Month: February 2019

His silver hair imperceptibly blended with his gray herringbone suit. He was perched behind a  mahogany desk, pen in hand and notebook in front of him. He looked up at me from behind his reading glasses, his smile wrinkling the well-worn creases around his eyes and lips. He was the third professor to interview me on this day of my medical school interviews. “Welcome, I’m Dr. Smith. Tell me about yourself!”

 

I happily obliged and launched into a well-rehearsed elevator pitch summary of my long exciting life of twenty-one years. As I was speaking, the professor kept looking down as he doodled on his notepad. When I finished my answer, I expected to be battered by probing questions. Instead, he continued to doodle and mumbled mundane questions like, “Yes…so you are a biology major?” I tried to remain animated, recounting stirring highlights of my research in molecular biology. His response was the same, doodling and barely looking up.  During an uncomfortable interview, a few seconds of silence can feel like an hour; this interview was taking weeks. I was annoyed that he seemed so disinterested in me and dejected that he probably would not consider me a qualified applicant. As I searched for something interesting to ask, the professor stopped his doodling and looked directly at me. “I think we’ve spent enough time talking about you. What can you tell me about me?”

 

Was he kidding? I barely divulged anything about myself and he was now turning the focus upon himself? I paused for a moment. I usually make it a point to quickly survey the workplace or office of any new person that I meet. At the least, it can provide me with clues about their lives and interests. I needed all of these insights now! I nervously shifted in my chair and carefully chose my answers.

 

“Well…” I slowly began. “I think you are very dedicated to this medical school.” A safe answer, I thought, judging from the dates of his medical school diploma.

 

“Okay.”

 

“I think medical students and residents probably feel comfortable speaking to you, seeking you out as a mentor.” There were several photos of him posing with younger medical residents, but I was reaching now.

 

“All right.”

 

I was frustrated at this point and blurted out what was really bothering me about this interview. “And….you like to doodle.”

 

That did it! His eyes opened wide and I wasn’t sure if he was going to yell or laugh, but at least my observation evoked an emotional response from him.

 

“Oh! Heh…” He was clearly embarrassed. “Yes….I like to doodle! One of my vices. Very good!”

 

And with that response, the interview abruptly ended. A few weeks later, I received an acceptance letter to this medical school. I could only surmise that he appreciated my insight into his vices and complex personality!

 

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Psalms 90:8 (ESV)

 

Subtle clues to a person’s life may be revealed with casual observation. Yet, the deeper secrets of the heart may remain hidden. It was no challenge to observe this professor’s bad habit, but I truly did not know him. Like other people I meet, they also may stumble upon or be annoyed by my bad habits, but my truly dark and hidden side, my secret sins, are known only to God. If they knew even an iota of these sins, I would undoubtedly be shunned and ostracized by my friends and loved ones. Only by confessing and repenting of these sins and accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, did I finally find peace with my life and God.

 

Only God can truly tell me everything about myself. He allows me to tell Him my secret sins so that He can forgive me and transform me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

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

 

My warm breath elicited a cloud of water vapor as it emerged from my mouth. It was nothing unusual during the winter, except it was occurring in my dormitory room. It was my freshman year in college and I had returned from winter break in Hawaii, my home state. It was a balmy 80 degrees when I left and I returned to a damp and chilly 50 degrees in Southern California. As I bundled in my ski jacket and rubbed my hands together, my resident advisor strolled into my room. He was dressed in a thin tee-shirt, short pants, and open sandals. His face was red and wet with perspiration. He walked straight to my window and opened it.

 

“What are you doing!” I bellowed. “I’m freezing in here!”

 

Seemingly ignoring my outburst, he then turned on my fan which was positioned in front of the window, and let it blow on him. “Aaah,” he sighed.

 

“What are you doing?” I was incredulous. “Did you just work out?”

 

“I just flew in from Minnesota. It was 40 below when I left. This is a 90-degree swing for me. I’m burning up!”

 

Our bodies adjust to the temperatures to which we are accustomed, our comfort levels relative to one another. Levels of pain and stress also appear to be held in a relative context. A painful and humiliating scolding on the job, an embarrassing trip in front of a room of people-for some, the trauma lasts a lifetime while for others, it is immediately brushed off. This relativism may lead to conflict and misunderstanding when these experiences are shared with another who may not be willing or capable of empathizing. Yet, there are some experiences that few, if any, would question as painful and traumatic.

