Monday, July 23, 2007

"...the Evidence of Things Not Seen."

Faith - a mystical, magical, inexplicable truth that is nestled in the heart, soul and mind of the believer. It is a gift, that God has dealt in measure to each of His children. It is what the just live by, by it the sick are made whole.

By faith we know the worlds were made, by faith offerings have been made to God. By faith men have been translated that they should not see death. Without faith, we cannot please God. By faith Noah built the ark, Abraham went to a place God later would show him. By faith Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sought a city whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sara conceived, by faith Abraham offered Isaac. By faith Isaac blessed his sons, and Jacob, his, while dying. Joseph, by faith, prophesied of the children of Israel's departure from Egypt, by faith Moses was hid. By faith Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. By faith he forsook Egypt, kept the Passover, passed through the Red Sea. By faith the walls of Jericho fell, and Rahab perished not.

It has been through faith that kingdoms have been subdued, righteousness has been wrought, promises have been realized and obtained, the mouths of lions have been closed. By faith, men have quenched the violence of fire, they've escaped the edge of swords. By faith, when weak, were made strong and able to wax valiant in fight and turn to flight the armies of aliens. By faith women have seen their loved ones blessed by God to see life again. Other women, by faith, were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so by faith they could obtain a better resurrection.

By faith some have had trials of cruel mockings, just as our Lord Jesus. By faith some have been scourged, stoned, sawn asunder. Some, by faith have been in bonds and in prison. Some, by their faith were tempted, and finally slain by a sword. Through it all, by faith they wandered in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented. By faith they were able to wander in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Of these it is said, "the world was not worthy."

By faith they lived, by faith they suffered, by faith they died.

So yes, it is mystical, it is magical, it is inexplicable. Above all, it is a powerful witness that man cannot extinguish. And without it we would perish. Without it we would have no anchor for our soul and life. Without it, we would drift forever.

Faith is the brightest evidence
Of things beyond our sight,
Breaks through the clouds of flesh and sense,
And dwells in heav'nly light.

It sets times past in present view,
Brings distant prospects home,
Of things a thousand years ago,
Or thousand years to come.

By faith we know the worlds were made
By God's almighty word;
Abram, to unknown countries led,
By faith obeyed the Lord.

He sought a city fair and high,
Built by th' eternal hands,
And faith assures us, though we die,
That heav'nly building stands.

Friday, July 20, 2007

You don't have to brush your teeth - just the ones you want to keep. - Author Unknown

I know I haven't posted in a while, I've been quite busy and unable to do so. And, while I've been busy, not much worthy of note has been happening.

Today; however, I'll give you the updates from the dental side of life.

Yesterday, I went for a root canal for the final part of the work on the left side of my mouth. Well, not quite final, they still have to put the crowns on (3 in all on that side), then we're done there. However, all the fillings (1) and root canals (3) are finished.

Today was the worst day yet. It wasn't too bad, at least it isn't yet - but the anesthesia hasn't worn off yet, so we'll see how it feels in a few hours.

Today, he did a root canal on an upper tooth - that took about an hour and a half. He had some trouble with it, as did I. I guess his anesthesia didn't work as well, because there was one canal I kept feeling as he dug around in it.

Once he finished the root canal, he pulled the upper wisdom tooth and did that ever hurt. He thought I was moaning because of the pressure, once I could talk I let him know it was the pain. It wasn't so bad except that he missed a root and had to dig around for it.

With that completed, he did a filling on a lower tooth, that was relatively easy and altogether painless.

He then removed a lower tooth right in front of the wisdom tooth and made access to get it out too. When he removed the molar, I thought he thought I was a snake and could open my jaw 180 degrees, but I'm not and I couldn't! I thought my jaw would snap. But he finally got it out, and then the wisdom tooth came right out with great ease.

Then he moved up top. He had two more teeth to pull there. The first one was a doozy and took him some maneuvering to do, but he finally got it out. Then the one in front of it I suppose was easy, I didn't feel much there and it went quickly. Then he sewed me up and sent me on my way.

After 2 1/2 hours he was all through, and now so am I.

To recap today's work:

1 Root Canal
1 Filling
5 Extractions

To recap the work from start till now:

4 Root Canals
2 Fillings
7 Extractions

Next week I return to start getting the crown work started. All the major work is complete, now its just cosmetic. 3 Crowns and a 4 part bridge and I'll be smiling big again! We've got about a month left and it should all be finished!!! I can't wait.

PS, many thanks to Sister Lydia for driving me to and from the dental appointment, and for retrieving an ice pack from Walgreens. A true life saver!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Sweet Harmony

O tell me no more of this world's vain store,
The time for such trifles with me now is o'er'
A country I've found where true joys abound,
To dwell I'm determined on that happy ground.

No mortal doth know what Christ will bestow,
What life strength and comfort! go after him, go!
Lo, onward I move, to see Christ above,
None guesses how wondrous my journey will prove.

Great spoils I shall win from death, hell and sin,
'Midst outward afflictions shall feel Christ within;
And still, which is best, I in his dear breast,
As at the beginning, find pardon and rest.

When I am to die, "Receive me," I'll cry,
For Jesus hath loved me, I cannot tell why.
But this I do find, we two are so joined,
He'll not live in glory and leave me behind;

This blessing is mine, through favor divine,
And O, my dear Jesus, the praise shall be thine
In heaven we'll meet in harmony sweet,
And glory to Jesus! we'll then be complete.