Month: March 2020

The parking lot for the local warehouse supermarket was filled. Hundreds of people were rushing out with carts filled to the brim. It was 7AM and it was like a Black Friday sale, except it was the middle of March.

 

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic had gripped the nation, fanning everyone’s worst fears that civilization was on the verge of collapse. Panic buying of basic items such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, canned goods, and nearly every type of fresh meat had exhausted the shelves and bins of every market, regardless of their size. Online shopping sites were no different, posting messages that these similar items were out of stock.

 

In states that had the most cases, entire school districts began to close in an effort to minimize the spread. As more cases were reported, other states and cities quickly followed. Many cities began to ban any public gatherings of more than a hundred people. By the end of the week, the President had declared a state of emergency. Following the lead of these local and federal announcements, many churches announced that their usual ministries were postponed, opting for virtual sermons.

 

Emotions have run the gamut from concern to near-hysteria. However, a few social outliers did declare on social media sites they were happy with the crisis. Whether they were simply attention seeking or possessed truly warped sensibilities, I will never know. But I do know one person who is genuinely happy. Satan.

 

Satan will use every situation, good or bad, and twist it to accomplish his nefarious goal, to separate man from God. Cloaked under the noble banner of keeping everyone healthy, and minimizing the risk of contracting or spreading the virus, preventing church gatherings may appear to be a practical way to accomplish this purpose. However, cynics immediately seized upon these announcements lashing out that even the Christian church is cowering and retreating in the face of a crisis. If the church cannot meet, Christianity is powerless.

 

Preventing the Christian church from meeting has never been successful. The atheistic communistic-socialistic regimes of China and the former Soviet Union attempted to squash the Christian church by outlawing public gatherings and making it illegal to discuss Christianity, yet the nascent church in both countries grew and prospered. Even today, in Wuhan, China, where everyone is still under home quarantine, a Christian missionary wrote, “Christians in China are encouraging each other via phone calls as gatherings are banned. While masks are being hoarded by most, at the epicenter of the outbreak, Wuhan Christians are courageously handing out masks with gospel tracks. Also people are more open to Christ.”

 

No matter the schemes of Satan, Jesus Christ promised that His Church will always be victorious.

 

…I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)

 

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is an opportunity for the world to come together and assist one another. Even if public gatherings are prohibited, the Christian Church will take the lead to bring assistance to those in need. The Church will prevail and remain a rock of stability and a light of hope.

 

God is always in control.

 

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

 

 

As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to make worldwide headlines, the Christian Church has taken the same careful steps that all organizations have implemented to ensure the safety of its congregations. In addition to the usual precautions about avoiding close contact, hand washing, and remaining home if sick, there are always added encouragements about prayer and having faith in God. A frequent comment in these missives is, “God is in control.” Predictably, this has led to cynical comments from the general non-Church attending public. Here are some of the insightful comments posted on one social media site.

 

“Faith does not equal science.”

 

“One group can wash their hands and take proven, science-based, sensible precautions. The other group can pray. We’ll see who ‘God’ picks.”

 

“It’s as if we didn’t have thousands of years of evidence that prayer has done nothing in the face of widespread disease.”

 

“Coronavirus fears mount, but remember faith’s role in the face of uncertainty. Yes. This worked well during the plague.”

 

And these are some of the tamer comments. Are these claims justified? Is Christianity anti-science?

 

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)

 

The Bible is not a textbook of science. However, it emphatically states that God created the Heavens and the earth. This remarkable statement means that God created the visible mountains and oceans and the invisible forces of gravity and the mathematical systems that describe and explain it. God desired for mankind to share in His creation and endowed all of us with intelligence in the image of Himself. God welcomes and encourages us to discover and describe the world He created for us. Nowhere is this more evident than in this passage from Genesis, the first book of the Bible, when God asked Adam to name all of the other animals.

 

Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. God gave Adam, the first man, the task of naming all the animals… 

Genesis 2:19-20 (ESV)

 

The complexity of the Creation, whether it is the Big Bang theory or the intricacy of gene expression, always points us to be more in awe of the infinitely greater complexity of the Creator. Yet as mankind has advanced in knowledge, some have elevated this knowledge of science and assert that man does not need God to explain and understand the world he lives in.

