Another Helper

In Exodus 23:20-24, God promises that an Angel would help the people of Israel. By this time God had already moved the people out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. They were now at the foot of Mount Sinai, receiving instructions from God through Moses in preparation for advancing towards the Promised Land. These instructions gave insight on how they were supposed to live once they reached the Promised Land. In Exodus 23:20-24 God speaks of an Angel who would go before Israel, clearing the path for them to move into the Promised Land. Who is this Angel and does this promise foreshadow a similar one in the New Testament? Let’s find out.

In order to get a better understanding of this passage I think we must look at the definition of an angel. Simply put, an angel is a messenger from God. Quoting the Bible Project:

The word “angel” in the Bible is translated from the Hebrew word malach and the Greek word angelos, both meaning “messenger.” God sends angels to warn, comfort, and guide people by communicating his messages to them.

I checked a number of different sources and all agree that an angel is a messenger sent by God. Some sources seem to limit the use of angel to what we usually think of: a powerful creature that looks like a man with wings. But there are also a number of sources that apply the use of “angel” to any messenger, including people, like pastors. The Angel in Exodus 23 is clearly a powerful being, sent to “cut off” the nations that the people of Israel would find already dwelling in the Promised Land, meaning He most likely is not human. (By the way, the people of Israel seemed to have forgotten about this promise when they heard about the “giants” that lived in the Promised Land.)

God says that His name will be in this Angel and this Angel will have the power to choose not to pardon their transgressions. I find that aspect of this Angel to be very interesting as, according to Jewish tradition, only God has the power to forgive or to not forgive sins (see Luke 5:17-26, specifically verse 21). This makes me wonder if this Angel is actually The Son of God, going before the people in order to deliver them into the land. Looking at a handful of Bible Commentaries reveals an agreement that this is likely the Angel of the Covenant with many of them also seeing this as being the second Person of the Trinity.

So we have here God’s promise that He will send an Angel (possibly His Son) to guide the people. This Angel was sent to help them reach and take the Promised Land if they trusted in God and followed His teachings. He was to be their helper as they followed God’s calling, doing whatever was needed to help them succeed. As such this promise sounds a lot like the promise Jesus makes to us in John 14:15-17 where He promises to send another comforter.

Jesus was/is the first comforter, sent to deliver us from sin and death and into the promised rest given by God. He promised to send another comforter, the Spirit of Truth (The Holy Spirit) who lives with and in those who follow Jesus. I think that the similarities between these two promises shows that God never intended for us to live this life without His help but if we do not accept His help then that is on us.

God wants to help us follow His will. He wants to walk with us and work in us in order to help us receive His ultimate promise: the Kingdom of God which is our true home. Remember that if you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, He has sent another Helper to you. Believe in God and let Him lead you forward.

“as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

A Constant Glucose Meter Update

Back in August I wrote about how wearing a constant glucose meter (CGM) is a game changer in helping me manage my diabetes. I still believe that a CGM should be standard issue when someone receives a diabetes diagnosis but in this post I want to talk about one downside that I have experienced over the last several months. While the commercials for CGMs talk about getting away from finger sticks, in my experience it is prudent to keep the old lancet and standard glucose meter nearby.

Recently, after attaching a new CGM, I began to get numbers that did not make any sense. I woke up the next morning to an unusually high reading and just couldn’t seem to get the number back down. Over the next 48 hours I did what I would usually do when my readings are high but  nothing seemed to work. And then it hit me. I needed to get my old meter out to verify what the CGM was telling me. After a quick finger prick, I had my reading and it was significantly lower than what I was seeing on my CGM. Fortunately the Dexcom G7 that I wear has a function that allows for recalibration and within 5 minutes my CGM was back into agreement with my old fashion glucose meter.

The instructions for the Dexcom G7 warn that during the first 24 hours after inserting a new unit, there might be some readings that are off and on their website Dexcom advises taking a finger stick reading any time that the CGM readings don’t make sense or don’t match what you are feeling. While most of the time my CGMs are on target, there are times when I need to recalibrate. So while I wish I could get rid of my old lancet, I still need it and am thankful for the ability to verify the information that I use in managing my glucose levels.

Maybe one day we will have a CGM that does not need any recalibration or any other kind of back up reading. But for now, if you are thinking about getting a CGM, remember that you need to keep your old lancet and glucose meter, and yes you will still need to do the occasional finger stick. That being said, a good constant glucose meter is still the way to go when managing diabetes.

See Also: Continuous Glucose Monitors Are Game Changers

Book Reviewed: The Golden 13

 Prior to World War II the Navy’s record when it came to race relations was…well…dismal. Opportunities for blacks within the service were very limited in part due to a major written report that warned of what might happen if African-Americans were allowed to serve onboard a Navy vessel alongside a white crew. These attitudes were a reflection of what was going on in the nation outside of the service. So as the nation fought for freedom overseas, blacks were not afforded the same here at home.

