Mago no Te (Proverbs 25:25)

Source: http://www.shop-japan.co.jp/

Most people are familiar with this handy tool, pun intended! I, as well as many others, grew up calling it the “Itchy Back Scratcher”.  But it was only when I became an adult did I learn the Japanese name, mago no te, which literally means grandchild’s hand.

How cute and appropriate! What a delightful image of a little child scratching the back of a grandparent. It is the little pleasures in life that bring a smile to our faces.

I work with a missionary doctor in Cameroon. Earlier this year, an epidemic of Ebola was raging in West Africa, all countries that bordered Cameroon. I usually receive at least one consultation case a week via email. So when two weeks passed without hearing from him, I was obviously concerned and was thinking the worst. Thankfully an email arrived from him informing me he had been on a short vacation. He reassured me that he was fine and Ebola had not made an appearance in Cameroon. I was relieved as I sat back in my chair, a smile on my face.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Proverbs 25:25

The Bible also reminds of the little things in life that bring us comfort and joy. Good news from a far country; the comfort of a grandchild’s hand. All things point to the all encompassing comfort and joy of our Great God!

No issue, large or small. escapes God’s attention.

What a wonderful God we serve!

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

"A Lot of People Are Going to Die Today and They Don't Know it Yet" (1 Corinthians 15:30-32)

The other evening, I was watching a documentary on killer tornados. As one of the largest tornadoes ever filmed began to form in the sky, the reporter covering this event issued this chilling prediction. “A lot of people are going to die today and they don’t know it yet.” Sadly, the prediction came true and many people were taken into eternity.

What would you do if you knew you would die today? Would you simply cease to exist? Would your spirit float around in some disembodied state? Would you go to Heaven? Would you go to hell?

Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
1 Corinthians 15:30-32 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul was absolutely convinced and assured that his eternal destiny lay within his faith and trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This assurance persuaded him to live a life wholeheartedly devoted to serving Jesus, facing imminent death at every moment, enduring imprisonment, torture, and slander. If he didn’t have this assurance, his life would be meaningless and he flippantly suggests his life on this earth would be better spent partying and serving a hedonistic lifestyle.

What would you do if you knew you would die today? The answer is of an eternal importance for your soul. If you confess your sins to Jesus Christ and truly repent and receive Him as your Lord and Savior, He is faithful and just to forgive you and accept you as fellow heir and adopted son of God. And when this happens, you can be assured that you will be saved and be in Heaven with God the moment you die.

“A lot of people are going to die today and they don’t know it yet.”

This could be you. Be sure of your eternal destiny.

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

Practice What You Preach (James 1:22)

I have a dermatology colleague who definitely practices what she preaches. Once she was walking from the hospital clinic to her car in the parking lot. It was about 100 feet but for that brief distance, she placed a large sun-protective hat on her head. I marveled at how she compulsively and diligently set a positive example for everyone. Her behavior was completely consistent with her words.

Practicing what you preach is easy for some activities but decidedly difficult for others. I preach the virtues of sun protection and healthy skin habits and always apply sunscreen on myself and family members before going out in the sun light. I preach the importance of healthy lifestyles by not smoking or using recreational drugs. But my behavior has been far less consistent in my spiritual life than my professional life. Why? Is it because my professional life is always on display for my colleagues and employees to see but my private life is not? Is it because I think that if I simply do the “right” things, regardless of my thought life, I will not be held accountable to anyone. Or is it a symptom of a much deeper problem? Do I fear the opinions of others, and what they may think of me, more than I fear and trust God?

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 (ESV)

The Bible reminds us that when we follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Word must be completely obeyed. It is not enough to read and hear the Word, it must be consumed. It must become a part of our life so that there is no difference between our thought life and our actions.

We must practice what we preach. It is not an option. It is God’s command.

