This is not quite a bit of wisdom, it’s rather a medical report.
Last Thursday I developed a chest pain, took an aspirin, and went to bed, but twisted and turned and couldn’t sleep because that pain remained. So finally I said to Ruth, “I think I’ll dial 911. I may be having a heart attack.” Here comes the parade. A fire engine with crew came in and asked questions, and hooked me to an oxygen tank. They were followed immediately by a unit from Medical unit. They placed me on a stretcher and took me to the emergency room of Hermann Hospital. On the way the medic was instructed to start an IV, and I watched him with the needle, the vehicle wasn’t all that steady, and I expected some painful, moments, but he got it in the first try. Amazing.
Overnight EKGs and other stuff, and in the morning they took me for a stress test which showed some blockage. So the doctor said they needed to place a stent into that section. I replied, after some speaking with family and some prayer, “If we can do it today, fine.” Silence until a little after 4. Suddenly the nurse came in and told us the doctor would do it next. So they took me to the unit where this is done, bustled about and got me ready, and shaved me where I've never been shaved before. They gave me a drug that made me sleepy but did not put me under. The doctor started around 4:30 and ended at a little after 7. The worst part of this procedure for me was lying on that hard table for 2 and a half hours. My hips became very sore, and I wanted to relieve them a bit by raising a leg, and the hand always held me down. So after he finished he said it had been a rather difficult procedure because of where it was, but it was a success. And he told me it was already showing, because my face had more color.
So to ICU for a day, then to a regular room on Saturday night, then released on Sunday afternoon. That was the thing that tested patience. In the morning I asked the nurse if she thought I would be released. She said, your signs are all really good, but it waits on the doctor. So the doctor standing in for the surgeon looked at charts and gave her consent. Hooray. No, the other doctor who substituted for the doctor who represented my doctor needed to OK it also. He finally arrived at around 4, then another half hour for the papers to be filled out, and I was sent home.
Experience. I know the Lord’s hand was in the whole process. The nurses and staff were pleasant, friendly, knew their stuff, saw to comfort and need. Though I did accuse the head nurse that they waited till I was asleep to send in the nurses to take vital signs, blood sugar tests, and blood samples. I said it with a twinkle in my eye and she replied, “Mr. Dobberfuhl, we have this little unit that watches when you fall asleep and then we send them in”. And she said it with a twinkle in her eye, so we parted on friendly terms.
Now, do what you feel like doing. Walk, eat, sleep, just don’t overdo, and report in two weeks. So far things are going well. And I am grateful for children who came, for the prayers you are even now speaking, and for God’s continual grace and ever present mercy.
GPD 2/4/08
Monday, February 4, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/29/08
Drizzly this morning, so my walk was cut short. But that’s OK, because today is Ruth’s Birthday.
Now, instead of spending time telling you how wonderful she is, let me just fill in some recent stuff.
Last Friday friends invited us over for dinner to celebrate it early. On Saturday our daughter Rhoda and her husband came up from Houston to take us out to for birthday lunch. Sunday after Church Ruth and I had Brunch. Today we invited a friend to join us for lunch. Thursday we go out for lunch with the Senior group, and next Saturday daughter Quinta plans to come over with this in mind, “To celebrate Mom's birthday”. And for me the best part is I get included in all this!
But birthdays are surely a time to reminisce. We count all the joys and the sorrows that have come our way in our life together. We stop often to thank God for this gift, this marriage begun on a July afternoon in Trinity Lutheran Church, Freistadt, Wisconsin. Just by the way, Trinity is the oldest Lutheran Church in that State.
Nor did we have an inkling where we would be living, and serving the Kingdom. But as we look back, we see His hand always there, strengthening, comforting, encouraging, urging us to finish the task He gave. We have learned how true David spoke, “Wait for the Lord, be strong, and take heart, and wait for the Lord. Ps. 27,14.
Yes, today is Ruth’s birthday. I pray God’s blessings today, and ever.
GPD 1/29/08
Now, instead of spending time telling you how wonderful she is, let me just fill in some recent stuff.
Last Friday friends invited us over for dinner to celebrate it early. On Saturday our daughter Rhoda and her husband came up from Houston to take us out to for birthday lunch. Sunday after Church Ruth and I had Brunch. Today we invited a friend to join us for lunch. Thursday we go out for lunch with the Senior group, and next Saturday daughter Quinta plans to come over with this in mind, “To celebrate Mom's birthday”. And for me the best part is I get included in all this!
