Lifesaver Dr. Ben Carson and Life Destroyer Kermit Gosnell

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I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
And there it was, all overgrown with thorns;
Its surface was covered with nettles;
Its stone wall was broken down.
When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction:
A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.

Proverbs 24:30-34 explains that one can look upon the lives of others and learn from them. The year 2013 featured significant news stories about two men with similar backgrounds and very different lives. This article will examine the lives of these men. One man has received the penalty of his errors, and the other appears to be humbly submitted to the will of God.



Dr. Ben Carson
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons

Kermit Barron Gosnell, age 72, and Dr. Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr., age 62, grew up in cities notorious for violent crime, Philadelphia and Detroit, respectively. These black men came of age in the tumultuous 60's and 70's. Gosnell is a former physician. In 2013, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering three infants who were born alive during abortion procedures. Recently retired, Dr. Carson was a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics, and the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He made history in 1987, becoming the first surgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head.

Gosnell grew up in a middle-class household and graduated at the top of his high school class. The future seemed bright for him, but it is written in Proverbs 4:18 that "..the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day" and the trajectory of his life shows that he did not walk that path.

The odds seemed against Dr. Carson from the beginning. He was raised by a uneducated single mother, albeit hard-working and God-fearing, in great poverty. As a violent and angry youth, he almost murdered one of his peers. Yet, in the providence of God, that incident drew Dr. Carson to the Bible. He learned that "...the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:20). His testimony is one of a man called by the irresistible grace and power of the Holy Spirit, and turning away from a life of anger to a life of faith and obedience to God's Word.

Dr. Carson is a master of plain speech as evidenced by His keynote at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, while Gosnell was practicing double-speak a.k.a "suppressing the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18-23) as far back as 1972. In that year, he told the Philadelphia Inquirer: "as a physician, I am very concerned about the sanctity of life, but it is for this exact reason that I provide abortions for women who need them."

Per Romans 1, Gosnell used and approved of abortion procedures created by inventors of evil things. He also accumulated debt and several tax liens against his properties, even though he made thousands of dollars on abortions every week. It appears that Gosnell's practice was built on the love of money and not helping others. He not only caused thousands of deaths, but destruction and misery.

Dr. Carson was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after hearing the testimonies of missionary doctors at church. He desired to heal people physically, mentally and spiritually. He became a pediatric neurosurgeon to save the lives of children and babies.

Dr. Carson fears God, not man. He has debated ardent evolutionist, Richard Dawkins, and he did not concede to political correctness nor baseness at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast. Bible in hand, he humbly spoke about applying the law of God in many areas of life. After the event, his faith was spoken of throughout the whole world. On the other hand, according to testimony given during Gosnell's trial, it was said that Gosnell and his wife reserved the Lord's Sabbath for the unmerciful act of performing partial and live-birth abortions.



Mugshot of Kermit Gosnell

God created the institution of marriage and revealed the mystery of it in Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. Dr. Carson holds his marriage in honor, having been married to his wife for 39 years. Whereas Gosnell was on his third marriage at the time of his conviction.

Now that Gosnell's trespasses are exposed for all the world to see, he is still unrepentant for the evil he has done. Firstly, against his Creator, and secondly, against his fellow man. In a February 2011 interview with Fox 29, he told reporters, "I expect to be vindicated."


In accordance with [his] hardness and impenitent heart, he is treasuring up for [himself] wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to his deeds. (Romans 2:5-6)

Dr. Carson is not the perfect man, and Gosnell is a man whose life has become a cautionary tale. Both have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The only difference is their standing before God. If Gosnell continues in unrepentance, he will go to Hell when he dies and be cast into the into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels on the Day of Judgment. If Dr. Carson continues in the love of God by the abiding power of His Spirit, on the Great Day of Judgment, he will stand, because Jesus Christ is able to make him stand.

Sources:
The Bible
Wikipedia.com
Biography.com
NBC Philadephia - Kermit Gosnell Lived in "Squalor"
Video - Ben Carson's National Prayer Breakfast Speech 2013
Generations Radio - Ben Carson Uses Bible at Presidential Prayer Breakfast! 