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

Thumbs Up! (Psalms 23:4)

On our recent family vacation, my son learned to snorkel. This was quite exciting for both of us and I wanted to be extra-careful as we ventured into deeper water. I held his hand as we swam and every few minutes I would flash him a thumbs up. When he returned my signal, I knew all was well. That thumbs up continued for the rest of the trip, even when we were out of water. When were walking together and holding hands, I would flash him a thumbs up. “Just like snorkeling, right buddy?” He would grin and enthusiastically return my signal.

I could definitely learn a lesson from my son. During my walk with God, I have not consistently looked to Him to eagerly and quickly respond to His reassuring guidance.  So often, I have ventured off on my own, eager to pursue my selfish desires rather than follow God’s leading. I wait until things careen out of control before I turn to Him and ask for His help. But this is not how God intended me to live my life with Him.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4 (ESV)

Every moment of the day, God is guiding me with His rod and staff. Although I may not see an actual thumbs up from my Heavenly Father, I can rest assured that He is always holding me firmly and guiding me through dangerous waters, even when I am disobedient.

Thumbs up! All is well! God is in control!

Thank you Jesus!

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

A Spiritual Tenbagger (Acts 2:41)

Peter Lynch was the manager of one of the most successful mutual funds of all time, the Fidelity Magellan Fund. He later wrote a best selling book on investing entitled, One Up On Wall Street. In this book, Lynch outlined the steps that he took to identify publicly traded companies that have the potential for growth and stock price appreciation. In so doing, he coined the term, forever engrained in stock investing, the tenbagger.  This is a stock that increases 10-fold in price from the time one initially purchased it. It is a rare event and, for the fortunate investor who picked the correct stock, a great financial windfall.

What would a spiritual tenbagger be? Perhaps this incident recorded on the day of Pentecost, nearly 2000 years ago, would qualify. On this day when the Holy Spirit indwelled and empowered Peter and the remaining disciples, they all began speaking in foreign languages, understood only by the thousands of Jews who were visiting Jerusalem from all over the known world to celebrate Pentecost. It was a powerful witness and manifestation of the power and glory of God working in the lives of the first disciples. Peter then preached his first sermon declaring that Jesus Christ, who was rejected and crucified by the Jews, was resurrected and living. He was the Messiah!

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 (ESV)

What happened next was a spiritual tenbagger!

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:41 (ESV)

Peter and the rest of the eleven disciples proceeded to baptize about three thousand people, dramatically increasing the number of believers, the first Christian church. A spiritual tenbagger indeed!

If you have confessed your sins to Jesus Christ and truly repented, He is faithful and just to forgive you. Ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. And when you do, the Holy Spirit will indwell within you, transforming and sanctifying you.

The Holy Spirit will enable you to serve and glorify God with your life. You will reap the immediate spiritual benefits. It will be your personal spiritual tenbagger. Don’t delay. Place your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

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

"The Bible is Special" (Luke 24:44-45)

With the 2016 presidential election campaign shifting into high gear, religious issues are making their way into questions and answers of the candidates. One interesting remark was recently made by Republican candidate, Donald Trump.

"The Bible is special. The Bible -- the more you see it, the more you read it, the more incredible it is... I don’t like to use this analogy, but like a great movie, a great, incredible movie.  You’ll see it once, it will be good.  You’ll see it again.  You can see it 20 times and every time you’ll appreciate it more. The Bible is the most special thing.”
Donald Trump

I do not know if Mr. Trump is a believer in Jesus Christ. But his comment struck a chord within me. When I was in college, there were courses being taught as, “The Bible as Literature”. Some of these courses were taught by professors who were professed atheists or professed faith in a religion other than Christianity. I have no doubt that they presented a scholarly literary analysis of the Bible but I believe these courses missed the most important message of the Bible.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:44-45 (ESV)

The Bible is special. It is a great story, it is great literature. But it is much more. It is special because it is God’s Word. This Bible passage reminds us how it is only by the light and illumination of God that we are able to see the Bible as more than a work of literature or more than an incredible movie. The entire answer to life is contained within its pages. You will appreciate it the more you read it. But it is written for one reason alone, to bring you to salvation by leading you to confess and repent of your sins and ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.

The Bible is special. It is God’s Word. Read it, learn it, and believe it.

