Author: Wade McRoberts

I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. I graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1976 and served in the Air Force for 29 years. I flew the A-7D, the A-10A, the F-117A, and the F-16C. After retirement in 2005, I worked as a defense contractor. I was diagnosed with ALS in April, 2018. I received my tracheostomy in December, 2019, and have been breathing with the aid of a ventilator since. I have lost total use of my limbs, and write using a tablet with eye-gaze technology. I want to share my journey with you and share the hope that I have in the Lord Jesus!
Posted on

Reunion

This weekend was the 45th reunion of my class at the United States Air Force Academy, the Class of 1976.  Due to my ALS, I was not able to attend.  Part of the reunion activities include a memorial service to honor our fallen classmates.  On June 2, 1976, 913 of us graduated and began careers as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force.  Of these, 68 of our classmates are no longer with us.

Class of 1961

Pete Kluck, one of my classmates, asked me to write an essay for him to read at the memorial.  He wanted something from the perspective of someone who’s thought of end-of-life issues.  Pete is one of my heroes of the faith.  He left a promising Air Force career (he was an F-16 instructor pilot), called by God to other service.  He has served for years with Wycliffe Bible Translators, making sure the Bible is available to all nations, tribes and tongues.  He and Mary Ellen and their kids lived for many years in Cameroon.  Heroes!  Anyway, here’s what I sent to Pete:

There’s no place that Sue and I would rather be than with you all, my classmates, in Fairchild Hall, honoring our fallen classmates.  But as we’ve learned in the past few years, life’s plans sometimes take an unexpected detour.  I pray for God’s comfort and strength for the families of our friends who are not with us.  I’d like to especially remember our Grim Reaper friends, Kosta Asselanis and Rod Williams.
About three-and-a-half years ago, I was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  The words from my neurologist came as a shock to say the least!  Until that moment, I had been under treatment for another neurological disorder that’s treatable and has a great cure rate.  In this instant, the doctor had handed me a death sentence.
Thoughts raced through my mind in the next few minutes:  How much time do I have?  How will I die?  Will my time be drawn out and painful (old fighter pilot saying:  I’m not afraid to die, I just don’t want it to hurt!)?  Sue was in shock as well.  We had plans:  I would quit working in a couple more years.  We would travel to places we haven’t seen.  We would spend time visiting our grandchildren.  Oh, and their parents, too.  We would play lots of golf together and with friends.  Suddenly, in a brief moment, all our plans had been dashed.

When I recovered from my initial shock, I realized that my faith had to take over.  I believe that God’s plan takes precedence over mine.  So whatever my plans, His are far better for me, and for His glory.  Old Yiddish saying:  We plan, and God laughs!  It matters not what we would want to do, He will redirect us to fit His purpose.  And that’s far better for us!
h

Bennington Battle Flag flying at San Francisco City Hall


I redirected my Bible study over the next few weeks to seek answers to the question, “God, what do You want me to do with this ALS?”  Surely as a weakened, paralyzed shell of what I used to be, I would be limited in my abilities.  But as I studied, there seemed to be little or nothing that I couldn’t do.  It was as if God was saying, “I still want you to do what I wanted you to do before!”  And what would that be?  For example, Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God; and the second is to love others as ourselves.  Hmm.  Love God, and love people.  I can do this!  Despite my lack of mobility, I can still love God and others.  I can share God’s love with others.  My mission field is different:  Doctor’s offices, hospital, rehab center.  In my condition, they often come to me:  Doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists.

I don’t know why I came down with ALS.  God does, He is in control, and His plan is far better than mine.  While I wait for healing, or my departure from this earth, I seek to do God’s will.  He loves us so much that He sent His Son for to die us.  He has promised me everlasting life – not because I’ve been “good enough” or not because I’ve “suffered enough,” but because I have believed, received and trusted in the free gift that Jesus Christ paid for my sins — and that gives me great hope for tomorrow.
Spirit of ’76!  And God bless and keep you and your families!


“Lord Guard and Guide (The United States Air Force Hymn),” performed by the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants 

Posted on

Provider

Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife.  So the two of them walked on together.  Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”  And he said, “Here I am, my son.”  And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”  Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”  So the two of them walked on together.  Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.  Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”  And he said, “Here I am.”  He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”  Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.  Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.”  (Genesis 22:6-14, NASB)

I love this story of the near-sacrifice by Abraham of his son, Isaac.  The parallels with the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ are interesting!

