Home was good.  I can’t say that for the hospital.

Thursday was an awful day with severe vomiting and pain.  Teresa finally called the surgeon at Mayo who suggested taking me to the ER.  Finally just after midnight I consented. 

A CT

scan revealed I have a possible kink in the small intestines.  I tube was placed through my nose and into my stomach to try to clear out some things.  Apparently if things are clear then there is a good possibility that the bowel could straighten out and I’d be ok in a couple of days.  If not, then I’d be facing another surgery.  How well can you pray? And how often?

So I am on the Biggest Loser “Chuck style.”   No food, no liquids.  Not even ice chips!  Maybe the new question is how long can a guy live on IV fluids.  Couple of three days anyway it looks.

Since the beginning of this challenge I have felt that is was a spiritual battle.  I am more convinced of that than ever.  Will someone nudge me the next time I lay out a series to preach on spiritual warfare?

That’s why I covet your prayers.  I need you as warriors in this battle. 

Another thing that I have re-learned is that the issue is victory.  Not necessarily victory over, which is good.  Or victory through, which is also good.  As in the words of a sermon not so long ago, it is victory to stand.   At the end of battle am I still standing?  At the end of your battle are you still standing?

Lord, give us grace upon grace as we face our battles.  Is not grace the power that brings us the victory? 

Grace and victory.  I could use both right now.  How about you?