Lakewood Church Joel Osteen Pastor Blog

Late last month on June 29th, I posted a serious blog titled "You Almost Lost PastorDATM" to which many responded. Here we are about 30 days later and with the help of in-home physical therapy (PT), I have pretty much regained my left side strength where affected. I'll probably have another month of PT and then I should reach the maximum of my range of motion, et. al. Of course, The Great Physician and Healer (Jesus Christ) is where my praise goes because without my Lord, I wouldn't be writing this today. Thank You Jesus!

In that blog, on July 2nd at 10:38 AM, I posted that I might have had another minor stroke because my wife found me still seated in my powerchair that morning. Crumpled paper of a table I was looking at the previous day were in my lap. I must have been looking at the printout of the brochure and then used the brochure to swat a fly or mosquito.

In any event, Mike Epsey of Mike & Laura fame seized the opportunity to try to make my dream table a reality. While the table's features fit perfectly to me as what a patient would need, the cost of the table was excessive and not covered by insurance. Yet another item that should be partially funded by Medicare but not. The cost of the table, I found out later, was like any other item classified as medical equipment turned out to be ridiculously expensive. On the other hand, comparing the features of this item to what is available from various internet outlets in the $200 to $400 range, the table pictured above is in a class all by its own. The features are fantastic a no table on the market comes close to what the Hill-Rom PatientMate product is. Not even close... Galaxies apart! LOL

Well, like I said, Mike set out to "make it happen" and one thing about Mike, if you need something done,give Mike a call. In this case, I really did not expect that I would ever have this table but somehow, Mike scraped enough dollar bills together from other members of MyChurch and was able to make my "dream table" a reality.

Thank you Mike and everyone on MyChurch that donated money towards this gift to me.

I am pretty sure that Mike may have even been a little short in donations so if you are so inclined to help out, I will not hesitate encouraging you to contact Mike and see what he says.

God Bless You All!

So here are some parting pictures on me and my new table. I actually put it to good use yesterday as I was sick in bed all day. Without the table, getting to my laptop computer and magazines, etc. would have been, as usual, very difficult. I just hate to ask for help and would rather do without that troubling somebody to hand me a magazine or help set up the laptop computer. Of course, my family might add that I do call on them too much when I am sick in bed. LOL

Thanks again to all that made this a reality; even the folks that simply prayed to make this a reality. God heard and God answered your prayers and thougtfulness. May you be restored 100 times the investment towards this gift. It is His work in progress...

The Hill-Rom PatientMate Table with my magazine rack positioned on the right side.

Here I am reading a magazine. Note how large the pull-out leaf is for reading magazines...

...and eating Subway's new Reuben Sub (currently my favorite).

Of course, the main thing that I do during the day is surf the Internet for eVangelism; my Calling...

And last but not least, the new table has a Makeup Compartment that will simplify my daily hygiene chores:

So again and again...

God Bless You All!

I love you all! MyChurch and the members that make up the community
are by far the best social network that I found to date.

Yours forever in debt to...

Dave

Yesterday, July 15th, my oldest daughter, Danette, was due to have her sixth child, a boy, to be named Madden. Her other five children are all girls. Danette went to the hospital as planned yesterday afternoon and around 10:30 PM last night received some medication to help induce labor. As of 7:30 AM EST this morning (July 16th), still no baby. She is scheduled to have another type of medication administered at 9 AM this morning to, once again, induce labor and speed up delivery.

There has been a complication that my family asks your prayers for.

Danette has just tested positive for the antibody "C" and apparently that means the baby may require a complete blood transfusion immediately after delivery. Of course, my daughter has gone from being very positive and upbeat last night to extremely worried this morning. In addition to her OB/GYN physician, a specialist familiar with infant complications has also been added to the delivery team.

Please pray for Danette and her unborn child.  Danette needs reassurance that God is in complete control and that her unborn baby could not be receiving any more attention than he already is from his Father above. Our entire family needs prayer  for peace, understanding and comfort. Of course, we have had our share of bad news and just when you think nothing else can be added to our plate; something else is.

I'm glad that God will never give me more than I can handle but I wish that God didn't have this much faith in me to handle all of these "situations."  :eek:  LOL  - - >  Yes, I still have my humor.

Thanks and God bless you for your prayers!

Dave

UPDATE: July 16, 2008 at 1:30 PM

As of 1:30 PM, still no baby. This little guy is being very stubborn! LOL

As for the possible need for a blood transfusion, apparently this situation develops when the mother's blood type and the baby's blood type are not the same. Somehow, as long as the mother's blood does not get into the baby's blood during birth, the blood transfusion would not be required. Of course, we already KNOW that this blood transfusion is NOT going to be required! Can I get an Amen on that? And all of God's people cried, Amen!

UPDATE: July 16, 2008 at 2:10 PM

Madden made his grand entry into this world at 1:47 PM.

At this time, it is not known if a blood transfusion will be required. Tests are pending but we all know that the results will indicate that the blood transfusion is not necessary. Amen!

One thing that is known... Madden has very big lungs and a cry that was heard 5 city blocks away!  :eek:  LOL  (Note to self: Purchase ear plugs - ASAP!)

UPDATE: July 16, 2008 at 3:25 PM

Madden weighed in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. with a length of 19 3/4 inches.

As for the pending test results to prove that a blood transfusion is NOT necessary, those results may not be available until sometime tomorrow.

I understand that currently Madden is exercising his voice with high pitched, super loud, cries. I know it says to Shout to the Lord but does it have to be like this?  :eek:  LOL

Mom and son are resting peacefully. Dad is passing out cigars (bubble gum type) and is already sizing Madden up for either a pro-football or NASCAR slot.

Note to talent scouts: Get you bids in now! This guy is a winner!

Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers. I'll keep you posted as I receive new information.

UPDATE: July 17, 2008 at 8:30 AM

All of the test results are in and baby Madden does NOT need a blood transfusion! Was there any question about this? Nope, we serve an awesome God! Thank You Jesus! Hallelujah, mighty is the Name of our Lord.

Mom and baby Madden will be discharged Friday morning. Thank you all for your prayers and especially those that stood in agreement with me. Our prayers were answered! TYJ! 

It is always a joy to be with friends. It is more of a joy to meet cyber-friends in person. And today, Pastor Tim from Indiana stopped by Pastor Dave's house in Maryland for a visit. This is one of the few times that I can say that I've met in person somebody that I have grown to know over the Internet. And for all of you that have yet to meet Pastor Tim in person, he is every bit himself as he is here on MyChurch. There is nothing fake about Pastor Tim; genuine through to the core. If you ever have the opportunity to meet Pastor Tim in person, you'll be blessed just as I have been blessed today. Thank you Pastor Tim for coming by for a brief visit. Godspeed Ahead!

Pastor Dave and his sidekick Mito meeting Pastor Tim from Indiana