christianity

The God Who Doesn’t Play Games

/ Baldwin Acres / Leave a comment

Our women’s ministry is having a game night. While discussing it with friends, someone said the devotional should be something along the lines of – The Games God Plays With Us. They were joking but it did have me pondering it over the last couple of days. Here is the one big difference between the God of the Bible and other gods: He DOES NOT PLAY GAMES with His followers!

Some of the differences between the world’s gods and the ONE TRUE GOD. (I wasn’t all together familiar with mythic gods, so I did have to research, and the information out there is DEEP. Consider these just rudimentary descriptions. Please.)

Zeus – Greek god. He frequently manipulated events around mortals, heroes and kingdoms. He used storms, disguises and fate to interfere with humans. His concern for mortal conflicts were treated like strategic contests.

Athena – another greek god. She was famous for manipulating or obstructing mortals – depending on what her goals were.

Loki – norse . He’s often referred to as the ultimate trickster god. He manipulated other gods and humans to indulge his bent for chaos, humor or advantage. Serious consequences were often the outcome.

Krishna – Hindu. He played deceptively to teach moral or spiritual lessons. Hindu’s also teaches hindu gods are responsible for the invention of the game of chess – cosmic strategy.

Anansi – West Africa. This is a spider-trickster who constantly outwits humans and gods, using stories, and riddles.

Coyote: Native American – a mischievous creator-trickster who played pranks on humans teaching lessons through chaos.

Raven : Pacific Northwest native americans. The raven is a shapeshifter who manipulates humans with stealing, tricks or simply rearranting the world, to his gain.

These all have at least one thing in common: they used humans for their enjoyment or chaotic purposes. They tricked people and often moved them around as human pawns.

The God of the Bible Yahweh is the exact opposite of these false gods. He is not moody, impulsive or self serving. Instead He is faithful, consistent, slow to anger and abounding in love for his creation – us. When life feels chaotic we don’t have to wonder if our god is messing with us. His character is steadfast and sure. In Malachai He says, “I the Lord do not change.”

Our God doesn’t play temporary games. He makes eternal covenants. God binds Himself to His people with promises He cannot break. He says, “I will be with you.” “I will never leave you or forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5, and my favorite: “I will fight for you; you need only be still.” Exodus 14:14

He’s the God of commitment. Faithful and strong to His people – He even says He’s adopting us into His own family as sons and daughters. 2 Corinthians 6:18 “I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters.”

While God doesn’t play games with us, try to hurt us, or manipulate us like other gods, He does test us. Games are pointless (unless you win,) but tests have a purpose. That purpose is to cause some kind of growth to happen – spiritually, emotionally, or physically. Tests can strengthen our endurance, give us wisdom and maturity in our Christian walk. He doesn’t test to sit back and watch us struggle; He tests to make us strong. “Consider it joy…because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance…”James 1:2-3

The most important difference between gods and our God as far as game play goes…is our God didn’t create and manipulate us to sit up or back and watch us figure it out.

He came to us as one of us. Unheard of in the land of god-dom.”The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknessess. ” Hebrews 4:15

I know my friends were joking around about the games God plays with us, but I think it’s important to know that our God, the God of the Bible, the Creator of the Universe and everything in it, cares about us and because He does, He cares for us.

Go fish….:)

Essential Tips for Spinal Fusion Recovery Success

/ Baldwin Acres / 2 Comments

As I start to write this, I’m 11 weeks post spinal fusion surgery. (TLIF) I’ll tell ya, this arthritis, that is slowly destroying my bones/joints is unpleasant. The medical folk refer to it as a degenerative bone disease. Seems like and overly weighted description to me, but after a shoulder replacement, a reverse shoulder replacement, one knee partial replacement and, now, a spine with a wonked out vertebrae slipping forward, (spondylolisthesis), along with developing scoliosis and faucets growing on most of the vertebrae in my spine.

The condition wasn’t helped with steroid shots, physical therapy or meds, so surgery it is – if I could continue working the farm. We had multiple decompressions and the TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) surgery (spinal fusion where they shoved the rebellious vertebrae back in it’s proper spot, screw it in and add some kind of something that will grow around it making it one with the spine.)

