Monthly Archives: June 2020

Why I Wear a Mask

27 Jun

Mask wearing has become a hot topic ever since the coronavirus pandemic struck. There are many reasons for this, many of which have little to do with the virus itself.

For some, wearing or not wearing a mask has become a political statement, a way to express one’s support of one party or another.

For others, not wearing a mask is an issue of personal freedom, of individual rights, a declaration no one can tell them what to do, least of all the government. For still others, it has become a form of artistic self-expression, a competition to see who can wear the most outlandish design.

Why do I wear a mask? Well, let me first make one thing clear. I don’t wear it for political reasons. If I want to express my opinion of a politician, I won’t do it with a mask. I’ll wait till November and do it with my vote!

I wear a mask for two reasons. First, because they work. Debate this all you want, but the science is clear. Masks work!

While it’s true wearing a mask only decreases my risk of getting coronavirus from you by about 20%, a recent WHO study found it can reduce the risk of me giving it to you by over 80%. That’s significant and leads to the second reason I wear a mask. I wear it to protect others.

Philippians 2:3-4 tells us to, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

As Christians we are called to love others, valuing them above ourselves, looking out for their interests above our own. Yes, wearing a mask can be uncomfortable. It gets hot under there at times and I can hardly wait to rip it off when I get by myself. However, if my having to deal with a little discomfort helps prevent my elderly neighbor or an immune-compromised friend from ending up on a respirator, then it’s worth the inconvenience.

You see, when it comes to wearing a mask, or in any other situation, we need to have “the same mindset as Jesus…” (v. 5). Jesus covered his divinity with the mask of humanity, and “being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (v. 8).

Wearing a mask is uncomfortable at times, but it’s the right thing to do. It’s not about politics. It’s about caring for our fellow human beings. It’s not fun, but being human was no picnic for Jesus either. It cost Him His life.

And, remember, while we may have to put up with masks till this pandemic ends, Jesus took on the appearance of a man for eternity! He did it because He loves us more than life itself. If Jesus could do this for me, then I guess I can wear a mask a little while for you. I hope you’ll do the same for me.

Have a Happy Sabbath, stay safe, and, please, wear a mask!

The Power of Prayer

20 Jun

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Ana and I do. Every morning and every evening we pray for our children. We pray for God to bless them, guide them, and, most of all, protect them. Thursday those prayers were answered in a big way!

On his way home from work Andrew had a car accident while going about 50 mph. As you can see from the picture his car was totalled. Thankfully Andrew walked away with just a bad chemical burn from the airbag on his hand and a soft-tissue injury of his arm. I shudder to think what could have happened.

Now some might say it was the ingenuity of American automotive engineering, rather than our prayers, which kept Andrew safe that day, but I know there was much more at work than well-designed safety features and crumple zones. I’ve been in enough accidents to know good engineering can only go so far. God’s angels were protecting Andrew Thursday, in answer to our prayers.

In this time of crisis thousands are discovering the power of prayer. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, entitled The Science of Prayer, the author reports in a recent Pew Research survey more than 50% of Americans admitted to praying for the coronavirus pandemic to end.

This is good news, but why wait until a time of crisis to take advantage of the power of prayer? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray continually”. Prayer should be something we do all the time, not just when a crisis hits. It should be as natural for us as breathing, but this can only happen if we consciously choose to do so.

In the beautiful little book Steps to Christ the question is asked, “Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?”

Why indeed? There is power in prayer, power beyond anything we can imagine and it is ours for the asking.

This week let’s take Paul’s advice in James 5:16 to, “pray for each other” because, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Let’s together “unlock heaven’s storehouse” with the key of prayer and see what blessings God has hidden inside. Let’s together discover the power – The Power of Prayer!

BTW:

Do you have a problem you can’t find a solution to, a loved one you’re concerned about, a situation keeping you up at night? If so, then share it in the comments below and we’ll pray about it together. (All prayer requests will be kept private and not shared publicly in the comments, unless you request I do so). Remember, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem, there is power in prayer. Have a Happy Sabbath! I’m praying for you!

