Exciting News! Exciting News Indeed!
Some churches in the Cedar Rapids community have partnered together to make sure that we will have the $10,000 needed to begin Seth's recovery program in October at Project Walk's Spinal Cord Injury Center near San Diego. This, along with what others have already given, gets us on our way with Seth's recovery program. So many people are involved in helping to bring this about, and we give thanks to the Lord who is the One working through all the various persons, groups, organizations, and churches.
We can now begin the tasks involved in setting up the three weeks in California for Seth's initial training at Project Walk's recovery center. We are very excited about finally getting this started, and we are looking forward to seeing how far Seth can improve through this very promising and proven exercise program.
I wanted to get this uplifting news out to all of you who are so supportive of Seth in his ongoing quest to walk again. This is just the beginning, so keep praying, praying, and praying. There are still more expenses to deal with after the three weeks at Project Walk, but this initial $10,000 gets us on our way!
The Apostle Paul urges us to give thanks to God in everything, regardless of the difficulties we are facing. We are learning this powerful truth, but I am so glad God remembers that we need encouraging things to happen to help us remain thankful when the tough times come. I am so glad that this day I can share something that is so wonderfully encouraging.
In Christ's Peace,
Will
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Too Doggone Busy
I haven't blogged for awhile because I'm too doggone busy. When school starts next week for my kids, then the masked Blogger will be back. Actually there is no point in being a masked blogger, since no one can see the mask. Of course, it could be intriguing to wear a mask just for wearing a mask. But again, there isn't any point to it, just like this blog post.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Harrowers Of Hell
I remember as a small boy enduring the service in a very conservative Baptist church and looking at a very strange painting on the wall depicting Christ's harrowing of hell, which refers to Christ's activity during the time between his crucifixion and his being raised from the dead. I'm sure many of the congregants did not realize what it was, and I only learned about this decidedly non-Baptist doctrine years later under the guidance of a high church Methodist minister. As a boy, though, it did grab my imagination as I saw a magnificent and heroic Christ rescuing tormented souls and sending devils and demons cowering in terror. It certainly didn't fit with the general impression otherwise given by my boyhood congregation, that of a rather meek and mild Jesus who was too pitiful to intimidate anyone, let alone anything so ferocious as a devil.
I don't know if many Christians really believe in this old concept anymore. There are a few biblical references that can be worked a little bit to support the idea, but they are admittedly pretty weak. I Peter 3:19–20 says that Jesus "went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah…." Not many can really tell with much authority what this really means unless they are willing to drag unsuspecting students into the maze of inter-testamental literature (such as I Enoch and the like). Then there is Ephesians 4:8-10, which talks about Christ descending to the "lower, earthly regions" (εἰς τὰ κατώτερα τῆς γῆς). But again, this doesn't really lead one to think in terms of Christ being some kind of divine Viking raiding the ill-equipped and defensively weak guardians of hell.
Still, I am beginning to think that the idea of Christ harrowing, or attacking, hell is a very useful image. For one thing, God did do this very thing in Christ when God became flesh and lived among us. This was a pretty daring invasion of enemy territory where evil is so dominant. Then, even if Christ did not actually descend to hell after his crucifixion, his dying on the cross for our sins was a devastating blow to all the forces of evil who were stripped bare by Christ's death and revealed as weak, pathetic powers who only have authority over us when we choose to allow it. So, in many ways all of Christ's work is a harrowing of hell, since this world is, as Martin Luther so well stated, "with devils filled."
By now, if you are among the hearty who have persevered in reading this blog, you may be asking me where I'm heading with this. It seems to me that as followers of Christ, we are all called to carry on the mission of Christ to unmask the powers of this world as pretenders and deceivers. We are all to be "harrowing hell" in whatever place and situation we have been placed by God. We are to be revealing the power of Christ over whatever challenges and obstacles we are facing? Many of you know that recently my ten year old son underwent a surgery that left him paralyzed from the waist down. This is a hellish experience that threatens my son and my family with devastation in many ways. Yet, here the power of Christ to rob evil of its prey is revealed, and despite the threat of despair, God is glorified as we allow ourselves as a family to be used by God to demonstrate the triumph of God's grace. Instead of disintegration and loss, the power of God to sustain and provide for us is shown to be real in the midst of such great difficulty.
