Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, can give us support and assistance beyond any that we can receive from other people; all we have to do is ask (Matt. 7:7,8; Rev. 3:20).  But He also provides us these things through people we know as part of their purpose in God’s Plan.  And, as part of our purpose here, we are to do the same for others.

All of my family and friends, as well as people I barely know, have helped me in uncountable ways.  I could never finish naming and giving credit to all of these people, so I will just pick a few that stand out.  My dad (Charles), mom (Anna Mae), sister (Jan), brother (Dan), and brother-in-law (Mel) have supported me spiritually and emotionally all my life and monetarily as I was pursuing a dream in optometry school for four years.  During those rigorous four years, fellow classmates (and continuing rare friends) like Andrew, Don, and Tom helped me to keep going and to retain my sanity at times when I saw no light at the end of the tunnel.

In elementary school, high school, and university, Anthony, Connie, Eric, Priscilla, and Sadie demonstrated to me what true, faithful, unshakable friendships are all about.  During the past decade, good times were spent with Kathy, who invited me to the gym where I worked out for years, as well as the church which I attended for years and received invaluable insights into the Bible.  Patti and I have shared secrets about ourselves unknown to almost no one else (except God).  Barry, Doug, and Jess, my “traveling buddies,” have shown me parts of the world I probably never would have seen otherwise, have made me laugh at times when times were tough, and have illuminated my mind on the meaning of “generosity.”  And, at the gym, Kevin’s perseverance and persistence were exemplary; many times, when I lacked motivation in writing this book, I observed him working out for a few minutes, which often created the stimulus I needed to “go another round.”

There are other people, of whom I have taken particular notice, who seem to be performing the purpose(s) which God has called them to do.  They all seem to have certain things in common: they 1) have given God the credit for their successes and achievements, 2) have made the glorification of God the utmost purpose of whatever they do, 3) have had a sense of peace about them that transcends anything the world can give, and 4) have been able to counteract the fierce attacks of Satan and of the world with supernatural strength and assurance.  I would like to mention just a few random, outstanding ones here.

Dotty Rambo, writer of a host of famous, wonderful songs exalting the Lord, has felt excruciating pain in her body and has endured numerous debilitating surgeries for years.  But she never stops magnifying Jesus and looking forward to the day when she will receive her brand new imperishable, incorruptible body when He comes back to transform it.  She knows the Truth, and this Truth makes her pain bearable.

Walt Mills, gospel singer frequently appearing on TBN, and his wife, Betty, have served God for years.  Within a year’s time, they unexpectedly lost their son and, shortly thereafter, his son (their grandson).  Yet they openly have praised God, admitting that they did not know why their beloved family members were taken but also that they did not question God’s reasons for allowing it.  They know that, one day, they again will see their son and grandson in heaven.  One great purpose for Dotty, Walt, and Betty, predestined by God from eternity, is to exhibit and proclaim to others the infinite grace and solace which have provenance only in God.

Gianna Jensen, a beautiful lady who appeared on-stage at the church I used to attend, is the survivor of an attempted saline abortion by her mother.  Although she has cerebral palsy and other physical problems, she has forgiven her mother and blames no one (including God) for her misfortune.  In fact, I heard her sing a song to God—with a voice purer than that of an angel—and some of the words to her song I will include here:

One day, she, like Dotty Rambo, will be given a restored, glorified body—like Jesus’ raised body—with no more pain nor limitations.

Gianna’s main purpose in life may be to demonstrate to many people the mistake of abortion.  I find numerous references in the Bible which seem to speak against the performing of abortion, which I believe God looks upon as the taking of an innocent human life (whose rights should be protected): Deut. 30:19b; Job 31:15; Psalm 22:10b, 139:13; Prov. 6:16,17c, 18:5, 31:8a; Eccl. 11:5; Isa. 44:2a,24a, 49:1,5a; Jer. 1:5ab; Luke 1:15c,41a,44; Gal. 1:15.  It is a deception to believe that an embryo or fetus in a womb is not a human life; if it has blood, it has life (Lev. 17:11a).  God has given us a choice, but it is His Will that we choose Life, particularly for those unable to choose it for themselves.

