Month: August 2023

During my third year of medical school, I was enjoying my rotation in pediatrics and, at that time, I was certain that I wanted to pursue a career in pediatric oncology. Thus, I knew I must secure a good letter of recommendation from the Chief of Pediatrics.

One morning, when I was coming off my evening call, the Chief of Pediatrics surprised us by  directing the morning rounds, quizzing all of us about our patients. It was a good coincidence, since at 10AM, after rounds, I had an appointment to meet with him so I could discuss my residency plans and ask him for a letter of recommendation. Since I had just spent the last hour with him, he knew I was finishing my call. I was running late as I followed up on several of my patients and was about to rush up to his office. However, at the last moment, I thought it would be a good idea to change out of my scrubs and into my street clothes. Indeed it was! When I entered his office and sat down in the chair in front of him, he smiled and said, “Thank you for changing.” 

I wanted to impress the Chief of Pediatrics but I should have been more deliberate about it, thinking about how I should dress, rather than it being an afterthought. I was fortunate that it worked out, but there have been many times when the outcome was not as pleasant. So much of my spiritual relationship with God follows this pattern. Instead of always giving my best to Him, it is often an afterthought. My time in His Word is sometimes pushed aside with my work or other duties. When I do find the time to read, I am often tired or pressed for time. God reminds me what my true priorities should be.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

We should always be deliberate to present our best self to God. We never have to wonder if God will accept our efforts, He always will. There is no uncertainty, shame or regret when we serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Amen! 

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

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“Another breakup! Can’t wait for the new album!”

There is a popular singer-songwriter who is notorious for releasing a new album of songs whenever she breaks up with her latest partner. The quotation above was a typical posting by bloggers and her fans. What a dubious distinction to be known as the person whose breakup inspired a hit pop album! In previous albums, many of her songs detailed the reasons for each breakup, airing their dirty laundry.

Any relationship breakup is painful. How many of us could also weather the aftermath if all of the sordid details of our breakup were forever recorded in a public song? We hope the details of any breakup remain private, with the true issues only known to the couple. What a contrast to this singer are the gallant actions of Joseph. When he learned that Mary, his betrothed, was pregnant, he naturally assumed that she had been unfaithful to him. How did he respond?

Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 

Matthew 1:19 (NLT)

Joseph could have publicly humiliated Mary and justifiably could have called for her stoning. Instead, Joseph decided to quietly break off the engagement, not wishing to disgrace her. Joseph’s kindness and mercy to Mary were honored by God, who sent an angel to give him this message.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

Matthew 1:20-21 (NLT)

Joseph’s actions did not inspire a pop album but something far greater. Joseph was a true man of faith. His honor and reputation and that of Mary’s was at stake during this pregnancy, but He still remained at her side. Joseph obeyed and trusted God and stayed with Mary who gave birth to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. 

May we all be inspired by the courage and compassion of Joseph.

Amen!

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

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She was a professor of surgery and he was one of her residents in the surgical training program. They shared many professional and personal interests. I often joined both of them in group outings with the other surgical residents and faculty. In the last month of his training, they both invited me to lunch, which I eagerly accepted. I assumed it was to discuss his plans after residency and I was correct.

“Hey thanks for meeting us for lunch!” 

“Of course, Jake! Love seeing the both of you. So, all set for the move to St. Louis and your fellowship?”

“Oh yes.” He smiled and gently grasped the hand of Sally, the professor, seated next to him. “Listen, you have been a good friend to us so we wanted to share the news. We’re getting married!”

A multitude of thoughts rushed through my mind but I managed to compose myself and blurt out, “Oh wow! Congratulations! Um…I didn’t even know you were together.”

They both smiled and Sally spoke. “Obviously we had to keep this quiet but now that Jake is leaving, we thought we could share this news with our closest friends.”

“Well, I’m glad you did! So, a long distance relationship for a year when Jake is in St. Louis? You guys going to be okay?”

