Parkinson’s disease

The Chastening of The LORD

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction: for whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Proverbs 3:11-12

Are you a faithful, Bible reading, Church attending, Holy Spirit living Christian (a follower of Jesus Christ), or are you just a nominal Christian who attends church once, twice, maybe five times a year; when you find it convenient?

If you are one of the faithful ones then let  me tell you something you already know or may not know.  That is, that the LORD chastises His children.  He disciplines His own.  If you are without chastisement, then you are not His child (Hebrews 12:7-8).

Please bear with me.  I am going to share something with you of my personal health.  Several years ago (2011) I had some blocked arteries in my heart, and they put three stents in to open them up.  On November 01, 2013, I was out trimming around the edge of our yard, was having a minor heart attack, and the doctors put more stents in my heart.  I have had a tremor in my right arm and hand for many years and over the years it kept getting worse.  In September of 2023 I went to see a  Neurologist, and she did some test, and told me that I had Parkinson’s Disease.  This has seemed to get progressively worse, affecting my voice and speaking abilities, I have fallen many times.  One of those times was a face plant on a concrete parking lot in Branson,  MO..

Anyway, I see the chastening hand of the LORD in this.  I do not know the purpose of it  yet.   I do know that He is not only Lord of all, He is also my Lord and Savior.  It is good to know that He is still working on me.  Even though it is painful.

I thank the Holy, Holy, Holy Three in One for the grace and mercy they have given to me.

A Storm In Life

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

We all face storms in our lives. Actual storms in weather patterns and in day to day life and living. God’s people, followers of Jesus Christ, are not immune to any of these storms either.

One of the storms of my life has been, since September 22, 2023 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and it  is not a pleasant thing to deal with. God is so good. He has given me a family: my wife, our sons and daughters and their spouses have been so helpful in helping in so many ways. This is the storm I am dealing with, as it seems sometimes to be getting worse. I still mow our yard. I can still drive, but I do not know how much longer I should. I am not scaring my wife yet. Well that is enough about that.

When Paul was on a ship headed to Rome, he had warned them of danger if they left Crete at that time scheduled. When they had been in the storm for fourteen days, here are the apostle’s words,

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, “Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.  And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, ‘Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.’  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.  Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Acts 27:21-26

The Lord had sent an angel to Paul, and told him to “Fear not”, there would be no loss of life, they would be grounded, the ship being destroyed, and that the Lord had given him all those who were on the ship with him, including the ship master, the soldiers guarding him and the other prisoners.

Storms are sometimes very frightening. It is always comforting and encouraging to know that God has these things in His Almighty hands. Even when that storm is your feet feeling like they are slipping, and they are not. Even when you balance is gone awry. When you are falling down more than you ever did. Even when it feels as though you are losing your strength, and you have no energy to go on. Have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be afraid. “Fear not,” said the angel of the Lord to Paul; and to you and me.

Christ Jesus died so that we might be forgiven all our sins. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. He rose up out of that tomb, and came out alive forever more. Through Him we too are alive forever more. Believe Him, and be saved.