Thankful for a Healthy Heart
Psalm 139:14 - Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it!
Several weeks ago I took my annual stress test and echocardiogram to evaluate the condition of my heart. These annual cardio check-ups are due to the fact that twelve years ago I suffered a heart attack and underwent triple bypass open heart surgery. Yes I know what you are thinking, how could such a young and physically fit guy have heart problems? Well, let's just blame it on my mom's side of the family.
For the past eleven years I have passed each of these annual exams with "flying colors." Everything was smooth sailing up until this year. Several days after this year's stress test I received a call from my cardiologist's office saying that something appeared to be abnormal with the nuclear imaging. I needed to have a heart catherization.
You have no idea what such news does to me. Although I may appear to be courageous and full of faith on the outside, I must confess that I am a huge wimp on the inside. I immediatly jumped to the worst conclusions and convinced myself that I had just a short time to live. Yes, now was the time to get my affairs in order because I was not going to live much longer. :)
Last Monday they performed the heart cath and to my surprise (and lack of faith) everything was fine. There was no need for open heart surgery, stents or any other procedure. I was going to live!
There is an amazing and miraculous part to this story. The heart catherization revealed that one of my three bypasses had collapsed. You would think that such an occurance would have caused a shortflow of blood to my heart and a potential heart attack, but that was not the case. In my doctor's words, "my heart fixed itself." The surgeon stated that other collateral veins and arteries picked up the slack for the collapsed bypass so that my heart not only did not suffer damage, but it is as strong and healthy as always. Of course you and I know that my heart did not fix itself, God fixed it! Isn't that cool?
I am so thankful that I serve an all-powerful God that has not only cured my wounded heart, but He also cleansed my sinful heart. Hallelujah what a Savior!
MY BLESSING FOR YOU
ReplyDeleteMANY YEARS AGO IN A SMALL TOWN A CHILD WAS BORN AND THIS CHILD WAS SENT BY HIS FATHER TO SAVE THOSE WHO WOULD PUT "HIM" ABOVE ALL ELSE, FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BELIEVE AND HAVE THE FAITH OF WHICH EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT. WHEN THINGS SEEM HOPELESS CALL ON "HIM" WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WELL THANK "HIM" HE MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE AND WILL MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE TO BECOME. I HAVE NOT KNOWN A LOT OF PEACE, LOVE AND JOY IN MY LIFE THEREFOR I COULD NOT SHOW THEM TO MYSELF MUCH LESS OTHERS. THIS CHILD NAMED JESUS CHANGED ALL THAT. WITH THIS DAY AND EVERYDAY THAT FOLLOWS I WILL PRAISE "HIM" FOR HE IS MY LOVER MY FRIEND MY TEACHER AND MY STRENGTH. MAY YOU LIVES BE FILLED WITH THE PEACE, LOVE, JOY AND HAPPINESS FOR THESE ARE OF GOD MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS
My favorite Pastor using my favorite Psalm!
ReplyDeleteAlso:
Your teaching on the sermon on the mount has inspired me to help others. I have used this to help many of my friends. You have given a fresh outlook to many in our church. We love you Brian .
Thank you