When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." and immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:1-3).
This is only one of several times when Jesus touched the one whom he was healing. We know from the Biblical record that touching was not essential to the healing process. At Jesus' word, one could be healed even if he was not present, so it is easy to assume that physical touching was not necessary for physical healing. So why did Jesus touch the leper when he healed him?
According to the law of Moses, a leper was to identify himself as a leper so that non lepers could keep their distance. Leprosy was a communicable disease, so, as a result, a leper had to be quarantined from the healthy population. This man with leprosy had probably not experienced very much compassionate human touching in his life and perhaps that is why Jesus included touching in the healing process.
I have never considered myself as a "touchy, feely" guy, and yet when Helen's (my lovely and gracious wife) and my schedules become extremely busy and there is not much touching time, I find myself becoming irritable for no apparent reason. Touching is communication. Proper touching is validation, saying, "You are important to me," or "I love you."
Christians are called to be like their master. We should not be afraid to give a hug, a handshake or a pat on the back as we witness about the love of God and His Son, Jesus the Christ in our lives. Do you need a touch?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
BE CAREFUL OF GENERICS
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you . . . (Hosea 4:6).
I always like to have a Scripture text with the blurbs that I write. In this case it might be a little lame, but still, if we do not know something that is very important, we can really suffer because we did not know!
This morning I was reading and article written by a child psychiatrist, Glen Havens, about child mental health and medications. It was a very informative article, but one of the things that stood out to me was this: By Federal Drug Administration regulation, Generic compounds only have to be 70% as effective as the name brand to hit the market. There can be significant variability in therapeutic benefit. I assume that this applies to all generic medications and not just psychotropics. So, make sure you ask questions, and ask them again, and read labels so that you know what is the best decision to make in choosing between name brands and generics.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I always like to have a Scripture text with the blurbs that I write. In this case it might be a little lame, but still, if we do not know something that is very important, we can really suffer because we did not know!
This morning I was reading and article written by a child psychiatrist, Glen Havens, about child mental health and medications. It was a very informative article, but one of the things that stood out to me was this: By Federal Drug Administration regulation, Generic compounds only have to be 70% as effective as the name brand to hit the market. There can be significant variability in therapeutic benefit. I assume that this applies to all generic medications and not just psychotropics. So, make sure you ask questions, and ask them again, and read labels so that you know what is the best decision to make in choosing between name brands and generics.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, April 16, 2012
CHRISTIANS GIVING TO THE LORD WHAT HE DOESN'T ASK FOR AND NOT GIVING TO HIM WHAT HE DOES ASK
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in reremembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
As much as Helen and I enjoyed our trip to Kansas on Easter weekend, we left disappointed even though we were blessed by our visit. The reason we were disappointed was the fact that we did not receive communion. I thought it would be a certainty that communion would be offered in the Abbyville Community Church, but it was not. They did do some special things for Easter, and there was a gospel message, but there was no communion.
Services were over in Abbyville early enough so that we could go to another church where friends of our worship. They were having a rousing testimony time, but there was no communion. It is interesting to me that we are willing to give to the Lord what He hasn't ask for, and we do not give to Him what He has specifically asked for. He hasn't asked us to celebrate Easter--every Lord's day is to be "Easter" to the Christian--but we do not celebrate the Lord's Supper, which He has specifically asked us to celebrate. The Lord never asked us to go and lead people to repeat the "Sinner's Prayer," but He has specifically asked us to go and baptize sinners into Jesus Christ. It is twisted theology that has led to all of this, and I do not know how the Lord is going to deal with it in judgment, but we need to ask ourselves once in a while, "Am I giving to God something He has not asked for in place of something that He has asked?"
Celebrating communion is a Good Friday through Easter message like no other, and certainly, a testimony like no other. Without communion we left Abbyville a little empty.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
As much as Helen and I enjoyed our trip to Kansas on Easter weekend, we left disappointed even though we were blessed by our visit. The reason we were disappointed was the fact that we did not receive communion. I thought it would be a certainty that communion would be offered in the Abbyville Community Church, but it was not. They did do some special things for Easter, and there was a gospel message, but there was no communion.
Services were over in Abbyville early enough so that we could go to another church where friends of our worship. They were having a rousing testimony time, but there was no communion. It is interesting to me that we are willing to give to the Lord what He hasn't ask for, and we do not give to Him what He has specifically asked for. He hasn't asked us to celebrate Easter--every Lord's day is to be "Easter" to the Christian--but we do not celebrate the Lord's Supper, which He has specifically asked us to celebrate. The Lord never asked us to go and lead people to repeat the "Sinner's Prayer," but He has specifically asked us to go and baptize sinners into Jesus Christ. It is twisted theology that has led to all of this, and I do not know how the Lord is going to deal with it in judgment, but we need to ask ourselves once in a while, "Am I giving to God something He has not asked for in place of something that He has asked?"
Celebrating communion is a Good Friday through Easter message like no other, and certainly, a testimony like no other. Without communion we left Abbyville a little empty.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Thursday, April 12, 2012
MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (I Corinthians 10:13).
Human beings are more alike than they are different. Granted, there are almost infinite variations from person to person. It has been said that there are no two snowflakes that are alike, so it is that there are no two people exactly alike. Still, human beings are more alike than they are different. That is why those who work in health care can devise treatment protocols that can bring therapy and healing to the human body.
