Month: May 2021

I remember reading a story many years ago about a middle aged man who invested his life savings and bought thousands of lottery tickets in an attempt to win what was then the biggest jackpot in this nation’s history. Although he did not win, he did receive offers to sell his story. I could not fathom such a decision then nor can I do so now. The odds against winning the lottery are staggering. Some estimates are as high as one in three hundred million. 

I have never bought a lottery ticket. Of course it would be great to win a jackpot but the risk is too high and frankly, I have better ways to spend my money. For the same reasons, I do not gamble. The rare times I have put a coin in a slot machine, I cringe when I think of how hard I worked to earn that money and then see it disappear in a second. There is no thrill or joy knowing what it cost me.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:44-46 (CSB)

In this parable, Jesus is both the man and merchant, searching for a treasure. We are the treasure. He sells everything He has to obtain it. Jesus Christ gave up the unimaginable riches of Heaven, put aside the glory He had with God, the Father, and came to earth to redeem all of us from our sins which had separated us from God. What about me following Jesus Christ? What has it cost me? 

In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 (CSB)

Some people would be willing to risk their life savings at a shot for riches. Jesus Christ challenges all of His followers to be willing to renounce all of their possessions to follow Him. Our reward is not the monetary riches of this world but the unlimited riches of Heaven, salvation, and eternal life with God. 

Praise God for His grace and mercy to all who place their faith in Him.

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

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“How did you like operating with the Chief of Surgery?”

“I was so nervous and intimidated. Didn’t want to screw up! He did allow me to retract.”

My surgery resident smiled. “Good going! He’s the man!”

I was a third year medical student doing my general surgery rotation. I heard stories from other students who had the privilege to operate on the same case with the Chief of Surgery. All told me that he was always friendly and encouraging, sometimes conversing about their family backgrounds. 

“I love that man!”

I nodded and weakly smiled. I respected the Chief but could not say I loved him. 

“I guess you don’t know my story?

I shook my head. “We have a few minutes, let me tell you.” We were outside the surgical ICU, just finished rounding on our patients. He pointed to one of the ICU beds. “That was me. I was an alcoholic and doing drugs. I was a mess and I finally ended up in this ICU in a coma and renal failure.”

I was stunned by his admission. “When did this happen?”

“Several years ago, but it happened when I was a first year surgery resident in this program. After I recovered, I was told I was fired and my medical license was suspended. I had ruined my life, even thought of suicide. Lots of people helped me including AA. Once I was completely sober for over a year, I approached the Chief. I begged him to give me another chance.”

“Wow. Well, obviously he did.”

He let out a deep sigh. “It wasn’t easy, I burned all my bridges. But the Chief went to bat for me and allowed me to work in his research lab. He also helped me to get my medical license reinstated, allowing me to work in some free clinics. The most difficult part was convincing the other attendings in the residency program to give me a second chance. Long road back.”

He looked down the hospital corridor filled with scurrying people. “I will always love that man!”

Second chances.

The Bible is reality, replete with numerous examples of God giving second chances to those who love Him. Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him to traders; the Prophet Jonah rescued from being swallowed by a great fish to complete his preaching to the city of Nineveh; the Apostle Peter forgiven by Jesus Christ after denying Him three times. It is a theme that is repeated and for good reason. This is our lives, our stories. We have all failed, in relationships with others, with God, or both. If there were no second chances, no willingness on the other party to forgive and accept, all of us would remain mired in our failures, never to recover.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Is it any wonder why I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? He forgives my sins when I confess and repent of them. It is only by His grace and mercy that I am given another chance to serve Him another day and spread the Good News of Salvation in His Name. 

I love the God-Man, Jesus Christ.

