Month: August 2016

When I was growing up, I was an avid collector of comic books. My favorite was Superman. There was something so compelling to read about a person who came from another world possessing nearly unlimited powers. The stories always exhibited some cool aspect of his superpowers.

 

As I grew older, I realized that it was not as interesting to be reading the adventures of a superhero who was essentially invulnerable and invincible. Apparently the editors and writers felt the same way and Superman began to be more vulnerable and the stories became more complex. It was not simply the good guy defeats the bad guy. Plots were dense and complicated and the lines between good and evil were blurred. Superman, with all his super powers, could not simply punch his way out of a problem. He had to think creatively and understand how to best use his powers, sometimes working through others. Superman became more realistic. He became more man than superman.

 

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)

 

When I reflect upon my love of Superman, it is easy to see why I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is omnipotent and holds the universe in the palm of His hand. And yet, in the singular pivotal moment in the history of this world, Jesus, the God of the universe, became a man to take the penalty of sins that separated man from God. Jesus was fully man and fully God. At any moment, He could have destroyed all evil in the world but He chose to lay aside His divine powers and live the life of a mortal man. He chose to follow His Father’s plan and become our sacrifice for our sins. The only way sin could be conquered was by His sacrificial action. There was no way to punch His way out of the problem. He had to lay down His life. It was not by super strength but by super love.

 

Jesus Christ is my superman. He can be yours as well if you confess your sins, repent, and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. 

1 Samuel 4:8 (ESV)

 

The Philistines saw and believed in God’s power. There was no doubt that God or gods existed. They simply felt their god, Dagon, was not as powerful as THE GOD. 

 

Not much has changed today. We do not label ideas, values, and possessions as gods, but some of us hold them with equal reverence. I was one of them. My education and awards were my gods. I knew they were powerful because I saw the results in my life. But I knew there were others more powerful. They had a superior education and more of it. They excelled where I failed.  I knew that I had to be better. I wanted their gods.

 

When would this futile quest end? No matter what I did, there would always be more powerful gods. I knew the truth but did not want to accept it. It was not until I was confronted with the One and True God, Jesus Christ, that I understood.

 

It was not about being better than others. It was not about improving myself. It was not about comparing gods.  It was about surrendering my will to the God of the Universe and accepting His rule.

 

I see and believe in God not because He is better than other gods, but because He is the ONLY God. 

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Tucked away in my garage are two metal trunks filled with my entire comic book collection. As a child,  I collected comic books, and, like thousands of other collectors throughout the world, carefully stored each in specially made plastic bags. I would buy two copies of each, read one, meticulously handling the comic so that no creases would occur, and place both in separate plastic bags. I also rummaged through comic book collections at swap meets and garage sales, hoping to find a hidden gem of a rare comic book, lost amidst the myriad of comics that were being discarded. I kept the collection long after I stopped collecting because I was certain these comics would be worth a fortune someday.  Stories of comic book collections selling for tens of thousands of dollars danced in my head. I intended to give the collection to my children, hoping to add to their inheritance.

 

Nearly 35 years later, I was quite dismayed to discover that the value of most of my comic books had plummeted. Not worthless, but certainly not worth the value I anticipated when I carefully collected them.

 

So many things I have owned, which once were valuable, have faded. When I think of the time and money that I invested in so many material possessions, like my comic collection, it is disheartening.

 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

 

I still intend to give my children my comic collection. Whether it will amount to a financial windfall for them someday is uncertain. What is certain and far more important is the spiritual legacy I leave them. It is my responsibility to lead our family in their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. The same care and attention I took in preserving my comic books, must now be showered upon my family. I must wrap them in God’s Word and seek God’s Holy Spirit to preserve and transform them into the image of Jesus Christ.

 

Someday, our family will stand before our Lord Jesus Christ, and give an account of our lives. I will be held accountable for leading my family. My desire in this life is to prepare them for an eternity with God. May God bless our family be helping us to set our minds upon Him above, not on earth below.

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

During my freshman year in high school, our entire class was invited to a weekend retreat in the mountains. It was led by our high school counselor who explained that it was a time for each of us to reflect upon our values and goals before the pressures of high school begins.

 

It was a relaxing and introspective weekend for me. We engaged in group activities to foster cooperation and communication. We shared our family backgrounds and the cultural diversities that brought us to that point. But the one activity that stands out in my mind was a question the counselor posed to each of us. “What is your most important possession?”