The Golden 13 describes a major change within the Navy. Under pressure to change, this branch of the military would create a test program in which 13 men would become the Navy’s first black officers. Based in part on personal interviews, this book tells why these men joined the service in the first place and describes what they faced as they worked their way up the ranks. Dan C. Goldberg gives us a good mix of historical background along with the personal stories of these men, leaving the reader with a view of what was at stake and why these men were the right group to face the challenge.

The Golden 13 is well written and fun to read. The writing is unbiased, a simple telling of a story that should not be forgotten. The narrative covers a topic that must be acknowledged as we cannot run away from the fact that racism is a part of our history and in some areas is still an issue today. But in acknowledging the problem we must also acknowledge situations where people of both races worked towards change. This book is a record of just such a situation, revealing a major step towards this nation fulfilling its promise.

I give The Golden 13 two thumbs up, recommending it to anyone who enjoys history and to those who are interested in learning about where the United States used to be and how we got to where we are today.

The Golden 13: How Black Men Won The Right to Wear Navy Gold by Dan C. Goldberg. Published by Beacon Press Books.

Which is More Important? God’s Love or God’s Glory?

I wrote the following in my personal journal about six years ago. Let me know what you think? Do you agree? Contact me on Twitter  (@denniswcoleman) or via email (dcwriter1@hotmail.com) and yes I know it’s no longer called Twitter.

Which is More Important? God’s Love or God’s Glory?

God spoke to my heart this morning, correcting an error I have long carried. I have always seen Him as about His glory first, me second. God challenged me to reconcile this with Christ. Christ gave up what He had in Heaven, taking on human flesh which clothed His glory. The creator made himself like the created. He endured humiliation and pain even though He could call an army of angels to His side for battle. He died on the cross that I might live. These are not the actions of someone Who puts His own glory first. My erroneous view cannot be reconciled with Christ.

God is love. This is what was demonstrated in Christ, especially at the cross. This is the truth. This is God, who loves me. Yes He is to be glorified but somehow He can do so while putting His children (including me) first. He loved me first, making it easy to set aside His glory for the cross. That love is still strong. I must learn to live as if God loves me, not as if He puts His glory first.

A Band Director, A Taser and A Lot of Difficult Questions

It has become all too easy to list the multiple situations where interactions between the police and black citizens have gone wrong, and usually it’s easy to blame the police. But there are also many situations where placing blame is not easy: cases that are not so…black and white. What I see on the body cam video released by the Birmingham Police Depart after an incident that happened at a high school football game on September 14th falls in that category where it’s difficult to know who to blame

According to the body cam video, the game between Jackson-Olin High School and Minor High School had ended 18-20 minutes before the incident involving the band director from Minor occurred. Johnny Mims, and the band director from the other high school both agreed that the bands would continue playing music for a few minutes after the game ended. However, for reasons that are still not clear, the police began clearing the stadium. The Jackson-Olin band (the home team band) stopped playing. The band form Minor continued to play (sort of a new twist on the line from the song American Pie).

This is when things got ugly. A police officer confronted Mims, who told the officer several times to get out of his face. Someone turned out the lights. Police attempted to arrest Mims. There was a scuffle of some sort and an officer tased Mims several times while people nearby (likely members of the band) screamed. Once again we have a situation involving a black man that never should have gone in this direction but…I struggle with this one and I have questions for both sides, but I honestly lay blame first at the feet of the band director.

Did police overreact? Would they have treated Mims the same way if he was white? (Something Mim’s  attorney asked during a press conference.) Who turned off the lights and why were police in such a hurry to clear the stadium? These are all important questions but I think another question outweighs them all. Shouldn’t an educator set an example of respect for authority as well as respect for another person?

My expectation of a band director is to set an example for the members of the band and for all of the students in the school. Telling a police officer (or any other adult) to get out of his face is not setting a good example. What would he have done if one of his students told him to get out of their face for one reason or another? Yet, he just taught them all that this is okay. To expect police to simply ignore this level of disrespect is to ask for his students to treat him in the same way. This is not what we want and is not the lesson that an educator should teach.

For more on this story see coverage on CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/20/us/alabama-band-director-tased-speaks-out/index.html

For the police body cam video go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nvbnvjutGA