But birthdays are surely a time to reminisce. We count all the joys and the sorrows that have come our way in our life together. We stop often to thank God for this gift, this marriage begun on a July afternoon in Trinity Lutheran Church, Freistadt, Wisconsin. Just by the way, Trinity is the oldest Lutheran Church in that State.
Nor did we have an inkling where we would be living, and serving the Kingdom. But as we look back, we see His hand always there, strengthening, comforting, encouraging, urging us to finish the task He gave. We have learned how true David spoke, “Wait for the Lord, be strong, and take heart, and wait for the Lord. Ps. 27,14.
Yes, today is Ruth’s birthday. I pray God’s blessings today, and ever.
GPD 1/29/08
Monday, January 28, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/28/08
Pleasant this morning, and a bit warmer, but tending to get cooler toward the weekend. But let’s enjoy the day, for truly “This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice, and be glad in it”. And the bus is coming, and one of the riders is yelling, ‘Tell her to wait”, as he comes running hard with coat flying, and he does.
But it strikes me that life is sort of messy, isn’t it? And that is the sort of day the Lord tells us to rejoice in. So do, rejoice in it, I mean.
Some get fussy when things aren’t the way they like it. I know the place I work in is like that, here are two books leaning against a chair leg, there are some papers needing to be filed away again, and magazines to be read, or discarded, or put into the recycle bin. It just seems to get awry that way, and I don’t quite know how that happens, except that life is messy. And here’s another batch of mail.
Take a look at nature. Some friends remarked several winters ago driving through Arizona after there had been much rain and seeing wild flowers all over, a thing of beauty they called it. God did it. And few saw it.
Then look at Matthew 13 where Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is like” and tells the story of the seed, some even falling on rocky and shallow soil. Or the weeds sowed by “the enemy”. Jeus said, “Let them both grow until the harvest, then I will separate the good from the bad”. Or the yeast working, or the net catching all kinds of fish. The story is the same, Jesus sends His children out to be witnesses, and the harvest is His. “My Word will not return unto Me void but accomplish that which I please, and prosper in the thing whereto I send it”.
We need to learn to accept that in people too. None are the same, and thank God for that, but accept the differences, and enjoy the day God gave us, in short, live with it. It’s the same in any church. People are different, and yet they are all baptized children of God. But the differences at times provoke unrest, and in the Church people recognize this, they are sinners, and come here for the cure, forgiveness of sins, and so peace with God. So enjoy your day.
GPD 1/28/08
But it strikes me that life is sort of messy, isn’t it? And that is the sort of day the Lord tells us to rejoice in. So do, rejoice in it, I mean.
Some get fussy when things aren’t the way they like it. I know the place I work in is like that, here are two books leaning against a chair leg, there are some papers needing to be filed away again, and magazines to be read, or discarded, or put into the recycle bin. It just seems to get awry that way, and I don’t quite know how that happens, except that life is messy. And here’s another batch of mail.
Take a look at nature. Some friends remarked several winters ago driving through Arizona after there had been much rain and seeing wild flowers all over, a thing of beauty they called it. God did it. And few saw it.
Then look at Matthew 13 where Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is like” and tells the story of the seed, some even falling on rocky and shallow soil. Or the weeds sowed by “the enemy”. Jeus said, “Let them both grow until the harvest, then I will separate the good from the bad”. Or the yeast working, or the net catching all kinds of fish. The story is the same, Jesus sends His children out to be witnesses, and the harvest is His. “My Word will not return unto Me void but accomplish that which I please, and prosper in the thing whereto I send it”.
We need to learn to accept that in people too. None are the same, and thank God for that, but accept the differences, and enjoy the day God gave us, in short, live with it. It’s the same in any church. People are different, and yet they are all baptized children of God. But the differences at times provoke unrest, and in the Church people recognize this, they are sinners, and come here for the cure, forgiveness of sins, and so peace with God. So enjoy your day.
GPD 1/28/08
Friday, January 25, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/25/08
It was just as cold today as yesterday, but it felt quite pleasant because there was no drizzle with it. Later the drizzle started and the cold went to the bones, but early on, when I was walking, it was nice.
Today is our youngest daughter’s birthday. It brings back so many pleasant memories of growing up and visiting and watching her grow and making her way in the world as Christ’s child. And Mom’s poppy seed cake with cream frosting.
How the time flies. The time is past to look for someone to blame, isn’t it? It always is. And yet we seem to be living in a time when “It’s not my fault” is the norm. What happened to responsibility. What happened to taking charge of my own life, instead of blaming anyone or everyone else for my mistakes, my errors, my failings.
