Heart Health

Since having a quadruple heart by-pass I have been thinking often about my heart, wondering if there is any connection between that bodily organ and what the Bible calls the "heart." Of course, I know there is. It's just that I haven't pursued the connection in any great detail. So, for a few minutes, I'll share with you what I am learning.  

God's command is to love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:5). This is a command. It is the law, so its purpose is to reveal our sin and rebellion, to show us what we do not do and what we should be doing. The LORD's blessings are upon those who keep His commands. This surely has much to do with heart-organ health. 

Of course, I know from Holy Scripture that "every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). It is only when the Spirit of the living Christ enters our hearts that we even begin to love the LORD with our hearts. Before that our hearts quite naturally turn away from the will of God. 

The implications of all this are vast. I'll not attempt to spell them all out, but concentrate upon this one phrase, "with all your heart." 

The Hebrew word for heart is leb or lebab,  a word with many meanings. In its concrete meaning the word refers to the organ itself, together with the breast where the heart is located. In the Biblical story of Absalom rebelling against his father, King David, we read that Joab killed the young man by plunging a spear into his heart (2 Sam. 18:14). That's the organ physicians have learned to work with during the past 30 years. It is what my surgeon worked on when he sewed four arteries on to it, bypassing the blocked areas.  It's what we hear so much about when we're advised to eat heart-healthy food, etc. 

However, the Holy Spirit reveals to us that there is much more to us than our physical being. The term lebab is the richest biblical term for our inner nature. Some want to call it our immaterial nature, but I'm not happy with that definition, because everything about us is inter-related. What recently happened to my organ--together with the progressive therapy--is related to my inner life as well as to my physical being. As I go through physical therapy (treadmill, stretching, etc.) I am constantly reminded of the brevity of life and the importance of spending my days in a God-pleasing manner. Such thoughts refer to my inner nature. 

This brings me back to the abstract meaning of the term "heart". It is really an all-inclusive term, referring to the internal functions of ones personality: feeling, thinking and willing. Here's examples of each. 

When Hannah was blessed with the birth of her son Samuel, she literally gave him back to the LORD and said, "My heart rejoices in the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:1).  We also read that Jacob's heart stood still when he learned that his son Joseph was alive (Genesis 45:26). He simply could not believe it. There are many examples of such emotions and feelings, both positive and negative. For instance, in Proverbs 19:3 we read that "the foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD." 

Fear and anxiety occur in the heart. In Psalm 40:12 we read,  

"For innumerable evils have surrounded me;
         My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; 
         They are more than the hairs of my head; 
         Therefore my heart fails me."

Modern medical science is aware of the connection between emotions and heart (organ) health. When I began physical therapy the therapists handed me a sheet of paper upon which I was to evaluate the stressors in my life on a scale of 1-10. When I refused, they scolded me, pointing out that everyone has stress and that such stress does indeed have an effect upon the health of ones heart. Because of stress my heart-organ can literally fail. I could get a "heart attack" and die! And many have. 

Thinking is also attributed to the heart. To set ones heart upon something may mean that we evaluate and consider this action important. In spite of the plagues during the time before Israel's exodus from Egypt, we see Pharaoh hardening his heart and refusing to allow them to leave. His heart was not moved (Exodus 7:22-23). The hardening of the heart is also a function of the will. Pharaoh could not and would not make a God-pleasing decision. He would not carry out his moral responsibilities. 

Wisdom, that practical application of knowledge to life, is a matter of the heart. "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,  And adds learning to his lips," says the Proverb (16:23).

Bottom line: I'm working on physical rehab for my heart. A whole program is outlined and my insurance will cover the cost. However, if I plan to become heart-healthy (as I do), then I had best pay attention to my inner life as well, the functions of my heart, my feelings, thoughts, desires, plans and dreams. Are they in tune with my LORD and Savior, Jesus? Have I admitted my failings and embraced His forgiveness--daily? When I do that I am certain that the peace of God in Christ Jesus will guard and protect my heart until I am called to my Father's house (Philippians 4:7). 

