Charles & Life

Final Post

2009-08-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

From Tim Hodge:

I am deeply saddened to make this entry for my Dad. Early this morning, just after midnight, he breathed his last and made his final journey. He is Home.

Thank you for your love and support. If you would like to find more recent information, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/charleswhodge

If you are one of the regular followers of this blog, you have already noticed that may Dad hasn't posted an update in many months. Since the spring, he hadn't felt much like writing. We are al the poorer for that because he still had so much to say.

Heart, Head, & Hands

2009-02-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

At age seventy-five, I frequently have thoughts and aspirations to erupt in my heart and mind that clamor for development and/or expression. One such incident happened today (15 February 2009).

A few months back, I was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease). The debilitating disease has confined me to a wheel chair. Consequently, I don't get around much any more. In addition, the disease has virtually paralyzed my tongue, rendering my speech difficult to understand.

Against this backdrop, a friend stayed with me today while my lovely wife Margaret attended church. After Margaret returned home and before the friend left, I asked him to help me get my 120-bass piano accordion strapped onto my shoulders. A song was in my heart and I wanted to express it, as I had done on hundreds – probably thousands – of occasions over the past sixty-four years.

After I was harnessed into the accordion straps, a distressing emotional crisis erupted. Music was in my heart, and my mind was visualizing exactly what my fingers should do, but my fingers simply would not make the needed movements. What did happen was a gusher of tears, punctuated by heaving sobs.

Even now – hours later – as I keystroke these thoughts into my computer’s word processing software, it is all I can to restrain the tears.

Even though songs were in my soul, and my mind was sending signals to give them life, my fingers could not respond.

After removing the accordion from my shoulders and settling my emotions, I had to face reality and ask my inner self, “Where do I go from here.”

Simply put, I can either bewail the loss of musical proficiency – and the other agonies caused by ALS – or, I can chart a course for the future based on my abilities and opportunities.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it. But translating that simple solution into living reality is not uncomplicated.

Emotions heal slowly – very slowly. And the emotional crisis just narrated is but one of and ever increasing number as I travel an elongating trail of traumatic tribulations.

Against this backdrop, I choose to remind myself of specific biblical wisdom – as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7).

Wrapping my mind around those words, I understand that it is my self image – not the events in my life or condition of my body – that determines who I am. While I understand that, getting my self image beyond the debilitating disease is not as easy as it sounds.

The answer, it seems, is in these words of Scripture – "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8, NIV).

How do I do that when my soul is sobbing?

The key seems to be in the sentence structure of Philippians 4:8 (quoted above). It is a matter of my choice to think about the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, the excellent and praiseworthy. And the punch line is that Scripture doesn’t tell me to pray – it instructs me about what to think.

To think about these things, or not to think about them – that is the question I must answer for myself.

The bottom line then is this: It is up to me to avoid thinking about the things that move me to tears and despair, and to purposefully think about the things that give me hope and strength.

The choice is mine.

The Body of Christ is Where You Find It

2009-02-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I looked out my living room windows and saw Reid, Evan, Cole, and Dakota – middle school aged boys who live in our neighborhood -- shoveling the sleet, frozen rain and snow off our North sidewalk at the front of our house, and the serpentine sidewalk connecting the main sidewalk to the driveway at the East end of the house.

I maneuvered my motorized wheel chair to the front door, struggled to get it unlocked and opened, and offered a gratuity to each of the lads for their helpfulness. They politely declined. They were helping simply because they wanted to do something for a neighboring senior couple, both of whom are infirmed – me by ALS, and Margaret by a less than perfect knee replacement.

I shot off an email to the father of one of the boys. It was intercepted and responded to by Reid. Here is his response just as I received it – except for the crossed-out phone number.

"it's me reid it was not a problem.Evan,Cole,Dakota and me thaught it was fun i have only a short time to tiype because i'm going to church.Let me know if you need any thing else.My number is xxxxxxx I'd like to visit you anytime gust call if you want. Ok i half to go i'm shure i'll see you soon. love.reid"

The grammar may not have been perfect, but it was an expression of love that brought tears of joyful gratitude to my eyes. They were intervening to help fellow human beings – expecting nothing in return.

A few days before, the pastor of a church other than the one we attend, stopped by and ran some errands for us. He lives in our neighborhood, and we had met briefly a few years ago during a water aerobics session at a nearby Salvation Army swimming pool.

