The Flim Phlegm Man

I wrote in my last post, “Our movement has a long history of preachers being empowered for service beyond their own abilities. I expect tomorrow to be no different for me.” Daniel Warner, the leader of a group of Christians who rejected denominationalism to be part of "God's church," was not physically strong, perhaps due to poor living conditions during his time serving in the Civil War. His diary reveals that in the hours before a preaching opportunity he was often on his knees asking for strength to meet the challenge, and God always came through.

I’ve got bronchitis. Since moving back to Pennsylvania in 2005 I’ve been having a little trouble managing my seasonal allergies. I just got used to the seasons in Georgia; now I’ve got to relearn Pennsylvania allergy seasons. If I control my allergies I don’t have to worry about bronchitis, but this spring I got caught. I spent Saturday night in my recliner because I was coughing so much. That’s two nights in a row I’ve gotten very little sleep. It took all the energy I had Sunday morning to get showered and ready for church. By 8:00 a.m. I was wishing I’d arranged for someone else to speak, but by then it was too late.

I made it through worship rehearsal (even though I couldn’t sing I could still play keyboard), then retired to my office until time for church. Worship went fine and before long it was time for me to preach. During that final solo before my teaching I felt the urge to cough. I grabbed a bottle of water and took the platform. While I was teaching I felt strong, never had the faintest urge to cough, and never even took the cap off the bottle.

Then in the afternoon, within 15 minutes of arriving home I was coughing my head off, like the floodgates of phlegm had been opened… now there’s a visual. Within an hour I’d coughed my way into a severe headache. I think I coughed so hard I gave myself a concussion!

There is no way I could have functioned yesterday morning without God’s intervention. I was absolutely miserable both before and after church. I give testimony that my God strengthened me and allowed me to teach (and feel pretty good while I did). Now that’s what I’m talking about!

After church a young lady approached me and said, "This morning you talked about how we really do need each other. Do you remember you told me that same thing over a year ago when I started worshiping here? I am so glad I started coming to church. This church is my family." When she told me she was glad I came to Connellsville she made my whole month!

I'm glad I didn't miss it.