The Week of December 22nd, 2019 – December 28th, 2019

Sunday:

Read Leviticus chapters 24-27 and recited John 1. Sylvania Church at 10:20. Sermon by Phillip Dancy, “The Angles,” Luke 2:14.

·     Angels are spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence

o  Angels are messengers

§ Prophetic

§ Announcements

o  Angels are warriors 

o  Angels worship God

·     There appears to be a divine aspect to the “Angel of the Lord.”

o  Chrisotphany

After church service we ate lunch with our friends the Anderson’s and Kriechbaum’s.

Monday:

Read Numbers chapters 1-3v24 and recited John chapters 2-4. While reading, it occurred to me how massive the Israelite army was. “So all the numbered men of the sons of Israel by their fathers’ households, from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war in Israel, even all the numbered men were 603,550.” (Numbers 1v45-46) 603,550 men fit for military service, not including the Levites; and yet, at the end of this book they are afraid of the inhabitants in the land of Canaan. I am not judging them with regard to this for no man knows how he will react when faced with a problem until! Ran for 31 minutes and 51 seconds covering 4.07 miles. I spent the day working in cardiac rehab with Andy and Linda. I got home at 5:00pm and Darlene arrived shortly thereafter from Austin with Daniel (Daniel is our 30-year-old son). I spent some time reading a from Sinclair B. Ferguson’s book, “Love Came Down at Christmas.” It is a book of daily readings for advent and is a commentary on 1 Corinthians chapter 13. I read chapter 23 of Ferguson’s book. We know love because God demonstrated love in the incarnation and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ his begotten Son our Lord. 

Tuesday:

Read Numbers chapters 3v25-5 and recited John 5. The care and service of the Levites reminds me of Joseph and Nicodemus care of Jesus body. I believe that God is love as demonstrated at the cross, for greater love has no man than to lay down his life for others; this is how God demonstrated his own love towards us. Yesterday I read in Ferguson that Jonathan Edwards called heaven, “a world of love.” Love came down to earth at Christmas. Love came and dwelt amongst men in the incarnation and love has come to dwell in men in the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and men will dwell in a world of love at the resurrection. Ran for 38 minutes and 4v seconds, covering 4.87 miles. Worked with Chris in pulmonary rehab from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Being Christmas Eve, we had only three patients in the morning session and one in the afternoon session. One patient truly matters; therefore, I am glad to have been there. When I got home I read Ferguson, chapter 24, “The Greatest,” 1 Corinthians 13v13. The Son of God was born for us in order to die for us. (Ferguson 2017, 155) I would say that the Son of God was born to die for the righteousness of God, so that he could be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (cf. Romans 3v26) Adam and his wife whom Adam called her name Eve because she was the the mother of all the living were not cursed like the serpent, it was the ground from which they ate that was cursed; therefore, life is difficult in this world. It should not go unnoticed that God clothed them. (Genesis 3v20-21) As a nurse I have cleaned many a person of their filth and clothed them and there is much care in the act. Thank you, Father, thank you God for loving us while yet sinning. Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve service at Sylvania church. I was given the honor of participating in the service, I recited Genesis 3v8-15, 17-18 which has come to be known in Christian theology as the protoevangelium. The protoevangelium is the first hint of the gospel of Jesus Christ in Scripture. After the service Darlene, Daniel and I ate dinner together at “Casa Ole.” Darlene and I have not eaten there in quite a while. It was Daniel’s idea because he like the restaurant as a child. Imagine a graduate of a French Culinary Arts school liking simple Tex-Mex food?

Wednesday:

Read Numbers chapters 6-7 and recited John 6. Ran for 31 minutes and 57 seconds, covering 4.07 miles. Bethany and Daniel didn’t get up until 9:00am. I read Matthew 2:1-12 before we opened our presents. I was surprised my one gift in particular. I have encouraged Bethany from the time she was a small child to make me something for Christmas. She is now a high school art teacher. This year’s gift was very surprising indeed. She took an article that I had written about the Reformed Baptist in Cuba and pictures that I had taken while there; she took these and graphically designed a book that will arrive sometime after the first of next year. Secondly, Darlene gave me a bilingual Bible: La Biblia De Las Américas,New American Standard Bible. This will allow me to read my morning devotional reading in both Spanish and English. The overall volume of my daily Scripture reading will decrease but to read in both languages will help me learn Spanish so that I may communicate the gospel in both languages. We concluded the day by enjoying a dinner together, after which we played a card game.

Thursday:

This morning I read Numbers chapter 8 with the bilingual Bible that Darlene gave to me yesterday; the separation of, purification of and age for service of the Levites. Reading both Spanish and English together is difficult; therefore, I will read only in English for my morning devotion. After this I recited John chapter 7. Today I will be adding verse 6 to my memorization John’s prolog in Spanish. This morning I ran for 32 minutes and 13 seconds at a moderate pace covering a distance of 4.08 miles. I arrived to work at 7:30. Today I am ambulating post thoracic and cardiovascular surgical patients in the CVICU. Much has changed on this unit since I started here 18 ½ years ago. The oldest note that I have in my iPhone is from December 26^th, 10 years ago, and it has three quotes from the movie Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron: First, “You’ve got to beg God to teach you how to be a good husband and don’t just follow your heart because your heart can be deceived, you’ve got to lead your heart!” I know that I wrote down this quote because I was convicted that I was not a good husband to my wife. Second, “Good enough!” I believe that I wrote this because I had come to realize that I was not good enough. Third, “I resolve to let Jesus be Lord of my life, everyday!” This is the greatest resolution that a man can make and one that I did make the following.