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

Don't Substitute (Leviticus 27:10)

Taking shortcuts in product manufacturing has been in the news recently. We read of melamine, a toxic plastic compound, added to baby products, milk, and pet food as a substitute for protein. The tragic result is injury and death. The uproar and scrutiny continues. Unfortunately, more shortcuts are being taken as duplicitous companies seek to enhance their bottom line, regardless of the horrific cost in health and life. Even some olive oil companies are substituting less expensive sunflower seed oil and passing it off labeled as olive oil.

He shall not exchange it or make a substitute for it, good for bad, or bad for good; and if he does in fact substitute one animal for another, then both it and the substitute shall be holy.
Leviticus 27:10 (ESV)

When we voluntarily give something, whether material goods or our service, we need to give our very best. There are no substitutes. The Israelites were commanded by God to give Him their best. Substitution was not an option. They had to answer to God, not to their supervisor or boss.

If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will want to give your best to Him, not out of obligation or begrudgingly, but out of gratitude. If Jesus Christ gave His life for you, what sacrifice could be too costly for us to give?

Don’t substitute when giving to God. Give Him your best. He gave you His eternal rest.

Love and trust the Lord; keep our family strong.

When Your Backup Plan Fails (1 Peter 5:6-7)

I am extremely paranoid about not waking up on time in the morning. To ensure this, I have two alarm clocks. The first is an old iPhone that is plugged into a speaker. The second is a battery powered clock. In this manner, if one alarm clock fails, I will always have a back up. I also set both with a time difference of 5 minutes. I do this because in the past, I have literally turned off the alarm on one clock and then went back to sleep. This system has saved me on several occasions.

However, there is one situation where it fails. What if I forget to set the alarm for BOTH clocks?

This embarrassing occurrence has happened several times. Fortunately my biological clock (a third clock!) awakened with me within a half hour of my usual time of awakening. But what if it didn’t? I had no backup. What do I do when my backup plan fails?

These incidents made me wonder whether I have a spiritual backup plan? When my spiritual life seems to be overwhelmed by the trials and travails of life, do I have a spiritual backup? Do I turn to my wife, a trusted brother in Christ, my pastor? Most certainly!  I have done so many times in the past and each of them are important backups. But what do I do if my backups are unavailable when I need them? The Bible reminds us that there is only spiritual backup that  is fail-proof.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)

God has surrounded me with trusted and loving spiritual backups. But during any trial, God asks us to first cast our anxieties upon Him. Let Him do the heavy lifting! His love knows no limits!

Trusting in Jesus Christ. This is the only fail-proof spiritual backup plan.

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

The Lick (James 2:19)

In music, a lick is defined as a musical phrase or idea that is used during a song. Some licks have become the “hook” that allows one to instantly recognize a song. Who can forget the opening lick to Queen’s We Will Rock You or the Beatles’ Birthday? A lick may also be used when musicians improvise and some licks become so popular, it is repeated in multiple songs and settings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krDxhnaKD7Q

The lick is a musical idea that bears and deserves repeating. As the video humorously demonstrated, it can be appropriate in a variety of musical genres, tempos, and instrumentations.

There are many ideas that are repeated throughout God’s Word. And one that has been present from the very beginning is there is one God.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV)

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘ Hear, O Israel:The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:29-30 (ESV)

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!
James 2:19 (ESV)

God eternally exists and there is no other god. Even demons, that always seek to supplant God’s truth in our lives, know this. However, it may not be as blatant as encouraging us to worship stone idols and figurines. No, the schemes of Satan and his demons are far more subtle and nefarious. He encourages us to worship ourselves. He encourages us to follow our instincts, and seek after prestige, fame, and money. Anything that replaces God in our life is a sin because it is an idol and another god. And when we follow other gods we deny one of the oldest and most repeated truths in the Bible.

There is only one God. This is God’s lick. It is an idea that bears and deserves repeating!

