SJB At the NCVH...

Here's an excerpt from a post I wrote on my blog about the StillWaters Jazz Band's most recent gig for the excellent fellows at the NC Veterans' Home:

This past Saturday the StillWaters Jazz Band had one of its most fun gigs so far. We got to play at the NC Veterans' Home on the campus of the VA Hospital in Salisbury, NC. None of us really knew what to expect as we began unloading our equipment. We set up in the front lobby of the facility and the crowd began to gather.

Right off the bat we could tell that these guys were different than the groups we had played for so far. They were asking questions and talking to us - genuinely interested in what we were doing and who we were. It didn't take long before our nerves had settled down. In the picture above you can see Justin talking with one of the residents. This particular fellow was really up on his jazz. He related one story about how he had the pleasure of seeing Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Al Hirt in concert with some other giants of the jazz world back in the late 60s. We were all envious!

Read the rest of the post...

Wonderful News!

OK, this is a little late, but I figure better late than never. I got some great news from Luke D a former member at StillWaters about the medical condition of his son, Josh. Some of you may remember that Josh nearly died several times as a result of complications from a surgery that he had. It was really touch and go there for quite a while. I'll let Luke give you the details:

Just so you know the context...
Many doctors said Josh might not eat by mouth again.
Josh ate solid food at Thanksgiving.
Some doctors said Josh would not get off the vent.
Josh hasn't used the vent since December 21st.
One PICU doctor raised questions about Josh's future "quality of life" and suggested that we just take Josh home and "let nature take its course".
We know that God determines what Josh's life will be, and because He loves Josh, we can rest in that hope.
Virtually all the doctors (except pulmonology) said he'd never get rid of the trach.
(You know where this is headed...)
TODAY DR. SIMPSER REMOVED JOSH'S TRACH!

Out it came, and Josh continued breathing normally! In fact, he has not had to be suctioned once since the trach's removal at 2:15 pm EDT! He is on his bipap now sleeping comfortably and enjoying this new turn of events. We will change the gauze over the small hole in his neck tomorrow, and the hole should be half the size then. It should close off completely in a bit and all that will be left is a slight scar.

There is still more to be done in terms of Josh's strength and speech, but therapy is dealing with that. This trach issue has long been viewed by Josh as the summit of the mountain he needed to climb. For some time, he has expressed that he will be "normal" when he gets the trach out. No matter how much encouragement and prayer we have given him, he still has struggled with his image. Since mid-afternoon today, Josh has been positively glowing.

Josh's life and successful independence from the trach is testimony to God's faithfulness and the efficacy of prayer. Perhaps you are facing a huge challenge that is causing you to doubt God's goodness and His care for you, but let this story encourage you that God loves YOU and is working for YOUR good. Don't give up - even when the "experts" (like the "doctor" that thought they should just stop wasting resources on Josh and let him die) tell you there is no hope. With God there is always hope. NOTHING is too hard for our God.

That certainly doesn't mean that the road won't be difficult. If you knew the whole story behind this wonderful report, you would know that there were some very dark days and some heart-wrenching cries to God, questioning how He could allow this to happen. You would realize that there were excruciating weeks spent in hospitals where there was little hope offered and exhausting hours spent caring for this brave little soldier.

But God has come through! Take Him at His word when He says, "For I know the plans that I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Honoring Those Who Served

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation.
— George Washington








Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.
— Dwight D. Eisenhower





“We must not forget the past. We must not forget those who sacrificed, but we must also remember the reason for their sacrifice. They died so tyranny would die. They died to create a better world for those of us who followed them. Their sacrifice was not in vain.”
— Secretary of State Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observing the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1991.



"Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation.

In times of war and of peace, our men and women in uniform stepped forward to defend their fellow citizens and the country they love. They shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty and honor. Our veterans held fast against determined and ruthless enemies and helped save the world from tyranny and terror. They ensured that America remained what our founders meant her to be: a light to the nations, spreading the good news of human freedom to the darkest corners of the earth.