Friday:

This morning, I read from the book of Numbers chapters 9-11 and recited John chapter 8. Then I ran for 31 minutes and 48 seconds at a moderate pace covering a distance of 4.05 miles. I did my daily Spanish lesson during breakfast. I am on the final lesson for the beginner course 1 and have had some difficulty with completing this lesson. I do not consider a lesson complete until I answer all questions correctly in a single setting; I have found that this works best. I am scheduled to be at work from 7:30am-2:30pm. Today I have 2 orientation appoints for cardiac rehab. This evening we are celebrating Christmas with my mother, my brother Jeff and family, and sister Julie and family; therefore, I will leave work as soon as the orientations are complete, but I will be dedicated to these patients while there. Today is a very important date for me; on this date 10 years ago, I made a decision to follow Jesus Christ as Lord. I resolved to observe all that he commanded. My heart (desire) was changed; therefore, I trusted in Jesus Christ and resolved to observe all that he commanded. I do not perfectly follow my Lord, I fall short everyday. I know, however, that he sacrificed himself for my sins, defeated death and rose again from the dead on the third day. I trust in his promise to return on the last day and raise all of his disciples to eternal life in the new heaven and the new earth which is yet to come. 

Saturday:

Yesterday evening we had a festive time with Mom, brother Jeff, sister Julie and their families at our home. We had a large tasty meal provided by the Lord and cooked by Darlene and Daniel. We exchanged gifts and enjoyed one another’s company. Mom left early, she said that she needed to feed her dogs, but I suspect she felt overwhelmed with so many. Overall, I think it was a good time. This morning I read Numbers, chapters 12-14 when the Israelites rebelled against the Lord by not going into the land of Canaan as he commanded, except Caleb and Hoshea whom Moses called his name Joshua. Then I recited John, chapters 9-10. I ran for 1 hour, 20 minutes and 58 seconds this morning covering a distance of 9.05 miles. The Saturday morning run is longer; therefore, I ran at a much easier pace than on the week days. I spent the time meditating on Scripture. I began thinking about the Great Commission. It was the apostles whom the Lord commissioned to go make disciples and teach them to observe all that he commanded them. For this reason, it is the Scriptures that we preach and teach, especially the New Testament text, for these were written either by an apostle or one of their contemporaries. During breakfast, I competed Spanish lesson beginner I, course 1, lesson 13: Nuestra familia, review. This was the final lesson for beginner I, course 1; therefore, I move on to another course. We spent the later part of the morning and afternoon at Mom’s whom spending time with my siblings before they departed back to their homes.

December 22nd, 2019

The Nurse Theologian is the weekly journal of Mike Peek. 

Who is Mike Peek? 

I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, a husband to Darlene, a father to Daniel (30) and Bethany (26), and work in this world as a Registered Nurse. My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas a Arlington and a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In the world, I’m of little importance; however, God demonstrated his own love towards me, in that before I was conceived in my mother’s womb and could commit a single sin, Christ died for me. God knew every sin that I would commit, yet he chose me for redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world, he predestined me for adoption as his son through Jesus Christ; therefore, I am a citizen of the kingdom of God and of the very household of God.

It is my daily habit to rise in the morning at 4:00am; my intention is to rise 3 and ½ hours before I’m scheduled to be at my job. I spend the first hour of the day reading Scripture, reciting a chapter from John’s gospel and writing a letter to my Father God. The second our of the day I use for exercise; after stretching I will do a set of pushups or setups, then run 4-5 miles. The third hour of the day is spent showering, eating a meal and doing a Spanish lesson before departing the house at 7:00am to drive to work; I work in the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab at the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Own Heart Hospital in Tyler, Texas. On Saturday mornings; however, I will rise at 5:00am, my morning routine is the same except I run to 8-10 miles (Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. Ex.16.22) 

Today is Sunday, the Christian Sabbath; therefore, I ran twice the distance on Saturday so that I could take the day off from running on Sunday. Do not misunderstand, this is not legalism, for we are not under the law of Moses but the law of Christ. (1Co.9.19-23) One thing that we can take from the Old Testament law is principles, by doubling my run on Saturday mornings, I can use the time on Sunday mornings to write in this journal which I am now doing and plan to do every Sunday morning going forward. I plan to write in this journal from 6:00am-8:00am every Sunday morning and write no further. The Nurse Theologian is not an editorial, nor a formally written paper; therefore, you are likely to find errors in spelling, sentence structure and punctuation because I will not be editing what I write.

Scripture

This week I read through the book of Leviticus. Leviticus is a very interesting book and I learn much every time I read it. Leviticus is filled with law. Sundry means: various items not important enough to be mentioned individually. (Oxford English Dictionary, 2019) Yet, Jesus taught that the second most significant law is found in what the translators put under the heading “Sundry Laws.” Leviticus 19:18 days, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

This past weekend I memorized Genesis 3:8-19; therefore, I have been thinking about this passage all week. There are three steps to systematic Bible study: First, Observe the text. Ask, what does the text say? Second, interpret the text. Ask, what does the text mean? Third, apply the text. Ask, what shall I do? It is my belief that if you are going to study a passage of Scripture it should be put to memory. I have found no better way to observe what the text is saying than to memorize and recite it over and over. I found Genesis 3:16 very interesting:

To the woman He said, 

“I will greatly multiply

Your pain in childbirth,

In pain you will bring forth children;

Yet your desire will be for your husband,

And he will rule over you.”