Whatever our circumstances, we are to be agents of God's grace and power, challenging the very things that seek to oppose God and keep people from God. In our professions, whether it be pursuing political office or surviving in a menial job, we can be God's agents to bring hope to those who are "in prison," first of all by our own freedom in Christ and then by sharing with those in our circle of life that Christ can set them free as well. It is just as much a harrowing of hell when a low paid temporary worker doing menial work at a factory does so with an attitude of hope in Christ as when a high profile politician dares to approach the responsibilities of their office with an attitude of Christ-likeness and an integration of their faith with their politics.
In our life situations, whether we are relatively healthy and comfortable or burdened with physical problems and facing societal oppression, we can show that our trust is not in the protection of princes or conformity to social pressures. Rather, we can show our neighbors the peace that comes only with trusting the One who reigns over all and who fills all who thirst for righteousness. The powers of hell will not like this, and will demand the withdrawal of hope and faith from their domain. After all, they are being "harried." But when we press our advantage in Christ over these evil forces, others will see how weak and powerless they really are, and hell will lose even more "prisoners" as they realize they can through Christ simply choose to be free.
So, in the face of a world that seems suspiciously like hell, I like the idea that Christ invaded the domain of evil, and heroically began to spring people from the grip and influence of satan. I like the idea that the devil is being harassed and harried by the constant attacks of Christ through his followers. Obviously, when we challenge satan and his power we do so with humility in the name of Jesus the Christ, but isn't that what our lives are to be -- a constant and excruciating pain in the rear for all that is vile and evil in this world.
I like the image that we are fighters --- indeed, dare I say, soldiers --- who are following the bravery of our Commander who leads us in a battle to reclaim and restore this world to God's vision for it. It's the kind of image my Viking ancestors could relate to, it's the kind of image I find invigorating, and it is the kind of Saviour all the "prisoners" of this world desperately need to see in everyone who claims to follow the Harrower of hell. As Martin Luther made so clear so many years ago...
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
In Christ's Peace,
Will
I don't know if many Christians really believe in this old concept anymore. There are a few biblical references that can be worked a little bit to support the idea, but they are admittedly pretty weak. I Peter 3:19–20 says that Jesus "went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah…." Not many can really tell with much authority what this really means unless they are willing to drag unsuspecting students into the maze of inter-testamental literature (such as I Enoch and the like). Then there is Ephesians 4:8-10, which talks about Christ descending to the "lower, earthly regions" (εἰς τὰ κατώτερα τῆς γῆς). But again, this doesn't really lead one to think in terms of Christ being some kind of divine Viking raiding the ill-equipped and defensively weak guardians of hell.
Still, I am beginning to think that the idea of Christ harrowing, or attacking, hell is a very useful image. For one thing, God did do this very thing in Christ when God became flesh and lived among us. This was a pretty daring invasion of enemy territory where evil is so dominant. Then, even if Christ did not actually descend to hell after his crucifixion, his dying on the cross for our sins was a devastating blow to all the forces of evil who were stripped bare by Christ's death and revealed as weak, pathetic powers who only have authority over us when we choose to allow it. So, in many ways all of Christ's work is a harrowing of hell, since this world is, as Martin Luther so well stated, "with devils filled."
By now, if you are among the hearty who have persevered in reading this blog, you may be asking me where I'm heading with this. It seems to me that as followers of Christ, we are all called to carry on the mission of Christ to unmask the powers of this world as pretenders and deceivers. We are all to be "harrowing hell" in whatever place and situation we have been placed by God. We are to be revealing the power of Christ over whatever challenges and obstacles we are facing? Many of you know that recently my ten year old son underwent a surgery that left him paralyzed from the waist down. This is a hellish experience that threatens my son and my family with devastation in many ways. Yet, here the power of Christ to rob evil of its prey is revealed, and despite the threat of despair, God is glorified as we allow ourselves as a family to be used by God to demonstrate the triumph of God's grace. Instead of disintegration and loss, the power of God to sustain and provide for us is shown to be real in the midst of such great difficulty.