These happenings – and others – taught me something about the Body of Christ. It isn’t always confined within the walls of a church building – it is where you find it. It can be within your own neighborhood – even in your front yard after a day of freezing rain.

My Forever Friend

2008-12-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

Of the 5,521 music files in my laptop computer, one ministers to me with special meaning. Entitled My Forever Friend, the song was composed by Charlie Landsborough and is sung by “The Irish Tenors” – Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Karl Scully. Like the tenors, composer Landsborough is Irish.

The lyrics need no comment or explanation. They speak clearly, precisely, and straight to the hearts of all who follow of Jesus. As I internalize them, they express my heartfelt worship of My Forever Friend.

Everybody needs a

little help sometime
No one stands alone
Makes no difference if
you're just a child
like me
Or a king upon a throne
For there are no exceptions
We all stand in the line
Everybody needs a friend
Let me tell you of mine
-------
CHORUS:
He's my forever friend
My leave-me-never friend
From darkest night to rainbow's end
He's my forever friend
-------
Even when I turn away
He cares for me
His love no one can shake
Even as I walk away He's by my side
With every breath I take
And sometimes I forget Him
My halo fails to shine
Sometimes I'm not His friend
But He is always mine
-------
REPEAT CHORUS:
-------

If you still don't know the
one I'm talking of
I think it's time you knew
Long ago and far away upon a cross
My friend died for you
So if you'd like to meet Him
And don't know what to do
Ask my friend into you heart
And He'll be your friend too
-------
ENDS WITH THE CHORUS:
-------

He's my forever friend
My leave-me-never friend
From darkest night to rainbow's end
He's my forever friend.

The Language of the Soul

2008-11-06T09:12:00.000-08:00

Music is the "language of the soul."

Some people write music to express what is in their souls -- others listen so that it can minister to their souls. Both of these factors were probably true for David -- known as "The Sweet Psalmist of Israel." Many of the 150 Psalms (or songs) in the Old Testament were written by him.

Today, while browsing the files in my notebook computer, I was startled to discover that I have saved 3,696 music files on its hard drive -- 2,381 of which are in folders I have labeled "Praise & Worship."

Why have I copied so much music to my computer for ready listening? Simply because music IS the language of MY soul. Many of these music files express my reasons for praising God -- others are vehicles of communion as I worship my Lord.

Scripture teaches us that men ought to always praise God. The music files in my laptop help me to obey that biblical admonition. Indeed, most of the music I listen to is an effective means of praise and worship.

Now that ALS has compromised my speech, music that expresses praise and worship has become an increasingly important means of fellowship with my Heavenly Father.

The Leap of Faith

2008-11-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

About fifty years ago, as a seminary student, I was exposed to a phrase coined by a theologian. The phrase is "the leap of faith." When it comes to believing to be healed of ALS. it seems like a pretty big leap.

It is, however, a faith-building encouragement to read stories like the one posted on YouTube in April of last year. It is a TV news report about a lady having been healed of ALS. To read the report, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNHmFRO9VJo

The Word of the Lord is that God is not a respecter of persons -- meaning that his grace and favor are available to anyone and everyone.

Would you do me a favor -- please? Agree with me in prayer that I, too, will be healed of this debilitating disease. Historically, ALS leads to death in two to five years. BUT, according to the Word of the Lord -- and the YouTube report cited above -- healing is available.

That's what I want and what I'm believing for. Please add your faith to mine in this quest.

The Body of Christ -- In Action

2008-10-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

Our front doorbell rang. When we answered, one of our neighbors – a retired police officer – asked if he could mow our yard for us. We delightfully agreed. He proceeded – and did a professional quality job. A few hours later, as I was sitting out in our front yard patio making notes in my laptop computer for posting to my blog, he drove by with the top down on his cute personal sports convertible. It must have warmed his heart to see Margaret (my wife) and me enjoying the beauty and freshness of his kind gesture.

As I was getting my thoughts together for this blog entry, a couple called asking if they could bring our dinner in a few hours.

A young man whom I have known for several years volunteers to drop by on a regular basis and help me when I need to transfer from my wheelchair into the shower.

