http://ichthys.com/ 
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XXII

Dear Dr. Luginbill, 

I hope you're doing well! I wanted to give you an update on my life since I haven't reached out in a while.

My parents bought a new home way up north. My mom is not doing very well [omitted; update: successful operation last year]. 

On a happier note, I bought a condo. I'm absolutely loving having my own place and being independent. 

As far as work, I'm still working but have since been promoted to the fraud department. It's interesting work but it can be exhausting talking to fraudsters all day long. I enjoy the analytical part of the job, but they require us to call the fraudster whenever we freeze their accounts. I 100% understand the logic of it, but it's not something I particularly enjoy. I hate hearing their lies, and they can be extremely unpleasant. Sometimes it's difficult to focus on being slow to anger and patient and all of the other things we're supposed to be as Christians. I'm mentally drained by the end of the day, and not particularly keen on mankind. But I am trying desperately to focus on Christ and clinging to the cross until the end. I know that without Christ, I am no better of than these people who live without him. He's delivered me from so much.

As far as Spiritual growth, I've been using Bible Gateway which sends me an email every day with a passage of Scripture from the Old and New Testament to read through the Bible every year. I hate to admit that I've been neglecting my studies at Ichthys but it will be my goal to make it my priority. 

I'm not depressed or anything (aside from worry and sadness over my mom), but I feel that I'm just going through the motions of this life. I don't like feeling this way. I fall short in so many ways, and I pray to God for forgiveness and strength to keep going.

I need to make understanding Scripture my priority in this life, but I haven't been doing that lately. I read passages from Scripture every day, but I don't always understand it. And I read Steven T's newsletters when he sends them which are uplifting. I'll read through the messages in the WhatsApp group he set up, but most of the time I'm too shy to say anything to them. I'm grateful that there are so many wise and strong Christians that make up the Ichthys community. I've been meaning to go to their study group they sometimes have on Saturdays, but I usually drive to my parents' place up north on weekends and can't seem to find the time.

Please pray that my focus will be on Christ, and that I'm reminded that there are greater pleasures that await in heaven than anything on this earth. I've been finding it difficult to stay focused on Spiritual growth.

How have you been? How are things at the university?

I will keep you in my prayers always!

In Him,
Response #1:  
Great to hear from you – but I am sorry to hear about your mom. I have been praying for her and will continue to do so (I've updated her prayer request on the site). I'm happy to hear that they were able find a good place to live and get out of that difficult situation you told me about. And congrats on your condo and your promotion! I hear you on the difficulties of the job, but if you keep doing it well, perhaps you can rise up to something that won't be as directly confrontational. I'll add that to the list.

On spiritual growth issues, these are challenging times, and I have to say I don't think that you are alone in finding it difficult to be consistent there. My sense is that most people have had a hard time adjusting to all the turmoil of the last few years. Add personal trauma, family issues, and all the noise and churn of having a job and a life in 2022 USA and, well, it is difficult for anyone to be consistent. But there are benefits to pushing through none the less, and I appreciate your determination to get back to that good approach. I'll definitely be praying for you on that too!

Things at the uni are challenging, but God answered prayer this fall and gave me more than enough students in my beginning classes so as not to fall into any trouble on that score [*note: prayers appreciated for THIS coming fall too (F25), especially in Greek]. The job has gotten a lot tougher over the years since it is now a great deal more bureaucratic and micromanaged than was the case in the past, and all those new layers eat one's time. Also, in terms of the "publish or perish" part of it, the "new scholarship" which is not scholarship at all has infected my discipline, and those who have not been affected negatively by it are mostly what I would call "doctrinaire", meaning that they don't generally like things which are out of the main stream – and all of my secular writing is definitely there. So prayers appreciated on that score, for help in getting my stuff in print.

I'm praying for you and your family every day, my friend.

Thanks for the email! And thanks for your prayers!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:  
Thanks Bob.

I really like the sound of the ancient world "hours" (based on dividing actual daylight by 12). I think the mechanical clock is unnatural and unhealthy. I slept a bit better last night - other things are disturbing me at night but it will pass.

Feels like I'm under some Satanic attack at the moment. The amount of stuff that's being fired at me all at once. Not just big things but lots of little things as well. I've had some nasty pains in my stomach today too which is a bit weird. It's okay though - I just have to ride the storm with the Lord's help.

I never listen to Christian music either. I've never really had any desire to. When __ sent me the first song a couple of weeks ago, I listened to it and straightaway I recognised how it was stirring up my emotions. It felt empty as well. It made me realise just how far I've come through spending so much time studying the Word. Nothing compares to the living, powerful truth of the Word of God. I've just replied to __ about the second Bethel song __ sent me. I thanked __ for sending it but I didn't say I liked it. I just said it's always beautiful to be reminded of the Lord's love for us. It might not have been the mega enthusiastic reply __ would have liked but I was being truthful in a gentle way. 

Thanks so much for your prayers for me, Bob. It's exactly what I need. Keeping you in mine too.