Whatever our circumstances, we are to be agents of God's grace and power, challenging the very things that seek to oppose God and keep people from God. In our professions, whether it be pursuing political office or surviving in a menial job, we can be God's agents to bring hope to those who are "in prison," first of all by our own freedom in Christ and then by sharing with those in our circle of life that Christ can set them free as well. It is just as much a harrowing of hell when a low paid temporary worker doing menial work at a factory does so with an attitude of hope in Christ as when a high profile politician dares to approach the responsibilities of their office with an attitude of Christ-likeness and an integration of their faith with their politics.
In our life situations, whether we are relatively healthy and comfortable or burdened with physical problems and facing societal oppression, we can show that our trust is not in the protection of princes or conformity to social pressures. Rather, we can show our neighbors the peace that comes only with trusting the One who reigns over all and who fills all who thirst for righteousness. The powers of hell will not like this, and will demand the withdrawal of hope and faith from their domain. After all, they are being "harried." But when we press our advantage in Christ over these evil forces, others will see how weak and powerless they really are, and hell will lose even more "prisoners" as they realize they can through Christ simply choose to be free.
So, in the face of a world that seems suspiciously like hell, I like the idea that Christ invaded the domain of evil, and heroically began to spring people from the grip and influence of satan. I like the idea that the devil is being harassed and harried by the constant attacks of Christ through his followers. Obviously, when we challenge satan and his power we do so with humility in the name of Jesus the Christ, but isn't that what our lives are to be -- a constant and excruciating pain in the rear for all that is vile and evil in this world.
I like the image that we are fighters --- indeed, dare I say, soldiers --- who are following the bravery of our Commander who leads us in a battle to reclaim and restore this world to God's vision for it. It's the kind of image my Viking ancestors could relate to, it's the kind of image I find invigorating, and it is the kind of Saviour all the "prisoners" of this world desperately need to see in everyone who claims to follow the Harrower of hell. As Martin Luther made so clear so many years ago...
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
In Christ's Peace,
Will
Friday, April 24, 2009
The Walk To Moriah
(Recently I was given the question, "How has God been working in your life recently?" The origin and context for this question is unrelated to what has happened with my son, Seth, but the answer I gave is all about that. Here it is with a little editing for the blogging setup.)
The answer to this question is like a dagger to my soul, and painful beyond description as I write these words. Clearly I am wrestling with both God’s bountiful generosity and God’s heart-wrenching inaction regarding my ten year old son’s accidental paralysis. Seth could walk fine with no problems, but it was feared that the spastic nerves in his legs due to a slight case of cerebral palsy would become more interfering as he grew older. It was thought that a surgical procedure called a rhizotomy would prevent this by isolating and removing the effects of any spastic nerves in his legs. The procedure was considered to have very few risks, with potential paralysis not even a consideration. Nevertheless, in what is now the only known case to ever occur, Seth experienced complete paralysis from the waist down about five hours after surgery. Blood pressure inexplicably built up around the spinal cord and began to starve the cells of oxygen. No one knows why or how this happened, but it is all too obvious that it did, and this condition has continued without improvement until this moment thirty days later.
In the meantime, I have descended into the depths of hell itself, desperately seeking God’s mercy for my son. Nothing I have ever experienced before begins to compare with the heartbreak I feel for what is happening to Seth, and never before have I been so desperate before my Lord. I am driven to trust God like I’ve never trusted before, yet at the same time being overwhelmed with anguish of God’s apparent inaction. Why has God let this happen to Seth? Why is God so slow in responding to the prayers of so many?
I am not in a so-called “crisis of faith,” as, like Peter, where else can I go to find the words of eternal life! God is God if there is a God! The clear mercy and compassion of the Lord is daily flowing forth in the amazing ways my family and I have been cared for by so many, and in the provisions for us all, even for Seth. These signs and wonders are many, but still so far no healing for my son is among them.
