Opus 2025-285: Providential Healthcare

When I was young, I pretty much took my health for granted.  I got sick, sure, we all did.  Colds were a part of life.  There might be physical intrusion, such a splitters, sprains or even broken bones.  You just took it and went with it.

Somewhere, as you grew up, you became aware of such things as personal hygiene, sanitation, not jumping off of high buildings, knowing that motorcycles sometimes fell over with you on them, you know, a general awareness that at least you were mortal.  Eventually, you grew up. Then you were old.

As I look at the lack of trust that has been generally defined by the Covid crisis, I find that my trust for medicine, and the medical profession is at an all time low.  This happens at the time of life when you begin to think you need the doctors more.  We were having a discussion recently on the revelation that President Biden had cancer.  What type of cancer he had is one that every man pretty much has to be aware of and is concerned about.  It is also something that doesn’t just suddenly appear, but slowly grows and develops.  Anyone who has regular physical check ups knows that men are supposed to get a test to see whether they are having problems with their prostate.  You would think it’s a no-brainer, but we are talking about Joe Biden.  With him everything is a no-brainer.

Then someone brought up the fact that doctors are telling men they don’t need to take the test anymore because it’s a slow growing cancer and not something to really worry about when you get to a certain age.  I personally experienced that, not the cancer but the advice.  When I switched from my private insurance to Medicare, I was told that I didn’t need to have the test anymore because it was such a slow, growing cancer.  It would not get me before old aged did.  My question was, “Just how do you know how long I’m going to live?”  I understand it takes about seven years for this to develop.  I was told seven years ago that I didn’t need the test anymore.  Does that mean that they only thought I would live till now and that I should just give up, roll over and play dead?

What most people, who trust their medical professional, don’t understand is that you can still request or demand that they do the test.  If you demand it, they will do it.  If they won’t, find a new doctor.  As you get older, you have to become more and more an advocate of your own health.

Also, as I get older, I realize more frequently that my health is in the hands of God.  It is providential.  I accept the fact that I will not die one day earlier than God allows, nor will I live one day longer than He plans.  No problem.  I’m ready to go.  I’m ready to stay.  Kind of like the apostle Paul,

(Php 1:25-6 KJV)  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

I will continue to make use of what is available.  The focus will be on that slice of ailments that a doctor’s advice might give wisdom or which might actually cure something.  I don’t expect to get a lot of instant gratification.  I already have the Greatest Physician.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-147: Ode to Old: Turning Pages

As I face retirement I am not preparing to die, I am preparing to live.  That has a double focus.

First, I am going into a new phase of life.  I am not closing the book, I am going to the next chapter.  I will be exploring a new part of the country, experimenting with new restaurants and developing a schedule free of alarm clocks.  I look forward to it.

Second, I am looking at eternity not a few more years.  I realize there is no point in me buying expensive books any more.  Paper back or e-books will do.  I am not going to take them with me and if my kids are not interesting in the title it only needs to last as long as I do.  What is in those books will be preparing me for the ages.  Eternity is a long time.  I imagine I will have a universe to explore and an infinite God to relate to.  What I will be reading and studying now are the children’s books of an eternal education.

Sounds good to me.  Paul put the conflict like this,

(Philippians 1:23-4 KJV)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

It is a win/win.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-060: The Not-So-Grim Reaper

Every once in awhile the subject of death comes up in class.  We could be discussion terrorism, the latest epidemic panic, a recent accident or a death of a grandparent.  I have been known to joke about death and I often remark that I am ready to go.  The kids can get all squeamish over the mention of death.  They are afraid of the topic.  So are a lot of adults.

Fear of death?  My first reaction is, “Why?”  For Christians the Grim Reaper is not so grim.  For Christians death means that we go on to the destiny we were created for.  This morning in the car as I listened to Alistair Begg he quoted a verse that every Christian is familiar with.

(Philippians 1:21 KJV)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

This verse reminds me of two bedrock truths for the Christian.  Life has a purpose and death is going to be even better.

Does that mean I am to commit suicide to be with Jesus?  Of course not.  It just means that although I am not allowed to cheat the IRS, I can cheat the grave.

So death can be a happy thought, a happy thought indeed.

I am sorry if you don’t understand.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-75: The Malaysian Red Herring

Where is the airplane?

I don’t know.  In the course of history it is not a major issue.  It isn’t even the key concern of our world, or it should not be.  Let the agencies do their job.  There is a more important thing we keep forgetting in the rush for ratings and sound bites.

