Life, Death And All The Rest.

I have delivered a baby in an elevator, watched him take his first breath in my hands.
I've held a cold, stiff infant and told the new parents that he was gone.
I've felt the sweat drip from my face, having done CPR, worked, prayed and then despite my best efforts have pronounced husbands, wives, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters dead.
I have found limp, lifeless people and have heard the grieving sounds of family turn to hopeful joy when I say, "We got a pulse back".
I've seen the murdered, mangled, torn, broken and I've seen successful suicides.
I've helped the hopeless, homeless and the insane.
The raped, abused, forgotten and the very much loved.
Rich, poor, middle class, educated, clueless, lazy and hard working....all are susceptible

If life is like a box of chocolates then the reality is that after awhile it melts, goes rancid or gets eaten by ants.

I think life is more like a roller coaster with steep climbs, thrilling, fast drops, twists, turns, ups, downs, that turn you upside down, make you laugh, cry, trill, scare, scream, puke and pee your pants.
This past week, within the same 15 minute window I brought a pulseless, breathless 77 year old man back to life as just 7 hours away a 44 year old fraternity brother breathed his last in the ICU.
There's birth, death and the in between.

It's the in between that determines the later on.

The choices we make, the things we do or don't do, the thoughts, judgments.

Romans 6:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

Paul wrote in the book of Timothy:
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. - 1 Timothy 1:15"

I think Paul was actually speaking of me.

But Grace comes with these things.
None are good enough. Not the televangelists with the fancy suits, diamond rings and the fake hair.
Pontiffs, preachers, prostitutes, professors, politicians, policeman, pole dancers, paramedics....all sin..all will die.

All will stand before God.
None, not one earning their way to heaven.

"Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity," - 2 Timothy 1:9

No one is good enough.

James 2:10 " For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."

So, no matter your demographic (I'll let you fill in the blank of separation or inclusion) is more worthy than the other.
All need Jesus to enter heaven.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." - John 14:6

People point and say, "but what about all of those hypocrites?"
We've all been hypocrites at one time or another.
That's why there is forgiveness.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

You may agree or disagree.
It's your choice.
Free to, free not to.
Believe or don't.
But those choices are going to affect the later on.
And as I see too often in my job, we never know when that will come.

Inclán Inklings Of 08

In Lieu of a Christmas Letter Each Year we send out a Year In Review type letter to friends and family. This is the letter we sent.

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Psalm 65:11 “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
 even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”

 

What a full year 2008 was for the Inclán family.   So much so that many pages could be filled and not do justice to what had transpired. So, please indulge the brief synopses for each Inclán:

 

Dayan~ Is loving his job at EMSA. Was promoted again and is now sporting shiny Captain’s bars on his uniform collar. Even though work is going well he continues to be in the process for a position in the Fire Department. Next Fire academy is in July. What a long wait. Dayan is also missing an organ after having a cholecystectomy.   

 

Deanna~ Is also missing some organs: tonsils and turbinates.  We are both much happier after that!  Deanna has 3 schools, 5 therapy sessions for 3 kids each week that keep her busy.  In all of it, she has managed to start exercising and is on the downward weight trend.  J  

 

Genesis~ Is in the 4^th Grade. She played her 1^st season of soccer. Had many soccer parents comment that they were amazed that she played so well and were all quite certain that she had at least two years of experience.  She is still very talkative and social.  She is very quick to celebrate for fellow classmates.

 

Shamar~ Is flourishing in school and is showing to be a talented artist in just about every capacity of art. She writes, sings, draws, orates and can juggle chain saws. Well, nor really chain saws, but by the next letter maybe!  She remains the best cuddler around.

 

Corban~ Is loving Kindergarten!  He and Moriah are in separate classes and that has been the best thing ever for them!  He has lost both front teeth and another bottom one, which puts a huge strain on his speech!!  We know that eventually he will have to attend therapy too, but in the meantime, we enjoy him….”weawy”  (really).

 

Moriah & Asher~ Have finally found their forever family and it was made legal on Oct. 21^st!!  We are so relived to have it over.  We are still working on their name change in the medical system, but we have all the important documents!  Moriah, also in Kindergarten, is doing well academically.  She is making friends and continues to get her hair shorter and shorter, on her request!  Asher is attending Early Head Start.  The program is providing some great things for him and we see him flourishing there.  We do look forward to him being at a school MUCH closer to home next year!

 

Grail~ Is a trooper!  He has grown into a great little boy.  Lost all his baby looks and has the emotions of a 4 year old who struggles to get his point across.  So we do have some frustrating moments in our home!  He will attend the same class next year but will go every day and in the afternoon.  He is potty training and doing very well.  We are looking at hearing aids for him and possible celiac disease.  This means he would have to be gluten free.  God is gracious and whatever comes up for any of us, He will provide for all our needs.  He provides rest and strength and chocolate when necessary!  *And He provides hot wings…can’t forget the bountiful provision of hot wings…(*added by Dayan)

 

Hope this finds you solidly in God’s will for your life and in His wonderful presence. 

 

Blessings to all!