and I will have to be confined to my family room space. For now, the bed in the family room will make it possible for me to not have to go up and down stairs during the day.

While we were in Kansas for my mother's funeral, we ordered the headstone for my grave. I want to get as much stuff done as I can now, so my family won't have to deal with it all at the last minute. I have planned my memorial services, and my family knows those details. We are going to write my obituary soon. I want to minimize the amount of things they will have to do when I depart.

I am thankful to my Lord for many things. I am thankful that I have enjoyed good health most of my life. I am thankful that the Lord has given me a year and a half to help my family prepare for my departure. I am thankful that Jesus is preparing a place for me so I can be with Him, and enjoy the blessings of His grace (John 14:2-3).

I've had a good run. Life has been good for me and my family. Now I look forward to finishing the race. I pray to be steadfast and faithful all the way to the finish line.

--cw

About My Mother

Yes, it saddens me that Mom is no longer with us. But we have not "lost" her. I know she lives on, and is enjoying the riches of her salvation in Christ. On Easter morning 1968, Mom decided to receive Jesus as her Savior. It was during a sunrise service. I was the preacher. I think fourteen people made the same decision that morning.

We did not lose Mom. I expect to see her soon at the foot of our Lord's throne.

--cw

My Mother

My mother died last night. I am sad, but joyful and thankful. She has suffered enough. She celebrated her 90th birthday in February. During the last four or five years, her health has been declining. Her main problems have been Alzheimer's and osteoporosis. Five years ago this month, she fell on the sidewalk. Her right arm was broken, and she hit her head on the concrete. It seems like that fall was a turning point in terms of her memory ability.

My sister, Jan, moved back home from Utah in June of 2007 to take care of our mother. Mom has had the best quality of life that she could have, because of Jan's love and commitment to her. Otherwise Mom would have spent the last three years of her life in a nursing home. I am very thankful for that, and I applaud my sister's dedication.

--cw

Smile!

Once in awhile someone will say to me, "Smile!" Over the years my wife has often asked, "Why are you frowning?" Well, I didn't know I was frowning. For 68 years I have not spent much time thinking about my facial expressions. I don't spent much time looking into the mirror either. Photos of me don't turn out very satisfactory, because I'm not smiling. It looks more like scowling. My driver's license is exhibit number one to prove that fact. When the photographer snaps the picture, I say, "cheese". It feels like I'm smiling from ear-to-ear. But no, the smile is on the inside, not the outside. My face doesn't know. Maybe it's upside down.

It happened again this morning in church: "Smile!" These are friends who say that, and they do it in a joking-like manner. But, I still find it irritating. I want to say, "I feel bad enough without being criticized for not smiling right now." I want to say, "If you were walking my path, you might not feel like smiling all the time either." "I'm sick. I don't have to smile all the time." "What you see is what you get. Live with it!" But, I don't say those things. I just try to smile a bit, and wish it could come more naturally.

--cw

Physical Therapy

I have been going to a hospital for physical rehab since last August, after my heart surgery. For the first 6 months, I went 3 times a week. That was the maximum covered by insurance. After that I have been going twice a week on a different program that I pay a modest monthly fee for. My wife and I have now signed up to work out at our local rec center, which is only a mile from our house. The round trip to the hospital is 20 miles. For less than it has been costing me to go to the hospital, we can both work out together at the rec center. Most of the savings is in the cost of gasoline.

Today was our first day at the rec center. We spent part of our time checking out the equipment, and deciding which equipment we plan to use on a regular basis. Initially we plan to work out twice a week.

The rec center has lots of equipment, and plenty of parking spaces. In the middle of the day there are not a lot of people there so we don't have to wait for equipment, and we don't have to be in a big hurry. I am limited in how much I can do, but I need to keep trying. I think it was a good decision to make the change. It is good that we can do this together now.

--cw