In our modern world of blogging and posting comments online about our beliefs and way of life, I have seen many cold, mean things said. All the arguments and fighting, many times just among other Christians, but who have different interpretations and doctrines. To me, this just does not seem right. The bible says we will be known by our love for one another, but so many times I do not see love in the comments posted, even among brothers.
We each have our own system of living, whether it be by faith, belief or no belief, proof or no proof, gay, straight, asexual, christian, jew, muslim, buddhist, atheist. Each of us choose what we feel is right and live that way until something changes our mind and we make a shift. Each of us should have the right to choose how we will live and what we believe, or what facts or lack thereof we accept.
I see so much fighting and arguing over all these things, but we really cannot prove anything in regard to spiritual life, God, after-life, heaven, hell and such. The thing is, no matter what we believe, which path we follow, how we relate to others who feel differently, it can all change in a moment.
Words from the doctor
My wife recently heard from her doctor about a medical condition that could possibly become a serious issue. Aortic root dilation was the term used, and until we talk with the doctor more, we seem to understand that this is, or is the beginning of an aneurysm around the base of the aorta.
Now, we have not talked in-depth with the doctor about this situation. Like a lot of doctors, she called on Friday just before going home for the weekend, leaving us to wonder what is going on. We looked up information on the internet and of course, most of it is worst case scenario. Hopefully once we can talk more about the situation we will find out it is not as bad as it could be.
It seems when you get news like this, all the other things like arguing our belief system or doctrine, trying to defend our point of view or pointing out where we think others are wrong, just seem to fade in importance. Loving, caring and being with that person becomes so much more important. Not that those things were not important before, it just seems even more so.
It would be nice if we could let these things be less important and accept others as they are without some medical situation being the thing the brings it about. Although it is typical of us humans that until something wakes us up, we go on putting our ways ahead of others.
Praying for Guidance
For my wife and me, as believers, we pray for guidance on what to do and how to proceed. We pray for health, and that things will not progress into a needed surgery. For those who see things differently, that is OK too because we all understand how we feel about those we love. All of us, no matter what, want to be loved, be happy and enjoy those people we love in our lives.
Let me say this, I honestly believe we should accept one another, no matter what life choices we make, no matter what we believe, what we accept or deny, what doctrines we follow, what denomination we belong to, what faith we follow, or if we follow none of these. We can accept one another, love each other as fellow human beings, and yet realize we do not have to agree. We can talk and learn, and treat each other with respect even though we see things differently.
I certainly appreciate each one who reads this and your concern in this situation. I know we all see things differently, but in one sense we are all the same. We all want to be loved and accepted, to be happy and healthy, and to enjoy those in our lives that we love.
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An update to this article about my wife’s condition. After talking face to face with the doctor today, we were told that this is an enlargement of the aorta, but is NOT an aneurysm! She was referred to a cardiologist so he could explain things better, but the only treatment is keeping blood pressure under control and having echocardiogram done every year to make sure the enlargement does not grow. This is great news to us. Thanks so much for the concern each of you showed.
Done with Religion 
Thank you so much. So sorry to hear of the deaths in your family. Praying for God’s strength and peace for you and your family.
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Sorry, just got to this due to two deaths in my family and being in my own bubble. Yes, my NY resolution, given to me by God Himself, is as Mary said, “do what he tells you to” (and the water will turn to wine). Sometimes dying to oneself, as Paul says we must do, is to “let go” of opinions and wait on the LORD, who will make the truth known to all. I know that because He promises that! God instructed me to let go of all blogs, except my testimonial blog (story of how I came to be born again). Let go, let go, let go. I am praying for you and your wife as soon as I, lol, stop typing!!!
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Thank you Jack for your comment. That was a good story. Doctors seems to have a good way of calling at bad times. Your story is so true, we get a call and automatically assume the worst. I wonder why that is? I guess just basic human nature. Sometimes I think doctors do this on purpose so when we actually talk with them and find out that everything is OK or not near as bad as we thought, we are so happy with them we think they are a really good doctor lol. The good thing is we can put our trust in God. My wife and I knew God was in control and whatever the outcome, we knew He would see us through. That is not to say we did not worry a little and have a lot of questions, but He did see us through and we are thankful that everything is much better than we originally thought. Thanks for your prayers.
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I’m glad for the update! Nothing beats a late Friday call from your doctor with worrisome news!
I hope you will receive this with the humor I intend … in my 30’s my thyroid went kaput. Tests traced the problem to my pituitary gland which which also was kaput. Both were tested regularly to keep an eye on things. Late one Friday, the doctor called and said there was a big change in test results; he recommended an MRI ASAP to see whether the cause was a tumor on my pituitary, which as you know, is behind your eyes, under the brain. When I told him I was leaving the next morning by train from Seattle to Denver for a week, he told me not to worry, get the MRI when I return and “enjoy your trip”.
