Musings of a Christian Physician on the COVID-19 Pandemic: - a compilation of Medical Musings covering the first 18 months of the journey, from March 2020 to October 2021 -

By Dr. Joseph DeMay

This ongoing series of essays provides commentary on the scientific, societal, and spiritual aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of a practicing Pennsylvanian pediatrician. It provides a real-time look at the issues we have faced as a country from the very beginning, in March of 2020, and provides an alternate take on all-things COVID, even suggesting that perhaps the prevailing cognitive biases of the national healthcare authorities - that no case of infection is acceptable, that natural immunity is inadequate and not worth the risk, and that the novel, qualitatively and quantitatively different first vaccines are completely safe and effective - may not be consistent with the facts, and conducive to questionable policy making.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781387923823

Book preview

© Dr. Joseph DeMay

ISBN 978-1-387-92382-3

All rights reserved

Introduction      3

March 2020      4

April 2020      13

May 2020      32

June 2020      50

July 2020      57

August 2020      64

September 2020      70

October 2020      73

February 2021      77

March 2021      88

April 2021      97

May 2021      120

June 2021      160

July 2021      200

August 2021      246

September 2021      307

October 2021      354

This ongoing series of essays provides commentary on the scientific, societal, and spiritual aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of a practicing Pennsylvanian pediatrician. It provides a real-time look at the issues we have faced as a country from the very beginning, in March of 2020, and provides an alternate take on all-things COVID, even suggesting that perhaps the prevailing cognitive biases of the national healthcare authorities - that no case of infection is acceptable, that natural immunity is inadequate and not worth the risk, and that the novel, qualitatively and quantitatively different first vaccines are completely safe and effective - may not be consistent with the facts, and conducive to questionable policy making. 

3/21/2020: The Virus and the Antidote

Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.'  (Numbers 21:8)

So, a lot of very inconvenient mitigation measures are in place in this once free land of ours, to lessen the spread of a nasty little novel virus for which there is no cure...no medicine...no antidote.  That's why you're not in church this morning.  If there was an effective treatment or preventative measure, these restrictions would not be in place, and our very survival as a republic would not be in jeopardy.  We need an antidote.

And that got me thinking of poisonous snakes.  And that brought me to Numbers 21...you know the story.  The children of Israel are nearing the end of their 40 year sojourn through the wilderness (desert), miraculously preserved by God, yet still constantly complaining about their situation, and a correction is in order, for they are about to enter the Promised Land, and they need to see the Salvation of their Lord. So, the Lord causes the numerous poisonous snakes of the desert to do what they naturally do...BITE!  The truth is, the people  had been miraculously protected previously, but that protection was withdrawn.  So, they were bit, and many of the children of Israel died. (vs 6)

Now, know this: this was under the Old Covenant...the Law (this was after Mt. Sinai), and God had to righteously judge (correct) His own people, for there had been no remission of their sins yet.  He doesn't cause plagues and pandemics and natural disasters anymore...He simply doesn't.  This virus is not from Him.  Know that. And this correction works, for the people repent...We have sinned...pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us. (vs7)

But God doesn't answer their prayer - He didn't TAKE AWAY the curse...He provided an ANTIDOTE for those bitten!  And that's the opening verse...the curse itself, the universally feared and despised SERPENT, was to be affixed to a pole (probably pierced by a sharp pole, like a shish kabob, so it resembled a cross), and LIFTED UP for all the people, who were already bitten by the curse, to see.  And those who simply LOOKED at it were healed and saved...and lived.  It was their ANTIDOTE to the poisonous snake bites. Hmmm....what does all that have to do with the Covid 19 pandemic?  Lots.  There's a lot of interest in numerous possible salvations' ' from this curse...chloroquine, remdesivir, passive immunity from the convalescent serum of survivors.  All attractive, all exciting to think about and be optimistic about, and thank God for any interventions that prove helpful, but they are all very limited and temporary.  BUT, our God did provide, already, the ONE true, complete, effective ANTIDOTE for this plague and every evil we humans face, and that is Jesus Christ, and He prophesied about all of this to Nicodemus in John 3...And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (vs 14) And like that ancient symbol of disgust, the serpent, the Cross of Jesus Christ was also repugnant and ugly, striking fear in all humans.  But that suffering, dying Man on that Cross changed everything, for He was to conquer death and sin there, and arise from the dead 3 days later, and 40 days later ascend to Heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father now, pleading and intervening for us, such that we have nothing to fear.  That emblem of suffering and shame" is now the most beautiful symbol in the world for all Believers, for it points us to the Antidote for all humans, if we only believe.