The Reason 

I found this interesting because the conservative evangelical view of this passage is not what I get out of the text when observing the text after putting it to memory nor do I get out of it the Augustinian view of the text. God is not declaring sin as a way of life, both the Evangelical and Augustinian views take that route but with different perspectives. Augustine believed sex was sin, but sex was necessary at this time to bring forth children. Evangelicals relate this text to as being the difficulties that men and women have in getting along with one another. The text is not saying either of these. The text is saying that the woman will have pain and difficulty in childbirth but will continue to bring forth children because her desire will be for her husband. It is this sexual desire for her husband that rules over her; therefore, since the fall, women have continued to bring forth children in child birth despite the pain and problems because she has a sexual desire for her husband. It is not the pain and difficulties of child birth that rule over her, but it is her husband that rules over her. Anyway, this is my thoughts on the matter after observing the text for what it is saying.

On the Job

On the job this week people are thinking about Christmas and there are decorations everywhere. The windows in our department are painted and on Friday there was a man dressed up like Santa Clause out in the lobby. A few of my coworkers and myself to a picture with him.

The Incarnate Verb

During the month of Advent, the Peek household displays four silver colored letters on our mantle above our fireplace that spell “NOEL”; these serve as hangers for our stockings. A family tradition started by one of our children is for someone to change the spelling to “LEON” until someone in the household notices. In fact, the storage box that contains these mantle pieces is marked LEON on the lid. The picture was taken at my work in the Cardiac Rehab depart at the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. I rearranged the spelling to say, “LEON” until someone in the department noticed.

This brings to mind a thought that I had this week about words. Words are very important but the meaning of the words are even more important. According to the Oxford English dictionary the word “NOEL” means “Christmas, especially as a refrain in carols and on Christmas cards.” Noel was borrowed from early 19th century French. However, if a person does not know what “NOEL” means it might as well say, “LEON.”

For a little over 2 months now I have been learning the Spanish language. In a class at Sylvania Church on reading, our pastor spoke of memorization of Scripture as a useful technique for deeply studying a passage. I have used this technique myself for many years. When I study a passage, I will memorize it because in memorizing the text I look more deeply into what the text is saying. However, I do not always continue in a particular text but move on to others but not so with the gospel of John. 7 years ago I decided to memorize the gospel of John and have continued to recite 1 chapter a day ever since. It is my tradition, when preaching in the gospel open air to recite the Prolog (first 18 verses) then summarize the content of the entire book while offering passerby's a copy of the book. Because the Prolog to John’s gospel is so rooted in my memory, it occurred to me that I should memorize the text in Spanish for 2 reasons:

1. It would aid in my learning the Spanish language.
2. I could use it the same way that I use the English version for preaching in open air.

However, something occurred that I was not expecting; learning Spanish and memorizing this text of Scripture in a different language has taught me something about the Word of God. I got the idea to memorize the Prolog to the gospel of John when I came across a bilingual: English and Spanish copy of the gospel of John in the New Living Translation (NTV is the Spanish version of the NLT); however, this is not the translation that I use, nor is it the translation that I memorized the text in English. I started out using the NTV but started over again using the Spanish version of the New American Standard Bible (LBLA). Stay with me because I will need to tell you a little bit about how Spanish works to show you something really interesting about the Word of God.

John 1:1 says:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (NASB)

En el principio existía el Verbo, y el Verbo estaba con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios. (LBLA)

You may note that the English, “Word” is translated, “Verbo” in Spanish; however, you should know that “Verbo” is not Spanish for “Word.” “Palabra” is the Spanish noun, “Word.” The NTV used “Palabra” but the LBLA used, “el Verbo.” Why? The Spanish noun, “Verbo”  literally means verb in English, it is not a verb but is the Spanish word for verb. So, are the translators of the LBLA calling Jesus Christ the incarnate “Verb?” Yes, they are, and hear is the reason.

Spanish sentences have this structure: Subject (S), Verb (V) and Object (O). Not all sentences have an object so the minimum for a Spanish sentence is a subject and a verb which is also the case in English. However, in Spanish you can leave off the subject if it is clear who or what the subject is and this occurs because Spanish verbs are conjugated regarding the subject of the sentence. For this reason, the verb is the most important part of a Spanish sentence.

In the creation account of Genesis chapter 1, the phrase: “Then God said,” occurs repeatedly in English and in Spanish, “Entonces dijo Dios.” Entonces is the adverb which modifies the verb. Dijo is the first person conjugation of the verb “decir,” which means: say, utter, tell, call, mention or recite. Therefore, Jesus Christ is the incarnate “said” of God.

Reflection
Learning another language is helping me to go deeper into the Scriptures, could this also benefit you? Words are important but their meaning is even more important; in your study, are you seeking to understand meaning?

At Just the Right Time

The Advent season is upon us, and love is in the air, but not the love of romance; tis the season to be jolly, for the love of God is in the air. “ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (Jn 3 v 16) Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople from 715-730 wrote:

A great and mighty wonder,
A full and holy cure!
The virgin bears the Infant
With virgin-honour pure.
Repeat the song again!
To God on high be glory,
And peace on earth to men!

This week, my morning devotion time was spent reading the Old Testament book Exodus. You might wonder how Exodus relates to Advent? Or, for that matter, can any book outside of Matthew and Luke relate to Advent?

