To subscribe to this blog:

At the bottom of the website--just above the painting of St. Francis. There is an active link that says "Posts(Atom)." A new screen will pop up that says, "Subscribe to this feed using________." You will be given some options.

1. Live bookmarks. This will become an active link in the toolbar of your Internet Explorer or Firefox (whatever you use to browse the internet). Because it is in your toolbar, you can pull it down and see if Bob or I have posted a new entry. I recommend this one for blog reader beginners. It is the least complicated.

2. You can select Yahoo. This will put an active link on your Yahoo's reader page. You will need to register an account with Yahoo if you haven't already.

3. Google. Is another venue you can select to easily read various blogs through a live link. A live link works exactly like the links you can select on your MSN news page or your CNN news page.

If you don't have Yahoo or Google reader pages or if you do not read any other blogs, the active toolbar link (1.) is your best option.

To add or view comments:

Underneath every post or entry there is an active link called comments and it generally has a number in front of it. If you want to comment or read everyone else’s comments, click on it. A new screen will pop up with all comments listed in the left column. In the right hand column there is a box that you can type into--under the place it says "Leave your comment." Type your comment. Underneath the box you need to "Choose an identity." 1. You can register for your own blogger identity for free. This requires setting up an account and selecting a username and password. 2. You can choose "other". This will register the non-blogger username and website of your choice. 3. You can choose to be "anonymous" and not register any name or website. This is the easiest option. And if you would like to leave your name at the bottom of your comment Bob can read who it is from. Finally, select the orange button to "post your comment" or the blue button to "Preview" it before posting the comment.
Feel free to practice. If your practice comments get too messy, as the blog administrator, I can always clean them up for you.

Note Concerning Blog Subscription

Some of you may be reading my articles in a format other than the blog. (For example, a friend may have handed you my recent piece on needing glasses.) If you are, and you wish to subscribe to my blog, you may do so at http://bobrakestraw.blogspot.com. It's free. There is a way to register so that you will be notified by e-mail every time I post a new article. You won't need to keep checking the blog to see if I've updated it. In addition to registration information, you will find archives containing past articles of mine about my medical condition and thoughts pertaining to it. You will also find comments from other bloggers and occasional remarks I've made in reply.

Should I Buy New Glasses?

I have a problem: I need new glasses. My present trifocals are not only worn out, with the scratches and smudges that come with use, but my vision has worsened.

Ordinarily a person would have the necessary testing and get new glasses. But in my case, I’m reluctant to bother. The testing with the ophthalmologist will be quite extensive and then I will need new lenses and frames.

I am hesitant to move forward. As many of you reading this know, I am not expected to live much longer—probably not more than two months according to the doctors. I have a disease known as cardiac transplant vasculopathy, and my coronary arteries are gradually closing. There is no cure. I am becoming weaker as the days pass.

You can see my dilemma. Why bother?

I have decided to go ahead with the testing next week, however, for three reasons. One, no one but God knows for sure how long I will live. I just don’t feel as though I’ll be gone from this earth by October 5th. Two, sight is such an important sense for me, as it is for us all, that even if my remaining time on earth is brief, my quality of life will be enhanced greatly by good vision. Three, I feel as though my ministry is not yet complete, and I need better eyesight to do the things awaiting me. While I have no grandiose thoughts of future ministry accomplishments, I do hope to serve God in further ways through The Benediction Project with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength until he calls me home. Good eyesight will be a major asset.

Since I signed into hospice care on April 5, I have benefited considerably from the service. The emphasis on palliative care (seeking relief from pain and discomfort rather than a cure) and the other guidelines are well thought-out, and, while not specifically Christian-oriented, are compatible with the views of biblically-grounded Christians. I have found the nurses and other specialists who visit my home to be knowledgeable, practical, and compassionate. They are respectful of the beliefs and wishes of Judy and me, and are easy to work with.

Thank you for reading this blog. You are becoming an important constituency in my life even though there are many of you I have never met. Feel free to respond to my essays or interact with another blogger. And thank you, once more, for your many prayers and expressions of concern. Your prayers are having a significant effect on my morale, and thus on my overall well-being.

Judy and I recently observed our 40th wedding anniversary. There were times over the past year that I wondered if I’d be alive on July 22nd to celebrate the day. God was pleased, however, to grant us our wish. We are finding that, even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, our life together becomes sweeter as we cling to God and each other in Christian hope. Here is our benediction for you this month:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).