Paul and Jan Crouch, president and founders of Trinity Broadcasting Network, started TBN in 1973 with the first station in Tustin, California (UHF Channel 40).  After more than two decades of devoted, persistent service to the Lord, they have helped TBN grow to hundreds of TV stations throughout the world.  Also, KTBN Superpower Shortwave Radio (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: 15.590 MHz; 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.: 7.510 MHz) can be heard around the world.  More than most, they have fulfilled Jesus’ command to “...go and make disciples of all nations...” (Matt. 28:19a).

Paul and Jan have stated and clearly demonstrated that they do not care why or how someone has had an abortion, gone to prison, contracted AIDS, nor anything else.  They would rather spend their time and energy not on pointing and shaking wrathful fingers of accusation and condemnation but, rather, on opening the sensitive arms of genuine Love and Compassion—just as Jesus did, does, and has said for us to do.  These words of Isaiah well apply to the Crouch’s:

Furthermore, they are excellent stewards of the money given to TBN through contributions, with the majority of it going to the building and maintenance of stations broadcasting the “Good News” of Jesus to many nations, as well as to providing for the needs of physically, emotionally, and spiritually needy people world-wide.  TBN’s financial records are open to public view and scrutiny, as they are a ministry with nothing to hide.

Attorney Jay Sekulow, a Jewish-Christian and chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), in Atlanta, has defended the cause of Christ and the rights of Christians nationally—all the way up to the U. S. Supreme Court, in many cases.  He was instrumental in the Supreme Court’s approval of high school Bible clubs, Christian clubs, and student-initiated prayer groups in a June 1990 ruling (the Mergens case).

One of Jay’s purposes is to point out the fact that the phrase “separation of church and state” appears nowhere in the U. S. Constitution, nor is it recorded in the notes of the Constitutional Convention.  Anyone who has believed so simply has been deceived by those, influenced by an anti-God spirit (1 John 2:22,23a), who would not like the truth to be known.  The First Amendment to the Constitution begins, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....”  What this says is that the government 1) cannot establish a “national religion” (as previously had been done in England) and 2) must stay out of the affairs of any religion or religious organization.  The latter includes the government’s not interfering with religious public speaking or with handing out religious tracts stating one’s beliefs (“free exercise” of religion), which further is backed by the next portion of Amendment I, “...or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press....”  (No religion—Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, nor any other—can be exempted.)  It does not say that God, or any reference to Him, should be kept out of government; to do so, in fact, is a grievous error being made more and more by our society.

In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson, in a congratulatory letter to a group of Baptists, was the one to use the phrase, “building a wall of separation between church and state,” indicating that the government (state) should not be able to infringe on the rights of any church nor of any religious organization.  (Actually, while serving as President, Jefferson also presided over the School Board of the District of Columbia.  He installed the Bible as the main reading text in the school system, describing it as the “cornerstone of liberty.”)  I doubt that Jefferson would have advocated the removal of the Ten Commandments from the walls of school classrooms (which was done in 1979), since they are a fundamental part of the Bible.

Gavin (Captain of the “Love Boat”) and Patti McLeod host “Back on Course” weekly on TBN.  When they first were married to each other, they were not allowing Jesus to lead their lives; the marriage ended in divorce.  Years later they remarried and, with Jesus on the throne of their lives, their marriage has been immeasurably more successful than it ever could have been the first time.  They have as guests on their show other married couples who share how Jesus is the essential element holding their marriages together.  Most all of these couples got “off course” (or “off the good track”); but, ultimately, trusting in Jesus to provide them with His healing, bonding Power has put their relationships “back on course.”

Like everyone else, I was placed here by God for a reason.  In my elementary school years, I had a great deal of trouble reading what was written on the chalkboard and even hitting a baseball.  Since I never complained about it, and since I made good grades, my parents never thought to take me in for a visual examination.  Then, in seventh grade, the conductor of the orchestra of which I was concertmaster noticed that I had to get too close to the music stand to read the music.  She fulfilled one of her little purposes in life by informing my mom of this.  Following a simple visit to the optometrist, glasses were prescribed, which brought my vision, literally and figuratively, into a clear focus.

The visual examination experience fascinated me, because I was amazed at all the illusions the doctor performed: making things look double, causing objects to jump from side to side and up and down before my eyes, and placing “magic” lenses in front of my eyes to make things appear clearer than I ever remembered or imagined they could be.  I wanted to know how to do all that!  At some point thereafter, but before I entered optometry school, God also instilled within me the desire to improve the vision of others who were missing out on so much of the world around them, as I had been for years.  There it was: my first major dream and purpose.  I had been called to enhance the visual acuity and performance of people whom God would send to me.

