Monthly Archives: September 2023

Every morning one of our cats meets me at my bedroom door with a loud, “Mmmrroww!” Now I would like to think that means, “Good morning!”, but I think she’s actually saying, “It’s about time you got up! Feed me!” That kind of greeting leaves me wishing I hadn’t opened the door and had stayed in bed.

I kind of felt like that yesterday afternoon. It had been another busy day and when I went in to see the next patient, the first words out of their mouth were, “I’ve been waiting for over an hour!” I almost turned around and walked away, but I took a deep breath and sat down to listen. The patient then proceeded to give me a several minute lecture on professionalism and courtesy and several other areas and my staff were coming up short. It was not a pleasant start to the visit, to say the least.

I was tempted to respond in kind, telling the patient about the 5 other patients waiting to be seen and detailing how my day had gone so far, but then I remembered Solomon’s counsel that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 NLT). I swallowed my pride and quietly apologized for the wait, promised to try to do better, and asked, “So, what brings you in today?” The rest of the visit went well and the patient left seemingly satisfied with our plan of treatment.

Afterward I got thinking about this and realized what people (or cats) say and how they say it can set the tone, for better or worse, for another person’s day. Words are powerful things. They can build someone up or tear them down in seconds. I guess that’s why Paul told us to “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT).

Today, as you deal with people, even those that aren’t especially pleasant to be around, watch your words. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 NIV). Your words (and how you say them) can make or break someone else’s day, so choose them wisely, with God’s help.

God bless and have a pleasant day!

One week ago I tested positive for COVID. It hit me pretty hard this time – fever, chills, body aches, cough – a little bit of everything. It left me feeling totally wiped out. I finally started feeling better over the weekend, but was still pretty weak when I went to work yesterday morning. Then we got clobbered!

The patients kept coming in one-after-the-other and sometimes in packs of 4 or 5. COVID, colds, injuries, blood clots, anxiety – the normal jumble of complaints which make up any day at an urgent care. It’s always a challenge when we’re this busy, but when you’re feeling lousy yourself it makes for a long day.

I sent up several prayers for strength throughout the day and God gave me the extra boost I needed to make it through. We ended up with 32 patients, the most we’ve seen since this clinic opened. In spite of being that busy, things went well and we only got out about 30 minutes late.

The truth is, I know I couldn’t have made it through yesterday, and have things go as well as they did, without having God to lean on. He pulled me through. I guess that’s what He meant when he said to Paul, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). Well, I was feeling pretty weak yesterday, but God’s power pulled me through.

No matter what challenges you’re facing today and no matter how inadequate you feel about meeting them, if you will ask God for help He will provide the power you need to make it through. “God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25). With God on our side we have everything we need.

God bless and have a wonderful day!

“I’ll pray for you.”

How many of us, when a friend has shared some difficulty in their life, a problem they can’t find a solution for or an illness which has them fearing for the future, have mouthed this simple phrase? Those four words slip so easily off our tongues, almost like “Have a nice day.” Usually we mean it, but it also can be a convenient way to end an uncomfortable conversation.

Social media makes it even easier. We can type in the words in the comment section or just throw in an emoji of a couple praying hands, maybe even a heart. Then it’s on to the next post.

But what if we took those words seriously? What if we not only meant it when we said “I’ll pray for you,” but actually did it, not just once, but consistently throughout the day? Paul tells us “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV). If this is true, then when we say “I’ll pray for you” and follow through, we can expect miracles to happen. We can expect the armies of God to move in answer to our prayers.

All this last week we’ve been talking about the armor of God. Prayer is the final piece of that armor. Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Prayer extends the protective covering of God’s Armor over not only ourselves, but also over those we are praying for.

Miracles happen when we pray. Hearts are changed, evil is beaten back, people are healed, and lives are transformed. “I’ll pray for you” is so much more than a passing phrase when spoken by a committed Christian. It is a promise that we will be calling on all the forces of Heaven to come to the aid of those we are praying for.

Today, don’t stop with an emoji on Facebook or Instagram. Don’t just mouth those 4 words, “I’ll pray for you.” Follow through! Be “faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12). “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Then listen closely. God’s army is on the march!

Yesterday, I talked about the power of the sword of Spirit, God’s word, and our call to wield it in God’s service, severing the bonds which hold others from a living relationship with their Savior.