 

I had never given thought to this. I was grateful that there were five others ahead of me as I struggled to gather my thoughts and answer this question for myself. Others shared fairly predictable answers…a photo album, a particular heirloom jewelry. As the counselor turned to me, the answer struck me.

 

“My guitar.”

 

Everyone in the group was a bit surprised. At that point in my life, no one knew I played guitar. It would be another two years before I played in the high school stage band and jazz combo. But I had been playing the guitar for three years and smitten by the instrument, spending every free moment with it. That was why it was difficult for me to think about my guitar as a possession. It was a part of my very being.

 

The discussion ended with the last participant who firmly stated, “My Bible.”

 

Everyone was also surprised at his answer. We did not know he was so “religious”. But as the years progressed from that date, I knew there was something different about him. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior  nearly five years later in college, I finally understood his answer.

 

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)

 

Today, my guitar is still my most important possession, but no more than that. My Bible is a possession, but it is much more. Like my sentiment about my guitar, so many years ago, the Bible has become a part of my very being. By reading its words and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to me and guide my life, it stands forever in my conscience and soul. All other possessions will someday fade away, but God’s Word will remain!

 

Amen!

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

“How did you like the movie?”

 

“It’s decent.”

 

“How about the restaurant?”

 

“It’s decent.”

 

Decent is the answer one of my employees gives whenever he is asked to give his opinion. As he explained, it’s a great answer since it is always positive without being specific. It also doesn’t place any expectations upon you to have to explain your position.

 

Clever!

 

So often, I search for the proper words to be politically correct, not wishing to offend. In fact, I probably spend far too much mental energy attempting to avoid this social land mines. This is in stark contrast to Jesus Christ. He did not mince His words-ever. One example has been distorted by liberal critics and non-believers alike.

 

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26 (ESV)

 

Did Jesus really mean to hate everything that most people hold dear? Hate even your own life? The answer comes with the very next verse.

 

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 (ESV)

 

Jesus is setting forth the highest standard for a child of God. He forsook His own life to obey God the Father and redeem us for our sins. If He faltered one moment, if He had any doubt that He should preserve His life or cling to His own family or this world, we would never have salvation. All would be lost if Jesus did not hold Himself to this highest standard. And He is commanding us to live to this highest standard as well. No political correctness, just a blunt reality.

 

Following Jesus is not decent, it is not politically correct. The highest expectations are placed upon us when we chose Him as our Lord and Savior. It is positive and very specific.

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

I once had another dermatopathologist cover my practice during a vacation. She came in a few days earlier before I left to go over the protocols for dictating and completing a case. As I explained the steps, she seemed disinterested, only occasionally nodding as I went into great details about the nuances of the dictation system. After about 5 minutes, I looked at her and asked, “Aren’t you going to write this down?”

 

“Oh no, “ she confidently smiled. “I can remember this, it is very straightforward.”

 

Really? I gave her the benefit of the doubt but recalled dozens of other pathologists who took several days to learn this system. I had my doubts. Sure enough, after I came back from my vacation, I asked my colleagues and secretaries whether she was as adept at learning the dictation system as she boasted. They all rolled their eyes and exclaimed, “She was asking us questions every five minutes!”

 

I am respectful of the way people learn, but sometimes common sense and practicality override any style of learning. Perhaps this woman thought she could remember everything. Perhaps it was her pride and unwillingness to admit she needed to take notes. All I know is she was no different from any other who came before or after her.

 

I read the Bible every day. I have verses posted in my closet at home and every wall in my office. There are Bible verses in the bathroom at work. There are even Bible verses on my garage door! And yet, as often as I read these verses, I still have not memorized some of them.

 

You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (ESV)

 

The Holy Spirit knows that I, and many others, struggle with remembering things. Regardless of one’s learning style, He gives us practical advice….write it down and place it everywhere you regularly spend time. It is a slow and arduous path, but with God’s help and direction, I will succeed!

 

Amen!

 

Love and trust the Lord, seek His will in your life.

I recently attended a church that was welcoming its incoming 6th graders to the adult worship. The head pastor emphasized the importance of the youth to take the time and get to know the pastors, elders, and deacons of the church. “These men are here for you,” the pastor declared. “They are here to care for your soul. So take the time and seek us out and ask us, ‘How are you caring for my soul?’”

 

That last statement elicited a chuckle from the congregation. I loved it! This church is firmly rooted in God’s Word and the leadership was asking its members to hold them accountable for their teaching and positions. How many churches would be bold and confident enough to issue this challenge to their members?