A neighbor who pastors a church other than the one I attend stopped by and asked how he could help. I mentioned a limb that had fallen and was scraping against the galvanized flu extending above the chimney, causing a disturbing sound in the fireplace beside my recliner. He retrieved a ladder from my garage and removed the fallen limb. Now, my naps in the recliner are undisturbed.

Just being friendly? Just being good neighbors? Interpret it how you will. I see it as the Body of Christ in action.

I recall that when Jesus’ disciples got uptight because they saw people who were not a part of their little circle doing the works of Christ, Jesus corrected them and assured them that He had others who were on his team.

One of many things I am learning from my wheelchair of ALS confinement is the breadth of brotherly love and vastness of presence there is within the Body of Christ.

Redemptive Intervention in the Face of ALS

2008-09-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

In the last posting to my blog, I used the term, “redemptive intervention.” What is redemptive intervention?

To help clarify what I mean by “redemptive intervention,” I appeal to Merriam-Webster. This standard reference work defines “to redeem” (among other things) as meaning:
-to free from what distresses or harms
-to free from captivity by payment of ransom
-to extricate from
-to help overcome something detrimental
-to change for the better

The same authoritative reference work defines “intervention” as meaning:
-to occur
-to come between points of time or events
-to come in or between by way of modification
-to interfere with the outcome or course especially of a condition or process
-to prevent harm
-to improve

With these authoritative definitions as a frame of reference, I define “redemptive intervention” as meaning that God gets involved in a human life situation so as to restore wholeness, freedom, or whatever is needed to return the person and his/her circumstance to a more desirable, normal, or idyllic situation.

Biblically, redemptive intervention is what God does when Romans 8:28 comes true in your life. It is God becoming an active participant, bringing you and/or your life situation into conformity with his will. It can be because of, or in spite of the situation. Either way, it is God protecting you from harm as he restores and blesses your life with his favor.

Here are some examples.
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt’s oppression and into the land of promise.
It occurred when Joseph was released from prison and promoted to become prime minister in Egypt.
When Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac on an altar, it was God’s redemptive intervention that provided a sacrificial ram in a thicket.
Redemptive intervention occurred when Jesus came into our world and did for us what we could not do for ourselves.

In your and my life situations, God’s redemptive intervention is seen when we experience what is needed to alter, modify, or correct a life situation.

Life seems to present many situations in which we need the redemptive presence of God. It may be due to disobedience or having accidentally strayed from God’s leading or directive. Redemptive intervention is often needed when outside forces bring harmful and destructive circumstances into our pathway.

Any situation when you impulsively cry out, “Oh God,” is a setting for redemptive intervention.

The good news is that God has put Himself on record that when we need redemptive intervention, all we have to do is ask. One such promise is “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show you my salvation” (Ps 91:16, NIV). Salvation shown in the face of difficulties and dangers is redemptive intervention.

The redemptive intervention that I need is to be set free from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

When you read this – whoever you are – please set yourself in agreement with me – and God’s word – that “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matt 21:22, NIV). Please join me in this prayer: “Father, in Jesus name and on the basis of your word, I agree with Charles Hodge that he is being set free from Lou Gehrig’s disease and that his body is being restored to health and wholeness.”

As You Walk With the Lord, Change is Always in Your Favor

2008-09-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

A friend from a Bible fellowship group I led back in the mid-seventies commented on my August 24 blog entry with these words: "Bill and I will be praying with you and Margaret as you go through this. Just today someone wrote back to me your quote of so many years ago. 'When you are walking with the Lord change is always in your favor.' Those words have comforted me and so many over the years. May those very words (a Hodge paraphrase of Romans 8:28) comfort all of you. You are loved."

Yes, I said that. It was true then – and it is true today. In spite of the stuff Satan is bringing into my pathway, God’s grace touches my life in such a way that it works for my good. The Adversary – who goes about "seeking whom he may devour" – brings a lot of unwanted and destructive stuff into my pathway. But never mind Satan's stuff – God still causes all things to work together for my good because I am walking with the LORD. In the face of the Devil's destructive stuff, I focus on this: God’s "divine power has given (me) everything (I) need for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called (me) by his own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3, NIV).

How can I be certain that change is always in my favor? Like anyone else who is targeted by the Devil’s destructive stuff, I must focus on, and access, what God has already provided for me, and what he is doing in my current life situation.

Instead of following the wisdom of the world and look where I’m going, I choose to redirect my focus -- to look for God's leadership in my life and his redemptive intervention in every life situation.