 

If anyone had a right to complain, it was the Apostle Paul. In a remarkable letter to the Corinthian church, Paul recounted the sufferings he endured as a follower of Jesus Christ. He was whipped by the Jews on at least five different occasions, beaten with rods three times, stoned, shipwrecked three times, and imprisoned (2 Corinthians 11:21-29 ESV)-and this was the abridged version of his toils and sufferings! Tortured and left for dead on numerous occasions, Paul endured and persevered. Why?

 

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)

 

Like the amusing experience of my college dormitory resident advisor, some shared experiences elicit different responses depending upon our tolerance levels. Paul delighted in His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Trials and tribulations that would cause a lesser person to fall and recant their faith only strengthened his resolve to serve His God. He knew that any pain and suffering he experienced, would never compare to the anguish and ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ endured on behalf of him and everyone who has ever lived.

 

If we confess and repent of our sins and place our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will receive the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. Jesus will comfort us with His yoke of compassion and share our burdens, lifting us from any self-pity or loathing.

 

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

 

St. Valentine.

 

Valentine’s day is named after a Christian saint but the actual man for whom the day is named is a bit murky, in fact, several different priests could legitimately lay claim for whom the day honors. Probably the most famous is a priest in third century Rome during the rule of Emperor Claudius II. After a decree was issued outlawing marriage for men, stating that single men were better soldiers than those with wives and families, Valentine sympathized with the plight of the single men and secretly married them to their betrothed. When his actions were revealed, he was executed by the Romans on February 14th.  Another origin recounts a darker tale of another priest who comforted other Christians imprisoned in Rome for their faith in Jesus Christ, and refusing to worship the pagan Roman gods. Valentine was eventually imprisoned and before his execution, wrote a letter to the jailer’s daughter and signed it, “Your Valentine.”

Regardless of the true origins, the invariable and beautiful theme is sacrificial love on behalf of others. If we celebrate Valentine’s day, we should celebrate with this in mind and endeavor to model this behavior to others.

 

…but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

John 19:25-27 (ESV)

 

As Jesus was dying on the Cross, suffering the unimaginable weight of every sin that was every committed or will be committed, He looked beyond His own suffering, toward His mother, and did one last act of kindness for her. He asked His beloved disciple John to look after His mother Mary as if she were his own mother.

 

What kind of love is this? What kind of love can overcome torture, humiliation, and betrayal? It is a sacrificial love of the highest and most noble kind. It is a love that only God can give us. He loved all us with such pure love, that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for our sins. Through His death and Resurrection, if we confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will gain salvation and eternal life.

 

On this Valentine’s day, honor those whom you love and remember the love that Jesus Christ showed to His own mother as He sacrificially died to demonstrate His love to a lost world.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

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

 

 

Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush were once staunch political rivals, with President Clinton defeating President Bush’ re-election bid in 1992.  Yet after their respective presidencies, both became close friends and golfing buddies.

 

Joe Louis and Max Schmeling were heavyweight boxing champions of the world and together symbolized the growing animosity between America and Nazi Germany. In 1936, Schmeling defeated Louis and Adolf Hitler touted Schmeling as proof of the superior Aryan race. In 1938, Louis won the rematch. After World War II, the two became life-long friends, decrying the racist and nationalistic propaganda that others projected upon them.

 

Strange bedfellows.

 

The Bible is replete with stories of strange bedfellows-formal rivals now comrades and friends. The Apostle Paul was once a sworn enemy of the first Christians and Peter was one of their leaders. God intervened and changed Paul’s heart, bringing them together. It was an unlikely pairing-Paul was a scholarly Pharisee and Peter was a fisherman, but this is how God works, creating reconciliation and relationships between the most unlikely and strangest of bedfellows.

 

For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon v.15-16 (ESV)

 

In a very touching letter, the Apostle Paul wrote to a slave owner named Philemon on behalf of his runaway slave (bondservant), Onesimus. Paul had met Onesimus and led him to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Paul encouraged Onesimus to return to Philemon and seek reconciliation with him. At the same time, Paul wrote this letter to Philemon urging him to accept Onesimus as a fellow brother and believer in their Lord Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged Philemon to show forgiveness to Onesimus in the same manner that their Lord Jesus Christ, demonstrated His grace and mercy to each of them by forgiving them of their sins.

