You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June 2008.
As you can see it has been awhile since I have posted. The last few weeks have been busy.
June 7, 2008, I was back on the softball field playing for our church league team. This was my second week back on the field. May 15th marked the 9 month mark from my ACL reconstruction surgery on August 15, 2007. The long awaited resting and rehabilitation was completed a month earlier. I was counting down the days till I could get back and play. I was playing a little nervous but excited to be back out with the guys on the field. Everything was going well at 3rd base picking up ground balls and throwing people out. Then, I went to my left to pick up a routine ground ball took a step to throw to first, then as I threw, I went down in pain. Same knee I had hurt last year. I thought everything was all right and kept playing. The longer I was out there I realized it was not ok. Later in the game I went down again this time I knew I was done.
I went home and told Emily I hurt my knee again. The next day was Sunday, my knee looked like a softball again just like last time. The pain was there. I ended up preaching that Sunday because my Senior Pastor was sick. How fitting I preached on Job 9, Job understanding his suffering and need for a mediator. I told the church to pray for me as I was going to the doctor on Monday. I received some advice from some of the more experienced guys in the church saying, “you need to stop, you have to take care of your knees.” Another guy said, “you don’t want to end up with two metal knees when you are older like I have.” I have taken their advice to heart. I most likely will not play softball or basketball again. It will be golf only for me.
Monday, June 9, 2008, I go to the doctor who performed my previous surgery. He was not pleased with what he saw. He saw the fluid and tested my ligament. It was not the same as it had been two months ago. He took the fluid out of my knee. I thought that would be a painful experience but it was not bad at all. He checked my ACL again, he knew it was torn. He said, “we will have to do arthroscopic surgery to take screws and ACL out and put a bone graft in your previous hole. Then, we wait six months and you can get another ACL reconstruction surgery. What news almost 15 months of recovery time. I did not eat anything that morning from being nervous about the possible news. The staff had me scheduled for my arthroscopic surgery that same day.
Monday Night, I went under the knife for a second time. He removed my torn ACL, hardware and put in my bone graft. I went home tired and in some pain. The next day and the following days I had little to no pain. Thanks for the prayers of my family and friends. I have been walking around with a limp but for the most part feel pretty good. I turned 28 on June 17th. I now understand why most athletes retire before they are 30 because of injuries. Yesterday, they took out my sutchers. I was braver than I was the last time. The nurse commented on how I was not so scared. I guess you get used to it. To my credit my last ACL surgery was the first time in my life I had been hurt.
This week I will be fitted for an ACL brace which will help keep my knee stable. It is amazing how you can walk around without an ACL. The brace will give support, so I can walk long distances and even play golf. I am glad for that.
I have a long road ahead but I know that God is faithful. He has helped me and given me strength. I appreciate your prayers.
The Doctrine Applied Chapter stuck out to me particularly the encouragement section.
We come to a full Christ
1. Full of Grace
2. Full of Truth
3. Full of Wisdom
4. Full of the Spirit
5. Full of the graces of the Spirit
6. Full of Compassion
7. Full of might
8. Lowly in heart and doesn’t despise any
I enjoyed this quote, “Grace is sometimes taken for love…the love of Christ passes knowledge. It is beyond the love of all the earth, of all creatures, even men and angels. His love prevailed with him to lay aside his glory, to leave the heavenly place, to clothe himself with flesh, to be born in a stable, to be laid in a manger, to live a poor life in the world, to take upon our sicknesses, infirmities, sins, curse, death and the wrath that was due to man.
He did this for a base, undeserving, unthankful people; yes, for a people that was at enmity with him.” Then he goes on to quote Romans 5:6-10 (Bunyan 215).
As a Youth Pastor, I was glad to hear this message. A teenage rebellion against low expectations. 1 Timothy 4:12, was a verse that I repeated as a teenager at the end of every youth group session. It has given me so much encouragement over the years.
I enjoyed hearing about teenagers that are advancing the Kingdom of God violently. They aren’t waiting till they are in college or an adult to effect change. So many times we hear about teenagers in general and how they are on a downward spiral. I do not agree with that assessment. Yes, there are teenagers who are participating in wrongful behavior. Often, we only hear the bad stories and not the good. There is a generation rising who love the Lord and want to serve Him.
The lessons are applicable of every age. The first two sections of the book go into great detail
explaining their point. The third section gives examples of those who have made a difference. The chapter on raising the bar was great. The trap of just doing your best and strategies specifically pursuing excellence not excuses. So many times we can be satisfied with doing just the minimum. Working together as a team is a great point. Sometimes we can feel like we are an island but when you find there are others who agree and want to help.
I recommend this book for all youth leaders, parents and teenagers. We have registered for the Do Hard Things conference at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland on July 26th. It should be a great time.
For more information check out here