As I walk with the Lord -- following his leadership and allowing his redemptive intervention -- change will always bring his favor into my life.

For better or worse

2008-09-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

It was over fifty-four years ago that I stood at a marriage altar with the girl of my dreams and heard her pledge her love to me. She emphasized her commitment with such phrases as “in sickness and in health” and “for better or worse.”

Now, fifty-four years and twenty-five days later, both of those phrases of commitment have been put to the test. She has passed every test like an Olympic gold medalist.

There were times that she stayed by my side as we swam through the murky waters of financial needs in our struggle to rear a family of five children. During those same years, there were many hours of dealing with other hardships and sicknesses.

Possibly the greatest test of her commitment and faithfulness came as we heard the top physician of the Oklahoma center for the Muscular Dystrophy Association confirm what my neurologist had suspected -- ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) – better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Through it all, Margaret – who committed herself to be faithful “for better or worse,” and “in sickness and in health” – has done just that.

It is any wonder that over the years I have come to think of her as “BESTWYF?”

If you ever see a lady driving a car with an Oklahoma license plate reading BESTWYF – that’s my wife.

Believe me, she has earned the name.

Asking Why – Without Doubting

2008-09-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

When things get tough or even seem to going in reverse, is it ok with God for us to ask why? Can we ask God why without doubting him?

Jesus did. He did it while he was hanging on the cross. Even though he knew he had come into the world to bear the sins of all mankind and take them to the cross, he asked his Father why He was forsaken while hanging on the cross. Of course He knew the answer to that question, too. For God, in his holiness, could not embrace the sins of the world even when Jesus was bearing them. Jesus knew that. But still, in his torture and agony, Jesus struggled to understand why.

To wonder why in the face of tribulation, adversity, and hardships is human – understandably human. But to doubt God is to question that He cares. It is to wonder if He actually keeps His word. To doubt God is to question that he is powerful enough to meet the need.

But think about it. Asking God “why” acknowledges that he exists; that he cares; and that he keeps his word. Also, asking God why reflects a confident assurance that he can meet the need.

The core strategy for overcoming any and every adversity is maintaining confidence in the compassion, character, and faithfulness of God. When Jesus asked why he was forsaken on the cross, the fact that he asked, “My God, My God, why…” shows that he had confidence in his Father. Jesus struggled with the “why” even though he knew why he was on the cross.

In the face of having been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and learning that my nine-year-old grandson is battling an aggressive lymphoma, my entire being has clamored to understand why.

In reality, I know why. A quick review of the Garden of Eden recaps the answer. God gave Adam authority over everything God had created – but Adam sold out his authority to Satan. Equipped with that authority, Satan goes about seeking whom he may devour. He attempts to destroy everyone in Adam’s race, especially those who are allegiant to Christ. We humans have become targets used by Satan to destroy the works of God.

Just as Jesus asked the Father why, each of us humans must also seek our answers and reassurances from the Father. Even when we wonder why, by asking the Father we reaffirm our faith in Him. Scripture assures that to come to God, a person must believe that he exists and that he rewards. When we go to God with the “why” question, we demonstrate that we are certain of his existence and that we have confidence in his character, compassion, and faithfulness.

When my wonderful wife – Margaret – became aware that I was getting ready to post these thoughts on my blog, she forwarded the following words to me from her computer. They make a fitting conclusion to this entry.

“For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Eph. 2:10 AMP) This being true, it is any wonder Satan is after us? He’s trying to get back at the One who has already overcome him.”

Pray for Elijah Charles Smith

2008-09-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

Elijah Charles Smith, my nine-year-old grandson, is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma.

Elijah enjoys listening to the Bible on his personal iPod. He is a young man of faith. My prayer is that Elijah Charles Smith shall live and not die, and declare the works of the Lord. Please join Margaret, me, and our family in an all-out salvo of prayer in faith for Elijah’s prompt return to health.

My personal encounter with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) pales in the presence of this dastardly attack from Satan, who is the enemy of everything good.

This is a part of life that I would rather not experience. Even though Jesus alerted his followers to expect tribulations in this life, the tribulations are never easy. However, Jesus immediately assured that we should not fear, because He has overcome the world. He is in us, and we are in Him.

Great is our God!

