Thursday; June 27

          It has been five weeks since my surgery.  Honestly, it is hard for me to comprehend what all has happened in the last thirty-five days.  I have gone from having them working inside my chest to being back at work.  During that time I have gone from looking pale to having a little bit of a tan.  I have been able to travel to Florida and speak at conference at the Gaylord Palms resort.  Several people have asked me how I am doing and my stock answer is my real answer – I am doing fine!
          As I look back over the last month there are a lot of things I don’t understand about what happened, but one thing that I believe wholeheartedly is that my progress wasn’t my own doing – it is was a gift.  I was blessed by God with a quick recovery, but that’s isn’t the only gift I received – I was blessed by prayer.  The more I learn about the past few weeks the more humbled I am by the number of people who said they offered prayer for Jeane and me.  While it was God who granted the request, I have been encouraged by the pleas on our behalf by some of our family, friends and brethren (and, most likely, even some we don’t know).  When I think back over the challenges since May 23rd I am buoyed by a very well-known passage that has taken on a whole new meaning for me, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16). 
          Thank you for your prayers and well-wishes.  I have felt your presence in my life and know that I am doing well because of your prayers and your relationship with our Lord!
          Think About It!

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