Doctors, Stumps, Puzzles

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Kingdom of God in action, life is a learning process, Life lessons, Where have you seen Jesus

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,” Proverbs 1:5

This Scripture is part of the opening statement in the Book of Proverbs. It is applicable there and throughout life. As we are being prepared for eternity with Jesus, one gains Kingdom insight from the daily events of life.

This past week three events brought a smile to my face. In each instance, I experienced the joy of having these Kingdom life lessons reinforced.

In the beginning of the week, I had my bi-annual skin exam. He is my new dermatologist. I made the recent decision to find a younger doctor who will hopefully outlive me. Dr. D is in his late thirties and wears his skin proud of the profession. As I sat naked with only my shorts, he exam my body for any unusual markings. He found two. One on my thigh and the other on my chest. With help from his nurse, he removed both of them and sent them to the lab for inspection. Band aids covered the new extracted skin holes.

The good news is no serious cancer. The bad news is he had to dig deeper to remove tiny bits of unwanted cells. The incision and stitches afterward caused an inkling of discomfort. A temporary pain and inconvenience for the long-term confirmation that all is OK. This reminded me of how the Spirit works to remove parts of the harden heart. The short-term pain is worth the long-term gain.

Earlier this past weekend, I also checked-off an item from my to-do list. A palm tree had died from a recent cold freeze and left me with the stump to be removed. This is the third tree planted in the same spot over the last fifteen years. It will not be replaced. But it was here I experienced the grace of Jesus.

I started digging around 7am and by 9am the body was near exhaustion. While sitting on the stool making plans to finish the work later in the week, my neighbor stopped by. A very successful business man in his late thirties. Collects sports cars as a hobby. Most of the work around his house is done by outside professional services. But today I saw Jesus come alive in him.

He looked at the fun I was having the last two hours and didn’t want to be deprived of sharing in it. He quickly reviewed the situation. Went back to his house and returned with a six-foot, 30-pound steel rod and a handheld spear cutter. In less than five minutes, we had the stump out of the ground. After thanking him, I smiled and teased him for being my Jesus at the moment. He actually blushed. But the lesson was learned. I gave my best effort to remove the tree stump; didn’t have anything left to finish the job but help came to finish it. Like so many times in life, we put forth the effort and God supplies us with HIS grace to complete the work. Most of the time He shows up hidden behind the life of another human.

Lastly, my wife and I recently picked up a new hobby to share. Putting together puzzles. I chose the first one. A five-hundred-piece portray of the Statue of Liberty lit up with fireworks around it. Yesterday we finished it. At the start she grumbled how difficult and uninspiring it was. I looked at it as a challenge and time we could bond together.

We laid the pieces on a small table in the living room. As we walk by it, we would stop and put a few pieces together. One day she would stop her busy schedule and do a few; the next day I did. Sometimes we were fortunate to come together and each grab a section of the puzzle. Yesterday, we both had time and sat together to finish the last few pieces. When the last piece was placed, I thought we were finished. But she proved me wrong. She showed me places where the pieces didn’t seem to properly blend or fit together. I then realized why I married her.

I am the business-minded person who focused on results. Perfection was an illusion in my field. Effectiveness or getting the job done is my priority. She on the other hand has an artist mind-set. Beauty and perfection are her giftedness. Though the puzzle was completed it wasn’t perfect. So we both sat down and put our heads together. In a matter of a few minutes she had disrupted several corners. Beauty was not recognized there. As I took my logical mind and together with her artistic eye, we began to move pieces around. We both began to experience the joy of sharing our giftedness toward a completed project. When we were finished, we had a perfect masterpiece to show the world. We did it together. Like a faith community coming together and living out the ways of Jesus in unity and love.

Yes, the doctor, the tree stump, and the puzzle were my Kingdom lessons of the week. What were yours?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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)

Which Way?

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Decisions, Discernment, faith, Signs, Wisdom

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Discern, Test, Prove…

One reason we read the Bible is to better understand the Will of God. As we digest the historical accounts in their context, we learn their application.

Over time we learn that God’s Will can be categorized under three channels. I’m sure there may be other ways to simplify a complex subject, but I have found this way the easiest to digest. HIS Will can be summarized as either Providence, Moral, or Personal. Providence pertains to HIS Will from a global perspective. The application is universal. An example is HIS plan of salvation or HIS goal to have an eternal family. The Moral aspect pertains to what is right and wrong in relationships. Examples are many: should I steal this? Should I commit adultery with my neighbor’s wife? What is the problem if I make up lies about that person? Then there is the Personal Will. This is what many of us mean when speaking about God’s Will. What does God want me to do at this time and place? Some examples are: who should I marry? Where should I live? What field of study should I choose? What church should I attend?

