We have come a long way in regards to motorcycle warranties. From no
warranty expressed or implied on new bikes, and all the used ones I ever bought,
to Suzuki’s revolutionary 12 months/12,000 miles back in the 70’s, with curious
conditions, to finally a universal standard of 6 months/6000 miles bikes have
gotten better, and so has the warranty. And today with Triumph and Harley
Davidson with 24 months/unlimited mileage, and BMW 36 months/36,000 miles many
of us ride farther and longer knowing if we break, the factory is there to
help. And at the rate I used to ride, that unlimited mileage looked pretty
good. And then....
June 25th, 2012 was just another day to most people. But to me it was a
life changing day. On that day I had open heart surgery, surprising my family,
but then Dr. Peter Walinsky when he opened me up. Fortunately it was no
surprise to God. Some details, I had been diagnosed in Durango as having a
staph infection that filled my pericardial sac, and would later be drained in
Albuquerque after being life flighted. But I also had an aneurism on the
backside of my aorta, which God had placed a covering over so it would not
burst. Confirmed by the doctors. We later found out that just the aneurism
gave me a 3% chance of survival. But God’s warranty was in effect. Peter
wanted to study my condition before opening me up, and found only one other case
in medical history of both conditions at the same time. And as it would happen,
he knew the cardiologist who did that surgery. Do we see a connection here?
But when he opened me up, after having the sac drained a few days earlier, my
heart was filled with pus, so much that the three arteries off the aorta were
98% blocked. And were forcing the pus back into my lungs. My heart was strong,
the valves strong, just filled with infection. And then he touched my aorta,
and in his words “disintegrated.” It exploded, and at that point I was medical
history, the first and only. For 5 1/2 hours my heart was out of my body, a
transplant can be done in 4, and I have a plastic aorta. All of it, not just a
portion. And when Peter greeted Theresa after the surgery, he told her I might
not last 12 hours, he had way to know, I should be dead.
Dead, a word I was to hear from every doctor and nurse who has ever read my
file, or was in the operating room, or attended me after the surgery. But my
warranty was still intact with God, and after 54 days in Albuquerque, 30 in
hospitals, and 20 in Cardiac Critical Care, we went home. Our last visit with
Peter in his office at 5 weeks after surgery. Who left us with two things, one
the other patient had lived for three years after her aneurism and infection,
and they were surprised. Which disturbed us, but God had brought us this far,
we weren’t giving up, and he certainly wasn’t and didn’t. The other comment by
Peter while hugging me as we left the office was “it is obvious that God
intervened in this situation.” From a highly skilled cardiologist, but not a
saved one. He had come face to face with God through my surgery, one he never
forgets. He was to describe it as the hardest surgery he ever did.
So today being June 25th it is very special to me, and my family. It is 3
years since my surgery, and my new aorta. And I feel great, and still ride,
just not as many miles. But I still do, starting 7 weeks after surgery, after I
should have died. After God intervened and saved my life, and literally gave me
a new heart. I saw my local cardiologist on Tuesday, who gave me a clean bill
of health, still amazed at my story, again confirming I should be dead, and
telling me I have the heart of a 40 year old. I’m 61. My heart is strong, and
“don’t bother me for another year.” I see my internal medicine doctor next
week, who calls me “Miracle Mike,” and cried when she first read my report.
Again, I should be dead....I hope you can celebrate the wonders of God with me,
and his love, which is unending.
So many tell me it is obvious that God has a purpose for you, or he would
have let you die. To which I respond “you’re alive,what is your purpose?” You
don’t have to go through what I went through to have or know your purpose.
Today can be the day you get closer to Jesus Christ, where he becomes your Lord
and savior. Where you can go beyond church and religion and be saved. Where
you can be born again, where your life has purpose, and you can tell
others.
The night Peter walked on the water in obedience, not faith, in Jesus,
remember he asked “if that is you Lord, tell me to come” and when Jesus did he
responded. But we forget how close he was to Jesus when he fell in. Very
significant since he was so close Jesus grabbed him, and saved him. Again a
turning point for Peter, as he wasn’t saved until that point, he only knew Jesus
as rabbi, teacher, miracle worker, physician and friend. It was when Jesus
literally saved his life, that things changed for him. And when they both then
instantly were on the other side, he was safe and saved. Just like Jesus had
told his disciples, “I will meet you on the other side.” And Peter literally
passed to the other side, going from death to life. He then saw Jesus as
savior. How do you see him?
Many believe he is great teacher, prophet,and physician. But deny his
deity. I was saved, but saw his saving grace in a way no other in medical
history has. And just like Peter, saw him on the other side. Only Jesus saves,
and only he can save you. Recognize who he is today, and repent and be saved.
Be assured as Peter and I know that he will meet us on the other side of death.
That in him is life, with a purpose, and we all are invited. None are left out,
it is our choice to be saved or not. How old do you have to be to get a new
heart from Jesus?
So today on my third anniversary we will celebrate. No one gave me a
chance, and at 3 years it was doubtful I would make it this far. Some
warranties expire with time, with Jesus they don’t and his goes on for endless
miles. Just like his miracles-unlimited. Don’t limit him today, let him give
you a new heart that isn’t dead. Let him give you life which is precious. And
let him give you heaven which is forever. Truly the meditations of my heart
proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. And savior. When he calls answer like Peter
did, and let him save you. Grab that outreached hand, and meet him on the other
side. His purpose is love, and he died for you. Become a miracle today, and
celebrate with me for the three years that no one thought I would have. I
defeated death in Jesus...what are you waiting for?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com