Anxiety - a Universal Human Experience

Top Twelve Scripture Texts: Number 1
Philippians 4:6-7: Anxiety


Anxiety-related conditions are the most prevalent set of psychological disorders today. Anxiety may be defined as “a subjective feeling of tension, apprehension, and worry, set off by a particular combination of cognitive, emotional, physiological, and behavioral cues. It is generally thought to differ from fear in that it is not tied to a realistic threat from the environment” (D. Simpson, “Anxiety,” in Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology, ed. David G. Benner [Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1985], p. 65).

Anxiety is a universal human experience. All of us become anxious at times. When we are anxious we feel uneasy and tend to be overly concerned about what may happen in the future—either the immediate future (perhaps today) or sometime in the days (or years) ahead.

Another definition is that anxiety is an abnormal state of worry and unease “characterized by a feeling of being powerless and unable to cope with threatening events, typically imaginary, and by physical tension, as shown by sweating, trembling, etc.” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 3rd ed. [1996], p. 62).

Not all anxiety is harmful, however. In fact, “a certain amount of tension or anxiety may be not only helpful but necessary in order to perform efficiently certain stressful tasks. For example, the mild anxiety which a confident driver experiences while traveling along a busy freeway serves a useful function. The increased tension accompanying the adrenalin flow may enhance reaction time and decision-making ability, thus helping the driver to respond more quickly to dangerous traffic situations than if he were totally relaxed” (W. G. Bixler, “Generalized Anxiety Disorder,” in Benner, ed., p. 450). It is not a bad thing to be anxious in this sense of alertness and heightened concern.


The Biblical Teaching

The words “anxiety,” “anxious,” and related words are found about one to three dozen times in the modern translations of the Bible, depending on the version. The venerable King James Version of the Bible does not contain the word at all, but translates the Hebrew and Greek words some other way, such as “care” and “careful.” Modern versions sometimes use the words “worry” and “worried.” When the Bible speaks of anxiety, it presents it as a negative factor in our lives—something harmful and out of harmony with God’s purposes for us.

Perhaps the best known scripture text on the theme of anxiety, and one of the “top twelve” Bible passages throughout my life, is Philippians 4:6-7. The apostle Paul, led by the Spirit of God, writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (New International Version).

We are commanded not to be anxious! Contrary to what is sometimes offered as the best advice for parenting, preaching, and counseling, I have found remarkable strength and comfort from the directness of the Bible’s exhortations concerning how to live: “Do this! Don’t do that! Be like this!” Even though most Christians, I suspect, find it difficult to command someone (including ourselves) directly from the strongly authoritative sections of scripture, I find that these texts, when I receive them and offer them as orders from our loving, all merciful God, give me a powerful inner strength or mind, spirit, and even body. As the adage says: “God’s commands are his enablings.” In the very exhortation itself is the power to do it, if we come to the scriptures with an openness and willingness to do whatever God requires. I remind myself of the words of Jesus: “my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:30). Because the Lord Jesus Christ gives us instructions that are only and always for our good, I attempt to step out in faith and do whatever his word says. Just a few verses later in our text we find these words: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).


A Personal Testimony

A little over four years ago I had a heart transplant. Before the surgery the doctors told me that the two greatest potential difficulties I might face during recovery would be infection and rejection. I have not had major problems with infection, but I have with rejection. In fact, my doctor told me in March, 2007, that I probably had no more than six months to live. My body was doing what it had been doing for four years—rejecting the foreign object. Even though my immune system is highly suppressed by powerful medications, my body had finally determined a way to drive out the invader. I live daily with the knowledge that my cardiac arteries are so inflamed that a serious heart attack or attacks may end or greatly change my life anytime.

Because of this condition, and because of the difficult side-effects of some of the medications I take, I have suffered from anxiety. Interestingly, I have not known until quite recently that my problem was anxiety. If you would have asked me several months ago what I felt my main non-physical difficulty was, I think I would have said discouragement and/or depression. I am still not sure how to name some moods, emotions and psychological states that I experience. I become concerned about certain health problems and daily symptoms of illness. I become concerned about pain, social activities, the passing of time, and the inability to accomplish much for eternity. I sometimes become anxious about the poor, the hungry, the oppressed and the spiritually lost.