Like the heroes before them, today a new generation of men and women are fighting for freedom around the globe. Their determination, courage, and sacrifice are laying the foundation for a more secure and peaceful world.

Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past, and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our Nation. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever."

- President George W. Bush

Thank you veterans for the sacrifices that you have made to allow us to live in so great a land. God bless you.

Heroes

A current, and rather popular evening television series bears the name "Heroes." I viewed the show once when it premiered last season, and never quite found me way back. To me, the folks portrayed on the screen seemed more to resemble cartoon characters than actual human heroes. While millions tune in to each episode, I will pause to reflect upon those remarkable people who I esteem as genuine, real-life heroes. Two names familiar to me come to mind:

John Gilmore Kirker, Corporal #641 Aero Squadron, US Army Air Corps, European Expeditionary Force, 1915-1918. A scant few years after Wilbur and Orville got us off the ground somebody at Headquarters decided that warfare should be airborne in the new Twentieth Century. Thus, for the first time in human history aircraft became weapons of combat. "Gil" was my Dad. He flew a solo bi-plane, carried one bomb, cruised so low and slow he literally shot at folks on the ground with a pistol, and generally tried to stay alive without killing himself in the new-fangled contraption. My hero helped secure the American way of life for my, and future generations as became a decorated World War I veteran of a foreign war. Today my father resides in heaven.

William Emery Thompson, Jr, (Retired after 18 years, Lieutenant Colonel), United States Air Force. Bill piloted a B-17 (and other craft) during World War II and beyond, flying in the Eighth Air Force in the European theater, based in England. My Father-in-law volunteered to fly a dozen extra missions (twenty-five were required, more available if you survived), and helped turn the tide in the Allies favor. His Bomb Group suffered, on average, seventy-five percent casualties. That's three out of four NOT coming back! They did not have time to learn one another's last names, and struggled to keep up with first names as the barracks received new faces every day. Today my Father-in-law resides in Central Florida. I thank him from time to time. He does not think he was a hero. He is wrong, but I let him continue in his delusion.

Veteran's Day 2007 occurs on Sunday this year so I hope many congregations of God's people will pause and remember those who have served, sacrificed, suffered and even perished to keep our nation free. Ours in Salisbury NC will do so. We will recognize and esteem those veterans with us for worship and will honor those who are afar off -- especially serving at present in the various fields of combat around the world.

A prayer of gratitude to God for the heroes among us might do you and them some good, and I am persuaded to believe that our Lord will be glad you thought of others who have served you.


GOD BLESS YOU, TROOPS... AND THANK YOU. My heart is touched by those of you who have given "that last, full measure of devotion" to the United States of America. Your gift of two lives (the one you surrendered in our behalf, and the one you would have lived if you had come home) will not be forgotten. Promise.

I salute you from the sidelines which YOU have secured for me and millions of others.

Gil and Bill, you are the best. I am humbled to be kin to the likes of you. In your honor, I will leave my screen blank when the TV show comes on -- whenever that is.

Heroes

The Four Chaplains

While our nation’s military history holds countless stories of heroism and sacrifice, within that history stands the story of the Four Chaplains, considered the greatest heroes of the Army Chaplaincy.

The backgrounds of these men were diverse, reflecting their constituency on the Dorchester, the transport ship on which they served. Chaplain George Fox was a Methodist minister from Vermont; Chaplain Alex Goode, a rabbi from Pennsylvania; Chaplain Clark Poling from Michigan, a former pastor in the Christian Reformed Church; and Chaplain John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest from Newark, New Jersey.

Having met at Harvard University during chaplaincy training, they came together on the troopship Dorchester during the cold winter of 1943, as it sailed to Great Britain transporting over 900 Army soldiers.

Read the REST of the story HERE.

And HERE is a fuller account. (Turn you speakers down if you don't want to hear the schmaltzy midi soundtrack.)