3/23/2020: Covid 19 - the Unknown...and the Known

I'm sorry to take up space in your inbox once again, but you must admit, these are unusual times, and the current dilemma is of a medical nature, and I am actually a real medical doctor (I don't just play one), and it could be that the insight of a Christian doctor on all of this Covid-19 pandemic stuff may be helpful to some of you.  I just write when and what I'm told  to. So, first, some context.  Influenza is a respiratory virus that wreaks havoc on the earth every flu season (the winter and very early spring), and we know it well, but we may not realize, because we're so used to it, just how deadly it is.  Thus far this flu season, which is still going on, there have been 45 MILLION infections in the USA, and 46 THOUSAND deaths!  As at the time of this writing, there have been 45 THOUSAND Covid-19 infections, and 520 deaths.  Of course, this new infection is just gearing up, and the numbers will rise, but, still, one has to wonder why all the extreme reactions and measures to this particular virus.

There are reasons.  First of all, this coronavirus is super CONTAGIOUS - more so than the flu virus.  Germs are spread by three routes: airborne, droplets, and contact.  Influenza is spread by droplet form only, whereas it appears as though Covid-19 is spread by all three routes!  Not many diseases can make that claim...it is way more catchy than the flu.  That's why all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and need for special hospital beds, etc. So, because of this, it is nigh impossible to actually PREVENT it's spread.  Sure, it is important to wash hands thoroughly and frequently, and sneeze/cough like Cam Newton, i.e., into your elbow, and observe social distancing, but all of these steps are limited; it's still going to spread.

And, unlike influenza, there is no PROTECTION from Covid-19.  We really push the flu vaccine every year, for all Americans over the age of 6 months, because it is certainly a helpful and potentially life-saving preventative measure.  No such entity for this virus. And, lastly, there is no TREATMENT, no cure, yet.  There is influenza (Tamiflu), which I'm personally not a fan of, but at least it's out there and provides psychological benefits.

So, there are qualitative differences between influenza and Covid-19, but what it really boils down to is that this virus is UNKNOWN to humans.  We've not dealt with it before.  We don't KNOW it, and that's terrifying. But here's where my Christian perspective comes in, for we, as Believers, have a different paradigm, a different model.  I've tried to emphasize in previous writings that we enjoy the PREVENTION, and PROTECTION, and HEALING from and for this evil, which is directly from Satan.  This is all spelled out in the two Psalms we've quoted - Psalms 91 and 121.  Read them...memorize them...for those promises are true, and they're for us.

I realize that's easier said than done, for Scripture does resonate with our perfect spirits, but, often, at least with me, my carnal soul and intellect and emotions...my HEART...tells me otherwise, and there's a verse I want to look very closely at, which was given to me just this afternoon: For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.  (I John 3:20)

Do you know what that means?  I think of it this way...our thoughts and feelings are telling us that we're not WORTHY of those promises of protection and healing; they're really not for us, but for better Christians than us, those whom are more spiritual.  Our hearts condemn us. But look what the Lord does: He overrules our hearts!  He is greater than our heart.  He says that, if we believe in His Son and His finished work on the Cross, we are entitled to all of these promises, for he knows all things!

And that's the crux of the matter for me...my trust is not in the UNKNOWN coronavirus, but in the KNOWN great God of heaven, and His love for me.  Because of that, I will sleep well tonight.  Amen!

3/28/2020: A Christian Doctor's View on Healing Faith and Science...and the Covid 19 Pandemic

So, I have some time this dreary, rainy, blustery Saturday in the 100-acre wood, while sheltering at home during the pandemic, to offer some thoughts that are a little more definitive about the Covid 19 virus and how it relates to healing, faith and science.  Our regular series of weekday morning emails will resume Monday.  Some of this material we've covered previously, but much will be new.