Perhaps it is not really all that important to be able to name precisely this or that emotional/mental condition we experience. However, the more accurate we are in our thinking, the more likely we are to find the help we need. In my case, God helped me to discern that, not only was anxiety a problem for me, but anxiety about anxiety was as well. It has only been within the past several weeks that I have come to see this. I would wake up in the morning overly concerned about whether or not anxiety would be a problem for me that day! This occurred during the day as well. The Bible says that “an anxious heart weighs a person down” (Proverbs 12:25), so it is more understandable to me now to see how anxiety and discouragement are related. I am so grateful that God has helped me to name this aspect of my experience.


The Positive Side of the Text

One of the best things about Philippians 4:6-7 is that the text does not simply tell us not to be anxious. A prohibition by itself on this problem would be no real help, In fact, it would be discouraging. No one can overcome worry by simply willing it to be gone. The Bible—in keeping with the gracious character of its divine Author/Editor—gives us a positive practice to perform and then leaves us with a peace-giving promise. Instead of concentrating on overcoming anxiety, as if we must master that first, the Word says, “but in everything by prayer and petition [a specific kind of prayer for our personal needs], with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Three aspects of Paul’s positive exhortation stand out.

(1) We are to bring “everything” to God, whether it is a financial matter, a family issue, a health concern, a job problem, depression, anxiety, or even anxiety about anxiety. Don’t mention these just once to God, but again and again and again. But be sure you are living in obedience to the truth you know. God does not accept our pleading—no matter how sincere—as a substitute for obedience.


(2) Our requests are to be offered “with thanksgiving.” No matter how dismal your situation may be at the present time, never pray without also thanking God for something. For decades I have thanked God daily for three things: good health, victory, and what I call “good days.” Even though my health is shaky, I realize I have many health-related benefits, and I am thankful every day. By “victory” I refer to my personal salvation through Jesus Christ, received at the age of 19, and the victory God has given me over sin and self, which I receive anew every day. “Good days” is a way I summarize all other blessings of my life—past and present. I am grateful for my wife and children and their families, for my education, my life of serving as a pastor and teacher, material provisions, and for friends. I especially thank God for the scriptures—the written Word of God. God feeds me daily through them, encouraging me by his Spirit of wisdom, comfort and strength.


(3) The final part of our scripture text is a rich promise: “and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”(Phil. 4:7). I recommend that you study this verse and meditate on it. Try to obtain a good study Bible—ask him to provide the money if you don’t have it. The New International Version (NIV) Study Bible is a very helpful tool. Here we read that the expression “guard your hearts and your minds” is “a military concept depicting a sentry standing guard. God’s ‘protective custody’ of those who are in Christ Jesus extends to the core of their beings and to their deepest intentions.” I Peter 1:5; 5:7; and Matthew 6:25-34 are very helpful supporting scriptures on this whole theme of overcoming anxiety.

In closing, I want to offer you a glorious benediction from the Word of God, pertinent to our theme.

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 5:10-11).

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This article is one of a series of twelve blog postings—one for each month of 2008—presenting my all-time favorite Bible passages. My criterion for selecting these texts is the practical benefit/nourishment/help I have received from God through these scriptures over the four and one-half decades of my Christian life. I am who I am today because of some key people and because of the truths in these twelve scripture texts. There are many other Bible verses that could fit well in this series. The Word of God is a well-stocked gold mine of truth.

If you wish, start your own list, and share some of your stories on this blog—to help us all live well, help us all to serve others, and help us all to prepare well for the remainder of this life and for the next.

Old Year, New Year and Answered Prayer

In the late summer and fall of 2007, God used a number of factors to give me a level of stability in my overall well-being that continues to make life easier and more restful and, I trust, more glorifying to Jesus Christ.

Here is a list of ten items from the past six months—factors I believe God has orchestrated together (and is still doing so) to improve my quality of life. Many of you have been so faithful in praying for me that I feel it is necessary to report to you some answers to your prayers. Some of these items are specific, tangible details while others are in the realm of the spirit. Together they constitute a mosaic for good.

1. I was enrolled in hospice care from April 5 to November 30, and received primarily two things from this: some helpful medications and a sense of freedom from (what I saw as) an endless round of tests, procedures, doctor visits, and possible approaches to my health problems. Even though I am no longer listed in hospice, because of the level of stability I have attained (a marvelous answer to prayer in itself!), the time in hospice was the right measure at just the right time. It set me free from the medical procedures and appointments and gave me the inner peace and rest I needed.