 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

 

The challenge is firmly grounded in the Bible. Attending church is a command of God and we are not to forsake the fellowship with other believers. But a great responsibility is shared by the leaders. They are to keep watch over our souls. We should do the same and pray for our leaders and pastors in our churches.

 

Are you caring for the souls of those whom you love?

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

One of my employees has a unique answer to the usual query, “How are you?”

 

His reply… “Life keeps on getting better!”

 

The response from the questioner ranges from a chuckle to a surprised, “Yeah!”, especially to those expecting the usual pleasantry, “I’m fine. How are you?”

 

It’s a good answer and reflects his optimistic spirit.

 

Life does keep on getting better when you have committed your life to serving Jesus Christ. I can look back over my life, and, even with recent events, realize that God’s Hand is always moving and in control, even if I don’t want to acknowledge Him. At times I think that it is by my efforts, my cleverness, or my wisdom that produced a good outcome. But this reflects my selfish attitude and God always confronts me with His truth.

 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

 

Life keeps on getting better!

 

There is no other option when God is in control of your life!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

When I was a child, I played baseball until I was 11 years old. I was an average player but loved playing the game. One day, a classmate from school asked if he could attend one of my games. It was against a team that we had a reasonably good chance of beating and I agreed, thinking that I could impress him in a good winning setting.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

The game began with my first time at bat. I was usually the lead off batter and I promptly went down in a strikeout. But I was unfazed, confident that I would later get a good hit. The pitcher was not very intimidating and his fastball was hardly that. Nope. I struck out four times that day.

 

But my lack of offensive prowess was the least of my concerns. My defensive fielding, usually the strongest part of my game, also let me down. I was playing second base and an easy ground ball was hit in my direction. I bent down to snatch it up, as I had successfully done so many times in the past, except this time, it scurried right through my legs. Another play was an easy pop fly, but I stumbled and dropped the ball. Finally, I overthrew the first baseman blowing an easy out. It was the worst game I had every played.

 

Seeking to ease my obvious disgust, my classmate turned to me at the end of the game and said, “Maybe I shouldn’t have come?”

 

Maybe. I was distracted, seeking to impress my classmate rather than concentrating on doing what I was there to do. My motives were selfish and I paid a price. The painful memory reminds me that at times, in my Christian walk, I seek to impress others rather than seeking to serve God. I may lead a worship service and play a fancy lick on my guitar, only to impress other musicians. I may lead a Bible study and include an obscure reference to impress the scholarly saints in the group. Sadly, I still have not learned my lessons from childhood.

 

…but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV)

 

All of my actions need to be focused upon pleasing God rather than man. I cannot serve two masters. Regardless of the outcome, if my efforts are dedicated to God, He will bless me.

 

Maybe my friend shouldn’t have come? No, the problem was with me, not him. Thanks be to God that He still is transforming me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

I was entertained by a recent winner on the television show, “America’s Got Talent!” Sal Valentinetti, a 20 year old pizza delivery man, was looking for his shot to stardom. He got it by channeling the chairman of the board, Frank Sinatra.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGyKg2fWehU

 

One of the most insightful statements came from judge Simon Cowell.  “When you want to sing this kind of music, you can’t fake it. You either got it in you or you don’t. You are an old soul.”

 

You can’t fake it.

 

Whether it is singing, working, or playing…you can’t fake it.

 

The Christian life is the same. When things are going well, it is easy to live with the facade of a “good” Christian. It is under stress that our true nature emerges. Many years ago, I was playing in a Christian missionary golf tournament. I was happy to be paired with a new friend. I had been visiting a new church and I had spent some time in the preceding months getting to know him. This was the first time we played golf together. It was also the last time.

 

I am not a very good golfer and my friend knew that when he asked me to partner with him. Predictably, it was a not a good day for either of us. His frustration increased as our bad play fed each other’s poor performance. Several times during the tournament he swore and yelled at me and said, “Come on! Can’t you play better?” I bit my lip as I noted he wasn’t playing much better. At the end of the match I attempted to shake his hand but he simply turned and walked away. He was treating me like I betrayed him. Our relationship was never the same and he never spoke to me again, even during meetings at the church. He was one of the youth leaders in the church but I saw his true heart. I soon left the church, disillusioned by his hypocrisy.

 

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Titus 1:16 (ESV)

 

I know I have failed God and so many others by my actions and speech. God continually reminds me that I must continue to examine and test myself to know that my faith is genuine.  

 

I can’t fake it. It is God or nothing.

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.