In Jesus
Response #2:  
It sounds to me as if you are "sharing the sufferings of Christ". That is an honor (in addition to being positive for spiritual growth; see the link in Peter #36: "Rejoicing in Participating in Christ's Sufferings"):
(12) Beloved, don't be alarmed at the fiery ordeal which has befallen you and is putting you to the test – as if something out of the ordinary were happening to you. (13) But to the degree that you are [truly] participating in Christ's sufferings, be joyful about it . . .
1st Peter 4:12-13a

(2) Brothers, when you are being beset with all manner of trials, take pains to be joyful. (3) For you should keep in mind that this testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) So let your perseverance develop fully, that you may become fully mature and entitled to a full reward, having been found lacking in no respect.
James 1:2-4
It's very important that when we are under pressure and when it's clear that it's not the result of discipline – and it's very easy to make the mistake of wrongly thinking we are – to take special care of our attitude and "be joyful" . . . NOT because we are suffering but because this is sign that the Lord is pleased with our progress and giving us a special chance to grow and earn a greater reward. It's not the stuff that immature believers can handle (which is why they don't receive such tests).

I think your answer to your friend was perfect.

Keeping up the prayer (for health too) – happy Friday ahead!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:   
Hi Bob,

You wrote, "NOT because we are suffering but because this is a sign that the Lord is pleased with our progress and giving us a special chance to grow and earn a greater reward". This truly does make me joyful!

I'm happy that while I'm suffering I've still been able to encourage others and even say the right thing to my friend who isn't quite open to the truth yet. I've still been able to give in some small way. 

Thank you for the link you sent me as well. I was reading it again from my phone on my lunch hour at work today. One of my co-workers commented on how engrossed I was in what I was reading. I didn't even hear __ because I really was engrossed! It was only when the others laughed that I realised they were speaking to me. They're used to me now! I love reading your stuff on my lunch hour.

Thanks for your prayers too, Bob. I had a good day at work today. I slept a bit better last night so I wasn't quite so tired and my tummy pains were gone by this morning too. I'm trusting the Lord to help me through the rest of it.

I hope you and your students made it through Friday okay too. Happy it's the weekend!

Keeping you in my prayers, Bob.

In Jesus
p.s. looking forward to Hebrews chapter 5. 
Response #3:  
You are most certainly an encouragement to me! The great majority of believers I have corresponded with over the years became despondent whenever they receive a little trouble / testing. Not to forget the log in my own eye – I'm certainly not perfect there either. All the more reason why I – and anyone observing you – am impressed and lifted up by watching you fight such a good fight!

That's great about lunch and your co-workers! Praying for you for some fruit there too. You are definitely "showing the flag" for our Lord wherever you go – just as we are supposed to do.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Classes went well all week! Thanks for those prayers!

Hope you can get a little bit of rest this weekend in spite of it all, my friend. Keeping up the prayer on this end too.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., good news about your health!
p.p.s, it won't be tomorrow but maybe next weekend. Thanks for your help! [link to Hebrews page]
Question #4:   
Hi Bob, 

I'm very thankful to the Lord that I'm getting the "space" to do what's most important. The breakthroughs were related to something else I've been dealing with here as well but I don't want to waste your time explaining it all. The most important thing is that the Lord has answered our prayers!

I'm really happy to hear you got some rest at the weekend and you have "fall break" coming soon. [omitted] So we're nearly there!

When you wrote to me about the "merit pay" system you have at U of L and how you've been ranked "exceptional" for the past umpteen years consistently but had no merit raises since 2017, well I kept meaning to say to you that the first thing I thought, was that being ranked "exceptional" means to me that you are working "as for the Lord" and not just for men. And that your reward in heaven for this will be worth far more than any measly pay raise (or no raise) that you receive from men on this earth. You're storing up treasures in heaven! I know you already know this but it's the first thing I thought of and I just wanted to thank you for being such a great example to me. Colossians 3:23-24 sums it all up.

Something else I wanted to tell you was that on Saturday I was reading about the Great Persecution in CT and a part of it reminded me of what I wrote to you the other day about my friend. I wrote, I get the feeling __'s a bit suspicious about it all (Ichthys). Like I've been led astray. I feel that way about __ zoom meetings with __ "spiritual director". Then I read this in CT, "Confronted with the suspicious eyes of nearly all our prior acquaintances who are now hostile towards us no matter how close the prior relationship, it will be nigh on impossible to live and worship as true believers in Jesus Christ without exposing ourselves to similar charges of illegality and without inviting similar persecution."

I'm not saying I've given up on __ - not at all - I'll continue to pray for __. What can I say? This just stood out a mile to me.

Sorry for my disjointed email tonight, Bob! It's just stuff that I've been meaning to say to you.

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus
Response #4:  
OK – no need to explain! I'm happy to hear any and all good news from you!

Glad to hear that you can see the finish line getting closer! My own is a bit farther off. Then we always start the race over. But I've come to enjoy the academic schedule . . . much of the time.

Thanks for that great perspective on the rewards and appreciations of this world. In the end, the only thing that matters about that is just what you said: what's the Lord's opinion of it all? If we needed a billion dollars, no problem for Him to rain that down on our heads in a New York minute. As it is, such a "rainfall" would ruin most of us PDQ. I have all I need to get by and to keep this ministry "on the air" and that is all I need.

Your friend is another "tough case". Your portfolio is full of those! But that is the time and era we live in. Our job is to keep doing our job for the Lord in spite of the frustrations. We're not the first to experience this sort of thing. Starting with Moses, I can't think of a single prophet who didn't have a stiff-necked audience to deal with . . . and they killed not a few of them. So we count our blessings! And prepare for whatever comes.

Wishing you a good, productive week – and me too!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:   
Hi Bob, 

Ever since I've started scaling up production and writing more, I've started generating more questions. Let me know if there is anything you want me to do re: holding them until more pile up, or anything like that.