The purpose of terrorism is not to eliminate an airplane but to paralyze a culture.

If some emotionally stunted group of fanatical haters announce that they are going to blow up a plane somewhere in the world on December 1 and I am flying on December 1 I need to get on the airplane and go.  If I don’t, they win.  I don’t want them to win because they will run the world based on their current arbitrary hate.  All of their targets will eventually include me because I am a Christian and because I believe in liberty. 

911 was not primarily a tragedy of death and destruction.  It was a declaration of war.  It was not war against a country but against an idea.

Yes, it was devastating to the families of the murdered.  Yes, billions of dollars of damage was done.  Step back and get a perspective.  In the Civil War at the Battle of Anteitem, 30,000 casualties were chalked up.  It was only one battle in a long war.  We lose more people to drunk drivers, and now pot heads, than we lost in the twin towers.  We don’t have checkpoints at every freeway entrance because us it.  We don’t outlaw wine or close all the bars in the country.  We get on with life.

Don’t let the Muslim crazies win with terror.  If you are a Christian remember the words of Paul.

(Php 1:21-3 KJV)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Death is not as scary as disobedience.

Not a Christian?  Then take words often attributed to Emilio Zapata.  One translation would be,

“I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees.”

Don’t give in to terror.  Don’t let the government take your freedom in the name of security.  That way the crazies win.

homo unius libri

Opus 2013-79: Book Review: When Bad Things Happen to Good People, part 7 of 7

I think that the last two chapter titles sum up the point, or lack of point of the book.

     Chapter 7, God Can’t Do Everything, but He Can Do Some Important Things

     Chapter 8, What Good Then, Is Religion?

Ultimately the answer to the last question is, “Not much.”  He gives the conclusion he has come to.

“Let me suggest that the bad things that happen to us in our lives do not have a meaning when they happen to us.  They do not happen for any good reason which would cause us to accept them willingly.  But we can give them a meaning.  We can redeem these tragedies from senselessness by imposing meaning on them.  The question we should be asking is not, ‘Why did this happen to me?  What did I do to deserve this?’  That is really an unanswerable, pointless question.  A better question would be ‘Now that this has happened to me, what am I going to do about it?’” page 136

Although I don’t disagree with his positive spin as an alternative to despair, I am curious about how he concludes that the entire meaning of life and the big questions comes down to us having a positive attitude and pulling ourselves up by the boot-straps.  Notice that the meaning is imposed by us and has no relation to the eternal.  God having a purpose is rejected.  This is a curious position for one who is employed full time as a Rabbi who is supposed to be a minister of God and teach about the things of God.

Contrast this Old Testament leader with the message of the New Testament.

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

(Philippians 1:6 KJV)  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

(1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV)  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

His position seems to me to be a total rejection of the God of the Bible.  It substitutes the belief that man is the pinnacle of evolution and stands on his own two feet.  It is up to you to amount to something.  God is just a side-show for the weak and foolish.

Okay.  I am weak and foolish.  I have read the book and I have read the Book.  I prefer the one that teaches about an eternal, all powerful, loving, holy, personal, God. 

Kushner, Harold S.  When Bad Things Happen to Good People.  New York:  Schocken Books, 1981.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-310, Koran Klarifications: Lovers of Death

It has been about six months since I added to this category.  I had this title and reference in my computer all that time but I held off on it.  In that time I have read and listened to podcasts where this has come up in regard to the suicide bombers that we have seen in Islamic terrorism.  I think I am ready to post this.

Islam reflects a different view of death than is found in Christian circles.  Christians are not afraid of death.  It is not a matter of fear, but priorities and attitude toward others.  It does usher us into the presence of God and that is something to be looked forward to.  Paul said,

(Philippians 1:23-24 KJV)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

There is a natural desire to be with Jesus, but notice that he was more concerned about others than his own personal desires.

The comments I was reading said that the suicide bombers are understandable because Islam glorifies death and the true Muslim will seek death.  That seemed a bit strong but consider this from the Koran,

“SAY: If the future dwelling place with God be specially for you, but not for the rest of mankind, then wish for death, if ye are sincere:”  Sura 2, “The Cow”, verse 94.

If you are a sincere Muslim, wish for death.

It is one verse, quoted in isolation.  I understand that.  But it fits with what I see.  Look it up.  Read the context.  Ask yourself what this says about a “religion of peace.”

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

homo unius libri