 

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Hebrews 11:3 (ESV)

 

All science is based upon faith in the living God because He created all things, both visible and invisible. As the world confronts the pandemic of COVID-19, Christian physicians and scientists pray that God will guide us to use our God-given knowledge of medicine and science to assist those who are suffering and to find a vaccine and effective treatment.

 

Christianity is not anti-science. Christians embrace science through faith in God. This is why Christians pray during this and all crises that confront us.

 

We know that God is in control.

 

Amen!

 

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

 

Several years ago, I began a diet and exercise program that led to a loss of thirty pounds. Although many friends and colleagues noticed the thinning of my face, most of my weight loss was not immediately visible because there are many locations in the body where fat deposits are diminished during dieting and weight loss. For example, within our abdominal cavity, there are large deposits of fat around internal organs like the kidneys, adrenal glands, and liver. A complicated lattice of fat and blood vessels, called the omentum, envelops our intestines. The losses can be quantitatively measured with radiological examinations like a CT or MRI scan, but not by external visual observation. 

 

There is a fat deposit best identified by one’s touch. As a physician and dermatopathologist, I knew this physiological change occurred with weight loss, but had forgotten until it happened to me. It was an almost imperceptible change, evident only when I focused upon it, but there it was! My scalp was thinner. I noticed it when I shampooed my hair. At first, I naively thought my hair was thinning! While nearly everyone else who saw me noticed the obvious weight loss, only I could discern the more subtle changes, such as the thinning of my scalp. This hidden fat led to the most dramatic changes in my weight loss. I was a fat head and I didn’t even know it! 

 

Hidden fat is similar to our guilt and sins. When I confessed and repented of my sins, God forgave my sins and began the transformation in my life that continues to this day. The changes in my life were obvious to many, but my deepest guilt was still hidden. Like my fat head, only I knew of its presence, and only I could discern its disappearance.

 

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Psalms 32:5 (NLT)

 

What do we do with our hidden guilt and sins? The Christian theologian R.C. Sproul wrote, “Because He freely owned my guilt I may freely own my sin. Guilty as charged, and yet, not guilty at all.”

 

For years, I was a fat head, literally and spiritually. Unwilling to recognize my deplorable state and drowning in my sins, it was only by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ that He rescued me and removed my hidden sins and guilt. The hidden sins and guilt, that only I and God could see, were now removed. All my guilt is gone!

 

Praise God!

 

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

My daughter and I were walking hand in hand, exiting the parking lot as we entered the shopping center. I was relishing the moment, and I made sure she knew it and understood the significance.

“Sweetheart, I’m loving this moment!”

She grinned and grasped my hand tighter, “I love shopping with you, Dad!”

“Me too! But that’s not what I meant.”

“What DID you mean, Dad?”

We walked a few more steps as I looked forward. “Someday, you won’t want to hold my hand like this.” I gently lifted our hands together.

“Why not?”

“Well…I hope you will always want to hold my hand when we go out, but I think there will come a day when you may not want to. You might not think it’s cool, especially in front of your friends. I’m not upset, but I know I will be sad when that day comes.”

“Dad!” my daughter protested. “My friends think it’s cool you still hold my hand when we go out!”

I smiled and hugged her and said, “That’s good, sweetheart.” Quickly changing the subject, I maneuvered her toward the escalator, “Hey, let’s go check out the ice skating rink!”

She was only ten years old, but I already knew it was hard to let go. Ten years later, I’m still letting go. She will always be Daddy’s little girl, always, I lamented.

Letting go.

Why is it so difficult? Do I fear that my daughter will falter in life if I am not always around? Do I fear that she will no longer need me as she once did? I suspect that these emotions and feelings are common for many parents and their children. I had these same fears with my parents. I have the same fears with my Heavenly Father. In times of duress, I fear that God may let go of me before I am ready to face a new challenge. In times when I am grievously sinning, I fear that my sins have pushed God away and He will let go to punish me. But this is not what God states.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit repeats this verse in the Book of Hebrews.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

When God repeats a verse in the Bible, He wants us to pay special attention to His promises. He will NEVER let go of us! The truth is, I am never ready to let go of Go,d and God will never let go of me. He knows all of my doubts and insecurities, whether it involves me or my daughter. Thanks be to God that we are His heavenly children through faith and belief in His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Messiah. This is His eternal promise to us. He will never leave us nor forsake us!

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

Source Stanford.edu

 

Ahh…advertising!