Quick one this time about the healing at the pool of Bethesda. When you say "He is (wrongly) convinced that only by being put into the pool at the critical time can he be healed; whereas believers should know that God heals (Ex.15:26; Ps.103:3)" (see this bit of Gospel Questions XII), that means that you think there was absolutely nothing to the idea of this pool healing whoever first gets into the water when the waters are stirred?

Would we view this as basically superstition then – and honestly, then, a good indicator of the poor spiritual state of whoever actually expected anything from this pool?

I would wonder how the belief came about to begin with... but then again, how does any superstition come about? People never seem to have any problems convincing themselves of nonsense. (If this was in fact complete nonsense).

In Him,
Response #5:  
I think you have it exactly, my friend. There are more superstitions out there than you shake a stick at. Analogous to Acts, in the gospels just because people are doing something doesn't mean that the Bible is authorizing or approving it. 

Send your questions whenever you have them, my friend. Patience appreciated if I'm bogged down (which happens occasionally).

How's the neck coming along?

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:  
Hi Bob,

Good to hear from you. Thanks for your email. 

Thanks also regarding my prayer request. 

So, my prayer request is: I've been struggling a lot since a bereavement last year. I can't seem to get over feeling like the Lord has forgotten me. I know the Lord is with me etc, but I feel left alone here and I feel life is pointless. I have nothing essentially to live for now. I don't feel the Lord has given me anything to do for Him. I can't feel peace or contentment and I'm just bored with life. I keep going. But I feel like this daily really. The prayer is to not be like this. To know the Lord is with me and that life isn't pointless and boring - that I have something from Our Lord Jesus Christ, to do.

I hope that's not too long. But thanks and hope you take good care.
Response #6:  
It's my pleasure. Here's what I posted (let me know if you want it changed in any way): "For __, for comfort in bereavement and for help in overcoming her sense of loss and emptiness."

I am sorry to hear about your loss and subsequent struggles, and I do promise to keep you in my personal prayers as well.

What I can tell you from personal experience is that the Lord is sufficient for everything we may have to go through in this life. But we do have to make the effort to draw close to Him. So I would encourage you to consider making it a habit of reading into this ministry daily. If you're consistent with that, it will help – because spiritual growth in the end is the answer to all of our problems (all of the truly important ones at any rate).

I can assure you that the Lord has NOT forgotten you.
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"
Isaiah 49:15 NIV
In terms of purpose, I can also assure you that God has a plan for your life, that this plan includes spiritual growth, progress in passing tests and growing closer to Him, and also a special ministry to help others in our Lord's Church. This is how we earn eternal rewards (link). Everything has a purpose, and God works even sorrowful things out for our good in the end – for those who love Him (Rom.8:28).
(5) He who, in spite of weeping, goes forth in resolution, carrying seed to sow, (6) will doubtless return rejoicing, bringing in his sheaves.
Psalm 126:5-6
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:   
Hi Bob,

Thanks for your email and thanks for posting that. I appreciate it. 

I wonder if you could just capture a bit more though? That I am alone and feel forgotten. I know what the Lord says - that He is with me and I'm not forgotten etc but I just feel I can't seem to get it! 

I mean, I do know what you are saying. It's like I know all this but it just doesn't seem to get into me. I keep trying so hard to draw close but I just feel worn out with it all. It's like I'm numb. I honestly just feel I'm going round in circles and I never get anywhere. 

I mean I've heard it all. God has a plan. A thing for me to do etc. My whole life I thought that was the case. But here I am alone. I get it - all things etc. Romans 8:28. 

But I just feel like I am always going to feel like this. And I have no fight left almost. 

Anyway. Thanks for praying though. 
Response #7:  
My pleasure.

I do understand what you are referring to. Believers today sometimes refer to this situation as "feeling spiritually dry". Here are some links on that:
In BB 6A: Peripateology: "Peace and Joy"
Fighting the Fight VIII
Doubting Salvation and Questions of Sin
As a believer in Jesus Christ, your sins have been forgiven. Your eternal future is one of light and ecstatic joy and blessing beyond your wildest dreams – all because of the great sacrifice Jesus Christ made for you in paying for everything you have done (everything we ALL have done) on the cross. How can we not be joyous about that!

But I do understand that we live in this world, that our sin natures don't want to acknowledge or cooperate with these great truths, that pressures and pains we feel know have a tendency to weigh us down and dominate our thinking. The noise and churn of this world together with hard things we've experienced do have a tendency to rob us of our natural peace and joy in Jesus Christ . . . if we let them. Our emotions will never lead us in the right direction. They are meant to follow our free-will-faith, not to lead it. 

How do we gain control? We do so with the power of the Holy Spirit. We do this by recalling the victories the Lord has given us in the past. We do so by "thinking of the things above" not those below (Col.3:1-2). We do so, in short, by aggressively applying what we have learned of the truth of scripture and believed, preferring what we believe to what we see or hear or feel.

All of the above takes spiritual growth, a consistent commitment to learning the truth of the Word (not some of it, but as much of it as we can), believing the truth we are taught, and applying that truth to our daily walk one step at a time and one day at a time. If we are indeed consistent with this, our feeling/emotions will fall into place, peace and joy will return, and we will again be restored the joy of our salvation (Ps.51:12).
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5 NIV
I am happy to add a sentence of your choosing to the posted prayer request. The reason I framed it as I did is because I am praying for your comfort and encouragement . . . and I know that in the end this will come with spiritual growth. I'm pretty sure that most of the readers of this ministry, the ones who are diligently praying through this list, will likely interpret things in this way too. 

