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A New Normal
the new normal…
As our family spends time in the hospital, waiting for Tony to receive a heart transplant, normal is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.We watch television, read, eat, our daughter does her homework and we go to bed - much like an evening at home. Tony and I have commented that at this point it is hard to imagine anything else. We feel a little suspended in time. For now, that’s a good thing.
In life we learn that there is peace in being satisfied in a situation that we cannot change. Paul said, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” But he wasn’t bragging because here is his key: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:11-13)
Now we just wait. UNOS has granted Tony extended time at Status 1A, which is top-priority on the waiting list. He is still “stable” but almost two months in the hospital on two very potent drugs is wearing on him. I am in awe of the way my outdoor hunter/rafter/climber/cowboy/adrenaline-junkie husband is facing this fight.
He is amazing and I know that he draws on the strength that comes from Christ. He has made it through many dangerous and difficult situations in his life by using talents and skills and he said that is one thing that makes this so hard. In those times, there was a level of control. This is different. When something is totally out of our control, all we have is the strength that comes through Christ.
He is amazing and I know that he draws on the strength that comes from Christ. He has made it through many dangerous and difficult situations in his life by using talents and skills and he said that is one thing that makes this so hard. In those times, there was a level of control. This is different. When something is totally out of our control, all we have is the strength that comes through Christ. So while it would be unhealthy to grow so used to this new normal that we didn’t want it to change, right now it is where we are. Waiting.
And like Paul in verse 14, we are so thankful for you. “Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.” Thank you for sticking by us, for your continued prayer and financial support and for being Jesus when we need you.
WAITING
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
(Philippians 3:20-21)
If you read the post on Heart Awareness, you know that Tony Martin is in the hospital, waiting for a heart transplant. He is currently dependent on two IV drips to keep arrhythmia at a minimum so he can’t go home until he receives a new heart.
The latest update on Tony is that there is nothing new – still waiting. He has been in the hospital for a little more than five weeks. We carefully look up “the list,” checking to see how many candidates are listed at 1A. We continually ask our team if there has been any movement (there hasn’t). As far as we know, for his blood type, Tony remains at the top of the list in this area. He doesn’t feel well but right now he is relatively stable.
I can’t help but be reminded through all of this that we are all waiting. How often do we pray like John in Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” If only I watched and waited as fervently for His coming as I have recently for Tony’s new heart.
In our wait for the heart, we continue on with life in our “new normal.” The animals get fed, the bills get paid, homework gets done. We have our dear brothers and sisters who so graciously help bear our burdens as taught in Galatians 6:2 and who eagerly wait with us. Through this, I am challenged to eagerly await for Christ’s rapture of His Church, made possible through a sacrifice far greater than organ donation, to help bear the burdens of others and to fervently spread the good news of His love.
Thank you for your prayers.
Heart Awareness
April is National Donate Life Month.
Tony has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant for two years. In that time, we have become much more aware of the need for organ donors than we ever were before. More than 3400 people in the United States are currently waiting for a heart transplant. That is a staggering and sobering number, one well worthy of public awareness campaigns teaching people the facts of organ donation.
As urgent as the need for organ donors is, and as urgent as Tony’s need is for a heart transplant, as followers of Christ, we know that there is a much more urgent need for a different kind of heart awareness. We know that there is a world in need of Jesus. That is our ultimate purpose here at EIM Ministries – to lead and help others lead people to heart awareness, a need for Jesus, a purpose in this life and knowledge of an eternity with Him to come.
If you are not a registered organ donor, you can register at Donate Life America. If you would like to know more about becoming a follower of Christ, please contact us. We would love to pray with you.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:8-9
Tony is hospitalized until transplant. We covet your prayers.
Tough Subjects – March 24, 2013
Punishment and Discipline
Does God Punish His Children?
This week we finished up our teaching on the first question of our “Tough Subjects” series. Does God punish His children?
In Scriptures, we see that while there are times that God lovingly chastises His children to bring them back to Him, there are also ways that Believers can bring punishment upon themselves. Continuing on page 15 of last week’s notes, we finished examining the seven ways that a follower of Christ can buy into the lies of the devil, creating havoc and destroying peace.
Is God the “Big Man” in the sky, ready to punish you every time you make a mistake? If all God needed to justify mankind to Himself was a bigger cattle-prod, then Christ died for nothing.
To get us to listen and repent, He will use deep conviction, the rebuke of friends, sermons, Scripture and every other means before disciplining us. However, if we continue to resist God’s Spirit of light and mercy, we are promised the rod of correction. We cannot get away with unrepentant rebellion.
- God is sculpting us into holy vessels and sometimes the process can be painful.
- But, as children of God, the punishment is earthly, not eternal.
- His chastening is based in conviction and will lead us to freedom, not the bondage of fear, guilt and shame.
To download, print or read the notes online, click here: Discipline and Punishment
To listen to the lesson, please click here:
The second half of class:
Tough Subjects – March 17, 2013
Punishment and Discipline:
Does God Punish His Children?
This week we continued our teaching on punishment and discipline, examining the question: Does God punish His children?
Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen that there are several ways that trouble comes upon a follower of Christ:
- Troubles that are just a part of living in this fallen world
- Negative things of a Satanic nature
- Punishment due to waywardness on our own part
When we speak of punishment, we also see a couple of categories. Yes, we do see in Scriptures that God does punish His children, (Please see notes and audio from 3/3/13.) not in retribution as an angry God but in order to lovingly bring us back to Him. The other punishment is that which we bring upon ourselves. To better understand this, think of a child who puts his hand on a hot stove after being told not to do so. When he burns his hand, it is not punishment from his parents but something he has brought upon himself. It is this type of punishment that we examined this week.
How does a child of God bring punishment upon himself?
We see in Scripture that there are ways that we can “give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27) This week and next, we are taking a brief look at seven ways this can happen in the life of a Believer.
The notes for this week’s lesson are continued from last week and we start on page 11.
Please click here to download or read online: Punishment and Discipline
To listen to the teaching, click here:
And for the second half of the class:
For a more detailed study of this subject, please follow the links below and check out the series Living Dangerously.