The terms can be confusing.  This coronavirus, which is just one of numerous named viruses in this family, is also known as Covid 19, and SARS CoV 2.  It is thought to be a new (novel) virus to humans, which surfaced in China in 2019.  It is a seasonal respiratory virus, and that means that, in the northern hemisphere, it should primarily circulate during the winter and early spring months.  We are exposed to numerous coronaviruses every season, and they tend to cause fairly mild respiratory symptoms, compared to the influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV).  The nasopharyngeal respiratory swab we've utilized for years in the ER tests for numerous coronaviruses (not the current Covid 19), and I'd always been relatively reassured to see a positive test for one of those rather than flu A/B or RSV, since the illness would probably be less severe.

But we've now experienced three coronaviruses that are significantly more virulent (harmful) than the others, causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).  The first circulated in 2002 - 2003, and resulted also in a pandemic, killing hundreds of people.  It also originated in China, but was quickly reported and quickly contained, thankfully, for it was a much more virulent virus than the current one, with mortality rates of around 50% in people over 60, and an overall mortality rate of over 10%!  In contrast, Covid 19 will probably sort out to have a mortality rate of 1 to 2%, again predominantly affecting older individuals; children have been rather amazingly spared in both pandemics.

A third similar coronavirus outbreak occurred in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, and became known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), again a bad actor, but limited in spread. So, now we're dealing with the third significant coronavirus outbreak, Covid 19, or SARS CoV 2, again originating in China, novel, ridiculously contagious, deadly to the elderly and people with underlying conditions, like COPD, emphysema, immunodeficiency, etc., and unchecked for a very long time, allowing word-wide seeding and infection in most countries on earth.  We're in the midst of it now in the USA, the current epicenter of the infection.  In short, it's terrifying in the natural, because it's brand new, unlike influenza, and we have very little to offer in the way of PREVENTION, PROTECTION, or TREATMENTS.

And that's what I want to focus on:  to compare and contrast the flu, which we're all familiar with, to Covid 19, which we're not familiar with, to the position we as Believers can take, because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Look at this chart:

PREVENTION    PROTECTION      TREATMENTS

    Influenza A/B            ++                        +++                      ++

    Covid 19                  +                          0                          0

    Believer                    +++++                  +++++                  +++++

Hmmm...may look a bit odd to you, but let me explain.  Prevention for the flu is difficult, but not impossible, for it is spread by primarily only one route of transmission - on water droplets.  In contrast, Covid 19 is spread by the aerosolized route (airborne), the droplet route, and by direct contact with an infected person's secretions.  The virus is hardy, and can exist on inanimate objects for hours and possibly days.  Even with all the preventative measures in place, like hand washing, handling secretions appropriately by properly coughing and sneezing, and social distancing, it's still going to spread.  We still need to do those things, don't get me wrong, and they'll work to a very limited degree...I did give it 1 star!  Prevention for the Believer is in the Atonement.  God wants us well...Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers (III John 2).  It is best for us to not encounter this virus at all.

Protection for influenza is partially provided by our innate immune systems and passive immunity via the flu vaccine.  I know, I know, the flu vaccine doesn't work and always makes me sick.  And I'd agree, but then we'd both be wrong.  It is effective to some degree; you'll still probably have some symptoms, but not to the degree you would without the vaccine, and, in case you haven't noticed, we give it during the respiratory season, so it's pretty common to get sick with something coincident to getting the vaccine.  Doesn't mean it's causal.  There is basically no protection for this new Covid 19 virus, as there is no vaccine, and our immune systems haven't been exposed to it before.  Protection for the Believer is in the Atonement, again, just read over and over Psalms 91 and 121...The Lord will preserve (protect) you from all evil (Psalm 121:7).