I do understand that what you are going through is not easy. In one way or another, all believers here in "cosmos diabolicus" are under pressure and suffering one thing or another (1Pet.5:9; cf. 1Pet.4:12). But our God is a God of comfort, and He is able to restore your peace and your joy in the Holy Spirit through the truth in the Word of God believed.
(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of compassion and all encouragement, (4) the One who encourages us in all our tribulation so that we in turn may be able to encourage those in all types of tribulation by means of the very encouragement which we ourselves received from God. (5) Because as our sufferings for Christ multiplied in service to you, so through Christ did the encouragement we received multiply to the same degree. (6) So if we are experiencing tribulation, it is to provide you with encouragement and salvation. And if we are being encouraged it is for the sake of the encouragement you have received, which is now at work in your successful endurance of the same sufferings which we also experienced. (7) And so our hope for you is a solid one, since we know that as you have become partakers of suffering, in the same way will you also become partakers of encouragement.
2nd Corinthians 1:3-7
In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
Question #8:   
Hi Bob,

Thanks for your email. I appreciate you writing. I think for myself though - I do understand what you are saying.

But I really just wanted prayer though. I know the Lord is with me and sometimes it feels a bit like I'm being told to make more of an effort.

I had just hoped for prayer, and a response in love and care really, which I'm sure you are trying to do though.

I'm not doubting the Lord. I obviously just have these feelings which is why I just wanted prayer support. I hope it's clear that I'm not giving up - hence asking for prayer etc. Yes, I feel the fight goes at times, which is why I reached out. 

I do feel that some responses I get from people can be pretty upsetting if I'm honest, when all I needed was a bit of support and ultimately, prayer. 

Thanks. 
Response #8:  
I apologize if I misinterpreted your messages (it would not be the first time).

I am praying for you, and I would be happy to amend your prayer request in any way you see fit. Just let me know.

We all do need prayer and love and support – and we all do need the truth of the Word of God in as much depth as we can get. That is the only way to spiritual maturity and true peace in this world.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27 NIV

"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
John 17:17 NIV
In Jesus

Bob L.
Question #9:  
Hi Bob,

Thanks for your email. It's all ok. I really appreciate your contact and I know you are coming from a place of support and prayer. I think things are just a little raw for me and I can get upset over all sorts. But thanks for keeping in touch. 

There's no need to amend the prayer request. The Lord knows it all anyway. Thanks for praying and your support. I do also read and study the Word. I completely agree - it is the only truth.

Thanks for all you have written and for your understanding.

Take care. 
Response #9:  
OK, – thanks.

I'm keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:   
Please read my last email also...when I was young, about 11 or 12 (this was years before I was saved), I threatened someone with very serious violence...just because they said they deleted my save data in a game as a prank...I knew even in the moment I wouldn't be able to actually bring myself to do it no matter how angry I was, but it still wasn't ok that I even considered it. I'm currently arranging making amends to the person for that incident, it's only right that I do so.
Response #10:  
As to "making amends", I do not generally recommend it in situations like this. There is a time and a place for that sort of thing when it's a serious matter of theft or the like, but not for things of lesser account that happened long ago – just because make us feel guilty when we remember them. The devil manipulates us to act out of guilt then stokes our self-righteousness to feel good about "doing something for God". This sort of action can also do more harm than good from the perspective of the other person as well. The past is the past. If possible, it's best to leave it in the past – and move forward (Phil.3:13).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:  
Hello Dr. Luginbill! 

How are you, sir? I am responding rather sheepishly after such a delay; hopefully, I can be succinct. 

You wrote: "The more we grow, the more we see things as God does and the less like others do." I'm not sure if I understood it correctly, but it seems oddly affirming that even Paul seemed to have a similar challenge at times (Philippians 2:19-21).

Related to the reference of "pearls to swine" and being isolated from others, I'd like to build up my storehouse of Biblical Truth believed to better understand how to navigate interactions with lukewarm believers and unbelievers. I have had a tendency to understand verses at the exclusion of other Biblical Truths and context; I think part of the reason is that I don't want to fall into relativism or "situational ethics". That said, being a merciless legalist isn't a good approach either. I really want to know the Truth.

Regarding my blood confusion and the covenant with Noah, it seems like "no blood" was "attached" to the Lord saying He would not flood the world again on account of sin. Since that still rings true, I'm assuming the New Testament references of how consuming blood doesn't matter as much seems that the covenant with Noah has been "modified". I think my confusion on this relates to how I'm trying to understand "sin" overall. In the same way an egg could have a bit of blood, maybe something one buys off eBay was stolen. What is the degree to which one Biblically out "to go" to avoid sin? Hopefully, I am not approaching this incorrectly or unwisely. 

Thank you for your elaborations on Colossians 3. I have had so much more freedom to go about the "mundane"; I could even sweep now entrusting that time or effort to the Lord. This has been some much needed liberty. Thank you!

Thank you for elaborating on Hebrews 13:17.

You mentioned the forum, and I/we had been added. I'm not sure if being part of the recorded, posted study is something I'd be comfortable with at this point. 

I have some additional questions, but I don't want to further complicate this email!

Have a blessed day in the Lord! I am sure the Lord has His purposes and timing, but I do hope you don't quit this ministry anytime soon. 

Take care! 
Response #11:  
Good to hear from you.

Re: "Related to the reference of "pearls to swine" and being isolated from others, I'd like to build up my storehouse of Biblical Truth believed to better understand how to navigate interactions with lukewarm believers and unbelievers." That seems to me to be a very good approach.

