Thanks for asking

As people have been listening to last Sunday morning's message ("I Chose You Out Of The World"), they heard that I was preaching from a chair due to a back injury. I've received very kind messages and inquiries concerning my situation, so here's the story.

I've always had back trouble as a result of years hunched over drums, pianos, mixing consoles, etc. And I've had a long, mostly-beneficial relationship with chiropractors. As the years have progressed my spine has become more problematic and I have a degenerative disk in my lower lumbar (insert your own degenerate joke here). I first injured it when Megan was quite young and was asleep in the back seat of the car. I attempted to lift her by bending down over her, clutching her, and attempting to straighten up. Big error. It healed up eventually and then several Halloweens ago I was walking with Megan, my neighbor Jamie, and his young daughter Katie. We were at the back of the neighborhood and Katie was exhausted. Jamie was attempting to carry her, but it was going to be a long walk. So, I told them to stay put and I went jogging through the neighborhood to get my car. When I reached the street on the opposite side of my house, I cut through the yard and jumped the fence into my yard. Big mistake number two. When I landed, I could feel the crush of my spine.

You'd think, after those events, that I'd learn my lesson. But, being a male, I only learn the hard way. Two, or maybe three, summers ago some friends brought me a bicycle. They also let me try out their new three-wheel bike, which was very cool. When they need to put the three wheeler back in the van, I gingerly grabbed the back end and lifted. Big mistake number three. You're out.

Since then, it's been years of maintenance and carefulness. These days, the simplest things can set it off. Last year, just prior to my birthday, I kicked my pajama bottoms off. Result: three days incapacitated. Once time I stepped out of my Honda CR-V and my foot hit the concrete too hard. Same result. Last month, Tom had to preach for me because I stood up incorrectly. And last Saturday I simply bent forward in the shower to wash my leg -- a very common move for me -- and I felt it go. Then I compounded the problem by suddenly jerking myself upward because the weakness in my back made me feel like I was going to plunge headlong to the shower floor. The combination of movements left me crumpled on the floor anyway. I spent a bit of time explaining to the universe that this was not fair because I hadn't even done anything and then I realized that I had better get out of the shower and prepare a few things before the inevitable pain and paralysis set in. An hour later I was completely immobilized by the pain.

As you know from listening to the message, I also realized that my most recent episodes seemed to fall on Saturdays. So, confident that Satan had overplayed his hand, I hobbled to GCA on Sunday morning and preached anyway. Sometimes you just have to poke the devil in the eye.

Yesterday I visited my chiropractor, whom I like very much. I knew it was going to be extremely uncomfortable, but I also knew I would not heal until that vertebrae was back in place. It was tough, but he got it moved. Then I went to the doctor because of the high degree of inflammation. I am deathly allergic to synthetic anti-inflammatory meds, so I had to get a steroid shot, which has been very helpful in the past. Of course, the doc also prescribed pain pills and muscle relaxers, which I'm very cautious about using. And I was given something new to try: Lidoderm pads that are worn externally over the inflamed area to help with the pain. Today was my first day with the pads, but they seem to have helped a bit. Whereas yesterday I was in non-stop pain, today I was a bit more mobile. Thank goodness for Megan, my chauffer and care-taker.

So, tonight Tom stood in for me at GCA. And I am most grateful for his willingness and commitment. I'm glad that GCA is a strong enough church that it can continue worshiping God with or without me.

I'll leave you with this appropriate story. When I was attending the church in Franklin our pastor would occasionally take weekend speaking engagements and be out of town on Sunday mornings. One particular Sunday I was by the front door where the pastor's wife was greeting people. A visitor came through the door and she introduced herself, adding, "I'm sorry my husband is not here this morning." The visitor asked, "Yes, but is his God here?"

That's the right attitude. We gather to worship God and study His word. And He deserves His worship regardless of the trials and pains of this life. I cannot help but think of the Apostle Paul who asked God three times to remove his "thorn in the flesh," which Paul identified as "a messenger of Satan, sent to buffet me." But, God replied, "My grace is sufficient for you."

It's been a rough few days. But, God's grace is sufficient.

Thanks again for all the good words, kind comments, and prayers for a speedy recovery. I love you all very much.