The Point of Medicine
The following articles fall under this category of content within The Point of Medicine.
Crying at Weddings
I don’t often cry at weddings, but I did at this one. Her first husband had been my physician friend and patient before he died. He had lived a difficult life and traveled a difficult road to heaven, but he loved deeply the One who had died for him.
Finding Truth
“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:71, NIV).
Bedpans
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8, ESV).
Catch-up Day
“Yet Jesus himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed” (Luke 5:16, NET).
Shortcuts
“But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights” (Galatians 4:4-5, NET).
A Good Day
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34, ESV).
Your Worst Fear
“But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the rule of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe’” (Mark 5:36, ESV).
Split-second Decisions
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).
Important
“Samuel said, ‘Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel?’” (1 Samuel 15:17a, NIV).
Call It Life
“When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way…” (Psalm 142:3, NIV).
Eulogy for a Bad Man
“…Behold, I am making all things new…” (Revelation 21:5, ESV).
What Pops Out?
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45, NIV).
Cherries on Top and Brown Sugar
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18, ESV).
Beauty from Ashes
He thought his life was over a few years ago, but he then received a heart and kidney transplant and has had a good life since.
Reason and Reward
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9, NIV).
Forgiveness
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?” (Matthew 18:21, NIV).
Better Than I Deserve
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).
Pressing On
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV).
The Child Who Never Came
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
Two Students
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, ESV).
Unstoppable
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV).
My Place
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6, ESV).
Lab Results
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots” (Luke 23:34, NIV).
The Great Splash
“He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands” (Psalm 78:5-7, NIV).
Even the Prayer
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought…
Gratitude
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me…He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…to bestow…
The Good Side of Sorry
“…While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NIV). I caught up with her…
Differences
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made…
Reasonable Sin
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV).
Linkage
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).
Open Hands
“John answered, ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven’” (John 3:27, NIV).
Both!
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV).
Puppy Love
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God…because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8, NIV).
The God Side of Impossible
“Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee” (Jeremiah 32:17, KJV).
Hand It to Jesus
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV).
Leaning Toward Jesus
In my life there have been two ways of falling into Jesus. The first came as my wife and I surrendered to God’s call to international missions in Nigeria. At the time I was truly dedicated to giving my full life to Him.
Tanzanian Football
None of us is good enough to approach the throne of God without the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, I do believe we are all created in the image of God with His goodness a part of that image.
A Test
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you’” (Genesis 22:1-2, NIV).
The Way of All the Earth
“‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires…” (1 Kings 2:2-3, NIV).
Linking Truth
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2, NIV).
Captain Jack’s Miracle Mack
“He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish” (John 21:5-6, NIV).
SPN Numbers
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body…but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life…” (Romans 6:11-13, NIV).
The Flood
“…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6, NIV).
Prayer Endings
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17, NIV).
Selfish with My Faith
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11, NIV).
Making Smiles
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34, NKJV).
When Our Children Suffer
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Psalm 103:17, NIV).
A Window That Isn’t There
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, ESV).
A Child’s Question
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13, NIV).
Hospice Mallards
“Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself” (2 Corinthians 4:14, NIV).
Level
“Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth…” (Mark 12:14, NIV).
Some About Me
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV).
Droopy Lids
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, ESV).
Time Enough
What does it take to make a patient, or friend, or child, or spouse feel like you’ve spent adequate time with them?
Airport Happiness
Why should I struggle to be a witness for Christ when most people are happy for most of their lives without Him?
Foundational Gratitude
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NIV).
A Pass-through
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3, NIV).
Hope
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, NKJV).
Until It Hurts
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43b-44, NIV).
When Helping Hurts
“The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites…’” (Hosea 3:1, NIV).
A Switch Too Far
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (Mark 7:8, NIV).
A Dangerous Allegory
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV).
Canyon Living
“This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer a short time in various trials” (1 Peter 1:6, NET).
Moabites
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2, NIV)
Sidewalk Man
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers…” (Luke 10:30b, BSB).
Stairwell Conversations
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8, NIV).
Someone is Watching
“Join with others in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do” (Philippians 3:17, NIV).
Disruptions
“Not long after this, a hurricane-force wind called the northeaster blew down from the island” (Acts 27:14, NET).
Elevator Encounter
“But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents” (Mark 12:42, NIV).
Pancakes and Roaches
“And he who was seated at the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new’” (Revelation 21:5a, ESV).
Wrong
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over” (Matthew 18:15, NIV).
V2 Christianity
“…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, NIV).
The Great Invasion
“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under…” (Matthew 2:16, NET Bible).
An Autumn Cold
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send. And who will go for us?’
And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8, NIV).
Chickens Waiting
“One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, ‘Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self! —can’t be my disciple…’” (Luke 14:25-26, MSG).
God Listens
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14, NIV).
Durres
“Then Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM…’” (Exodus 3:13-14, ESV).
Bookend Stories
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor heigh, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV).
Praying for Magic
“…the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake…” (Exodus 7:11-12, NIV).
Stopping the Train
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV).
Indispensable Me
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV).
Empty Vessels
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message” (Acts 10:44, NIV).
A Compelling Argument
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13, NIV).
Loving God
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son…” (1 John 4:10, NIV).
Family
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14-15, NIV).
Jehovah Mephalti
“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me” (Psalm 120:1, ESV).
The Pain of Second Chances
“The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress…’” (Hosea 3:1, NIV).
Desert Ridges
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4a, NIV).
Friction
When we struggle, a painful friction changes us, and the change provides new opportunities for His glory.
The Real You Inside
“I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens” (Ezra 9:6, NIV).
Naturally Sticky
On the last day of our Spring Canyon vacation with most of our children and all our grandchildren, after the adult time of worship and spiritual message, my son and his wife went to collect their two children from the children’s program.
Forevermore
My wife and I chose to use our vacation money this year to invite our kids and grandkids to a Christian ranch in Colorado. Today we were gathered in a worship service at Spring Canyon Ranch, where the hook of Mount Princeton is rising in the distance
A Question of Place
I have been managing his prostate cancer for 10 years. During that time, his wife left him and all his children moved elsewhere. He loves the Lord deeply. His sister wants him to come live with her in Texas. His daughter wants him to come and live with her in Alabama.
Clean Evangelism
Last Sunday I looked to the choir loft of my local church and spotted a man whose father I knew when I served in Nigeria as a medical missionary. Today, I found my diary and located my account of his father:
Circus in Town
My faith, that hope grounded in certainty, was not imagined by a heartfelt desire. It was fully grounded on the character, capacity and commitment of my father.
See You Later
“‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, ESV).
Steadfast
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves…” (Ephesians 4:14, NIV).
The Big Gamble
“…I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV).
Praying for Dogs
I prayed for a dog today. I’m not a dog-lover; I’m a dog-liker, but I prayed for Hershey today. A young man who had fallen on hard times called me today, a friend I had not heard from in years, but I had prayed for him regularly.
Business-model Seeking
If I become a private practice doctor, I might win four people to Christ in my life; but, as a missionary doctor, I could win 400? If I am a preacher, I would win 800? Should we not do for God that which brings the best outcomes? It’s certainly honorable to try. Such thinking works for Microsoft; does it work for Christ?