 

A well-known tactic of advertisers is to mate their product with a pleasurable action or outcome. When pleasure is wrapped in the banners of family and long life, the combination is almost irresistible. This cigarette advertisement from 1950 is testimony to this, replete with the implicit message that smoking may even help this young girl achieve her goal of living to be a hundred years old! Truth in advertising indeed!

 

Pleasure can be many things. It may be a noble cause like sacrificial caring for friends and family. It may be carnal such as lusting after wealth or fame. For years, I pursued activities that gave me pleasure with the premise that if it did not hurt anyone else, it was permissible, even encouraged. Yet, it was hurting me and I refused to acknowledge it. When I became a Christian, I learned the reason and was forced to confront my ignorance. When I seek pleasure outside of God’s obedience and designs, I transgress His sovereign will over me.

 

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)

 

Eden is translated as pleasure. In the middle of God’s perfect garden, a test of obedience was placed. God created us to find obedience in His pleasure. He desires for us to delight in Him, to find pleasure by drawing closer to Him. When we do, we will not be distracted by the world and its temptations. Like the seductive advertisement of the young girl and physician, God enables us to see beyond the beguiling associations of sinister and harmful activities that are cloaked under pleasurable metaphors and images.

 

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

 

 

Breast cancer tumor board.

 

Nearly every major hospital conducts this interdisciplinary conference. The diagnosis of a patient’s breast cancer is reviewed and confirmed by the hospital pathologists. The conference is usually a collegial gathering with the patient receiving a personalized treatment plan through input from their surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, and radiation oncologist.

 

At university medical centers, many breast cancer patients are seeking second opinions from national and international experts. At one university medical center, there was a well-known surgical pathologist, an expert in breast cancer, who had a reputation for denigrating community surgical pathologists. He had been known to lift up a microscope slide in front of the tumor board participants, read aloud the submitted diagnosis, then belittle the referring pathologist’s diagnosis, even if there was a minor disagreement with no impact on patient care. Needless to say, his actions did not endear him to other pathologists who loathed sending any case in consultation to him, unless specifically requested by the patient or oncologist.

 

Several years later, in an unexpected twist, our two pathology groups merged. His previously hostile stance radically changed and when breast cancer cases were submitted from our group to his university hospital, he now praised the accuracy of our reports. We were flummoxed but accepted this reprieve and wondered if we had misjudged him. After several years the merger fell apart and his malevolent streak returned, belittling the same pathologists who just a few months earlier, he lauded.

 

My colleagues and I shook our heads, upset that we were so naive to trust him, realizing his true nature never changed. His attitude shifted when the financial and political circumstances were expedient for him. In our encounters with this university pathologist, there was no one to vouch for the authenticity of his changed behavior.

 

Thousands of years ago, a similar change in the behavior of a notorious opponent of the early Christian Church led many to doubt the sincerity of his transformation. Saul of Tarsus was a zealous Pharisee who made it his life mission to root out all followers of Jesus Christ. He was convinced that they were blasphemers, deserving of death. Saul was very successful at his job until the risen Jesus Christ met him on a road to Damascus. In a dramatic encounter, Jesus revealed Himself to Saul leading to a complete transformation of Saul’s heart. Instead of the worst enemy of Christianity, he would become Paul, the greatest defender of the Christian faith.

 

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.

Acts 9:26 (ESV)

 

The early Christians did not believe that Saul’s conversion was true. Why should they? How could they suddenly trust someone who just a few weeks earlier, had the authority to arrest them and all of their loved ones and throw them into jail to be executed? It had all the appearance of a trap, a setup. This was simply a way that Saul would infiltrate Christians, gain their trust, then betray them. The breakthrough came when Barnabas, a respected follower, personally vouched for Saul’s conversion to Christianity.

 

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:27 (ESV)

 

Barnabas placed his own reputation on the line and attested to Saul’s radical transformation. Barnabas vouched for Saul and when he did, he was accepted by all of the followers of Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus vouches for our transformation when we confess and repent of our sins and accept Him as Lord and Savior. In life, we may never find a Barnabas, a person who will vouch for the authenticity of our conversion of faith or that of another. Thanks be to God, that Jesus Christ knows our true nature and accepts us a fellow heir of God’s Kingdom and salvation.

 

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

 

“Jake…Martin…Smith!”

