The Doctor's Call

Years ago I discovered something about crabs. If you put a bunch of crabs in a bucket you do not need a lid. As soon as one crab tries to get out of the bucket one of the crabs at the bottom will reach up and pull the crab above him down. Some people are like this. Whenever they see someone making headway in life they feel compelled to stop them, to pull them down. They would rather see failure than applaud someone else's success. This lack of grace is one reason why the Bible tells us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Heb 12:1) In the race of life there will always be those who lack mercy and grace. They hate winners and dismiss as much success as they can. In Christian circles we find these folks focus on self rather than on Christ. They become the subject of life rather than their Savior. It is like they have forgotten the implications of Christ's death and resurrection. So how then can we protect ourselves from this type of religious h

It is March and that means Chicken Madness. I know, you thought that I was going to talk about Basketball and the South Carolina Gamecocks. That is not quite true. You see, right now I am spending my time taking care of my chickens, watching the NCAA Basketball Tournament and grading papers. One of these is exciting, one of these is predictable and one of these is frustrating. I will let you pick which one of these goes with which activity. It is actually my work with chickens that has taken up most of my time lately. Like anything that we care about, raising chickens takes intentional actions, great patience and a willingness to learn. Rick Pitino, the Basketball Coach for the Louisville Cardinals, recently made some comments concerning one of his players who was thrown off of his team. Paraphrasing Patino, he said that there are some things you can teach someone by having them run laps, and there are other things that a person just has to accept the consequences of their actions

Our attitude toward all men should be that of equality because we are common creatures. We are of one blood and kind. As I look across all the world, I must see every man as a fellow-creature, and I must be careful to have a sense of our equality on the basis of this common status. We must be careful in our thinking not to try to stand in the place of God to other men. We are fellow-creatures. (Francis A. Schaeffer, No Little People, Ch. 1)

Fear not! Wow, so much crazy stuff is happening in the world. A person could get nervous or even start to have fear if we are not careful. Do you have an issue with fear in your life? Whether small or large, it can even get to the point of ruling in our lives. For me it was the fear of man! In Mark 6:49-51, the guys were out on the lake and a wild storm descended upon them. They were overco me by fear; then out came Jesus walking on the water. Fear is part of who we are and can protect us at times. But here Jesus comes strolling along, and tells them to not be afraid. The storm (life) was still crashing around them (problems of life), and Jesus told them not to fear. “Take courage” “Be of good cheer”. Here the boat is probably half full of water, and the guys are soaking cold. Now their Lord says cheer up. Has anyone ever done that to you - when all you want to do is cry or scream or just go to bed? Cheer up, put on a smiley face. No way! You see, Jesus told them not to fear because H