Guillian Barre Awarness Month- My Experience with GBS

Published on by Sandie D2 Comments

Every now and then I will go into medical things or my medical issues. With this being May it also happens to be Guillian Barre Syndrome Awareness Month. I have the CIPD variant of Guillian Barre Syndrome. I’m not going to go into much of the medical terms and such, because it is kinda hard to understand and me to describe.

ImageWhat is Guillian Barre Syndrome ?

Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a disorder characterized by progressive symmetrical paralysis and loss of reflexes, usually beginning in the legs. The paralysis characteristically involves more than one limb (most commonly the legs), is progressive, and is usually proceeds from the end of an extremity toward the torso. Areflexia (loss of reflexes) or hyporeflexia (diminution of reflexes) may occur in the arms and legs.

What is CIPD?

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy is a immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system. It is believed that the condition is caused by immune cells attacking the exterior lining of nerve cells.

There are two types of CIDP: chronic progressive and relapsing. The chronic type is one that slowly worsens in time

When I was first diagnosed with GBS, I was 17 years old and living in Texas. I was living with my husband at the time. He was actually my boyfriend at that time.

When I first came down with GBS, it was hard to diagnose. There were many other illnesses and diseases that could mimic GBS. Here are a few of the many and probably hundreds of similar diseases;

  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Lyme Disease
  • Drug Use
  • Bells Palsy
  • Neurpothy
  • Hodgkins Disease

ImageThe first time I came down with this was in 1980. I was very healthy at the time. I would have been in my junior year in high school. Running was my favorite thing to do at the time. Cross Country, Track and Basketball was things I enjoyed participating in. I loved to just get out there and run. When I did that, everything else was behind me and I just needed to concentrate on the path ahead of me. For me being able to run and explore is what I miss the most.

When I first noticed there was a problem was when Chuck and I went to go see a movie. I was exhausted when we were at the movies. My thoughts was that I must have over exerted myself or was more tired than I thought I was. Over the next few days, my legs felt heavy and numb. Simple things like getting up or taking a shower was almost impossible. Within 3 weeks I was completely paralyzed all the way to my forehead.

Chuck and I went to a number of emergency rooms and none of them would treat me and they thought I was on drugs. They tested me each time and there was never any drugs. If I had the strength I would have popped them upside the head.  They sent me on my way and the day came when I couldn’t get up at all. Chuck came home from work. He was in the Army at Fort Hood. He had to lift me up and we went to a different ER. That was when they figured there was more going on. They did admit me and did a spinal tap and other tests. The levels of proteins and the color of my spinal fluid was almost a yellow and they knew what it was at that time, considering it is suppose to be clear.

Chuck and I were a bit worried on how we were going to pay for this. Chuck and I wasn’t married at the time. We were talking about it and planned on getting married in December, but we pushed it ahead so I can get treated at the Army Hospital. I would end up spending months in the hospital. I was overjoyed when I could open and close my eyes without them having to tape them shut since I couldn’t more any muscles on my face or body. I couldn’t lift a pencil. I should add that since I was a minor at the time, the Shriners ended up picking up the bill for everything before we got married. We didn’t know about it till we got the bill in the mail. We were very grateful when we seen ‘Paid in Full”

ImageTrying to learn how to walk, open and close my eyes, write and do those things we take for granted was long and frustrating. My Dr’s reassured me that once my muscles start coming back and the mylen sheaths on the nerves repair themselves I would have no more problems. They assured me that GBS never comes back. I found out that was far from the truth. I had 3 re occurrences. Granted the second and third time wasn’t as bad as the first.

Back in 97 or 98, we found out that mine did come back. And since I wasn’t give a treatment called Plasma Pherisis and IVIG, my nerves didn’t repair themselves. When they do nerve tests, EMG’s and other neurological tests, they say I shouldn’t even be walking. I should be in a wheel chair.

Some may wonder how I got GBS/IVIG and it all started with a flu shot. The flu shot reacted with antibodies that I carry and it wrecked havoc on my system. My body is basically fighting itself. It is seeing the good cells as bad and they are eradicating them.

Because my body fights itself, it has gone through a whole chain reaction when it comes to my health. About 8-10 years ago. Maybe even longer. I was diagnoses with Myasthenia Gravis. That’s a form of Muscular Dystrophy. I have never heard of this disease either. But it causes muscle weakness, breathing problems, and a whole host of other things. It took a long time to figure out what is what, because some of the symptoms are the same.

