This is a long’ish post but stick with it.

I’ve been AWOL – well not quite true but I have been absent from here for good reason – let me clarify if I can.

For most of my working life (nearly 30yrs) I have had back problems of one sort or another but never anything severe enough to keep me away from work. Worst it got was being uncomfortable and needing to take some ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory) and perhaps an additional pain killer on top. However, this would be maybe once or twice a year for less than a week at a time. Also, the pain was only ever general aches through my lower back and left hand leg – classic sciatica and all explainable by my prior work … another tale for another time maybe.

Back last Christmas I started getting severe shooting pains down my right leg – that wasn’t nice. The usual treatment didn’t work so a rare visit to the doctor was called for. Stronger scripted meds and a week or so later I was all fine. fast forward four months and I’m just getting to the end of my Easter holiday (Tenriffe and it was lovely thanks) and I start limping again! Then the pain returns with a vengance. So a return doctor trip was in order and the same meds prescribed.

These didn’t work so instead I’m given some much stronger stuff – imagine if you will that the only comfortable (and that’s a very subjective word) position was sat in an armchair and for 3 weeks that is how I ate and slept. Fortunaetly the stronger stuff starts to take effect and withing 2 weeks I’m not only back in my bed but sleeping all night and 100% pain free. However, both the doctor and my chiropractor wanted me to have a scan.

In the UK, waiting for an MRI via the NHS is a very sloooooooow process. Fortunately I’m subbed in to the works private health plan and before you can blink the doctor has emailed a private consultant and I’m in having an MRI and the results discussed the next day!

So officially I have 2 prolapsed discs and no pain which threw the consultant a curve ball. That was the case as of three days ago. Now I’m going cold turkey on the pain meds to see if they are masking the issues. When / if the pain returns then we discuss next steps. The linked article has loads more info.

So that’s the main reason I’ve been awol.

Secondly I’ve been working on (actually thinking on as I had no computer access – too painful) a project that is taking shape in my mind and partially on the web. I’ve lots of ideas and enthusiasm but not clear on the way forward just now. What I can tell you is that the domain is already top of google search worldwide (not just UK) and I’ve done nothing more than put a bare shell and some text up. I’m not a stats and figures kind of guy but I do love this.

Lastly there has been “trouble at mill” in the Church I attend. I won’t go into details but as a long standing member (I’ve been there 23 of its 25yrs and only two folks left whom have been there longer) it isn’t fun at the moment – and whilst I realise Church isn’t all about fun, the current situation has certainly detracted from my daily walk. I’m not about to leave though (so panic not my pastor – support remains) as I don’t believe that is the answer, but others more prescient in spiritual things and unrelated to our Church, have openly discussed things that only I and a few select other long standing members have discussed amongst ourselves.

One of these was a possibility of setting up a new Church – this was only discussed between me, my wife and our very good friend and his wife whilst on holiday together – however an apostle of the UK Church raised this in conversation with said friend last week which has given us all a woah moment!

It still gives me goose bumps that what I think or discuss in secret has ramifications in the spiritual realm – after all Ephesians 6 v12 reminds us that we do not wage war against flesh and blood but against unseen powers – so why should I be surprised that what I discuss with my wife and close confidants isn’t bounced round the spirit realm to be heard by those atuned to it?