September 2013 Articles

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Just Rambling, September 2013

Just Rambling:
Last month, I told you about my mortality slapping me in the face, when I found out I had a tumor on my pituitary gland. At that time, I was waiting to get an appointment with Dr. Nanda, a neurosurgeon in Shreveport. Well, the appointment I was waiting on has come and gone. I am now scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, September 4th. When you read this, I will have had surgery, and, Lord willing, I will be out of the hospital and home recuperating. When I met with Dr. Nanda, he went over the surgery procedure and the risks involved, but then he summed it up by saying he would do the best he could, and that the Lord was in control. That really made me feel better — that he was a God-fearing doctor who put his trust in the Lord. As I have gone through the doctor appointments, the pre-op testing, and now the surgery, I wouldn’t be telling you the truth if I told you I hadn’t suffered some anxiety and some loss of peace of mind during this period. I guess that is only human nature, but I know some people suffer anxiety more than others. I tell my wife, Donnette, that I believe I must be a wimp, because I have and will continue to suffer anxiety until the surgery is behind me. When I think about the anxiety I have had, worrying over my operation by excellent doctors and nurses trying to help me, I can’t help but think about the anxiety that Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was betrayed and taken to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. Matthew 26:39 tells us, “He went a little farther and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus knew that He had to die to bear our sins, but it still wasn’t easy. In Luke 22:42, we find Jesus saying again, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:43-44 tells us an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him and, being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then, His sweat became like great drops of blood, falling down to the ground. When I think about the suffering Jesus did prior to being nailed on the cross, and then the cruel death He experienced, I know that God loves us so much — so much that He sent His only begotten Son to suffer as he did for the sins of mankind. I am not trying to compare myself to Jesus — just trying to remind myself and you how much our Lord God loved and still loves us. My mind can’t fathom the amount of love God has for us. Having children myself and knowing how much I love them, it is difficult to comprehend the great amount of love our Lord had and does have for those who love and obey His Holy Word. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” - John 3:16-17. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving , let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 Van Bennett

About the Front Page:
This is a cross that stands overlooking the valley below in Sewanee, Tennessee, home of the University of the South. We took this picture when our son, Cody, was attending this university. This image reminds me to think that, regardless of how deep the valley we go through, we can always look to the Cross and remember Jesus is with us.