Learning the 10 Commandments

Back when I was teaching a Sunday School class in Franklin, I discovered that most of the teenage kids could not recite the Ten Commandments or the books of the Bible. Regardless of your particular theological bent, those seemed pretty fundamental to me. So we discussed why it was that none of them knew such basic info despite being raised in church. Not only had no one ever taken the time to teach them, no one had taken the time to teach the kids how to learn and how to remember (one of my chief complaints with standard outcome-based education).

So, utilizing a standard mnemonic technique, I made up a quick way for the kids to not only memorize the commandments, but to be able to recall them backward, forward, or from the middle. Later, I used a more complex device to teach them the books of the New Testament. I recently ran into one of those kids (who is now an adult with his own kids) who said he still uses that technique instantly whenever his pastor tells him to turn to a book in the Bible.

Anyway, I told you all that back-story for a reason. On Wednesday nights we've been studying the Pentateuch -- the first five books of the Bible. And, of course, we came across the Ten Commandments. To my surprise, most of the adults in the room, while being familiar with them, did not really know the numbers and commands in order. So, I introduced them to the memory trick I had been teaching kids.

Of course, the digital recorder was running so that moment was posted on our website as part of the weekly lesson. And Phil at Reformed Voices grabbed that portion of the recording and made a YouTube video from it. That led to our being contacted by the folk at NotablePraise.com, asking if they could develop that teaching method into tools and videos for very young kids. I gave them permission to use it, with the caveat that they let me know when it was finished.

Well, this morning I got an email with a link to the site and I wanted to share it with all of you. Go have a look:

Notable Praise 10 Commandments

Now honestly, how cool is that?

If I've learned anything this past eight years, it's that we never know what's going to happen with the teaching once it's out there on the 'net. Sometimes it takes on a life of its own and goes to places we would never have expected. This is one of those times.

Thanks to Ahava for her efforts and I'm humbled to be part of their effort to teach God's word to children.

Update on mom

Thanks for all the prayers and moral support.

I just spoke with my sister and the morning tests (angiogram) have revealed that mom did not have a genuine heart attack, despite the symptoms. She does have moderate blockage in two upper arteries, which caused an A-fib. My understanding is that the blood was being forced between the two upper chambers, being hampered by the blockages, which caused the weakness and heart attack-like symptoms.

The doctor said it was "a good report." They are going to treat her with meds: blood thinners (aspirin), Lipator for her high cholesterol, and another med to regular her heart rate. Mom said she's feeling well and she will likely return home tomorrow. So, we're still planning to drive down for Thanksgiving.

Thank God for His mercy!

Prayers For My Mother

I was informed this evening that my mother suffered a heart attack last night. She's had an irregular heartbeat for a while. Apparently she's been having difficulty for the last few days and could not climb the steps in her house without becoming exhausted. Last night she knew she was in trouble. But, being the hard-headed German/English "set your jaw" sort of woman she is, she gathered her important papers and laid them out on the kitchen table (wouldn't want anyone to have to dig around for those), unlocked her front door and turned off the alarm so they wouldn't have any trouble getting in when she called 911, picked up her portable phone and sat awake all night hoping it would pass.

Well, this morning she called the doctor and was instructed to go immediately to the emergency room (I chastised her this evening and asked her why she needed to be told that). She drove herself. I mean, after all, this a 76-year-old woman who last year fell down a flight of stairs onto a concrete floor in the dark and still managed to gather her broken arm and protruding bones and climb back up to inform her brother that she needed help prior to going into shock.

Anyway, the hospital immediately took her in and her heart rate was three times the normal rate. They ran some quick tests and confirmed the heart attack. They gave her meds that brought her rate back to normal and she's resting with oxygen and heart meds. When I spoke to her this evening she was in good spirits. When I asked her why she didn't bother to inform her children, she said, "I have a good reason. It's called denial."

That's my mom. Her mom died at 92 and her grandmother died at 99. So she is convinced she still has lots of years left in her. And I hope that's true.

Those of you who know her also know that GCA could not exist in its present form had it not been for her support and generosity. One of the great joys of my life has been seeing my mother grow from relative agnosticism to a loving embrace of the teaching of God's free and sovereign grace. She is one of those people who will simply step from life into life.

So, please keep her in your prayers. After all, no matter how old you get, no one can take the place of your mother.

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.