In the areas of mental health and spiritual health it is no less true, we are more alike than we are different. One of the dynamics of counseling with which the counselor almost always has to deal is the thinking on the part of the one being counseled is, "My case is different. You might have helped others, but my situation is so different, you will never be able to help me." But, the truth is, there is a sameness to our problems; they can be remedied if one is willing to accept the therapy.
We are people of flesh who live in the world. Satan attacks us through the desires and needs of the flesh: food, sex, social relationships being some of the strongest avenues of attack. Satan also attacks us through the philosophies of the world: pleasure, power, beauty and wealth being the most salient avenues. Because we are more alike than different, we are all vulnerable to satan's attacks on us through one, or more, means of attack.
The way of escape begins before the attacks come. Being close to God or Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ, is the best way to thwart Satan's schemes from the very beginning. In any case, trust this: God will not allow you to be tempted beyond which you are able to stand. Stand firm, you will make it! And never forget I John 1:9.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Human beings are more alike than they are different. Granted, there are almost infinite variations from person to person. It has been said that there are no two snowflakes that are alike, so it is that there are no two people exactly alike. Still, human beings are more alike than they are different. That is why those who work in health care can devise treatment protocols that can bring therapy and healing to the human body.
In the areas of mental health and spiritual health it is no less true, we are more alike than we are different. One of the dynamics of counseling with which the counselor almost always has to deal is the thinking on the part of the one being counseled is, "My case is different. You might have helped others, but my situation is so different, you will never be able to help me." But, the truth is, there is a sameness to our problems; they can be remedied if one is willing to accept the therapy.
We are people of flesh who live in the world. Satan attacks us through the desires and needs of the flesh: food, sex, social relationships being some of the strongest avenues of attack. Satan also attacks us through the philosophies of the world: pleasure, power, beauty and wealth being the most salient avenues. Because we are more alike than different, we are all vulnerable to satan's attacks on us through one, or more, means of attack.
The way of escape begins before the attacks come. Being close to God or Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ, is the best way to thwart Satan's schemes from the very beginning. In any case, trust this: God will not allow you to be tempted beyond which you are able to stand. Stand firm, you will make it! And never forget I John 1:9.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
A THOUSAND MILE DRIVE DOWN MEMORY LANE
Thus says the Lord; "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls" ( Jeremiah 6:16).
Helen and I drove to Kansas for the Easter break. It was good to take care of business at Helen's parents and to get a clearer understanding of their life situation. Being elderly people, their children need check on them fairly frequently. We attended "Good Friday" services at the New Strawn Christian Church and renewed some old acquaintances there. We spent Saturday cleaning and organizing around Dad & Mom's house and bid them farewell.
We were up and going at 5:30 Sunday Morning, driving from Burlington, Kansas to Abbyville, Kansas, arriving in time for morning worship. Abbyville is the location of my first church when I started in the Christian ministry. Though that was about 40 years ago, we still have dear friends there, one of them celebrating her 90th birthday. She doesn't look a day over 70. We spent the day visiting with our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, but by 6:00 p.m. we needed to begin the trip home to Iowa so I could make it to an appointment with the doctor on Monday. We did a lot of driving and visiting in a short time, but it was a blessing to us.
When we commit our lives to serving the Lord and walking in His way, there will be hardship and difficulty, but looking back, the way is good.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Helen and I drove to Kansas for the Easter break. It was good to take care of business at Helen's parents and to get a clearer understanding of their life situation. Being elderly people, their children need check on them fairly frequently. We attended "Good Friday" services at the New Strawn Christian Church and renewed some old acquaintances there. We spent Saturday cleaning and organizing around Dad & Mom's house and bid them farewell.
We were up and going at 5:30 Sunday Morning, driving from Burlington, Kansas to Abbyville, Kansas, arriving in time for morning worship. Abbyville is the location of my first church when I started in the Christian ministry. Though that was about 40 years ago, we still have dear friends there, one of them celebrating her 90th birthday. She doesn't look a day over 70. We spent the day visiting with our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, but by 6:00 p.m. we needed to begin the trip home to Iowa so I could make it to an appointment with the doctor on Monday. We did a lot of driving and visiting in a short time, but it was a blessing to us.
When we commit our lives to serving the Lord and walking in His way, there will be hardship and difficulty, but looking back, the way is good.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Friday, April 06, 2012
THE DRAWING POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:44).
. . . "and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show by what death he was to die (John 12:32-33).
What is traditionally called Easter is the season when attention is drawn to the historical events that are the foundation of the Christian faith, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If these events are not true, there is no faith, no hope and no love in the world. That statement may sound extreme, but it simply means that if these events are not historical there is no God. Faith is reduced to ritual. Hope is reduced to wishful thinking. Love is reduced to altruism. And, we are still in our sins.
The power that draws people to God is not some mystical irresistible tractor beam focused on a few whom God has arbitrarily chosen, but it is the power of love extended to all who will receive it. If the good news of God's love will not move the human heart to surrender to Him, nothing else will. Have a blessed Easter season.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
. . . "and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show by what death he was to die (John 12:32-33).
What is traditionally called Easter is the season when attention is drawn to the historical events that are the foundation of the Christian faith, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If these events are not true, there is no faith, no hope and no love in the world. That statement may sound extreme, but it simply means that if these events are not historical there is no God. Faith is reduced to ritual. Hope is reduced to wishful thinking. Love is reduced to altruism. And, we are still in our sins.
The power that draws people to God is not some mystical irresistible tractor beam focused on a few whom God has arbitrarily chosen, but it is the power of love extended to all who will receive it. If the good news of God's love will not move the human heart to surrender to Him, nothing else will. Have a blessed Easter season.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
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