Random Thoughts for September 15, 2023

A Smart Toilet and Westworld The other day I saw an ad for a smart toilet, and while it’s not the first time I have seen an ad for one of these advanced and expensive commodes, it is the first time that I tried to figure out what they do. I also found myself thinking about the old 1973 movie, “Westworld,” starring the late Yule Brynner. Westworld takes place at a futuristic resort where robots serve guests, doing whatever is needed to help them…relax. As the robots become more aware, they decide to turn on the guests and on those who run the place. Brynner plays a particularly scary cowboy robot who becomes determined to kill one of the guests named Peter Martin (played by Richard Benjamin), chasing him through the entire resort. So, what would happen if smart toilets become self aware and decide to pull off a Westworld type rebellion? The Elimination Race of NASCAR’s Round of Sixteen Tomorrow night I hope to watch this week’s NASCAR race which will determine the twelve drivers who will move into the second round of the playoffs. One driver that I hope does well is Bubba Wallace. (Yes, admit it. I’m rooting according to skin color in this one.) With Wallace being the only black driver racing in NASCAR, I hope he earns his way into the next round. Before the last race of the regular season, Wallace refused to do any interviews as he was stressed at facing his final opportunities to qualify for the playoffs. For this he was called out by at least one of the race commentators from NBC. In fact I think I understand the pressure Wallace was under. Being the only black in the room brings a sort of pressure that is hard to explain. This, on top of the pressure of being a part of a team that is co-owned by Michael Jordan (who is used to winning) and Denny Hamlin (winner of 50 Cup races) which I suspect brings a certain level of expectation. Above all I suspect that Wallace really wanted to make the playoffs, likely for a number of reasons. This isn’t to make excuses for Wallace not doing interviews. I just want to say that I have a very small understanding of the pressure that comes with representing. Only in Philly Live in the Philadelphia area and follow the teams long enough and you realize that there are a number of things that seem like they could only happen in Philly. Only in Philly, at the end of a two week long manhunt, would the escapee be found representing one of the local teams. In this case, the escaped convict was found wearing an Eagles sweatshirt. Oh well, at least he didn’t try to sing the fight song.

What Do Your Actions Reveal About Your Faith?

There they were, enjoying the view from their campsite along the shores of the Red Sea. But then something drew their attention to the opposite direction where Pharoah and the armies of Egypt were in hot pursuit. The people of Israel were understandably frightened and initially they cried out to the LORD (Exodus 14:10). Unfortunately what they did next was completely wrong and their actions revealed what they really believed about their God.

Instead of waiting for an answer from God, the people turned on Moses, their leader, accusing him of leading them to their deaths. They reminded Moses of how they had asked him to leave them alone in their bondage. At this point they were afraid and all they could see was the large and powerful army bearing down on their camp. Out of fear they forgot that their God was on their side and that He is able to deliver His people out of any negative situation.

Their actions revealed that they did not fully trust God. Faith in the LORD would have looked something like Moses’ response in verses 13 and 14 where he speaks of deliverance and of the LORD fighting on their behalf. He believed that God had a way out. They simply needed to wait and trust in Him. Moses’ response of faith was in direct contrast to the lack of faith demonstrated by the people.

How would you have responded? How do you respond today when life’s troubles pursue and threaten to overtake you? As Christians we know that we should call upon the Lord but how do you respond after you say the word amen? What do your actions reveal about your faith in our Heavenly Father?

Continuous Glucose Monitors Are Game Changers

It has been almost two years since I was diagnosed with diabetes. Since that time I have made a number of life changes, all for the better. I’ve lost about 20 lbs and gotten my A1c down below 7. But during my last follow up visit my doctor still seemed a bit concerned. It seems that he still wants an A1c coming in below 6, plus my glucose reading of my last fasting blood test was still above 100. While these are big improvements, they are still not ideal, coming in the range of what someone would have if they had prediabetes. In response to his concerns I decided to appeal to my insurance company, asking them to pay for a continuous glucose monitor which I have received and it has been a game changer.

What is a continuous glucose monitor or CGM? Just as the name implies, CGMs are systems that give continuous, or at least close to continuous, blood glucose readings. I have the Dexcom G7 which sends a reading to my cell phone once every five minutes. The Dexcom sticks to my arm with a small filament tucked just under my skin, reading my glucose levels from my interstitial fluid (the fluid that is found in the spaces in between our cells). The G7 received FDA approval back in 2022 for use by anyone over the age of 2 and has replaced the previously approved G6 for use by people who have diabetes.

I had applied for the G6 a month or two after my diagnosis but was denied by my insurance company who sent a list of reasons for the denial. To be honest some of the reasons were insulting. For example, they accused me of not caring about my diagnoses, accusing me of not taking my own blood glucose readings. You would think that if this were true they would have wanted me to have a CGM in an attempt to get me to take these readings. They were wrong and I was taking my readings, poking holes in my fingers at regular (and painful) intervals. They also listed a number of other reasons most of which I probably could have successfully argued against on appeal but one stood out as a problem.

When I received my diagnosis my doctor suggested that I attend classes with a dietician. I declined because I’m a researcher at heart and I enjoy finding answers on my own. Over the last two years I have taken the time to dig into the topic of diabetes, including doing research on how to eat. It has been a lot of fun and I still have a lot to learn. (For the record, unless you are willing to put in the time to do the research, I do recommend going to the dietician if you are diagnosed with diabetes.) Because I would not take their classes, the insurance company initially said no to paying for a CGM. But this year something changed.

This year I asked my doctor to once again put in a prescription for a CGM and he did so just after my local pharmacist started carrying the G7. To my surprise the insurance company said yes without any push back (Thank God). It seems the insurance company’s policies concerning CGMs had changed and so this year I got my first Dexcom G7 and it is a game changer. In fact, based on my early experiences I think CGMs should be an automatic part of the treatment plan for people who are diagnosed with diabetes.