 

When Jake’s mother wanted to get his attention, she called him out using his first, middle, and last name, dramatically pausing after pronouncing each name! That sounded familiar! My mother did the same thing, too many times than I would like to remember. In fact, as I write this, I am getting an uncomfortable sensation in my belly as I recall those tongue lashings.

 

What about God? When God wants to get our attention, He calls out our name…twice!

 

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Genesis 22:11 (ESV)

 

And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

Genesis 46:2 (ESV)

 

When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 3:4 (ESV)

 

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV)

 

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things…”

Luke 10:41 (ESV)

 

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat…”

Luke 22:31 (ESV)

 

And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Acts 9:4 (ESV)

 

In the cacophony of this modern age, can we still hear God calling out to us? Do we incline our hearts and minds to hear His voice or is it crowded out by the often contradictory postings of social media? Are we willing to listen or is it drowned in the din of voices of self-proclaimed pundits who extol the supremacy of mankind and ignore the One who created them?

 

I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am…”

Isaiah 65:1 (ESV)

 

God still speaks directly to us, but are we willing to listen? God calls out to His Creation, twice. “Here I am, here I am.”

 

Won’t you respond to His calling? Forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation await all who answer His call.

 

Amen!

 

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

 

I was participating in an ice breaker for a physician focus group. The moderator asked us several questions and most were easily answered but one gave me pause. “What person or persons were most influential in your life?”

 

The reasonably safe reply is to acknowledge one’s parents and although they immediately came to mind, I thought I would be more introspective. I recalled my teachers, friends, and mentors. All were very important in helping to shape who I am but I wanted to dig even deeper. There have been many complete strangers whom I have met during which the interactions lasted no more than a few minutes and I never reconnected with them. Yet, the meetings profoundly impacted my life. I suspect I am not alone when I state that we sometimes learn life’s most important lessons from seemingly random conversations from complete strangers.

 

One memorable example was a patient I met in a medical clinic in St. Louis, during the last month of my fellowship. Bubbly and animated, she was adorned with a crucifix around her neck. Her open purse revealed a well-worn Bible. Her gray hair was the only clue to her age; she exuded the energy of a young woman with unbridled enthusiasm. After I introduced myself, she unabashedly launched into a witness of her faith.

 

“Do you know Jesus Christ?”

 

I was taken aback by her forthrightness and I fumbled with my answer. “Uhh…yes ma’am.”

 

Seizing upon my hesitation and disingenuous attitude, she pressed the issue, “Really? What does Jesus Christ mean to you?”

 

I gave her the stock answer. “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.”

 

“I see.” She thoughtfully nodded. “So you are going to church?”

 

I felt like the Samaritan woman at the well when Jesus pressed her with ever more probing questions about her lifestyle and faith (John 4:1-45).

 

“No ma’am,” I confessed. “I haven’t found a church since I arrived in St. Louis. I am here for my fellowship and came here from Los Angeles.”

 

Eyeing me suspiciously, she continued. “You are welcome to come to my church! We are right over in east St. Louis, just over the bridge.”

 

Not wishing to offend, I amicably replied, “Thank you! I will certainly consider it.”

 

She looked deep into my eyes and at that moment, I felt God was speaking to me. “Doctor, you have to be on fire for the Lord!”

 

“Yes, ma’am.” I gulped.

 

During this time in my life, my walk was God was nearly non-existent. I was a forlorn back-slider, entirely focused upon excelling in my professional goals. Her direct challenge to me was what I needed to hear. I returned home that evening, her words echoing in my mind. A short time later, I recommitted my life to serve Jesus Christ.

 

Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

Psalms 77:19 (ESV)

 

There are no random encounters in life. Everyone we meet is ordained by God for a purpose. There have been many, many people, whom God allowed me to meet to impart a timely message or lesson from Him. God leads me through the sea of life but I may not always recognize His presence and guidance because His footprints are unseen.

 

Amen!

 

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

 

 

My mother was driving me to my weekly Saturday morning guitar lesson. For the past few months, I had been taking classical guitar lessons and I was enthralled by the instrument. My parents were grateful for my enthusiasm since they were the ones who suggested I learn a musical instrument and encouraged me to learn the guitar.

 

My mother would usually drop me off and shop at the nearby dry goods store while I had my lesson. This time, she joined me as we walked to the studio together. Curious, I asked her, “Why aren’t you shopping?”

