The Lord of the Harvest wants you/me

Hi Everyone,

You know if you’re a Christian there is so much for us to do and so little time to do it in. It’s easy to get caught up in our own little world of circumstances. I know I do, but fortunately something jolts me back to reality.

The two people at the dialysis center I have been burdened for have both taken turns for the worse. Ken, the guy who has lost his will to live, has not been back for over a week. The last time I talked to the nurse they said he was in “the hospital”. Because of privacy concerns, that often is all they can say. So, I don’t know whether he is in the hospital or what. I pray he’s in the hospital as he doesn’t know the Lord.

Another person, Joey, who sits next to me went to the hospital and got a “code blue” there. It’s surprising. He’s younger than me, thin and is pretty active, but has had a lot of problems. Please pray for him. Not sure of his salvation. Don’t think so. The way they have us placed it’s not conducing to talking to anyone.

When I first got saved we had some friends we went to church with and enjoyed many times together praising the Lord and just enjoying each others’ company. Monday we got word that one of those friends, Sherry, had taken ill and was told she only had 24 hours to live. This has saddened me much and caused me to be much in prayer for her.

I’m including an excerpt of an email one of her children sent (I think they had 7). Even though I know their hearts are heavy it was a great encouragement to read it and see how a child of God responds when it’s time for them to go home.

God bless you all.
Dan

I am so thankful that my mom is at peace about going home to heaven - she has been encouraging everyone just to stay close to God and to continue to serve him because he and he alone is faithful. It's amazing to see her. There was a nurse that worked with us the first night - her name was Karmmyndie she was the sweetest nurse - totally put up with 20+ people in a hospital room in the middle of the night - brought us a service tray full of food - she was the best. at the end of her shift she came to say goodbye to my mom and my mom just told her how grateful she was for her and the nurse started to cry and my mom pulled her close and just hugged her tight. My mom recieved some beautiful flowers from her a few hours later. my mom is just that way with people - she loves them :)

It's been amazing to see the people come through the door - everyone who she touched their lives in some little, small way. I think I've seen most of my relatives in the last 2 days. My great grandma came in to see her (my mom's grandma) and I think I lost it when she bent over to kiss my mom's cheek. My great grandma looked at me and said "I wish this was me....it's not supposed to be this way....I've lived my life - she hasn't...." Another sweet moment was when my uncle Kenny came - he's my grandpa's brother. He went over and gave my grandpa this huge bear hug and my grandpa lost it at that point...he's been so strong through all of this....

I wish I could personally thank each of you for your words of kindness and prayers right now....but from the bottom of my heart - thank you.”

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

What a privilege

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Usually that means I haven't been feeling too good, No exception here. I've been into emergency twice among other things. Didn't have to be admitted anyway. Just realized that I must have a high pain tolerance as I didn't really notice how bad it was till I went into the hospital yesterday. They gave me an anti-nausea shot and 3 shots of morphine. Boy did I feel good. And I don't mean in the funny way. Once the pain was gone, I felt great! today at church my mind was going a million miles an hour trying to absorb the message and at the same time thinking what I could do to help in the ministry. The energy level only lasted a few hours more, but it was fun while it lasted.

But that's not what I wanted to write you about today. I really wanted to talk to you about thanksgiving. I look around and see that I live in the greatest country in the earth. I was raised by the best parents, I had the best wife, and most of all I know the true and living God. And even more, He allows me to be part of His great plan.

My power level is going down, but if you need to know the God of creation read this:

Bridge to Eternal Life

Feeling sorry about yourself this week? Life is not about you.... or me. It's about God and our responsibility to bringing honor and glory to him.

In spite of me He still loves me!

Boy, how could I forget a great answer to prayer. But I did and I'm ashamed. You know Ken who I've asked you to pray about the last month or so? He has been so despondent and one of his problems has been that he has been sick to his stomach for months every day. "nothing to live for" he told me and so sick he just didn't see any hope.

At the time I told him I'd pray for him and some of you I know have been also. Well, Tues. I asked him if he was still sick to his stomach all the time like he had been for months and he said "NO"' So I'm sitting here tonight and it just hits me. "Hey we've been praying about this daily and God blesses and I didn't even acknowledge Him. I'm so sorry Lord. Forgive me for being so ungrateful. So, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm not even close. in spite of all of this, God still loves me.

Thank you Lord for answered prayer. Yahoo! what a great God!

I talked to Ken!

Dialysis went well today.  I'm starting to get the hang of the new procedure.  They gave me a prescription for a topical analgesic.  Hopefully that works because those needles are big!  Had been doing good till last night.  Lot of pain in the legs, but everything else is okay.

 

Now, the good news.  I got to talk to Ken today.  He actually seemed glad to see me (poor guy).  I was just thinking that if you felt like writing him a note of encouragement, I'd be glad to give it to him.  He's in a nursing home now since his last hospital stay and can't walk.  Says he doesn't hardly get any visitors.

 

Dummy me didn't ask if I could visit him or if there is anything he needs.  I'll ask the next time.

 

Thanks for your prayers.  You are all such an encouragement to me.  How privileged I am that God put you all in my life!

 

Good to see Jim C. the last few weeks.

 

It's all worth it

I was going along today dealing with my usual selfish problems and was reminded that life is NOT about me, but about bringing glory to God in all I do.

Since I've been sick so many people have just stepped in to pray, encourage and help out and it has taken be back many times wondering why God has been so good to me. With all the wonderful things He has shown me it really has been a privilege to be sick just to see God working. In my small way, I can see what Paul may have felt when he saw his people serving the Lord. To have a glimpse of God's glory has been such a privilege. So that's why I say that no matter what trials I go through it is all worth it.

I haven't seen Ken lately although I know he's been coming. I've been so whipped after dialysis lately that it's all I can do just to get to the car. Please pray that I'll have enough energy to see him this Sat.

Life moves on

Got through dialysis today. They are now using the fistula in my right arm. Still using smaller needles but nevertheless.... They'll use bigger needles and then once that goes well, they'll schedule me to have my catheter removed!

Right now, I'm not getting as thorough dialysis as they transition to this fistula. Once everything is switched over, there may be a chance that I won't have to go as long each time.

Enough of that.

It was good to see Bill C. at church Sunday.

Please pray for Jim P. and his dad. I know these are difficult times for them. Let him know you're praying and send a word of encouragement.

Sat. 11.03

Went to dialysis today. Not a fun day. My blood pressure has been dropping dangerously low so they have to give me dextrose (sugar) to get it up. By the time I left it was 90 over 60. Quite a bit different from the 220 over 102 I've had in the past!

I went to the doctor yesterday and got some new scrips and some adjustments to my pills I've been taking.

Had an extemely painful evening. On a scale of 1 to 10 it was an 11 or 12.

I'm thankful for your prayers. They give me great comfort and constantly amaze me for your care.

Looking forward to church tomorrow.

Thur. 11.02

Dialysis was rough today. Haven't felt too good the last few days. Going to doctor tomorrow so we'll see.

Still in the transition of moving over completely to the fistula. It kind of hurts but hopefully I'll get used to it.

I woke up at dialysis today and saw Vaughn's smiling face. It was nice to see a friend.

Please pray for my niece and her children. Her husband took his life a few days ago and left the family hanging.

Got to hear my grandson Ryan's voice today. That was great!

Love ya all and thanks so much for your prayers. They mean a lot to me.

Dan