Re: "I have had a tendency to understand verses at the exclusion of other Biblical Truths and context; I think part of the reason is that I don't want to fall into relativism or "situational ethics". That said, being a merciless legalist isn't a good approach either." This is also a very wise point of view. Everyone has to learn as we grow in the truth what the boundaries are on both sides of the path we are walking. Where the Bible is specific about what we should or should not do, no problem. But much of the Christian life is about applying principles of truth to complex situations. In the early going, we are likely to swerve radically from side to side in such cases, but as we grow we get better about making subtle adjustments as we get to know the ins and outs of what discerning between "good and evil" really means.
Solid [spiritual] food is for the [spiritually] mature, those who by [diligent] practice have trained their [moral] perceptive faculties to [properly] distinguish between good and evil.
Hebrews 5:14
Mature believers who have the fund of truth in their hearts you are in the process of building up do a better job responding to the Spirit and gaining confidence in the godliness of their applications – which do change as our knowledge and belief in the truth grow (Rom.14:1ff.).

As to "What is the degree to which one Biblically out "to go" to avoid sin?", I would say somewhere between paying no mind whatsoever on the extreme and allowing oneself to be absolutely paralyzed from thinking or saying or doing anything on the other. If we know something is sin, we don't do it. If we know it is not sin, then no problem doing it. If we are not sure, that is the realm of application. Serious suspicion of wrongness ought to lead us to avoid "it" (whatever "it" is: 1Thes.5:22), but the mere possibility however remote that something could somehow be sinful or polluted from some contact with sin in the past ought not to be allowed to incapacitate us (1Cor.10:25ff.). As we grow, we will not only know more about this process; we will also get better at consulting and listening to the Holy Spirit about it. He is our Guide, so that if we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will be doing no wrong (Gal.5:16ff.); but if we are not, then we are likely to get ourselves into all sorts of spiritual trouble.

I'm very happy to hear about your spiritual progress, my friend! Rejoice in that and don't despair that there is still a ways to go. As long as we are down here, there will always be room for growth and improvement – and that goes for ALL of us.

Keeping you and yours in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:  
Hi Dr L,

So __ emailed me recently. And I did not read it but deleted it. [omitted] Why do I tell you this? I physically get very anxious when there is any contact with my family. I don't think I can physically handle it. Or maybe I could push through. But nothing good ever comes from it. And it would be really hard on me. I don't know what game __ is playing. I can only guess __ wants something or feels guilty or something like that. 

Is it a sin to just ignore any contact from them? They are not going to help me-indeed NO ONE (no human here on this Earth) is going to help me if I break and lose this job and apartment. You know it is a common refrain of teenagers who say their parents ruin their lives. But I could detail the ways my parents destroyed mine. I don't even know how relationships are supposed to work because I'VE NEVER HAD a stable good long term one (which is not my fault).

Just asking you about it is messing with me. Anyway, please let me know what you think, in terms of if it is sinning.

Respectfully,
Response #12:  
I always pray for your regarding the troubles you had in your past. As you know, I think strongly that putting the past behind us is critical for spiritual growth. I do understand that family deserves more consideration than those not at all related when it comes to "turning the page". But even where blood relatives are concerned, when they have proven themselves highly problematic beyond any doubt over much time, and ESPECIALLY if they have been abusers, then here too it's best to "move on". 

Considering how upset this has gotten you, just receiving and not reading the email, I think you should consider blocking that email address entirely. That would avoid this problem. It's not a sin to avoid sinful individuals who have harmed you in the past and show no signs of reforming.

After all, our true family are those who like us love Jesus Christ more than anything.
(48) But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" (49) And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! (50) For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
Matthew 12:48-50 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:   
I really appreciate what you are saying, and thank you very much for your prayers.

At first I thought that, well __ did not do the abusing. But, when CPS came, they did not help me, and I would assume __ did not say anything about how they treated me when __ talked to them (or they would have), but must have made them out to be ok or good parents-in other words providing concealment. And __ all act like the way I am treated is just the matter of course, and encouraged me to just let it happen (there was a stupid family meeting years later where we 'started fresh' (not meaning my parents did anything wrong, but meaning I would pretend we were a happy family). All this to say that I think I can say that, while not abusive, __ is 'highly problematic' (never saying anything about my treatment, providing cover, and trying to get me to just accept it). 

But yes, one of the things I thank God for is having a real family, though I don't think I will experience it until Then (with the exception of your generous mentorship) and (depending how it turns out) my other mentor/friend.

Here is a quick light-up joke. So it is the voicemail recording for a mental health hotline (the transcript):

"Hello and welcome to the mental health hotline.
If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.
If you are codependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.
If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5, and 6.
If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call.
If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship.
If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.
If you are manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press; no one will answer.
If you are dyslexic, press 9696969696969696.
If you have a nervous disorder, please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on the line.
If you have amnesia, press 8 and state your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, Social Security number, and your mothers maiden name.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.
If you have low self-esteem, please hang up. All operators are too busy to talk to you."

PS: Do you think I am correct in what I said about __ (I mean the conclusion I drew). I might have over-egged it (is that the right phrase) unintentionally or just be wrong.

Please take care,
Response #13:  
Great joke!

On the other question/email, I have absolutely no reason to second guess you on your decision to maintain distance from relatives who sold you out, refused to help and have proven over time not to have your best interests (or interests at all) at heart – any more than those who personally abused you.

Some things we need to leave in the past. Is it possible that we weren't 100% Simon-pure in our own actions, thoughts, words, motivations? No one ever is. But if the calculus always comes out the same whenever we "crunch the numbers", then at some point it is salutary to stop plaguing ourselves, confess and forget, forgiven and move on – and whether it's a question of our failures or the maltreatment we've received from others leave past things like this to the Lord.