After my schooling, I practiced optometry for over 11 years in Fountain Valley, California.  Being the perfectionist about many things that I am (and knowing full well what it is like to go somewhere for a service and not receive satisfaction), I was committed—even obsessed—with providing the best and most thorough eyecare that I could for my patients.  This resulted in my having a sizable, regular clientele of patients.  However, it got to the point where I did not have enough breaks in my workday, because most of my patients showed for their appointments; if they did not, they might have had to wait up to two months for my next regular appointment slot.

During those years, I sometimes would run up to 30 to 45 minutes behind (which bothered me, because I like to be on-time for everything), frequently have one or two patients calling on the phone with questions, often observe patients waiting impatiently in the waiting room for me to examine them, because I was running behind—all combined with regular inquiries from receptionists, opticians, and other doctors concerning various matters.  Many times I simply wanted to walk out and never go back.  I would come home a mental wreck at the end of the day (even if I exercised at the gym to relieve stress), feel extremely resentful all evening, and wake up the next morning severely dreading getting up and going back to the “torture chamber.”

Finally, slowly, I learned to think about and trust God to provide me relief from my extremely busy schedule.  Often, at the “end of my rope,” I would go into my room, turn off the lights, and tell God—sometimes face down on the floor—that I could not stand it anymore.  There were times I believed I was on the verge of having a mental breakdown.  And, at times, I even would be extremely angry with God for allowing it all to happen to me, as I was “supposedly” doing what He had called me to do.

Sometimes I would plead with Him to lighten the load or even yell at Him for trying to “break” me.  But every time and in every case that I communicated with Him, the source of stress immediately would be stopped.  (I believe there is no point in trying to hide one’s emotions from God; He not only is fully aware of how we feel, but His Holy Spirit actually experiences our emotions along with us, whether we express them outwardly or not.  I easily can understand how many people become extremely angry with God, even people who know Him intimately.  But I think it is important to ask forgiveness for having and expressing anger toward Him, which I always have tried to do.)

Almost always, the next one or more patients would not show up for their appointments; or, if they did, they were simple, straightforward cases, enabling me to catch up quickly.  If I had to deal with anymore questions or problems for the rest of the day, they were easily answerable and resolvable.  I would feel the peace of God that passes natural comprehension surrounding me and know that He had not forgotten nor abandoned me and that He was right there carrying my load for me.  All He had wanted me to do was to ask Him to help me.  In a similar manner, Jesus instantly caught and supported the quickly sinking Peter as soon as He blurted out the shortest prayer in the Bible, “Lord save me!” (Matt. 14:30,31a).

Near the end of 1990, the Holy Spirit placed into my mind in the middle of the night the idea to have my blood pressure checked the next morning and again at noontime.  I did so, before and after a very busy morning schedule.  On the same machine, measured by the same person, the first reading was 120/76 (normal), and the second reading was 152/96 (much too high for me).  God told me it was “time to go” because I had fulfilled my purpose there, and He had another purpose for me.  Four weeks later was my going-away party, which was well-attended by many good friends and co-workers.

As I look back, I realize that I was not the Christian and witness for God that I could and should have been.  Sure, my patients called me a “caring” or “concerned” doctor,  and I had a good reputation among them.  And Jesus certainly possessed those traits and more.  But rarely did I ever bring up Jesus’ name (although I freely discussed my belief in Him if a patient spoke of Him); and I recall only once praying with a Christian patient (I never have been too comfortable praying out loud around most other people).  I now believe that if I had brought God into the exam room more, He would have raised my job enjoyment and fulfillment over those difficult years.

After I quit working, I felt a strong urge to read and thoroughly study the Bible from cover to cover, which I never had done before.  It took me eight months to do this.  During that time, God also seemed to impress upon me that we are nearing the end of this age and that I should inform people who do not know God to begin getting their lives in order.  Unfortunately, I am not much of a conversationalist; I never have been (neither was my dad, who went to be with the Lord in 1976, and I suppose I get that from him).  It took me a few months to realize that my next purpose was to write a book with which I could reach many more people than I could simply by talking to them. 

