Month: September 2023

In 1997, Tiger Woods stunned the golf world by winning the fabled Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club by a stunning 12 strokes over the runner-up. His four-day tournament score was the lowest at that time in the tournament’s 61-year history. This was achieved by a 21-year-old golfer who turned professional less than a year earlier. Tournament organizers were awestruck by his length and power on the course, overpowering some of the most challenging holes in golf. Pundits immediately clamored that future tournament golf courses must be “Tiger-proofed”. 

What did this mean? Many suggested lengthening the courses. While lengthening a golf course was certainly one solution many tournaments implemented, a dissenting opinion advocated for the opposite. Instead of lengthening a course, shorten it and add more challenging hazards such as water and bunkers. Instead of length and power, the emphasis would be on making more precise shots. Indeed, some tournaments adopted this option as well. However, to the chagrin of many matches, Tiger continued his amazing play for many more years, shattering the “Tiger-proofing” implementations.

It is a testimony to the human spirit and training by athletes to keep improving. However, there is a limit.  What course designers were unable to do, age, and injuries have caught up with Tiger and he is no longer able to perform at the elite level he once did. There are definite physical limits to what the human body can achieve.

In sports and in life, there are limits to what we can achieve. God has blessed all of us with a tremendous desire to compete and improve our performance. What do we do when we have reached our limit? Give up? Complain? God gives us a better answer.

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 

Isaiah 40:28 (NLT)

When we have reached the limit of our physical limits, God reminds us that He has always been there, encouraging and strengthening us. What do we do?

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. 

Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)

Trust in the Lord. Only He can help us overcome the physical, emotional, and spiritual battles that we face.

Amen!

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

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“We need to think about moving to a single-story house!”

My wife heard me grunting as I walked up our flight of stairs to our bedroom. Over twenty years ago, I would race up and down the stairs, throwing caution to the wind. Now, I carefully ascend and descend, holding on to the banister. My balance is not as steady as before and if I were to fall, a fractured bone is a likely result. The logical solution is risk management. Single-story house. No more stairs!

Hold on! Ironically, I just reviewed a medical study on longevity that showed that the steepness of a village, was positively correlated with longevity. The steeper the roads and hills that one had to climb in a village, the longer one lived. In contrast to what my wife and I were contemplating, if I were to move out of our two-story home, it may actually be detrimental to my health!

There are many things that we may intuitively think would be a good thing to enhance our quality of life but is later revealed to be just the opposite. Remember margarine? To loosely paraphrase a prominent ad campaign touting the benefits of this butter substitute, I can’t believe it’s not good for you! We now know that many margarines are loaded with trans fats, a definite risk factor for heart disease. What may be initially pleasurable may ultimately be harmful. The evangelist Ravi Zacharias eloquently summarized the problem. “While pain can often be seen as a means to a greater end, pleasure is seen as an end in itself. And when pleasure has run its course, a sense of despondency can creep into one’s soul that may often lead to self-destruction. Pain can often be temporary, but disappointment in pleasure gives rise to emptiness-not just for a moment, but for life.”

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)

We try to make healthy decisions for ourselves, based upon the best available resources and how we pleasant we feel after putting it into motion. Yet, if left to our instincts, some of these decisions may lead to disaster, even death. Thanks be to God that He gives us the solution.

Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. 

Proverbs 14:27 (NLT)

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

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I arrived one hour before the farmer’s market was closing. I donned a special green apron and picked up an empty plastic crate, joining a group of three other workers. A few minutes before the farmer’s market closed to the public, we would go around to each vendor, introduce ourselves, and ask them if they had any extra food they would like to donate to feed the homeless and hungry. 

We were gleaning by volunteering with this organization. There were other organizations who also joined us, all providing a noble and vital service, delivering nourishing and safe meals to the hungry. Unfortunately, there are many people in the world who only survive by eating food left over at outdoor tables or found in dumpsters. In the Philippines, this practice is known as Pagpag. At the end of the workday, workers descend upon the dumpsters outside of restaurants, collecting food scraps left over by diners. Some of the prized finds are chicken bones that still have shards of meat. Collecting these scraps of food, they are either resold to a Pagpag restaurant or taken home by the worker to be prepared into new dishes that are then re-sold to the public. The price of one of these meals is a fraction of a similar meal from the restaurants where the scraps were retrieved. All of the participants are aware of the potential health hazards of eating food that has been mixed with rotting garbage and partially eaten by others. However, for all, there is no choice. This is the only meal they can afford. As one Pagpag owner bluntly observed, “There are tons of food waste because those who can afford it don’t care if they have to finish all the food. But think about those who don’t even have a chance to go eat in the restaurant. Sometimes I think it’s unfair that they can throw away food scraps easily because they got money. But I kind of feel lucky as well because that’s why we can have food like this.”

