Personal Status—Sensing the Urgency
Posted on May 21, 2007
Filed Under Personal |
I don’t know what is “proper” in blogsville when it comes to talking about personal issues. However, I am sure that few things can take you there more quickly than recounting the trials of post-op.
As much as I would rather just wait until it is all over and then continue, I have this gnawing sense of responsibility that I can’t allow “dead air” and need to at least give you an update. That sense comes primarily from a couple of things: one, many of you have sent very kind and gracious notes that you are praying. That deserves a response. Second, there are people reading this blog from all around the world (from India, Portugal, Russia, Afghanistan, Egypt…) This boggles my mind and gives me a greater sense of responsibility than I had in the beginning. Anyway, here is the quick update and why I’ve been unable to post anything in the last few days:
This surgery has been much more difficult than I naively imagined. The pain, at times, is severe. Everything pretty much revolves around the pain medication’s four-hour cycle. It is strong and I am asleep or “out of it” pretty much most of that cycle…awake just enough to struggle to the bathroom, try to get something to eat, though I am often nauseous, and then take the next dose, which by then I am light-headed, dizzy and can do no more than lie down and try to read until the big white pill takes over and I am out again.
Last night, in the latter stages of one of the cycles, I read through Ecclesiastes and it offered another piece toward what has been coming together in striking fashion through all of this: our lives are so tenuous…so fragile and brief…and so much of it can be nothing but chasing after wind if it is not done for a divine purpose. Don’t get me wrong, this is not to support the unbiblical sacred/secular split. But it is to recognize that God has granted to us but one life and that life is to be lived in full dedication to God—whether you are farming or painting, or driving a truck. Each of us are called to do what we do manifesting the fruit of the One Who indwells us so that our farming or painting or truck driving is done with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.The believer whose life is characterized by this kind of fruit will understand what Jesus said about coming that we might have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
Anyway, through all of this, I am deeply convicted that God is calling us to get serious about our lives. I have been reading much about Islam and there is much to be sober about. Our culture has certainly presented us with an array of daunting challenges and there is no guarantee that tomorrow will not bring an earth-shaking event that will turn our pleasant lives upside down. The day of preparation will have passed. So, let us gird our loins and prepare ourselves.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for each of us to walk through these verses, before the Lord, and contemplate whether or not we have prepared ourselves in this manner. The Scripture calls us to do so. If we haven’t, then it would be wise of us to make the commitment and lay out the plans to get it done…soon.
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12 Responses to “Personal Status—Sensing the Urgency”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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I am still praying for you, Del. This is not a good thing to go through pain, and it certainly is not God’s intention for our lives. However, we must struggle, endure, and persevere trusting that in our lives, because of God’s good grace through our justification, we are sanctified and are being sanctified and will be sanctified and come to earn God’s rewards in our lives.
Blessings be to you, Del, and to your family and all those that miss you and your presence at this time!
Dr. Tackett,
I am praying for you. May the Great Physician grant you a full recovery soon.
May His kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Thank you for your sevant leadership. God’s Spirit is upon you! May He continue to guide you, your wife, family and the rest of your ministry.
Love and prayers,
Mike W.
(Truth Pro. host)
Dr. Tackett,
Thank You.
Thank you for your honesty and transparency. Anne (my wife) “Prays on her armor” everyday & has for the past 24 years. She has taught me so much about having a dependence on God. At last count she has had 29 surgeries since we’ve been married in 1980. Through all that we both have learned that God is always there providing. Through her first 2 surgeries in 1984 was how I became born again. God reached down to both of us and kept us in his hands. He’s allowed us to experience and learn all we needed to be there for other people going through the same things we did.
Some day I’m going to write a book - I was convicted of that during one of the 12 Truth Project “Adventures” you led me through. Unlike those “religions” that teach Glory is earned - by acts such as killing, or the number of doors I’ve knocked on, my God (& yours) desires a deep and loving relationship with us and is willing to do ANYTHING to make that happen!
To God be the Glory!
