Heart Attack Scare

Me in the Chest Pain Center of the ER, 9/12/2011On Monday September 12, 2011, while returning home from a particularly unstressful day in the church office, I began having pains in my chest. During the five minute drive home the pain increased. When I arrived home I went immediately to lie down. Becky knew at once something was definitely wrong. The pains continued and intensified, even after taking four 81mg aspirin. After thirty minutes of steady pain, Becky drove me to Jackson Madison County General Hospital Chest Pain Center.

I was quickly wheeled inside and connected to an electrocardiogram machine. Moments later I was taken to a trauma room, connected to an IV line, oxygen line, and heart monitor. The first of six total blood draws was taken. I underwent a chest x-ray. A nitroglycerine patch was placed on my chest to alleviate the pain. At this time my pain level on a scale of one to ten was a seven. The pain did not actually subside until I later received a morphine shot through the IV. The pain fluctuated some after reaching the hospital, but never really left until over four hours after it began. The next morning, after a night of periodic examinations and blood draws, I underwent two nuclear scans and a lexi (chemically induced) stress test, and an echocardiogram.

The results showed that my heart function is completely normal with no discernable blockages. However, my triglycerides were way too high at 420 (healthy is below 150), and my cholesterol was a touch high at 228 (healthy is below 200). The cardiologist diagnosed my chest pain as an angina attack. More specifically, I had an attack of unstable angina. “Unstable angina happens with or without physical activity — sometimes while at rest or sleeping. Unstable angina means you are at immediate risk of a heart attack and should seek emergency help. This type of angina is unpredictable, more severe and usually lasts as long as 30 minutes.” – taken from Speakfromtheheart.com.

As with my cancer experience of 2005-2006, this new physical challenge has made some changes necessary. I am now on medication, temporarily, to lower the triglycerides quickly. However, new eating habits and more exercise are the main prescription to prevent more serious heart troubles. For some this may sound like a relatively simple change to make. For a man accustomed to the pleasure of uninhibited and indiscriminate eating, it is something else entirely.

After a few days of recovery and reflection it became clear that what is in store for me is not simply a change in diet, but a change of lifestyle. Eating habits, buying habits, meal planning, scheduling my day, everything is affected. Eating healthy and exercise necessitates planning. Perhaps the most important change will be a change of mindset. A positive determination to do what is necessary to be healthy, with the disciplined choices that will be necessary.

Although this experience was thankfully not as extreme as my previous cancer ordeal, the same kind of positive attitude will be necessary. A quote from one of my favorite movies comes to mind, a quote that defined my choices and struggle when dealing with cancer years ago. In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, inmate Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) tells fellow inmate Red Redding (played by Morgan Freeman) that in prison, a man has a choice to make. Andy would not allow grim circumstances to keep him from hoping and following his dreams. He said, that ultimately every man must make this choice: “Get busy living, or get busy dying”. I chose to get busy living, and to do all that would entail, back in 2005 when cancer threatened to take my life. This week I made the same choice.

BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of October 25, 2009

The Hero Victorious        Mark 15,16

Anyone with a sense of history is stirred by this photograph. United States Marines who had fought hard and watched many of their comrades die were finally able to raise our flag over the island and declare it secure after 36 days of fierce fighting. During that period of time, 6,825 Americans were killed, and 19,026 were wounded. Iwo Jima is considered to be one of the fiercest battles of World War II. Small wonder that 30% of all WWII Marine Medals of Honor were awarded to personnel who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

When have you been faced with overwhelming odds? How did it feel? What did you do to surmount the obstacles before you and gain victory or success? Our text passages this week from Mark 15 & 16 highlight Jesus' trials, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The complete story is not covered in depth, but the scenes we see record some of the darkest days of Jesus' life here on earth. The Son of God willingly allowed Himself to be falsely accused, slandered, abused, condemned, and put to death by the cruelest form of punishment imaginable. His mission to be the sacrifice for the sins of mankind was being carried out, and He stubbornly endured it all, for us. It was His finest hour. And He endured it all alone.

Jesus stood resolutely in the midst of His enemies, rarely speaking a word, and none in His own defense. All of His followers had fled. No one came to His defense. The sleepy disciples who could not even stay awake and pray with Him could not be expected to stand in His defense. The fickle mob that had escorted Him into Jerusalem only a week earlier were now crying out for His extermination. In fact, the only one present to watch Him die was a pagan Roman centurion. Jesus' death so affected the soldier that he was compelled to acknowledge Jesus as God's Son.