In this crushing wait for God's glory, I have walked the terrible path that Abraham walked with his son, Isaac, as they approached the mountain of sacrifice in Moriah (Genesis 22:1-14). I have had to lay my son, Seth, on that altar in faith that somehow “God will provide.” In an obedience that shreds my soul I have had to give up my son as I place my faith in a God I can in no way comprehend who is asking me to do something I can in no way reason through. I must obey this stark, sheer Word of God, trusting that somehow God’s promise will be fulfilled despite the apparent unreasonableness and injustice of the present situation. Yes, I know the anguish in Abraham’s heart as he drew his dagger to slay his only son, Isaac. It is the anguish of obedience to the Word while trusting the One who spoke the Word to keep His promise. God will provide for His promise! This I am believing, this I am standing on! God who calls me to obey will also provide!
The answer to this question is like a dagger to my soul, and painful beyond description as I write these words. Clearly I am wrestling with both God’s bountiful generosity and God’s heart-wrenching inaction regarding my ten year old son’s accidental paralysis. Seth could walk fine with no problems, but it was feared that the spastic nerves in his legs due to a slight case of cerebral palsy would become more interfering as he grew older. It was thought that a surgical procedure called a rhizotomy would prevent this by isolating and removing the effects of any spastic nerves in his legs. The procedure was considered to have very few risks, with potential paralysis not even a consideration. Nevertheless, in what is now the only known case to ever occur, Seth experienced complete paralysis from the waist down about five hours after surgery. Blood pressure inexplicably built up around the spinal cord and began to starve the cells of oxygen. No one knows why or how this happened, but it is all too obvious that it did, and this condition has continued without improvement until this moment thirty days later.
In the meantime, I have descended into the depths of hell itself, desperately seeking God’s mercy for my son. Nothing I have ever experienced before begins to compare with the heartbreak I feel for what is happening to Seth, and never before have I been so desperate before my Lord. I am driven to trust God like I’ve never trusted before, yet at the same time being overwhelmed with anguish of God’s apparent inaction. Why has God let this happen to Seth? Why is God so slow in responding to the prayers of so many?
I am not in a so-called “crisis of faith,” as, like Peter, where else can I go to find the words of eternal life! God is God if there is a God! The clear mercy and compassion of the Lord is daily flowing forth in the amazing ways my family and I have been cared for by so many, and in the provisions for us all, even for Seth. These signs and wonders are many, but still so far no healing for my son is among them.
In this crushing wait for God's glory, I have walked the terrible path that Abraham walked with his son, Isaac, as they approached the mountain of sacrifice in Moriah (Genesis 22:1-14). I have had to lay my son, Seth, on that altar in faith that somehow “God will provide.” In an obedience that shreds my soul I have had to give up my son as I place my faith in a God I can in no way comprehend who is asking me to do something I can in no way reason through. I must obey this stark, sheer Word of God, trusting that somehow God’s promise will be fulfilled despite the apparent unreasonableness and injustice of the present situation. Yes, I know the anguish in Abraham’s heart as he drew his dagger to slay his only son, Isaac. It is the anguish of obedience to the Word while trusting the One who spoke the Word to keep His promise. God will provide for His promise! This I am believing, this I am standing on! God who calls me to obey will also provide!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Discouragement Gaining Ground
One of the surgeons involved with Seth's surgery stopped by today to check on how his incision was healing. He showed me where the injured part of the spinal cord would be, and explained that what we see now is essentially what will be. Seth still has no feeling below his waist, and the doctor said if there was to be improvement we would see it by now. Still, I insisted on doing another MRI in order to assess the actual damage to the spinal cord. I'm not sure why this is so important to me, but somehow knowing for sure instead of assuming seems the right thing to do. So, this talk today was very discouraging.
I've been at the hospital today learning how to do some of the basic things that must be done to help Seth get through each day. The indignities Seth, and all who are have paralysis like this, must accept as normal everyday living are extremely disturbing to me. He seems to take it all in stride, but how my heart breaks that he has to endure these daily invasions of his body and person. That he must deal with this is extremely discouraging.