You put to paper what I feel in my heart, A strong sense of urgancy to “get it togeather” not just on a personal level but all of us, wake up! Thank you so much for your faithfulness, your encouragement to stay strong.
GOd speed your healing, and although this may sound strange, enjoy this “rest”, we have a battle ahead. God Bless.
Del- I’m praying for you, your recovery, your ministry, and your family. I DEARLY respect you and love your blog, your ministry… what you stand for, what you teach me, and who you are. You are in my prayers daily. Thank you for striving towards God and encouraging me to testify to the Truth and grow in the Truth!
Crystal Becker
FFI Alumni Summer ‘05
Des Moines, IA
“…God has granted to us but one life and that life is to be lived in full dedication to God…”
Amen, Amen, Amen.
It’s amazing how rare a message like this simple exhortation to full dedication to God has become in the churches. Too many equate any exhortation to give love to God and neighbor as fleshly striving. So, the days pass as love and good works are ignored or discouraged rather than encouraged. Striving for holiness is seen as fleshly and legalistic rather than as an expression of our love for God. Galatians 5 contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit. One is to be shunned and the other pursued.
But the fruit of the Spirit (as you cite and comment) is needed for each of us to fulfill our callings before God, the Church, and the world.
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him”. - John 14:21
“O love the Lord, all ye His saints…” — Psalm 31:23
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more”. - 1 Thessalonians 4:1
“Keep yourselves in the love of God…” - Jude 1:21
I’m sitting here at my home in Auburn, WA, just having finished a little breakfast and having read your recent piece about a sense of urgency. I, and thousands more, are so blessed by your ministry; by your transparent way of speaking truth into our culture; by the perspective you put on what is becoming a real danger to our God blessed (literally) country. In the midst of all this coming chaos will stand our Lord, Jesus Christ with His open arms for those who will choose to run to Him. May the Lord be with you. Make His face shine upon you and give you His mercy and peace. Thanks for taking a stand.
Dr. Tackett,
I’m so glad to see you have started blogging. I pray you have a quick and complete recovery, and the Lord may grant you strength during the healing process.
I look forward to reading more of your thoughts. Thank you for starting this blog and your transparency. I have added your blog’s RSS feed to my reader.
At His Feet,
Josué Sierra
FFI Alumni Spring 03
Annandale, VA
Dr. Tackett-we are praying for your quick recovery here in Utah and look forward to the Truth Project in June!(Pain is no fun-I had a kidney stone with complicatons some years ago and will never forget it)
Also, welcome to the blogosphere-I look forward to your thoughts! I have worked with college students here for many years and feel what you are doing/teaching will be used by God in a big way!
Thank you for keeping in touch with us through this blog and your emails. I am praying for your quick recovery.
I talked with you last May at the Rockford, IL TP training. I have felt God’s call to lead the TP and explained to you that God “promoted” me into retirement April 2006 when my job was eliminated. After 24 years of single parenting, God provided so that I can serve Him with more of my time now in “retirement.” You indicated at the train the “battle” we are in. God had previously impressed me with this battle in our culture to encourage me as a Children’s Leader in BSF. The victory is won, yet I must daily put on my spiritual armor (Eph 6) and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me and guide each step. As our BSF study of Romans concluded, life’s goal is to give glory to God through Jesus Christ.
I completed facilitating my Small Group in the Truth Project May 11 and am anxiously watching when God will allow me to facilitate it again.
Praying for your complete healing and continued teaching.
Dr. Tackett
I just wanted to post that I am praying for you, hope you recover quickly. My mother in law is taking me through the truth project… absolutly awe inspiring… I am going to get a black hinged box for my desk. anyway, as the outreach minister for my church, I plan to introduce the series to as many people as I can. Thank you for everything, and again I am praying for you
Dean Zehnder in Campus Ministries at College of the Ozarks and staff pray for a speedy recovery! We didn’t realize you were ill and hope you will be up to full speed when you arrive at our College in November. We believe your impact will be like no other before you. Blessings and take care.