Wednesday, January 4, 2012

6
Comment

I’m Back

After taking a really long break from blogging, I’ve decided to return.

I miss the daily discipline of getting up at 4am and hammering out my thoughts.

I miss sharing my mistakes and observations with people online.

I miss encouraging people.

I miss ticking people off.

I miss collaborating with other writers.

I miss connecting online with the people in the congregation I am so privileged to serve.

I miss getting wacked out comments on my blog posts from Christians who live with 12 cats in their mother’s basement and proudly own every single Joel Osteen CD he’s ever given away for free on his TV program.

I miss sharing great books and resources that might help someone grow in their faith.

I miss connecting with and learning from other pastors and kingdom leaders.

I miss having to say I’m sorry.

So in the words of everyone’s favorite cigar smoking naked guy from the future who randomly appeared through a time portal, saved the world, and is slated to appear in the upcoming sure-to-be-an-Academy-Award-winning-blockbuster-hit, The Expendables 2,

“I’m back.”

in Worth Sharing
  • http://www.brendonfoulke.com Brendon Foulke

    So what was wrong with you? Heard you were sick for a while? What was that all about?

    • Brian Jones

      From November 2010 until November 2011 – just spiraled out of control. It was a freak thing. Throat nodules, turned serious. Had throat surgery, which was then followed by an ear infection that went haywire. Fluid filled my ear. Ear had to be punctured and drained. Which then triggered a severe neurological response in the back of my head called “Occipital Neuralgia,” which basically meant I had chronic, uncontrolled pain in the back left-hand side of my head (similiar to the sensation of being stabbed in the back of my head).

      I didn’t sleep for, well, about a year. An hour here, 30 minutes there. I went to six different doctors, had three separate MRI’s, two catscans, multiple injections in my head, every medication from Z-packs to anti-seizure meds called Tegretol. I was on 2,000 mg of it for a while, which was like walking death. The insomnia, anxiety, ear pain, coupled with the grief of my oldest leaving for college, stress of the financial challenges presented by the economy…it all together just about ended me.

      I found an angel of a counselor who in June-July met with me a few times to help me clarify things, put one foot in front of the other, and the combination of her guidance, the prayers of a group of men who met me at my office to pray over me, and a God-send of a new osteopathic doc…all converged in October to provide instant relief.

      I’m thankful for God’s mercy through it all.

  • Mary Archey

    Only 6 cats. The other 6 belong to Mom and they live upstairs. Oh, and I had to pay shipping on those CDs – they weren’t free.

  • http://www.brendonfoulke.com Brendon Foulke

    Dude thats crazy! Im glad to hear that things are back under control. Sorry for all that you had to go through. I hope that you have been able to get back into your routine that I know you thrive in. Thats a hard thing to read from far away. Wish I was around to help in any way I could. I’m glad that your health is under control.
    I think about you and CCV a lot. I hope and pray that you guys grab the momentum that you want and strive for to make a huge impact in the Suburbs. I love your church and the potential is incredible to see and hear about.
    A good thing is that you are getting healthy which will allow your partnership, guidance, wisdom and help for all those who work with you.
    Glad to hear things are better.

    Your friend,
    Brendon

    • Brian Jones

      Sushi the next time you’re in town (or I’m in Chicago) for sure!

      • http://www.brendonfoulke.com Brendon Foulke

        Agreed!

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