Tetralogy of Fallot

I had never heard the term Tetralogy of Fallot until our granddaughter, Raley, was diagnosed at 3 months of age. Tetralogy of Fallot is a serious heart defect that affects the heart’s ability to supply oxygenated blood to the body. In most cases Tetraology of Fallot requires extensive open-heart surgery in order to be corrected. Typically the surgery is done between the first 12 to 18 months, but in Raley’s case surgery was required at 3 months. Following her surgery, Raley spent the month of December 2007 as a patient in the pediatric intensive care unit at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina. The first 72 hours after surgery were very intense, and we had to deal with a number of set-backs. But thanks to the skills of a very talented thoracic cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Theodore Koutlas, a world-class medical facility, a dedicated medical staff, and most importantly the prayers of countless people around the world, today Raley is a picture of health.

Yesterday, Raley discovered a photo album of pictures her parents had taken of her when she was hospitalized. Our daughter Stephanie had planned to show them to her, at the appropriate time, and tell her what a miracle she really is. But, the curiosity of a rambunctious 2 year old spoiled that plan. So now she knows, and in her simple way of looking at it; she had a “hurt” heart, the doctor put a “Band-Aid” on it, and now she’s all better.

What if life’s deepest hurts could be healed with the simple application of a “Band-Aid.” Perhaps they could if we only had the faith of a child!

Blessings,

Jimmy

Sermon Planning

As I write this, I am spending the next two days away from the office in sermon planning for next year. By Tuesday afternoon, I hope to come away, not with detailed manuscripts or outlines, but at least with a text and a general theme for each Sunday in 2010. That doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit and circumstances won’t intervene and cause me to scrape what I put on the preaching calendar these next few days for a particular Sunday in 2010. That also doesn’t mean that I don’t need your prayers for wisdom and guidance as I plan, write, and research week to week. As I stated, what I’m doing the next two days is very broad and general—it will give direction to where I feel the Lord is leading us in worship and preaching for the next year. The spadework will still be done from week to week.

Years ago when I shared with someone I was doing a similar thing for the year to follow, I was surprised by his critical remark: “Doesn’t that discount the leading of the Holy Spirit in your preaching?” Over the years I’ve thought about that particular remark, and if confronted today I would respond: “Then you don’t have much faith in the Holy Spirit!” I trust the Holy Spirit’s leading day to day, week to week, and year to year!

Blessings,

Jimmy