I was very diligent with my finger sticks and thought I was doing a good job controlling things based on the numbers I was seeing. Yet, my A1c seemed to hit a plateau in the upper 6s and I couldn’t understand why. Within the first 10 days of wearing the G7 I figured out what was going on. (Each G7 can be worn for 10 days before it needs to be replaced.) In between my finger sticks things were not going as well as I thought. This was leading to an average which was higher than I anticipated and my A1c was based on that average. The G7 told a story that I could not have known without taking finger sticks every five minutes (not recommended). With the information from the G7 I now have a plan for getting my A1c down to where my doctor and I both want it to be.

I believe that living with diabetes and not having a CGM was living with one hand tied behind my back. I wish I had one from the start but all is in God’s timing and He knows why I had to wait. I suspect that had I not had over a year of finger pricks, I would not appreciate the technology and benefits that come with a CGM. This is a tool that will help me improve my health and I believe it is a necessary tool for dealing with diabetes. I’ll say it again: my CGM is a game changer.

Like Christ, Waiting for the Answer

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.

Hebrews 10:12-13

Sometimes waiting is hard. As a Christian it’s sometimes hard to maintain my faith as I wait for God to answer a prayer and/or to fulfill one of His promises. Yet, it is important that we all remain patient and wait on God, trusting in His perfect timing. And we’re not the only ones waiting for the Father to do His thing.

Hebrews 10:12-13 tells us that Christ, after offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, sat down at the right hand of God. There He waits for the Father to fulfill a promise that is first written in Psalm 110:1.

The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

Hebrews 10:13 seems to imply that this promise was not yet fulfilled when the verse was written and I believe that it is not yet fulfilled today, at least not here on earth. So Jesus is waiting patiently for the Father to complete the work of making His enemies His footstool and He has been waiting at least since His resurrection. Now that's what I call being patient. Is it possible that we, as His children, can show that same kind of patience?

Who Do You Love More?

In the first 6 verses of Zechariah 7 God asks the people if their fasts were about Him or about them. He then describes what should have been the results of fasts and prayers and of lives lived in a way that is God centered. What should have happened if they were about God? They should have obeyed what God told them to do when they were still on their land and still blessed with all God had given them. In essence, God is saying here, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Israel was blessed because God loved them. He asked them to return that love and described what this should look like. Jesus has given the gift of salvation because God loves us (John 3:16). All He asks is that we love Him in return. This means believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, which is how we get saved. It also means keeping His commandments which is the outflowing of a heart that loves the Lord.

So, who do you love more? How you live reveals the answer.

“Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?

Zechariah 7:5

God Delights In Mercy, Even in the Old Testament

It’s a conversation I’ve had many times and it usually starts with the statement, “The God of the Old Testament seems so different from the God of the New Testament.” The person making this statement usually goes on to talk about how God seems so judgmental and harsh in the Old Testament and so forgiving in the New Testament. They point to times when people died for sinning against God, like in 2 Samuel 6:6-8 when Uzzah touched the ark and was immediately struck down. Even David was a little ticked off about that one. While it’s a little confusing to say that the God who forgives would do such a thing, the fact is that it is the same God. Therefore, we must reconcile these acts of judgment with the forgiveness that is found throughout the New Testament, lest we misunderstand the true nature of our God.

Who is a God like You,

Pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever,

Because He delights in mercy.

Micah 7:18 (NKJV)

Micah believed that the God of his time (in the Old Testament) was a God who forgave sins. Micah describes God as one who “delights in mercy.” Other translations use the words “Grace,” “steadfast love” and “loving-kindness,” Some even use both “mercy” and “loving-kindness” together. In Micah’s eyes the God of the Old Testament was more like what we think of about the God of the New Testament.

Keep in mind that Micah wrote this after prophesying of the judgment which was to fall upon Judah and Israel (Micah chapters 1-3), so the prophet was not overlooking the fact that God at times will unleash His anger upon those who sin against Him. But Micah also understood the fact that God is a just God and that the people of his nation had earned their sentence of death because of their iniquities. That being said, Micah trusted that God would have compassion and would cast their sins into the sea (verse 19).

Micah’s God was the God of the Old Testament. His God was also a God of mercy and compassion who loves His people and forgives them of their sins. This same Old Testament God gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins because He loved the world (John 3:16) and while at times it may be difficult to accept, God has not changed. He is Lord in every book of the Bible. He was a God of mercy in the Old Testament and He is a God of mercy in the New Testament. And right now He wants to show you how much He loves and cares about you.

Book Review: Blessed By The Best

Blessed By The Best is a must read for any fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and suggested reading for all NFL fans, giving a glimpse into the life of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins. The full title of the book is Blessed By The Best, My Journey to Canton and Beyond and it is written by Michael Bradley who worked with Brian Dawkins to put together an inspiring book about overcoming physical circumstances as well as emotional turmoil. The book reads as if Dawkins is in the room with you, telling you his life story.

From a writing standpoint this book almost seems as if it is unedited, as if a recording of Dawkins was transcribed word for word. I think this adds to the charm of the book as I really felt that I got to know the character of the man who spent 235 pages telling me about himself, his family, his teammates and most of all about his God. This makes it a fun read which left me looking forward to what Dawkins will do with the rest of his post football life.