I was OK with it until I stepped off the train in Denver and the conductor yelled to co-workers on the platform “OK, we’re on strike!” The Amtrak strike of 1989 (?) left me stranded in Denver, with a rapidly growing tumor in my head! As I searched frantically to find alternate transportation home, I was certain I could feel the tumor getting larger, pulsating even. Finally I rented a car and drove home, that’s 1300 miles, in a single day to have an MRI and what I was certain would be surgery to remove the grapefruit-sized tumor. Or so my wild imagination told me.
The MRI showed nothing.
Apparently, my pituitary just wanted to go out with a bang.
I’m SO thankful there was NO internet then to further stoke my “worst case scenario” fears. How ever you and your wife managed not to panic or go crazy is commendable! ;)
The Lord bless you both! We will certainly pray for your health and well being!
Jack (and my better half, Karen)
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Thank you. I appreciate it. Yes, we were glad to actually talk face to face with the doctor and hear things were not as bad as we first thought. The doctor also told us to stop reading the internet for medical information lol. Thanks again.
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Just read the update. That’s great news! I’m glad for you.
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Thank you Carol. We both appreciate your prayer. So true, we look to Him for help.
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Michael: I am sorry to hear about your wife’s condition and pray it isn’t as serious as it could be. My simplest prayer is: “Jesus, help!” The both of you are in my prayers.
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Thank you Susanne.
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Mike, your wife and you are in my prayers, too.
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Wonderful, my brother. I hope she smiled.
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Thanks Michael. I just gave her a big hug and she said “what was that for”. I told her it was from you guys
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Michael, so sorry to hear about your dear wife’s condition. We will be praying for her, my brother. You wrote,
“It seems when you get news like this, all the other things like arguing our belief system or doctrine, trying to defend our point of view or pointing out where we think others are wrong, just seem to fade in importance. Loving, caring and being with that person becomes so much more important. Not that those things were not important before, it just seems even more so.”
As I read this I thought of a deeper meaning to this verses…
“And if I… understand all mysteries and all knowledge… but have not love, I am nothing.” (1Cor 13:2, rsv)
Yes, my brother, I think God is trying to get our priorities straight for sure. Give her a big hug for Dorothy and I.
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And no, it was not because I think you can’t be gay and christian.
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Just wanted it to stand out to you. Guess that was silly. You wouldn’t have missed it just because it didn’t have quotes. I just didn’t want you to think I was trying to sneak something past you.
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Yea, I found that out after a quick google search. It didn’t even cross my mind that you could be trying to ‘trick’ me. I rather assumed that perhaps that had something to do with why you had heard of him.
Why the quotes on ‘christian’ gay organization, though?
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Just and FYI, Justin Lee is in a ‘christian’ gay organization. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to trick you into reading a book you may not be interested in. It was just a similar story about telling parents.
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Friendly debate, then. And, honestly, part of the “friendly” in “friendly debate” is having consideration for time and place. Which is something my family and I will certainly have to figure out for ourselves with discussing religion and atheism. What does constitute an appropriate time and place for us? It helps that we know how to assert our own boundaries, and have respect for those of others, but it’s still something we’ll have to spend some time figuring out.
I hadn’t heard of Justin Lee before. I’ll have to look into that.
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First off, you are not going to start an argument. Questions, discussion, debate is good, but I don’t argue lol. Thanks so much for your concern for my wife, I appreciate it. And your story about your parents, very good. That is the way it should be, love and acceptance even though we may disagree. So glad it went good with telling them. I don’t know if you know of Justin Lee and his book Torn, but he had a similar story about telling his parents he was gay. I just think we can all be accepted and cared about no matter what path we choose in life. I’m just so glad you told your parents and they are being loving and accepting.
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“I see so much fighting and arguing over all these things, but we really cannot prove anything in regard to spiritual life, God, after-life, heaven, hell and such.”
I disagree with you about the proof thing… but this is neither the time nor place to press the point and start an argument, or even friendly debate. I wouldn’t even bring it up, except as an acknowledgement that there are more important things.
I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s potentially serious medical issue. I hope things go well for her, for both of you.
I do actually have a great story for you about acceptance, without a serious situation needing to wake anyone up. I recently told my conservative Christian parents that I am an atheist. I was afraid to do this, because I knew they would interpret it as being told that their son will go to Hell, and I didn’t know what sort of lengths they might go to to try to bring me back to their faith. Their faith has always been very important to them. But I decided to trust them and tell them, anyway. At first, my mom couldn’t even talk to me without crying, she was so upset. And I was upset, because I didn’t want her to be hurt. But, a little while later, we had a really heart-warming conversation, about how each of us valued our relationship with the other, and neither of us wanted to lose that just because we don’t have the same beliefs. Not even when she believes it might mean that I will go to Hell. And both of my parents understand that trying to force the issue won’t help. So, we might have conversations and debates about religion, but only in the understanding of the importance to all of us to love each other and accept each other as valued family members. I feel so lucky to have such an accepting and loving family.
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