Let’s be on guard. When push comes to shove, think independently. Think biblically. Lead with your head, rather than your feelings. It is easy to lose our ethical compass somewhere between longing to be liked and wanting to do what is right.
As an example, when Christian believers gather in churches, everything that can go wrong sooner or later does. And outsiders, seeing this, conclude that there really is nothing good about religion. Insiders see it differently, they see a hospital where sick people come to get well. And that is what a Church is.
So Christian Churches are not, as a rule, model communities of good behavior. Instead they are places where such behavior is brought out in the open, and dealt with. James has some good advice here. He is a Pastor going about his work, confronting, dealing, forgiving in Jesus name, as one of God’s Shepherds does.
James starts with this, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance” which leads to a mature faith. He speaks of asking God for wisdom, for seeing temptation for what it is. Then he urges them to really listen to the Word, not just in one ear and out the other. In chapter 3 he speaks of the tongue, and how hard it often is to tame that. Then this bit of wisdom in chapter 4,7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil. And he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you”.
As I said, this is the wise Shepherd looking after this “Flock of God, which He has purchased with his own blood”.
In Our day we can do no better than to look to this rich letter for guiding and steering in the troubled world we live in. Here lies the wisdom that God offers. We do well to listen, and do. And may God bless the doing.
GPD 1/25/08
Today is our youngest daughter’s birthday. It brings back so many pleasant memories of growing up and visiting and watching her grow and making her way in the world as Christ’s child. And Mom’s poppy seed cake with cream frosting.
How the time flies. The time is past to look for someone to blame, isn’t it? It always is. And yet we seem to be living in a time when “It’s not my fault” is the norm. What happened to responsibility. What happened to taking charge of my own life, instead of blaming anyone or everyone else for my mistakes, my errors, my failings.
Let’s be on guard. When push comes to shove, think independently. Think biblically. Lead with your head, rather than your feelings. It is easy to lose our ethical compass somewhere between longing to be liked and wanting to do what is right.
As an example, when Christian believers gather in churches, everything that can go wrong sooner or later does. And outsiders, seeing this, conclude that there really is nothing good about religion. Insiders see it differently, they see a hospital where sick people come to get well. And that is what a Church is.
So Christian Churches are not, as a rule, model communities of good behavior. Instead they are places where such behavior is brought out in the open, and dealt with. James has some good advice here. He is a Pastor going about his work, confronting, dealing, forgiving in Jesus name, as one of God’s Shepherds does.
James starts with this, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance” which leads to a mature faith. He speaks of asking God for wisdom, for seeing temptation for what it is. Then he urges them to really listen to the Word, not just in one ear and out the other. In chapter 3 he speaks of the tongue, and how hard it often is to tame that. Then this bit of wisdom in chapter 4,7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil. And he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you”.
As I said, this is the wise Shepherd looking after this “Flock of God, which He has purchased with his own blood”.
In Our day we can do no better than to look to this rich letter for guiding and steering in the troubled world we live in. Here lies the wisdom that God offers. We do well to listen, and do. And may God bless the doing.
GPD 1/25/08
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/23/08
Raining this morning so I did not take a walk. Really typical January Texas weather, cold, rainy, cloudy, and then some sun. I read a line the other day that says it for me, “I have reached the years that, when I wake up and nothing aches, it’s a good day”. Truth.
My son sent an email after Sunday that read, “The Packers lost , on their home field, at zero temperature, with Brett Fabre at the controls, and the wind chill at twenty below, and the sun rose this morning just the same”.
Perspective. That’s one secret for keeping one's balance in today’s world, isn’t it. Put it into perspective, and it starts to look less overwhelming.
Look at the news. The financial world is in turmoil, the running for candidate nominations is getting more acerbic, the Homeland Defense Agency is suing to take land from cities along the border so they can build their fence, that billions of dollars boondoggle that will be an embarrassment for us for generations to come. A lady in Colorado is selling Tasar units that pack 50,000 volts of power as defense units to women. The Harris County DA’s office is under fire for forgetting the paper work that makes the Grand Jury legal, so endangering the legality of some 40 cases.
Well, you can read stuff like that every day. Has our world gone mad, and where do we find strength to go on, or comfort for the journey, or hope for tomorrow.
May I point one way. A surer way? One that helps you put things into proper perspective? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All who follow His precepts have good understanding, to Him belongs eternal praise.” Ps. 111,10 Or check out Psalm 119,18 & 19. “Open my eyes, and I will see wonderful things in what you teach. I’m a stranger on earth, Oh how I need a map”. And finally, “I treasure in my heart what you say, so I won’t sin against you” Ps. 119,11.