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

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Los Angeles is the home to the largest populations of Koreans outside of Korea. God used a first generation Korean-American to lead me to Jesus Christ when I was a sophomore in college. During my remaining years in college, I visited several Korean-American churches in Southern California. All were thriving and dynamic with its members faithfully serving God, leaving me with a very positive impression. I later learned that one of the largest Protestant churches in the world is located in Seoul, South Korea. It is the Yoido Full Gospel Church and was founded in 1958 and presently has nearly 500,000 members. Over 30% of the South Korean population is Christian. This is in stark contrast to the Christian experience in Japan where less than 1% of the population are Christians. 

As a Japanese-American, I was struck by the ready acceptance of Jesus Christ in South Korea. Prior to the arrival of Christianity, Buddhism and Confucianism were prevalent, as it was in China, Japan, and most of Southeastern Asia. Why did Korea so readily turn to Chrisitanity?

In college, I asked my Korean brother in the Lord this same question who agreed with my observations. He said there were many reasons but surmised that it was because most Koreans have lived a difficult life. It is a resource poor country and for centuries has been attacked and ruled by foreign countries. When the Gospel of Jesus Christ was presented to the Koreans, many identified with the humble origins of Jesus and the persecution He and His followers faced from the rest of the world. They found comfort and strength in the power of the Gospel and Resurrection when the rest of their world was crumbling. 

The LORD helps the oppressed but brings the wicked to the ground.

Psalms 147:6 (CSB)

The message of Jesus Christ is for all nations and cultures of the world. It is a message of hope in a decaying world. It is light for nations wrapped in the darkness of government and religious oppression. God will always help the downtrodden and all who call upon His Name. 

I praise God for the South Koreans and Korean Americans who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I pray that someday South and North Korea will once again be reunited and the message of the Gospel continue to spread throughout Asia. 

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

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Robin Williams was a comedic genius appearing in countless standup routines, interviews, television shows and movies. As much as I have enjoyed the body of his work, one of my favorite Robin Williams’ movies was a rare dramatic performance. “What Dreams May Come” was a cinematic eye feast and a critical success, garnering an Academy Award for the category of Best Effects and Visual Effects. It is the story of pediatrician Chris Nielsen, played by Robin Williams. Married to Annie, played by Annabella Sciorra, they have two teen aged children who are tragically killed in a car accident. As Chris and Annie struggle to move on with their lives, Chris is also killed in a car accident. Here is a scene from the movie when Chris finds himself in Heaven. Robin Williams Heaven scene from What Dreams May Come – YouTube

In heaven, Chris visits Annie who is sinking deeper into depression leading to her suicide. When Chris finds out, he is at first elated since he will be reunited with his soul mate. He then learns that because Annie committed suicide, she is doomed to remain in hell. What follows is an inspiring adventure as Chris leaves the safety of Heaven and travels to hell to rescue his wife. Even if it means that he will never be able to return to Heaven, he is determined to be reunited with her. When he finally reaches her, at first she doesn’t recognize him but it does not matter.  He thanks her and forgives her for rejecting him. When she asks why, he replies, “For being so wonderful a guy would choose Hell over Heaven just to hang around you.”

Their bond of love is so strong that not even the comfort and solitude of Heaven will keep Chris from leaving and travelling to the depths of hell to be with the one whom he loves.  

This sounds familiar. 

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ had the unimaginable riches of Heaven at His command. He spoke the universe into existence. He was in continual fellowship with God, the Father, and God, the Holy Spirit. Yet, He chose to leave all of this and to be born on this earth as a human. 

Why?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Love. 

It was a love so strong and pure, that nothing, not even the comforts of Heaven could prevent Jesus from coming to earth and descending into the depths of hell to rescue this lost world. Our dreams of eternal life and salvation came true. We should all awaken to this beautiful opportunity that is offered to all of us through faith and belief in Jesus Christ. 

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

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“I ate a whole pizza for breakfast!”

“Excuse me?”

