Tony’s Blog

Six weeks from today, August 3rd, my wife Rhonda will be in a Long Island Hospital going under the knife to remedy a “Tethered Cord” problem. This surgery should affect several longtime issues she has endured and yet like most things there are no guarantees. No warranty’s on work performed. But we are praying that God would do more than we could ever ask or imagine for Rhonda’s health through this. We know He has been at work in and through all of these health issues over the years and we are thankful for His sustaining grace each moment. Please be in prayer for us as we try to get all of the logistics taken care of over the next couple of weeks. My main concern is the travel back to Chattanooga. The site of the surgery is the base of the back, which will by nature make the sitting position very difficult for Rhonda. I need wisdom concerning how to work this the best for Rhonda.

We are greatly encouraged by all the prayers offered on our behalf…so let us know if you are praying.

The book of proverbs pacts a powerful punch practically speaking. It really is quite fun to gain insight on so many major and minor aspects of life in such a few pages. One of the reasons I love proverbs is the succinct nature of the insights…there are Ah Ha! moments in every chapter. The other day I was with a pastor friend of mine who God has used to speak into my life over the last 4 years and he challenged me with Proverbs 27:14 “He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him”. This a powerful proverb in how to speak the truth into anothers life. If we do it in the wrong way “a loud voice”, and at the wrong time “early in the morning”, then we basically have made a blessing a curse. WOW! I am so thankful for my friend and his sharing this proverb with me. I needed to be reminded that however important truth is, it must be shared in the right way and time.

Today Proverbs 27:14 is becoming a key part of communication approach.

Recently my sister in law finished her battle with cancer and went home to be with the Lord. She left a wake of kindness behind her and we will miss her in the extreme. Her passing has a good news, bad news twist to it. The good news being she is no longer in pain and is with Jesus. The bad news is the loss of a wife for my brother and a mom for my nephews 8 & 10 years old. The loss of a daughter, sister, and friend by others connected with her. I must say I don’t like it…loss that is. I realize that this is one of the sad results of our first parents…Adam and Eve going their own way. When I returned home from the funeral I was met with more loss with a severe accident near my home where two people were killed. Loss is everywhere, and it hurts. I think that one of the best things a Christian can develop is a fully orbed way of viewing and understanding loss and suffering. May God help us with this understanding while we live with loss that seems to be at every turn.  Pray for my brother and his boys to be held in the arms of God.