Albania

I must be honest, when I first met the woman who would become my wife I had to find a world map in order to determine where her home country was located. Since 1999 I have been to Albania 4 times. I have always been treated well there and have been welcomed with open arms by her family.

Every Sunday morning my wife watches CBS Sunday Morning as she is getting ready for church. This past Sunday morning they were reporting on a Jewish family who had been saved from the holocaust by being hidden in Albania. Below is the clip from that show. It points out two things, first the hospitable nature of the Albanians but also gives us a different view of Muslims. We are not that far removed from the horrific shootings at Fort Hood, and with such tragic events we, as humans, tend to label entire groups of people when one of them does something wrong. Yes there are branches of the Muslim faith that seeks to destroy all human life that does not agree with them, but these are extremists.

Following the 9/11 attacks several Muslim groups spoke up and denounced the attacks. We have the same extreme factions under the umbrella of Christianity, i.e the church form Kansas that pickets soldiers funeral and holds signs that state "God hates fags" and "Thank God for I.E.D.'s". We do not like being swept up in a prejudice view of God that is fostered because of miscreants like these. So perhaps we should not be so quick to judge, because we never know where our next helping hand might come from...

These Muslim Albanians took in these Jews, who did not believe like they did, and hid them from the Nazi's. The religious landscape of Albania has changed dramatically since the 1940's. As is mentioned in the news piece, a brutal communist dictator took over in the late 1940's and cut Albania off from the rest of the world. Churches were destroyed or turned into municipal buildings and the government became "god". The current generation is beginning to be re-introduced to God and Christianity. Pray for them, that they may get to know the God of love and mercy.

****I tried to embed the video here but it did not work. Click this link to see the video. The title is "Hiding In Plain Sight".*****

Movies

I am definitely not an avid movie watcher, we only go when Olsa really wants to or when we take a group of kids. So we rent movies occasionally and last Friday we rented Year One with Jack Black. I don't know why I constantly get drawn in by commercials, but Jack Black's movies are generally horrible and this was no exception. I do not recommend it, it's basic comedic draw was to make fun of the stories in the Bible. So 20 thumbs down from me!

On a brighter note, the group that produced Facing the Giants and Fireproof are planning another movie. I believe sometime around November 15th they will unveil their next project, I look forward to this movie!

For those of you interested, this past Saturday I stopped using my cane. This was a big step, and now I am closer to being fully recovered. The Lord has been good to me, and I thank him and praise him!

Preaching

This past Sunday I was able to preach again for the first time since my accident. I must admit it was a bit more difficult than I imagined it would be. I made it through it though. You can go here and listen to it.

Just for fun!

Last week while we were at the beach my dad received the follwoing in an email. He read it to me and since I don't like to forward stuff I thought I would post it here. A new picture is on the way, and an update on my condition is forthcoming. Pray for me as I venture into the pulpit for the first time since the accident this Sunday morning.

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE--

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM SUCH SIMPLE CREATURES.

YOUR LAST NAME STAYS PUT. THE GARAGE IS ALL YOURS. WEDDING PLANS TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. YOU CAN NEVER BE PREGNANT. YOU CAN WEAR A WHITE T-SHIRT TO A WATER PARK. YOU CAN WEAR NO SHIRT TO A WATER PARK. CAR MECHANICS TELL YOU THE TRUTH. THE WORLD IS YOUR BATHROOM. YOU NEVER HAVE TO DRIVE TO ANOTHER GAS STATION RESTROOM BECAUSE THIS ONE IS JUST TOO ICKY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP AND THINK OF WHICH WAY TO TURN A NUT ON A BOLT. SAME WORK, MORE PAY. WRINKLES ADD CHARACTER. WEDDING DRESS $5000, TUX RENTAL-$100. PEOPLE NEVER STARE AT YOUR CHEST WHEN YOU'RE TALKING TO THEM. NEW SHOES DON'T CUT, BLISTER, OR MANGLE YOUR FEET.

ONE MOOD ALL THE TIME!

PHONE CONVERSATIONS ARE OVER IN 30 SECONDS FLAT. YOU KNOW STUFF ABOUT TANKS. A FIVE DAY VACATION REQUIRES ONLY ONE SUITCASE. YOU CAN OPEN ALL YOUR OWN JARS. YOU GET EXTRA CREDIT FOR THE SLIGHTEST ACT OF THOUGHTFULNESS. IF SOMEONE FORGETS TO INVITE YOU SOMEWHERE, HE OR SHE CAN STILL BE YOUR FRIEND.

YOUR UNDERWEAR IS $8.95 FOR A THREE-PACK. THREE PAIRS OF SHOES ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH. YOU ALMOST NEVER HAVE STRAP PROBLEMS IN PUBLIC. YOU ARE UNABLE TO SEE WRINKLES IN YOUR CLOTHES. EVERYTHING ON YOUR FACE STAYS ITS ORIGINAL COLOR. THE SAME HAIRSTYLE LASTS FOR YEARS, MAYBE DECADES. YOU ONLY HAVE TO SHAVE YOUR FACE AND NECK.