Reflections On My Bypass

These days I've received many wonderful cards, phone calls and visits from wonderful people. I thank them for asking me how I'm doing. The truth is, I'm somewhat hard pressed to lay the entire truth upon them about what it means to recover from open-heart surgery. . . at least for me. 

The truth be told, these days I feel like a little boy running to his mommy, yelling, "Mommy, Mommy, come. Me pooh, pooh!" 

When they crack open your chest, remove your heart and start sewing new things in there, they often neglect to tell you about the healing process, the fact that the plumbing is all screwed up, the digestion is confused and the appetite goes flying off on a vacation to the Caribbean. So, now, despite those tiny non-cholesterol breakfasts of Cheerios, those five helpings of fruit and vegetables and the eschewing of most meat and dairy products (would you believe "Silk" instead of milk?), me still runs to Mommy crying, "Come, come, me pooh, pooh!" 

This morning I told it all to the cardiologist. He benignly smiled and said, "Of course. Very normal, very normal." I tried to smile back, but he continued, "You can drive your car now and it's time to begin physical rehab." 

So I lovingly smiled back at my benefactor, bowed my head in deep humility, reached out my enfeebled hand and said, "Thank you!" All this despite the fact that I am now down to a mere 180 pounds--from a once magnificent, cholesterol-loving 215! I sent a telegram to the Caribbean, begging my appetite to return. No reply yet, but I may have the wrong address. 

Yet, you see, I'm ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY! And should walk the paths of this weary world for a few more years, especially when life becomes worth living again, I begin sleeping through the night, I stop having to pee every hour, my chest bone doesn't feel like I've been in a boxing match, the scar down the middle of my chest begins to look like a memory of the war I once was in and weary old appetite returns. 

Meanwhile, if you're still interested, I'm open to a meal out. I've heard that my local Denny's usually prepares a pot of oatmeal once a week, keeping it warm and moist for all those hearty, heartfelt, heart patients who come into their establishment to ask, "Do you have egg-beaters too?" 

My Grandsons' Music

I had another of those endless conversations about music with Patrick the other night. He's one of my three wonderful grandsons. And I do mean wonderful. Patrick is a senior at Texas A&M, completing a degree in computer engineering. Shawn, his older brother, is completing a second degree at the University of Texas-Pan American in mechanical engineering. Aric is at the University of Colorado, Boulder, working toward a degree in business. A finer group of young men cannot be found. And I am most proud of them.

But back to that music conversation. It is quite obvious that each generation has a heart music that resonates with them. I still sit at the piano and sing (to myself when no one else is around) the songs of the 40's and 50's--my music. It brings to mind all sorts of memories. I find myself reliving those moments.

So it continues for every generation. Nothing wrong with that. It's just that Patrick's generation's music does not resonate with me. It's so loud, so boisterous. I've never been into Rock of any kind. I miss the soothing tones of Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and even Frank Sinatra. That's "my music."

Curious fellow that I am, I went to Google and put in "Grandsons." Up pops this current popular band, The Grandsons. Now what kind of music do they play, I'm wondering? They tell us they play an eclectic mix of New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing and country two-step. From the image on their website they look to be about the age of my grandsons. Oh, maybe a little older, but certainly a lot closer than I am. They've been around since the nineties. Old guys!

The Grandsons

They have a link to give us a taste. I clicked on it and voila! It sounds like some of the music I often heard when I was their age. What's going on? I guess Listen to this. I kind of like it. It's called "Yodel Your Blues Away!"

Maybe there's hope yet that my Grandsons and I can come together around some of their music. I know they also like country two-step and related stuff. They go dancing at Texas barns. I've even tried a little of that myself. So I'm looking for a way to bridge the gap between us on music.

Go Grandsons!