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I'm pumped about our new family series starting this Sunday. We all have thoughts and opinions on the family. We all want to get it right, too. The bible does have plenty to say about families, even if there isn't a section in the bible under the heading, "Family." God put us all in families, no matter how jacked up some of them were or are. What's your all time favorite dysfunctional family story? Email it here. I promise I won't share it without permission (smile.)
We tackled the issue of debt today. It’s always tough – I hear the stories, and then see it in people’s eyes. It’s holding so many people back. Don’t let it continue to impact your life. Get out. You can do it. Check out our website for potential resources. Also, check out Ken’s post about our services.
If you have a story on debt and how you have tackled it, please email it to us.
Next week we start a new series, “Whole Family.” If you’re single, an empty nester, preschool parent, etc., a whole family is a tremendous asset in our culture. We’ll explore components of a whole family, and how you can chart the course for your family.
It is a big day for John tomorrow. He’s going to start school! We’re praying that it goes well, that he is able to focus enough to get some work done. As you can imagine, being out of our sight for the day is a bit troublesome. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Sorry I have not posted this week about John’s progress. It’s been crazy getting back in the groove from the trip, planning for Christmas, etc. Man, I haven’t received this much criticism since I taught on “Pure Sex.”
Anyway, John got his NG tube out! He has been eating this week – soup, mac & cheese, etc. He can have all of the ice cream he wants, but he doesn’t really like ice cream. Go figure.
We have made such huge progress, and John has worked it hard. We hope that he can go back to school next week. It’s one step at a time, and we are grateful for your continued prayers. It will be interesting to see how his scope turns out in a few weeks. Hopefully his transition back to school will go well.
This was a great start to our Multiply series. Sunday is always good for a mind dump, as my brain is fried from the busy morning.
• The Splash! theater opened today. It looks great, and you need to be sure you go by and check it out. Christy Brogden and her team did a great job of putting it together. Thanks for all you Raise Your Gamers out there who made it possible!
• Did anybody catch that “dancing” guitar player?
• I think you’ll see something at Stonecreek next Sunday that you have never seen at church before. Stay tuned…
• Did anybody catch this picture of me? Check out the podcast for an explanation.
• Stay tuned for info on 2/46 on November 8th. It’s going to be a time where we can come together as a church community and worship, celebrate, and hear more about our future.
• John was at church today!
• Don’t forget to use who you are where you are. We’re all busy, but we can all help other people right where we are. Something supernatural happens in our lives when we help others.
We had the swallow study Wednesday morning, and they gave us the pass for now. We’re going to put off inserting the G-tube and come home! John has been eating somewhat, and we’ll see how much he progresses over the next week, and hopefully remove the NG tube then.
It’s been 2 weeks since Debby and he have been home. It will be nice for a change. We’ll go back in 1 month for another scope to see how he is progressing.
I'm pumped about our next series:
One of the great things about our church and it’s leadership structure is our team approach. With my unexpected absence last week, Ken was able to step in and speak on a moments notice. He already had a lot on his plate – he lead worship, had to pick up Man-Laws, and then prepare to speak on Sunday morning. I heard he did a great job, as he always does. It’s great to have someone who connects so well with the people in our church.
Most people don’t understand Ken’s role. They just think of him as the guy who leads worship. But Ken’s official title is “Lead Pastor.” While as the Senior Pastor my role is primarily vision and direction, Ken’s role is to coordinate the resources and strategy necessary for Stonecreek to continue in it’s mission to connect with people and lead them into an authentic and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. God has also blessed us with a great friendship over the years.
I know a few of you were bummed that I didn't continue with the faith and science topic from our Why series. We’re looking into potential ways to hit that topic. We’ll keep you posted.
I need to give a shout-out to our 9:30 Nursery leaders this week! Sounds like you guys stepped up to the plate and were prepared as our guests brought their children. I got great feedback about your efforts!
Alright, who is next? Has your ministry been featured in a shout-out yet? If not, ask your staff contact what it’s gonna take, and lead the charge.