At the outset of Genesis 22, we’re told that God would test Abraham. (v. 1)  God tells Abraham to take Isaac to the land of Moriah, and offer him up as a burnt offering to the Lord. (v. 2)  When arriving near the site, Abraham instructs two of his assistants to remain in place while he and Isaac go to worship, and they would then return. (v. 5)
In the passage above, Isaac carries the wood for the sacrifice, and wonders where is the lamb for the sacrifice, to which his father replies that God would provide the lamb.  Abraham binds his son to the alter, and is about to slaughter Isaac, when the angel of the Lord intervenes, telling Abraham not to kill his son.  Nearby, a ram is caught in a thicket, and provides a substitute sacrifice in place of Isaac.


Abraham and Isaac, by Anthony van Dyck, ca. 1617.  Found at commons.wikimedia.org
The parallels between Jesus and Isaac are interesting.  Abraham was asked to do what God later did:  They each offered their son/Son for a sacrifice.  Isaac carried the wood up the mountain on which he would be bound; Jesus carried a wooden cross up the slope of Calvary to which He would be bound.  We’re not told of Isaac’s reaction when his father was about to kill him, but he didn’t seem to have put up a struggle; Jesus went to the cross willingly, and He did so for you and for me.  Abraham was told to take his son to the land of Moriah; it was on Mount Moriah that King David purchased the site on which his son, King Solomon, would build the Temple, which was in sight of Calvary, where Jesus was sacrificed.

Another aspect of this story is Abraham’s faith.  He told his men that when done worshiping, he and Isaac would return.  In answer to Isaac’s question as they were hiking up the mountain, his father replied that God would provide the lamb.  God had told Abraham that He would establish a great nation by Abraham, and that it would be accomplished through Isaac.  If that was to be true, then how was it that Isaac would die that day?  Abraham had complete faith in the Lord; he knew he could trust God’s word!  His son would indeed live!

God provided the lamb that day.  On another day in the future, He would provide another Lamb, Who would take away the sins of the world!  The Bible says that Abraham named the site where the story took place “The Lord Will Provide.”  Hence one of the descriptive names of God, “Jehovah Jirah,” or “Yahweh Yireh.”  These translate to “the God Who sees,” or “the God Who provides.”

Our Lord God is the Provider.  Have you called on His name?


Worship:   “God Will Provide a Lamb,” by Michael Card

Posted on

Hear!

“Hear, O Israel!  The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NASB)

This text from the book of Deuteronomy is the beginning of the “Shema.”  It’s recited by Jewish people at the beginning of morning and evening prayers.  According to myjewishlearning.com, the Shema is “the quintessential Jewish statement of faith.”  It expresses the oneness of God, and reverence for His kingship.  The passage above is the first paragraph of the Shema.  The remaining two paragraphs are from Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41.
The title “Shema” comes from the first word, which translates as “hear.”  The idea is more than just hearing, it’s hearing and then doing!  It’s about the follow-through.  Over the years, Sue would tell me something, then later tell me that I wasn’t listening.  It has taken me years to understand that she really meant “you didn’t do” what she said!

Here is the phonetic Hebrew of the first two sentences:  “She-ma yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.”  Hear, O Israel!  The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! (v. 4)  The next verse is the emphasis on loving God, what Jesus called the greatest commandment!  For the remainder of this text Moses is teaching God’s people to teach these words to their children; to talk about them all the time, when they wake up and go to bed; to wear them on their wrist and forehead (many Jewish people wear philactories, little boxes with these verses, strapped to their arm and forehead when they pray); and to put them on their door post (many Jewish people have mezuzahs at their front doors).


Mezuzah affixed to a door frame on South Street in Philadelphia, found at Wikipedia.com

I try to recite the first couple of verses of the Shema in the morning for my prayers, and then I personalize it:  “She-ma yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.  O Lord, You are my God!  I will love You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my might!”  When I pray the Shema, it helps me to remember what Jesus taught us:  To love God, and love other people!