At the very lowest point in the family of Israel, the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses from the midst of a blazing bush, the bush was burning with fire and yet not consumed. (Ex. 3 v 2) God remembered the covenant that he made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and brought Israel out of Egypt. God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob  a land, a nation and a blessing for all people. (cf. Gn 15; 22 vs 15-18; 26 vs 2-5; and 28 vs 13-15) God made a covenant with David; David’s house and kingdom would endure eternally before God. (cf. 2 Sm 7 vs 8-17) It was at the lowest point in the Davidic royal line that Jesus was born of a teenage virgin who was betrothed to a carpenter who lived in Nazareth of Galilee. According to the law of the Mosaic covenant: Every firstborn male of every womb of Israel, both beast and man belongs to God. The beast is to be sacrificed to God, but the sons of Israel are to be redeemed by sacrificing a lamb; if however, the means of the parents are insufficient for a lamb, then two turtledoves or two young pigeons are to be sacrificed instead. Joseph and Mary opted for two turtledoves or two young pigeons indicating that they were of lowly means. (Lk 2 vs 22-24; cf. Nm 12 v 8) 

God came to Mt. Sinai to redeem the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt at just the right time through the Exodus. God came in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ to redeem the Davidic Royal line from ending at just the right time. God sacrificed his only begotten Son to redeem his elect from sin and death at just the right time, “so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom 3 v 26) 

When Joseph and Mary came to present Jesus, Simeon, a devout man filled with the Holy Spirit and Anna, a prophetess, both advanced in years were found in the Temple waiting to see the Lord’s Christ. (Lk 2 vs 25-38) Therefore, continue to be patient and wait on the Lord like Simeon and Anna; trust in the promises of God for his elect, for all of God’s promises are fulfilled at just the right time!

Disappointment and the Sovereignty of God

I began journaling after my earthly father went into the hospital on Christmas Day, 2013. After this, he went into a nursing home where he died on February 16, 2014. At first, the journal was sporadic and consisted of jotting down things that happened and thoughts that I was having. Later that year, the journal became a daily devotion in which I wrote letters to God. For the first 4 years my letters to God were in a paper journal but last year I started writing them in a word document because I was doing my daily Scripture reading on my iPad.

In January of this year I decide to begin a second journal because I happened to have an empty paper journal on my bookshelf. I began writing in this journal things that I wanted to remember. I would go days and even weeks between writing in this second journal. However, on September 15, 2019, I got off of an airplane in the country of Cuba. I wanted to keep a record of everything that I saw, everything that I did, everything that happened, the people I meet and the thoughts that I had while in Cuba. But my journaling did not end when I returned to Texas, because of this second journal I began writing this blog retrospective of the past week. This will be the 6th week in a row that I have written about the previous week. I titled the first 5 retrospective blogs with the dates of the week but going forward I will seek a title related to the theme of the week.

Yo, no estoy feliz porque no voy a Cuba

I am not happy because I am not going to Cuba. I was supposed to return to Cuba on December 1st through the 8th to assist another brother; we were to teach systematic theology to pastors and church leaders of 100 churches during a week long seminar. Last week, I learned that there was a delay with the government issuing of our visas. Then on the evening of the Thanksgiving holiday I learned that the visas were denied by the Cuban government. I am not blaming anyone, for I believe in the sovereignty of God in all things. If it was God’s will that we go to Cuba and teach, then we would be going to Cuba to teach. Everything is by God’s decree; God either causes events or allows them to happen for his purposes. The apostle Paul wrote:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28, NLT)

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (1 Cor. 13:12, NLT) 

I graduated with a Masters degree in theological studies and felt called to teach theological studies to church leaders in Cuba. After hearing the news that our visas were denied, I wrote an extended entry in my journal expressing my disappointment. I confess that I even shed a few tears because I fell in love with the Cuban church; especially those on the ministry team in Cuba. I have dear friends in Cuba that I cannot see or hear. During the past few months I have been working hard to learn the Spanish language, so that I may communicate better with them. I have also been diligent in memorizing the prolog to the gospel of John in Spanish, that I might recite it for them; thus, demonstrating my desire to communicate the gospel in their heart language. Will I ever return to Cuba? If not Cuba where would the Lord have me serving in his kingdom? I do not know the answers but I do know that the Son of God, Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord of the universe and he causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28) 

A. D. 2019: The Week of November 17th to 23rd

This past Sunday, Darlene and I attended Rodney Skyles’ class. Rodney taught a lesson from Matthew 17:24-18:11, he named the lesson: “Offenses and Humility.” Rodney is the director of operations for 89.5 KVNE Christian Radio for Tyler and Longview, Texas.  He made an announcement in class that interested me greatly because my heart has been lead to Spanish speaking people in missions; therefore, I am actively learning the Spanish language. The announcement is that KVNE would be launching two new Christian radio stations, one of which is a Spanish station (102.3 FM). The station is scheduled to go live in January. This brings me to the reason I am learning Spanish.

Why Learn Spanish?

Spanish is the heart language of 450 million people world wide, 5.85% of the world population. In the U.S.A., Spanish is the heart language of 41 million people, 13% of the population. Spanish is the heart language of 1 in 8 persons in the U.S.A. A heart language, is the language that you grew up hearing and speaking as a child. It is the language that is most effective in reaching your heart. Mandarin is the #1 spoken language in the world but it is isolated; Mandarin is the official language in China, Taiwan and Singapore. Spanish is the #2 most spoke language world wide; however, it is not isolated, Spanish is the official language of 21 countries world wide and the first language of 1 in 8 persons in the U.S.A. English is the #3 most spoken language world wide. English is the heart language of 360 million people world wide, 5.52% of the world population. If English speaking christians like myself learn Spanish, they can double the number of people that they can communicate the gospel with. (Statistics, Babbel.com) 

Following corporate worship service we ate together as a church body, a Thanksgiving dinner. There is a regular attender of our church, La Señora Effe. Effe is the mother of one of the members at Sylvania Church.  Since starting Spanish lessons and memorizing the prolog to Gospel of John in Spanish, I haven’t actually attempted to speak to a Spanish only speaking person. Inspired by Rodney’s announcement, I saw Effe sitting three chairs down from where I was, so I decide to go talk with her. We were actually able to communicate and I recited the first 5 versus of John’s Gospel. She recited Psalm 23 for me and gave me this book mark. What a wonderful time of fellowship the Father gives us in the Word, when the barrier of language is taken down. I spent the remaining afternoon doing Spanish lessons.

