Weston's Influence

Last month, we rec'd a patient at our Lifestyle Center from the McNeilus family. Weston is the son of Denzil's brother, Brandon. Weston was in a car accident when he was four years old. Apparently, he was left with brain damage. If there was brain damage, it wasn't to his intelligence. I can attest to that.

The boy, now a man of 20, is super intelligent, but more, he is super spiritual. A pastor Rood, from the Seventh-day Baptist church, in Dodge Center, tells me that when Weston recovered from the car accident he told of Jesus visiting him, and apparently he described the visit. The Pastor said Weston was never the same again. He was a constant witness.

Seven or so months ago, Weston contracted cancer. That is why he came to EVI. We did what we could for approximately a month. Weston and I studied the Bible together. Those were the times when he forgot his pain and became animated. Then we would talk. We became friends. It became apparent to everyone, however, that he wasn't going to make it. He went home to die. Before his death, he requested that I preach the sermon at his funeral -- a huge honor, not because I've been asked to preach, but because Weston thought that much of our friendship.

I am in Dodge Center now. I preach in two hours and twenty minutes. I will try to focus on the same themes Weston wrote about. Weston, who was deathly ill, would, without warning jump up and say, I have a writing. Somehow, he'd get these instant inspirations and run to his computer and write them down. He wasn't a great writer, but the things he wrote blew me away. They were so true, so deep, so applicable that it left me believing that God communicated thru' this dying boy. I will use Weston's writings as a springboard to my sermon this afternoon.

Tomorrow, I fly to Chattanooga where I will meet with Janet and Leasa for the OCI Retreat and board meetings. I preach tomorrow night to the OCI Princes and Dames. My sermon is prepared, but I will have little time to fix it in my brain.

News

Janet and I met with Leasa a week ago, or so. She called us to ask if I would consider staying at EVI till May 2011. It is hard, under any circumstance to say no to someone with a special and important (to them) request. What makes it a bit harder is that my wife truly believes I won't end up in Africa anyway. That may well be right if she keeps enforcing the thought in my brain. I am honestly preparing myself to go to Africa. However, God may have other plans, who knows. Stay tuned to this blog to see how this drama plays itself out.

Janet and I take a couple of hours to go swimming on Sundays lately. It is good exercise and something we can do together. We exercise in the gym afterward and then go out to eat. It makes for a pleasant day.

I spent a day getting firewood last week. I love getting firewood. It's hard on the arm I hurt five or six months ago, but so long as I can, I will do it.

That's it for now. Angie is taking in twins, Julie and her brood are playing in the snow, big time, and Antionette is telling us to make sure we bring our bathing suits to Africa. We are going swimming in lake Malawi. I've been waiting for years for that.

Garwin and Marilee McNeilus took me aside to tell me how spiritual, organize and competent my son is. Apparently, Garwin told Alan Knowles that Alan could take lessons from that guy. (Alan, more or less, trained Jason.) It's good to know that Jason takes after his good ole' . . . mom.

So much for what the Preacher has to say.

It's a Good Day!

It's been two weeks since I last posted anything. Sorry guys.

Yesterday, my lover (That's my wife, by the way) and I spent the day together. A pleasant time indeed. We swam at the recreation center for one hour, soaked in a jacuzzi, had lunch at Taco Bell, and spent the rest of the day shopping for Africa. That last part not as pleasant as the first. As Twalisa use to say, "me no".

My Inner Thoughts

I have a sense that people like an inner glimpse of a person's heart. So here is a look: I struggle with my immediate future. I've told everyone that I am transitioning out from EVI to Africa by Sept. To date, I haven't wavered, however, there are many who think it a mistake to bury myself on the Dark Continent. Markus Yaudas, OCI president, is excited about making me OCI Vice-president for Africa. Three others have talked about my going back to the OCI headquarters to work. The folks at EVI have there opinion about my staying put. These things have their influence, but not so much. My course is pretty well set. The only weak link in the chain is my dear wife. She says things that weaken my resolve, like, I really don't think you will end up in Africa. Or, I don't know that you'll thrive there. Yea, I don't know either, but I'll be glad to see the day come when it is all settled.

Our Lifestyle Session is closing on its last half week. Our guests are mostly cancer patients. Their need tears at my heart. After all, they've come to us for healing. We can't perform that for which they've come. Only God can. That's why we pray so much at EVI. Apparently, we've got eleven cancer patients coming next months, besides others (if there are others.) Eleven patients with cancer is a heavy load on my therapists. This month, most of my therapists are catching cold. They are all overworked. Nevertheless, we are blessed for having someone to serve.

Janet and I have been viewing various DVD's. One called, Healing Cancer from the Inside Out. Everyone should watch it. Another is The Future of Food. Dr. Cherne gave us one called The Fall of the Republic. In each case, each one is an exposure of the conspiracies by corporate moguls to control everything. Whether these people know what they are doing or not, they will end up destroying the little people. It's inevitable and scary.

All this stuff makes me mad. The only thing that keeps me from blowing a fuse is the fact that I believe God is in full control. He will not allow anyone to go one hair's breadth beyond what they should. I have no doubt that conspiracies are real, and on almost every level. Who will keep men from conniving? But connive as they will, God will direct the events to His end anyway. Our only hope is to "dwell in the secret place of the Most High." Ps. 91:1.

Should the American Sheep ever wake up to the governmental manipulations of their lives, there would be such a revolution as the world has never witnesses. I am afraid, however, that the people and comfortably asleep. Sleep well, poor sheep.

My faith is in God only. Will that be true when the crisis comes? It won't be if I don't meet every preparatory crisis in faith. Today, I am supported by wife, children, friends, church, government agencies and infrastructure, and society. I can buy, sell and barter. But, what happens when like Job every earthly support is cut off? DA 121. Will my supposed anchor hold? Oh, how many, even in the church, are going to meet the unexpected crisis unprepared.

I hope we can all see that when God allows us to experience a loss of any kind, it is in preparation for a time when we will lose it all. No matter, I see gain in the loss of all things. With God, every day is a good day, "tho' the earth be removed . . . Ps 46:1-

So says the Preacher to his tribe.