My wife had an experience last night that hopefully means something good. Whether she was awake or dreaming, she doesn't know, but she was praying for Seth when suddenly her spine felt like it was on fire. The feeling went up to the midpoint of her back, which is the same location the surgeon pointed to today when he showed me where the injury was located. I am growing weary of "signs" at this stage of drama, but I'll take it. It is encouraging, but my heart is so discouraged that it is hard to hold on to anything hopeful.
Discouragement 2, Encouragement 1/2. Discouragement is closing the gap, but God makes the score heavily in favor of encouragement. Still, discouragement definitely gained some ground today.
I've been at the hospital today learning how to do some of the basic things that must be done to help Seth get through each day. The indignities Seth, and all who are have paralysis like this, must accept as normal everyday living are extremely disturbing to me. He seems to take it all in stride, but how my heart breaks that he has to endure these daily invasions of his body and person. That he must deal with this is extremely discouraging.
My wife had an experience last night that hopefully means something good. Whether she was awake or dreaming, she doesn't know, but she was praying for Seth when suddenly her spine felt like it was on fire. The feeling went up to the midpoint of her back, which is the same location the surgeon pointed to today when he showed me where the injury was located. I am growing weary of "signs" at this stage of drama, but I'll take it. It is encouraging, but my heart is so discouraged that it is hard to hold on to anything hopeful.
Discouragement 2, Encouragement 1/2. Discouragement is closing the gap, but God makes the score heavily in favor of encouragement. Still, discouragement definitely gained some ground today.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Encouragement Wins The Day
A good friend, Dick Speight, went with me today to pray for Seth at the hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. He prayed for both healing of the dead cells in his spine and the miraculous recovery of those cells that are injured. After he finished praying, another friend called from Cedar Rapids who informed us that at the time Dick was praying his prayers for healing and miracles, a large number of Cedar Rapids pastors had gathered together and were praying for Seth. This demonstration of care and love was very encouraging.
At a team meeting regarding Seth's condition, one of the doctors expressed his pessimism regarding Seth's prospects for recovery. He said that there should be some signs of improvement by now, and there are none. Seth still has no feeling from his waist down, and this hasn't changed for over a week now. He was not trying to be negative, he just was trying to be straight with us. My wife and I said that we believe God is a healing God, and that our hope remains in what God can do. Nevertheless, this meeting was very discouraging.
Later today, just before Dick, my wife, and I left the hospital, a doctor stopped by to see how Seth was doing. He had treated Seth in the intensive care unit, and had been praying for him. This doctor told us that on the very floor where Seth is staying are several patients who have had recoveries and healings that are impossible according to medical understanding. He said God can certainly do this with Seth as well. This believing doctor was very encouraging.
So, encouragement 2, discouragement 1. Encouragement wins today. Now comes tomorrow. Keep praying!
In Christ's Peace,
Will
At a team meeting regarding Seth's condition, one of the doctors expressed his pessimism regarding Seth's prospects for recovery. He said that there should be some signs of improvement by now, and there are none. Seth still has no feeling from his waist down, and this hasn't changed for over a week now. He was not trying to be negative, he just was trying to be straight with us. My wife and I said that we believe God is a healing God, and that our hope remains in what God can do. Nevertheless, this meeting was very discouraging.
Later today, just before Dick, my wife, and I left the hospital, a doctor stopped by to see how Seth was doing. He had treated Seth in the intensive care unit, and had been praying for him. This doctor told us that on the very floor where Seth is staying are several patients who have had recoveries and healings that are impossible according to medical understanding. He said God can certainly do this with Seth as well. This believing doctor was very encouraging.
So, encouragement 2, discouragement 1. Encouragement wins today. Now comes tomorrow. Keep praying!
In Christ's Peace,
Will
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Seth Update
Greetings All,
The latest on Seth is that as of this morning, the latest MRI shows no change, which means there is still swelling around the Coccyx, which is as I understand it the lowest part of the spine. More importantly, there is still no feeling in his legs. The doctors have yet to discuss with us anything specific about the present condition of the spine.
So, please keep remembering Seth and praying for him. I know it is different for us, Seth's family. For us the intensity is naturally constant and consuming. But as much as you all can, we appreciate you keeping the prayers for Seth rising like incense before the Father's throne. I know God hears.