Treatment for influenza is primarily supportive, since for most of us, that's all that is needed, but there is a medicine that is available and widely used - Tamiflu.  Just being on it probably affords psychological benefit.  Currently, there is no approved treatment for Covid 19.  Trials are underway, and, hopefully, an intervention will surface that will be safe and effective.  For now, treatment is entirely supportive, including assisted ventilation (ventilators), to buy time until the illness subsides.  I suspect that most patients requiring ventilation for a prolonged period of time will not survive.  Treatment for the Believer is known as healing, and it's provided for in the Atonement...And by His stripes we ARE healed (Isaiah 53:5).  By whose stripes you WERE healed (I Peter 2:24).  Couldn't be more clear.

Now, here's the key thing, the crux of the matter...you, as a Believer know everything I just said is true, on an intellectual level, but is it really settled in your heart...is your BELIEF in the Atonement rock solid?  And here's where I differentiate FAITH from BELIEF, for they are qualitatively different.  I cover all this in my book (which isn't even out yet, but it will be).  FAITH is inherent in every Believer, and to the same degree...you never need more than you have at Salvation.  God hath dealt to every man THE measure of faith (Romans 12:3 KJV).  Paul is talking to Christians there.  Faith is the confident expectation that what you're praying for will come to pass...this is my definition.  It is a HOPE, and it's a very good thing.

BUT, there's something better...deeper...available to Believers, and that's BELIEF, which I define as the unwavering conviction that what you're praying for HAS ALREADY come to pass!  Wow!  That's where the Lord wants us, such that we can fully assent to Mark 10:24, Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask for when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.  If FAITH is a HOPE, then BELIEF is the REALITY.  For you see, absolute reality, absolute truth, is not found in our carnal natures - our physical bodies and senses and intellect and emotions, etc., but in the spiritual realm, and our prism to seeing just what goes on in that realm is Holy Scripture, for it is spirit...The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63).

That doesn't mean we're oblivious to the natural world, or ignore what's going on around us.  What we have is ABOVE, not AGAINST of INSTEAD OF.  As Pascal said in the 17th century...Faith tells us what our senses do not, but not the contrary to what they say.  Faith is above, not against.

An example of this is found in II Kings chapter 6.  The king of Syria is mad at the prophet Elisha, and he sends a great army to apprehend him and bring him to Syria.  Elisha's servant SEES  that there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots, and he panics.  Does this sound remotely familiar to what's going on now?  So, the servant confronts Elisha, What shall we do?, and Elisha answers, DO NOT FEAR, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.  Wow!  Did he really mean that.  Did he see something no one else did?

YES!  He did.  For Elisha saw the true REALITY of the situation, for he wasn't confined by the carnal, which is so limited.  He prayed that the servant's eyes would be opened, not just his limited physical eyes, but his unlimited spiritual eyes, and,  Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, AND HE SAW.  And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  That was the absolute true reality, what the rest of the observing Universe would have seen.

We are to be like that, to see things as God sees them, to see what is ours in the Atonement.  And it's all outlined in the Word of God.

Amen!  But keep this one last thing in mind...we are not to flaunt the protection and healing available to us as Believers; we are not to put God to the test.  We are still to obey the edicts of the authorities over us, and be good, law abiding citizens.  And we're to be quiet, sophisticated, lovely ambassadors for our Lord Jesus, for He was that way.  There was a quietness about Him.  I just love this prophecy about Jesus...He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.  A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench (Isaiah 42:2,3).

There was power in the MEANING of His words, not the intensity.  In John, chapter 7, the Pharisees and chief priests sent soldiers to apprehend Jesus, but they came back empty handed...

  Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, 'Why have you not brought Him?'.  The officers answered, 'No man ever SPOKE like this Man!'  (John 7:45,46)

Wow!  Even these hardened soldiers were softened by the eloquence of Jesus' speech.  We are to be that way...firm yet so gentle and kind.  The bruised reed mentioned above refers to a common plant found all over Israel, the reed, used for all sorts of purposes, and so dispensable.  If one was bruised or bent, they would just break it and get another...but not Jesus.  He would try to restore it!  And a smoking flax was the dying wick of a lamp, but Jesus wouldn't snuff it out and get another, He would bring it back to life!

This world is suffering and scared and dying...they are the bruised reeds and smoking flax.  May it be our prayer to be the light for these dark times, to reflect the beauty and power and love of our Savior.  To bring good out of all this bad...Amen!