They both smiled and looked at each other. “Yeah, but it’s only for a year and then he’ll be back.”

“Great! I am so happy for both of you!”

We hugged at the conclusion of the lunch and I watched them leave the restaurant, holding hands, an unfamiliar sight. A year later, Sally abruptly resigned her position in the surgery department. There were rumors of professional misconduct even sexual harassment. One of my colleagues, who knew that I was close to both of them, called me aside one day and asked, “So what’s the deal with Sally? I heard she even knew Jake before he was a surgical resident and was the one who pushed to get him accepted into the residency.”

I had not heard that rumor but then, there were so many rumors that were swirling around her high profile resignation. I shook my head and said, “I don’t know and I don’t want to know. The less I know, the better.”

I meant it. Both of them were my friends and I was sincerely happy for their relationship and their professional and personal successes. If I learned any additional information about their relationship, it could potentially poison my impression of either of them. Worse, I may accidently divulge this information in an unguarded moment, becoming guilty of spreading more gossip.

God has much to say about the danger of gossiping. It harms the person divulging it as well as the listener. 

Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. 

Proverbs 18:8 (NLT)

What is so enticing about gossip? It starts with our tongue, that literally ignites our passions. 

And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 

James 3:6 (NLT)

It is a slippery slope that we can all descend when we succumb to the temptation of listening to gossip or contributing to it. I am still very close to Jake and Sally and I still do not know all the details that led to their relationship.

And I am glad I don’t.

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

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The final episode.

For many viewers of a television or streaming media series, it is a bittersweet moment. Poor ratings may have persuaded the network or producers to cancel the series. However, if it is a popular series, some may decide to end on a high note. For a dramatic series, this is usually less challenging. Typically, one or more of the main characters either departs, dies, or worse, is murdered. Think of examples such as “Breaking Bad” and “The Sopranos”.  It is far more challenging to successfully end a comedy series. While there have been memorable final episodes such as “M.A.S.H.”, there have also been notable clunkers like “Seinfeld”. Why is it so difficult? We want to be able to laugh but also resolve serious issues between the characters which made the series so captivating to watch. It is difficult to achieve a balance between these seemingly competing story lines.

Recently, I viewed the final season and concluding episode of a popular comedy series. After five years, the series garnered numerous awards, including the Golden Globe and Emmy for many of its stars and production team. I was quite disappointed that the final season was announced and it was not because of poor ratings. The entire production team, including the actors, decided that five seasons was a good time to end and to go out on a high note. 

The entire season was actually set several years in the future, not in the timeline of the original series. Every episode was a flashback to the time of the original series. We were shown how the characters and relationships evolved or ended. It was quite creative and a worthy ending to an excellent series.

I often think about how my current relationships will evolve. Many relationships that I had even five years ago ended for a variety of reasons. Thankfully, new relationships began during that same period but I wonder what will happen five years from now with my existing relationships. When I am in my final episode, will I resolve all of my serious issues and bring closure to the many loose ends in my life?

And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace. 1 Kings 2:5-6 (NLT)

At the end of his life, King David gave detailed instructions to his son, Solomon, who would succeed him as King. He had several unresolved issues and this passage deals with just one of them, Joab, the commander of his army. David did his best to bring closure to this relationship and others. Solomon eventually resolved all of the relational issues that vexed David when he was alive.

Like David learned at the end of his life, God does not promise that all of our relational troubles and unresolved issues will be solved when we die. We must forget what is behind us and reach forward to what lies ahead. He promises that when we reach our final episode, we will be able to receive the crown of righteousness from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Heaven. It is reserved for all who keep looking forward to His appearing, rather than backward at our failings. 

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)

Amen!

