Pastor Buddy’s Blog

The wonder world of wisdom…

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Journal,

Guess it is time to play catch up.

Thursday, May 10th, was my final chemo. Next appointment with my doctor is? Thursday, May 31st. This is? to see about my? two-year maintenance program.? I’ll have either three month or six month checkups. (Also have special treatments to help keep my strength and immune system up.)

I’ve been doing really well. Naturally? the chemo keeps you weaker than normal but I feel good all the time. The doctor seems amazed that I haven’t had any of the side issues that normally go with chemo.? There is no question that the hand of the Lord has been upon me? during? this time.

CJ and I do our walking every morning and I try to do as much physical activites as possible. (Do push ups every morning and evening.) CJ and I and sometimes Betty will do more walking.

Sometimes CJ and I will go on the hill behind Christian Challenge just to relax and meditate. Don’t know how much meditating CJ does, but he really likes to roll in the grass. (Great Danes love sun bathing.)

Also found another hobby — Betty and I’ve been picking up golf balls that? Jon has hit around the property. Got ten of them so far.? Hmmmmm.? ? ?

I’ll miss one more Sunday service then it will be time to plug back into the congregation. Can’t wait. We have some new members that I want to put a ‘hug’ on. And how I miss all the children. They are such a delight.? ? ?

This next Sunday Betty and I, along with Shana and her kids are heading for Orange Beach, Alabama, for a time of relaxation and refreshing. I’m really looking forward to that outing.

Had some special visitors with us this week. Betty’s sister, Karen and her daughter Meliheh, spent a night with us. They were on their way from D.C. to Houston.? Nathan and his family joined us along with Shana and Jeff. We broke out the instruments. I played the banjo, Nathan on the guitar, and Shana on the piano. Jeff joined in the song part. He has a really great voice.? It was such a precious time. Meliheh is getting to discover the ‘country’ side of her family.?

Last week we had another great time with my Fletcher cousins, Jerry, Jerome, and Lane.? It is such a treat to have them visit with us.? We were all raised up pretty much like brothers.They brought the fish and we furnished the drinks. Had plenty of laughter with? memories from our childhood. Nathan was able to be with us also. I’ve always wanted my kids to know my family better. Of course Andre lives right in the midst of them now. (Sharp)

It’s? been made known that as soon as I say ‘go!’ my Fletcher cousins are taking me fishing up on Cane River. They’ve been catching fish by the … (well I’d better not number them.)

Course I’ll be doing plenty of fishing with Andre. Also have some others who want me to fish with them. Would you believe I have a boat that I’ve never even put in the water. Those days are about to be over.

Finally made it out of the book of Psalms for my morning devotion. I seem to get this ‘lonesome’ feeling when I’m coming to the close of a book. You almost feel like a journey has come to an end. Psalms is so rich with portraits of Jesus and the cross.

Guess what! When I opened the book of Proverbs the wonder world of Jesus opened up with another garden of delights. I have to call Proverbs ‘the wonder world of wisdom.’ At the very beginning the Lord starts ministering to my heart.

Let me share just a bit from my recent meditations. I’ve often mentioned to our congregation the? difference between faith and wisdom, and how that? they always work hand in hand. (Sort of like power twins.)

On a simple note, faith is simply believing in and trusting in Jesus Christ. Wisdom on the other hand is learning to live by His instructions for our lives.

It has been both my faith in Jesus and the wisdom? He has given me that has brought me through the journey of lymphoma. The journey has been so refreshing in that it has brought me that much closer to the Lord. All during this time He has been ministering to my heart. What a joy to know Jesus as your own personal Lord and Savior.

Actually I began the journey of lymphoma not knowing if perhaps it was my time to? go home. But after a bit the Lord opened up my heart to understand that He has? more for me to do on this side. He was giving me? ‘wisdom for life.’

Anyway, God’s people need to understand that a walk with the Lord is not about blindness.? It is about living from the wisdom that He gives for all our situations in life. This wisdom is what gives balance to our walk of faith.? Wisdom teaches? us? how to live and how to walk.

This is why Jesus said, “Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (Luke 7:35)

How will we know if we are a child of wisdom? Listen to? what Proverbs 3:13-18 has to say about God’s wisdom for life.

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

Not a thing I can add to that.?

Ok, think I’ll? close out for now.?

Blessings,

Buddy

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