Rappin’ With Rick

I mentioned in my Sermon last Sunday that several of us attended a Sheepdog Seminar in Peoria. The seminar took a hard look at the violence that is not only in our society, but that is invading our churches as well. It explored ways that we should prepare for the possibility of armed aggression from without, and the need to protect our children from predators that often come from within.

Our shepherds and sheepdogs will be giving serious consideration to action that should be taken to keep us all safe in the near future, but for now you shouldn’t be shocked to find doors locked more than usual. We recently started locking the front doors after the service begins, and will probably begin locking even the side entrance doors after the offering has been taken. Doors will also be kept locked during the week.

The main presenter for the afternoon sessions was Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman. Not only does he instruct military and law enforcement agencies on how to handle violence, he has also written books on the relationship between violent video games and the explosion of violence in our schools and homes. We showed one of his videos nearly twenty years ago that called our attention to this problem, but now I have his latest book on the topic, Assassination Generation.

The connection between violence in the media, violent video games, and violent behavior is indisputable. Col. Grossman concludes his book by stating: “Early childhood exposure to cartoons and media violence lays a foundation for bullying and violent behavior at a young age. This, in turn, sets the stage for a society where children and adolescents immerse themselves in addictive video games that teach them how to kill, attack, and bully. In this way, media violence is a progressive problem. What starts with cartoons, movies, and television shows in the early years slides into violent video games in adolescence, causing children to sink deeper and deeper into the psychological and biological conditions that I’ve explored in these pages.”

If you aren’t controlling what your kids are watching and playing, you need to read this book.

God Bless, Rick

It’s always good to come back to below zero after a week in Florida. My nose may not actually be frost-bitten, but it’s surely growing longer! Anyway, it is good to be home.

Since I’m really not one for sitting in the sun, our hosts graciously took a break from their regular vacation schedule of relaxing around the pool, and joined us in a whirlwind of activity for a week. After driving 1250 miles in two days to get there, I talked them into driving across Alligator Alley to Key West on Saturday. We spotted 30-40 alligators, one endangered Key Deer, a lot of hurricane damage, and had the best fish dinner they had ever had. On Sunday we went to Anchor Christian Church, enjoyed a sermon by Jeff Chitwood, and made arrangements to have dinner the next day with Rocky and Deby Barron.

On Monday and Wednesday Alan and I went shooting at the Alamo while the girls sat poolside, and on Tuesday I spent $100 fishing with a guide on Lake Trafford. I caught one crappie. Not sure how much that comes to per pound. On Thursday we headed back to the Everglades and rode an airboat, saw lots of gators, and had a another great seafood dinner. On Friday Alan and Becky had a day of rest, and we drove 850 miles to Matt’s so we could celebrate Josie’s 8th birthday on Saturday.

I didn’t spend enough time poolside to read Killing the Rising Sun in the sun, but I did get the book read. Two chapters focused on the battle at Peleliu, where my dad earned a Purple Heart. Like so many WWII vets, he didn’t talk much about the war, but reading what he went through gave me a much deeper appreciation for what he endured. He often told me that God spared him in battle because He had big plans for my life. I pray my life honors my dad’s sacrifice, and my Heavenly Father’s plan.

According to another plan, I didn’t get back in time for the Super Bowl party. It’s not that I don’t enjoy fellowship, just that I don’t like games, or football. However, on the drive home, “They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired,” did somehow get into my head.

God Bless, Rick

After noting that our outer man is decaying, and reminding us that momentary light affliction is producing an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, Paul made it very clear that we walk by faith, not by sight. In spite of that, some think they know exactly what God would have them do, even in situations that are not directed by scriptural commands or principles. I have to admit that I don’t claim such insight.

After inflamed tendons in my thumb had kept me awake at nights, I was shocked to read a warning about possible tendon damage in the packaging of the antibiotic I was to take before my recent prostate biopsy. I began thinking that perhaps God had allowed the inflamed tendons to be a warning that I shouldn’t take the antibiotic, so I put off the biopsy. Until I was assured by my primary physician that he had never seen such a side-effect; and I had none.