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

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The email was labeled as urgent. I assumed it was one of my dermatology clients requesting a STAT interpretation of a skin biopsy that I was about to receive from their office. To my surprise, it was from a company from which I purchased my wines. They were alerting me to a special delivery that required the wines to be delivered using a third-party carrier with whom they were contracted. To preserve the integrity of the wines, the temperature would be kept at a constant 55F from the time it left the winery until it reached my office. I was impressed! I have never experienced this type of care for any wine I had previously purchased. 

All wines are temperature, humidity, and light sensitive. Numerous studies have sampled a wine before and after a delivery that is exposed to temperature extremes, objectively quantifying the damage to the wines. The majority of the wines I receive are slightly warm, reflecting the inner temperature of the truck that just delivered it. Of course, I do not know the true range of the temperatures to which these wines were once exposed, nor will I know the extent of any damage. A simple visual inspection would not reveal any information. It is completely hidden from my sight. The refrigerated transport protects and preserves the valuable cargo, minimizing the potential damage. Even if I cannot see the difference, I am reassured by the care the company took to transport the wine.

There are some people who are able to weather life’s storms. Countless missionaries and followers of Jesus Christ have suffered and been tortured for their faith. Yet, unless we saw the physical scars, one would never know it. They bear their emotional scars with equal bravery. How are they able to do this? They know they are pilgrims and sojourners through this life, always walking with God.

The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,

both now and forever. 

Psalms 121:5-8 (NLT)

God promises to protect and preserve us through the adversities of life. He safely transports us through this life when we place our faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

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

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“Clunk…chunk…clink.”

That doesn’t sound good! My car was idling at the traffic light when I heard this strange sound. Opening the windows to hear it better, I identified the source. It was clearly coming from my car. I put the car in park and the sound disappeared. When the light changed, I shifted back into drive and slowly proceeded. No sound. The good news is I could drive the car. The bad news was for how much longer? I didn’t know what the sound meant but I knew there was something wrong. However, I was torn. If I choose to ignore it, would it pass?

This is how I often treat the sins in my life. If it is not creating immediate havoc, perhaps I can ignore it. Like the noise from my car, will the sin only occur at certain times and not be harmful to others? What about harm to myself?

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. 

James 4:17 (NASB)

Even if I think my sin is not causing any harm to others, it is still I sin because I know it. God knows it and I will reap the consequences of ignoring or dismissing my sin. 

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Galatians 6:7 (NASB)

Giving my sins a pass.

That never sounds good!

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

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It is touted as the smallest mountain in Japan. Soaring a mighty 9.8 feet high, it is Mount Hiyori in Sendai, Japan. Here is a photograph, capturing its imposing facade. 

Source: Atlas Obscura

As I gazed upon this, only one question came to mind. What defines a mountain? This sounds like an objective and definable term. However, after perusing the internet, I arrived at several definitions.

A natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill, usually greater than 2,000 feet (610 meters).

Source: Dictionary.com

A raised part of the earth’s surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow.

Source: Cambridge Dictionary

A landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.

Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The first definition is the most precise but all three lead to more questions. What is the definition of a hill? One would think it would be simple to define what a mountain is but even the expert references do not agree! And once a definition is reached, more questions are raised. Thanks be to God that when He defines something, it is with no uncertainty! 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 

John 3:16 (NASB)

There is no more powerful witness of this Truth than the thief who was crucified on a cross next to Jesus Christ. After three hours of witnessing the noble suffering of Jesus on the Cross, the thief knew that Jesus was God. 

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:39-43 (NASB)

How are we saved? Do we first need to be baptized or join a church? God is absolutely clear and concise. All we need to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God and believe that He is able to save us from our sins. Baptism and church are important but come later as outward expressions of our new faith. We must first come to the Cross and believe in Jesus Christ. If we do this, like the thief, we will not perish but have eternal life. 

There is a reason John 3:16 is one of most frequently quoted verses by believers. It defines salvation: precisely, definitively and with no uncertainty!