This week turned out to be much more difficult than I expected. I have been praying daily for God to make me patient and kind; to keep from bragging, being arrogant or rude; to keep me from seeking my own way; to keep me from taking into account wrongs suffered; to keep me from rejoicing in unrighteousness but to rejoice only with the truth; to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things. It seems that the more I ask for this, the more difficult it becomes.

I was away from my normal location on Monday, at the Lake Palestine clinic, and I had an enjoyable day with the patients but isolated from the other staff members. On Tuesday, I had the day off work and I took our dog Mishka for a ride. On Thursday morning, right after I had prayed for these attributes, I was shown how far from them my love actually is. I was eating breakfast and doing my Spanish lesson, our daughter Bethany had departed for her job when she came back in the door and impatiently requested that I help her with a flat tire. I had to fix her flat tire and was angry because my morning had been disturbed, I had to stop my breakfast and repair her flat tire, which made me late for my job. I also strained my back while fixing her flat tire, probably because I was so tense while doing so. I had read that morning the words of Christ from Matthew 7:12

In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

I was scheduled to work from 7:30am to 6:30pm but arrived 1 hour late. Then, the man I had substituted for in Palestine sent me a text message that indicated that he was not satisfied with the work I had done on Monday. I spent the majority of the day feeling depressed and my back was aching, but one of my coworkers (Amanda) demonstrated kindness towards me, she offered to stay and close the department in my place. Friday morning I did not have to be at work until 10:00am. Despite my back feeling tight, I decide to go for a run; I completed the run but was very slow and felt fatigued. Just before departing, I saw Bethany in the hallway and said to her: “Bethany, are you about to leave.” She replied in a forceful manner: “I DON’T HAVE TIME TO TALK TO YOU.” This hurt my feelings. I had changed my prayer just before this occurred from the attributes that I had mentioned earlier, to Matthew 7:12 asking God to grant it to me to treat people the same way that I want them to treat me. The reason that I spoke to Bethany, was because I wanted to know if I should leave the garage door open because I was departing for my run and didn’t want to close it if she was about to leave. Feeling hurt by her words, I didn’t speak for fear that I may speak harshly, so I turned down the hall and went for a run.

I will continue to ask the Father to grant me these attributes of love and grant me to treat all people the same way that I want them to treat me. I’m tired but cannot do anything about what others think, say and do; however, I can think good thoughts about them, I can say kind words to them and I can show them kindness with my deeds as Amanda did to me. This is the way that I want to live in the here and now and will be seeking to do so with the help of God.

On Saturday morning, I ambulated patients on the 3rd floor of the heart hospital, which happened to be the unit I spent the majority of my nursing career on as a CVICU nurse. The unit has changed a great deal from when I first started there 18 years ago, they now have a mixture of ICU and post surgical telemetry patients, the latter are whom I was ambulating. Darlene spent Friday night visiting her mother and sister. When she got home she wanted to go and see the movie: “A Beautiful day in the Neighborhood.” Seeing that movie was like putting a bookend on the shelf of this week. I am seeking to be like my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ already in this present age and I know that all whom the Father elected for eternal life will be like Jesus in the age to come.

A. D. 2019: The Week of November 10th to November 16th

This is my blog and the things that I write about are mine. My thoughts, just like everything else that I have, were given to me by the Lord God Almighty; therefore, he alone is worthy of all honor, glory and praise. When someone says to me, “Well I guess I’ll live,” as my patients often respond when I’ve taken their vital signs and reported to them the result. I like to contour: “At least for another 6 minutes.” Reader, that you may know how frail you are, you have only 6 minutes to live after every heart beat. If you do not receive another heart beat you will be irrevocably dead within 6 minutes. Some people are kept alive through Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, that is if CPR is started before the 6 minute life window closes; however, just as receiving a heart beat is a gift, CPR does not originate from the one being resuscitated.

This week I started reading the book of Genesis and read through chapter 36. I recited chapters 1-7 from the gospel of John in English, and I have memorized through verse 9 in Spanish. It is my goal to memorize the entire prolog of John’s gospel in Spanish. There is some debate among biblical scholars as to whether the prolog ends after verse 14 or continues on to verse 18, 1-18 is the traditional view; therefore,  Lord willing, I shall memorize through verse 18. This means, I reached the halfway point of my goal.

I love our local church, Sylvania in Tyler, Texas, and the people in our local church. Darlene and I have been attending a Sunday morning bible class that I truly enjoy, but the class numbers are very high while some of the other classes do not have anywhere near the same numbers. Therefore, Darlene and I decided to visit some of the other classes for a season: That we may fellowship with the other brethren in our local church. That we may also alleviate the attendance of that class while adding to the attendance in the other classes.  This Sunday we visited Steve Mill’s class. Steve is one of six elders at Sylvania church. Steve taught on the resurrection from Matthew 28:1-15. Then in corporate worship, Phillip Dancy preached: “Do not worry about your life” from Luke 12:13-34. The sermon can be heard on sermon audio. We enjoyed a warm day on Sunday afternoon; therefore, I cleaned the windows on the exterior of our home. I also insulted the outdoor pipes because we were expecting a deep freeze in the coming days.