2. After nine months of a “mystery illness” (probably a combination of a parasite and the stress generated by my condition) that put Judy in the hospital in May with “failure to thrive,” she has been recovering steadily.

3. Our church graciously allowed Judy the summer off to be home with me and to decrease her work schedule from five days a week to two-and-a-half in the fall.

4. Our computer suffered from “failure to thrive,” and we bought a new one.

5. A friend helped me start a blog on May 31st. “The Benediction Project” has been one way I have attempted to share the mercies of God with others. Thank you for checking in regularly.

6. I started a small book (100 pages) on prayer with a ministry colleague, Jane Spriggs, and we have the book nearly finished. It will be published in Manila for poor pastors and Christian workers in a number of developing nations.

7. I was able to buy a pair of badly-needed new eyeglasses.

8. In July, Judy and I celebrated forty years of marriage with an open-house at our church. In view of our health issues, this was an especially meaningful occasion.

9. The psalmist says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7). I have learned in a new way—far more experientially than cognitively—the meaning of this scripture. For me, the inner rest of soul, which includes my acceptance of physical limitations and the accompanying lack of “productivity,” is definitely a gift of God, but one which I need to continually receive, by daily acts of the will. I must also acknowledge that specific medications are a part of the total picture of inner peace, as are naps several times a day. I am not able to determine how great a part each of these plays in my condition, or how physical, spiritual, emotional, and social factors intertwine. I am simply very, very grateful.

10. This last factor needs a whole article of its own, but I will try to summarize it as briefly as possible, in a way that might be helpful to you in your personal experience of life. Basically, God enabled me to answer the question, “Why live?” It is embarrassing to admit that, since my heart transplant of November, 2003, I have struggled with the question, “Why live?” Surely I settled that issue years ago! But, even though my breathing began to improve considerably following the transplant, I experienced new difficulties from rejection and the medications to combat rejection. At times, when the pain, bodily weakness and other afflictions have been heavy upon me, I have asked myself the big question, “Why live?” I have a three fold answer which, to many of you, will seem quite simple. I know how it appears on paper: very plain and obvious. But, as some of you have discovered, I’m sure, the concepts that have radically altered and guided your life may not appear very profound to others. My threefold “key” is:
(a) Live now in the moment to honor God,
(b) Live now as an ongoing example to those whom I have influenced for good over the years,
(c) Live now to extend Christ’s reign over the earth.

I have had to accept the fact that my participation in (c) is very limited, and may one day be inseparable from (b). So I place my emphasis on (a) and (b), because all that I absolutely must do in those categories is just “be,” with the fruit of the Spirit growing through me (Galatians 5:22-23).

Now that I have sketched these ten factors that I believe have come together—through the hand of God—to change my level of health for the better, I want to ask a question: When we hear of “answers to prayer,” how much do these answers relate to circumstances and human effort? (By circumstances I am referring to visible, tangible factors in our lives.) I believe firmly that God has answered the prayers of many people for my improved health. While my condition is still a daily concern to Judy and me, the level of stabilization I have been given is such that I cannot call it mere “luck” or “coincidence.” Even though I invested significant effort in some of the factors outlined above, I still see the hand of God as the all-encompassing influence in my condition.

My answer, in brief, to the above question is: I don’t know for sure, but I believe it is biblically valid to say that the efforts of individuals and groups to change circumstances for the better are major factors in the way God “answers prayer” for those in need. A study of the life of the apostle Paul, for example, as well as other followers of Jesus in the book of Acts and elsewhere in the New Testament, reveals the inter-connection between prayer, human activity, circumstances, and the will (either directive will or permissive will) of God.

I feel somewhat awkward writing of my effort in the whole improvement process, because I see my overall change to be primarily the result of peoples’ prayers and God’s will. With embarrassment I admit that I have not wanted to live for much of the four years since the transplant. But over the past six months, with the above-mentioned changes in circumstances and thinking, and with new motivation from God, I have come to the point of willingness to live. I still struggle some days, such as today, December 29, 2007, because pain and other ailments work hard to take away my joy, but the Holy Spirit of God—the Comforter (John 14-16)—never fails to console me and renew my effort to live and serve.

May God give each of you reading this a special sense of God’s favor toward you (grace) in 2008 and the knowledge that he is always willing to answer prayers, orchestrate circumstances, and increase your hope and strength to motivate and enable you to do what you need to do.