Keeping you in my prayers,

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:   
Hello Prof. Bob!

I plan to respond to the prior email, which I appreciate, soon, but in the interim wanted to just thank you for the Soteriology Study. I just finished it, and it was such a blessing!! I'm a bit agitated I didn't get to that one earlier. 

Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Response #14:  
Thanks!

Yes, I might have led off the Basics series with Christology and Soteriology (BB 4A and 4B respectively), but my set up was based upon what one might call the standard Protestant organizational method for systematic theologies. That is essentially what the "Basics" series is, namely, a composite of Bible doctrine arranged according to topic and theme rather than a verse by verse treatment of a particular book.

You DID get to it! Good for you!

Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:   
Hi Bob,

I'm so sorry for __. I'm keeping her in my prayers.

I've still got the lurgy and tested positive again today. I just texted my boss to let him know and he said the new rules are that I can come back to work after six days as long as I don't have a temperature. So it looks like I'll be back to work on Wednesday. The tiredness is lingering a bit but it'll go eventually.

Your garden sounds beautiful! I'm sure the zinnias will be too. I love reading about it - you give me some good ideas!

A couple of weeks ago I listened to a great testimony of a man who was a drug addict but came to the Lord and was saved. He said his testimony could probably be reduced to four words, "I should be dead". He has a long list of friends from when he was fifteen to eighteen years of age that didn't make it through and died. He took drugs for four years then met a girl who gave him a Bible and invited him to a Bible study. At the age of eighteen, after a three day binger of drugs and alcohol, he was very deeply unhappy and he opened up the Bible and began to read the opening of the Gospel of John. He didn't understand it at first but he kept reading and pressing forward. He got to chapter three and recognised John 3:16. His grandmother always used to write it in his birthday and Christmas cards. He said he remembers visiting his great aunt and he used to sit next to her as a kid and she used to put her hand on his head. He said he realised after she had passed away that she had been a missionary and that she had been praying for him and he had no idea at the time. At that point he fell apart and cried out to God. He said he'd never really heard a gospel sermon before or read a tract, no one had ever witnessed to him with the fullness of the gospel. He was just alone in a dorm room coming down from a trip and he got saved. He said it was miraculous and instantly he lost his desire for drugs and he had been high constantly for four years since he was fourteen. The desire just all went away. He was miraculously delivered from all the drug use and he's never had a taste for it since. He said it took about five years for his brain to recover from the drugs. He said he immersed himself in the Word of God and it took a number of years for the Lord to deal with other sins in his life before he really started to grow spiritually. He's married with kids and grandkids now.

I know there are many testimonies out there like this one but it made me think that while there is still life there is hope. Just how beautiful it is that the Lord hears and answers prayer. And that He can use a tiny seed planted in a person's heart years ago to bring about a miracle of deliverance and salvation in His own good and perfect time.

I found it very encouraging!

In Jesus
Response #15:  
Sorry to hear that this big is still dogging you. After all the who-haw with this virus, especially in your country, I'm very surprised that they're now letting people back to work in health care who are still testing positive? What have we been doing these last three years? But I suppose it is typical. My real concern is about you. I'm not worried you'll pass it on – but I do worry about you getting back into the thick of it if you're not really 100%. I would think still testing positive would be a valid excuse to stay home another few days if you're not feeling it.

Loved the testimony! There's no limit to the power of the truth. We can all use this sort of encouragement. We mostly all have loved ones or friends with loved ones who are taxing our lives directly or indirectly through addiction of one sort or another. It seems to me to be getting worse and wider as the days march on. No surprise, I suppose, with the state of the world. Without the Lord, I'd probably be looking for solutions elsewhere myself.

Re: "He can use a tiny seed planted in a person's heart years ago", that really is an encouragement as well. And I think we can all validate that through experiences in our own lives. It just goes to show you that continuing to press in and press on with the Lord's work is never wasted effort . . . even if we can't see the results ourselves this side of heaven.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1st Corinthians 15:58 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:  
Please pray for me about the job situation. I worked 8 hours on Sat and then 8 on Sun. But I will be honest. I am naturally conscientious. And it is important for me to do work as for the Lord. I usually get compliments about being a hard worker. And I have worked myself to being sick multiple times for this company. And we are way, way beyond the 'just a one off binge of overwork.' So keep that in mind when I say: I am so demoralized and tired that I did not work most of them (the 16 hours), but just did a little.

What happened was that Friday my manager offered for me to do overtime. And she can make it like it was optional all she likes, they could easily use it against me later if I did not take it (when I mentioned the workload). So I worked 52 hours last week and then 8 on Sunday. And they are the type to use my not doing it if they were in a mood if I hadn't. But I am at the point where 1) there is so much filler work (checking to make sure something isn't urgent, for example, transferring phone calls, trying to interpret unstandardized emails) that little productive stuff gets done, and 2) I am not actually working the whole normal 44 hours because I get demoralized and worried about my health (I physically can only handle so much. I mean I feel bad saying that, because it must be that lots of people in history survived far worse as their daily work). Well I say that, but it may be that my standards are such that I am still doing a normal person's workload, I honestly don't know.

Anyway, please pray for me to be able to bear up under it and for the manager and supervisor not to go off on me or fire me. I am working on making a resume just in case, but it takes time for me.