On Monday, our nation celebrated veteran’s day. It has become vogue in the past few years for people to recognize veterans but this has also lead to a hyper-association with being a veteran. A few years ago, I wrote an article: “War: A Christian Response” in which I talked about my experience in the Army and my study about a Christian response to war after becoming a follower of Christ. Suffice it to say, what I said in that article is not vogue but I will repost it to my social media accounts every veteran’s day in hope that others listen.

Everyday this week Darlene and I worked at our jobs from early morning until sometime between 4:00pm and 6:30pm. On Tuesday, I got off work at the earlier; therefore, I stopped by Darlene’s job to see her, then we meet at home for what we thought would be a relaxing evening when we got a phone call from Bethany. She had run out of gas and was stuck on the side of the road halfway between Palestine and Jacksonville, Texas. We grabbed the gas can and drove the 40 minutes it took on country roads to get to her location. After putting gas into her tank I discovered that she had drained her battery while sitting on the side of the road; therefore, the car would not start. We then had to drive back to Jacksonville (about 15 miles), purchase jumper cables, drive back to her car and jump the car off so that it would start.

There are many things that I pray about during the week but I will mention this one. This week I have been asking the Father to grant me Christ like love for others. I am actively learning Spanish but the scripture says,

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor. 13:1, NLT) 

I received a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary verifying that I know a great deal about the scriptures, church history, systematic theology and practical theology. I am teaching these to others in the mission field but the scripture says,

If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. (vs. 13:2)

I give a significant portion of my income away every month but the scripture says,

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. (vs. 13:3)

How do I know that I do not have Christ like love? The word of God is light for my feet; therefore, the word of God in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 gives the answer. Am I always patient and kind?  I must confess, not all of the time. Am I jealous or boastful or proud or rude? I must confess, that I am these more often that I want to admit. Am I irritable and do I take into account wrongs suffered? I must confess, I am often irritable and do take into account wrongs suffered. Do I always rejoice with the truth? This is a difficult one, but I must confess, my pride allows others to believe untruths. Do I never give up? Do I never lose faith? Am I always hopeful? Do I endure through every circumstance? No, my love is not what it ought to be but I know that Christ's love is perfect and he demonstrated his love for me by dying on the cross for my sins; therefore, I desire to be just like my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

November 3rd to November 9th, 2019

(Overlooking the River at Beavers Bend on Sunday Morning)

A blog is a regularly updated webpage written by an individual in a conversational style; therefore I decided that I should write the nurse theologian retrospective of my thoughts, struggles and actions over the previous week. During the past week I read two books: “The law/Grace Controversy” by John G. Reisinger and “The Sovereignty of God” by Author W. Pink. For some, the distinction between law and grace is a struggle and others do not think much of these things.  The “Ten Commandments,” given to the nation of Israel, recorded in Exodus 20 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5, was the covenant foundation by which the nation of Israel entered into a relationship with the Lord God but it is not the covenantal foundation for the church. The covenantal foundation for the life of the church is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(My Mother hiking to the overlook)

On Saturday morning I picked up a Bible translation from my shelf that I have not read in awhile. On December 27th of this year I will celebrate a 10 year anniversary of making a decision to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible that I picked up off my shelf and began reading was the very Bible that I was reading when I was regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The translation is the New
Living Translation, which is an easier to understand translation than the NASB that I have been reading for the past few years. I picked this text up because I was struggling with the doctrine of the sovereignty of God in reprobation. I think that Romans 9:18 is the most difficult text in all of Scripture. In the NASB the text says,

So then He [God] has mercy on whom He [God] desires, and He [God] hardens whom He desires. 

(Our daughter Bethany and dog Mishka)

So, I turned to the NLT which I thought would tread more lightly  on the matter, and the text says,

“So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.” 

When I decided to follow Jesus Christ I was determined (like Martin Luther) for my conscience to be held captive to the Word of God. Therefore, I came to except that the reason I made a decision to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior was because the Father had chosen me in Christ before he made the world to be holy and without fault in his eyes, to adopt me into his own household by bringing me to himself through Jesus Christ. (Eph.1:4-5)

(My Saturday Morning Run)

Therefore, I believed in the sovereignty of God in my salvation, that God shows mercy to whom he chooses and shows compassion to whom he chooses. (Rom.9:15) However, I am coming to understand that God is not only sovereign in salvation but he is also sovereign in reprobation. The first 1/2 of Romans 9:18 says what I already believed, that God chooses to show mercy to some but the second 1/2 of that verse is what I find to be difficult. God chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. This verse is saying that the hardening of the hearts of unbelievers is not inactive on the part of God, he actually chooses to harden their hearts so that they refuse to listen. John’s gospel says the same thing regarding those who refused to come to faith in Christ. In 12:40 He quotes Isaiah:

The Lord has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts—
so that their eyes cannot see,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and have me heal them.

Almost 10 years ago I decided to follow Jesus Christ whose title is “the Word of God” (Rev.19:13) and I determined (like Martin Luther) for my conscience to be held captive to the Word of God. The Word of God says that God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so that they refuse to Listen. Therefore, I must except what the Word of God says but must admit that the sovereignty of God in the reprobation of the accursed is a difficult doctrine.

A. D. 2019, 10/27 – 11/02

Last week I wrote that I would begin journaling retrospective of the past week; however, I now believe that doing so may be more difficult than I previous envisioned. Some things that happen during the week are very embarrassing to me, but if I’m to do this to the glory of God in Jesus Christ and the good of my neighbor I must be vulnerable.

