I Also Marvel

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , ,

“When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:22

One active word kept coming up this week when studying the life of Jesus. Whenever HE spoke or performed a work, people marveled. The above Scripture is only one example of HIS reply to the Pharisees who plotted to entangle him in his words. But failed again. This was the result of Jesus’ reply to ‘is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not’ question. HIS answer even made his enemies marvel!

When HE performed a miracle of healing, feeding, or commanding the weather, HE made an impact. The people around HIM left in amazement. They just witness a supernatural event. Or they experienced the mind of a genius. Or the gracious words that left them spellbound in thought. HE displayed life like no one before them. You would leave HIM being in a state of astonishment.  

HE would surprise people. He would make people wonder. Even HIS enemies would leave admiring HIM. How can one not marvel?

Yes I also marvel. I marvel at God’s creation. The order and fine-tuning of the universe. The birth of a child. HIS ability to be involved in the life of billions of people at the same time.

Then I also marvel at others for their outstanding work? Don’t you? For it allows us to grasp another side of God’s creation in full display. People expressing their natural abilities to the point of excellence. The track star practicing daily to run faster today than yesterday. The gymnast controlling their body with twists and turns in the air. The quarterback and receiver connecting on a 60-yard touchdown pass. These are only a few of the moments in sports I marvel at the actions.

There is also the excellence in business when strategy and execution meet. In the medical field, when the doctor completes an eight-hour heart or brain surgery to save the life of a patient. Or the first responders to an emergency arriving to immediately face and calm a crisis. The list is endless. We marvel at a God who made all this possible. So now, each time I marvel at an event, act, or display, it makes me see another side of our Creator. I marvel at HIS handiwork. I am also grateful to witness a Master at work in HIS everyday routine.      

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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I Do

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So, you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:3-6

A Christian marriage is life-long. Two people bound together in a covenant of love and faithfulness until death. A beautiful way of life for raising a family and learning God’s way of life in the process. The agreement is not for immature children. But two people who honor each other. Serve each other. And fight through their personal demons to become one. There are only a few Biblical reasons to end it.

On that wedding day, standing before family and friends, the couple state their vows. The minister most often will read passages from the Bible. These usually are from 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 5. They may also include words like “whether richer or poorer, through health or sickness.” The aim is to acknowledge they are bound together till death. No matter what the couple faces in the future together.

A sacred and special moment for both with ideals and hopes laid before them. In many ways, in hindsight, not a clue of what is in store before them.

Are not our relationship and commitment with Jesus the same? Has HE not already proposed to us (Luke 9:23)? If we accept HIS offer to follow HIM, do we really know the path where the relationship is going to take us?

Like marriage, it is a commitment. We stand before God, others, and self with our vows, and state “I do” to each. As new babes in Christ, we have hopes and dreams of the future. But then real-world catastrophe occurs. Things don’t go according to plans. Financial challenges. Health challenges. Relationship challenges. Your demons may not even be on the list. But they know you and attack you on a regular basis.

The “I Do” is only three letters. But the power of a commitment behind it is strong. It is what separates winners from losers. Those who pursue life from those who run away. The “I Do” built on enduring love and faithfulness is a weapon for victory. These are the character traits Jesus lives by and empowers us to live by.

A healthy marriage gives us a taste of how Jesus lives with Father and Spirit. This is the relationship HE wants with you and me. Two people becoming one. In marriage two people find ways to work out the obstacles before them. Their lifelong commitment is to make the marriage work. So does Jesus do with us.

The “I DO” is only the start of a journey for life. What comes next is the process of growing in the grace, wisdom, and knowledge of our Lord unto eternity. It involves maturing as a people. It is learning to trust God with all our being. It is learning to partner with the invisible God who loves us more than we realize. He wants what is best for us for the long term. Not immediate gratification. But a future full of favor and success before HIM and those around you.


It all begins with “I Do.” Then it requires the commitment to hang in there and trust Jesus in the process.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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No Jesus or Know Jesus?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 17

There are people who do not believe in the historical evidence of the life of Jesus. Some believe he is a mythical person like Zeus or Thor. Others believe he lived, but was not a God-Man. He was not who HE claimed to be. They say he was a good moral teacher with helpful stories to share with the masses. Others deny he was crucified. They claim his disciples made a switch beforehand. That the Roman government made a mistake in killing the wrong person. Then many don’t believe HE was resurrected from the dead. That this is a made-up story which became a legend. They disregard any evidence.

What if Jesus was a historical lie? What if HE never arrived on planet earth and fulfilled the role of the Biblical messiah? How would that have changed history?

As we view history from the rear-view mirror, imagine the difference today. If there was no Jesus, then the disciples would never have gotten together. There would be no twelve apostles. Peter and his buddies would have operated a no name business in Galilee until their deaths. Judas may have lived to become a rich zealot. Maybe becoming a governor of a province. The apostle Paul would have grown old. He might have become the head guy for the Pharisee religious establishment.

There would be no written new testament. In fact, there would be no Christian religion. The Roman catholic church would never have existed. The Jewish faith though would have continued as a small, closed group. All the books written by the early church fathers would not exist. All the cathedrals, schools, and hospitals started by missionaries would never been established.

Thought leaders over the ages would have been influence by more humanistic ideals. In fact, many of these thinkers may have created another worldly religion. Hopefully someone would replace some of the holes Christianity filled.

Western civilization would not be in existence today. What we would have in its place in anyone’s guess. It would be a different world today than it is.

In fact, if you are of the Jewish orthodox faith, then we would be waiting for the Messiah. We would be wondering why God hasn’t recently spoken to us. It has only been some two-thousand, four-hundred years since Malachi was written (last book in the Old Testament).

Yes, life would be different.

But historical evidence does exist. No historical figure has been more scrutinized than the life of Jesus. The written manuscripts from the early church along with secular confirmations abound. The archeology discoveries continue to confirm historical facts. Even today, as people are introduced to Jesus, their lives are being transformed. This is a testimony of a living God confirming HIS story.

When one researches the evidence and is sincere to seek the truth, one can only acknowledge HE lived. HE died. HE was resurrected. HE ascended to heaven. HE claimed to be eternal while bodily on earth and HE continues to impact people’s lives today. As one learns to live in HIS presence, and seeks a relationship with HIM, one discovers life. An eternal Spirit living and flowing through them.

HE becomes the center of your life. Without HIM, there is no real meaning and purpose for life. HE is the reason for life. HE is like the sun rising each morning, HE makes everything fit into its proper place. This is why for believers all praise and honor are HIS.

Jesus gives purpose and meaning to life. Where there is no Jesus, there is only an empty life. When one comes to know Jesus, one then comes to know and experience real life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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