Here is a New Year’s benediction from the great apostle Paul, and from me.

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

Four Anniversaries

This is a special blog posting because it comes at a special time of the year for me—the commemoration of four anniversaries. Within a seven-day period this month I celebrated my physical birthday, my spiritual birthday, the fourth anniversary of my heart transplant, and Thanksgiving Day.

How should I rank these in order of importance? Well, if I had never been born, nothing else would matter to me, since there would be no “me.” I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of an Italian mother and a Scottish-Irish-English-Welsh father. Like you, I had no choice in the matter.

I did have a choice in the second most important event—my spiritual birthday. I was nineteen years old, living just north of Philadelphia, when I came to God years ago on the basis of John 1:12 and John 3:3. (By “John” I am referring to the biblical book of “John”—the fourth gospel.) It was Thanksgiving Day, and while driving my car home from an appointment that morning, I prayed (with my eyes open) and cried out to God for forgiveness and mercy, and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to enter my life and give me a new heart—a spiritual transformation known in the Bible as the new birth.

I had been troubled by biblical texts that taught clearly the need for every person to trust Jesus Christ as Savior from the spiritual death and separation from God that are the natural condition of everyone born into this world. Even though I had been a religious person all my life, going to church every Sunday and even serving the church in other ways, I knew that I was not a child of God in the biblical sense of the term. I was not a true Christian. I had not had the spiritual transformation that Jesus spoke of as necessary for eternal life.

I had been spending a lot of time in the New Testament, especially the third chapter of John’s gospel. Here Jesus declared to Nicodemus, a member of the ruling religious council of Jesus’ day, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (v. 3). Nicodemus was surprised by these words, so Jesus explained to him that he was talking about a spiritual birth. First comes the physical birth, when, with the help of our mother’s amniotic fluid, we are born of water. Then, when we personally believe in and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are born of the Spirit (v. 5, 16). We are, therefore, “born of water and the Spirit.” As Jesus said, “flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (vss. 5, 6). The whole third chapter of John and the book of Acts helped me greatly in coming to Christ. After eight months of studying the New Testament and agonizing over the decision I knew I had to make, God’s Holy Spirit pulled me into his eternal kingdom on that Thanksgiving Day.

Did I have a choice in the matter? On the one hand, it seems as though I did. Of course I did! It seems foolish to even question this point. But then we read these striking words concerning Jesus: “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13). This scripture passage teaches that we become children of God through receiving Christ, but then it seems to say that our human decision was not really a factor in the new birth. The apparent contradiction is just that—an apparent one. There is no true contradiction here. Our spiritual change, being born again, is totally accomplished by God, yet it happens through the consent of our will. He is the one who changes us. He re-creates us and brings us into his kingdom by a second birth. No one else can accomplish this transformation.

However, this miraculous work of God takes place when we yield our will to his will. When we do as John 1:12 says, namely, “receive” him and “believe in his name,” God then gives us a new heart and makes us a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yes, we have a choice in the matter of our eternal destiny. But the work of regeneration or re-creation itself is all of God (Titus 3:5-7). It is not by any works or effort of our own. The remarkable gift of salvation is just that—a gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). No matter how you have lived so far in life—as a “good” person, a “bad” person, or some of each—if you have not yet personally received Christ and his gift of salvation, you are what the Bible refers to as “lost.” I urge each of you reading this blog to make this decision now. It is the most important choice you will ever make, and the consequences of this choice, whichever way you decide, are eternal.

Another recent celebration—the fourth anniversary of my heart transplant—was also a decision of God, but also of mine. When I was encouraged in the spring of 2003 to pursue the heart transplant option once again (after having been on the list for almost two years previously and then off it for a time), I wanted God to guide me and direct the whole process. But I chose to allow the doctors to prepare me for the eventuality. Someone died in November of that year, about a week before Thanksgiving, and I was given the person’s heart. The thoracic surgeons removed my badly diseased heart and implanted a new one. Eight days later, I came home from the University of Minnesota hospital, adjusting each day to my new bodily condition and way of life.

I had a choice to allow my name to be on the transplant list, and to go through with the surgery if a heart became available. Before I made the choice, however, I struggled over the cost and risk of the operation, and the probability of complications and side effects from the whole procedure and the medications I would need to take the rest of my life. The doctors told me, “When you get a heart transplant, you trade one disease for another.” I have found that to be true. The past four years have not been easy, but I believe I made the right choice.