Just as an exercise, why not sit down with Psalm 119, use a marker, and look at all the wise advice you’ll run across. Remember, too, the promises of our Lord Jesus, “I will be with you to the end of the world”. Then pray that this Lord, who gave us these words, these rich promises, does carry them out in our life today too. May He ever be YOUR God.
GPD 1/23/08
My son sent an email after Sunday that read, “The Packers lost , on their home field, at zero temperature, with Brett Fabre at the controls, and the wind chill at twenty below, and the sun rose this morning just the same”.
Perspective. That’s one secret for keeping one's balance in today’s world, isn’t it. Put it into perspective, and it starts to look less overwhelming.
Look at the news. The financial world is in turmoil, the running for candidate nominations is getting more acerbic, the Homeland Defense Agency is suing to take land from cities along the border so they can build their fence, that billions of dollars boondoggle that will be an embarrassment for us for generations to come. A lady in Colorado is selling Tasar units that pack 50,000 volts of power as defense units to women. The Harris County DA’s office is under fire for forgetting the paper work that makes the Grand Jury legal, so endangering the legality of some 40 cases.
Well, you can read stuff like that every day. Has our world gone mad, and where do we find strength to go on, or comfort for the journey, or hope for tomorrow.
May I point one way. A surer way? One that helps you put things into proper perspective? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All who follow His precepts have good understanding, to Him belongs eternal praise.” Ps. 111,10 Or check out Psalm 119,18 & 19. “Open my eyes, and I will see wonderful things in what you teach. I’m a stranger on earth, Oh how I need a map”. And finally, “I treasure in my heart what you say, so I won’t sin against you” Ps. 119,11.
Just as an exercise, why not sit down with Psalm 119, use a marker, and look at all the wise advice you’ll run across. Remember, too, the promises of our Lord Jesus, “I will be with you to the end of the world”. Then pray that this Lord, who gave us these words, these rich promises, does carry them out in our life today too. May He ever be YOUR God.
GPD 1/23/08
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/20/08
We had rain again Friday night and my morning newspaper was double bagged again. That’s twice in three days. I can’t figure it out. I didn’t think our Christmas tip was quite that generous, or is the price of the paper about to go up? Anyway, it’s chilly today, and the old truth my father used to intone on such mornings, “When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen” seems to hold true.
Well, it’s true in Green Bay, Wisconsin anyhow. They are playing a football game in the elements and the temperature will be around zero. The grass on Lambeau Field was grown in New Jersey, and the field is heated by underground pipes. I, meanwhile, will be warm in our Texas home, probably doing some reading of the Bible and maybe watching a minute or two.
But this Bible reminds me of a truth we easily forget. “I am a stranger in the earth, how I need a map.” “Friends,” said St. Peter, “this world is not your home, so don’t make yourself cozy in it” 1 Peter 2,11. And St. Paul calls us Christians “Ambassadors for Christ” 2 Corinthians 5,20. As such, we represent someone else. But the Ambassador lives away from his home. He lives in a distant country to represent his King. The picture is that of one who is “stranger and foreigner’ here, and really has a different home altogether. And you have a message. The truth. That’s why Paul warns in Colossians, “8 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. 9 Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. “ Col. 2, 8.9. MSG
Now, God’s sun is shining, and it is warming up. So I shall end this with a word from David, Psalm 37,25. ”I was young, and now am old, but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or His children begging for bread”. What a word of peace.
GPD 1/20/08
Well, it’s true in Green Bay, Wisconsin anyhow. They are playing a football game in the elements and the temperature will be around zero. The grass on Lambeau Field was grown in New Jersey, and the field is heated by underground pipes. I, meanwhile, will be warm in our Texas home, probably doing some reading of the Bible and maybe watching a minute or two.
But this Bible reminds me of a truth we easily forget. “I am a stranger in the earth, how I need a map.” “Friends,” said St. Peter, “this world is not your home, so don’t make yourself cozy in it” 1 Peter 2,11. And St. Paul calls us Christians “Ambassadors for Christ” 2 Corinthians 5,20. As such, we represent someone else. But the Ambassador lives away from his home. He lives in a distant country to represent his King. The picture is that of one who is “stranger and foreigner’ here, and really has a different home altogether. And you have a message. The truth. That’s why Paul warns in Colossians, “8 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. 9 Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. “ Col. 2, 8.9. MSG
Now, God’s sun is shining, and it is warming up. So I shall end this with a word from David, Psalm 37,25. ”I was young, and now am old, but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or His children begging for bread”. What a word of peace.