The stark reality of poverty afflicts every country and city in this world. There are many reasons for poverty such as war, natural disasters, and oppressive government regimes, but the end result is the same. People are hungry and will do nearly anything to eat. Whether is through activities such as gleaning, direct financial support, or working to remove the socioeconomic barriers that lead to poverty, all Christians are commanded by God to assist the poor. We must always back our prayers with practical and thoughtful actions. When we do this, we are following God’s commands.

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

James 2:15-17 (NLT)

When we serve the poor, we are serving Jesus Christ.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Matthew 25:34-40 (NLT)

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

The Japanese island of Japan has one of the largest concentrations of octogenarians and older. Okinawans have been extensively researched by experts in aging and several interesting themes have emerged which may account for their long life spans. Their overall caloric intake is less than Western developed countries. Their food is replete with oxidant-rich carbohydrates like sweet potato and bitter melon. They are all very physically active, walking, gardening, and working. But one of the most interesting findings was the concept known as Ikigai. It combines the Japanese words “iki” which means to live and “gai” which means benefit or worth. Loosely translated, it is something that gives a person a sense of purpose and meaning. Okinawans do not retire. They continue to work, perfecting the skills they acquired over a lifetime. Whether it is furniture making, flower arranging, or cooking-every Okinawan knows their ikigai. Researchers point to this as an important reason for their longevity. 

What gives your life purpose and meaning? Perhaps it is to gain fame or achieve riches and power. Thousands of years ago, the wisest man in the world, King Solomon, had reached the end of his full life. His life was filled with unimaginable riches and success. In fact, anything he desired was his as he recounted. 

Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. 

Ecclesiastes 2:9-10 (NASB)

Did all the pleasures, wealth, and power give his life purpose and meaning? No. At the end of his full life, he wrote the following. This was Solomon’s ikigai.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NASB)

Thousands of years later, there appeared another great leader and teacher. The Apostle Paul was a self-described Pharisee of Pharisees. He left behind a comfortable life of scholarship and endured persecution, torture, and imprisonment to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. Did Paul have any regrets? No. This was Paul’s ikigai. 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

Philippians 1:21 (NASB)

Solomon and Paul knew that only a life devoted to serving God would give their lives purpose and meaning. Like the Okinawans, did they live a long life? Indeed, they did! They live eternally in Heaven in God’s presence. 

Ikigai.

Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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

As he was about to be executed, he spoke his last stirring words. “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Most Americans recognize the stirring words of Nathan Hale. He was an American soldier during the Revolutionary War who was caught spying on the British and subsequently executed for espionage. Hale, along with many other patriots of the Revolutionary War, are justifiably honored by historians for their ultimate sacrifice to guarantee our nascent liberties were preserved. 

Hale sacrificed his life to ensure that the new country of the United States would survive. Hale was a warrior, involved in a desperate struggle against a powerful oppressor. Throughout history, millions have made the ultimate sacrifice in wars against similar oppressors. However, the Revolutionary War was different. Nearly all American colonists were related to the British and/or emigrated from Great Britain. Our enemy was our neighbor, relative, and friend. It was difficult to know who the enemy was and who was our friend. 

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Jude 1:4 (NLT)

In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings. 

Jude 1:8 (NLT)

All Christian believers are in a continual war against a powerful oppressor. Satan has waged war against us since Adam and Eve were created. The world may scoff at the idea of a devil and spiritual warfare, labeling it a medieval superstition. No one believes in a man dressed in red with horns and a pitchfork! I agree. No one should believe this. Satan and his demons are not comical caricatures. They are real. They are our neighbors, our relatives, our friends, and even our pastors. He is us.

These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. 

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NLT)

Like the enemy that Nathan Hale faced, we are in a spiritual war with an enemy that looks and acts like us. Only through the guiding light of the Holy Spirit who lives in all believers of Jesus Christ will we be able to withstand the relentless attacks of an enemy who is determined to destroy us.

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

His deft hand movements were perfectly timed with the background movement as he slowly walked across the stage to the sound of oohs and applause. I was not watching a dance performance. I was watching the final round of the United States National Yo-yo contest. Jaw-dropping would be an understatement. Here is the winner.

Evan Nagao – 1st Place – 1A Final – 2023 US National YoYo Contest – YouTube

As I watched the stunning performance, I thought back to my feeble and failed attempts to master the YoYo when I was a child. Walk the dog. Around the world. These were the seemingly complex tricks I attempted to master. One thing was absolutely clear. This was not your grandfather’s Yo-yo! It seems that regardless of the sport or activity, everything I attempted to do as a child is presently far more complex and difficult. Skateboarding is now an Olympic sport. There is ultimate frisbee. 