I give Blessed By The Best two thumbs up, recommending it for sports fans and for anyone who needs the inspiration of learning from someone who overcame a number of obstacles. I also recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about one man’s spiritual journey, delivered with honesty about his ups and downs as he continues to learn to trust in God.

Blessed By The Best: My Journey To Canton and Beyond by Brian Dawkins with Michael Bradley. Published by Camino Books, Inc. Philadelphia

Where Is Your Focus? When Joseph Had to Choose

 

Genesis 50:15-21

You know the verse:

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, (Genesis 50:20 NKJV)

But have you ever thought about the choice Joseph was making when he spoke those words? His father Jacob had recently passed away and his brothers were now scared. Without the protection of their father they feared that Joseph might take his revenge on them for what they had done many years ago. And who could blame Joseph if he did? After all, when he was much younger they tossed him into a pit which was much better for him than their original plan which was to kill him (Genesis 37:17-22). Later his brothers decided to make some money by selling Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:25-28). This was the start of what could only be called a roller coaster of a life, that is if roller coasters existed back then.

As a slave he found himself traveling with a group of Arabian Nomads who made their living by selling things, in this case spices, balm myrrh and the occasional human being. (If you are curious as to why the Bible calls this group both “Ishmaelites'' and “Midianites'' check out “Ishmaelites or Midianites” on appologeticspress.org.) These Nomads sold Joseph to Potiphar where he would find himself falsely accused of attempting to assault the man’s wife. As a result Joseph would find himself in prison before eventually being freed in order to guide Egypt through a rather severe drought. According to a number of sources, Joseph would spend a combined 13 years either serving Potiphar or sitting in prison before seeing the fulfillment of what he had seen in the dreams that turned his brothers against him in the first place.

Having experienced these ups and downs, and now facing his brothers without his dad there to intervene, Joseph had a choice to make. He could focus on all that had gone wrong in his life because of one malicious act carried out against him by his brothers. He could focus on how he had overcome the difficulties of his past to become second only to Pharaoh in all of Egypt. Instead of choosing one of these, Joseph focused on a third possibility: that God worked everything for his good and for the good of his family.

Joseph chose to see his life through the eyes of God, focusing on what God was doing instead of focusing on the actions of his brothers or anyone else that had wronged him. This allowed him to forgive and to live free of the bondage that comes when past trauma colors our point of view. What could have been a life of depression and anger or a life spent carrying grudges was instead a life of purpose and blessing which Joseph was only able to receive by seeing God at work in his life.

This lesson is one that is very personal for me. I’ve shared in the past how my teen years were lived under the bondage of codependency. Early in my Christian walk I found it difficult to forgive and to let go of my past, allowing the chains of co-dependency to haunt me long after I had been set free. But in order to forgive and let go, I had to come to terms with the fact that God allowed me to grow up in that situation. No, He did not cause alcoholism to run in my family but He also didn’t intervene to keep me out of the situation. I had to accept that God had worked all for my good including my past and what was a very difficult situation served a purpose in God’s plan for my life.

Chances are there are times in your life where you have wondered why God didn’t intervene. Was He even there with you? Could He hear your cries? The answer is yes and yes. But will you choose to see your situation and your past through His eyes, believing that He works all for your good?

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NKJV)

Random Thoughts for May 31, 2023

Memorial Day 2023

I’m writing this a couple of days after Memorial Day 2023 and as always, I thank God for those who served and died for the United States of America. I have a lot of family members who served in the various branches of our military and quite a few of them served in or near areas of conflict. Fortunately, they all made it back alive but many of their fellow soldiers did not.

This Memorial Day I want to thank all of the Gold Star Families out there for their sacrifice on behalf of our nation. I wish I could thank each of you face to face and give you a big hug. Above all I want you all to know that you are not forgotten.

If you don’t know about our Gold Star Families, please read What is a Gold Star Family? on the USO website.

Uvalde, Texas: One year later

It has been a year since a teenager walked into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and killed 19 children and two teachers. 17 other people were injured that day and as mentioned in numerous news stories this month, many questions remain unanswered. While listening to NPR on May 24th I heard interviews with some of the parents of Uvalde as they shared stories of the children they lost. Each story served as a reminder that we lost 21 people that day and that we also lost their dreams and so much more. I heard the pain that is still there as these parents continue (I hope) to heal and as they ask if there is something that can be done to prevent the next school shooting. I also heard a reminder that there is a problem and I fear that in our current political and spiritual climate, we might not be willing to reach for the right solutions.

I do believe that we have a gun problem. We also have a mental health problem. We have a problem of people turning a blind eye, not wanting to look at the signs within their loved ones that they need help. We have a problem because our family units are quite often broken. We have a problem because we have lost our coping mechanisms. We have a problem because (in my opinion) our anti bullying programs seem to fail the very vulnerable populations that they claim to want to protect. But most of all we have a spiritual problem that leaves people feeling empty and hopeless, and (again in my opinion) the blame for that just might fall at the foot of the church.

I suspect there are many of you who disagree with that last sentence and that’s fine. I just ask one thing of you, especially if you are a Christian. Please pray! Seek God and ask His opinion. Let Him guide your heart in how we as the body of Christ should respond to the problem of gun violence in our nation. After all, the church should definitely be about protecting the lives of people in our country.