4/4/2020: COVID 19 and FREEDOM....to mask or not to mask     

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.  Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.  (I Corinthians 10:23,24)

Over the last month or so, we have seen a steady progression in limits on our civil liberties, from initially social distancing, to banning groups of over 50 people, to the closing of all non-essential businesses, to banning groups of over 10 people (effectively closing all churches), to comprehensive stay-at-home orders (banning any activity outside the home which is not life-sustaining), to now recommending face masks to be worn by every person in public, even with all these other limitations in place.  And this last one really hits home for me, for I hate having anything on my face, or even head for that matter (the only time in my life I've ever worn a hat or cap was when I played baseball as a kid).

Now, I do get the rationale for this request for masking in public, which was issued by both the federal and state authorities.  The purpose is to protect OTHERS around you from catching the virus from you (not the reverse), and we know the virus can be transmitted by asymptomatic individuals.  Makes sense.

But, we've pointed out in several previous writings on this pandemic what we, as Believers, can fully trust in; that we can claim prevention from encountering this evil, and protection from getting ill from it if we do contract it, and healing if we do get ill from it - all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross.  Amen!

So, we exist on another level - a spiritual level - which exerts a transforming power on the temporal, carnal, earthly level we currently exist in.  We have access to a conduit of blessings from heaven (Ephesians 1:3), and do not walk in fear.  We come from a position of victory.

So, why comply with all the earthly, imperfect, temporary, and limited protective measures enumerated above?  Should we?  If we do, isn't that implying that we don't have enough faith in God to protect us?

Here's what I see from Scripture, and the main reference verse is given above, I Corinthians 10:23,24.  Yes, we have complete liberty and freedom In Jesus Christ (all things are lawful).  We indeed would still be protected and covered by the Atonement if we didn't obey any of these restrictions, just as we would if these orders were not in place.  But, that would NOT be consistent with our wonderful, lovely, meek in spirit Lord Jesus, for this defiant act would not be HELPFUL or EDIFYING or for the OTHER'S WELL-BEING.  It is not for OUR benefit that we should comply with this inconvenient but reasonable request of those in authority over us, but for the benefit of OTHERS, and specifically non-believing others.  It is BECAUSE of our faith in God and desire to be a witness for Jesus that we should wear the mask in public, for, I guarantee you, you will be asked why, and that's when you'll have an opportunity to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with MEEKNESS and fear (I Peter 3:15).  It is the cool, sophisticated, altogether lovely thing to do, for you don't need that mask - you're protected - but they're not, and you're trying to protect them, so they don't die before coming to know our great Savior.

Isn't this a great way to look at it.  I needed this message more than anyone, for I was making this mask thing all about me and my dislike for the whole idea, but I needed to see His hand in this, for He guides every step of ours, not just even in the darkest of times, but ESPECIALLY in the darkest of times.

David knew that full well, and I'll end this discourse with a truly empowering  look at the 23rd Psalm...we all know it well, but let me give the first 4 verses, and see how our Lord is referred to, whether in the third person, or the second person.

          "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want

          HE makes me to lie down in green pastures;

          HE leads me beside the still waters.

          HE restores my soul;

          HE leads me in the paths of righteousness

          For HIS name's sake.

          Yea, though I walk through the valley

          Of the shadow of death,

          I will fear no evil;

          For YOU are with me;

          YOUR rod and YOUR staff;

          They comfort me."

Wow!  Inexplicably, David switches references to Jesus from the distant third person to the intimate and close second person as soon as he faces trouble, for he knew that is when our Lord is the closest!  Amen!  Have a great weekend in the Lord, and let your light shine right through that silly little mask

4/5/2020: Covid 19 Complacency.....Understanding the Loaves

And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  (Mark 6:51,52)

Every day since this pandemic commenced, we have watched the good Governor of our neighboring state give a powerpoint presentation of the indisputable facts of this carnage...the curves and graphs and models showing what's transpired thus far, and what is surely to come, as we approach the apex of this viral infestation and then, if we survive that, see the anticipated decrease in numbers, plateauing then to an ongoing level of infection and death extending late into the summer, and then brace ourselves for a return of the same in the fall.  And that scenario will then play out in city after city across the breadth of our country.  His speech is calculated and precise, and there is no wavering in his belief of the statistics and modeling and predictions, for this is science, and it can be trusted.