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

The Tail of the Lion (Psalm 77:19)

Nature shows us only the tail of the lion. But there is no doubt in my mind that the lion belongs with it even if he cannot reveal himself to the eye all at once because of his huge dimension.
Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, perhaps one of the most brilliant scientist to ever live, knew that just because he could not see something did not necessarily mean it did not exist. His theories of gravitation, mass, and energy revolutionized our understanding. He convincingly demonstrated that much of the phenomena we observe in the universe is a manifestation of a far greater unseen reality.

Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
Psalms 77:19 (ESV)

Perhaps Einstein had this psalm in mind when he wrote those words. If we are willing to open our eyes and minds, we will be able to begin to understand that reality is far more than what we can experience with our senses. We cannot see gravity but we witness its effect. We cannot see the wind but we know its presence. We cannot see God in this lifetime but we see the manifestations of His power and presence in His creation.

We do not see God but we know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Someday Jesus Christ will return to this earth and we will definitely see God. But He will return as King and Judge to rule the world. And you will only be able to be in His kingdom if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Do you want to see God? Take the time to know who He is by reading the Bible. His presence will always become real to anyone who is truly seeking to see Him.

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

How Do I Compete With Myself? (Philippians 3:7-8)

In 2008, I left a full partnership in my former medical group and started my own company and laboratory. I knew how to run a medical laboratory, having been a medical director at several laboratories. I knew how to start my own business and manage employees. But what I didn’t know was how I would compete with myself?

During the prior 14 years, I had learned the nuances of interacting with other physicians. I learned to prioritize their needs and their patient’s needs. But now, it wasn’t enough. How could I become better than I already was and differentiate my new practice from my former?  I was left with the unenviable task of competing with myself. I had to reinvent myself.

With time I discovered subtle flaws in the systems I had previously set up in my other laboratories. By gently tweaking these systems, I was able to improve my service to physicians and patients and successfully compete with myself. But it was still unsatisfying because I knew that no matter how many improvements I made, I was still vulnerable.

As I reflect upon my spiritual life, I wish I had taken the same amount of effort and time to continually review my relationship with God, seeking ways to improve and enrich it. But for so many years, I was willing to slide by on an incomplete knowledge of who God really is. My knowledge of God was so limited and thus, my relationship was shallow and weak. I made decisions by my own will and volition and expected God to bless them, rather than seeking God’s will first and seeking to be obedient. I refused to reinvent myself and my relationship with God. I never had to compete with myself since I thought I was already the best.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul had every reason to boast of himself. His education, his position in society, his Roman citizenship-he did not have to reinvent himself nor compete with himself because he thought he was already great, in God’s eyes and his own. But once he met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, everything changed. Any accomplishments he had achieved up to that point in his life were nothing but rubbish compared to the surpassing knowledge of knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

What kind of God can turn our priorities and expectations about life upside down? Only the living God, Jesus Christ. Do you know Him? If you confess your sins and repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you can know Him! If God is tugging at your heart, do not ignore the calling.

Competing with yourself and seeking to improve by one’s own efforts will only lead to frustration and the fear that something more can always be done. Allowing God to take control of your life will reorient your priorities in life and allow you to seek to improve your relationship with Him out of gratitude for what He has done for you. And when this happens, the rest of life falls into place.

Amen!

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

It's Too Late! (Psalm 119:24)

During these past few months, we have met with several school counselors in preparation for my daughter and son entering high school and middle school respectively. We are grateful to attain wise counsel from these professionals but the experience has been daunting and a wakeup call to the extremely high expectations that are now demanded of our children, regardless of their age.

One counselor for our daughter looked at us and said, “It’s good that we are meeting now, in the summer before she starts high school. Lots of kids come to me in their 10th and 11th grades and by then it is too late! I can’t help them!”

What a sobering statement! Not even an adult and your child’s life is already ruined! They are immersed in a society and culture that demands better than perfection. The counselors also assume that the entire family wants success, sometimes at the expense of the child. As parents, we are mindful of the unique pressures that are now placed upon our children and we need to place all activities within its proper perspective.

Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
Psalm 119:24 (ESV)

The relentless pace of life should make us refocus our priorities. Counselors do have an important role for our children but as the Bible reminds us, the most important counselor is the Word of God. Our hearts and priorities must first seek God’s will for our life. It is only by the peace and wisdom of God are we truly able to place all activities within the proper perspective and not be caught up with the pace of the world.

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

The Russian Olympic Team Was Here (Luke 24:50-51)

In 2010, the Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver, British Columbia. In preparation for the event, dozens of new structures were built including a new Olympic village, temporarily housing the athletes. A few years ago, this Olympic village was offered for sale to the public. As one tours these sheque new condominiums and townhouses, memories of those epic games were relived. What famous athletes walked these very same steps and lived in these units?

My brother in law and his wife recently bought one of these units and our family had the privilege of staying with them. As we enjoyed the beautiful views and amenities, he remarked that some members of the Russian Olympic team stayed in this very unit. Wow! It’s a shame the organizers of the Olympics did not have the foresight to have each athlete sign some plaque or leave some personal reminder of their stay in each unit. That would have been quite a thrill to stay in the same unit that the Olympic Gold medalists in the biathlon resided!

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
Luke 24:50-51 (ESV)

I have never been to Jerusalem and the Holy Land. But someday, God willing, I will see it in my lifetime. What a thrill it will be to walk the same path that my Lord Jesus Christ walked! And I would like to visit Bethany where Jesus ascended to the Father and where, one day, He will return again.

...“ Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11 (ESV)

When we visit places where the famous once walked and stayed, we can identify with them and share in the excitement of the times they were there. But any excitement pales in comparison to the eager anticipation of walking in the same steps with my Lord, Jesus Christ. If you have confessed your sins, repented, and have acknowledged Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior,  whether in this life or the next, you will someday walk with Him. And there is no greater privilege for all eternity.

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

"God Does Not Play Dice With the Universe" (Proverbs 16:33)

Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant scientists and thinkers in the history of the world. Many of his theories have been proven correct from the time he first presented them in the early 20th century. But during that same period of time, a number of other controversial theories were also being presented. One famous theory was the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle that states that it is not possible to know both the location and the velocity of a particle at the same time. In other words, to measure one variable or value will necessarily increase the random probability in the other. Einstein pushed back against this theory and wrote his now famous quote,

"God does not play dice with the universe."

For Einstein, a theory that proposed an apparent randomness and unpredictability with the known laws of the universe did not agree with him. Einstein recognized this and while acknowledging God, sought to disprove this by complex mathematical formulas.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33 (ESV)

Our culture is imbued with the notion that events are random and out of the control of anyone.  And if these events coincide, we state that it is a great coincidence. Some will even go as far as state that it is fate. But if it is fate, who or what directs this? Nothing in this universe happens by chance.

The ultimate proof of God’s sovereign power over the universe lies within. Look around and observe God’s creation! Many scientists claim the universe evolved from nothing. But this is an impossibility. Think about this, if nothing existed, how could something then emerge? The only explanation is that God created it. God, alone, is eternally existing.

Indeed, God does not play dice with the universe. He created the universe with a purpose and He sustains it!

Amen!

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

"I Can't Ask Him to Be Less Than He Is" (Philippians 3:8)

The Sound of Music is one of most beloved movies in the world. A compelling story, a rambunctious family, and the wonderful songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein connect this movie to our hearts. Of the many memorable lines, one of my favorites is this exchange between Max and Maria. Max was pleading with Maria to convince her new husband, Captain Von Trapp, to work with the Nazi German regime, who had just annexed their home country of Austria.

Max: He's got to at least *pretend* to work with these people. You must convince him.
Maria: I can't ask him to be less than he is.

Maria’s response reminds me of the importance of self-respect. We need to be sure of where we stand with our own moral sensibilities and be in line with our moral compass. But more importantly, we need to know the direction that our moral compass is pointing.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul had every reason to boast in his accomplishments. But when he met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he realized it was all rubbish. He now knew his true identity was based entirely upon his relationship with the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. He had to decrease and Jesus had to increase. He wanted to be like Jesus Christ, anything less was unacceptable.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, anything less than being like Him is not an option. We must always examine our lives and our moral compass and be convinced that it is pointing only toward Him.