Worship:  “Shema A Prayer for Israel “, by Misha Goetz and Shae Wilbur 

Posted on

Strength

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.  (Isaiah 40:28-31, NASB)

I must confess that I’m weary.  I’ve never been so tired.  Tomorrow I’ll probably be more so.  The nature of my disease is one of progressive muscular deterioration (to the point of failure), and constant fatigue.  Sometimes I’m too tired at night to let Sue brush my teeth!  When I was first diagnosed with ALS, Sue and I researched the proper diet to use:  High fat and high protein!  The reason is that a person with Lou Gehrig’s Disease has to exert far more energy to move muscles than everyone else.  Once the muscle fails, it’s done.  As I write this, I can move my mouth (jaw), my tongue, my eyelids, and my eyeballs.  
The diet (pretty much whatever I wanted; Sue made it, and eventually fed it to me when my arms failed) was fun while it lasted.  In time, it became difficult, then impossible to eat, as my epiglottis (a muscle) could no longer keep food from aspirating into my lungs, and my jaw would wear out from chewing.
The passage from Isaiah says that they who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.  I ponder that a lot.  As part of my prayers in the morning, I ask God for strength to do what He wants me to do that day.  As I wait for Him to heal me (God will do this if He wishes!), I lean on Him for whatever strength He can send my way. 


Isaiah 40:31, found at worldwidechristianministries.org
Our Granddaughter, Colleen Cooper (one of our 12 precious Grandchildren), now 10 years old, was born with cerebral palsy.  So far, she has never walked, never taken a step unaided.  We used to have wheelchair races when she visited, and she always beat me, even though my chair is motorized!  In heaven, in the New Jerusalem, where there will be no more sorrow, and no more pain, Colleen and I will run together.  Not only that, but we will run and not get tired; we will walk and not become weary!  I look forward to that day!
The Lord is my strength!


Worship:  “I Will Rise,” Chris Tomlin 

Posted on

Beginnings

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  (Genesis 1:1, NASB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  (John 1:1-2, NASB)

I love the Creation story.  It gives me hope because of the promises in the Bible from the Creator!

I’m reminded of the story told by a sports journalist (I don’t remember who) about his journey to faith in Jesus.  As a boy, he loved sports (as most boys do), and was bored and restless sitting in church (as most boys are).  But one day the words from the pastor woke him up, and started him on the road to faith.

What the pastor said: “In the beginning . . . “

What the young man heard:  “In the big inning . . . “


Consider all that God created:  Look to the heavens.  Astronomers tell us there are billions and billions of stars, most of which we can’t even see.  Yet the Bible says that God knows each one by name!  The same Creator constructed you and me with the same loving detail as those stars.  And he knows each of our names, has numbered the hairs on our heads, and has numbered the days of our mortal lives here on earth.
The Apostle John wrote that Jesus (the Word) was in on the Creation.  He goes on to say that nothing was created without His input.  He is Lord of all!


From John 1:1, found at bibletruthandprophecy.com

I’m in awe that the Father, who created everything we see, and beyond all that we can see, should have regard for little ol’ me!  He made me, He knew I’d be a sinner, and yet He made a way for me to have fellowship with Him, despite my flaws.  The Bible says that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.  All we have to do is believe in the Son and accept this precious Gift, and we will have everlasting life!  Communion with the Lord in heaven for eternity!  As I said, I’m in awe!

My hope is in the name of the Lord, Who has promised eternal life for those who call upon His name!  I have ALS.  As I sit on my bed pondering all this I understand the number of my days is not as many as I’d originally thought.  But God is in control.  He’s got this!  I stand on His promises!  Have you called on His name?


Worship:   “Nobody Like You,” by Paul Wilbur 

Posted on

Hiding Place

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.  (Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7-8, NASB)

The title of Psalm 32 is “Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.”  Indeed, if one is sure that he/she is forgiven, then that is cause for true joy.  How can we know for certain that we’re forgiven?  The Bible says that if we’ve received the gift from God of His Son Jesus Christ, then we are forgiven.  Jesus was crucified as a sacrifice acceptable to God the Father, and through His death He took the punishment we deserve!

The first few lines of the Psalm repeat that the one who’s forgiven is blessed, and is also blameless before the Lord.  King David, who elsewhere is described as wholehearted for God, is an excellent example of the blessed man.  The Old Testament is full of instances where he messed up (adultery, murder, defying God’s commandments,etc.).  But in those cases, he confessed his sins to God, paid the consequences, and was forgiven.

David goes on to call the Lord “my hiding place,” and God answers that He will teach David “in the way you should go,” and that He would be watching out for David!  I myself would dare to add that “Blessed is the one who is sheltered by the Lord, and receives His teaching!”