And we, as Believers, stare wide-eyed at the screen, and take it all in, and subconsciously agree, resigning our hearts to accept what is obvious and real.

And THAT attitude, my friends, is akin to SPIRITUAL TREASON!  Since when is COMPLACENCY with the things of this carnal, temporary, fallen world ACCEPTABLE to us as Believers, we who are ALIVE in Christ (Ephesians 2:5) and endued with the POWER of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)?  Can we not EXPECT a different outcome, since what we have access to (all spiritual blessings...Ephesians 1:3) is far GREATER and HIGHER and ABOVE anything this real world has to offer?  Can we not influence the things of this world for the better, since we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)?

And, again, let me make it crystal clear that this Covid 19 pandemic is NOT a curse from God...it is pure evil, and directly from Satan.  That II Chronicles 7:14 verse,  If My people, who are called by My name...  has NOTHING to do with our current time, for that was referring to the nation of ancient Israel, which was in rebellion and not redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  His people now are the Church, the body of Believers, and we have already humble ourselves and turned from our wicked ways at Salvation, and God's not judging us, nor any nation for that matter...not now.  Jesus came to earth the first time to deal with SIN;  He'll come back the second time to JUDGE, both nations and unbelievers.  National repentance would be a great thing (for the nation), but the Church doesn't need that to access what is rightfully ours in Jesus Christ.  The problem is that we, the Church, are so easily dumbed down and misled that we simply don't REALIZE, don't SEE, what Jesus can accomplish through us.

And this is what Mark 6, verses 32 through 52, is all about, and it is so very awesome!  It covers just about a 12 hour period of time in the lives of the disciples and Jesus, but, if we can really get what it is showing us, it will affect the rest of our lives.  Please read it all...I'll just summarize.

It starts with the very familiar feeding of the 5000 (men...the total crowd would have been much bigger) with only five loaves of bread and two small fish.  Can you imagine?  And, because this is just so like our God, not only was that huge crowd fed until they were completely filled, but there were twelve baskets of food left over!  And the disciples all participated fully in that miracle; it happened right before their eyes.

It was then the evening time, and Jesus made the just fed and probably exhausted disciples get in their boat to cross the Sea of Galilee, while He stayed behind.  They didn't want to go, but they obeyed.  And they ran into a terrible storm, with fierce winds blowing against them, such that they still hadn't crossed by the early hours of the morning, and they were straining at rowing.  However, it should be noted, they were still trying, still obeying their Lord (they hadn't turned back), but they were trying on their own.

So, Jesus WALKS out on the sea to them, to SAVE them, but they don't even recognize Him; they actually think He's a ghost, and are scared to death.  But, we know our Lord...He reassures them, It is I; do not be afraid, and calms the storm, AND, as we see in John's version of this story in John 6:21, Jesus makes the boat immediately arrive at the shore.  Miraculous, right?  Amazing, right?  The disciples thought so, and that's the opening verse; they were amazed and marveled.

But get this...really get this.  Look at the seemingly strange and out of context  next verse...they had not UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THE LOAVES, because their heart was hardened.  What?  This implies that it was not a good thing that the disciples were so astonished by these proceedings, as miraculous as they were, for they had JUST SEEN a much greater miracle of Jesus - they had seen His power - and they should have REMEMBERED that, and UNDERSTOOD that the same Jesus would have helped them during the storm...He could have calmed the wind and waves...but, instead, they were complacent to accept the reality around them, for that was so easy to do.  It's our default mode.

Wow!  We need to UNDERSTAND and REMEMBER that we have a miracle working God, and we can, and should, confidently expect our prayers to be answered, rather than just hope they will be (Mark 11:24).  Look at these words of Jesus to us...

Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and GREATER works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  (John 14:12)

Wow!  By greater, I think He meant in quantity, not in quality, since there are more of us, but you get the picture.  We need to be a lot more confident in our Lord than we are; more bold.  Wouldn't it be grand if New York City had a Governor who understood this, and could echo the words of this song...