Respectfully,
PS: If you want to know what sort of person my manager is: when COVID first hit, and many of the employees started working from home, at one point I offered to do a lot of overtime if they needed help. And she and the supervisor responded (talking to each other and cc'ing me) saying that they might need to cut my hours. Without bothering to ask me what kind of work I had. They had no idea what all may have fallen through but for some reason or the other they suddenly were thinking of cutting my hours right after I made that offer to help out. They didn't cut my hours, but right after, my supervisor for months had me send her a daily report of what I was doing everyday. And even when I made suggestions on efficiency, or questions on if I still needed to do this old task or that, she never responded. I don't even know if she read any of them.

Anyway, any difficult time is a good time to trust the Lord. But I would appreciate your prayers.
Response #16:  
I've been concerned about you in that job for some time. It doesn't sound to me as if they have your best interests at heart. You can't really be expected to do the job of two people for, what?, an extra 10% or so? Do you ever get a vacation? Sounds as if you could use one. Of course if they just let the work stack up until you get back . . .

I have been and I continue to be praying for you about this, my friend. Don't know what to advise you. You have probably considered all of the various angles yourself. 

But please don't get down on yourself because you are not a robot. I don't know of anyone in any such job ever who was capable of going flat out for ten hours a day with no let up in quality and attention. People are not made like that. But there are plenty of bad organizations and bad bosses in the world. We don't need to blame them. But we are allowed to assess them as they really are. We owe our loyalty to the Lord. And THAT is why we strive to do a good job . . . for Him. But He also doesn't expect us to kill ourselves forever for the ungrateful.
Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
1st Corinthians 7:21 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:   
Hi Dr L,

I was thinking about how Jacob did the thing breeding the sheep. I don't know if you remember but we talked a little about this previously:
---
Myself: The thing also with Jacob and Laban is that Jacob looked out for himself with his trying to get the sheep to breed his way. Which is not what I would think of if he were doing the job for Laban as if for God. Maybe my idea of doing a job for God is a bit warped.

Yourself: I wouldn't endorse Jacob's behavior either, so that explains some of it too, doesn't it?
---
Tell me if you think my thinking is along the Truth in terms of applying Biblical principles: It is important to note that Laban treated everyone badly as far as we can tell. Everyone who mentions him seems to say he is a bad character. And he had already tricked Jacob with his marriage, something that could have been a severe, even deadly blow, if Leah had been wicked and Jacob was then attached to her. So when Jacob made the deal with Laban, he is dealing with someone who is like that, and Jacob can assume Laban has not had a Road to Damascus moment and suddenly changed. So that the thing with sheep is almost more of a survival thing. And Laban shows in the way he chases after Jacob and how he treats him when he catches him that Laban is his own god (far as I can tell). 

Anyway, I was thinking that this is a particular situation which is different from a boss that inconveniences you and maybe does a small thing or two against you. Obviously there is a gray area, and it is dependent on the situation. 

Is it wrong to say that Jacob's actions therefore are not exactly wrong? (The breeding the sheep thing).

And the distinction I made in bosses that shrug if you get seriously hurt vs ones that do inconvenience you but would do something that bad...?

Respectfully,
*I mean to say in Laban's mind he seems to make an idol of himself.

PS: I think your prayers helped. I have to take my car back to mechanic tonight. And my manager was trying to pull another over weekend on me, but I was able to use my car as an excuse. So while the car is a bit stressful, I prefer that to the overweekend-working.
Response #17:  
I'm very glad to hear that you are "getting the weekend off", that is, not being forced into working it. It seems very clear that they are short-staffed and need to hire someone else extra . . . at least.

As to the Jacob/Laban parallel, while Jacob's behavior can rightly be taken as deceptive, whether or not it was justified, one thing we can focus on is the following passage:
“Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked. So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted. Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’ “And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’ ”
Genesis 31:7-13
So it was the Lord who wrought the deliverance, and would have done so whether or not Jacob had resorted to his dubious devices (all of which truth Jacob finally figured out by the time he said the above). Just as the Lord saw the wrong being done by Laban, so He sees all the wrong being done to all of His children from all and sundry.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Psalm 34:17-22
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:   
Hi Dr Luginbill,

How are you doing?

I am alright. I am being overworked a bit, but what is new? First my supervisor wanted me to get caught up on one of the tasks I am backlogged on (would take a little over ten days if I did nothing else but that one task), and then had me use most of this week to train someone. In fairness this person will be helping me, so it is an investment. Just that I wish she had simply realized that meant that it was what I would be engaged in, not also making me try to catch up. I mean she hasn't gotten on me for not being caught up, but it would just be less stressful. I have prayed about it. I want to work for Him and I hope He doesn't think badly of me for being careful not to overwork.

I didn't pray earlier and now feel like the whole day is off. And I seem to be more willing to sin when the whole day is off. But otherwise I have been doing dailies. Do you know in 1 Kings it states that the only thing in the ark when Solomon put it in the Temple was the Tablets. But I think you write somewhere in the Tribulation series that the bud stick and manna were still there. Or maybe I am misremembering the second part (that you are referencing it when it did contain those). At some point they must have been taken out.

So how are you doing?

Respectfully,
PS: On the good news side, as I go through the Tribulation series again (taking a break from the Christology series), a lot more seems to make sense in my mind than last time, so that is good! Sometimes I think I am really smart, then other times I think I trip over basic stuff, so it is funny.
PPS: Throwing myself at the brick wall of Ancient Greek for 1.5-1 hour does make me feel better for some reason 
Response #18:  
I'm sorry to hear that work is still an issue. I keep you in prayer over this daily. It's typical of those in authority to want it all. From my vantage point, this tendency seems to be getting worse everywhere, not better. It is really immoral for anyone to be doing that to a person who is paid by the hour. "The big bucks" go to those who are on salary and responsible to "get it all done" no matter if they have to work day and night; the hourlies ought never to be subjected to such pressure. But most organizations these days seem to be essentially unfair (especially the ones who bruit it abroad that they are ethical and concerned for the greater good).