 

My mother flashed a whimsical smile and said, “Oh, I thought I would sit in your lesson and see how you are doing.”

 

“Great!” I exclaimed. “I have been working on that etude, you know the one you liked when you first heard me play it?”

 

“Yes, looking forward to hearing it!”

 

We entered the studio and were greeted by my teacher who was seated, surrounded by three classical guitars. A paternal figure who dressed in long sleeve silk shirts and polyester pants, he definitely stood out from most Hawaiian natives. His silver eyes twinkled and his soft voice was a perfect mate for the soothing classical music he was teaching me. He was engrossed in playing one of the new guitars, deftly articulating and coaxing the nuanced tones from the instrument.

 

“Now this one sings.” He plucked a few more notes. Carefully placing it back in the open case, he reached for another guitar. “But this one…it sounds almost as good as mine!” After playing it for a few seconds, he turned and handed me the guitar. “Here, see what you think!”

 

I had never handled or played a new guitar. The guitar I began on was a discarded relic from my older cousin, gathering dust in his closet. I did not know any better and was happy to simply learn to play the instrument. I nervously held the highly polished wood and ran my fingers across the new strings and ebony fingerboard. The smell of cedar was intoxicating. I strummed a few chords and plucked a few notes. The sound was much louder and clearer than the guitar I was currently playing. It was amazing! My mother noticed my beaming face and asked me, “So son, what do you think?”

 

“It’s great!” I plucked a few more notes. “Really beautiful!”

 

My mother looked at my teacher and gushed, “It’s for you!”

 

“What?”

 

My teacher joined in. “Your parents are very happy with the progress you have made and they know you really enjoy playing the guitar. Your birthday is next week, so they asked me to pick out a new guitar for you, one that will allow you to become a better player.”

 

I was elated!

 

“Happy birthday, son!”

 

I had made a good start on the loaner guitar but my parents knew that if I were to progress, I would need to have the proper equipment. They were so right. That new guitar invigorated my interest which has never abated. Nearly fifty years later, I still have that guitar. Whenever I take it out of its case and strum its strings, a wave of gratitude envelops me, acknowledging my parent’s foresight. It is a beautiful metaphor of how my Heavenly Father takes care of me.

 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:1-2 (ESV)

 

There are many possessions and habits that I have stubbornly clung to, ignorant that it was hindering my spiritual growth. Like the old guitar I was playing, God has pruned my life of these obstacles, allowing me to progress and flourish under His supreme providence. And like my parents, God does this without my asking, simply to allow me to further delight in His grace and mercy.

 

What an amazingly loving God who does this for all who place their trust and faith in Him!

 

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

 

It appeared like a great deal.

 

I was on an online shopping site looking for an office product and was doing comparison shopping. Most of the listed prices were within a dollar of each other but one stood out. It was more than 80% cheaper than the rest. Wow! I was so fortunate to have stumbled upon this. Buyer beware. The fine print under it was telling. There was a huge markup on the shipping charge that brought the final price to more than the other listings. Good deal indeed!

 

When one does additional due diligence and reads the fine print, the hidden costs of an apparently good deal may be laid bare. This applies to shopping and is applicable to the choices we make in our spiritual relationships. God delivered the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt and miraculously brought them to the Promised Land, by inflicting a frightening series of ten plagues that demoralized the Egyptian Pharoah who finally relented and released them. After their safe delivery, God met with their leader Moses on the top of Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb) and bestowed upon him the ten commandments. This took forty days and during this time the Hebrews wavered in their trust and faith in God, thinking that Moses would not return and demanded that a new god be made to lead them.

 

They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior…

Psalms 106:19-21 (ESV)

 

Instead of trusting in God’s promises and remembering what He did for them, the ancient Hebrews exchanged the glory of the living God for a dead and inanimate idol of their own imagination. They quickly abandoned God who had revealed His power to them to worship an unknown god that was powerless. It sounded like a good deal!

 

For years, I exchanged the glory of the living God, Jesus Christ, for the dead and inanimate idols of power and success. It sounded like a great deal to the ancient Hebrews. It sounded like a good deal for me. Thanks be to God that He brought me to my senses and revealed the fine print that was underlying the false promises of following this lifestyle. The false idols of this life will never lead to salvation and eternal life.

 

Good deal?

 

There is only one who is Good, Jesus Christ, the Living God.

 

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