                  "You're the God of this city

                    You're the King of these people

                    You're the Lord of this nation

                      For greater things are yet to come

                  And greater things are still to be done

                                IN THIS CITY

                    Chris Tomlin  (God of the City)

May we not let our hearts become troubled, or complacent, for remember, we come from a position of victory...always.  We continue to pray and believe for an unexpected, miraculous turn of events regarding this evil, and that it will all work out for the furthering of the Kingdom of God.  Amen!

4/6/2020: Covid 19...By the Numbers

I really wasn't planning to write anything about this pandemic thing this morning, for we all need a break from it, but, I must say, the Lord keeps putting this buoyant sense of protection and victory in me, and it is completely contrary to what I'm supposed to be feeling, as we brace for the toughest and deadliest two weeks we've ever experienced as a nation.  So, I'm asking Him why, why am I feeling that way in my spirit?  And He had me look up the numbers...the numbers that everyone else is looking at...and I saw why.

Over the weekend, the number of confirmed cases of Covid 19 in my county, Lycoming, with a population of around 120,000, actually DROPPED from 10 to 9.  This gives an infection rate of .008%.  In other words, 99,992 people out of 100,000 DON"T have this virus.  And keep in mind that 80 to 90% of infected people recover at home.  Isn't this reassuring?

The surrounding counties of Clinton, Tioga, Sullivan, and Union counties have a cumulative total of 11 cases, yielding the same infection rate of of .008%.  Wow!

Now, the southern border counties of Northumberland, Columbia, and Montour, have more...a total of around 75 cases, but still a remarkably low number.  Indeed,  I fully realize that we are primarily rural and naturally socially distanced already, and there probably hasn't been a ton of testing done, since there are criteria for testing, and most people around here simply don't have symptoms, but I also know that I live here...and YOU live here...and we fully and literally believe in the promises of Psalm 91.  We ought to praise God and rejoice in that and continuously thank Him for His protection.  We keep hearing that the virus is in control right now, and will determine how things go, but we know better, and I do believe the end of April is going to look a lot different than the beginning, and this nasty virus will retreat, and faster than predicted.    Rest in the following truth today...and stay JOYFUL...

    Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

    Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

    No evil shall befall you,

    Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

    For He shall give His angels charge over you,

    To keep you in all your ways.

              (Psalm 91:9-11)

4/7/2020: Covid 19...Flattening the Curve and Expanding the Mind

Wow! This week has a distinctly different feel about it than the last few, don't you think?  There's optimism rather than universal gloom and doom from the media, and the dire predictions of a week ago have softened significantly.  Why is that? Now, the good Governor of New York would say that it's due to his mitigation efforts by closing

everything and enforcing personal distancing.  Possibly, but, as we've pointed out before, this virus is super contagious, and, although helpful, no doubt, this virus is just too easily spread to fully account for the change.  Could the time of year be playing a role?  Covid 19 is a seasonal respiratory virus, like influenza and RSV, and they naturally wane in April, so, possibly, but we can't say for sure, since it's a new player, and unpredictable.

I have a thought...there's a ton of Believers in this country (there really are), and they're all praying for the same thing; could it be our faith is altering the outcome that Satan intended for us, not just us as Believers, but us as a nation, even for the unbelievers?  Is that even possible?  Our protection and preservation, as Believers, is in the Atonement; that is pretty easy to grasp.  But what about the lost world out there...could our blessings, given to us freely (by grace), actually benefit the world around us? I believe the answer is YES!  There's a simply awesome scene in the first Lord of the Rings trilogy film, The Fellowship of the Ring, which brought this concept home for me.  You can view it online, free of charge, if you simply Google  Arwen Rides to Save Frodo.  In case you didn't know, this masterpiece by J.R.R. Tolkien is full of Christian themes, and this scene really moved me when I first saw it.  I think I actually cried (don't tell anyone).