Glad to hear that you are continuing with all of your studies in spite of all. That is a great spiritual victory in and of itself.

I think it is very typical of us human beings to get put off and knocked off our stride by little things and once off to have a hard time recovering. This is indeed something that believers need to guard against. We'll never be perfect this side of heaven so we will mess up from time to time. Regardless of the level of culpability in doing so, our policy has got to be to quickly confess and get right back into the game. We need to learn to ignore those negative emotions and press on with what's right. When we do, it's often amazing just how quickly we start "feeling good" again.

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., you are correct in your remembrance of what the Bible says about this; however, we also know from Hebrews 9:4 that at one point before the passage you quote all of these other things were also in ark.
Question #19:  
Please pray for me on the work, because there is so much backlog on all the many tasks I have, and I have been telling them multiple times for a long time. And my supervisor says that I am coming in tomorrow (for 8 hours yes) and she will help me get caught up. And I don't know how, with a positive and optimistic attitude, to convey that getting caught up would take days and days and days if I did no other new work. And if I act like I made a lot of progress it will only be held against me. "Well I thought you got caught up this Saturday?" Saying "well we made some progress but there is just much that has been backlogged for so long" without it sounding like I am not trying hard enough. And it isn't like you can't verify if is it indeed existing or not.

It is one of those: you are choosing which long due urgent thing is most urgent, and everything is so late, everything is urgent on a regular basis. 

Anyway please say a prayer.

Have a good weekend!
PS: It makes me feel better that I am still getting some Bible dailies done. I got over 3 hours today, which is a lot higher than usual, but it does make me feel better about the overwork because I am still getting what I want out the day (mostly).
Response #19:  
Unfair bosses and unfair work situations seem to be more the rule than the exception these days.

I will be praying for you.

I may be speaking out of turn because clearly I don't know that much about your job, but might it be of some use to document, by whatever measure they use (cases?) how many cases you are doing daily and how many are in your queue? Being the dedicated employee that you are, I'm guessing that it's way more than most of your newer colleagues (apologies if this is a bad idea for whatever reason).

*It is a mark of a truly dedicated believer to continue to hang in there spiritually as you are doing when the pressure is greatly on and when it would be oh so easy to left it drift off for a while.  After all, we want all of our efforts to reflect well on our Lord.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV
So keep up the good work!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:   
Congratulations, Bob! I'm a bit late but a very happy __th birthday to you! I'm sure you had a lovely day. Thanks so much for sharing this with me. 

And the butterflies have arrived now for you! Are they the Monarchs that you mentioned? At least I have the beautiful photos you sent me. I can enjoy your blooms the whole year round! Still so happy you sent me those. We've just discovered we have one (maybe two) hedgehogs who visit each night. We leave cat food and cat biscuits out for them in this little shelter we built for them. They can get in but the cats can't. We have a night camera that we set up on a tripod and it's so good to look at the footage in the morning and see them going in for the food. They pretty much scoff the lot!

I'm happy to hear you're making some progress on the chair and even happier that you dodged being one. I know you've never been too ecstatic about being on the committee and I don't blame you - you already have more than enough to do. I read something the other day that a full professor wrote. He said, "The road to having a stable academic career is difficult and stressful ... It's not a job for lazy people or people with little grit". And I thought yep - that's exactly why you're doing what you're doing and still going strong and all with the Lord's help.

[omitted]

I had a great session on CT yesterday - keeping that going now.

Work tomorrow for me - roll on the weekend! I always think a short week at work will go by quicker, but because I'm thinking that, it always goes by slower.

I have a couple of typos and reftaggers for you. Will hopefully send them tomorrow.

Keeping you in my prayers, Bob!

In Jesus
Response #20:  
Thank you! That means a lot to me.

We have monarchs, and also yellow and black swallowtails. Also lots of "skippers" (smaller colored butterflies) and "cabbages" (white ones of medium size). It has been a banner year for the zinnias and while they are getting a little rangy now that fall is here. They're bigger than when I snapped those photos. Won't be long now until the first frost which will kill them all and then I'll have a lot of clean up to do. So it goes. But I do love the rhythm of is. Guess that is one reason academia is doable for me. There's always another semester . . . and always the END to another semester. 

Thanks for the info on your critters! Around here we have more problematic mammals: raccoons and possums (rats) – and they can be nasty and aggressive, getting into your home through anything opened or cracked (or they will make an opening). No problems with them this year, however. We do enjoy the cardinals who love bathing in the bird bath.

Thanks for pep talk on the prof-job front too! One of my profs at Irvine on the cusp of retirement when I was in grad school told me once he was looking forward to "getting out of this rat race" – that surprised me since even in grad school I thought the professors were pretty much on easy street. I have a better perspective now.

[omitted]

Glad to hear that you're making CT progress in spite of everything, my friend! With things getting so close, I'm wrestling with upping the level of personal commitment as well. We only have so much time, and we know what is really important.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 NKJV
Easy to quote; harder to live up to. We endeavor to persevere.

Hope your week goes by in a flash now (mine too)! 

Thanks for those prayers!

In Jesus,

Bob L.

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