The Healing Room
I managed to get my walk in this morning, again praying Psalm 46, and again feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and energized.
My first stop upon arriving at work was Sandy's desk. She was taking her lunch break at the desk, so we chatted a while. I've known Sandy for almost 25 years now and we don't get to visit enough. I'm very mindful of her time, and wish others would be, too. She has a tough job, and a great spirit.
Later, in the Composing Room, I ran into Fred. "Hey, did I hear you were going to have take some time off?" I knew what he meant, and I shared with him the need to do the treatment. It was then that I realized I needed to tell Max, my publisher, before he heard it from someone else.
Max was supportive and understanding. I also sensed he was concerned about my absence, so I assured him we were shoring up the production desk in the newsroom. I also assured him that I was feeling positive about the treatment and its outcome, as well as the possibility that I will not have as difficult a time with the side-effects as others. (While I have no way of knowing either, I must remain positive on both counts.)
I worked quite a bit on the prototype for our new product today. It has consumed most of my time this week. I took a break and went to the bank, stopping at Amburn's Market to pick up some fruit and nuts. I decided to keep some at the desk so I would stay away from the sweets and high carbs.
I really wasn't that hungry at dinner time and decided to see whether The Healing Room in Louisville was open on Thursday nights. It was and I journeyed over to Lionheart Ministries, where it is located. I had not been to the new facility and was surprised. It is so much bigger than the other place on Alcoa Highway. Mike McClung is the pastor there and we run into each other occasionally. I have enjoyed watching God's ministry grow over the years under Mike's care.
I arrived at 6:30 p.m. and the worship time did not start until 7; nonetheless, there were people quietly prayer, worshipping, and I felt a peaceful spirit among them. I've been acquainted with Mike for several years and have worshipped with the Lionheart community on a few occasions. I have always felt at home when visiting.
There was a dry-erase board in the worship center listing "urgent" prayer concerns and I recognized one of the names. As I read the postings I realized that as I "urgent" as I felt my own need was, others were in greater need. Still, there were dry-erase markers and I added my name and concern, something along the lines of 'Buzz Trexler -- Preparing to start Hepatitis C treatment. Pray for successful treatment with few side-effects. Pray that I would be free of Hepatitis C, free of cirrhosis and free liver cancer.' It's difficult to remember if that is exactly what I put on the board, because later I saw signup sheets that were obviously meant to be filled out in order to be put on the list. So, I filled one of those out, too, and probably wrote something a little different than I did on the board.
There were stapled packets of prayer concerns, likely about 10 to 12 pages, and I picked one up, making my way to a seat where I prayed for each need.
I spent about 30 to 45 minutes worshipping as the worship musicians sang songs of praise. I prayed for the pages upon pages of concerns on the list. I prayed on my knees. I prayed on my face. I prayed and praised God with arms raised and tears streaming.
It was holy ground.
Rather than go to the Knoxville room on Saturday mornings, I will endeavor to make it to Lionheaert weekly on Thursday nights, probably before returning to work after Donna and I go to dinner.
I am convinced that personal and corporate worship are essential to my healing -- prayers for healing, and prayers for strength for the journey.
Grace ... and peace.
My first stop upon arriving at work was Sandy's desk. She was taking her lunch break at the desk, so we chatted a while. I've known Sandy for almost 25 years now and we don't get to visit enough. I'm very mindful of her time, and wish others would be, too. She has a tough job, and a great spirit.
Later, in the Composing Room, I ran into Fred. "Hey, did I hear you were going to have take some time off?" I knew what he meant, and I shared with him the need to do the treatment. It was then that I realized I needed to tell Max, my publisher, before he heard it from someone else.
Max was supportive and understanding. I also sensed he was concerned about my absence, so I assured him we were shoring up the production desk in the newsroom. I also assured him that I was feeling positive about the treatment and its outcome, as well as the possibility that I will not have as difficult a time with the side-effects as others. (While I have no way of knowing either, I must remain positive on both counts.)
I worked quite a bit on the prototype for our new product today. It has consumed most of my time this week. I took a break and went to the bank, stopping at Amburn's Market to pick up some fruit and nuts. I decided to keep some at the desk so I would stay away from the sweets and high carbs.
I really wasn't that hungry at dinner time and decided to see whether The Healing Room in Louisville was open on Thursday nights. It was and I journeyed over to Lionheart Ministries, where it is located. I had not been to the new facility and was surprised. It is so much bigger than the other place on Alcoa Highway. Mike McClung is the pastor there and we run into each other occasionally. I have enjoyed watching God's ministry grow over the years under Mike's care.
I arrived at 6:30 p.m. and the worship time did not start until 7; nonetheless, there were people quietly prayer, worshipping, and I felt a peaceful spirit among them. I've been acquainted with Mike for several years and have worshipped with the Lionheart community on a few occasions. I have always felt at home when visiting.
There was a dry-erase board in the worship center listing "urgent" prayer concerns and I recognized one of the names. As I read the postings I realized that as I "urgent" as I felt my own need was, others were in greater need. Still, there were dry-erase markers and I added my name and concern, something along the lines of 'Buzz Trexler -- Preparing to start Hepatitis C treatment. Pray for successful treatment with few side-effects. Pray that I would be free of Hepatitis C, free of cirrhosis and free liver cancer.' It's difficult to remember if that is exactly what I put on the board, because later I saw signup sheets that were obviously meant to be filled out in order to be put on the list. So, I filled one of those out, too, and probably wrote something a little different than I did on the board.
There were stapled packets of prayer concerns, likely about 10 to 12 pages, and I picked one up, making my way to a seat where I prayed for each need.
I spent about 30 to 45 minutes worshipping as the worship musicians sang songs of praise. I prayed for the pages upon pages of concerns on the list. I prayed on my knees. I prayed on my face. I prayed and praised God with arms raised and tears streaming.
It was holy ground.
Rather than go to the Knoxville room on Saturday mornings, I will endeavor to make it to Lionheaert weekly on Thursday nights, probably before returning to work after Donna and I go to dinner.
I am convinced that personal and corporate worship are essential to my healing -- prayers for healing, and prayers for strength for the journey.
Grace ... and peace.