Then, as I mentioned last week, when my biopsy revealed cancer, and I was considering various treatments, I asked my urologist what he would do if he had what I have. He shocked me by saying he would do nothing. I wrote that I hoped my question was Spirit-led, and therefore concluded that perhaps God was telling me there was no need to do anything at this time. Once again my primary physician challenged my assumption, and convinced me to let him make an appointment to see a radiation oncologist.

I’ve heard the charge that some doctors think they are God, but I know mine doesn’t. He’s a Christian, and a really good doctor, and I value his opinion. He’s not convincing me to stop listening to God, he’s just making it obvious that we do walk by faith not by sight, and I believe he is helping me discern as accurately as I can what God would have me do.

In the meantime, if the Lord wills, I’m heading for Florida. Marilyn and I are going to spend a week with a couple of friends we met through Fit Club. I’m looking forward to sight-seeing, fishing, shooting, shelling, and sitting by the pool, hopefully in the shade, reading Killing the Rising Sun.

See you after the Super Bowl.
God Bless, Rick

I’m not a big fan of rollercoasters, even figurative ones. Especially when the ups and downs are on rails of cancer. I really wasn’t afraid, but I wasn’t riding with my hands in the air either. I was hanging on tight.

First the eye doctor suggested that since she couldn’t find anything wrong in my eye that explained my recently noticed blurred and double vision, the problem might be behind my eye. I’m not an expert in anatomy, but the only thing I could think of behind my eye is my brain, and the possibility of brain cancer did cross my brain. Fortunately, and gratefully, a blood work-up, an MRI, and exams by three other doctors led to the conclusion that the problem was caused by a wrong lens that had been put in my glasses nearly a year ago!

Then it was time to follow up on a PSA that had gone from 5.5 to 7 in six months. As I noted last week, the biopsy was a piece of cake. The resulting phone call, not so much.
I was told the biopsy had tested positive for cancer, and the doctor wanted me to read a book on prostate cancer before meeting with him for consultation on how to proceed. After hearing the relatively good news that even though the cancer was on both sides of the prostate it was low grade, and having the options explained, I was weighing the pros and cons of surgery or radioactive seeds. I then asked what I hope was a Spirit-led question. I asked him what he would do if he had what I have. His answer stunned me. He said he would do nothing!

I haven’t yet talked with my family doctor, but at this point I think I’ll probably do the same. I will, however, follow up with periodic PSA’s, and if there is a radical change, I’ll obviously reconsider the options.

As I mentioned Sunday, I really do appreciate all the prayers and expressions of concern that have been shown to me. And I do ask that you continue praying, especially for discernment to know how God would have me ride out this rollercoaster.

God Bless, Rick

Reading through the Bible in a year is a challenge, but I’d never heard it compared to a prostate biopsy. Until Saturday morning. But it’s not what you might think.

Dave had dropped by to walk the dog and pick up bills, and he popped into the office to see if I had any results from my biopsy. I told him I wouldn’t know anything until next Thursday, but told him that the biopsy wasn’t anything like I had been led by some to expect. It wasn’t a picnic, but it really was a piece of cake. It didn’t hurt at all.

We went on to talk about other things, and I asked him if he was excited about an upcoming event he had told me about. He said yes, but then said what he was most excited about was reading through the Bible this year. He was loving it! He looked forward to it every morning, and had a hard time not reading ahead. He then said he had thought it was really going to be hard, but had discovered it was kind of like my biopsy. It wasn’t at all what he had thought it might be.

Some, however, have found it to be challenging. I even had someone ask me to hold them accountable because they were finding it very difficult. And I know it can be, especially when you are attempting it for the first time. Just finding time is hard if your life is already full of activities and family responsibilities. And when you are tired, it’s hard to stay focused. And then you begin to wonder if you’ll even remember what you’ve read. I won’t even mention that we have an enemy who doesn’t want us to read God’s Word.

Let me encourage everyone who has taken the challenge, to stay the course. Don’t worry about remembering, or even understanding, everything. Just read it, and trust God will implant in your heart and mind what He wants you to know. At least this time through. Next time He’ll no doubt give you something more.

Like Dave, I really look forward to reading the Bible every morning. And if you want to know what exciting new things God has already shown me in the first few days of this new year, just ask.

God Bless, Rick