Basic Truths | Finding God in Everyday Life

  I’m a very shy and introverted person by nature. I’m better when I’m among people that I know well. Many people have told me that their first impression of me is a negative one because they think I’m unfriendly. At least some of them like me better once they’ve gotten to know me!   We all tend to form opinions about people when we meet them for the first time. It’s just part of human nature. Often our first impression completely changes once we’ve gotten to know them.   When I was little, the first impression I had of Jesus was a sort-of-superman with a halo around his head, who went about teaching people and doing all sorts of miracles. Those impressions changed as I got older. I saw Jesus travelling through the land, teaching in very measured tones, being very laid-back and holy, not letting anything bother him, loving those around him in a very spiritual way. That vision carried over to how I related to him.   I was reading Luke’s Gospel the other da...

  In my medical practice, I was often called on for second opinions by patients who were unsure of another doctor’s diagnosis. Most of the time I was in agreement, but sometimes I came to a different conclusion. I could see in some cases that the other doctor focused on a single thing in reaching their opinion and ignored everything else that pointed in a different direction. We use the term premature closure for that type of thinking and it has become more noticeable now that doctors are spending less and less time listening to and examining their patients.   I see the same problem in America today. Politicians and even leaders of Christian congregations and organizations make statements that seem to directly contradict Jesus’ teachings. They may even quote a particular Bible verse to support their position, ignoring all the other verses to the contrary. It’s not for me to judge another person so I make no assertions as to their motives, but I’m saddened, even angered som...

  I’ll start with a story. I’ll try to make it as short as I can.   Several years ago, I was leaving a friend’s house and stopped to help bring some things inside. They objected, but I said, “It’s OK. What difference will a few minutes make?” Those words echoed in my brain as I said them. As I was driving home, I came upon an accident that had just happened on the freeway. I stopped to help out. Another gentleman stopped after me and told me that I could go on, that he’d stay until the police arrived. Since it was already after midnight, I agreed, thinking to myself that those few minutes I stayed at my friend’s house may have kept me out of the accident.   The following day, I read in the paper that, a few minutes after I left, a car came down the freeway, lost control and ran into the accident scene, killing the man who had taken my place. I was stunned. I struggled to take it all in.   A few days later, I went to see a friend to help him with his taxes...