Health Update

Thanks to all who prayed for my health situation mentioned in the previous post. My cold/flu is much better now. I still have a little head congestion, raspy voice, and an occasional cough but the chest congestion, body aches, fever, and overall 'blah' feeling are gone for the most part.

My back is also doing much better but it is probably going to take a while to completely heal. I still can't stand or sit for long periods of time but it seems to do fine if I alternate between the two. I was virtually pain free until all the coughing and sneezing (I assume that is what caused it to start hurting again). It doesn't hurt near as bad when actually moving around although bending over is still a little tricky at times.

As mentioned in the previous post, I have the name of a doctor I intend to contact if it doesn't improve dramatically soon. I'm giving it until the first of the year since I won't be in town to go to the doctor anyway.

I had this problem once before and it eventually cleared up with rest, pain medicine, and muscle relaxers (all legally prescribed of course). So, I'm hoping & praying a week of rest when we're home for Christmas will help more than anything. Losing weight wouldn't hurt either.

Until next time... grace & peace!

Prayer Request

It is nearly 2:00am and I am finally able to sit for a few minutes after dealing with nagging back/hip pain most of the day. I have the flu or a bad cold and cannot sleep because it is nearly impossible to breathe when laying down (or sitting up for that matter). So, it is kind of a double whammy going on at the moment.

The pain started over two weeks ago and had me laid up in bed for two whole days. Once I was able to get out of bed I was still unable to sit, stand, or move without much pain until last Friday night and Saturday. It had gotten much better, virtually pain free, until last night when I started coughing and sneezing.

I humbly request your prayers that I can get some relief so that I will be able to meet my responsibilities at work and with church duties. I have missed three days of work so far because of it, and possibly more depending on what the morning brings, and I hate that tremendously. Everyone is understanding and I'm pretty sure they know I wouldn't miss unless I really needed to, but I desire to be a responsible employee and not leave the company or my coworkers short handed.

I have gotten the name of a doctor I plan to contact if this situation doesn't clear up considerably in the very near future. I'm a little stubborn when it comes to going to the doctor but I know it may be for my own good. So, please pray that I can drop the prideful tough guy act.

I've rambled enough and have been sitting long enough as well. So, I'm going to go try and get some sleep. Thank you to all who will say a short prayer for me.

Who to vote for?

If you were to ask 100 Christians what criteria should be used in casting your ballot in the 2008 presidential elections you would probably get 100 different replies. Most would agree on the need to support the sanctity of human life, but it becomes less clear after that... at least from what I've been reading in the world of Christian blogs.

What do you think? is it wrong to vote for someone who basically holds the same moral values as the typical Christian although they are Mormon (Romney)? or, should we support a Baptist preacher just because he is 'one of us' (Huckabee)? Are key issues like abortion and homosexual marriage the primary litmus test for voting as a responsible Christian citizen (with other issues weighed accordingly of course)?

I'm asking a lot of questions without giving much in return. So, let me say that I'm leaning toward Huckabee as I write this. Remember, he is Chuck Approved and we share the same first names... what other reasons do I need?!

However, someone did mention Huckabee's relationship to Kenneth Copeland on a blog I read. Drats!!! I thought I found an acceptable candidate and now I learn that he should be anathematized too (Mike says with tongue firmly planted in cheek).

I'm hoping to get some helpful and godly guidance so that I will be better prepared to vote. I also want to prompt readers to carefully consider the motives behind their choice for President. I'm not so naive as to think someone is going to meet every little standard I set, unless I run personally, but I think that we need to be careful about deciding on what constitutes a deal breaker.

Let me make clear that there are many candidates on both sides that I am not considering because of their position on issues such as abortion and family issues (i.e. homosexual rights, etc.).

Your thoughts?

Association & Church Update

I posted recently about a Kentucky Baptist Convention association that removed a church for calling a pastor who came from an independent Baptist background. In an effort to get full and accurate information, I contacted the Director of Missions (DoM) directly and learned that was in fact the sole reason for their removal. Please pray for this association, its leadership, and this church.