Walk the Walk

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 2:6

  Above Charley’s desk is a poster that says: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked. 1 John 2:6. ‘You can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?’  Many years ago an elderly lady told this saying to us and it settled in our mind and heart and has never left.  So when we saw the poster, we put it on our wall so that it would remind us that if we profess Jesus as Lord and Savior and speak His name to people proclaiming ourselves to be Christ followers, then we must walk through our lives as He did.  Believe me this has hit us right in the face many times.  We do not ever want to be called a ‘hypocrite’.  So here is our story since our last blog entry.  During the fall of 2013 we took a ministry trip to the east coast. The Lord sent us to Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.  We spent time with our son, his wife and baby daughter for Thanksgiving and many other people who are connections through our ministry.  The Lord had divine appointments with pastors, families, desk clerks in motels, servers in restaurants and numerous other people as we traveled.  We saw Father’s hand of protection over us and our health remained good the whole time.  It was a blessed time! We arrived home right before Christmas and began our preparations. 

  On Christmas Eve Charley developed some medical issues that were severe enough that I took him to the emergency room.  They worked with him for several hours and sent him home.  During our few hours there, we had the privilege to speak the name of Jesus to each person and to tell them that the Lord put them on duty that night just to care for us.  I love the look on their faces when they get this message.  Sometimes shock and sometimes joy!  Then during the next few weeks Charley’s health was a roller coaster, up and down.  He was not ill enough to stay in bed but just not up to his usual energy level.  Then on January 9, I took him back to the emergency room because he was confused and hurting.  After many tests they told us he had a brain bleed and must go to a larger hospital. He was sent to a hospital in downtown Ft. Worth.  The following day he had brain surgery and began his miraculous recovery.  Within 3 days he was home and in physical therapy to help his strength return.   What blessed my heart so much during this time was his total abandon to speaking the name of Jesus.  He did not know what day it was or year before surgery but he spoke of Jesus’ love and that each medical person was hand-picked , even the neurosurgeon, to care for him.  The nurses and technicians would come to the room just to receive their blessing. As they ministered to him, our hearts were so touched by their care and compassion. 

  Then in March of this year Charley recovered sufficiently from the brain surgery to have prostate surgery.  His recovery was quite difficult and we had more divine appointments with doctors, nurses and medical personnel.  We always knew that Father was with us and in charge for people came to see us over and over to receive their words of encouragement and blessing and Charley was healing.  A few weeks later after being home recovering, Charley had to go back to the hospital emergency room for some complications of his last surgery.  He was there for a few days and then home.  His recovery from all of these issues has been miraculous.  Everyone is amazed!  We are so thankful for Father’s hand upon Charley and His strength for both of us.  We had the opportunity and privilege first hand to walk in this scripture.  We put it like this: If you are going to talk the talk then you must walk the walk.  Our prayer during this whole season is ‘Let them see Jesus in us and let our words and actions give honor and glory to the Lord’. 

  In May Father sent us to Colorado for a week.  That is our only trip this year and Charley did great!! The Lord had much for us to do going, while there and coming home.  We are excited about all He has planned for the remainder of this year. 

  Please continue to pray for Charley as he has some heart issues that will be examined the middle of July.  He is doing well but still gaining his strength. We thank all of you so much for your prayer covering.  I will surely try to be more prompt with my blogs.

We love you,

Charley & Karen