This sword, when used correctly, has great power to do good and to transform lives. However, this same sword can also be used to cause great harm, when swung by the hand of one who does not have a clear understanding of the mercy and love of God.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I had a colleague once who, when describing how he’d “witnessed” to a patient, bragged, “I hit him with about 20 Scriptures in 10 minutes!” I immediately had an image in my mind of this poor patient taking blow after well-meaning blow and staggering out of the office, never to return. This is not Christ’s way.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 tells us “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” Too often we Christians latch onto that word “rebuking” as our license to start swinging the Word like a club, with no thought of the harm we’re doing as we beat our way through an unbeliever’s defenses.

God’s Word is not to be used as a club against unbelievers, but as a precision instrument to carefully sever the ties which hold them back from the freedom which can be found only in relationship with Jesus Christ. We are called to skillfully wield the sword of the Spirit as did Jesus who, when faced with opposition did “not quarrel or cry out.” (Matthew 12:19).

Instead of bludgeoning others with the Word, “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2: 25, 26)

Today, as we go out to fight for the Lord and our fellowmen, let’s remember to not use God’s Word as a club, but pray instead that God will teach us how to wield the sword of the Spirit with skill, compassion and love. Ask Him to help us “to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,” always remembering that we ourselves are “subject to weakness.” (Hebrews 5:2).

I’ve always loved movies about swordsmen – “Zorro”, “The Count of Monte Cristo”, “The Three Musketeers”. In these films swashbuckling heroes step boldly into the fray, confident in their skill with the blade, easily subduing their foes, gallantly saving the day. I can watch these movies over-and-over and never get tired of them.

As a kid I wanted to be Zorro, dressed in black, going out into the neighborhood to do good deeds. However, we lived in the country, so there weren’t a lot of fair maidens to rescue, and my parents would never let me have a sword anyway.

In Ephesians Paul calls on us to take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (6:17 NLT). Up until this point, the armor we’ve been told to wear has been primarily defensive in nature, given “so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.” (v. 13). But the sword is an offensive weapon. In this verse God is calling us to take the battle to the enemy, not to destroy and maim, but to set the captives free.

This is a powerful weapon God has put in our hands. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

God is calling us to take the offensive, to take the battle to the enemy. With the sword of the Spirit we are “to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke…” (Isaiah 58:6 NIV).

We need not be afraid to join the battle, because in 1 John 5:4 we are promised “everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”. Clad in the Armor of God and with the sword of the Spirit in our hand, we can step boldly into the fray, knowing, with God on our side, no power will be able to stand against us.

This Sabbath, and in this coming week, lift high the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit, and join the battle, knowing this – with Jesus leading the way, victory is yours.

Everytime I have a patient come in following a bicycle accident the first question I ask them is, “Were you wearing a helmet?” The answer to that question determines, to a large extent, how concerned I am about a traumatic brain injury. Whatever their answer, I’m still going to do a full neurological work-up, but if a helmet was used I am less concerned about a serious concussion then I would be otherwise.

The brain, or the mind, is the center of our being, controlling everything we do. It makes us who we are and determines the course we take in life, the decisions we make. Because of this it is also Satan’s special target because he knows if he can influence our thoughts, he can change the whole direction of our lives and not in a good way. That is why Paul reminds us to “Put on salvation as your helmet…” (Ephesians 6:17 NLT). In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 he describes this helmet as “the confidence in our salvation.”

It is this “confidence in our salvation” which will protect our minds when the devil attacks, when he reminds us of our unworthiness, our sin, stoking the fires of guilt, telling us there is no hope for us. However, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, then your mind will be protected from Satan’s attacks, because you have confidence in your salvation.

This cannot be a one time event, however. Satan does not give up that easy. Just like you should put on your bike helmet every time before you ride, you must daily accept Jesus as your Savior, wearing as your helmet the confidence of your salvation, so you will be prepared and protected when Satan attacks – and he will attack.

There’s an old saying that goes, “the mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Protect yours today with the helmet of salvation, fortifying it by studying God’s Word and by prayer. If you do this, you can move forward with confidence, knowing “God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.” (1 Peter 1:5).

God bless and have a safe and happy day!

In my work as a physician assistant I frequently have to don PPE, personal protective equipment. When I’m dealing with an open wound or someone with a respiratory illness, such as COVID or RSV, I have to put on a mask and, sometimes, eye protection, gloves, and a gown to protect myself from exposure to potential disease carrying body fluids.

In our daily lives we are constantly being exposed to the deadly virus called sin which has infested our planet and all its inhabitants, bringing death, destruction, and untold misery. Every moment of every day the enemy throws his flaming darts of temptation our way, seeking to reinfect God’s children with this virus, so he can once again claim them as his own.

To prevent this from happening we must daily don our spiritual PPE, the armor of God, including “the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16 NIV).