One year ago, because my new heart was doing poorly, I was encouraged to get on the list again, to receive another transplant. I believed then, and I believe now, that I should not get on the list again. I know that the doctors do not expect my heart to last much longer, but I am leaving the whole situation in God’s hands. I have no criticism for those who would choose to receive a second heart transplant, but it does not seem to be God’s path for me. I simply do not have the peace in my heart that I should pursue that option.

The final event I celebrated during the recent seven-day span was Thanksgiving Day. In the United States this took place on November 22. Wherever you live, and whether and when your country has a special day to give thanks, I trust that you choose to be grateful. The act of expressing gratitude is life-giving and life-renewing, and I have learned, by experience, the remarkable truth of Philippians 4:6, 7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Thank you, blog friends, for reading this to the end. Please feel free to post your thoughts, and to interact with one another about the issues raised. Some of you have much to contribute to the readership, or to ask of others, and I encourage you to do so. Let us all choose to thank God for life and daily provision, and for the deep peace of mind he gives to those who receive him as Savior and Lord. May God be near to you until our next message time. God bless you always!

Thinking about Death

How does a person feel waking every morning, knowing that the end of life may come that day? In a sense, every person wakes in this condition, at least subconsciously. Any of us may die on any given day, and one day we will. But my particular health condition leaves me more open to this event happening sooner rather than later. So it is on my mind quite often.

October 5 marked six months for me in hospice care. When I was enrolled, my doctors did not expect me to live past six months. But October 5 has come and gone, and I’m still here. I wish to write and give praise to God for life, and reveal some of my thoughts and feelings about living past the hospice date.

First, I want to thank God for continuing to give me the physical stamina, psychological health and spiritual vitality to keep going. I had my heart transplant in November, 2003, and am approaching my fourth anniversary. But my body has been trying to reject the new heart all this time, and seems to be making significant progress recently. That’s why I received such a dismal prognosis in April.

The average length of stay under hospice care is ten days. Most people sign up so close to their time of death (not that they know their death will come that soon) either because they didn’t become aware of hospice until their condition was severe, or because they knew of it but considered it as equivalent to “giving up.” At any rate, ten days compared to over six months is significant, and I am grateful for God’s care.

When I speak of God’s continuing care I am not suggesting that those who live only a short time after learning they have a terminal condition are not cared for by God, but simply that I am thankful to have life. God obviously has a purpose for my earthly existence since his word says that he works all things together for good to those who love him. God’s ways are mysterious, yet I am happy to soak up the sense of his presence daily. Intimacy with God has become more real to me than anything in the “real” world.

This leads to my second reason for writing—to express some thoughts about my thoughts during these recent weeks. This is an area of life that is somewhat difficult to write about and speak about—not because I desire to keep the subject matter private (I’m fine with talking about it), but simply because I struggle to find the right words to express these somewhat mystical concepts. My wife, Judy, knows more about my thoughts in these matters than anyone except God himself. I walk around the house speaking freely to Judy, and communicating continually with the Lord (although not orally, because it depletes what physical strength I have). So, Judy and God are my constant conversation partners.

I ask myself, most of all, “When will I die?” I don’t think I really want to know, but this still seems to be my most frequent question. On some days, with my weakness and light-headedness, I feel that I may very well die that day. On other days I have a base-level of stability that suggests to me that I may live for some time yet—perhaps several months or even a year. Judy and several friends are praying for wholeness for me, and believe that God is not intending to call me home soon.

The second most frequent question that comes to me is, “How will I die?” A few months ago I started a file folder titled “Dying Process.” In it I have several items: a booklet on “Death and Living,” which “describes what takes place around us and inside us at the death of a loved one.” It seems to be aimed at the survivors, not the one dying. I have an e-mail from a relative describing some details of a friend’s dying. I have a confidential article by a man who directed a hospice facility for nine years, focusing on the mental anguish of the residents due to their war-time experiences. I have a scrap of paper on which I made a note concerning a friend’s wife who died a year ago, on which I list the three main drugs the woman was taking at the end of her life (I am now taking two of these drugs daily).