 

Political rivals. Competitive athletes. Master and slave. Like these examples, we are all strange bedfellows to God. Left to our own natures, we would deny God and choose our own abilities and rest upon our accolades, thinking these are necessary and sufficient to make us good people. These are important but we are still sinners, hopelessly lost unless we confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

 

Sinner and God. Through faith and believe in Jesus Christ, we will no longer be strange bedfellows to God. We will be His friend and adopted sons and daughters of God.

 

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

 

My backpack was already bursting at its seams, and it was only 6 months old. I frantically stuffed it with my lab notebook for organic chemistry, aware I had less than 15 minutes for lunch before my chemistry lab began, and I anticipated a very long experiment, most likely intruding on my dinner. I would not have time to return to my dorm room, so I also packed my biology textbook, planning to prepare for the midterm tomorrow, without leaving the science center. Another late night of cramming, but in the midst of all this, a twinge of pain and regret cut into my heart. When was I going to find time to read the Bible and pray?

It had been only a month since I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It was my sophomore year in college, the busiest semester of my entire college experience. It seems silly to look back upon it now, but I had a genuine concern that my new faith would place too many demands upon my already overloaded schedule. My child-like faith was indeed child-like. It was not the eager accepting innocence of a child but the selfish and egocentric unfulfilled needs of a spoiled brat. My spiritual maturity was embryonic as I was more focused on my comfort level and fitting God into my schedule than on rearranging my life around God’s priorities. As much as I enjoyed reading the Bible and praying, I was already making excuses to push it aside.

Yet, over thirty-five years later, have things truly changed? My weekdays are consumed with my work, and my free time is a precarious juggle between the needs of my family and my selfish desires to play guitar and exercise while watching the latest video series on social media. Meanwhile, I need to answer this email before it gets too late. I need to text my colleague to remind him about an upcoming deadline. Before I know it, the day is nearly gone, but not before I attempt to squeeze in private quiet time with God. It is a slow erosion of my priorities. Is this living the victorious life in Jesus Christ?

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross and was resurrected. He secured salvation and the eternal victory for me. So why am I always battling with conforming to this world, behaving as if I am always on the losing side of my life? I am seldom in control and allow events to turn my attention away from God and onto myself and circumstances.

I am a sinner, and my faith is weak. I cannot attempt to fit God in my life when it is convenient for me. I must continue to come to Jesus Christ, every moment of the day, to receive and delight in the abundant life He has given me. Only then will I truly know the good, acceptable, and perfect life that God created me to enjoy, in continual fellowship with Him.

O Lord, please help my unbelief and increase my faith.

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

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/82BjPosleZc?feature=share

“Dude, I didn’t get in!”

 

Jake’s dejected face said it all. It was April of our senior year in high school and all of us were anxiously awaiting the decisions from the colleges and universities to which we applied. It was the culmination of our four years of high school and it all came down to this envelope.

 

“You’ll probably find out today or tomorrow. I know Stuart found out the bad news yesterday too.” He dismissively shook his head. “You know how you know before you even open the letter? It’s a thin envelope.”

 

“Oh.” Prophetically, that evening when I returned home, I opened the mailbox and fished out the dreaded thin envelope, assuring that I would also not be attending this dream college.

 

Flash forward to the present and my daughter is now applying to colleges. Yesterday, we received a thin envelope from one of the colleges to which she was applying. I nervously put it aside for my daughter to open when she came home, thinking it was the worst. I should have examined the envelope more carefully. When she came home, she let out a gleeful shout. On the back of the envelope, in boldfaced letters was the phrase:

 

#COLLEGEsaidYES

 

It was her first acceptance letter and it was in a thin envelope! We celebrated that evening, hopeful this was the beginning of many more acceptances.

 

I often jump to conclusions based on past experiences and preconceived notions. This was a trivial example but what about when I am prejudging others because of prior prejudices? If I received a job application from a man who spent numerous years in and out of prison for persecuting and slandering others, I would undoubtedly toss it aside. I would also have rejected the Apostle Paul.

 

What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

Proverbs 25:8 (ESV)

 

In this day of constant newsfeeds and trending social media, a long-forgotten event in someone’s past may become sensational fodder for instant media gratification. Invariably the event is embarrassing, even offensive, and may not reflect the person’s character, now many years removed from the event. Yet, guilty until proven innocent is the new paradigm and the public is often willing to oblige. God reminds us to look beyond the circumstances and ask Him to reveal the true heart and intentions of the person who is being judged.