What about our faith? When God chose the Jewish people to demonstrate His grace and mercy to the world, He gave them the Law and commandments that Moses wrote down for all of the people to learn and follow. Many Jewish scholars state there are at least 613 commandments that a Jewish person must follow. It was to teach God’s people to be holy and separated from the rest of the world. It was a daunting task to obey all of God’s laws, but they must and if they failed and sinned, they had to seek forgiveness through the priests. There were continual animal sacrifices by both the sinner and the priests. It was very complex and difficult! Like the evolution of the Yo-yo, has faith in God become even more complex and difficult?

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 3:24-26 (NASB)

After thousands of years of following the Law, God once again intervened with His people. This time, instead of adding hundreds of new laws, He added only one more sacrifice. He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, as the supreme sacrifice to atone for our sins. The Law had served its purpose. It was given by God as a tutor to lead the Jews to the Cross and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could never completely take away our sins; the Law could never save us. We could never do it by our own efforts. God took the initiative to save us, to make us all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Unlike the Yo-yo, faith in God has become precise and simpler. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will receive salvation and eternal life.

Praise God!

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

“To my Grandmother. Thank you for always reading to me when I was a child and encouraging me to use my imagination. Your dreams are my dreams. This book is dedicated to you.”

I was reading the dedication written by the book’s author. Book dedications are a common way for authors to recognize the person or persons who were critical in helping them reach their goals. They are personal, usually heart-warming, and often pithy. It may also give the reader insight into the values of the author who wrote it. Do we ever read of a negative dedication? Do we ever read someone dedicating a work to a person who stood in their way, impeded their progress, and cheered for their failure? It might read something like this.

“To Jake who always bullied me and doubted that I would succeed. This book is dedicated to you for forcing me to better myself, ignore your insults, and overcome the obstacles you placed in my path.”

Although I have never read a negative dedication, one could see how they likely exist. How many of us have faced adversity placed in our path by others? To successfully overcome them and achieve success resonates with many. As the proverb states, “The best revenge is success.” If we succeed, shouldn’t we gloat and lord it over those who tried to prevent it?

The Bible has much to say about this attitude. The story of Joseph comprises nearly a third of the Book of Genesis. God places such a great emphasis on this beautiful story of redemption to instruct us how to live in His Kingdom. Joseph’s older brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery, telling their father, Jacob, that he had been killed by a wild animal. Yet God was in control as Joseph was taken to Egypt, eventually landing in prison, and then elevated to the position of second to Pharaoh. He was reunited with his brothers and after learning his true identity, they were fearful that Joseph would take revenge upon them. Was Joseph bitter about his experiences? Did he call out his brothers for their cruel actions? Many would agree that Joseph would be justified in writing a negative dedication to his brothers. Instead, Joseph did not dwell on the negative but focused on God and His greater purpose for his life and His chosen people. 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 

Genesis 50:20 (NLT)

Joseph’s answer to his brothers is a beautiful reminder of God’s grace, mercy, and sovereign will for our lives. In God’s Kingdom, God works through all of our circumstances, even if they are the result of the sinful actions of others, to allow His glory and sovereign will to be manifest.

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

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Hachiko.

Many are familiar with this true heart-warming story from Japan of this dog who faithfully waited at the train station where his master usually returned at the end of his workday. One day, his master, a university professor, unexpectedly died while teaching his class. Of course, Hachiko did not know this nor understand why his master did not return. For the next nine years until Hachiko’s death, he faithfully waited at the train station for his master to return. When a newspaper reporter wrote a story about Hachiko, thousands of Japanese citizens came to see this loyal dog. When Hachiko died, a bronze statue was erected at the train station, forever honoring and enshrining his loyalty to his master.

Source: Pinterest

Many pundits inform us that dogs do not understand that when their owners leave their homes, they will eventually return. The dogs, thinking we will never return, wait in eager expectation for us. This is why when the owner does return, the dog is wildly ecstatic and overjoyed that their master has returned. Hachiko is a beautiful testimony of this and there is a reason why his story resonates with so many of us. 

So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. 

Matthew 24:42-44 (NLT)

Our Lord Jesus Christ will someday return to earth to gather His Church. Like Hachiko, we do not know when that will occur. Are we living in eager expectation for our Master’s return? What an amazing God we serve who provides so many lovely examples through His creation!

