In a 6 week period starting last week I have 5 doctor appointments, echo cardiogram, a sleep study,  6 rounds of therapy and my IV treatment.  You would think I’m sick or something. (LOL)  But some of these visits are preventative visits.  Some are just to make sure my heart is still okay.  See, 4 years ago on Sunday, September 28, 2014, while singing a special before Pastor was to preach, I was having a heart attack. I just thought it was heart burn so I went down stairs to work with the children.  The longer I waited the more I hurt.  Finally Mrs. June convinced me that I needed to get to the hospital ASAP.  I agreed and left for the ER without disturbing the Pastor’s preaching.

     To say the least, I keep an eye on my heart now.  I try to get more exercise.  My eating is a little better than it was in 2014 (though my salt intake still needs some modifying). My weight fluctuates more than I wish it would but I keep working at it. And when the heart doctor says I need to come see him every 6 months, I do it. I’m not in the worst health but definitely need to watch it.

   After this past week’s revival and anniversary celebration, I was thinking how a revival was like going to see my heart doctor.  Spiritually I’m doing pretty well.  I know that I’m saved and that my home is being built in heaven.  I know that I’m safe in my Heavenly Father’s hands.  I am assured that my Savior is helping me every day and that the Holy Spirit is wooing me to stay close to my Lord.  But I still need to do more.  Bible reading is a must.  Prayer is like the medicines I take daily.  Without them, I am weak, moody and in pain.  And just as the doctor performs tests to make sure everything is okay physically, my spirit needs me to “test” all my decisions with God, to make sure what I’m doing is making me stronger, not weaker. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to “Keep your heart with all vigilance,  for from it flow the springs of life.” 

     Our Revival at Serenity was great.  Many decisions were made by many people.  Good people who knew they needed to checklist their lives against the Word of God.  This is truly how we can stay strong in the Lord. And this is how our church will stay strong, with sound, spiritual people who want to serve Christ and see others saved.