 

“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

 

In this passage, God was speaking of the future King David, when He commanded the prophet, Samuel, to look beyond the physical appearance of a young shepherd boy and trust God to anoint this young man as the future King. As God promised Samuel, David would become the greatest earthly King of Israel and Jesus Christ would be one of his earthly descendants. God obliterates our preconceived notions and prejudices of what we think or expect in this life and gives us His Son, Jesus Christ. When we confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, Jesus chooses not to remember our past, present, and future sins when He accepts us as an adopted son of God.

 

We can, likewise, do this for others when we allow Jesus Christ into our lives. No prejudices or pre-judgment, only seeking God’s will for our lives and for all whom we meet.

 

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

 

On club day all colleges parade their various clubs and organizations before prospective members. Proudly displayed on the main walkways and thoroughfares of the campus, dozens of booths manned by eager students attempt to attract new members. Inclusive and diversity is the modern catchword but, many years ago, one club in my college bucked this trend. It was called the Dave Club and the only qualification to belong to the club was to be named Dave or David. Aside from the mandatory meetings, there were few if any activities. It was literally a club in name only!

 

This club no longer exists, however, there are many organizations that exist in name only. Tragically, many churches could also claim this dubious designation. In Europe, numerous surveys of young adults have documented the decline of Christianity with the majority stating no religious affiliation. Many churches are empty or are being converted to other businesses. In the United States, while mega-churches may make headlines, the number of Christian churches truly teaching the inerrancy of the Bible and the Deity of Jesus Christ is on the decline. Meanwhile, attacks from the media and politically correct pundits lambaste the Christian faith as narrow-minded and bigoted, conveniently overlooking their own hypocritic viewpoints. Many churches have adopted a liberal theology, watering down or even eliminating sensitive topics such as sin and repentance. Jesus is a great teacher and prophet, one of many who walked this earth. It is a Christian church in name only.

 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

 

If we view the church as simply an institution and building, there is no future or hope. God never intended this. The Church is the living Body of Jesus Christ, empowered by God, the Holy Spirit. Denominations will rise and fall, false teachers will distort the Bible, but nothing will ever stop the Church. Jesus promised us that His Church will always remain until His glorious return. And when He does, it will be the Church in His Name-King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

 

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

 

There are some news stories that are so abhorrently repulsive, the only explanation for such behavior is the stark horror of man’s inhumanity to man. On January 29, 2019, Virginia House delegate, Kathy Tran, presented a bill before a committee, advocating for a loosening of existing abortion laws and allowing for third-trimester abortions. If enacted, it would allow a mother, with the doctor’s consent, to abort their child, even at the time of delivery, if for no other reason than the mother’s state of mental distress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMFzZ5I30dg

 

Even more appalling was Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s response to this testimony. “So in this particular example if a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen, the infant would be delivered,” Governor Northam said. “The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.” Sadly, Governor Northam is also a pediatric neurologist.

Source: Fox News.com

 

The shrill voices, clothed under the noble moniker of women’s health, shot back and defended delegate Tran. Yet, the fact remains that her bill would allow a full term infant to be aborted and left to die if the mother and treating physician mutually agreed with this decision. There are few topics as divisive as abortion. Good people from all political, religious, and moral viewpoints will continue this debate and this issue will not be easily resolved. I submit one voice of reason. It comes not from conservative commentators or evangelical preachers. It comes from a young man named Mr. Frank Stephens. In October 2017, he testified before the appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to plead that funding for Down syndrome research continue and not to fund methods that would make it easier to terminate a pregnancy if a child is diagnosed with Down syndrome.

 

His poignant speech began with, “I am a man with Down syndrome and my life is worth living.” His brave testimony continued. “A Harvard study has discovered that people with Down syndrome, as well as their parents and siblings are happier than society at large. I know happiness is not something you can assign dollars to but surely it must be worth something?” He concluded with, “Is there really no place for us in the NIH budget?… Let’s pursue answers, ‘not final solutions.’ ”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=yQJEoRhkapw

 

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

 

What hope is there when mankind chooses to place emotional convenience over the sanctity of life? When there here is no righteousness or no love, all hope is abandoned. In spite of this, Jesus Christ never abandoned us, even when He was tortured and executed. Jesus died on the Cross and did this for us because we are all worth something. From the moment of conception, we are a precious life in the eyes of God. Only in Jesus Christ does love and faithfulness perfectly meet with righteousness and peace (Psalms 85:10).

 

Yes. Let’s pursue answers and choose life through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

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

 

Blogs on WordPress-Complete

 

 

It was a festive New Year’s celebration at the home of our close friends. For generations, their family celebrated the Japanese tradition of pounding mochi on New Year’s day. It was a beautiful connection to my own cultural heritage and a meaningful bond for their multigenerational family that now overflowed their home.