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

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Every car wash has three main cycles. There is the wash cycle, the wax cycle, and the dry cycle. Washing removes the filth that we have acquired with everyday driving. Once cleansed, the wax cycle will help to preserve this cleaning, preventing the same filth from clinging onto our car. Finally, the dry cycle returns our car to rejoin others, looking as pristine and regenerated as it originally looked when it was brand new. There is a reason these cycles have proven to be so effective to care for our cars. Every Christian believer experiences a similar cleansing when they accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ (‭NASB)

Only through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, can we be washed clean of our sins. We are sanctified and made holy, set apart to do God’s work, so that the world will not cling to us in its former manner. We are justified and made right, sent back into the world in the image of Jesus Christ, how God created us to be. We are completely clean, worthy to serve Him. Why do we do this? We live our lives to show others the new life we have received from Him so that they may also glorify God.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 

Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

Washed, sanctified, and justified. We are redeemed and washed by the blood of Jesus Christ to glorify God!

Amen!

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

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We were watching our favorite cooking show when a very familiar figure walked in front of the television screen. At first, what just happened didn’t register with my wife and me until it happened again. Our 10-month-old daughter was walking, unassisted, for the first time! Without our prompting, she confidently strode in front of us! We were grateful to be present when this milestone occurred.

We worked to help our daughter reach this stage in her development. We assisted her in sitting up. We held both of her arms as she took her first halting steps, learning to place her weight on her legs. As she learned to trust us and herself, her confidence grew until we reached this wonderful culmination of our collective efforts. 

We all need assistance before we are able to walk on our own. They are baby steps, literally and figuratively. Our spiritual life is no different. God takes us through baby steps as He transforms and conforms us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him. 

Hosea 11:4 (NLT)

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God begins the process of growth and guidance through His Holy Spirit, who now indwells within us. He lifts the burden and guilt of sin from our lives. He leads us, not by chastening or fear of punishment, but by gentle cords of kindness and love. He properly feeds us so that we may grow and be strengthened, willing to place more of our burdens upon Him, learning to be completely dependent upon Him. 

Now, as a young adult, our daughter still needs our guidance as she navigates the challenging world of life after college and begins her career. We will be there for her, helping her to take these next baby steps into independence. God will help his spiritual children in the same manner. No matter the trial, He will never leave nor forsake us.

Amen.

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

The headlines flashed the news that Elon Musk was appointing a woman, Linda Yaccarino, to replace him as the CEO of Twitter. Ms. Yaccarino is a successful business leader and definitely qualified for the position. Yet, some pundits in the business world were unsure whether she would succeed. They averred that Musk had created such chaos in his recent takeover of Twitter that anyone who took over as CEO after him, was being set up to fail. Other critics agreed with this analysis and called it the glass cliff.

The glass cliff is a perceived sexist barrier to women in leadership, setting them up to fail. The claim is that companies that are failing may promote women to a greater position of power and leadership. Once in that position, there is a greater likelihood of failure. Like the glass ceiling, which creates the illusion of advancement for women but in reality, holds them back, the glass cliff is also viewed as a form of discrimination against women. 

Critics often label Christians as misogynistic, quoting passages from the Bible they claim support their contentions. When the Bible was written, all societies and cultures were male dominated and centric. Thus, it may be surprising for these critics to learn how the Bible prominently and favorably featured several successful women leaders. There was Deborah, who led Israel during the dangerous times of the Judges. There was Esther, who was queen of the Persians and Medes, the most powerful empire of its day. There was Lydia, a prominent and successful business woman in Philippi. There was Priscilla, another business woman in Corinth and a noted teacher of God’s Word. The Apostle Paul boldly declared God’s Truth.

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 3:26-28 (NASB)

It was a revolutionary statement for the time it was written, and why not? This is what God does. He breaks down the barriers that artificially separate races, cultures, incomes, and genders. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are all one. 

There is no glass cliff in Christianity; we are not being set up to fail. We are more than conquerors through faith in Jesus Christ!

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

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