Whose Medical Team Is This, Anyway?

Almost two years ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Since that time I’ve had my ups and my downs (fortunately mostly ups) as I work at keeping my glucose levels “in range.” I’ve gotten my A1C down below 7 and am at a point where the doctor says I have things under control but with room for improvement. I have goals that I have set for myself as far as exercise and weight loss. Hopefully I will still be able to push my A1C down even further by the end of this year. I believe I am on a good path but there’s just one thing bugging me: an area where I felt I needed to speak up and take control. That area rests squarely between the four walls of my doctor’s examination room.

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe that my doctor and his staff have my best interest at heart. Here’s the problem. My doctor likes to do things “By the book,” which means medications with occasional increases in dosage. That’s not my goal but at first I was afraid to say anything about it. Early on I asked what it would take to get off of the medications but my question was met with an answer that I did not like. Over the 1st year and a half I found myself wondering who is in charge and if we share the same goals. Yes, we share the goal of keeping me healthy but my goal is to do so with as little medication as possible and I’d rather not go down the path of a higher dose of this followed by a higher dose of that.

So here’s my question. How do you see your relationship with your doctor? Is your doctor your medical boss, giving out orders that you have to follow? At times I become a people pleaser and I think this caused me to see the relationship in these terms. God helped me see that my doctor is a medical expert giving me advice based on his experience but his experience is not alway a perfect fit for my situation. For example, he did not think I could lose enough weight to make a difference. I have. The bottom line is he gives his best advice and it’s my choice on what I do with that advice as well as with the advice I get from many other sources. Most of the time I will probably do as the doctor says but I want to have some input and I make the final decision.

I want to be clear about this. I’m not advocating for you or anyone else to ignore the advice of their doctor. I’m not on some power trip and do not plan to ignore my own doctor. What I am advocating is for all of us to become informed patients, learning all that we can including what the doctor’s “book” says. As I learn more about living with diabetes I plan to make my health a collaborative effort, one in which I do lean heavily on my doctor for advice. And I will recognize that 99% of the time it is the best advice but it is advice and not a command.

When it comes to my health I will not be a people pleaser. After all, whose medical team is this anyway? To be more accurate: Whose life is this anyway?

You Know, I Think God Likes Different Colors

 

The family that sold us our house many years ago left behind a number of different trees and plants in our yard. Over the years we cut a number of them down, especially the pine trees that were growing way too close to the house. But we did keep a few plants, including a few Azaleas which were growing in various places around the property. One of these Azaleas always opens first among the group and when it does it puts on quite a show.

We have three different kinds of Azalea in our yard, each with its own color. Add in a couple of purple Rhododendrons and we get a nice pallet of colors greeting us as we move through the spring. But that one Azalea is always the first to open, stretching out its pedals days before the other Azaleas and Rhododendrons show signs of waking up.

When they do open they join with the Tulips we have planted around the property, opening and eventually dropping their flowers just as the Day Lilies we have planted in our backyard begin to strut their stuff. Later in the summer a row of Hibiscus at the side of the yard will open up and put on a show of their own. I have to watch these Hibiscus closely as they are able to grow like they are out of control with their offspring turning up in a number of different places around the property. I like them but not enough to let them take over.

The only downside to having all of the colors of spring and summer is the fact that I suffer from allergies. Still, that does not keep me from enjoying each and every plant. I even enjoy the bugs they attract like the bees and the lady bugs, although I keep my distance from the bees. Throw in the assortment of birds, including the occasional humming bird, and everything just seems to be right with the world. It’s a reminder to take time to relax. It is also a reminder that God must really like a huge range of different colors.

Do You Pray for People of Other Religions?

Over the next few weeks we will see an overlap of holidays from the three major world religions. From March 23rd until April 22nd Muslims will celebrate Ramadan. Starting on April 5th and running through April 13 Jews will celebrate the Passover. Catholics and many other Christians began celebrating Lent on February 22nd and will continue until April 6th. On April 9th Christians will celebrate Easter with Orthodox Christians celebrating Easter on April 16th. All of these celebrations are important to their respective followers.

Here is a question for you Christians who are reading this right now. Do you pray for people from other religions as they celebrate their respective holidays? I believe that only God can do the work needed to change a person’s heart. What better time to lift others up than during a time when they are focused on seeking a higher power. May God open their eyes that they can see the truth.

Let’s call upon God in Jesus’ name, asking that people around the world would see the truth.

A Religious Exercise or An Act of Love?

In Genesis 17 the LORD appears before Abram who at this point is ninety-nine years old. As the LORD introduces Himself as El Shaddai (The Almighty God according to Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) and begins to speak of a covenant between Himself and Abram, Abram falls on his face in response to the presence of the LORD. I can’t imagine what Abram was feeling at this point but I suspect he was overwhelmed by the presence of God.