God’s Will most often comes to the scene when we are at a crossroad of a personal life-decision. This is where many of us freeze. I have found at times like this there are two types of decision-making methods employed. One is the Sign method and the other is the Wisdom method. Both methods use prayer to seek God’s Will. Both have their time and place. Both produce fruit and long-term benefits.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 1:22 that Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom. This is the same two methods still in use today when discernment is required.

Like the name implies, the Sign method seeks an answer from God via “a sign.” The difficulty with this method is interpreting the message from the sign. For example, you asked God for help because your car is in the shop and you need to get somewhere highly important. You go to bed and have a dream that a person you never seen before pulls up your driveway in a sports car. You wake up and interpret the dream as God is going to send you someone in such a car. Meanwhile, while walking your dog, your neighbor asks if you know anyone who needs a bike. He purchased a new one and was looking to donate it to someone in need. You reply no. Then walk away thinking all the people you know who have a sports car that may stop by and pick you up. Taking a bicycle to solve your immediate problem didn’t cross your mind. The problem is we look at the dream and expect God to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s and match the dream as is. In hindsight, we may realize the dream was a dream, but your neighbor was being Jesus to you at the moment. Pedaling a bicycle wasn’t in your plans nor the sign you were looking for. But Jesus provides for our needs many times in the most unexpected ways. Looking for signs leaves the possibility of missing out on the best answer at the moment. In some ways, looking for a sign removes you from exercising prudence in the situation. You are also removing personal responsibility for your actions. If things don’t pan out, you get to blame God.

The Wisdom approach is based on developing judgemental leadership skills. The foundation is studying God’s Word and learning to apply it in all situations. Yes, when one prays, one is seeking not an answer, but assurance. Romans 12:2 states we are to discern, test, and prove what is the Will of God. That requires us to study the lessons from the Bible. It requires us to spend time in prayer with our Heavenly Papa. It requires us to lean on Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the situation. Not necessarily for a specific outcome, but for the help to analyze the situation, make a plan of action, and then execute it. It requires us to exercise judgement. To learn how to best serve ourself and others in the process. The Triune God Way.

Most Christ-followers will start their walk under the sign method. And God will work with you through the process. You will eventually learn how God communicates with you and you with HIM. We are all wired differently yet the same. And we receive communications from God in many different ways. The more we spend time with HIM, the quicker we will learn. It may start with signs. Followed by nudges. Maybe the same spoken words from strangers over a period of time. You may receive dreams or visions. But not have the gift to interpret. So you find someone who over time has proven themselves to do so.

As you grow in Christ, HE will give you more leeway to make decisions based on your analysis. You will learn whatever decision you make, you are not afraid of failure, for HE is always with you. HE will help you through the process. As you grow in HIS grace and knowledge, you begin to see the world through HIS eyes. Your worldview changes. You will still make errors of judgement. But will learn from them. You will come to the place you realize the most important decision is to lean on HIM through the process. Seek wisdom. Make a plan. Execute. And follow through. Your mission is to test, discern, and prove your decision. You will not know if it is good, better, or the best until down the road. But you will learn to make prudent decisions based on the known facts and circumstances at that time.

Remember, life is a training-process preparing one for eternity with Jesus. Making decisions is part of the program. The benefit Christ-followers have is living under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom now. HE is always with us. HIS grace overflows upon us. We are being trained to lead and serve in HIS Kingdom now and in the new age to come. Discerning, testing, and proving is part of the training process to become more like Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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)

Only Because of Jesus

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Grace, Life-Giving, in christ, Jesus, Salvation

“who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” 2 Timothy 1:9

The older I become, the words from those early days become Deja vu. The older gents back then would smile when one of us younger guys asked those life metaphysical questions. Today, it is my turn to smile.

It happens when you realize your walk with Jesus is all you need. This is when the adventurous journey of faith begins to fall into place. You come to the place you truly know only because of Jesus. You move past the starting gate and now the marathon run with Jesus is getting closer to the winning circle.

You realize all that you believe is not as important as knowing Jesus. Only HE keeps you on the correct path.

You realize all your efforts mean nothing by themselves. But only because of Jesus you are loved and cherished by the Triune God.

You realize all your good works mean nothing by themselves. But only because of Jesus you are known and recognized by God.

You have come to the place of knowing and understanding HE is the central character of your story. Only because of Jesus do you have a part in God’s eternal plan.

You see how fleeting the vapor of life passes you by. Then only because of Jesus do you realize your eternal future is secured.

The longer you walk in the faith, the more everything else becomes insignificant. Only because of Jesus is God’s grace poured out upon you.

You find purpose and meaning in life, only because of Jesus. You can kick yourself for not being more open-minded in your youth to HIS story.

Only because of Jesus does the Holy Spirit diligently work to transform you into HIS image.

Only because of Jesus is there hope for a future.

Only because of Jesus do I find rest and comfort in my soul each night before sleep.

Only because of Jesus is life so good.

You could add more items to this list. I only scratched the surface. For me, only because of Jesus, is my new meme for the year.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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)