 

As I made my way through dozens of his family members, I was introduced to his aunt who looked familiar. “Paul, this is my Auntie Junko!” I extended my hand in greeting and she firmly grasped it, flashing a smile that enlivened her bright eyes.

 

“You may not remember me, but we met many years ago in my shop. I put together your wedding cranes!”

 

The wedding cranes!

 

An honored Japanese wedding tradition is to fold a thousand and one paper origami cranes and display them at the reception. While most couples have displayed them on tree branches or an improvised stand, a modern twist utilizes skilled artisans who take the cranes and arrange them into elaborate and clever designs and expertly frame them. Our cranes were folded with gold and silver foiled paper and were arranged as two large cranes flying together, symbolizing our new life together.

 

“Auntie Junko!” I exclaimed! “I do remember you! It has been nearly twenty years! Your cranes are still hanging over the mantle of our fireplace. It is the centerpiece of our family room and everyone loves it!”

 

Auntie Junko beamed. “I remember your cranes! It was one of my favorite designs! A husband and wife need to always speak kindly to each other and share everything they do…just like the cranes.” She smiled as she glanced in the direction of my wife. “Please keep doing this!”  Her voice softened and she gently held my hand. “I want to share something with you. My husband never forgot what you told him. Do you remember?”

 

I was embarrassed. I remembered her husband who was in the shop with her but I could not recall the exact details of the conversation. I fumbled for an answer and Auntie Junko sensed my discomfort.

 

“My husband had bad arthritis. You told him to warm up every morning for about thirty minutes, doing slow and easy stretching exercises until he felt comfortable.”

 

“Yes…” I was recalling the conversation. “He was a retired sensei at the Karate dojo. I encouraged him to use some of his kata (exercises) forms as a way to warm up.”

 

She nodded. “He did it every morning for over 10 years until he passed away! He never forgot what you told him.”

 

I hugged Auntie Junko and thanked her for sharing the story. Nearly twenty years ago, our lives briefly crossed and now, through a mutual friend, we were reunited. It was a vivid reminder to me how the words I speak to others can have a profound impact, more than I could have possibly realized at the time they were uttered.

 

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

 

Someday, I will stand before my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In a supernatural presentation, everything I have ever said to anyone will be replayed to me. The embarrassing and hurtful moments when I have callously and flippantly said something in jest will be laid bare before God. These far outweigh the encouraging words that I have spoken to others. Through beautiful reminders like our wedding cranes, I must always strive to be sensitive to the guiding of the Holy Spirit and let my speech be uplifting rather than denigrating. I need to continue to speak to my wife kindly, caring for her as my own body.

 

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

 

I was riding bareback on an Asian elephant in Chiang Mai, Thailand, perched nearly 10 feet above the ground as we lumbered down a muddy hillside to the river where he and the rest of the elephants would receive a bath from their grateful passengers. My arms could barely span its massive neck and shoulders and its thick and protective hide seemed impenetrable. Yet, with only a slight nudge of my knees, the elephant immediately responded and changed direction.

 

My puerile stereotypes of this noble animal melted away as I bonded with my new companion. Elephants are afraid of mice, are unable to resist peanuts, and will someday leave their herd to die in a secret elephant’s graveyard. All of these are patently false. One additional stereotype is the adage that an elephant never forgets, but to my surprise, this was a fact. Scientists have conclusively demonstrated that elephants have a remarkable memory, able to identify as many as 30 different scents of urine from other elephants. One well-documented story from an elephant sanctuary documents their resident elephant becoming very excited when a new elephant arrived. After further research, the scientists discovered the two elephants had briefly worked together for a few months, twenty-two years earlier!

 

Unlike the elephant, my aging brain is becoming increasingly forgetful. A senior moment is becoming an all too frequent phrase. It is a reminder that I must actively work to remember and preserve fond memories.  Thanks be to God that He never forgets, even when I do. Throughout the Bible, He repeats His promises to love and care for us, with a love even stronger than a mother’s love for her own child. He surrounds me with His grace and mercy, to always remind me that He walks with me, making my path straight and protecting me from danger.

 

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Isaiah 49:15 (ESV)

 

My elephant companion gave me an unforgettable adventure. I hope someday I will be able to return and he would remember our encounter with as fond memories as I do. After all, elephants never forget.

 

And neither does God.

 

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