Five Ways to Save Your God Given Time and Money

1.) Do Not Covet

The tenth commandment should be ever before us: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's" (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 21:21). Covetousness is a sin that pervades not only society, but every human heart. So much time can be wasted dreaming about what we desire and do not have.

2.) Make Do or Do Without

The old saying "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" simply means being content and industrious by using what you have until you have the means to upgrade or buy more. Consider how much bondage to debt could be prevented on the premise of "making do". Imagine the hours of creativity and cheerful industry that could be produced in a home without a television.

Practical Suggestions
We all think of maintaining our cars, but what about oiling our wooden chopping boards twice a year? Do periodic maintenance on everything that you use. Pare down your wardrobe to quality pieces and things you need. Learn to me sew buttons, mend holes and fix hems or find a competent tailor.

Matthew 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

3.) Make Lists

Every time a need or want comes to mind, I write it down. There is wisdom in praying about whether or not to make a purchase. If you have placed your faith in the saving and sanctifying work of Jesus Christ, remember that God is your Father. He will not give you a stone if you ask for bread, though he may not give you bread either when "you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3).

4.) Shop Online

Prices are almost always cheaper than retail on the Internet. For example, I recently ordered some B-vitamins that cost $5.00 less than its retail price. Many online retailers also offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount. Online shopping also prevents impulse buying and wasted hours commuting to stores. Sticking to a shopping list is just as important when shopping online as it is in a physical store. It may be tempting to buy more than necessary because of the variety of products available. Therefore, self-control must be exercised in online shopping or your budget will be blown up with the click of a button.

5.) Be Prudent About Health and Nutrition

According to a study done at Harvard University, defaults on medical bills represent 62% of all personal bankruptcies. Exercising regularly and eating wisely can prevent a myriad of health problems that cost time and money, even life and limb. Albeit, there is no one-size fits all approach to eating and exercise. Theologian Jonathan Edwards once wrote that he "carefully observed the effects of the different sorts of food, and selected those which best suited his constitution, and rendered him most fit for mental labour" (Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume One, 1834).

It may also be helpful to do some genealogy research in the area of health. How did your ancestors die? What are your family's generational illnesses, if any? If you have the blessing of being adopted, you can start a health journal now for your posterity.

It is impossible to take control of your health and live forever, because God has "appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). God is sovereign and expects us to be good and faithful stewards of everything we have been given.

Sources:
The Bible
Cancer, health insurance, bankruptcy | The Economist, Sep 7th 2009
The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume One, 1834

In the Beginning...

Our Creator is so amazing.  Watch this on full screen:

The Awe Factor of God - High Quality Version; YouTube version below:

As the World Passes Away...

I just changed the subtitle of this blog from "..when the world fades away" to "..when the world passes away." The word "pass" or "passes" is used the scriptures (1 Corinthians 7:31, 1 John 2:17). It connotes the evanescence of life.

Time will stop on that Great Day: in which the Church is completed, every person who ever lived is judged by Christ Jesus our Lord and the world as we know it ends.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." ~Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV)

Reflections on the Excellent Woman in Proverbs 31

I read a book a few months back called The Excellent Woman as described in the book of Proverbs by Anne Pratt (1852).  It was enormously helpful to me and written so beautifully.  I have desired to share my reflections from my reading of the book ever since I finished it, and I am pleased to finally post them here. Please note that all text in italics are direct quotations from the text.

courageous
quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear

The excellent woman is first and foremost, courageous. She holds fast to the truth of God's word and is not swayed by every wind of unsound doctrine or cultural expectation. She strives to imitate the virtues and graces of women as described in the Bible (1 Peter 3:6), not in her own strength (Proverbs 12:10), but in the power of the Holy Spirit. In every tremendous feat and daily duty, the excellent woman trusts in the strength that God provides. Her value is greater than riches untold. He who finds her and becomes her husband, receives favor from the Lord (Proverbs 31:10).

trustworthy
reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence

The husband of a trustworthy woman does not have the pressure to constantly "keep up with the Joneses" to satisfy his wife's wants and pleasures. The trustworthy woman does not look to her own selfish ambitions in the running of the household, but to God. She recognizes that all she has come from Him (1 Peter 4:10). She is consistent in her behavior, particularly in the prudent management of financial resources.