During my personal devotional time I read: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1^st& 2^ndThessalonians, and 1^st& 2^ndTimothy. I do not typically read that many books of the Bible in a week, but I love reading the Pauline epistles because they speak so well to the trials that go on in everyday Christian life. In my recitation practice of John, I recited chapters 8-14; and in my attempt to memorize John’s prolog in Spanish, I have memorized though verse 6.

Five times this week I ran in the morning for a total distance of about 27 miles. I used to run many road races when I was younger but do not run them anymore; however, in March, I ran in the Tyler Fresh 15k. I have it in my sight (Lord willing) to do so again in 2020; therefore, I am running 4 of my runs each week at my goal pace for the 15K (just under 7:30 per mile) but ½ the distance, and I’m running 1 run per week, on Sunday morning, over the full 15K distance but at an easy pace. This past Sunday morning I began running in the dark at 6:45AM. Since I began running in the dark, my eyes were adjusted to it. When I had completed my first 2 miles, dawn began to crack on the horizon. I could see everything very well, or at least, I thought that I could. Suddenly a car came over the hill before me, everything else turned dark except for the headlights of that car. Being that it is my daily habit to recite John’s gospel and that I’m attempting to memorize the prolog in Spanish, the words: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (Jn. 1:4) Came to my mind. It then occurred to me, in comparison to the light of the Word of God, what we think is light in this world is actually darkness. 

There are many things that occur throughout the week that I could write about, but I will just mention the three most prominent: First, a confession of sin. Recently I wrote a report on the history of the Reformed Baptist in a particular country that I traveled to, as well as a report on the trip. I sent my report to the missions’ team at my church, as well as a few trusted members who I call friend. The response to what I wrote was almost non-existent. I felt hurt that the mission and project that I spent a great deal of time on was not acknowledged. I must confess that I felt resentment. I am not saying this to speak against anyone, but I should confess my sin. Second a difficulty. I am a very introverted person; therefore, I am uncomfortable with close contact except for my wife; also, like many men, I struggle with a temptation to lust. We had an in-service at work mid-week in which I was put into a VERY uncomfortable position regarding both of these.

There are many things that occur throughout the week that I could write about, but I will just mention the three most prominent: First, a confession of sin. Recently I wrote a report on the history of the Reformed Baptist in a particular country that I traveled to, as well as a report on the trip. I sent my report to the missions’ team at my church, as well as a few trusted members who I call friend. The response to what I wrote was almost non-existent. I felt hurt that the mission and project that I spent a great deal of time on was not acknowledged. I must confess that I felt resentment. I am not saying this to speak against anyone, but I should confess my sin. Second a difficulty. I am a very introverted person; therefore, I am uncomfortable with close contact with anyone, for any reason except for my wife; also, like many men, I struggle with a temptation to lust. We had an in-service at work mid-week in which I was put into a VERY uncomfortable position regarding both of these. Finally, going to Beavers Bend in south eastern Oklahoma in the fall was an annual trip for my family. We would take the kids, meet my parents, my siblings and their families; however, since my father’s passing over 5 years-ago I have not gone, but my mother, siblings and my daughter have continued to go. This year, none of my siblings were able to go because of the life stage that they are in with teenage children and school activities in the fall. My 76-year-old mother was going by herself, except for my daughter who had to depart at noon on Saturday; therefore, Saturday morning, I packed up my bag and went. I spent the day with my mother alone, something that I have avoided doing since my father’s death. 

These are merely the simple thoughts, actions, struggles and pictures of a middle-aged Christian man; who works as a Registered Nurse in an outpatient Cardiac/Pulmonary rehab; who continually studies the Bible, church history, systematic theology and practical theology; who travels overseas 3-4 times a year to teach pastors.

A. D. 2019, October 20th to 26th

I named this blog, “The Nurse Theologian” because I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in theological studies. The apostle Paul said: “Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.” _{(1 Cor.7.24, NASB)} I was called while a Registered Nurse; therefore, I continue working with the infirmed and I was called into Christian ministry; therefore, I study that I may accurately handle the word of truth. _{(cf. 2 Tim.2.15, NASB)}

My typical week is very busy, but I have time to write on Saturday mornings after completing a run. I would like to make this blog into a weekly journal retrospective of the past week. These will simply be the thoughts, actions and pictures taken during a week by a middle aged-Christian man; who works as a Registered Nurse in an outpatient Cardiac/Pulmonary rehab; who continually studies the Bible, church history, systematic theology and practical theology; who travels overseas 3-4 times a year to teach pastors. However, do to the nature of my work and ministry there will be things that I cannot mention. I do not expect anyone to read what I write but if anyone does may God get all glory.

It has my habit to rise early in the morning and read the Scriptures before doing anything else. This week I read 1 Corinthians 12-16, 2 Corinthians and Galatians. Several years ago, the Lord put into my heart and mind to memorize the Gospel of John; therefore, for retention, I recite a chapter a day, and this week I recited chapters 1-7. After this, I like to spend my prayer time writing a letter to our Father God in the name of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Following this time of devotion, on five days a week I go for a run. This week I rested on Monday and Friday; on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I ran 8 kilometers, each of those days; and on Sunday and Saturday morning I ran 12 kilometers; my average pace for the week was 4:53 per kilometer. Following my run, I have a bowl of granola cereal. 

One month ago, I decided to learn Spanish to aid in ministry; I am assisting with the teaching of pastors through an interpreter in a Spanish speaking country. A new Christian book store (Mardel) opened recently in Tyler, Texas. While perusing the shelves I came to the Spanish section and noticed a bilingual copy of the Gospel of John in English and Spanish side by side in the same book. I purchased the book and decided that I would attempt (Lord willing) to memorize the prolog in Spanish and have been working on this all week; so far, I can recite the first 4 verses in Spanish.