This was the most painful recovery I’ve had. I also had alonger stay in the hospital than anticiapted because my drain would not comply and kept filling up. Also, I had an absolute terrible nurse, who was uncaring, and totally not willing to do her job. When it came down to it, I had to report her. The other nurse I encountered after I had a run in with the neglegent nurse (who was very unconcerned about a bout of incontinece caused by a higher does of muscle relaxer than necessary) the next nurse met a woefully sobbing me. We had to report her to the head nurse. But, anyways, always be an advocate for yourself, is what I learned

.I’m not sure if it’s because I’m older or because it was the spine or what…but that first week at home was awful…I had to assure my husband it was ok to not pay attention to the noises I was making because they were absolutely involuntary….also, don’t pay attention to the crying – also involuntary. He was sweet and prayed for me often, but was worried all the same.

The instructions after surgery are to not BLT (Bend, lift or twist) for quite awhile – my surgeon said it could take up to a year to be ‘normal’ but by 6 months I should be able to BLT again. In preparation for the recovery, my husband and I went to the nursery and bought some starts for our raised garden bed. The idea was, being 64, I pretty much know myself and understand I’m pretty lazy and prone to like comfort. So, if I had these starts that would HAVE to get planted, I’d make the walk to the garden every day after planting them. The pain was so absolutely unbearable there was no way I could get out there to water things let alone plant things. My husband still works fulltime and is a late evening/weekend rancer so we called in some help.

One grand came out for the weekend and helped my husband get the starts in the ground so the money wasn’t wasted! Garden saved!

Eventually I was able to cast aside the walker but my smart watch kept warning me that my walking was unstable and I was in danger of falling. There was little doubt I would return to the walker and I really didn’t want to use an old lady cane (yes, I know I’m an old lady, but I don’t want to garnish myself as one), so I bought a rustic walking stick to help me stay mobile and not fall. I also bought some sturdy ‘recovery flip flops’ that were solid (see below).

I’m picking this up at 19 weeks post TLIF – life has busy but I’ve been able to keep up! God has healed me very quickly. I want to encourage folks, if the option of getting spine surgery scares you, I would encourage you to reconsider.

Here’s a few things that helped me:

  1. Lots of rest.
  2. Someone who can be there 24/7 at first.
  3. There’s a special personal hygiene item that seriously help with toileting. On Amazon search for Fanwer Toilet Aids Tools,Long Reach Comfort Wipe,Extends Your Reach Over 15″ Grips Toilet Paper or Pre-Moistened Wipes.

4. These thick flip flops give stability to walking. https://a.co/d/hbkHQgJ shevalues Orthopedic Sandals for Women Arch Support Recovery Flip Flops Pillow Soft Summer Beach Shoe

5. This walking stick. Backyard Expressions 55 in Rustic Wood Walking Stick, Traditional Style Handle, for Men & Women, Trekking Pole, Hiking Pole, Walking Stick.

This stick was a neccisaty when I got rid of the walker, but I needed some support for stabilty but didn’t like the traditiaonl cane. Very affordable and helpful to regaind independence.

6. This cushion, I got it at costco for less than $50. When it came time to start sitting at my desk and working, my previous perfectly adequate office chair was not making sitting very comfortable. My hips would get stiff and achy within minutes. So, we bought this and it has made all the difference. Type S Smoothing Premium Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion – Ergonomic Back Pain Relief for Coccyx Tailbone Sciatica Back Pain Relief for Office Chairs

Finally, make sure to have in qeue your a book stack, maybe kindle stack, podcasts, tv shows, movies and new music playlists. It makes it easier to just dial in instead of having to research when you’re semi out of it. Also, I found some great bible studies to do…Awake by Prisciall Shrier, Adamant by Lisa Bevere, and the Devine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard, in additon to digging into my Life Application Study Bible which has a abundance of resources.

Keep praying..you’ll be up and about at no time.

Playlist suggestions : anything by Matthew West, Mercy Me and Forrest Frank.