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

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Only his graying hair and smile lines around his mouth and eyes betrayed his true age. His twinkling eyes and cherubic smile were the facade of a man half his age. He was Professor Mitsuru Kubota, affectionately known as Mits by his peers and colleagues. When I met him, he was 54 years old and a full professor of chemistry, world-renowned for his work in inorganic chemistry. He had already won numerous teaching awards and held several prestigious grants.  His classes were some of the most popular on the college campus. I was privileged to be able to take one of his classes at our sister college when I was a junior in college.

I had not thought about Professor Kubota in over forty years but a tragic event reminded me of his life. My wife and I were driving home on a day when Southern California was being pummeled by a tropical storm, the first to strike the region in over eighty years. As we carefully navigated the worsening weather, she asked me if I ever experienced a hurricane in Hawaii, where I grew up. Although several hurricanes and tropical storms have struck the Hawaiian islands, I have never experienced it. I was either away for schooling or had moved away and relocated. Of course, I know many people who did suffer through hurricanes, and at that moment, I remembered Dr. Kubota. He grew up on the island of Kauai and still had many family members there. In 1982, a few months after I took his chemistry class, his hometown of Poipu Beach was ravaged by Hurricane Iwa. He immediately helped to organize fundraisers for his fellow islanders. He also made a concerted effort to connect with all students from Hawaii and once a year, he hosted a dinner at his home for Hawaiian expatriates. He revealed a compassionate and generous side of his nature, one that I saw a glimpse of in his classroom, but was now on full display as he sacrificed to care for those whom he loved.

There are many people of whom we have fond memories but as we move on in life we may lose track of them. Professor Kubota was one of these men. I had not thought of him in over forty years and asked my wife to do an online search since I wondered what happened to him. It was with sadness and regret that my wife read me an online memorial to him. He passed away in 2018. 

Although my career led me to another path, I still remember some of the chemistry lessons he taught me and cherish the kindness he showed me and other students from Hawaii. As I reminisced about him, I realized how I incorporated many of his thoughtful manners in the way I teach my students. However, it was not until the tragedy of the hurricane in Kauai, did I see his true nature. 

A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) 

Mark 15:21 (NLT)

Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me. 

Romans 16:13 (NLT)

Mark revealed that Simon is the father of Rufus. A little over twenty years later, after Simon had that fateful encounter with Jesus, the Apostle Paul recognized Rufus in his letter to the Romans. What went through Simon’s mind as he helped to carry Jesus’ Cross? Did Simon understand the events of the Crucifixion? Did Simon see the resurrected Christ? The Bible does not tell us this but clearly, Simon’s heart was forever changed and he shared it with his son, Rufus, and his wife who both became close followers of Jesus Christ and colleagues to the Apostle Paul.

Sometimes it takes a tragic event to see the true nature of a person. For me, it was the caring spirit of Professor Kubota, helping his fellow islanders during a hurricane. For Simon, it was the encounter with Jesus Christ, on the darkest day in His life, to see that He was the promised Messiah and the true light of this world. 

Thank you, Professor Mits Kubota. Your generous spirit and excellent teaching will always remind me of the grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

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

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“SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

When I was a medical resident, we surprised Jake, a co-resident, with a birthday celebration. We bought the usual birthday cake and decorated his office with banners and balloons. And of course, we presented him with a gift. My colleague made the presentation.

“Jake, we thought very carefully about your gift. You have everything. A promising career. A lovely wife. Good health. There is only one thing missing.” We handed him an elaborately wrapped box with a huge ribbon. Jake’s eyes widened as he opened the box and then burst into laughter. It was a golden letter “H”. 

My friend emigrated from a country where the native language was known for its difficulty in pronouncing words with the letter “H”. We loved his accent and even he made fun of it. It was the perfect gift! Indeed, what gift can you give to someone who has everything? Something he didn’t realize he needed!

…I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

John 15:5 (NLT)

Many of us live our lives completely oblivious to the fact that we need a Savior. I know. For most of my youth, I only relied upon myself. Self-sufficient. Self-made man. I embraced all the usual monikers. I didn’t need religion. I didn’t need God. But God persisted in reaching out to me, even when I was convinced I didn’t need Him. God brought me to my knees through the painful revelation that I desperately needed a Savior. I could no longer do it on my own. I needed God. I needed to abide in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

How many of us need to be reminded that we need something when we don’t realize we need it? God knows. It may be a humorous birthday gift but for many of us, it is the realization that we are hopelessly lost in our sins and cannot overcome them by our own efforts. Sometimes God gently shakes us out of our ignorance. At other times, He awakens us with a trial or a loss. Don’t wait until it is too late.

We only have this lifetime to choose to abide in Him. 

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

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