beneficent
doing good or causing good to be done; conferring benefits; kindly in action or purpose

The marriage relationship is the strongest of all earthly influences, and the love of God guides the beneficent woman in this realm of influence. In contrast to the foolish woman of Proverbs 14:1, she does not bring shame to her household. She makes the home a contrast to the workplace for her husband: A place of "sweet converse that beguiles him of his cares and peace, and love, and order, and gentle welcome and soothing sympathy." The beneficent woman prays for her husband, gently reminds him of the promises in God's word, rejoices with him, does not listen with indifference, encourages him to holiness and virtue, and warns against sin.

enterprising
ready to undertake projects of importance or difficulty; energetic in carrying out any undertaking

The enterprising woman brings good to her household and cares to secure quality food and other items that make home life special. The work of her hands is not only a blessing to her household, but to others outside the home through bartering or selling. She gives to those who are truly needy: the poor whom sickness has prevented from labor, the little child, and others. Everyone who enters her home is benefited.

The wise and active conquer difficulties by daring to attempt them.
Sloth and Folly shiver and shrink at sight of toil and trouble.
And make the impossibilities they fear.

provident
having or showing foresight; providing carefully for the future

The provident woman awakes early and manages the home. Such orderliness of the home is great help to her husband in his productivity and leading of the family. Basic areas of stewardship include cooking, cleanliness of the home, management of finances, care and training of children. Idle wives are either slothful or weary busybodies, while a woman who works diligently has freshness and energy. The energetic woman is engaged in earnestly furthering the Kingdom of God through fervent prayer and action. Anne Pratt wrote, "It should become a subject of deep and frequent thought to every woman, and especially to every Christian woman, whether her time is rightly spent."

Here is a fitting quote about the destructiveness of idleness: "Idleness is the badge of gentry, the bane of body and mind, the nurse of naughtiness, the stepmother of discipline, the chief author of all mischief, one of the seven deadly sins, the cushion upon which the devil chiefly reposes, and a great cause not only of melancholy, but of many other diseases: for the mind is naturally active; and if it be not occupied about some honest business, it rushes into mischief or sinks into melancholy." (Robert Burton, 1577 - 1640)

prudent
wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober

The prudent woman is one of forethought, preparedness, judgment, discretion and wisdom. For the sick, she anticipates want, bears patiently, ministers relief and love. Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace, because she does not have an anxious mind, but trusts in the providence of God. The daily acts of her life are governed by the law of kindness. She guards against the evil of gossip by not dwelling on the fallacies of others.

Besides the general commands to love our poorer neighbor, we are especially to do good to them who are of the household of faith. We are told to lay down our lives for the brethren. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need and shuteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Much like Solomon's great-great Grandmother, Ruth, the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31 was probably a person of wealth and the wife of one who "sat among the elders of the land." Nevertheless, she makes herself useful in her role, rather than basking listlessly in it, because she tasted the goodness of God. She is thankful and has a reputation of a life of strength and dignity. She rejoices at the time to come, treasuring in her heart verses like, "Even to your old age I AM, and even to hoar hairs I carry you", (Isaiah 46:4) and "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord" (Matthew 25:21).

The humble and lowly Christian, performing the simplest and commonest duties of domestic life in His fear, seeking His counsel, and earnestly striving to keep his commands, praying for guidance of the Holy Spirit and confidently trusting for the pardon of her sin in Him who died on the cross to redeem her - this is the woman on whom shall be bestowed that best, that only praise which is truly valuable, for her Lord shall say, "She hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti

I made Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti on Saturday in honor of my Aunt Deborah's birthday.  My cousin made a Greek Salad.  All the ingredients for the main dish and salad cost around $30.  A great deal, considering how many servings the meal yielded.  I enjoy making meals for and with people.  It is definitely something I will do more often.  I am getting more comfortable working in the kitchen.

Recipe Alterations: I added fresh Basil from my garden (Basil is super easy to grow!) and used frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach.

The Church's One Foundation