Just as Abram found himself in the presence of God, every born again believer is in the presence of the Helper promised to us by Jesus Himself in John 14:16. Jesus goes on to tell us in the next verse that this Helper, the Spirit of Truth, will live with us and in us forever. This means we are forever in the presence of the Spirit of Truth as He has come to make His home in our hearts. Think about that for a moment. Shouldn’t we, like Abram, be overwhelmed by the fact that the Spirit of Truth lives in us?

I didn’t understand what that meant when I first became a Christian and I find that I have to remind myself to not get comfortable with His presence. My response to Him should be one of awe and of love, not just a bunch of religious practices done because they are the Christian thing to do. I actively have to choose to love the Lord and not to take His presence for granted in my life. We actively have to choose whether or not we respond with humble adoration to the fact that we are always in the presence of our God.

So I ask you, is your Christian walk a simple religious exercise or do you respond with the awareness that you are in the presence of your Heavenly Father?

Joe Gilliam: The First Black Starting QB in the NFL

They made history. Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs were the two starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl LVII making it the first time that both starting QBs were black. This was something I heard quite a few times leading up to the game and every time I heard an analyst mention that fact I thought of one name: Joe Gilliam.

In 1972 the Pittsburgh Steelers used the 273rd pick to draft Joe Gilliam who, during his college career at Tennessee State, passed for 5,213 yards and 50 touchdowns. While under center he helped his team win two Black College National Championships and his performances earned him induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. His on the field play and off the field popularity would earn him the nickname “Jefferson Street Joe,” given to him by one of the school’s coaches (in reference to one of the roads near campus, according to ESPN.com).

Even with his success in college the odds were against Gilliam playing quarterback in the NFL. Back then black college quarterbacks were generally converted to wide receiver however the Steelers, and head coach Chuck Knoll, decided to keep Gilliam at the quarterback position where he served as backup to Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw.

When the players went on strike in July of 1974 Bradshaw walked the picket line while Gilliam, and many other players around the league, chose to report for preseason training camp. Bradshaw’s absence opened the door for Coach Knoll to start Gilliam and Jefferson Street Joe took full advantage as the Steelers finished the preseason as the only unbeaten team with six wins. His success earned Gilliam the right to start on opening day against the Baltimore Colts. While I’m sure this was controversial, it does not seem as if it was done as a political statement. According to several sources, (including an article on CBSSports.com), Chuck Knoll believed that Gilliam was the best choice and he was not the only one who believed this (more on that later).

There had been other black quarterbacks who started professional football games like Marlin Briscoe who started for the Denver Broncos in 1968 but that was in the AFL before the merger which wasn’t official until 1970. Joe Gilliam was the first black to start at quarterback in the NFL but being first brought with it a certain amount of backlash. Based on the hate mail Gilliam received, it seems NFL fans were not ready to see a black man under center. Still, he would lead the team to a 4-1-1 record before being replaced by Bradshaw who would finish the season by leading the team to a win in Super Bowl IX. Unfortunately, after being benched Gilliam’s life took a turn for the worse, marked by substance abuse and homelessness (according to ESPN.com). He would eventually have to pawn his two Super Bowl rings (both from his time with the Steelers) in order to make ends meet (according to ESPN.com).

I first heard of Joe Gilliam from my uncle who played quarterback for a semi-pro team in Gary Indiana. He spoke of how Joe Gilliam was a better quarterback than Terry Bradshaw, something Bradshaw himself has publicly stated (as reported by CBSSports.com). This led to my first understanding of how blacks were seen in football and in sports: athletic but not smart enough. Knowing this I celebrated when Doug Williams led the Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII. I was also proud to see Hurts and Mahomes in this year’s Super Bowl, although I wish the score had gone the other way.

It seems weird to say that in my lifetime the idea of a black quarterback was in general something that was rejected by the league and by fans. I’m glad to see this kind of thinking go out the window as we debate whether or not a black quarterback might one day be crowned the GOAT.

For more on Joe Gilliam see his listing on the Black College Hall of Fame website: https://www.blackcollegefootballhof.org/inductees/joe-gilliam

For the ESPN.com cited in this post:Gilliam had 'given his life to God'  https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2000/1229/982102.html

For the CBSSports.com article cited in this post: Remember When: Joe Gilliam takes Terry Bradshaw's starting QB job https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/remember-when-joe-gilliam-takes-terry-bradshaws-starting-qb-job/

Paul Salata, The Founder of Mr. Irrelevant

On the road to Super Bowl LVII the Eagles faced the San Francisco 49ers with one of the season’s biggest surprises at QB. Brock Purdy, their third string quarterback, took the field late in the season and delivered in every game until he suffered an injury in the NFC Championship. I’m not sure what is in store for Purdy in the future but his success this season got me thinking about past Mr. Irrelevants and their success (or lack thereof) on the football field. In checking the names of past players I came across a very important name that I did not know: Paul Salata, the person who came up with the idea of celebrating Mr. Irrelevant.

