In a trip down memory lane, my husband, Jim, and I recently sorted through some old paperwork in our filing cabinet. We came across a folder containing past issues of Parkside Parchment, the monthly newsletter from Parkside Chapel in Visalia, California. This was Jim’s first church ministry back in 1986 where he served as the Associate Pastor of Music and Youth after his graduation from Dallas Theological Seminary (where we met).
I’ve often said that Jim is the writer in the family. He disagreed, and so we’ve settled on the fact that I’m the fiction writer in the family while he is the non-fiction/devotional writer. I thought I’d share an article from the January 1987 Parkside Parchment with you today. Let me preface this article by saying that—praise the Lord—Jim has not suffered from lingering back problems and has not been under a chiropractor’s care in years. Here’s that article:
For quite a while now, I have been experiencing a number of physical problems. I tried to ignore the pain and discomfort of these ailments since the symptoms would come and go. But in the last several weeks, these problems seemed to be getting worse. I felt that they might be related to a back condition, so my insurance company suggested I go to a chiropractor. He examined me and took x-rays in order to make a prognosis. The x-rays revealed that I was in the first phase of progressive spinal degeneration both in the upper and lower back.
What I found most interesting was his Three Point Sermon (my term) on how I could regain total health for the many pinched nerves in my back. A healthy spine is necessary for the health of the whole body, and he told me that if I followed the prescribed course of action, then in two months, the problems would be corrected and would only require monthly or bi-monthly maintenance check-ups.
The main themes of this Three Point Sermon were:
●Relief
● Correction
●Maintenance
This scenario is played out many times in the Christian walk of believers. We begin to experience problems in spiritual discipline as it relates to our lives. It’s easy to ignore the symptoms and pretend that nothing is wrong. By pinching the nerves which affect our relationship with God, the pain and condition gradually gets worse. Because God wants our devotion, He sometimes brings painful situations into our lives which demand our immediate attention. We must allow the Great Physician to strengthen us with His power. However, the road back to spiritual health is not instantaneous or easy. It requires daily discipline and diligence.
●First of all, there is the relief phase where we recognize our condition and ask for forgiveness.
●Secondly, there is the correction stage where we begin to get serious about our relationship with God and obedience to His Word—building up resistance against the very things with which we’re struggling.
●Finally, there is the maintenance stage where the Word of God is studied on a daily basis, guarding against spiritual degeneration.
God demands our spiritual health. How is yours?
II Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Until His Nets Are Full,
JoAnn Durgin (with Jim Durgin)
Matthew 5:16
USA Today bestselling author JoAnn Durgin is the author of over twenty novels since her debut, Awakening (Lewis Legacy Book 1), released in late 2010. Her books include the beloved Lewis Legacy Series, as well as its prequel, Prelude. She is also the author of Catching Serenity, Heart's Design, and Gentle Like the Rain, a sequel to Heart's Design. Other novels include Echoes of Edinburgh, The Wondrous Love Series, Perchance to Dream, and the popular Starlight Christmas Series. Her latest release is The Christmas Challenge and coming up next is Pursuit, the highly anticipated Book 8 in The Lewis Legacy Series. JoAnn lives with her family in her native southern Indiana and now enjoys writing full-time and spending time with her first granddaughter, Amelia Grace. Sharing the hope and joy to be found in a relationship with Christ is her passion, and JoAnn adores writing and reading Christian romance. She loves to hear from her readers via her website or her Author JoAnn Durgin page on FB!
Really good Word. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Ann. I felt it was about time that I featured Jim as another author in the family. I appreciate your comment. :)
This is a very timely post today JoAnn! I really like the 3-point “sermon” and how simply put it is, yet how profound it is at the same time. I know there have been times in my life where I didn’t recognize the subtle changes in my walk with the Lord. Then some days or weeks down the road something feels “off” or “not right” and maybe I sluff it off as being tired or whatnot. So I don’t take immediate notice of it until one day something happens and then I KNOW what the issue is. I’ve gone off course with my walk, so I pray, ask forgiveness & let the Lord guide me back on the path. I think sometimes for me, I just don’t recognize the early stages of degeneration. I need to be more aware of the enemies attacks on my life. I do read my bible everyday, but do I really apply the principles and truths to my everyday walk? Do I seek out counsel from other Godly Christians in my life or ask for prayer when I’m having an “off” day. I know I don’t always do what I should to maintain my spiritual life. After this post, I realize (once again), how vital that is! I need to be praying without ceasing, I need to really apply God’s truths through His word in my day, I need to be in constant contact with the Lord so that the enemies fiery darts can’t take hold. I’d like to print this out & stick it somewhere near my desk so that I can see this everyday & be reminded of all that I need to do to have a healthy spiritual walk. Thanks for the post, bot you and your wonderful husband! Aren’t you glad God uses people to speak to our hearts just when we need it? :-)
Thanks so much for your lovely comments, Trixi! For whatever reason, I didn’t see this until today (May 6th), so forgive me for not responding earlier. You’re right in how simple these concepts are but also how vital they are to our daily walk and spiritual lives. I appreciate your encouragement and support of Christian authors and their books. Many blessings to you. :)
I really enjoyed reading about the early days of your marriage, JoAnn!