Personal Update
Posted on August 17, 2007
Filed Under Personal |
This has been a week!
My mom was having post-op issues from her cancer surgery and so we had to take her back to the Denver hospital. She spent 6 days there. We picked her up yesterday and she is now in a full nursing facility for follow-on care until she can come home.
My dad’s stroke (and possible follow-on mini-strokes) has really knocked him down. He is wheel-chair bound, can’t get in and out of bed on his own, speech and swallowing are difficult, and greatly constrained in what he can do with his hands. He wrestles with maintaining sufficient hydration and has good days and bad days. Tuesday, he grabbed my hand and held it so tight and for so long that my fingers went numb. He knows that his body is failing him. But he hasn’t lost his sense of humor and yesterday we spent a long time laughing at something silly. Neither of us can speak when we get tickled like that.
In the midst of this, I have been teaching a doctoral course at New Geneva Seminary all week, four hours a day. One of my students is a long time missionary friend serving in Germany. Although I have heard this before, it was sad to listen to him describe what the spiritual situation is like there and in the rest of Western Europe. It renews my resolve to do everything I can to see the body of Christ in our culture regain its strength and courage and vitality. Pray for her.
I hope to get back to normal (what is that?) next week.
P.S. Please pray for two very dear friends who are close to the Truth Project. One is in the hospital with spinal injuries due to a fall, unable to breathe on her own. Another has been diagnosed with a spinal tumor and faces surgery in a few days. Pray also for the Utah miners and their families. As you know, three miners have given their lives in the search and at least six others were injured in yesterday’s cave-in.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
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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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Del,
Thanks for giving us an update on your family. I hope your brother-in-law is doing well too.
Congratulations on your anniversary!! I have a few years yet to catch up to you, but I’ll get there.
I will pray that next week will be “back to normal” for you Del.
Dr. Tackett,
So sorry to hear about your Mom’s setback! I have been through health issues with parents, but cannot imagine both of them at the same time. I will continue to pray for God to touch them and strengthen you!
Thank you for all you do. Thanks for the update about your family. You, your family and friends and your other prayer requests are in our prayers. I can’t help but believe that the more good you are doing, the more you come to the devil’s attention and the more trial he sends your way. Please know you and the Truth Project have made a big difference for several people in Alaska. May our Lord be close to you and strengthen and comfort you.
Del,
Your personal update of August 17 brought back the struggles our family went through just a few years ago. Our father struggled with Alzheimers for 5 years and shortly after his death, our mother’s memory was taken away by several strokes and then breast cancer finally took her life. At the time my mother was having debilitating strokes, my wife of 36 years died from colon cancer. What I learned from these trials was that #1. God is indeed in control, #2 God can bring good out of tragedy, and #3 there is no such thing as “normal” when you turn your life over to God’s purpose. The more we serve God, the harder Satan tries to derail us.
I’ve attended your Truth Project seminar using your DVDs. It is very powerful and we plan to use it for our church’s small group meetings this Fall. The work you continue to do in proclaiming the Truth is making a difference in our culture. You are shining the light on our darkening culture and Satan does not like it. Satan has all but taken over Europe. I know because I have a son-in-law from Belgium and have visited there several times.
I thank God for you and your work daily. Do not be discouraged. We need you to shine The Light on our darkness so the Body of Christ will again renew its strength, courage, and vitality in our culture.
Blessings,
Al
Please know that you are in my prayers. I thank God for your efforts in the Truth wars. Both my parents have gone on to be with our Father, and just last week my grandmother went home at 104 short years.
I was going to say I don’t know how you carry on in these circumstances, but I do know, it’s only by the grace of God.
Praying you will be able to rest in His arms, knowing that He is involved in everything that happens in our lives.
God bless you as you minister to us.
In Him,
Mike
I am praying for you and your family.
Del -
Not for the first time, you have made me cry. I remember my Grandfather, frail from a major stroke, holding my hand with the same firmness that you described. I will never forget those seconds that seemed like an eternity when he clutched my hand and looked deep into my eyes.
So much was communicated there, it was the last intimate moment I can recall between he and I. So, thank you Del, thank you for your willingness to open your heart to us. Keep loving Our Lord.
As hard as it is, there is no question about the extent YOU are needed, God Bless You for all you are doing for those who need your time and energy.
I’ll pray for you and for those contending for your time and energy, remember to care for yourself, who would do all you are doing were it not for your health and compassion?
Again…God Bless You Del,
Tom S
Del,
I met you when the Truth Project toured DC. I’m about to start my second round of teaching it. What a great course…Thank you!
Thank you for opening up your heart to us about your mom and dad. Know that you and your family are now on my prayer list!
God bless you!
Dale
Thank you Del,
I just started my second class this one had 30 people show up and I am so proud to be a part of it thank you for putting in to words all the things I have not been able to but belive in.
God Bless you Dr.Del Tackett