Bobby Lepinay

A Close Call

For those of you who havent heard, I had a biking accident Saturday night that landed me in the hospital for 3 days.  I was released yesterday and am recovering quickly, so I am deeply thankful.

Because I have heard so much that was not true (ie, PB was hit by a motorcycle), I will fill you guys in on what really happened:

Saturday night, at around 7, I had just finished final preparation for Sunday's message.  I knew I had about an hour left before the sun would set, so I rushed to try and get a 10 mile ride in.  I had just gotten a new pair of bike shoes that clip in, to where you get power on the upstroke as well as downstroke.  

Enter the problem.  The guy who sold me my bike told me that I needed to take some time to lean against a wall and get a feel for using the shoes.  But, true to my nature, I rushed out to beat the sunset and thought, "I'll figure it out while I ride."  So I clipped one foot in, then the other, and realized instantly I was in trouble.  

It took all of about a second to fall with a bone crushing THUD onto the street. 

I immediately knew I had broken a rib, as I couldnt breathe and the pain was searing.  Stubborn as always, I managed to pick up the pick and determined I would ride it off and ride through it.  I rode about a mile and a half and was practically passing out as I could not breathe.  I was by myself and could sense something was very wrong inside, so I decided to take myself to Emergency at West Florida Hospital. I called Deb on the way and she met me there, as well as Pastor Roger to tell him to get my notes as he would have to probably preach my message in the morning.

As I stiffened, it got worse.  They took xrays and the doctor came in and told me:  Its not your ribs. You dropped a lung and this is much more serious.  He told me simply, "This is going to be a long, painful night for you."

Great.

I wont go into the gory details of them putting the lung tube in without anesthesia, but the doctor was right.  Agonizing is about the only word to describe it.  

Thankfully, I had a ton of prayer directed my way and my lung was back up by Monday.  They took the tube out Tuesday and I was able to go home.  I will have a pretty good scar on my side where the tube went in, but considering the fact that the doctor said if I had NOT gone in I would have been dead in the morning from the fluid compressing my heart, I am not complaining. :)

And, Lord willing, I am preaching my message this Sunday!  

I want to publically say how great my wife Debbi was through this.  She was there morning til night, took off work, to be with me.  When I was scared as you know what, she comforted me and relieved the fear. I am thankful for her.

My kids as well were there alot.  Michael even said he had a great gift for me whenever I got out:  TRAINING WHEELS.  :)

I am probably not going to be able to make this years triathalon, but I intend to keep training for it.  I am sure my new training wheels will help.

Love you guys and thank you for all the prayers.  See you Sunday!!

PB

My Dog And Relationships

 

This is a picture of my dog Mia.  She is wiped out from me playing with her out back, just laying at my feet in my office as I work.

Something hit me today as I came to the door, unlocked it, and walked in to the house.  As usual, there Mia was, excited to see me.  She does that with the whole family.  

Every single time.

 

 

What struck me was how often we fail to give this to those we love.  Let me ask you, when you walk in the door and see your kids at the end of the day, do you just say, "hey", or do you really show that you are GLAD to see them?  

How about your wife?

Your husband?

This may be a seemingly small piece of relationships, but I really think I am on to something here.  See, when we LOVE someone, it shows in our voice and on our faces.  We light up.  When they call, we are happy to hear their voice.  When we see them, we let them know they MATTER to us, that we love them.  I honestly believe this little piece is foundational to building loving relationships.  

Its about BONDING.

I really think heaven will be this way.  We will always be glad to see each other.  Joy will mark the place.  May we experience more of heaven in our relationships.....'righteousness, peace, joy'.

Grace,

PB

I Need A Start-Over

Flipping channels the other night, I came across a real wonderful find in the movie "Marley and Me".  I had seen it awhile back, but I think 'mood, frame of mind' have alot to do with how much you like a given movie.

I wont bore you with the story, but it is very worth renting, a thousand times better than alot of what is out there for sure.  What really caught me was a scene when Jennifer Aniston's character first announces she is pregnant and Owen Wilson's character has a LESS than stellar response.  She gets upset, then he, realizing his major mistake, asks if he can have a "Start Over".  She says 'yes', then promptly goes back into the bathroom, comes out, and excitedly announces the news.

THIS time, he gets it right and shows the excitment he should have shown the first time!

What really struck me is that somehow Hollywood really caught what many believers never do:  GRACE.  If couples would simply excercise grace to one another, giving the ability to 'start over' when you say something really stupid, or with our kids, not just instantly discipling, but giving the chance to start over and do the thing right, ....or, in the life of our churches showing the grace we OURSELVES would really like when we blow it......wow.....now THAT would be revival!

I have come to realize that my Father in Heaven does this very thing.  When I blow it, my natural mind is to expect harsh punishment.  But in fact, though there may be consequences to my sin, my Father gives me a 'Start Over' if I simply confess my sin to Him.  I dont need to brood in it.  Accept forgiveness by faith and keep moving in the direction I know is right.

"Blessed are the merciful", Jesus said, "for they shall RECEIVE mercy"

Grace out,

 

PB