So, the hobbit Frodo, who embodies goodness and innocence, has sustained a potentially fatal wound from the morgul-blade of the evil Witch King.  Arwen, played by Liv Tyler, is half elf (elves are very good and have supernatural powers - just like us Believers)  and half human, and she's trying to save Frodo from certain death.  She wisks the badly wounded Frodo away by horse to safety, escaping the Nazgul (evil spirit-men), but he is fading fast.  Arwen lays Frodo on the ground and (this is the really good part!) kneels over him.  Her face is just millimeters from the dying Frodo's ear, and she WHISPERS something that's barely audible, and in Elvish (which I don't speak).  Thankfully, there's a subtitle, and this is what she says: What GRACE is given to me...let it pass to him.

Wow!!  And it works...Frodo recovers.  Something really stirred deeply inside my spirit when I saw this, and I always picture that scene, and whisper that prayer, when I'm praying for an unbeliever, or the circumstances of an unbeliever.  If you go back to the email I sent out Sunday morning, about understanding the loaves, I give the Scriptural support for our role as the salt and light of the world.  We're supposed to be a force for good, and a witness to the goodness and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I truly believe that is the major player in this positive turn of events regarding this evil virus.  Praise God! But there's something else I've heard a lot of just this week, and it irks me to no end.  There's obviously a ton of mental health issues, like fear and anxiety and depression, associated with this pandemic.  What I've heard over and over of late are the virtues of learning meditation techniques and mindfulness strategies to improve one's mental health, and it makes me cringe, for, listen closely here, there is absolutely nothing good that can come out of that approach.  Nothing good.

What this teaching is all about is developing techniques to look deeply INWARDS, into your mind, which, as you know, equates to your heart, your soul; being more aware of your mind, and how it can control your emotions; getting more deeply into YOURSELF.  And, boy is that dangerous, for nothing good is going to be found deep in the human heart.  Look at this: The heart is DECEITFUL above all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED; who can know it?  (Jeremiah 17:9) Wow...do we really want to go there?  No, the only lasting, meaningful, affirming answer to our human dilemma is to DIE to ourselves, and take on the mind of Christ, which is our process of growing in the Lord - renewing, not exploring, our mind. (Romans 12:2) Just wanted to comment on these couple of things before heading home.  Have a wonderful evening in the Lord.

4/14/2020: Covid 19...Sing a New Song

I waited patiently for the Lord

        He inclined and heard my cry

        He lifted me up out of the pit

        Out of the miry clay

          I will sing, sing a new song

          I will sing, sing a new song

        He set my feet upon a rock

        And made my footsteps firm

        Many will see...

        Many will see and fear

            I will sing, sing a new song

            I will sing, sing a new song

          U2  40

So, I was finishing the day in my Pediatric office last evening, and the latest White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing came on, and, and it turned out to be quite the viewing experience.  This marathon session was full of finger-pointing and accusation and self aggrandizement;  it was awkward and combative and mean-spirited...just outright ugly.  And I thought to myself, Here we go again...same old song! And that brought me to Psalm 40, beautifully expressed in the above appropriately named song from U2;  we, as Believers, don't have to sing the same old song, for we have a NEW SONG.  You know, it really is a moving song - listen to it if you're not familiar with it.  The Psalms were all set to music; they are songs.  The music has been lost, but I think U2 hit the right notes with this one.  And what's that new song?  Let me give the first three verses of this psalm; that will tell us...

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay

And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.

He has put a new song in my mouth - PRAISE TO OUR GOD

Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

Wow! It is our worship to our awesome Lord - that's our new song.  And we worship Him, for He is deserving.  He heard our cry in our distress, pulled us out of our dilemma, set us on firm ground, and orders our very steps; there is no anxiety of angst or fear with us, His beloved children.  So, we sing a new song...and look at the result, look at that last line.  The fear referred to there means a reverence for, or awe of, the Lord; many will question what we've got, and they don't, and be led into the Kingdom of God.  Amen!

4/15/2020: Covid 19...Uncharted Waters

Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was...And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him, and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!'  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?'  (Mark 4:36-40)

One phrase I've heard used over and over these last several weeks is we are in uncharted waters here.  Indeed.  We've seen anxiety and fear and apprehensiveness descend on this once free and prosperous land of ours like never before, and