By Mike Peek

Dear Neighbor, Human Communication is difficult because people do not hear. The sound of ones voice is modulated by presuppositions and desires. In Joshua 12 it is recorded that the sons of Rueben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar by the Jordan river, and it was large in appearance, but the the other tribes took this as an offense and rebellion; therefore, they gathered to make war against their brothers. They built this altar, not to make sacrifice on it and worship the Lord separate from their brothers, but out of concern, that in future days, the Israelites east of the Jordan, they being west of the Jordan, would consider them separate. They built the altar so that they would not forget that the tribes west of the Jordan had rights to cross the Jordan and worship the Lord in the Land of Israel’s possession with the other tribes. I have attempted to sound a warning among my brothers and sisters about a crisis that is occurring within the hospital. They...

Dear Neighbor, What have you planned for this day that the Lord God has made? Is your planning keeping with the will of the Lord? All authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth, yet do men follow the word of the Lord? Sin is going away from God and not doing what the Lord commands, disregarding the Lord’s will. This causes brokenness. Brokenness caused by our sins and the sin of other people. God does not leave his elect in brokenness but heals us from within and puts us on the way to God’s design. John 14:6 (NASB) Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn. 14:15) “This is my commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you.” (Jn. 15:12) Let us not forget that Jesus laid down his life for us; therefore, let us love one another just as Christ Jesus loved us. Michael Peek Your Servant for Jesus’ S...

Dear Neighbor, All in the world is not right because we are not right. Everyone clamors for themselves and many are run over in the process. There is a day coming in which God will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, whom God has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Jesus Christ from the dead. Every knee shall bend and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Who is your father? Is your father Adam or God? We were all born of Adam. For this reason Jesus said, “You must be born again. You must be born from above. You must be born of God.” The children of God are born of God. God is Spirit; therefore, the new birth is of the Spirit. The Spirit brings to life whom God wishes.  Romans 9:15 (NASB) For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” God chooses the vessels of mercy. We should note that all deserve the wrath of God but f...

Dear Neighbor, This morning I read Matthew 8-9: Jesus healed a leper and was amazed by a Roman centurion’s faith. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of fever and healed many others who were demon possessed and had illnesses. Jesus cast out demons from two men and the demons went into a herd of swine. Jesus healed a paralytic in the sight of many Jews as a testimony to them, that he had the authority of God to forgive sins. After calling Matthew he held a party in his home in Jesus honor but the Pharisees questioned his being with sinners. Jesus said: “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.” (Mt. 9:12, NASB) And he told them that the Father desires compassion and not sacrifice. Jesus was questioned about religious ritual and he did many miracles if healing out of compassion. Then he sent out the twelve to preach the kingdom of heaven, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleans the lepers, and cast out demons. Nursing began with the Christian teaching ab...

Dear Neighbor, From a biblical perspective all plagues, whatever they might be, are considered the judgment of God. Oftentimes the purpose of plagues is to open the eyes of the people but this does not always happen. Instead of changing their ways and following the Lord, the people say, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.” (Isa. 22:13)  I think that our present society lives in a bubble; therefore, people cannot perceive things in reality. A catastrophe is occurring in present day Tyler, Texas, but most are oblivious to it and some are saying, “Let us eat and drink,” but they do not even know that tomorrow they face death or that their neighbor is facing death.  In this society, the sick and dying disappear and are hidden away in healthcare institutions. Most peoples perspective of death and dying comes from television, movies and video games; therefore, even though they may not be aware of their own perspective, they believe it to be fiction, something made up by ...

Dear Neighbor, Life on the earth is not easy and happiness is often situational. Job was happy in his situation but when all of his children, possessions and health were taken away from him he was in anguish, he suffered day and night. Job’s friends were no help in comforting him, they assumed that God took the lives of his children because they had sinned against God, and God took Job’s possessions and health because he was not trusting in God. I can relate to both Job and his friends because I have been in the place of each. We as nurses often see the plight of our patients and think that their situation is because of life choices. Our term for this is noncompliant. We will say in report, “X in room Y is noncompliant.”  I have personally lost a great deal. My children are living but they are not following the way of the Lord. My body is getting older and has many aches and pains. I slept well last night but I often have dreams that disturb me during the night, and some nights I t...

Dear Neighbor, I do not watch any of the 24 hour news networks because I do not like the politicizing done on those networks. Even my patients associate themselves with what 24 hour news network that they watch. I believe that these channels are a plague on the American society. They have transformed these United States into a politically divided nation. Even something as important as healthcare has become political and is divided.  I would like to take the opportunity this morning to encourage you to get the COVID-19 vaccine and I assure you that my plea has nothing whatsoever to do with American politics. My concern is for your life and the lives of those around you.  The hospital that I work at is becoming overwhelmed with persons infected with COVID-19. I could tell you the numbers, but I probably should not, nor do I believe that the numbers would open your eyes. I can say that the situation is dire and many people are in trouble. I am in my 24th year as a bedside Registe...