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

You Are What You Eat (John 6:51)

“You are what you eat!”

How many times have we heard this? Fill your body with junk food and you will soon reap the negative effects of a high salt, fat, and carbohydrate intake. Consume healthy fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and you will live a healthy life. If only it were that simple!  We need to prioritize a low carb and high protein intake; the traditional food pyramid is wrong. But taking in all that protein often leads to a high fat intake. Can’t have that! No! You should instead focus upon a high carb diet that is rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates and lots of olive oil. But wait! That could lead to increased gluten intake and devastate your immune system. You need to first cleanse your body of all the acquired toxins in our environment.  Try the grapefruit diet to cleanse and detoxify.  Breaking news alert! Too much citric fruits increases the risk of skin cancer!

For every diet that is touted, there is another diet that refutes those claims. You are what you eat. And if scientists, nutritionists, and physicians ever agree on what that should be, it will be a true revelation and miracle!

Maybe that is just what we need, a miracle, not from this earth, but sent from heaven!

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.
John 6:51

Our diet is important. But God has an answer for both our physical hunger and spiritual hunger. Jesus gives us what we need rather than what we want. But we need to turn to Jesus Christ to truly understand what our true needs are. If you confess your sins to Him and truly repent from them and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He is faithful and just to forgive you.

And if you do this, you will begin to truly understand that we are what eat. When we eat of the living bread of Jesus Christ, we will no longer hunger and our spiritual and material needs will finally be satisfied.

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

The Other Prodigal (Luke 15:29-30)

The parable of the prodigal son is a well-known and beloved parable that Jesus Christ told. A prodigal is generally defined as someone who spends money in a wasteful, extravagant, or reckless manner. There is no question that the parable focused upon the first son as the prodigal. But there is a very important lesson to be learned about the younger son.

The younger son, while not wasting his father’s money with lascivious living, was bitter. In fact, he probably would have been very happy to have lived that kind of life if he had been given this opportunity. Instead, he focused upon what he did not get rather than the joy of welcoming his brother back to the family. This Bible passage records where his heart truly was placed. It was all about him.

...“Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!”
Luke 15:29-30 (ESV)

My life is a tragic example of both sons. I have lived the backslidden life, taking advantage of situations for my own selfish and evil desires and demanding, “I want it all now!”  I have held bitterness in my life as I asked, “When is it my turn? When do I get what is coming to me?”

It was only by the mercy and grace of God, that He brought me back into proper fellowship with Him. I dropped to my hands and knees as I sought forgiveness for my backslidden ways and ungodly attitude.

This parable is the story of two sons. I have lived both lives. And I never want to return to the filth and wayward lifestyle I once lived.

Thank you, God, for your mercy and love.

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

Slow of Heart (Luke 24:25)

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Luke 24:25 (ESV)

What a painful and arduous a road I have taken to trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was an atheist in high school. During my freshman year, I followed a sect of universalism, believing all religions were paths to the same god. But God granted me His mercy and grace and drew me to Him by showing me the Truth.

I was slow of heart to believe in God but thanks be to God that His patience and love is far greater than mine. When I reflect upon my path, I sometimes ask myself, “Why did it take so long?” But perhaps the better question is, “What did I do to deserve God’s grace?”

Absolutely nothing. God saved me by His grace alone, not by my works or any effort on my part. God showed me the Truth and led me to Him by revealing the inconsistencies in the other religions I was studying. He showed me the futility of leading my life by my own plans. He showed me that to be truly free was to be completely yielded to Him in total submission.

I am slow of heart. But thanks be to God that He is rich in mercy.

Amen!

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

Let's Take A Walk on the Wild Side

This is dedicated to my mother, Janet Shitabata, who went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on this day, August 27th, in 2013. This was her eulogy that I spoke at her memorial service in Honolulu, Hawaii, on what would have been her 80th birthday, on September 28th, 2013. I love you Mom and will see you again someday.
----------
Let’s take a walk on the wild side.

