The number one question people ask, which I greatly appreciate is, “how are you doing?”

The honest, raw answer is: I’m miserable! And, I’m blessed!

I’m miserable because:

• My brain is swollen and my head hurts.
• My whole body hurts like heck.
• I’m nauseated most of the time.
• I don’t sleep well.
• I feel like a burden to my family.
• I can’t drive myself anywhere.
• I can’t return phone calls, texts, emails, have appointments, etc., because I can’t keep up with it all and rest.
• And that just gets things started…

I’m blessed because:

• I am alive.
• I am making a full recovery.
• I have an amazing, incredible wife.
• I have the best kids in the world.
• I have great friends and a great support system.

My commitment is to:

• Bring God glory!
• In Psalms 106:20 it talks about how the children of Israel changed God’s glory into an idol.
• We change God’s glory into an idol when we make our story (our lives) about ourselves, and not about God’s glory!
• We do that when we are selfish during great times, and we do that when we are selfish in times of adversity.
• In neither of the above should we be more focused on our circumstances or comfort than we are on God.
• To take the time to heal for the long run, and not to feel pressured (by myself) to shortchange the healing process. There is a big difference between rehab and healing. I can set the pace of rehab (which we are rocking), but I can’t control the pace of healing.

By God’s grace, I have the opportunity to walk through this season of life! While God did not do this to me, He did, and does, share His grace with me to overcome adversity and walk in victory! While I would not wish this season on anyone, I will embrace what God is doing through it. I am doing my best to bring Him glory and count it an honor to endure it, if in the end, it serves to further His Kingdom and minister to others!

How to pray:

• Pray for God to be glorified!
• Pray for my family!
• Pray for continued healing! (which is happening)
• Pray for lives to be changed!
• Pray for Tyler B.! He is a 12 year old in our church that is on the liver transplant list. He is in PICU, on a vent, awaiting a liver. Every time I begin to feel sorry for myself, I pray for Tyler! I am blessed because this season will end soon for me and I will get to go back to everyday life!

Again, thank you for everything! For those who attend Journey, I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday! You will love my friend Pastor Herbert Cooper who will be teaching this weekend for me!