Defeating Depression

2008-09-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

One of the first things the physician treating me for ALS did, was to prescribe an antidepressant. This seems to be standard for ALS patients. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) gradually worsens to the inevitable demise of the patient. Hence, depression is a common experience.

However, depression is not restricted to people with ALS. Many centuries ago, the psalmist queried, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm. 42:5, NIV) But he did not reach for an antidepressant pill. He immediately responded out of the innermost recesses of his soul, saying, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (verse 6).

It seems obvious and clear-cut. The Psalmist only pondered his problem briefly and immediately focused on the solution. The solution he found for his depression still works today.

My self-talk should follow the example he set. Why should I allow a medical diagnosis put me in need of an antidepressant? I have a never-failing resource – the same One to whom the psalmist turned for an answer. Therefore, I can sing with the songwriter…

“God is still on the throne,
And he will remember his own;
Though trials may press us
And burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone;

“God is still on the throne,
And he will remember his own;
His promise is true,
He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.”

For what its worth, my bottle of antidepressant pills sits unopened on my chest of drawers. Instead, I have opened my inner-being to the unending grace and favor flowing from God – the eternal Author of everything good.

A New Set of Wheels!

2008-08-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

I'm a 75-year-old kid with a new toy. I have a new set of wheels!

In fact, there are six wheels on my new machine -- and I can drive it with a joy stick!

It's a JET 2 -- from Pride Mobility Products Corp.

OK, OK --- It's an electric-powered wheel chair. (I had to train my wife to not call it an "electric chair." That term just didn't charge me with joy.)

Compared to the old style, self-powered wheel chairs, this JET 2 is a joy. I'm eager to get it out on the sidewalks, as soon as we can get the needed ramps installed.

I am grateful to the MDA, ALS Division: they made it possible for me to use this loaner while my personalized electric-powered chair is being prepared.

I hope people are generous in their response to the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon this weekend -- that's where the MDA gets is operating funds. Contributions to the MDA support ongoing research for a cure, and make it possible for ALS patients like me to ride in style.

The MDA and its ALS Division are doing a good work.

Songs in the Night

2008-08-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

As a child, I recall many trips where I rode in the back seat of our family car singing “Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go.” All was pleasant and joyful for a time, but the road soon became bumpy, the journey became boring, and my song changed to a whiney query, “Are we there yet?”

In my seventy-five-year life-journey, the roads have frequently been bumpy; some experiences have turned into trials and tests; and the “river” that we all must cross doesn’t seem to inspire a song.

But then, in those memorable childhood travels, it was neither the bumpy rural roads, nor the bridges over Arkansas’ rivers and streams that kept me singing -- it was anticipation of the journey’s end.

However, it seems that even though there is joy in focusing on the goal of my life’s journey, the songs along the way tend to modulate into a minor key.

I must keep reminding myself that it’s the destination – not the journey – that produces a song in the heart.

The lyrics of a chorus I sang as a college student seem appropriate:

You can have a song in your heart in the night,
After every mile, after every trial.
Anyone can sing when the sun‘s shinning bright,
But you need a song in your heart at night.

Songs in the night don’t come from surroundings – they come from what’s been internalized in a person’s heart of hearts. It’s the vision of the destination that produces a joy that blossoms into a song.

Hmmm. I’m glad I wrote this – I needed to read it.

2008-08-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Charles & life --

That’s a very broad category.

One of my sons set up this blog for me – name, heading and all. With such an all-inclusive heading, I can go anywhere with my entries.

For openers – a status report.

Nine days ago – days that seem like an eternity – I was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

Talk about a bomb shell! My emotions exploded with loud heaving sobs overflowing at my eyes with gushing streams of anguish.

It was – and is – difficult to find positives in the face of such negative news.

One positive is that I am in league with the noted Lou Gehrig – the disease is named for him. In fact, it is better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

On another positive note, the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association: http://www.als-mda.org/) reports that multiplied millions of dollars are being poured into research. The Association and research are funded primarily by Jerry Lewis’ telethons. I might say that I have become one of “Jerry’s Kids” – a bittersweet thought for a man of 75 years.

The most notable positive is that God is still on His throne -- and He is forever faithful. He sent his Son that I might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

This weblog will become an open journal of my thoughts as I deal with the disastrous diagnosis and search for the mercies of my faithful Lord.

If you like, you can check back on this blog occasionally to see where I am in my journey.