It's About Your Outcome!

People everywhere are trying to figure out how to improve their life! It seems as if there is always something we wish we could make better; our work life, our health, our relationships, our financial stability, our attitude, etc...

This past week, Bonni and I returned home from two weeks of work travel with the Shriners Hospitals for children. We visited the Hospital in Erie PA. and ended at the hospital in Boston MA. The hospital in Boston is a burn trauma hospital. It is one of the best hospitals in the world when it comes to treating children with severe burns. While we were working at that hospital I sat in on the interviews with the doctors. These people are the best of the best. They are not only top rated doctors specializing in burn trauma but many of them are also involved in the research and development which continues to improve the outcomes for their patients.

As I listened to the interviews with these amazing men and women who are affecting the outcomes of children lives every day, I realized what they were saying and doing was practicing many of the things that Jesus taught.

Here are just a couple of the profound messages I got while listening tho these doctors speak about their work at Shriners Hospital for children.

The first thing that struck me was this saying, "We care beyond Costs!" The whole staff at Shriners hospitals live by this. It's all-about the children's "outcome!"  They love and care for these kids and have made a commitment that means they will do what ever it takes to restore them back to as close to normal as is within their ability to do so regardless of what it costs!

God has done this exact thing for you and I! He said, I love you so much, and want to restore you back to me so much, that I am willing to do what ever it takes, regardless of the cost!  And so He sent his only son Jesus to die for or sins so that we could be restored back to Him. Now that is love!

One of the doctors being interviewed said there was a time about 20 years ago when we defined success for these children with serious burns as survival. In other words if they lived, we considered it a successful outcome. The problem with that definition was quality of life after surviving the initial trauma. We knew we could get much better and redefine what success should look like. So over the years we have diligently poured ourselves into research and study, and have been continually developing new and better ways of doing treatments so that the "Outcome" for the patients  continues to improve. This doctor said there was a time when a patient who came in with 25% of their body severely burned, they would have about a 20% chance of survival. Now, a child can come in with 80% severe burns and there is more like a 90% chance of survival. But because of their tenacity of study and research, they are taking their patients far beyond just survival. With their ever improving treatments, the kids are now enjoying much greater outcomes for their lives.  

The doctors at Shriners Hospitals develop a specific program for each patient and keep these patients "In Treatment" over a period of years so that greater functionality can be restored so that their life experience is greatly enhanced. Outcomes at Shriners Hospitals keep improving.

Christians please reread that last paragraph. How are we defining success within the church? Are we continuing to to improve the outcomes for people who come to us? Are we continually researching, and studying, and then practicing new ways of thinking and doing? 

Do you want a better outcome for your life?

I think the church could learn a great deal from the Shriners Hospitals for Children because they continue to study, stay focused, and develop new ways to positively affect the outcomes of peoples lives!

One of the doctors commented that they have a had a few children come in for treatment, and then for whatever reason the parents decide not to stay with the treatment program. They drop out. The doctor made this profound statement about these kids, "Children who drop out of the treatment program have significantly reduced "Outcomes" for their lives. The message is clear, if you want a better outcome, you need to stay in the treatment program! I believe this is the exact message Christians need to hear today. If you want a better outcome for your life, you must remain in treatment!  In other words, if you want the blessings that are possible for Christians, meaning a better life outcome, you must do what the doctors at Shriners Hospitals do. Research, study, change your ways of thinking and then start doing according to the teachings of Jesus. 

I will begin a teaching series coming up in October on Walking in God's Blessings. 

The bottom line, if you want to change the outcome of your life for the better! Stay in Treatment! and for the Christian that means we remain in treatment our entire life!

Please continue t lift these people in prayer:

Cathy Watson Praises for good days, continued healing from cancer.

Emily Norris, continued healing from cancer and God's direction and peace.
Linda Cassens  continued prayers for healing.

Stan Rutkowski continues to battle pressure wounds.

Brad Fultz, God's peace and healing!
Jeff Wiles for back pain!
Cynthia Bastholm prayers for healing.
Mary Knapp praises for good days and continued healing!
Mike Rodgers, continued healing from latest back surgery
Gaye Kell, Krista's mom praises for good surgery results and cont, healing!

Hope to see you soon. Need to talk? Call me or text me at 618-334-3575.
Love, pastor kent