For those of you who were sent information about the Caring Bridge, it is now accessible for everyone. There seems to be a problem with the signing in requirements, so when we get that working properly, we will let you all know the password stuff. As of right now, though, you can go to http://www.caringbridge.org/, type in sethandrewjackson, and that will take you to Seth's website. It has just been started, so there isn't much on it right now, but you can leave comments and encouragements for Seth.
Please also pray for me as I travel up to the hospital tomorrow. First of all that God gives me wisdom in talking with Seth as he is now asking when are his legs going to get feeling again. Also, for safety, as on our way home to Cedar Rapids last Sunday we hit a deer (or more accurately the deer hit us). Thank God no one (except for the deer) was hurt and the van is still drivable. Our Windstar just has a more interesting driver's side which looks like someone kept running into it with one of those little "Smart" cars. Oh well, we now have no problem identifying our van from all the other ones in the Walmart parking lot.
Also, please pray for Jackie and I to find some more work. Jackie's employer (a security agency) wasn't happy about her staying longer at the hospital last week, so she was forced to resign Monday when she went back to work. She still has a part time cafeteria job at the Toyota Center here in Cedar Rapids, but obviously she and/or I need to find something to replace the income before serious problems happen financially. (This would be a real good time for a good church to get real interested in me becoming their pastor, or maybe God is telling me it is time to get on with starting a new church. In the present circumstances, the only thing that seems clearly ruled out is returning to mission in Croatia. Oprostite, Hrvatski prijatejli.)
Again, thank you all for your prayers. So many people who we do not even know have let us know they and their circles of friends are praying. What a great big wonderful family of God! While it is in times like ours that this unity of the Holy Spirit is cherished, it is a real unity that exists all the time, everywhere, and forever.
In Christ's Peace,
Will and Jackie Jackson
The latest on Seth is that as of this morning, the latest MRI shows no change, which means there is still swelling around the Coccyx, which is as I understand it the lowest part of the spine. More importantly, there is still no feeling in his legs. The doctors have yet to discuss with us anything specific about the present condition of the spine.
So, please keep remembering Seth and praying for him. I know it is different for us, Seth's family. For us the intensity is naturally constant and consuming. But as much as you all can, we appreciate you keeping the prayers for Seth rising like incense before the Father's throne. I know God hears.
For those of you who were sent information about the Caring Bridge, it is now accessible for everyone. There seems to be a problem with the signing in requirements, so when we get that working properly, we will let you all know the password stuff. As of right now, though, you can go to http://www.caringbridge.org/, type in sethandrewjackson, and that will take you to Seth's website. It has just been started, so there isn't much on it right now, but you can leave comments and encouragements for Seth.
Please also pray for me as I travel up to the hospital tomorrow. First of all that God gives me wisdom in talking with Seth as he is now asking when are his legs going to get feeling again. Also, for safety, as on our way home to Cedar Rapids last Sunday we hit a deer (or more accurately the deer hit us). Thank God no one (except for the deer) was hurt and the van is still drivable. Our Windstar just has a more interesting driver's side which looks like someone kept running into it with one of those little "Smart" cars. Oh well, we now have no problem identifying our van from all the other ones in the Walmart parking lot.
Also, please pray for Jackie and I to find some more work. Jackie's employer (a security agency) wasn't happy about her staying longer at the hospital last week, so she was forced to resign Monday when she went back to work. She still has a part time cafeteria job at the Toyota Center here in Cedar Rapids, but obviously she and/or I need to find something to replace the income before serious problems happen financially. (This would be a real good time for a good church to get real interested in me becoming their pastor, or maybe God is telling me it is time to get on with starting a new church. In the present circumstances, the only thing that seems clearly ruled out is returning to mission in Croatia. Oprostite, Hrvatski prijatejli.)
Again, thank you all for your prayers. So many people who we do not even know have let us know they and their circles of friends are praying. What a great big wonderful family of God! While it is in times like ours that this unity of the Holy Spirit is cherished, it is a real unity that exists all the time, everywhere, and forever.
In Christ's Peace,
Will and Jackie Jackson
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