Excerpt from Psalm 32,found at  mothersforprodigals.com
Actually, that is exactly what happens!  God provides a hiding place to those who seek Him.  I think of a shield; protection; a fortress; a shelter from whatever storm I face; or to borrow a phrase from today’s college kids, a “safe space.”  Yes, God is the ultimate safe space!  He is also the best teacher.  He instructs me daily – – when I allow Him.  You see, I’m my own worst enemy.  God is available for instruction, but my daily prayer is that I don’t hinder the Holy Spirit from teaching me what He would that I learn.  Even with my ALS, I can still do Bible study, and “listen!” for God’s instruction!


Worship:   “You are My Hiding Place,” by Selah

Posted on

Sanctified

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth . . . Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments . . .  (Deuteronomy 7:6, 9, NASB)

Through much of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses reviews with the Israelites their escape from slavery in Egypt, God’s commandments to them, and their future responsibilities as a nation.  This includes a reiteration of the Ten Commandments, as well as the many other commandments that God passed on to Moses (scholars have counted 613 commandments in the Old Testament).

Moses Receives the Ten Commandments, artist unknown.  Found at My Jewish Learning, myjewishlearning.com

Moses is an excellent role model for leadership.  Here at the east bank of the River Jordan, as the Hebrews prepare to cross into the Promised Land, he is still teaching the people the precepts of God.  This despite the Lord having told him he would not be crossing over with the people he had led for the past 40 years.  He must want to make sure everything will be in order before his change-of-command with Joshua!

Here in Chapter 7, Moses reminds the people of their special status in God’s eyes.  God has given them favor as His people.  They must not waste time worshiping useless idols.  They must instead love and worship the Lord and keep His commandments.  To do so would result in blessings for generations to come.  To ignore, and to hate the Lord, would reap destruction on them.

We know that over time the people forgot God.  It’s easy to criticize the Israelites for falling away and not heeding Moses’ teaching.  But one of the messages of the Bible is that had we been there we would’ve done the same.  In fact, most of us do the same today, not loving the Lord as we should, not doing what He wants us to do.  We should study these instances in the Bible, learn from them, and apply them to our own lives.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, then “you are are a holy people to the Lord your God.”  You are sanctified, set apart for God’s purposes and for His glory.  The text reminds us that God will keep His promises to those who love Him.  We can prove we love Him by keeping His commandments.  He has promised us the hope of eternal life by accepting His gift of the Lord Jesus.  Where do you stand?

Posted on

Lazarus

So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb.  Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.  Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”  Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.”  Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”  So they removed the stone.  Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”  When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”  The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”  (John 11:38-44, NASB)

The verses above are from the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus, friend of Jesus, and brother of Mary and Martha.  In John’s narrative (Chapter 11), Jesus is making His way to Jerusalem, where He will give Himself up to die on the cross as a sacrifice for you and me.  On the way, He learns that His friend has taken ill, and then dies.  The Master, on hearing of Lazarus’ illness, says “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” (v. 4)

Jesus delays His arrival in Bethany until four days after Lazarus’ death and burial.  He wants to show His disciples yet another miracle “so that you may believe.” (v. 15)  Finally arriving at the tomb, Jesus gives the command to “remove the stone” from the opening. (v. 39)  His next command, “Lazarus, come forth,” (v. 43) is most startling.  Imagine the sight of the man who was dead, straining to walk out from his tomb, looking like a mummy!  But because of this miracle, many believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God!


“The Resurrection and the Life,” author unknown, found at  Resurrection Lutheran Church, resurrectioncatawba.com
I was once dead in my sins.  But God, in His infinite mercy, sent His Son to die on the cross as the only acceptable sacrifice, that if we would only believe in Jesus, we shall have everlasting life.  Much like Lazarus, Jesus figuratively called me out of my tomb so that I would have abundant life.  If you’re a follower of Jesus, at some point He told you to “come forth!”

I pray often for my healing from this ALS.  As there is no known cure for my disease, if I’m to be cured, it would most certainly be a miracle from God.  He would definitely be doing it for His glory!  But while I wait to on the Lord for His work, I pray that everything I say and do would be for His glory!  May God use me to glorify Him one way or the other, healed or not!