ImageToday or should I say my life now is far from what I would think is a normal life. But at-least I am here to share with you all what GBS is and what Myasthenia Gravis is. Guillian Barre Syndrome can also start by getting the flu, cold or other virus’s. For someone that has GBS, a simple cold could kill them or land them in the hospital for a long time and completely paralyzed. What might last for just a few days or weeks to the one that is sick, could be life threatening to someone like me. I have ended up in ICU because a child had strep throat and decided to not cover their mouths when they are coughing or sneezing.

There are so many medical things that I have because of the GBS and Myasthenia. I have malignant hypertension (240/120) for my blood pressure. It is this way because the muscles and the signals in my brain doesn’t talk to each other. I have Cheyenne Stokes Breathing for the same reason. My brain forgets to tell my lungs to breath. Which is hard to get them to do breathing… I There is also the demyelinating that is going on in the brain. That is why I forget a lot of things and nothing they can really do about it.There is also the nueropothy and numbness that most people with GBS will have and most still do.   With me, the more I exercise the weaker my muscles get. A crisis is always around the corner.  There is a whole list of things going on with me that all come from getting GBS and my body fighting itself.

ImageMy Dr’s and nurses are surprised I am still here. Actually I shouldn’t be here still. I can’t answer that because I can only say that it is a “God Thing”… I trust that God has a purpose for what I am going through. I don’t think He gave me anything. God loves all His children. He does allow things to happen and for me at-least I use those things as a way to help others. I can’t deny that there are days I feel like Job from the Bible. And I have to keep in mind that Job was rewarded and God never left him.

Then I have some that ask me how I can’t be mad at God. They have the thought that since I am a Christian and believer in God that I would be upset with Him because these things shouldn’t happen to Christians. God should protect us from all the bad. Well, things don’t work that way. Bad things happen to all people. I have had moments though where I have to have a discussion with Him and ask him to give me a breather for a bit.

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My favorite Bible Verse and the one that gives me the most hope is, “God is our refuge and strength and ever present in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1″. When I read this and recite it, I know without a doubt that God is always with me. Even on my worse days and I want to throw my hands in the air, I know he is there.

I think about all the hundreds and thousands of children dying from cancer. Their life just began and they are going to be returning to God. I don’t understand why these things have to happen, but they do. And it isn’t putting them through it. But He is there.

In closing and i know you all must be tired of this long winded post. I just want to say that I wouldn’t change anything. Because of my illness and all of my experiences, I get a chance to talk to others and tell them that it is OK. I get to meet people I never would have been able too. Also because of my allergies and medical problems, I could never get involved in partying or drinking. I enjoy sharing my experience with those who have GBS or Myasthenia.

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The group I belong to on Facebook has many that are just getting diagnosed and they feel like things are hopeless. And I am here to say nothing is hopeless if you have God and you are breathing. Just take one step at a time and reply on Christ alone. He will pull ya through anything.

If you or someone you knows has GBS or other things I mentioned in this post. I am part of a couple of groups on Facebook that have others that have or have GBS. You will find GBS and other auto immune diseases affects everyone differently. Just because I had the problems I have and the residuals, doesn’t mean that everyone will have them. Anyone is free to comment, share their experience or ask questions. I have no problem sharing my experience and I don’t very often because of how complicated it is and not many would understand even if they are told. These groups are also great for the caregivers and those mourning the loss of a loved one due to GBS.

If you want to read more about a few of the things I mentioned, I did provide the links below;

It’s Time to Do Something!

Published on by Sandie D2 Comments

ImageI was watching a video on Facebook about this guy who is helping a homeless man get on his feet. He gave him a winning lottery ticket and has helped him get into a home of his own instead of living on the streets.

There is a song by Matthew West that really speaks to my heart and the need to reach out to those who need help. It talks about how we expect others to help and why is it that we don’t think we may be the ones called to help. I would love to show this video by Matthew West at church. Here is the video… Please watch it…

As I was watching these videos, I can’t help but think there is more that can be done to help the homeless. There should be no homeless people in the United States. I find it aggravating that we are sending money over to all the other countries when we should be helping our own people.  I have no problem helping people from other countries, but there comes a time when we need to help those around us. I don’t think our government should be sending billions of dollars to these countries. If individuals want to help others and support others, then that is their choice.  We are told to help others in the Bible. are we really helping or are we hindering.

There are homes that are boarded up and abandoned. Why can’t these homeless people live in them instead of them being boarded up. It would solve a the problem of the properties being abandoned and vandalized. Even some of these empty malls from all over the country could be used to house people. Instead they are being left to corrode.

ImageIn the state of Michigan there are thousands of homes boarded up and I’m sure many people would be happy to live in those houses and maintain them as they search for work and get on their feet.

There were homes a few years ago in Victorville California that has a whole community of homes that was never sold and lived in. The banks decided it was better to tear them down then to try to sell them. It upsets me that these homes can be used to help families who are in need.

Even here in St. George, there are homes that are sitting empty which could be used. I wonder if there is a mindset that if people are homeless, they must be worth nothing or into drugs. Granted that may be the case sometimes, but not always. Many people loose their homes because they loose their jobs and can’t afford to live off of minimum wage.

ImageI have noticed that many that are homeless have mental health problems. They should be helped not turned away. It’s really sad when I drive past Dixie Care and Share and see all the homeless people out there. They have to leave the facility around 6 am and not come back till evening. Even if they are sick or have children, they are on the streets.

I brought up a long time ago that we should be helping them. Our church is downtown and I could never understand why it is other people’s responsibility to help the homeless. Why couldn’t we allow them to come in out of the weather and get cooled off or warmed up depending on the time of the year. I was told by a few people that it would cause problems if churches did this. And the reason why is because they would be bringing drugs in and they weren’t clean. This isn’t from the people at my church now, but in general others have said that we can’t do that. Well, Why not???

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This is Matthew West- He sings Do Something…

So basically some people think that we should be making a difference and being kind to one another, but only if they don’t stink and live in a home. I have had it on my heart though to go hand out bottles of water and sandwiches to the homeless around town. My friend Lisa and I talked about it and I think it is something I need to pursue. Hopefully I can get others to do it too.

I feel horrible for them when they are just sitting out side in the heat of the summer and not have shelter from the heat. Maybe it’s just me, but I think something has to happen on a personal level. There is this song that speaks about how people need help and someone needs to do something. Well, that somebody can be me and anyone else. Why do we have to wait for someone else to help the homeless when we can help them. Everyone has the ability to help someone in need.

God Doesn’t Fit in Our Box !

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

The Bible – There are some things that make no sense to me. Now, granted it may be a me thing for the most part and I’m making more out of it then I need to should be.

I often get into conversations about why is it that I can believe there is a God. Some people think that is foolish in believing there is a God that created the world. I guess they would prefer to think they come from monkeys and baboons. I will let them think that if they want to believe that, but to me that is just foolishness on so many levels.

ImageThen others that may believe there is a God wants to fit Him into their little box. And that makes no sense to me how God can fit into a box.

It seems to me that there are an awful lot of people who want to have God conform to their way of thinking and can justify just about anything. I got thinking about this when I was reading about how two pastors got married and is now divorcing. There are many things going on in and around us that makes me scratch my head and wonder what the heck the problem is. And I guess it is as simple as people conforming to this world and not God’s Will. Maybe not that simple, but it’s the only thing I can think of.

Even though there are those who don’t believe in God, so they don’t worry about keeping God in a little box and trying to get Him to do what they want Him to do or to justify their own actions and deeds. Since I am a believer in God and that Christ died for my sins, I just think it is sad that people can’t or won’t know what it is like to be loved unconditionally and to know without a doubt where they would spend eternity. They just believe this life is it and nothing more. So sad!

ImageIn Romans 12:2 (NIV) it says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Not conforming to the world isn’t the easiest things to do since we are borne and raised in the world. There are pressures from those in the world for us to conform to the ways of the world. I find this difficult to understand when it is Christians and are teaching those in their congregations that everything is OK in the name of Love and unity. I think that is a bunch of hogwash and should not be going on in any church that claims it is a church following Biblical principals.

I know for myself, I am a control freak big time and I have a hard time giving God my 100%. But then when I don’t, things backfire big time. And there are times I just want to hold my finger up and say “just a minute, I have this”, when I don’t have it at all. In Matthew 10:39 it says, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

When I get my thoughts going and want to do something, I have to keep myself in check and make sure what my motivation really is. This would be when I have to ask the Holy Spirit and to listen. The Holy Spirit isn’t going to lead us astray. Our hearts and minds can do that on it’s on and I have found for myself at-least, that I can’t trust my heart and mind when it comes to certain things. Plus I know that the Holy Spirit won’t try to stroke my ego so I can have all the warm fuzzy feelings you want to have. More times than not, it tells me what I don’t want to hear or admit to.

I also can’t help but wonder what the motivation is when church leaders, pastors, elders, deacons or whoever says or does things so they don’t have to stir the pot. Who are they trying to impress? I don’t think God would be impressed over showy stuff and giving into the ways of the world because they want to increase numbers at church or the bankroll.

ImageI’m not exactly sure of what my main point is here with this post. But I do know that God is the only one in control. It isn’t the pastors or church leaders. They are going to be held accountable too and I cringe when I think of how it will be for those who led His sheep astray because they didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Shoot, they can hurt my feelings if I am doing something I need to change or that is getting in the way of my relationship with Christ. There are some pastors or TV evangelists that reminds me of a peacock. They seem very pretty and they are pleasing to look at. Eventually the noises come out of their mouths and they are loud and annoying. They demand your attention or they get even louder and they strut their stuff for all to see.

I’m happy to see that our pastor and past pastors weren’t that way. Well there was one, but he was not the smartest cookie in the jar to say the least. Pastor Ray isn’t about keeping up appearances or having to be the “look at me” kind of peacock. Which I’m very happy over that, because I’m not looking for another church since they are like family to me.

God knows what He is doing and more than likely isn’t impressed when we try to manipulate or want him to do things our way. God is the only God and when we are told in the Ten Commandments that we aren’t to worship any other god before Him, I think I will not do that. He is a loving God, but one that doesn’t like to be told to do things because we want Him to.

ImageI do want to leave this final thought. In the beginning I said how the Bible confuses me at times. Well a lot of times. I also know that even if I don’t understand everything in it, God does. Some things aren’t things I need to believe. I just have to have faith and know that it is what it is. I’m pretty sure that when I am dead to this world and with God, those things won’t matter anyhow. I will be in His presence, so there is no need to know about dinosaurs, time and all that other stuff.

 

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

Pastor Joe has a blog that I just started to follow… I enjoy his blog and the truths in it.

Pastor Joe Quatrone, Jr.'s avatarJoe Quatrone, Jr.

Question: “As I debatjesus deathe Christian theology with my Muslim friends, the issue of the cross and the atonement always seems to be a sticking point.  From their perspective they ask, ‘Why can’t Allah just unilaterally forgive my sins and cut out the middle man?’  So the question is, ‘Why did Jesus have to die?”

Answer: Muslims use much of the same terminology that appears in the Bible: sin, salvation, heaven, hell, law, and punishment.  What is missing from their lexicon, however, is the word “savior.”  The Muslim does not believe he needs a savior because he believes he alone must atone for his sin by his works.  Islam teaches that man is born sinless and, therefore, does not have a sin nature from which he needs to be saved.  His sinlessness was corrupted by external influences and can, therefore, be ‘cleaned up’ by works and efforts that please Allah. …

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A Tangled Web – Sarah, Abraham and Hagar

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I’m just now watching the Bible Series on Netflix. I’m on the first part of The Bible. And I am confused somewhat.

ImageWhen Sarah thought that she was barren and couldn’t give Abraham a child. She had Abraham go be with Hagar. They had a son together named Ismael.

In Genesis 16:3 it does say that Sarai (Sarah) Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife

After Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, Abraham moved his camp away from the city , and went to live near a place called Gerar. And finally , the child whom God had promised to Abraham and Sarah, his wife, was born, when Abraham, his father, was a very old man. Abraham and Sarah was very happy when Issac was born.

Sarah was having a bit of an attitude I would say and told Abraham that she doesn’t want to have Ishmael growing up with their son Isaac. Ishmael at the time would have been around 13 yrs old. She told Abraham to send Hagar and her boy away and said they are a trouble to her.

So I can’t help but wonder how she could be angry with Abraham since he did as he was instructed to do from Sarah. And I understand that God has everything under control. But right now, I am thinking that Sarah is more than a bit jealous and not nice at all. She brought this all on herself. What was she thinking would happen if she told her husband to go be with another women. I live in Utah and there is a lot of polygamists here. That sounds like what would happen here. She can’t have it both ways… But who am I to say? God did tell Abraham to listen to Sarah. But I think if I was Hagar, I would be a bit bent… Good thing I didn’t live during this time period. I might have been stoned to death by someone.

