Past Time to Stop Fretting

In the April issue of Reader's Digest, the lead article is, "How to Hide Anything" - extra pounds, water stains, passwords, house keys, and believe it or not, worry! Instead of hiding worry, we're much better off to deal with it. It is sinful, self-defeating, unproductive and can be habit-forming. Worry has been defined as "a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained." Another has likened it unto shoveling smoke. Psalm 37 gives us the antidote to worry, and that is simple trust in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him. Sounds too basic to be true, doesn't it? But over and over this psalm exhorts the believer not to fret, not to rush into action, but to commit our way to the Lord and let Him work in the situation that we find so disturbing. We are told to commit our way to the Lord which literally means to roll your cares over to God, much like what we are told to do in 1 Peter 5:7. I hope that you and I both can make this the habit of our heart.

Medical note: Continue to pray for liver improvement. I am having an ultrasound on Wednesday to check on possible fluid retention around the liver.

Doctrine Matters

If believers today are not grounded in sound doctrine, they risk the danger of being carried to and fro by every wind of doctrine that comes along. Bad doctrine may be conveyed through a popular book or film or radio broadcast. One of the doctrines today that gets twisted is the atonement of Christ. It is presented in scripture as VICARIOUS - "the satisfaction of justice is intended and accomplished for others, not for Himself." "This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed FOR you." (John 6:51) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life FOR his friends." (John 15:13) "He delivered Him up FOR us all..." (Romans 8:32) "Christ suffered, the just FOR the unjust..." (I Peter 3:18) So today, new doctrines seem to surface that deny the vicarious atonement or the aspect of Christ's death that He took our penalty. Be alert today to what you read, watch and hear, lest foundational doctrines become muddied.

Medical update: The latest blood work showed that the bilirubin moved down a single point, but we are grateful for any downward trend in that or the liver enzymes. However, enzymes continue to climb, showing that repair has not taken place yet.

Misguided Love

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3 that in the last days people will be guided by their loves. They are lovers of self, lovers of money and lovers of pleasure. I seem to recall one pastor saying that the love of self is the sewer pipe out of which the rest follows. What we love determines a lot about us, because what we love receives our attention and time, our affection and imagination and our affirmation and praise. In the small letter of 1 John we are instructed not to love the world or the things of the world. The Christian ought to be totally counter-cultural in what he loves. The psalmist says that he loves the testimonies of God exceedingly (Psalm119:167). Some of the reasons he mentions are that the truth produces peace (v. 165), it prevents stumbling (v. 166), it is everlasting (v. 160), and therefore he stands in awe (v. 161), he sings praise 7 times a day (v. 164), and rejoices as one who has found riches (v. 162). As we live in the last days, make certain that your love stays fervent for the Word of God and foreign to the love of self, money, pleasure or what the world offers.

Medically speaking, please continue to pray for a healthy liver, a moist mouth and complete wellness. We are so grateful for support that is so constant. Thank you and God bless you.

Large Lessons From a Small Town

Growing up in a small town in Missouri, I learned the distinctions between justice, mercy and grace. Justice is getting what we do deserve. Frequently, my father was the dispenser of justice as my disobedience received the rod of his correction. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. Not long after I purchased my first car, another student and I played cat and mouse at night with our lights off. The policeman that pulled me over said that I must have run 10 stop signs, but showed mercy in writing up one ticket. Grace, however, is getting what we do not deserve. The yard work that I did for a business owner downtown was usually sloppy and half finished, yet he not only continued to give me a paycheck, but often attached extra to it. He gave me what I did not deserve. In much larger measure, the Lord Jesus Christ has been rich in mercy toward me and exceedingly abundant in grace. Through Him I have forgiveness of sins, access to the Father, an undefiled inheritance reserved in heaven, a prepared place with Him and much more. "Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin. How shall my tongue describe it? Where shall it's praise begin?" I trust you are exulting in that same grace.

Medical news: I met with the oncologist today and received assurance of her strong personal interest and ongoing strategy.

The Father's Tender Drawing

In John 6:44 we read that "Jesus said, No man can come to Me except the Father which hath sent Me draw him." Many years ago a Scottish pastor by the name of George Morrison said that no man is pushed by an almighty arm or with his freedom trampled. It is the drawing of the cross, the drawing of the Father, that God bids the soul to come willingly to Christ. It is natural, it is gentle, and the Father draws, He does not drag. There are three books in the Old Testament which are peculiarly the books of tenderness, three books above all others which contain the wooing idea. The first is the Song of Solomon, the second is the book of Jeremiah, and the third is Hosea, who despite his ruined home had learned the power and pain of love. It is in these three books that the thought of drawing love is found in the Old Testament. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." That is the sentiment of the Song of Solomon, Jeremiah and Hosea. That is the idea when Jesus Christ said, "I will draw all men unto me." Oh that we would realize that each day He would draw us to His feet where we could learn of Him and have more intimate communion.

Positive news on the medical front: I had an eye appointment today, and it turns out that vision improvements can be made with prescription glasses! This has given us great reason to rejoice! We're hoping that blood work today will have good results. I meet with the oncologist tomorrow. People continue to be so generous in bringing us wonderfully prepared food suitable for my dry mouth, but enjoyable for the whole family.

Suppliers of Comfort

At the end of the Book of Colossians the Apostle has a list of fellow workers in the Kingdom of God and states, "They have proved a comfort to me." (5:11) The word for comfort that Paul uses is only found in this verse in the New Testament. The word paregoric was used of a medicine that mitigated or alleviated pain. Perhaps Paul's close association and deep admiration for the physician Luke gives reason for the selection of this term. It has been my experience over many months now to have been provided by family and friends a real sense of understanding and sympathy for what I have been through. Frequently they express an interest in me and make wonderful attempts to show understanding. Comfort is supplied and the pain is softened by their presence, prayers, softly spoken words and companionship, much like what Paul experienced from the friends that he lists at the end of Colossians. The world is a place of unexpected pain, but thanks be unto God for family and friends who can be sources of real comfort.

Medical update: The latest blood test was not encouraging, as the bilirubin level rose 5 points, to 38.4, and a liver biopsy is probably to be scheduled soon.

Thanksgiving 24/7

As we travel through life, sometimes the easiest thing is the most non-productive...to focus on the reversals, or how we got a raw deal, or how life isn't fully meeting our expectations. I wish we could have the attitude of a previous century Bible teacher named Matthew Henry, who wrote these words in his diary after being robbed: "Let me be thankful. First, because I was never robbed before. Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life. Third, because although they took my all, it was not much. Fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed." (They would not be able to take much out of my wallet either, for the medical community already has!) When the Word of God says to give thanks in everything, I think that Matthew Henry's diary reflects a supreme example in how to do this. I trust that whether you journal or not your habit and mine will be as his.

On a medical note: last week's MRI brought the positive results of no tumor activity. My bilirubin count dropped 2 points, to 33, and any downward movement is greeted with gratitude. I am working to replace some of the 40 pounds that I have lost. A better appetite helps, but with the dry mouth, it is still a challenge. I look forward to preaching both services this Sunday in the pastor's absence from the pulpit and we are also looking forward to the benefit Fernando Ortega concert on April 19th.