With My Own Eyes

Mr. Reilly,

Thanks for your recent tweets regarding Dr. Brantly.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, they have caused me to think.  Here are some of my thoughts:

1.There are many things about God and His ways that I do not understand. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Why was I born in the U.S., and not in Africa, I don’t know.  Why do some live long lives, and others do not, I don’t know.  Why do some people suffer more than others, I don’t know.

2. What I do understand is that the origin of all suffering and death is sin. All of creation pays the price for the rebellion of humanity against God and His laws. We are reminded in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. We have died spiritually and we will die physically.

3.Jesus came to rescue all of creation from sin and its consequences. He paid the price we owed by dying the death we deserved (Romans 5:8).  As long as we remain on this earth that is contaminated by sin, we will still die physically.  But the promise for those who turn away from their sins and turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ is a new life spiritually that begins here on the earth and continues for all eternity (John 3:16).  The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a foreshadowing of what is to come for all who belong to Christ—life everlasting.

4.Followers of Jesus Christ like Dr. Brantly worship God by demonstrating His character of love and sacrifice. I wish your tweets would have recognized the selfless acts of Dr. Brantly and others as they put their own lives at risk to save those who are dying—just as Jesus did.

5. Dr. Brantly recognizes that his life doesn’t belong to himself. It is in God’s hands. Therefore, whether Dr. Brantly lives or dies, God is in control.  The fact that God chose to spare his life at this time is indeed something for which to be grateful.  The fact that thousands in Africa are still perishing from this disease is a tragedy that powerfully reminds us of the curse of sin that remains on the creation until Jesus returns and makes all things new.  God has called his people, like Dr. Brantly to be agents of His compassion and healing.  God has chosen to work through His people, and continues to do so.

6. God is the  author of everything good—including medicine. We thank Him for every goodness we receive, none of which we deserve.

7. There is a lot of work for God’s people to carry out. People are dead spiritually and dying physically. Thank God for people like Dr. Brantly who lay their lives on the line to rescue the dying in the name of Jesus—and give thanks as he does so.  May my life be more like his.

Mr. Reilly, thank you for your writing.  Your articles over the years have caused me to both laugh and think.  If you do not know the Jesus of Dr. Brantly, I pray that you will be awakened to His great love for you and that you too will walk with Him.

Sincerely,

Chad Zaucha

First Baptist Church of Ojai, CA

805-646-3333

https://twitter.com/ReillyRick/status/502560455840509952

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Christy and I finally rode the tram in Palm Springs.  Wow, was that cool!  Here’s a picture heading down the mountain (you can see the station way down below):

“Since 1963 nearly 18 million people have traveled the 10-minute, 2.5-mile ride, which begins at the Valley Station – elevation 2,643 feet and ends at the Mountain Station – elevation 8,516 feet.” – Tram Website

Two things amazed me:  (1) The vision and know-how to build something like this 60 years ago; (2) The dramatic difference in climates from the bottom of the mountain to the top (desert to forest, all in 10 minutes).

I would love to take the family back and experience snow at the top in the winter.

Josh and his cousin Ethan heading to basketball camp at Mercer.

Josh and his Grandpa Walker cruising the streets of Macon, Georgia.

Many have already seen this via Facebook, but I wanted to post it here just to archive the picture and the memory.  Wednesday, June 18th was for Christy and me our 20th wedding anniversary.  We have been reading together the book Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story. In the first chapter of the book, it mentions an Italian restaurant in Agoura Hills called Grissini’s.  Christy and I thought it would make for an adventure to locate and dine at that restaurant for our anniversary.  After being seated, I heard some of the staff say, “Joni and Ken are coming.”  Sure enough, Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken were seated two tables from us.  We approached them to tell the story of how it was that we were at this restaurant at this moment (the mention of it in the book). They were thrilled to hear our story and recognized the God moment, as they had not been there in the past three months.  Joni said something to the effect of God’s blessing being evident on our marriage.  I could not agree more.  It was a special anniversary gift from our Heavenly Father.  (The gentleman in the middle is Giuseppe, the owner of Grissini’s.  His food and hospitality were exceptional.)

A special song.  A heartfelt toast.  The radiant beauty of the bride.  These are just a few of things which make a wedding an event to be remembered and cherished for a lifetime.  For Christy and me, we have the OJ Simpson White Bronco chase.  The night before our sacred vows, the world was riveted to the event which ushered in a new era of celebrity newsertainment.  The moment was so impactful we relocated thousands of miles to the vicinity of the actual events.  So when you think of the white Bronco, think of Chad and Christy.  20 years of cherished memories…

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What do you think?