For those who don’t know, Mr. Irrelevant is the nickname given to the very last person picked in the NFL draft each year. Paul Salata came up with the idea in order to recognize the hard work that even the last player selected had to do in order to reach that point in their career. Mr. Salata pitched the idea to the NFL and in 1976 Kelvin Kirk, a wide receiver drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, became the first official Mr. Irrelevant. I’ll have more on Kelvin Kirk in a later post but for now let's just say that Kirk thought that someone was playing a joke on him. But this was not a joke. Mr. Salata invited Kirk out to California for a celebration and which would become an annual rite of passage for every Mr. Irrelevant since that time.

According to his obituary in the NY Times, Paul Salata was the second son of two Serbian immigrants (Chetko and Melania Salata). He played football and baseball at USC, playing on the team that won the 1948 College World Series. He also played one year of minor league baseball. While at USC he played wide receiver before joining the Army Air Corps where he served during World War II. During his college career Salata caught a touchdown in the 1945 Rose Bowl in which USC beat Tennessee by a score of 25-0 according to ESPN.com.

Mr. Salata’s NFL career was short, playing 23 games for three teams: The San Francisco 49ers, The Baltimore Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also made appearances in a few movies, including an uncredited role in The Ten Commandments. In addition to his NFL career Salata played two seasons in the Canadian Football League where he was an All Star in the 1952 season according to ESPN.com. After completing his football and acting careers, Salata went into construction work and, after creating the honor, would get to announce the name of Mr. Irrelevant in person at the draft until 2013. After turning this job over to his daughter, Paul Salata lived until October 16, 2021 when he died of natural causes at the age of 94.

Paul Salata’s legacy continues today with the annual celebration of Mr. Irrelevant and the awarding of the Lowsman Trophy which is similar to the Heisman Trophy except that it depicts a player fumbling the football. The weeklong celebration includes a banquet in which Mr. Irrelevant joins the club of those who preceded him. The group that runs the Mr. Irrelevant celebrations also does fundraising and has donated over $1 million to charities according to their website. I believe this is a fitting tribute both to the hard work of the players who otherwise would be mostly forgotten and to the son of two immigrants who thought it important to recognize these men.

For more on Irrelevant Week see their website: https://mrirrelevant.org/

For Paul Salat’s obituary in the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/24/sports/football/paul-salata-dead.html

Also mentioned in this post ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32412948/paul-salata-creator-mr-irrelevant-award-dies-94

Did Abraham Reap What Was Sown?

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

You reap what you sow. That’s a principle that is a very clear part of Biblical teaching. Yes, believers are the beneficiaries of God’s mercy and grace but that does not change the fact that what a person sows, that person will eventually reap. Now I don’t believe we escape this principle just because we are Christians. In fact I believe that even Abraham was subject to this law. Let’s take a look at one example that answers the question: Did Abraham reap that which he had sown?

To find the answer let’s join Abraham on a little trip to Egypt in Genesis 12:10-20. The Bible tells us that Abram (as he was still called at that point) went to Egypt because there was a severe famine. Apparently he thought his prospects would be better in Egypt then would be if he continued his journey south in the general direction of the Negev. As he approached Egypt he asked a big favor of his wife Sarai, who was so attractive that Abram feared someone might kill him in order to take her. So, to protect his own skin he asked Sarai to say that she was his sister and not his wife. In doing so he left Sarai doing the heavy work of pulling off his lie in order to make him more comfortable among the Egyptians.

Their little plot seemed to backfire when Pharaoh had Sarai brought into his house with plans to eventually make her his wife. Abram received a handsome sum in return for his “sister” but the entire situation seems like one that would be painfully uncomfortable on a number of levels. But even with what Abram gained in goods and in staying alive, this is a case where material gain might not be a sign that Abram had done the right thing.

If you think about it, Abram concocted his lie out of fear and even though the Bible does not say whether or not he was right, we do know that fear is not considered a good justification for doing the wrong thing. In fact we are told that God does not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7) and Abram’s actions do not seem to come from a sound mind nor from a position of power nor from a position of love. I’d argue that a believer of sound mind would have (or at least should have) run to God for direction before coming up with a lie and that the fact that it was a lie indicates that it was anything but God’s will for the situation. So, even though it worked and resulted in great rewards, I just don’t think this was God’s plan for Abram or for Sarai.

In the end God intervenes, leading Pharoah to give Sarai back and to kick Abram out of Egypt with all his positions (new and old). Abram does not lose his wife nor does he lose his life. God kept Pharoah from making a huge mistake while at the same time protecting Sarai from the damage that could have been caused by her husband’s lie. It seems as if all’s well that ends well with Abram and Sarai moving on to the next stop in their journey.

So did Abram reap that which he had sown? After all he had sown a lie and it seems as if he had reaped abundantly, receiving many good things. He took with him all that Pharaoh had given, including sheep, camels, oxen, donkeys and servants. I’m guessing that list also included an Egyptian servant girl by the name of Hagar who later, after another of Abraham’s and Sarah’s great ideas, would become a major problem for the patriarch and his wife.

Abraham could not have foreseen the issues he would have with Hagar when he was looking for ways to protect his own hide. In the same way, we cannot see what will come when we choose to sin against our God. Yes, those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will avoid the ultimate punishment that follows sin but we still reap what we sow. So, what kind of harvest will come from what you have sown?