Worship:   “Rise Up (Lazarus),” by CAIN

Posted on

Choices

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.  If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:  whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:14-15, NASB)

This passage is part of Joshua’s Farewell Address to the Israelites just prior to his death.  He challenges them to choose between worshiping worthless idols or the one true God Who had delivered their nation from slavery in Egypt.

Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt, and through the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula to a point on the east bank of the Jordan River opposite the city of Jericho.  God had told Moses he would not cross into the Promised Land, but would instead die where he was.  God then commissioned Joshua, and tasked him with leading Israel into their Homeland.  Joshua then led God’s people across the Jordan and subsequently to conquest (God actually did the conquering!) of a large portion of the land that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The Hebrews had a problem with idol worship, and this would continue to cause them trouble through the years.  Inanimate objects of metal, wood or stone, fashioned by the hands of men, couldn’t deliver them from trouble, let alone provide salvation.  Yet they would worship these idols instead of the living God, Who could do all these things.

“Joshua’s Farewell Address,” artist unknown
Joshua was a true leader.  In his address, he reminded the people of all they had been through, cautioned them against idol worship, then told them his choice:  He would follow the one true living God! 

We face the same choice today.  An “idol” may be defined as something that takes too much of our attention away from God.  It could be something we’d regard as harmless, like television or baseball.  But if we don’t spend enough time with God, our distraction might be idolatry.  
I identify with one author who also has ALS.  While he would prefer not to have ALS, he feels the experience has drawn him closer to God.  And he wouldn’t trade that for anything!  I find my circumstances allow for more time with time with God, whether through Bible study or prayer.  Precious time indeed!  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
Worship:  “You are Holy,” Paul Wilbur, ft. Joshua Aaron

Posted on

Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. Repeat

Live in peace with one another.  We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.  Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  (1 Thessalonians 5:13-18, NASB)

The Apostle Paul talks in this passage about how we should treat each other.  In his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, which he had helped found, he asks them to encourage each other; to help those who are weak; to have patience with everyone; and to seek good for each other and for everyone.  The Master, Jesus Christ, had taught his disciples to love people, so Paul’s letter is consistent with that.  Paul’s teaching, of course, applies to us as well.

Paul goes on to tell us to “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; . . . ”  Wait a minute!  God, do You know I have ALS?  How do expect me to rejoice?  Or give thanks?  I can’t move, I can’t speak, I can’t eat.  I can’t do anything without someone’s assistance.  As my friend Joe Shirey says, “Who would sign up for that?”

Paul gives some perspective in the next phrase:  “. . . for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  So it’s God’s will that even during trials and tribulations that we should rejoice, pray, and be thankful.  I choose to do what God wants me to do here.  We serve a Savior Who during His earthly ministry endured horrific torture and crucifixion.  He knows what it’s like to suffer injustice, and pain like no one else ever has.  He gave Himself up willingly, and He did it for me and for you.  I’ll break it down:

“Saint Paul Preaching to the Thessalonians,” by Paul Gustave Dore,
Rejoice always:  I choose to rejoice.  I rejoice in the morning when I wake up and realize God has given me another day in His glorious creation!  I rejoice when my Sue walks in my room to start the day, that I get to spend another day with her!  I rejoice when I hear from our kids, or from a friend, and I rejoice even more when I get to see any of them!

Pray without ceasing:  I’m not there yet, but I’m trying!  Praying is something I can still do, even with ALS!  God is not done with me yet!  I pray that I will be in a continual attitude of prayer!  Please pray for me in this regard!  “Without ceasing” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “without ceasing!”

In everything give thanks:  God has blessed me far beyond measure and certainly way beyond what I deserve!  Jesus Christ died for me so I shall have everlasting life!  God gave me a wonderful woman for my wife, and gave us wonderful kids and grandchildren!  He has blessed me with great friends who watch out for me and pray for me!  God has done far more for me than I could ever account for!  How could I not give thanks?  Thank you Lord!

I choose to rejoice!  I choose to pray, and to strive to be in a constant attitude of prayer!  I choose to give thanks to God for all His blessings and mercies on me!  I choose to do all these things despite my circumstances!

I choose to hope!  The other day I was listening to The Message on Sirius XM radio.  A man called in who has ALS, and he was “talking” using his computer.  He said, “ALS stands for Almighty Lord & Savior.”  There’s a man who has hope!
Worship:  “Pray,” The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir