Category Archives: Be A Man

Articles relating to and celebrating manhood, being a man in service to others, and to the King.

CS Lewis on Pride

“CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898-1963) [The same generation as my grand parents.] Was one of the intellectual giants of the 20th century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a Fellow and tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.”

The above quote from my book’s cover goes on to say, “One of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide. … He set out to simply “Explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.”

In Mere Christianity, I was very much surprised and delighted at Lewis’ candor and intellect as he spoke to the problems of his times and our times, and the solutions on a global and personal level. On a historical note, the book is mainly a collection of wartime (World War II) talks the BBC arranged for him to deliver over the radio to remind Great Britain of its faith and historical roots in Christ and the Bible. One could make the case that godlessness, secular humanism, and the enlightenment had weakened Europe, and brought their evil fruits to maturity in the Third Reich. The church in England was divided at the time by schisms between Catholics, protestants, and different Protestant denominations.

Lewis spoke to this disunity among Christians, saying that the differences are not so important as the core truths. And that we should concentrate on the main tenants of Christianity that we can all agree upon. Hence, the name of perhaps his most influential book is Mere Christianity.

The BBC thought him perfect for the task because he was not religious, a relatively new convert, and one of the most respected minds in England from its most prestigious universities. He was a brilliant philosopher and expert in all the literature and history of western civilization. He could appeal to those caught up in secular humanism, as well as, explain the main tenants of Christianity to Christians in a fresh way. The nation was aware of their great need for God to deliver them from the bombs of Nazi Germany. He reminded everyone of the great need we have for Christ to deliver us from the evil one and from ourselves.

I was shocked and surprised at the chapter topics he addressed: the beauty of morals, rival conceptions of God, morality and psychoanalysis, sexual morality, Christian marriage, forgiveness, the great sin, charity, hope, and faith. He ends with philosophical thoughts, challenging and helping those searching for truth in all the wrong places. The book ends with chapters entitled “Nice People or New Men” and “The New Men”—very insightful!

The Great Sin

“The Great Sin” probably stuck out to you as it did to me, along with the brilliance of his other topics. The great sin is pride and it tops the list of “The Seven Deadly Sins.” Read his book to learn how he deals with it and it’s importance to humans and civilizations.

Please allow me another moment and thought about Francis of Assisi. He humbled himself a great deal in stripping away wealth and privilege in deference to Jesus, to show Christ followers again the path toward a meaningful life and eternity during a very dark time.

The Church—The New Men

Saint Francis allowed me to see pride in myself, and in the protestant church of which I’m a part. Without giving a lot of thought to it, I would suggest most protestants look down on the Catholic Church a bit because they consider the Church took some wrong paths with errant doctrines diverging from the Bible at certain junctures. I was reminded standing in Assisi, that none of us have the whole unadulterated truth. We should be more humble, and we should look again at Mere Christianity.

When I pondered the life and times of this spoiled rich kid, Francis, who met Jesus on his way, I realized that I probably wouldn’t even have a Bible or know Jesus myself if he hadn’t reformed the church, in the obvious power of the Spirit. He did this three hundred years before Martin Luther, a Catholic priest, spurred another reforming of the Church. That’s humbling to consider, and it’s healthy.

May C.S. Lewis help you know Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. If you already know Him, C.S. Lewis, a humble man in this humble book, can help you refocus on Him, which is the right direction—“The way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

אמן
Amen

“…The humble shall hear and be glad.”
(Ps 34:2b)

“Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.”
(Numbers 12:3)

“Humble yourself in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
(James 4:10)

“The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life.”
(Proverbs. 22:4)

[Also see Ex 10:3, 2 Kings 22:19, 2 Chron 34:27, Dan 5:22, Dan 10:12, Rom 12:3, and Ephesians 2:8-9 ↣ No boasting! Consider, humility.]

More Photos of Umbria & Italy

Francis of Assisi

From my journal in Perugia, Italy, September 24, 2026.

Today we visited Assisi and learned about it’s most famous resident, a young man named Francis (1181-1226). The town and church are unusual in their own ways, beautiful, but not really my favorites of all the cathedrals, basilicas, and towns we visited. All were medieval, built atop Roman or Etruscan ruins.

The Etruscans were quite advanced and the Romans learned a lot from them about aqueducts, etc. They were also idol worshipers and turned upon themselves, becoming weakened, allowing the Romans to conquer and assimilate them. Let’s fast forward a thousand years and get back to medieval Europe.

The Basilica of Saint Clare was impressive in its own way, but the basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels which was built over the small chapel where Francis first took refuge was the nicest church of the day for me.

There Francis heard Christ say to him, “Rebuild my church.” He took this literally and started repairs on the little chapel which was already 400 years old. He would do the same for other small chapels too. But eventually he came to see his call was spiritually rebuilding, or reforming, the Church.

It was a Catholic Church in an unhealthy state, in need of its own reformation. According to the AI search engine Grok, “Francis renewed the church from within at a time of wealth, institutional strain, and dissenting movements. He insisted on loyalty to the pope and the sacraments while calling Christians back to literal poverty, humility, and itinerant preaching of the Gospels. The Franciscans became one of the great mendicant orders, emphasizing care for the poor and sick rather than monastic enclosure.” (Britannica)

“He deepened popular devotion to the humanity of Jesus—through the Christmas crib [nativity scenes at Christmas], and later influenced the stations of the cross, by his own identification with Christ’s passion.”(Britannica)

“His example of joyful simplicity, peaceful encounter with others (including Muslims), and seeing God in the marginalized, and in nature, has shaped Catholic spirituality, missionary work, theology, and popular piety for eight centuries. The Franciscan family remains one of the largest religious families in the church.” (Britannica & en.wikipedia.com)

Possible Error

Francis might not be happy or comfortable with all the attention given him in the cathedral dedicated to his honor. In some ways one might think it bordered on worship of the man and putting him on the same plane as his Lord. Reading the first lines of his most famous canticle or poem, you see that he was completely enamored with and worshipped only Jesus. But I’ll leave that issue to the church and God. Of course there’s the possibility of mixture—there always has been. But I now see the massive importance of the man. I see Saint Francis more integral to church history and God’s plan for the ages than ever before. “Repair my house” is a strong calling and message from Christ! It may be on the same par or similar to the Apostle Paul’s encounter with the risen Lord on his way to persecute the early church in Damascus.

Impossible Task

It was a tall order for a rich, young playboy, who aspired to be a knight, but ended up wounded and a prisoner of war with a neighboring city state, Perugia, for a year until he could be ransomed by his wealthy father. Then he was very ill for a while. It was during this time,1202 to 1208, when he was 20 to 26 years of age that Francis came to faith. His conversion was described as a “Long turning,” rather than a sudden vision or event. On his deathbed, he only recounted the incident with the leper among his encounters with Christ and pivotal times in his life. It was then he felt peace, joy, and knew his heart had been changed by the Holy One. He died at the age of 44, only 20 years later, ill and nearly blind.

The major evidences of the power of the Holy Spirit within him was the numbers of devoted followers who joined him, his effect on the common people to become devoted to Christ, his favor with the pope and governing authorities within the church, and the approximately one million Franciscan friars wearing the brown-hooded robe who have vowed his vows and lived his way during the 800 years since his death, exactly 800 years ago today!

His praise of God and joy, even amidst suffering, are also strong evidences of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit within him.

I’ve lived more than 70 years and witnessed the second law of thermodynamics in the natural and spiritual realms, how things tend toward disorder and decay if left alone. The most compelling evidence Francis heard from God and was empowered by the Holy Spirit was the first words he heard Christ say to him, “Repair my house,” and the fact he was able to do so, as a very weak vessel, in twenty years, a very short time!

God uses imperfect people. It’s all he has to work with. That he includes humans in his plan is testimony to His great love and grand plan (Isaiah 46:9-10). It’s the story of the Holy Scriptures. It’s the story of the lives of all who know Him and are known by Him (John 10:14-17).

I’m humbled and grateful to have visited Assisi and learn the story of Francis for myself on location with friends. I’m grateful to the Spirit for allowing me to see farther into these things than possible in my own power. I’m grateful to Francis of Assisi for a life well lived—a life of devotion to his King. By his life of simple obedience, service, and worship, he showed us something we should all aspire to as Jesus’ disciples. Following Jesus is doable no matter the circumstances of our lives, by His power. Draw near, listen, and obey. Be a follower of Jesus, not just a fan or a learner. Godspeed.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Emphasis mine, Zechariah 4:6).

“But we have this treasure [the Holy Spirit] in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (Emphasis mine, 2 Corinthians 4:7).

“Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,  yours is the praise,  the glory and the honor and every blessing.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,  and no one is worthy to speak your name.
Praised be you, my Lord with all your creatures, ….”
(From the most famous poem by St. Francis of Assisi,
The Canticle of the Creatures)

Discipleship Is The Future

Ron, the leader of our Nehemiah men’s group, chose DISCIPLESHIP as our theme for the fall, and we’re well into it with the THREE CHAIRS illustration pointing to Commitment, Compromise, or Complacency in our walk and relationship with Jesus. Where are you within these three Cs?

Simply said, Jesus calls us to be DISCIPLES our whole life long, daily, and to DISCIPLE others as we go. (Matt 28:19-20) This morning we heard some thoughts on and DISCIPLESHIP practices from Ray Vander Laan and Francis Chan. I noticed the sign on the stage where Fracnis Chan was speaking said, “DISCIPLESHIP IS THE FUTURE.” Probably the Holy Spirit is saying the same thing to the church now, and has been since Jesus gave the command. Can we hear it? Can we do it?

We’ll be discussing and praying and acting upon DISCIPLSHIP this fall and hopefully in a fuller measure for the rest of our earth lives. We heard about the Shema this morning. The first word coming from Jesus’ mouth when asked what is the greatest commandment, was Shema “HEAR and OBEY” the God Who Is One, and show your love for Him in this way–hearing and obedience.

It was pointed out that the word translated “HEAR” in the Bible (Shema, שמע) is translated “OBEY” 90% of the time. Stay close enough to hear, and you’ll have His Holy Spirit whispering to you and giving you the power to act and bring God’s power into situations involving family, work, and play as you journey. Be a DISCIPLE, and by your example, making disciples.

God’s Shalom be yours…

*******************

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

“Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

I read a post today entitled, “Words Have Wings” by a beautiful Jewish woman we met on a recent cruise. The thoughts and Scripture she shared seemed to be apropos to her point, and to the call to DISCIPLESHIP:

“Moshe, the great teacher and leader, sees his end approaching and perhaps it is for this reason that these messages appeal to people’s hearts? We read:

כִּ֚י הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם לֹֽא־נִפְלֵ֥את הִוא֙ מִמְּךָ֔ וְלֹ֥א רְחֹקָ֖ה הִֽוא׃
לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃
וְלֹֽא־מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיָּ֖ם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲבָר־לָ֜נוּ אֶל־עֵ֤בֶר הַיָּם֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃
כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ׃ (ס)
רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת־הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת־הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת־הָרָֽע׃

“Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?”
No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (Translation taken from Sefaria)

Sons of Korah & Suffering

I had an unusual, disturbing dream last night. It wasn’t a nightmare, but more of an endless chase after something insignificant—a blue colored baseball thrown or hit out of play, that I went to retrieve. I chased it down a swiftly moving brook, jumping on rocks, from side to side, almost getting it occasionally with a stick, but it was always just out of reach. At last, maybe a mile from where I started, it went over a small waterfall not to re-emerge to the surface from deep water. It was either stuck on the bottom or finally waterlogged.

After the unsuccessful chase, I returned to find that we didn’t get to do the activity we paid for with friends and family. Our small group appealed to the owner of the enterprise for mercy, grace, and in the end, just the return of the small deposit ( $2.75 ) I had paid to ensure the return of a metal key. We received nothing. The end.

Disturbing? A bit. Things not going to plan. Some injustice and unkindness in the end. Wasted time. Wasted energy. What did it mean? If anything?

It’s August 2026! Whew, where has this summer and year gone? Time flies. And occasionally time stands still.

The death of a loved one. A season of darkness or depression that challenges hope and causes us to wonder about the value of our very existence. Maybe some nagging pain, sickness, or physical condition that persists without resolution or answers. Psalm 88, the last of the Psalms of the sons of Korah was written in and about such a time of suffering.

Dave, a young, PhD elder at our church spoke about it yesterday at our church’s Sunday service. Suffering is not a popular topic in the affluent West or with people in general. But it’s part of an earth life and can lead to a time of spiritual breakthrough or revelation, seeing God more clearly, and His good purposes for you and for the Earth.

Suffering gives us pause. It makes us still, so as to focus on the moment, or for a moment, on what’s real, and not just on what’s new, shiny, or exciting.

God did not hide from us that suffering would be a part of every human life, even for the upright and spiritual. The oldest book in the Bible, Job, gives important insights into this and sets the stage for why humans suffer and what God intends it to accomplish by it.

Jesus, God in the flesh, suffered horrifically, as the most important and critical part of that plan—redemption and gifting us eternal life as part of God’s forever family. In doing so He demonstrates to Satan, dark and deceiving demons, angels, individual humans, and nations the powerful, good, loving, just, merciful, gracious heart of the Creator. He demonstrates that some humans would choose to love, serve, and know him, even in the presence of suffering.

Dave pointed out that Heman, one of the sons of Korah, is the only author mentioned by name in these beautiful and telling Psalms. In Psalm 88 he begins with a prayer to God for help in the midst of suffering and for an awareness of God’s presence. The Psalm ends with Heman in a dark place—not yet sensing the God of all comfort and light.

Heman is mentioned in the Chronicles of the kings of Israel, along with Solomon, as one of the wisest of the wise. They both attested to the value of darkness, mystery, and suffering in knowing God.

So embrace it, when it comes, as you pray and look for the God of mercy, light, and peace. Godspeed on your journey in suffering and in health; in dark times and in light times. He is good! He is faithful, loving, and true. His shalom be yours.

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”
(Job 1:1,6)

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death….”
(Paul in Philippians 3:10)

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison….”
(Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:17)

As for the dream, I’m still meditating on the fuller meaning, but on the surface it suggests we not live distracted by trivial or meaningless pursuits. Rather we should seek the important, live in the moment, and look to know God better every day of our lives and journey—in darkness and in light. Typically, as humans, we see Him most clearly in darkness, when He has our attention. As recommended in my book, God Stays Near, let’s make it our habit to seek Him at all times by being still, and practicing the habits or spiritual disciplines that keep us spiritually sensitive. Maybe the darkness will come less often. At least we’ll be better able to see clearly and listen closely when it comes. Shalom.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:10)

“Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”
(Job 37:14)

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;  but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract,  and I repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:5-6)

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)

*********************

Addendum: Although “suffering” isn’t listed in the spiritual disciplines, the ancients and spiritual fathers all attest to its value in spiritual sensitivity, hearing, and knowing God. John Mark Comer, a nationally known teacher, in his series of teachings on the spirtual disciplines addresses “suffering.”

France 2026

You were expecting a post about the World Cup, weren’t you? While I appreciate sports and their benefits to humankind, this blog is about travel and spiritual adventure. :):) My wife and I, along with three other couples and longtime friends, just returned from a Viking cruise on the Rhône river of France from Avignon to Lyon followed by a high-speed train ride to Paris, and three days of walking and touring The City of Light.

Despite the record-breaking heat wave in Europe, we enjoyed our look at that ancient waterway from the Swiss alps to the Mediterranean Sea. The food and wine of the region were amazing as heralded, with Lyon reportedly being the gastronomic capital of the world. The short history excursions tracing the Roman and medieval history of France were insightful and beautiful to view. Speaking of history and beauty, the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard was my personal favorite—amazing engineering with breath-taking beauty and two-thousand-year-old splendor.

Fun Facts

France is the third largest country in Europe after Russia and Ukraine. It’s almost the size of Texas. Metropolitan Paris has a population of about 13 million people. Yet it hosts about 48 million visitors each year. The Eiffel Tower is visited by about 7 million people each year making it the most visited world attraction where a ticket is required. Five million more visit the grounds and nearby area for photography and viewing bringing the total to 12 million visitors. Nearby Notre Dame hosted an estimated 11-15 million visitors in 2025 after the fire and restoration. The City of Light has many other grand monuments, museums, art galleries, and beautiful city architecture making it one of the great walking cities of the world. One should also mention French cuisine and sidewalk cafes aplenty to relax, refresh, and soak it all in.

The Jews

“The Jews, Your Majesty—the Jews!” That’s how Blaise Pascal, the brilliant physicist and mathematician, responded to French King Louis XIV, the Sun King, when asked for proof of the supernatural or of God. The idea being their survival through centuries of exile and persecution is a miracle. Any serious student of human history would have to acknowledge the same. Especially when you throw in the Biblical record and prophecy about the journey of these storied, ancient people. I’ve included chapters about this phenomenon in my books, A Friend of the King, Puzzling 2020, and God Stays Near.

It naturally interests me when I travel, to see the history of a place or country through the lens of how they treated or interacted with the Jewish people among them. (See Genesis 12:3). France’s history in this regard is varied and nuanced. Do some AI research if you’re interested.

One big surprise and takeaway for me was walking by the Jewish synagogue in Avignon and hearing that one of the popes there had shown kindness and protection to the Jews of the city and region. Pope Clement VI was number 4 of 8 French popes who ruled from France for almost 70 years after the papacy moved from Rome in 1309 due to unstable conditions in Rome and conflicts with the French king. During the Black Death, 1347-1351, Jews were accused of poisoning wells causing the plague and many pogroms broke out in Europe. Clement VI issued papal bulls condemning the violence. He declared that blaming the Jews was the work of the devil and urged clergy and rulers to protect Jewish communities. He provided refuge himself to the Jews in the territories around Avignon.

Spiritual France

A lot could be said because France has a long history since kings began to rule in Europe around 1000 A.D. They were anointed with oil by priests pointing back to the same practice as the kings of Israel in 1000 B.C., symbolizing that authority to rule on earth comes from God. We visited the historic and beautiful Notre Dame, and Saint Chappelle in Paris. All the Gothic cathedrals in Europe say a lot about what was happening at the time. Most people couldn’t read or write, but their spirits would be drawn up toward God by the lofty ceilings and beautiful light filtered through stained glass—stained glass depicting Bible stories and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I read these words about Jesus in my Bible reading this morning: “Jesus traveled all through Galilee teaching in the Jewish synagogues, everywhere preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven…” (Matthew 4:23 TLB). So it was a thousand years later in Paris, His disciples were carrying on that work in stained glass and weekly preaching and teaching about the kingdom of God.

A short list of prominent saints and martyrs in France would include Joan of Arc (1412-1431), a national heroine and Catholic saint who led French forces in the Hundred Years’ War, guided by visions. Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a mathematician, physicist, and philosopher, who had a profound conversion experience and wrote Pensées, defending the Christian faith. King Louis IX, (1214-1270), aka St. Louis, was king of France, crusader, and a model Christian monarch. He was canonized for his piety and justice. Charlemagne (742-814), was king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor, who promoted Christianity across Europe. France considers him their first king. There’s Louis Pasteur, St. Vincent de Paul, Saint Genevieve, John Calvin, René Descartes, and many other Christian people who have shaped the spiritual landscape of France.

May the Lord remember their lives and prayers, and show France mercy and grace in times of spiritual darkness.

Viva la France! 🇫🇷

*********************

“The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.” (Psalm 145:9-13)

“Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.” — Blaise Pascal

Soup With the Savior-Day 4

Thursday, 2026 Journal Entry — Vietnam, Central Highlands

Today the pace was slower but steady. We didn’t experience the crush of people we did yesterday nor the numbers we expected in this village. But it was important — important to each person in pain with medical needs looking for a little healing, kindness, and hope.

Each person was greeted with gentleness, smiles, and honor…

At the first station nurses, Madison and Myra, took blood pressure, vitals, and recorded those on a dual copy record with the patient’s printed name. They were then seated in a small waiting area by an indigenous helper who spoke the dialect. This local helper, then escorted each to a chair in front of Dr. Ron or one of the two Vietnamese M.D.s and their translator assistants as spaces became available.

After the doctor’s exam, prescriptions were recorded, and the patient escorted to the pharmacy station. They were seated while the pharmacist, Ân, and her team of Linh, Thái, and Dwayne, filled and double checked each prescription. Then each patient was given their prescription with the medicines and escorted to another room where someone explained to them what the medicines are for and how to take them in the proper dosage and sequence.

The process for people needing dental help was similar. Patients were directed to doctors, Stan and Isaac, for numbing, and extraction of problematic teeth. Then they were escorted to the pharmacy for pain meds and antibiotics.

These patients are people who would likely never have the opportunity to see a dentist or a doctor, nor the finances to do so if they could. So, the community of faith is being led to bring those services to them. God’s Spirit is working through people to bring others needed mercy, help, and grace.

Apparently, the only two metal folding tables owned by the church or the pastor were being used for our pharmacy to spread out and organize medicines. So when it came time for lunch, we moved our medicines in an orderly fashion to red, plastic chairs, so our hosts could serve the lunch they had prepared for us.

In keeping with the Vietnamese tradition of hospitality, they served the best they had. It was rice and a little green vegetable soup. It was the most humble, but maybe one of the best lunches we had, depending on how you look at it.

My main memory of this village and these people is their joy and gratefulness for our coming and anything we shared.

There were bent-over grandparents and elderly people from years of hard work in the rice patties, and mothers with young children on their breasts. There were strong, muscular young men and teenagers. You could tell by the way they interacted with each other that they were a tight-knit community of friends and relatives.

In the end, we served about 170 people today. It’s not about the number. It’s about being here, and touching people with kindness, love, and hopefully some healing. I had a sense that Jesus was here with us and among us at every moment enjoying what was going on with His children—those being served and those serving.

“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
(Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬)

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬)

Say a prayer for the Vietnamese government and people of Vietnam.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
‭‭(Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭25‬-‭27‬)

More photos of the Day

*********************

This was day 5 of the mission, since we attended chruch in Saigon, and began the long bus ride to the Central Highlands on Sunday. After we saw the last patient in the village mid afternoon, we headed south to Da Lat, a beautiful resort town at almost 5000′ elevation with an alpine feel. We arrived in time to check in our hotel, take a group photo, walk the town a bit, and have dinner. The next day was to be a recreational day for most of the team, while three of us who came early headed south to Saigon the next morning so we could fly home the following day. The rest of the team enjoyed a day of recreation and rest. We had become really close and it was sad saying good bye, but there was also a smile on our lips and in our hearts for all we’d been able to see and do with old and new kingdom friends–the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. His Name be praised. :):)

“He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
He makes the clouds His chariot;
He walks upon the wings of the wind” (Psalm 104:3).

Vietnam’s Central Highlands Day 3

Remote M’nong Village
Wednsday 2026, Jounral Entry

[Before leaving the hotel Dr. Le captpured the photo above on a sunrise walk. Then back at the hotel before our evening meal, we wittnessed a local wedding party preparing for the special day–the sort of beautiful serendipity one often encounters when traveling abroad.]

Today our team of two American Dentists, one American doctor, two Vietnamese doctors, an American Vietnamese pharmacist, nurses and support volunteers served about 200 people with medical needs in support of a local indigenous pastor and his small church.

Our team members are from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, Newport News, Virginia, and Saigon, Vietnam.

At our last stop, we served primarily church members and a few non-churched villagers, at this remote village we served a small part of the church community and a large number of non-churched villagers.

The pastor was genuine, warm, and really has a heart for serving his community and leading as many people to Christ as possible.

A pastor from a neighboring village came to participate and help as needed. He was imprisoned a few years for his faith. He was also beaten so severely that he doesn’t have use of his right arm and a few other physical issues, but he started a church about a year ago with 50 members and now has grown it to 150 members. Church leaders here are very inspirational. They have suffered, and seen a lot of suffering.

The team continues to stay healthy, motivated, and strong with resolve to serve, whatever it takes. It’s good to be a part of a troop like this, and also feel the Lord‘s presence and pleasure as we serve.

The food continues to be a little different in every region, but very delicious with delicate flavors and quite a variety that we are totally not used to. I may send a few photos. The people are friendly, hospitable, and kind.

I sent this journal entry back to our prayer team, along with: “Thanks for your prayers and continued support that the kingdom of God would come to Vietnam and His will be done here as it is in heaven.”

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” ‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬)

More of the day’s photos…

Elephants! Day 2

Tuesday, 2026 Journal Entry
Central Highlands, Vietnam

We are leaving the hotel after two nights. They’re bussing our team to a different location today and we’re spending the night elsewhere. The dental team is splitting off from us today, for today only.

In fact, the authorities only let Dr. Stan, Dr. Le, and two Vietnamese dental and medical personnel with American passports work with the dental team today. The rest of us American passport holders were not allowed back.

I awakened this morning praying for the local pastors, and the church in Vietnam, especially the Highlands.

The people of the Central Highlands seem to be much more open to the gospel and come to faith much easier than the populated areas of Vietnam. They seem to have a simple, child-like, faith, and not so much indoctrination as those in the cities and more heavily populated areas.

I had an impression to leave some T-shirts that have Christian messages for local pastors as I go. I asked Pastor Ngoc, and he said that would be fine, but not here, due to the scrutiny. In the next villages it should be fine.

One interesting thing happened at a public restaurant last night. The local pastor prayed over our long table of about 30 people (mission team plus local church members), a long passionate prayer in Vietnamese. A table of men drinking beer at the next table clapped loudly when the prayer was finished. So we did too. One of them looked me in the eyes and said in broken English, “Good prayer!” :):)

That was a new mission experience!

*********************

In the early afternoon our dental team of four rejoined us. We boarded our bus and drove a few hours to our next location.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” I’m not sure where that pharse comes from, but out leader, Pastor Ngoc, must take it to heart, because at our next hotel in the Central Highlands, we were suprised by two Asian elephants giving rides next door! What a sight, and experience! All this was in the middle of a beautiful agricultural valley on the shores of a very large lake. It was an incredibly beautiful and peaceful setting we were to enjoy morning and evening for two days before and after serving in nearby villages.

*********************

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.”(Galatians 6:18)

More Photos of the Day

Central Highlands Day 1

Monday, 2026 Journal Entry
Central Highlands, Vietnam

Wow! Nice first day in the central Highlands.

We have excellent team chemistry with everyone working together with joy and goodwill. One miscue — the Vietnamese dentists, who were supposed to come, backed out, and they were to bring all the instruments and dental tools. Thankfully they weren’t needed today and will be shipped overnight on a nine hour bus ride from Saigon for tomorrow’s ministry. Our dentists did other things today with Dr. Le doing a good bit of translating for the doctors–our own Dr. Ron and two Vietnamese doctors.

We saw 167 patients today. I worked in the pharmacy with Thai Le and Linh Pham under direction of our pharmacist An Tran from Atlanta. She kept us organized and busy handing out meds that our doctors prescribed in bags with the patient’s name and instructions which were explained by a nurse in the next room.

All this ministry took place in the humble church atop a hill with the Pastor’s living quarters in the back.

Everyone, patients and providers, seemed thankful and pleased with the processes and ministry.

Many of our team simply posed with locals in the waiting shelter outside, who wanted their photos with Americans. There were lots of smiles, laughter, and hugs. “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Pro 17:22).

The movement and actions of churches and Christians are much more closely monitored in the rural, indigenous areas that in the cities. The authorities showed up to see what we were doing. Then they forbade us going to our planned location tomorrow. But they would permit those villagers to be bussed to where we were today.

“Father have mercy on these people we came to serve and help us find favor to do what You have for us to do. Amen. ‘Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands'” (Psalm 90:17).

*********************

Psalm 90:12 was painted on the wall at the front of the church. “So teach us to number our days,
that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

More Photos of the Day

Saigon Saturday & Sunday

The team from the US arrived from different places individually and in small groups via different routes. But eveyone arrived by Friday evening and the whole team met in the hotel lobby early Saturday monring for breakfast and our inbriefing by Pastor Ngoc. After hearing our plan for the week beginning tomorrow, we were free to rest or roam. Some took naps during the day to recover from jet lag and travel drag, but with so much anticipation and adrenaline thinking about the trip, it was difficult.

Some shopped for last minute items that might be hard to find in the Central Highlands or for soveniers. Some took strolls in the neighborhood getting to know the culture, food, and money. A few of us took a cruise on the Saigon River in the afternoon to see some of the city from the water. Rest and recovery, as well as culture familiarization, was the order of the day. We were told to report downstairs in the morning with our bags packed, ready to board the bus after breakfast.

We would be attending Sunday church services at a Bible school on our way out of town, followed by a nine hour bus ride to our first ministry station or village.

The students and church members were welcoming and friendly. It was different, and it was the same, as it mostly is in different Christian communities around the globe. The sermon and the worship was in Vietnamese, but it felt like home–peaceful and the same spirit. Speaking of Spirit, we were there on Penecost Sunday 2026. And that was the theme of the worship, as well as, the teaching and preaching. They sang some songs we knew by the melody, so we could sing along in English.

We discoved Google Translate could translate the sermon in real time to text on our phones. That was nice. And the Google Translate camera feature would translate print into English for us as we held our cameras to print or signs. Nice! But even had we sat in silence, it was a comfortable, familiar feeling. There was a lot of reverence and worship of God, and there was a lot of love for each other in the room.

We had a nice lunch with students and church members in the kitchen/dining room of the multistory dormitory complex. Before long we walked to our bus, and began the long, interesting ride north and upward to the Central Highlands–our mission and home for the coming week.

We settled in on the bus for quiet visits to get to know each other, and for quietly seeing the country side and the way people lived. There was time for reflection, dreaming, imagaing what might lay in front of us, rest, and prayer.

Soon we’ll know! We’re supposed to arrive at our hotel before midnight.

More Photos of the Day/s