Through faith we can defeat giants, close the mouths of lions, walk through fire, stand up in the face of persecution and even raise the dead. By faith we can resist temptation, have peace in the midst of turmoil, find joy in even the darkest hour, and stay true to God when all those around us turn away. “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NIV)

But the shield of faith is not fashioned by men. No, this faith that “can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” was forged by Christ Himself, tempered by the fire of Calvary. And He offers it freely to all who will follow Him. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8).

Sometimes it seems impossible to avoid reinfection by the virus of sin. After all, it is all around us. But “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). Today, don your PPE, including the shield of faith and go out to share the Good News that there is a cure for sin and His name is Jesus.

What is the key piece of equipment a soldier needs to be successful? His weapons? His armor? No, it is something far more basic – a pair of well-fitting shoes.

Edward L. Munson, in his book “The Soldier’s Foot and the Military Shoe” studied the importance of footwear on the success or failure of a soldier to do his duty. He found that “the soldier whose badly shod feet are unable to carry him into battle fails at the critical moment of the purpose for which he was trained and instead of being an added strength becomes an encumbrance.” (p. 2).

If good shoes are the key to success for a soldier in an earthly army, how much more so for a soldier in the army of Heaven. That’s why Paul tells us, “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” (Ephesians 6:15 NLT).

The quality of a pair of shoes has a lot to do with the materials that go into them. As nice as imitation leather may look, it doesn’t hold up to the ardors of marching like real leather does. The same is true when it comes to our spiritual footwear.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV). It is only when our feet are shod with the peace that comes from knowing the Good News that we will be fully prepared to stand firm when the battles of life rage around us. It is only with this peace that we will be able to march forward boldly in spreading the Good News, when it would be easier to just run away.

This morning, before you put on your Air Jordan’s or Converse All-Stars, be sure to “put on the peace that comes from the Good News…” Don’t step out the door without giving Jesus first place in your life. If you do this then “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV). You can then march forward into life’s battle with confidence, without fear, knowing Jesus is leading the way.

Teenage boys come up with some crazy ideas. When Jeff (names have been changed to protect the not so innocent) learned he needed to do a research project for his physics class, he immediately thought of paintball. The property where they lived was heavily wooded and one of their favorite activities was to play paintball there. They donned body armor and helmets and disappeared in different directions. Soon the woods filled with laughter (and occasional shouts of pain) as ambushes were sprung and paintballs flew.

Jeff convinced his teacher to let him do his project on the effectiveness of different paintball body armor. He would fire paintballs at his brother, John, who was wearing different types of armor, while videotaping it all. Then he’d analyze the effectiveness of the different materials.

To get a control baseline, however, he convinced John to let him shoot him in the back with just a T-shirt on. John was a pretty good sport, but his shouts could be heard all over the property after the first paintball hit. Let’s just say, the bruise was quite impressive. Jeff got an “A” on the project, by the way.

The second piece of the Armor of God is “the breastplate of righteousness…” (Ephesians 6:14 NIV). A breastplate is armor that protects the body’s vital organs, particularly the heart. Without this body armor we are doomed in our battle with the enemy. This is why Proverbs 4:23 warns us to “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

This “breastplate of righteousness” is not created with our own good deeds for “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). Our own righteousness offers no protection at all. The only breastplate which can truly protect our hearts is the one created in the forge of Calvary, Christ’s righteousness, “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:9).

Today, you will face an enemy that has you totally outclassed. Don’t go into the battle half-dressed. Make sure to put on all your armor, including the breastplate of righteousness, before you head out the door. Remember, “Above all else, guard your heart…”

One of things I enjoy most about losing weight is needing to tighten my belt another notch. It gives me a sense of accomplishment when I have to use the next hole down in order to keep my pants up. So far I haven’t needed to go shopping for new pants, but I may need to get a smaller belt size soon.

Just like a belt holds my pants up, so the Truth is what holds our faith together, especially when the world is falling down around us. That is why the first piece of the armor of God Paul tells us to put on is “the belt of truth…” (Ephesians 6:14 NLT).

Some may ask, like Pontius Pilate, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). King David provides the answer in Psalm 119:160, where he says, “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” Jesus Himself endorsed this when He prayed, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.”

The truth, as found in God’s Word, is the belt that holds the rest of God’s armor together. If we do not put it on daily we risk being “tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching…influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” (Ephesians 4:14). This was why the people of Berea were commended because they “searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” (Acts 17:11).

It is not enough to listen to a preacher or someone else telling us “the truth.” That’s a good way to be led astray and for our faith to fall apart. Day by day, we must search the Scriptures for ourselves and “Stand [our] ground, putting on the belt of truth…” (Ephesians 6:14).

How about you? Did you put on your belt today?