On Sunday morning Darlene and I spent time fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Sylvania Church, then we ate lunch with a few of our friends. I spent the week working as a Registered Nurse: Monday and Wednesday outpatient cardiac rehab; Tuesday and Thursday inpatient cardiac rehab; and Friday pulmonary rehab. Here are a few of the brothers that I work with, we are having fun scowling together as if we were pirates, I am making out like I have one leg to stand on.

This morning I read through Galatians and there were two passages that really stuck out in my mind: “a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus,” _(Gal.2:16) “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” _(Gal.5:13)Here is the truth that we should take from these passages: We are not saved by anything that we do but by the Grace of God alone, in Jesus Christ alone, through faith alone; however, this does not mean that we should continue in sin, for we have freedom from sin in Jesus Christ.

He Gave Me ears to Hear

He Gave Me Ears to Hear

God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Th. 2:13-14, NASB)

The day that I heard the call was December 27, 2009. I wrote down two statements on the back of an envelope, which I keep in a folder, on a bookshelf in my study: 

1.   Allow Jesus to be Lord over my life daily. Make that commitment to him daily and allow his Holy Spirit to fill me.

2.   Do to others as I would have them do to me. Do this in all aspects.

When I heard the call I admittedly understood that Jesus is Lord and his commandments are love. However, I did not yet appreciate the sovereignty of God in my salvation. I later came to appreciate the sovereign grace of God through reading the Scriptures, while filled with the Holy Spirit. I read that God chose me before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him. He predestined me to adoption as his son through the blood of Jesus Christ, according to the kind intention of his will, the forgiveness of my sins by his grace, which he freely bestowed on me whom he loved. (cf. Eph. 4-8)

God said to Moses In Exodus 33:19 which Paul also quotes in Romans 9:15, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Then Paul says in vs.16, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” 

Men are saved by the will of God and the righteous blood of Jesus Christ. It is God who wills the salvation of men and it is Christ who ran the race not us. I heard the call not because I willed; nor, will I inherit eternal life because I ran, but because it was the will of the Father that I “may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Th. 2:14, NASB)

The Four All’s of the Great Commission

We become set in our ways and comfortable in our lives. Therefore, it becomes increasingly difficult to depart from our comfort zones, but to be a participant in the Great Commission we must leave our comfort zones and usual way of doing things. This past week I was taken far from my comfort zone and usual way of doing things. I spent the week assisting with the teaching of disciples, at a week-long seminar, in a foreign country that I never imagined visiting. This morning I write to you from that country under a shade tree while waiting to depart to the airport and head back home. The seminar concluded yesterday evening and the students were all dismissed to their churches. The details of the trip are not important for this writing, but the fact that I spent the last week far from my comfort zone and usual way of doing things in obedience to the Great Commissions is important. The words of Christ in Matthew 28:16-20 are known by the disciples of Jesus Christ as the Great Commission and I would like to talk this morning about the four “all’s” given by our Lord and Savior in the Commissioning of his church for the work of the kingdom of God. 

All Authority

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt 28:18b)

As the Divine second person of the Trinity, the Son has always had authority as the firstborn of all creation; however, following his death, burial and resurrection the Son has new authority as the first to rise from the dead. As a result of his death, burial and resurrection Jesus has the authority to give eternal life to all whom the Father gives him. As the head of a new creation Jesus gives his marching orders to the church. (Mt 29:19-20)

All Nations

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 28:19)

“All nations” does not mean that every human would become a disciple, but it does mean that as the head of the new creation our Lord Jesus Christ intends for people from every nation, every tribe, every people, and every tongue on the earth to hear the gospel and become disciples of his Word. There will be persons from every nation, every tribe, every people and every tongue in the kingdom of God which is already inaugurated and yet to come in consummation. 

The new disciples are to be baptized by the mature disciples. When a new believer is baptized he/she is identifying themselves with Trinitarian Theology; God is one divine being subsisting eternally in three distinct persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) all of whom are equally God in essence. By receiving believer’s baptism, he/she is acknowledging that God is their Father, that Jesus Christ is his/her Lord and Savior, and that the Holy Spirit is the One who indwells him/her, regenerating them to believe and observe all that Christ commanded.

All Commandments 

“Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” (Mt 2:20a)

Some believe that the great commission is evangelism; if they point out to an unbeliever that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:23) that the wages of sin is death, (Rom 6:23a) that Christ died for our sins and was buried and was raised on the third day; (1 Cor 15:3-4) then if the person they preached the gospel to repents and believes then they think that they have fulfilled the great commission. The Great Commission includes evangelism; however, the Great Commission is far more than evangelism. The Great Commission is the purpose for which the church exists. It is not enough to just make converts, we are to make disciples. Disciples need to be taught to obey the commandments of Jesus Christ as found throughout the Bible (not just the New Testament), but the disciples should be taught to understand all of the Scripture in light of the New Testament. The disciple should become like his/her teacher and this is accomplished through a systematic teaching of and submission to all of the Word of God.

Always

“and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20b)

This is the promise of our Lord before he ascended to the righthand of the Father and is a promise for the missionary to hold on too. As we are going in obedience to the Great Commission Christ promises to be with us always and he will be with us all the way to the end of the age. That means when we depart from our comfort zones and usual way of doing things, going to a foreign land that we never imagined going to, to do the work of the Great Commission: making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Triune God, and teaching them to observe all of our Lord’s commandments; we do not go alone or unaided because he is with us all the way to the end. In all of our service and all of our travels the Lord Jesus Christ is with us always.