I’m looking forward to Sunday, as we launch a new series and open our Splash! theater. More on that tomorrow.
Good stuff today as we ended the WHY> series. Had a few things going on:
• Mark Brown was great today leading worship. Maybe we can get him up a little more in the future.
• Our next series is going to deal with 2 topics that everyone struggles with.
• Our Segue Live! Tours are filled up for the upcoming weeks. That’s exciting to see so many new people getting plugged in.
• I’m ready for my family to be home!
• I love our band. Those guys are tight.
• Spoken word element at Stonecreek – that’s a first for me. I got a lot of positive comments, and it’s funny most of them came from our crowd over 50.
• It was great to be back today. When you come back you realize how much you miss it.
• Splash! theater opens this week. Our kids are going to love it.
Our plan is to bring John home this week. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for praying. I’ll have an update on his eating progress tomorrow.
The scope went well today, finding nothing that they weren’t expecting. The doctor wants to just let it ride and see how John heals. If he doesn’t continue to get better, then a more intense surgery will be required. But for now, amazing things are happening in Argentina’s throat – go figure (smile). We’ll go for a re-check in 5 weeks.
They do want to put in a G-tube. Because a G-tube requires going to sleep, therefore intubation, Dr. Rutter would like to do that in Cincy. However, the insurance company is balking a little. They say that they have good ENT’s in Atlanta.
Yes they do. As a matter of fact, we have the best ENT in Atlanta. She said go to Cincy. If the insurance company trusts the ENT in Atlanta so much, then they shouldn’t mind following her advice and paying out of network – follow my logic?
Anyway, tomorrow night John will be able to go to the Ronald McDonald house with Debby! We tentatively have the G-tube scheduled in Cincy for Thursday. I have non idea what this means for our schedules, etc., but will keep you posted.
Let’s pray – G-tube goes well, no further surgery, etc. I’ll let you know the doctor’s thoughts tomorrow.
I cannot wait for Sunday and the conclusion of our WHY> series. Mark Brown will be leading worship, and I know you'll enjoy him as much as my family does. Don't miss it - invite your One Life and pray hard...
John had the FEES study done today – the camera up the nose, down the throat. They let John swallow pudding and orange juice – with green food coloring. He definitely had a Hulk image going.
This is a teaching hospital, so we had 3 of the regular doctor’s, 3 nurses, 2 speech pathologists, and 3 doctors from foreign countries. Guess where one of the international docs was from – ARGENTINA!
While, according to doctors, “normal is beyond the realm of possibility,” there were positive results from the test. The doctors and speech pathologists were very positive with what they saw, and have an optimistic outcome. They are surprised that John is doing as well as he is, given the change in anatomy. He will begin swallowing liquids immediately, as much as he can tolerate. He’ll also be trying sherbert and popsicle consistencies. Things that don’t melt too thick.
One outcome is that John will probably lose his NG (nose) tube, and get a G (stomach) tube. This will help with his swallowing, and hopefully his muscles can strengthen more.
Tomorrow is the scope, and they’ll know more then. Please pray for this, @ 1:30.
So, it shakes out like this. The pulmonologist wanted to “poke his head in” to John’s scope, not participate. However, the scheduler thought he wanted to participate, so that put us off until Friday. The scope will be Friday, 1:30, involving the GI, ENT, and Pulmonology Docs.
Thursday morning @ 8:30, John will have another camera up the nose (FEES). John will probably do some swallowing during that test as well, to get a better idea of what is happening. I’ll be returning home after this test. It’s hard for me to leave, but there are so many demands on all of us. Who doesn't have multiple demands? We just try to make the best choices possible.
The doctor is pretty curious about what he will find on Friday. John has healed quicker than they had expected, not facing the respiratory distress that is common with his surgery. Hopefully we can avoid some of the worst case scenarios.
Oh yeah, our main Doc broke his hand this week – playing soccer. So, if there is any intense surgery necessary, it will have to wait. Call him Dr. Beckham.