The Best is Yet to Come

13 Jun

Yesterday I passed one of those dreaded decade markers on life’s journey – the big Six “O” – as in “Oh, no! I can’t be this old!” I’ve heard things speed up from here – 65, 70, 75…. I’m looking forward to hitting 100! Then I’ll really be moving!

These decade birthdays naturally make a person stop and think. Looking back over the last 60 years, I am overwhelmed by how much God has blessed me. Amazing parents, wonderful siblings, growing up in the country, success in school and medicine, a comfortable home – I could go on and on. The greatest blessing of all has been my beautiful wife and amazing children. They’ve made the last 36 years incredible and I love them each with every fiber of my being.

Of course, when I look back at my life, I see more than just roses and rainbows. There were dark clouds and difficult times too. The deaths of my brother, my grandparents, and, last year, my father, were especially hard. And there were other potholes, disappointments and broken dreams which made the road rough at times.

A lot of the hard times were my own fault. Mistakes and poor choices many times darkened my path, leaving me struggling with depression and despair. At times I’ve wondered if I could make it through another day.

Yet even these dark times have had a silver lining. Through them I’ve learned to lean harder into the arms of the One who promised to never let me go. With David I can truly say of my Heavenly Father, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

The last 60 years have been an adventure, but it’s in the past. It’s time to step into the future! “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13, 14).

I don’t know what the future holds, but I can hardly wait to see! One thing I do know is I will never be alone. The same Jesus who promised to be with me always will walk with me every step of the way. “Surely [His] goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6).

My friend, I’m sure as you look back over your own life it hasn’t always been easy. Mistakes and disappointments may have darkened your way too. But remember this – the past is in the past! It’s time to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.

This morning put your hand in the hand of Jesus. Give Him your heart. Let Him heal your past and then walk with Him into a brighter future. Remember, with Jesus leading the way, the best is yet to come!

Racism Needs to Go!

6 Jun

I spent yesterday evening in the garden, pulling weeds from the beet patch. I love beets, so I am eager for them to get a good start. Unfortunately, the weeds were taking over, threatening to choke out the tender shoots before they had a chance to grow. The weeds needed to go!

While I worked, my mind replayed the events of this last week. Once again our nation is facing the results of our racist attitude towards people of color and the brutal tactics used by some in power to control them. Racism is a noxious weed, choking out all that is good and right about America. Racism needs to go!

Yet, what is the solution? How do we rid our society of racism and injustice, so we all can grow together, realizing the promise in the Declaration of Independence “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”?

There are no easy answers to these questions, but one thing I do know. Violence is not the answer. Responding to police brutality, with violence and looting only makes the problem worse. It is like trying to rid my garden of weeds by hacking off their tops with a hoe. The roots remain buried in the ground, ready to spring up even worse than before. Violence solves nothing. Racism’s root cause remains, ready to spring to life once again. We must find a better way.

As always, Scripture is our guide. Isaiah 58:1 commands us, “Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people…of their sins!” As Christians we have a responsibility to speak up in peaceful protest when injustice occurs, whether it is against black people or any other group.

Our responsibility does not end, however, with marching through the streets and shouts of
‘Black Lives Matter.” As James 2 asks, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?” Words are not enough. We must back them up with action.

What kind of action? Isaiah 58 tells us to:

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.

To eradicate weeds from our garden I had to get down into the dirt and get dirty. Likewise, if we are to eradicate racism and injustice we can no longer sit on the sidelines. We need to speak up, vote our conscience, and most importantly, get involved. We must look out for each other, and treat each other with kindness “that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble [us], corrupting many.” (Hebrews 12:15)

The noxious weeds of racism and injustice have poisoned the soil of our nation for far too long. It is time for us to work together to rip them up by the roots and with acts of love and kindness and firm resolve heal this land, so we may once again truly be “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

Brothers and sisters, the time is now! Let’s get to work! Racism is a weed destroying our nation! It needs to go!