(c) York Museums Trust; Supplied by The Public Catalogue FoundationAbraham sent Hagar and her boy away, expecting them to go back to the land of Egypt, from which Hagar had come. He gave them some food for the journey, and a bottle of water to drink by the way. I know Abraham was a kind and loving person, but I can’t even begin to wonder how long in a hot dry desert would that water and food last. Eventually they ran out of water and food and was lost. In terms of today Abraham would not have been a good dad at all because you don’t send people out into the desert alone.

Of course God didn’t leave her and Ishmael. And as a mom myself, I would be pretty stressed out and worried if I was watching my child suffer like Ismail was suffering. As she was crying she heard a voice say to her.

“Hagar, what is your trouble? Do not be afraid. God has heard your cry and the cry of your child. God will take care of you both, and will make of your boy a great nation of people.”

It was the voice of an angel from heaven; and then Hagar looked, and there, close at hand, was a spring of water in the desert. How glad Hagar was as she filled the bottle with water and took it to her suffering boy under the bush!

But here is the Bible Verses that talk about Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Issac.

Genesis 21:8-14

8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”

11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring-will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”

14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.

It does go on and says what became of Ishmael. But I still don’t think that Sarah should have been so angry and jealous because she is the one who instructed Abraham to go be with Hagar in the first place.

Genesis 21:15-20

15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she[b] began to sob.

17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

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Just sitting here thinking about how things have changed since I was little.

I’m originally from a small town in Indiana called Knox and Grovertown. They are only separated by a bridge if I remember right. But back then, and it has been a long time, things were simpler.

ImageWhen we wanted to do something fun we would go outside and play. My grandparents had chickens, pigs, ducks, horses and whatever else. They lived off the land pretty much. So if we were hungry my grandparents went outside to kill either a chicken, duck and pick the veggies from the garden. They had a huge one. So we never went hungry.

Things weren’t very sanitary where my grandparents lived. We had no running water, used outhouses and walked around barefooted. They would dump whatever garbage they had in a hole, quite literally. Eventually it became a mound. We didn’t have hand sanitizer or anything to protect us for the millions of germs that had to be lurking around every corner.

What got me thinking on how things has changed is McDonald’s of all things. When we go to a restaurant, we are use to get portions that are enough to feed a number of people. My friend Lisa and I were talking about how an actual serving for an adult would be the size of a kids meal. We were satisfied and happy.

ImageNow, we are living in an up-sized world. Drinks are 44 oz or so. And many drink a number of them a day and there are unlimited refills. We have buffets where you can eat all you want and at times the belt has to be loosened. There are appetizers before meals, because many restaurants don’t want you sitting there idly and being impatient. Plus they make a lot of money off of these appetizers that are in itself a size of a meal or two. After 15 minutes of snacking, drinking and chatting with friends, here comes the main course. Which is most of the time a large serving. No wonder we are becoming larger around the waistband. We are eating enough for 4 people in one serving. Then comes the desserts. Yep, you have to have dessert. It’s UN American to not have a bowl of ice cream, pie Ala mode or cheese cake.  And the apple cobbler with ice cream at Cracker Barrel is to die for. But way big… I won’t go into the whole how much frat and calories there are in this one meal.

In my family we only had a soda once a week and we had to share a can of soda. We never had TV dinners. My dad did once in a great while for lunch, but that was it. If we were thirsty we drank water or we had Koolaid at meal times. Never at after 6 pm and we always had something for breakfast. Even if it was just toast and milk.

ImageAll of these thoughts ran through my brain as I was ordering my grandson a Kids Meal at McDonald’s. In JJ’s Kids Meal he gets 4 chicken nuggets, milk, apples and a toy.  In this picture it shows the fries too, but he doesn’t like them. He doesn’t like fries. And then the rest of us order and then I realize that we are so conditioned to bigger is better that we are all getting bigger and not better.

But this is my Epiphany for the day and it all came about because Lisa and I were talking about McDonald’s and how much a serving really is… Thank you Lisa, now I think I should be ordering Kids Meals, lol… Which may be better and a smarter choice.