YOU CAN PLAY WITH TOYS ALL YOUR LIFE. ONE WALLET AND ONE PAIR OF SHOES--ONE COLOR FOR ALL SEASONS. YOU CAN WEAR SHORTS NO MATTER HOW YOUR LEGS LOOK. YOU CAN 'DO' YOUR NAILS WITH A POCKET KNIFE. YOU HAVE FREEDOM OF CHOICE CONCERNING GROWING A MOUSTACHE.

YOU CAN DO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR 25 RELATIVES ON DECEMBER 24TH IN 25 MINUTES.

NO WONDER MEN ARE HAPPIER!

Update

Hello all,

It has been a little while since I last updated my blog here, sorry about that! We are in a period of mourning here at Central Pike and I would be remiss if I did not spend a few minutes remembering our dear sister Cindy who has gone on to her reward.

To Mark, Emily and Jeannie, we mourn with you as you walk through this period of loss. To the Lewis family and the Moore family we grieve with you as well. To us Cindy was a friend, a teacher, a Christian sister,but to you she was a loving wife, a caring mother, a wonderful sister and a beautiful daughter. Words cannot do justice to sustain you during this difficult time, and we can only hope that our actions of love and support can aid you in the coming days, weeks, months and years.

Cindy was a quiet lady, very reserved and seemingly peaceful, but that was a cover for her competitiveness when game nights came around. Cindy was highly intelligent and would eat your lunch in a game that required intelligence. One of Cindy's biggest passions was Bible Bowl. Each year she would be right in the middle of it all teaching the kids and writing questions. She even designed most of our t-shirts. She will truly be missed.

Perhaps most of all, and most importantly, Cindy loved God. Even when going through the darkest of days she did not abandon her faith, and now her faith has been realized. She and her entire family serve as examples to us. Thank you Cindy for your friendship, your love and your presence we will miss you!

Brace Free

This past Tuesday I was able to get out of my back brace, PRAISE GOD! I saw the spine doctor and the foot doctor, both were very happy with my progress and released me from any further visits unless I needed them. I am extremely happy with being out of the back brace, but my muscles in my torso all went soft during the 12 weeks I was in the brace. So it is going to take some time and work to get my stability back. I have a good therapist and he is helping me immensely.

On a sadder note, our dear sister Cindy Lewis is in the closing stages of her fight with cancer. Mark posted on Facebook that his heart is broken, and we stand right there with him. I covet your prayers for the whole family as they walk this road. A few years ago when this all started Mark and I were emailing back and forth and he told me that life without her would be unimaginable, and he quoted a line from a movie, "she completes me". Now that may seem sappy to some of you, but this is reality. So as you gather with your family tonight hold them tight, let them know how much you love them and cherish your time with them.

Please pray for them! After Mark posted Joey posted the following scripture:


"In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Cor. 15:52-57 (NIV)

New Picture

As you can tell I updated my picture. I believe this was the first day I was able to attend worship after the accident. I think it was the first week of August. I do have my turtle shell on, it is under my shirt. Getting back to my church family has been awesome, many of them/you have been amazing in you support of me during this time. Thank you for that!

11 days and I will be free of this shell. It is going to be a wonderful day! I also wanted to post some pictures of my rehab team (I hope they don't mind) at Stallworth. This has been a difficult time but the care and attention I have received from Vanderbilt has been awesome. From the nurses down to the maintenance men who helped me stay cool after they put me in this shell, everything has been great.

The guy in the green is Sheldon, he was my OT. he was a great man, a believer in Christ and constantly talked about what God was doing. The guy in red is Dave, he was one of the rehab techs, he had the task of helping me stand and hop/walk each day.

This Jenn, she was my Physical Therapist at Stallworth. She was a great motivator and did some tremendous things for me while I was there. I attribute where I am today to Sheldon and Jenn.

This is Alan, he was a PT student from TSU that was doing one of his clinical rotations at Stallworth while I was there. He was excellent as well, he worked with me daily, helping me stand and hop/walk everyday, worked with me on strengthening my upper body and motion in my legs.

The first morning that I was at Stallworth these three people came into my room determined to get me out of bed and into a wheelchair. They succeeded, and believe me it was quite a task. From day 1 they were committed to getting me mobile again. I am going to the outpatient rehab clinic at Vanderbilt. My therapist, Corey, has been great. His doing some tremendous work to get my left foot working again, and after I lose this brace he'll help me get my back, back into shape.

These are just a few of the amazing people who have helped me along the way. One person you won't see in any of the pictures is my awesome wife, Olsa. She is always taking the pictures. She hardly ever left my side during the first week and while I was in inpatient rehab she managed to do her job and stay most nights with me. Her devotion to me is truly a testament to who she is and I continually thank God for her. I know there are so many others I need to mention, my mom stayed every night that first week with Olsa in the trauma unit waiting room. My dad drove back and forth from Cookeville each day. Now that I am home my mother-in-law, Najada, tends to my every need so that Olsa can work. I appreciate the guys who built the ramps at my house, without them I would be home bound. I would try to list more, but I would leave someone out. So just know that I sincerely appreciate everything everyone has done for me and my wife during this time. Mostly I am thankful to God, through the midst of this I have been ministered to by the body of Christ in ways I could never have imagined. God was with us in that trailer, he was with us in the trauma unit, he was with us at rehab, he was with me through the blood clots, our God is faithful and always will be. All honor and glory to HIM!