GPD 1/20/08
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 1/17/08
We had an inch and a half of rain last night, so this morning, for the first time I can remember, the paper was double-bagged to keep it dry. And it did. Keep it dry, I mean.
There was an army commander who was intelligent, competent, able, an excellent commander whom his king trusted completely and set great store by. The one problem, the commander had leprosy.
Oh, he had tried all the cures that were offered, spent much money and time, but he was still not cured.
This is one of those stories where the impossible becomes possible. For in this commander’s household was a servant girl. She had been caught in a raid and taken from her home. Now she worked in the kitchen. She knew her Boss’ problem, so one day she said to her mistress, the commander’s wife, “If he would travel to Samaria, there is a prophet who can cure leprosy.”
That night the wife and husband discussed this strange statement. The commander told it to the king, and that king said, “Go, I’ll write a letter to the king of Samaria asking him to make you well. I’ll give you leave of absence to make the trip. And take what you need from the royal treasury.”
Well, when he got to the royal presence in Samaria, that King read the letter and showed his dismay. “What’s he trying to do, start a war with us? I can’t heal anyone.”
But Elisha, who was the prophet the servant back in Syria was speaking about, heard this and sent this message to the king, “Why tear your clothes. Have the man come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel”.
So Naaman, that was the commander, came to Elisha’s house. Elisha did not go out to meet him. Instead he sent this message. “Go bathe in the river Jordan 7 times and your flesh will be restored and you will be healed.”
Naaman was upset. He said, “I was sure he would stand there, wave his hand, and cure me. But this? Rivers at home are much cleaner. At least then I would have a clean bath”.
But his servants pleaded, “You’ve come this far. If he had given you a great task, wouldn’t you have done it? Why not do this simple thing since you are here.”
So he did, and was cleaned. (There’s more, but read it in 2 Kings chapter 5)
The point to remember is this. “Obey what the Lord asks”. We find that so hard to do. Jesus complained “Why do you call me Lord, and do not the things that I say?” Luke 6,46. And Samuel said to Saul, “Do you think God wants sacrifices. Empty rituals to show. Obedience is the thing, do what He asks”.
We find it hard to do. He tells us that He has done it all. It is His gift to us. Ephesians 2,. 8.9. Hear Him, and praise and thank Him. Your salvation is done.
GPD 1/17/08
There was an army commander who was intelligent, competent, able, an excellent commander whom his king trusted completely and set great store by. The one problem, the commander had leprosy.
Oh, he had tried all the cures that were offered, spent much money and time, but he was still not cured.
This is one of those stories where the impossible becomes possible. For in this commander’s household was a servant girl. She had been caught in a raid and taken from her home. Now she worked in the kitchen. She knew her Boss’ problem, so one day she said to her mistress, the commander’s wife, “If he would travel to Samaria, there is a prophet who can cure leprosy.”
That night the wife and husband discussed this strange statement. The commander told it to the king, and that king said, “Go, I’ll write a letter to the king of Samaria asking him to make you well. I’ll give you leave of absence to make the trip. And take what you need from the royal treasury.”
Well, when he got to the royal presence in Samaria, that King read the letter and showed his dismay. “What’s he trying to do, start a war with us? I can’t heal anyone.”
But Elisha, who was the prophet the servant back in Syria was speaking about, heard this and sent this message to the king, “Why tear your clothes. Have the man come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel”.
So Naaman, that was the commander, came to Elisha’s house. Elisha did not go out to meet him. Instead he sent this message. “Go bathe in the river Jordan 7 times and your flesh will be restored and you will be healed.”
Naaman was upset. He said, “I was sure he would stand there, wave his hand, and cure me. But this? Rivers at home are much cleaner. At least then I would have a clean bath”.
But his servants pleaded, “You’ve come this far. If he had given you a great task, wouldn’t you have done it? Why not do this simple thing since you are here.”
So he did, and was cleaned. (There’s more, but read it in 2 Kings chapter 5)
The point to remember is this. “Obey what the Lord asks”. We find that so hard to do. Jesus complained “Why do you call me Lord, and do not the things that I say?” Luke 6,46. And Samuel said to Saul, “Do you think God wants sacrifices. Empty rituals to show. Obedience is the thing, do what He asks”.
We find it hard to do. He tells us that He has done it all. It is His gift to us. Ephesians 2,. 8.9. Hear Him, and praise and thank Him. Your salvation is done.
GPD 1/17/08
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