I have an article, “Picture Christ,” by Dennis Ngien, giving “Martin Luther’s advice on preparing to die” (Christianity Today, April 2007, pp. 67-69). Luther speaks of how the devil fills us with the dread of death and cultivates in us a love and concern for life. Luther’s advice for this situation is to contemplate death all the more, but to do so at the right time, which is not the time of death. Instead, says Luther, we should “invite death into our presence when it is still at a distance and not on the move”—that is, in our daily lives long before death threatens us. Conversely, says Ngien, “Luther counsels Christians to banish thoughts of death at the final hour and to use that time to meditate on life” (p. 68). As far as I know, I’m neither at the final hour nor “long before death” threatens me. I’m not sure I’d know how to “banish thoughts of death” anyway, even if I tried.

Concerning this second question, “How will I die?”, I saw the doctor’s report on this one: It will most likely be a major heart attack, either preceded by or followed by a series of lesser attacks. I read just the other day of a man visiting one of his children in India. He was walking two of his grandchildren to school when he suddenly dropped dead of a (likely) massive heart attack. I think of this kind of thing happening to me. Will I be walking, lying down, talking to someone? I don’t fear such an attack, if it would be sudden and final, but I, like others, dislike the thought of difficult times of suffering after the event.

Concerning the moment of death itself, I do not dread it, but welcome it. I long for the day of meeting with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and have no fear, even though God Almighty—Father, Son and Spirit—is infinitely holy and righteous. My inner peace and comfort is based on the forgiveness I received at the foot of the cross when I was nineteen years old. I lived in fear of death before that time, and was almost certain I would go to hell when I died. That’s how I understood God and sin, but I now rejoice very often at God’s gift of salvation through the Son.

I have many other questions to add to these two, but I need to wait for another time to consider them.

I want to send you a glorious benediction from the apostle Paul that may apply to someone in your youth, or in the prime of life, in your later years, or during your dying days. I have been studying the benedictions of scripture much these days, and I receive each one as both a pronouncement of God’s blessing on me, and a prayer or heartfelt wish for me, from God. I offer these verses to you from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, with this twofold intention in mind.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.”

Back to Life

My new glasses work well. Thank you for encouraging me to get them!

September 20, 2007

Dear Blog Friends,

It has been a while since I have written, so I want to jot down a few thoughts to you. Many of you “blog friends” I know personally, while others I’ve never met. But in every case I am thankful for your interest in either the benedictions of Scripture, being a benediction through your life, my life and ministry, or the monumental issues of God and theology in some other respect.

I had a rough time for about a week recently (Sept. 12-19), and I am very, very grateful to be back in the land of the living. I’m not sure all that was going on, but some symptoms/conditions I had were shingles, fever, vomiting, breathing problems (more than usual), dehydration, night-sweats, urinary tract infection, uncontrolled shaking, slurred speech, inability to finish sentences, dizziness, staggering like a drunk, and falling several times (once flat on my face). A doctor prescribed the wrong kind of medicine, and a very high dose of it at that, so the toxicity in my body became severe. For two days I wasn’t able to swallow my immuno-suppressant medications, even though they were supposedly keeping me alive. Some of you were praying, and Judy and I feel sure that your prayers were what pulled us through. I actually felt that the end was approaching for me (which the hospice had told us could be the case) unless God turned things around.

I am humbled and excited to be back at my desk, and to be able to continue working on Praying by the Spirit: Cries from the Heart in the Midst of Life. The book will be about 200 pages, with 100 pages in English and 100 pages of the same material translated into Tagalog (the main language of the Philippines). The orientation will be similar to my book Serving by the Spirit: Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Preaching written at a lay level but deep (I trust) in the biblical and theological foundations. The target audience is the Majority World (the billions of people not of North American/Western European background).

A good friend of ours, Jane Spriggs, is collaborating with me on the book. Jane is a 2007 Master of Divinity graduate of Bethel Seminary, and is a very capable and spiritually-minded servant of God. Because my health is so poor I literally could not be working on the project with any degree of excellence without Jane’s assistance. I am very thankful to God for her help. Working on the book has given me new vigor and a new sense of purpose. I trust that God will help us to complete the book, and that it will be used mightily as a benediction to others.

Thank you for your postings on this blog. I read and value every one even though I am seldom able to answer them.

I close by sending you a benediction from the blessed Word of God, written by Jude, the brother of Jesus:

“Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24, 25)

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.