Many years ago, I was introduced to one of my daughter’s classmates. He loved swimming and at ten years of age, he already swam for a prestigious swimming club. His schedule exhausted me as he described it. Every weekday, he had an hour and half practice before school followed by a two hour practice after school. On weekends, it was a four hour work out each day. This did not include the weight and aerobic training that he was expected to complete. He was burning those calories and an entire pizza probably made a very small dent in his total needs. On top of this rigorous schedule, he excelled in his academic studies. This young man later attended a school for gifted children and entered college when he was only sixteen years old. I am following his career and am grateful his passion for life has not dissipated. 

I have great respect for athletes who excel in their sport and are able to maintain a high scholastic standing. Scholar-athletes are to be commended for their discipline, organization, and perseverance. More than many of us, they understand the sacrifices one must make to accomplish their goals in life. 

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)

It is not surprising that the Apostle Paul used the metaphor of an athlete to describe the spiritual path that Christians follow. Disciplined, purposeful, goal-oriented. The same characteristics the scholar-athlete embodies are the same characteristics that a child of God should have. Christians are not shadowboxing, pretending to fight an imaginary enemy. Every moment we live is spiritual warfare with Satan who is determined to convince us it is not worth it or we don’t have to work so hard. Christians persevere in their walk with Jesus Christ because we have already received the prize, salvation and eternal life with Almighty God.

Praise God for His grace and mercy to us.

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

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Remember this sound?

Sound Effects-khinsider.com

If you were alive in the 1980’s, you will instantly recognize it as soundbites from the video arcade game PacMan. I remember driving through the streets of Honolulu and at every intersection and traffic stop, these familiar noises permeated the air. It was everywhere! Department stores, supermarkets, restaurants-all placed a PacMan game in their lobbies or at their entrances. Magazines and media articles emerged with instructions on how to master the game. I was impressed that a video game could capture the attention of the population in such a short period of time. Everyone was involved.

On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law.

Nehemiah 8:2-3 (CSB)

This passage from Nehemiah describes a religious revival that occured in Jerusalem after the Jewish people returned after seventy years of captivity in Babylon. It was a time of spiritual fervor as the people recommitted themselves to serving God. Can you imagine the entire population attentively listening to God’s Word being read? We later learn that other scribes and priests were present to help the people understand what they were hearing. Everyone was involved. God’s Word was everywhere!

Could something like this happen again? The world may say no but experiences like PacMan demonstrate how quickly the attention of everyone can turn and become an obsession. In this world we live in, fractured by a pandemic, racism, and social inequality, a revival of God’s Word is desperately needed. Instead of turning to social media pundits and allowing the press and internet sites to manipulate our opinions, we need to return to God’s unchanging and absolute Truth. Only in trusting and believing in Jesus Christ will true solutions emerge that will continue throughout eternity, not to be discarded like the latest PacMan fad. 

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

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Generation Alpha (2013-2025)

Generation Z (1995-2012)

Generation Y (1980-1994)

Generation X (1965-1979)

Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

The Silent Generation (1925-1945)

Source: Career Planner.com

Most of us are familiar with these terms that have been applied to previous generations, including the current one. I wish to recognize the generation born between 1900-1924. It has been dubbed The Greatest Generation. The identifying characteristics are they grew up during the Great Depression, fought in WWII, and were the parents of the Baby Boomers. Why are they called the Greatest Generation?

The former anchor of NBC News, Tom Brokaw, is credited with coining the term with his book that pays homage to this generation, that included his parents. The Greatest Generation by Brokaw, Tom

As I witness the fractious divisions within our nation, I find myself longing for the days when this country was united in a common cause. Forged in the despair of the depression, hardened by the sacrifice of fighting for our freedom, this generation rightfully deserves its title. 

Each generation has faced unique challenges but this generation alpha is the first since the Greatest Generation, to face a worldwide crisis. Like WWII, will the COVID-19 Pandemic produce a generation that is united to make this nation and world a better place? It is too early to say but it is my sincere desire that this would happen. 