Have you ever stood alone in the face of opposition? Have you made a public stand for Christ, only to discover that no one else stood with you? How hard was it to stand alone? There are times when we are compelled to stand for Christ in the middle of open hostility. Other times, the decision to stand for Him and what is right is made and carried out in obscurity. Both are equally difficult. Peer pressure compels us to go along with everyone else and not make waves while our flesh compels us to choose comfort and self over sacrifice and Christ.

What can we do to be ready when called to take a stand for Christ? All this month we have studied important aspects of discipleship. We have learned that it is essential for us to put aside worldly distractions, prioritize our walk with Jesus, and practice spiritual disciplines that foster growth and strength in our faith. Only then will we be ready to stand and emerge victorious when trials come. The banquet comes later; now we are engaged in battle. We cannot become comfortable or lazy in the effort of spiritual growth and preparedness. It takes constant vigilance and diligence.

I rejoice in the end of our story today! Jesus endured and emerged victorious. His death brings new life to all those who believe. His resurrection assures us of God's acceptance of His sacrifice and guarantees our own victory over death. Our future is sure. It is in the present day where the battle rages. We will be called upon to stand for God's truth, to stand for biblical morality, to stand for Christ, and often to stand alone. We, like Jesus, can emerge victorious. We must be ready!

BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of September 27, 2009

The Results of Knowing Jesus        Mark 8,9,10

How long does it take to grow a disciple? John Mark, author of the gospel that bears his name, is known for his frequent use of the word "immediately" (some translations use 'straightway'). However, you won't find it anywhere near a teaching on discipleship. Disciples are not born (they ARE born again!), they are made. Discipleship is a deliberate process of following Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into His likeness. It is no coincidence that 'discipline' and 'disciple' are similar words. One concept is inseparably linked to the other. Discipleship requires lifelong discipline.

Jesus did not paint an easy picture for those who would be His disciples. He set the bar high, and we in the modern church have no authority to lower it. Although this lesson includes teaching passages from Mark 8,9, & 10, Jesus' statement in Mark 8:34 contains the complete recipe of discipleship. The illustration of the cross is an all-encompassing image of self-denial, service, and suffering. Jesus explicitly said that to be His follower was no picnic. How much of that is hidden in modern-day evangelism and church-growth philosophies?

Jesus taught in Mark 8:34-38 that self-denial is the only path to a life worth living. How else do we "find our life" but through spending it for the cause of Christ? We do not find it in wealth, possessions, escapism, physical gratification, popularity, business, worldly success, family, or even church. (Let's face it; we do not deny ourselves much at church.) Jesus modeled self-denial as no one else possibly could. He denied Himself many of the prerogatives, and even the very presence of, Deity. The passage in Philippians 2:6-11 is the landmark description of just how low Jesus stooped to reach our level of living. But in stooping to our physical level, He boosted us to His spiritual level, as evidenced in the latter portion of the Philippians passage mentioned earlier. In like manner, our life of self-denial in following Jesus is the pathway by which we find ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction in this life, and in the life to come. We "find our life" (Mark 8:35).

In Mark 9:33-37 Jesus sets a child in the midst of His disciples and challenges their willingness to serve. In the culture of that day children held no status and few rights, viewed almost as property by their families. Jesus declared that the greatest among us is the one ready to serve the least among us. Again, Mark 8:34 challenges us to serve unselfishly like Jesus by following Him in a cross-bearing manner of living. What is cross-bearing? It is sacrificial service to all, even the least in society's hierarchy.

In Mark 10:32-34 Jesus warns His disciples for the third time about His impending arrest, abuse, and crucifixion. Jesus was obviously fixed on this series of events that lay just ahead. Although not relishing the prospect of suffering, He was able to accept it as the will of the Father. Again, this is brought out in Mark 8:34. Taking up the cross means a willingness to accept suffering for the cause of Christ.

I continually wrestle with these burdensome concepts. I find that I deny myself little, like being served, and avoid suffering at all costs far more often than otherwise. I have also discovered that when I do seek to follow Jesus with a Mark 8:34 devotion I realize more peace, fulfillment, passion, joy, and contentment than ever before. The battle rages between my stubborn flesh that desires to be happy, and the Spirit within, Who desires that I be holy. Momentary happiness from self-gratification in between struggles, or lasting contentment and peace that prevails through all of my circumstances. It seems this would be an easy choice. At times it is; other times it represents the greatest of struggles. But one of the supreme results of knowing Jesus is experiencing progress in the struggle. Over time, I see myself choosing to follow Jesus more and myself less. I relish more victory over self; I enjoy greater peace; I begin to understand settled contentment; I see more Kingdom usefulness. And in these things I "find my life".