Our Christmas and Easter

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This is the first year that we did our Christmas and Easter together. Overall it turned out really good and everyone seemed happy with what they received. There was way too much food and not too many left overs. Which is a good thing, lol. We did invite friends to our dinner and it was nice to see they enjoyed their meal. We always invite friends to dinner on Christmas Day, so why not now?

My daughters and their families came over after church and we all opened gifts. It was just like Christmas, but at Easter. Many of the gifts were Christ centered. Since we don’t do the whole Easter Bunny and Egg thing, they did receive little book bags filled with fun things that were all Christian oriented. I guess our family does things a bit different from most. Christmas and Easter are the most important days of all the holidays. We don’t really worry about the other ones. For me they are just too commercialized and the candy and flower shops are the ones benefiting.

We don’t really do Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines and all the others. If my husband is home we may go out. Since he is a truck driver, we just do whatever. So when I told my husband and kids, they weren’t really shocked that we will do Christmas at Easter. I don’t think that Christ would have minded. And it was nice to focus on Him instead of all the other stuff. Even though by looking at all the gifts, you would have thought we bought out the toy store, lol. Because we had our Christmas at Easter, we were able to get great deals and closeout deals on Christmas items. So I saved a bundle doing it this way and it was less stress for everyone and our pocketbooks.

 

 

Why Do We Go to Church?

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whychurchOh man! This may be one of those topics that may cause me to get on my soap box.

When I go to church, my thought isn’t on much other than going to church and listening to the Word of God. We sing songs to the Lord and we praise God. Nothing else should be more important than Worshiping God!

But that isn’t always the case for so many. It drives me bonkers that people complain about the stupidest things and forget why we are at church to begin with. Now, granted my mind can get distracted and I have my moments. But why is it that some people can’t just go to church and worship God? If they are paying attention to all the other distractions and minor things that have nothing to do with praising God, then they are not at church for the right reason. I think they should re-evaluate why they are going to church!

1399029_654614197915457_1636608812_oI have had many times when I would complain about the music, the organ which I can’t stand and other things. Then one day I guess it was God saying that I wasn’t there to worry about the stupid things that get in the way of learning more about Him. I was there for Him. And since I’m not big into the old-time hymns and love contemporary praise and worship music, I guess that kinda set wrong with me at first. Besides if I want to listen to my style of music I have the rest of the week and for an hour or so on Sundays, I can pay attention to why I really am at church.

I guess what I think is that we are very blessed to be able to worship God in a way that others can’t. Some of the missionaries our church sponsors have to hide because they will be killed. Some are living in areas that have never seen missionaries and have very little. The church they go to have no air, no doors and only a roof made of tree’s. And what get’s me is that they don’t complain about what they don’t have or if things aren’t just right. They are happy to worship God no matter where they are at. I wonder how many would stop going to church here in the states if they had to go to church like the Fowlers with Christian Missionary Fellowship do in Ethiopia!

Why we should go to church.

  • To grow in the knowledge of the Bible, God’s Word…
  • To hear the voice of God…
  • To be loved and encouraged…
  • To have fellowship with Jesus Christ…
  • To love and encourage our fellow Christians…
  • To pray for one another…
  • To promote the Gospel…
  • We sing praises to God for His goodness…
  • When we go to church faithfully, we are witnessing to others.
  • We are one in the Spirit…
  • We become closer to God…

Call me wrong or off base, but it seems to me that there are a lot of reasons to be going to church that are much more important that the trivial things that we focus on. I don’t care about what color the walls are or if there is a light coming through a window. If there is a light, maybe it is the light of God. So I say, go ahead and shine Your light.

There are more reasons for going to church and why it is so important. The main reason to go to church is that God knew how important it would be for us. That is why He commanded us to go.

The Birth and Resurrection of Christ

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

IMG_7862This Sunday is Easter Sunday. Christ rose from the dead and He IS ALIVE.

At our house we are doing things a bit differently. Not only are we celebrating the Resurrection, we are celebrating the birth of Christ. We are Celebrating Christmas and Easter this coming Sunday. Gifts are handed out, tree is decorated and we will remember why Christ came to save us and we will celebrate that He is ALIVE. I know it sounds kinda weird, but that’s OK. I will be posting pictures of all the happenings after Sundays Celebration.