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)

Existential threats like a world war or a pandemic can profoundly shape our outlook and lead to actions that have generational consequences. The Church has faced these same challenges since Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven forty days after His Resurrection. Good people can agree to disagree but all Christian believers should be focused upon harmony and unity with one other and the world. 

Will we have another Greatest Generation? 

Only time will tell. Christian believers can lead the way for this new generation by remaining united in the common cause of serving our Lord Jesus Christ. 

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

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My former pathology group was meeting with the administrators for one of the hospitals for which we were contracted. During the meeting, one of the newer associates spoke up about some billing issues that had emerged between our group and the hospital. Jake, my senior partner, abruptly cut him off and said that our business manager was working on this and it had been resolved. The incident passed and I thought nothing of it until one of my partners pulled me aside after the meeting. 

“Jake was not happy about that question about billing.”

“How did you know?”

“His ears turned red.”

Oh boy. I knew my partner well. I have never seen him angry, but when he is upset, the tell-tale sign of his red ears emerged, exacerbated by the fact that he had short hair cropped above his ears. Within a few days, I learned that he sat down with that associate and expressed his displeasure with him. In less than a year, this associate left our group.

When one wears their heart on their sleeves, emotions are laid bare. However, many of us attempt to hide our true emotions, particularly in sensitive situations. Studies have shown that,  in spite of a person’s best efforts to conceal our anger, subtle facial changes and other body language are often present. An eye twitch. A downturn of the lips. Red ears is a novel sign. When I am very angry and am attempting to conceal it, I may present a stoic face but my hands shake uncontrollably. 

A person who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.

Proverbs 25:28 (CSB)

We all learn to control and hide our anger with varying degrees of success. God’s Word is explicit that if we are unable to do this, we are like a city with broken walls. Our defenses are broken and we are vulnerable to more personal attacks. However, in spite of our best efforts, subtle clues may still emerge betraying our true feelings. It is difficult and God recognizes this.

Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 4:26-28 (CSB)

Anger is an emotion that defines us as humans. We must learn to master it and when we are unable, we should not allow it to lead us to sin. It needs to stop at red ears.

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

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“Doctor, the patient is here to see you.”

“Thank you, please show her to my office.”

The patient was a friend of one of my employees. I recently diagnosed a melanoma in her skin biopsy and additional studies revealed that it had spread to her lymph nodes and lungs. She wanted to go over the studies with me and give me an update on her treatment. 

“Doctor, I have many people praying for me. I was encouraged by King Hezekiah’s experience. When God told him he was dying, he prayed to Him for mercy and God added fifteen years to his life. I know this could happen for me. He did it for Hezekiah!”

I nodded and prayed with her before she departed from my office. Yes, God did do it for Hezekiah, I thought to myself. However, just because God healed Hezekiah in this manner did not mean He would heal my patient in the same manner. God can do anything and only He knows whom He will heal. The miracle which this patient referred to is documented in the Bible. 

“Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.”‘”

2 Kings 20:5-6 (NKJV)

I truly wanted my patient to be healed of her melanoma like Hezekiah’s illness. Yet, there is a danger to believe that God will act in the same way for any of us. Our Lord Jesus Christ healed many people when He lived amongst us. What is instructive is he healed with many different methods. He laid his hands upon them, others He touched and healed the diseased body part, and still for others, He simply spoke and the healing occurred. But He did not heal everyone. The Apostle Paul suffered from an unknown ailment and He implored Jesus to heal him on three separate occasions. However God did not and informed him, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

God is the Omnipotent Great Physician and it is only by His grace and mercy that He chooses to heal anyone. Yet, the most important healing that must first take place is within our souls. As the Apostle Paul wrote, he learned that his disease was a glorious way to demonstrate God’s power working in his life, using his weakness to instruct Paul to become more dependent upon Him. 

Healing is not only physical. We must confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We first need a healing of our souls.

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

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