Pretty Tombstones and Reactive Arthritis

I stopped by a church and took this picture while driving up north this week. Before I decided to go to the Charlestown area it was a church that I had considered pastoring. Seeing the nice church building reminded me of what I have thought many times since coming out here.


A lot of these church building are like pretty tombstones.

I want to be clear, I am not singling out any one church, especially not this one. I got a sense that this one is alive and well. But, most of the churches in pretty buildings out here are not alive and well. Most of them are either not committed to God's truth or uninterested in reaching out effectively to the community. Some are doing neither, they are like lifeless buildings with a rich history and great architecture.

I suppose it could be a depressing thought, but it actually inspires me. I am so grateful for my 16 years at Spring Hills. I am glad that I got to be a part of a live and healthy church both before and after we moved in to our own building. Any church that looses touch with why it exists will die. I pray that when our new church is going that we will always stay focused, alive and healthy, no matter where we meet.

Reactive Arthritis: Well, my old friend is back. I have been without an episode since November. I was thinking that I might actually be done with this annoying pest.

For those of you who don't know, I will give you a short summary. Back in December of 2009 I got Salmonella. No problem, my immune system kicked in an vanquished this foe in a day or two. About 10 days later I developed what is called "Reactive Arthritis." It is similar to Rheumatoid arthritis, but happens in reaction to a major immune system event. My immune system essentially goes in to overdrive and attacks cells it is not supposed to attack. Inflammation take over. For the first few months I was miserable. I missed 6 weeks of work, had such pain in my joints that I could barely walk or get off the couch, had very red eyes and had great pain in my chest.

After the initial hit, things settled down, and since Easter of 2010 I have simply gone in and out of minor episodes. These basically consist of inflammation in the lining around my heart and lungs, accompanied by chest pain and extreme tiredness. These have been kept under control by prayer and medicine, and usually only last a few days. I had not had an episode since November, and even though the doctor said that it is something that I will have on and off for the rest of my life, I thought that it might be all over with.

I was wrong.

Oh well, it is not what I would prefer but I can live with it. Many people I know and love have much worse things that this. This life is temporary and inherently painful since sin entered the world. I know that someday I will be totally healed. I would love that to be on this side of heaven, but if it is not until I get to see Him face to face, so be it. There is too much to do in this broken and temporary home to get too wrapped up in it. I will admit though, that I miss having my girls here to wait on my hand and foot when I am sick. I am so spoiled.