Since Christ wasn’t really born on December 25th, I don’t think He will have a problem with us celebrating on Easter Sunday. You will find people and historians that believe Jesus was born either in the spring or the fall. I don’t know when He was born, but I know without a doubt that He was born. But here is my thoughts on this and one reason we are doing Christmas and Easter together. I do want to cover a little bit about why Christmas and Easter is the most important of all observances to many Christians. I can’t speak for everyone, but I think many feel this way.

When we read Luke 2:7-8 we read, 7 “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

Ok, so here are my thoughts. Shepherds would not be in the fields in December. According to Luke it would suggest that Jesus could have been born in the early summer or fall. It is very cold in Judea during the month of December.  There is a really good article on Biblelight.net that goes into a lot of details about the birth of Christ and when it could or would have been. Here is the link for that http://biblelight.net/sukkoth.htm …

risenchristFor many Christians, myself included the most important holiday on the Christian calendar is Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I think it is very important to remember that Christ died for my sins and all of mankind’s sins. Jesus was the atoning sacrifice.

We will all die physically unless Christ comes again while we are alive. Our death is not sufficient to atone for  our sins because atonement requires a perfect, spotless sacrifice.  Jesus, is the only perfect man who is blameless and without sin. He came to offer the pure, complete and everlasting sacrifice to remove, atone, and make eternal payment for our sin. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb.

The suffering and the glory of the coming Messiah was foretold in Isaiah chapters 52 and 53.  When we accept Jesus’ payment for our sin, His perfect and blameless sacrifice washes away our sin and restores our right standing with God. God’s mercy and grace provided a way for our salvation. There is nothing we can do on our own that will save us.

Only through Jesus Christ can our sins be forgiven, thus restoring our relationship with God and removing the separation caused by sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21 
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)

I just want to close this post with this thought.  it says in Romans 5:10, “For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. (NLT).”

When we accept and believe in Jesus Christ our sins are paid for, and we no longer have to die an eternal death. We receive eternal life though Jesus Christ.  And this is why Jesus had to die. And this is why we need to remember why He died for us.

Jesus Rode in on Donkey

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

Today at church my mind was wondering in a few different directions. First it is Palm Sunday.

ImagePalm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
Palm Sunday is one of the most important days in my opinion when it comes to remembering what Christ did for us on the cross. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, and marks the beginning of Holy Week, the week of events leading up to Jesus’ death

First off, one our young ladies Samantha Tommer sang a beautiful song by Nicole Norderman. This is one of my favorite Easter songs and comes in right after Ray Boltz’s “The Hammer”. I will include a link to both of these songs in case anyone wants to hear them. Today I also thought about another

After this is about the time my mind got wondering. The reason I say that is because the air conditioning wasn’t working right and it was more than warm in my opinion. Some of the older ladies may differ with me. Pastor Ray goes to turn the air down, since I he was hot too. I wasn’t focusing too much on that actually. What I was focusing on was that they turned the lights down and opened the doors to let a cool breeze come in. You may be wondering why this got my brain to wondering, which isn’t hard to do.

Right after they opened the doors and the breeze was going through I kept thinking about Jesus’s triumphant entry into our church. I was curious if maybe Jesus didn’t want to have us focus on the heat as much as He wanted us to come to church and the Holy Spirit was the gentle breeze that seemed to cool things down. I may have to relisten to his message because my thoughts were on what if Jesus were to walk through our doors or coming through them on a donkey? What if Jesus came today and that cool breeze was the beginning of His appearance at church. Or maybe the Holy Spirit wanted to remind us of the peace and His victory because of His death and His resurrection.

When Jesus rode in on a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). Way back when in Biblical times, the custom called for kings and nobles arriving in procession to ride on the back of a donkey. The donkey was a symbol of peace; those who rode upon them proclaimed peaceful intentions. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or dignitary was arriving in victory or triumph.

As church proceeded and I resigned myself to the thought that Jesus wasn’t going to come riding into the church on the back of a donkey, I realized that Christ was already there. And for me at least, the cool breeze and the doors open was a way of saying to “come on in, all is welcome and Christ is present.” Now, my guess is that many may just being thinking it was just a breeze that was cooler than they wanted it to be and they couldn’t read the words in the Bible. Maybe, just maybe God didn’t want the air conditioner to work and He wanted to be our cool breeze in a heated desert.

Links to video’s and Easter Songs…