Back in the 80’s, a dashing young actor named Tom Selleck emerged on the television screen as the Hawaii private investigator, Magnum P.I. He was instantly popular. Women adored him and my mother was no exception. Mom was a schoolteacher with a schoolgirl crush! Everyone knew about it and when she retired from Washington Intermediate, she was gifted a toilet seat with a picture of Tom Selleck!

Not too long after that, Mom embarked upon a second career as a writer of romance novels. The  facade of a mild mannered schoolteacher hid a passionate heart that yearned to weave complex tales of love and intrigue. She joked about writing a bestselling Harlequin romance but she was quite earnest in her pursuit of this goal, joining the Romance Writers of America and participating in several author support groups. While she never did write a bestselling romance novel, she did have several of her stories published in Honolulu newspapers and in a book of local Hawaii authors.

Many of you who spent time with her during this past year marveled at her peace and acceptance of her disease. Some wondered if she was in denial or perhaps she was showing signs of early dementia. Yes, she was at peace, not because of any mental lapses or denial of her condition, but because she had the reassurance that she was secure in the arms of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. When she first learned of her diagnosis, she told me she was stunned, but then quickly realized that she would now see her Lord sooner than she thought. And this brought her peace and comfort.

My mother lived a far more colorful life than most people ever realized. But my mother’s wildest and most uninhibited side of life was placing her trust in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It allowed her to face her cancer with renewed strength and hope and it allowed her to see the world far more clearly through God’s guidance.

My mother is now home and at rest with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, unhindered by her cancer, continually comforted, and enjoying God’s infinite blessings. She is there because many years ago, she made the choice to accept His invitation to follow Him. She knew this was the most important choice she could ever make in her lifetime because there is no other name in Heaven or on earth that could bring her to salvation.

In her last days, my mother shared with me, “I love you and I really appreciate you. I’m not afraid to share that with you or anyone anymore.” When I asked her why, she replied, “I was always brought up to not share my feelings. But now, I feel free to share these feelings and I want you to know that I have been telling everyone that.”

God blessed my mother and through her life, blessed so many others, including everyone who is here today. Over the past 15 months, since her initial diagnosis, numerous relationships were restored. Conversations and fellowships emerged and gathered around my mother. But my mother knew it was God at work, restoring and redeeming the time through her illness. Her walk on the wild side is truly beginning anew. The wildness is the inexpressible, uninhibited and unending love and peace that only comes by being in God’s presence in Heaven. My mother is with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As wonderful as her love was to all of us, she knew that the love of Jesus Christ surpasses all understanding and is sweeter than anything we could ever experience or imagine.

And because she loved all of you who are here today, I know that she would like all of you to join her there someday.

Betraying God with Affection (Luke 22:48)

...but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Luke 22:48 (ESV)

How could Judas do this to his Master? I would never betray my God with an act of affection. Never! I would even protest that someone would dare to level such a charge against me. And yet, I know there are many other ways that I do betray and dishonor God, doing things for His name’s sake but in reality, done from purely selfish motives.

How many times have I participated in activities of the Church but my heart was distant and far away and more focused upon completing the task rather than seeking to encourage and build the faith of my fellow believers? How many times have I participated as a musician in worship but I was more focused upon the technicalities of the music rather than focusing upon helping to lead the congregation into the proper attitude of worship?

Sadly, far too often. I participate in these activities with a smile on my face, keeping my true feelings hidden from view. I feign affection for God when I am seeking fulfilment of my desires.  I am betraying my God with a kiss.  I think that my external behavior will mask the turmoil in my heart. But God sees my heart and I need to be honest before Him.

I must continually come before Him and confess my sins and accept His forgiveness. I will continue to fall and betray Him but thanks be to God for His mercy and grace. He saved me when I did not deserve it, earn it, or even desire it. And by accepting Him as my Lord and Savior, He promises to have His Holy Spirit indwell within my heart, to change and conform me to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen!

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