In 1996 I gained access to the Internet, and in early 1997 I taught myself HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the computer language of the Internet.  I began creating a website (see Ted’s Homepage), in which I have included Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology of the Human Eye and Ted’s HTML Tutorial, along with numerous other sections.  I also converted this book into HTML and placed it on the Internet for free viewing, and you are reading the final product—the fulfillment of my second major purpose, I believe.  Satan has attempted to stop me many times from continuing; I am convinced that people who are doing the Will of God or are performing a good purpose for Him come under much more attack than those who are not.  But through it all, God has been my Rock and my Foundation and has helped me continue.  He also helped me each day for fifteen months as I cared for a terminally-ill friend, something I never could have done properly without his guidance and support.

It is now automatic for me to ask my heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, to help me with the most basic things.  When I lose something (contact lens, book, keys), I ask Him to lead me to it.  If I feel I might be late somewhere, I ask Him to cause the traffic to be sparse (which used to be a real miracle when I lived in crowded Orange County) and the lights to be green.  Most people driving with me have learned to assume that we will get a great parking place, because when I ask for one I get it.  At times that I am discouraged or depressed, I ask Him to snap me out of it.  I never cease to be amazed at how faithful God is to answer my requests.  Often my pride must be overcome to go to Him, because I would rather rely on my own strength, resources, and mental ability to get by; I definitely am an independent rebel at heart.  But when I do something “my way,” I often fail.  Then I must overcome my pride anyway when I go to Him to admit I was wrong for leaving Him out of the situation in the first place!

Most true Christians are like me—depending upon God for many things.  None of us is perfect, and the ones who sanctimoniously pretend that they are only deceive themselves.  A non-Christian should not judge Christianity by Christians who do not act the part.  In fact, every Christian will let you down if you are looking for one who meets all the standards laid forth by Jesus in the Bible.  I really would not want you to judge Christianity after meeting and getting to know me.  Believe me, I am nobody special, for certain!  Personally, I know I am a miserable shame and a poor example when it comes to comparing my life with that of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to whom everyone should look as the only perfect example of a person (which is why studying the Bible is so vitally important).  But I know that I am justified and saved by His blood (Rom. 5:9), which is a good thing because the best of my own supposedly “righteous acts” are like filthy rags in the eyes of the Father (Isa. 64:6b).

Have you already found your purpose(s) in life, or are you still searching?  Maybe you are doing something which gives you personal satisfaction and pride; however, you are on the right track of God’s purpose for your life only if you are confident that He is being satisfied with your performance and if you are proud that you are working for Him.  (This is the only “good” kind of pride: pride in God; pride in “self” is a counterfeit.)  It is possible to glorify God, if merely by the example you set for others, in anything you are doing: letting someone with fewer items in line behind you go ahead of you (with a smile), gladly giving a stranger directions, or sticking up for someone you do not like when you know he/she is right.  I like the bumper sticker, “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”  If the whole world were like this, it would be a wonderful place to live for everyone.  One day, after Jesus returns, this is how it will be.

Do you really know God, or have you been distracted in life from getting to know Him personally by the imperfect world in which we live?  Possibly you have had a father, mother, brother, sister, child, friend, boss, colleague, or stranger who has let you down, abused you, or done anything else which you find impossible to forgive.  And maybe you blame God for letting this or something else befall you.  Let me just say that whatever is the worst thing that ever has happened to you, it was part of God’s Plan.  As strange as it may seem, He wanted to use it as a means of bringing you closer to Him; but, instead, you may have seen it as a way to punish you and push you away.  If you will turn God on instead of off, He will show you (now or later) why whatever it was that happened to you had to occur for your life to fit like a strangely shaped piece into His universal “jigsaw puzzle.”

Whether you blame God for misfortunes in your life, or simply refuse to acknowledge that He has given you everything you have (including life itself), His sensitive Holy Spirit hurts more than you could imagine—because you will not give Him the chance to reveal Himself personally and express Himself intimately to you.  You are allowing pride to get in the way of the personal Father-child relationship you really crave deep inside.  We all crave it, and even God craves it.  The only way to get to know the real Father is through the real Son and by the real Holy Spirit.  It is the only way (John 14:6,26).

If you have not acknowledged the one True God thus far in your life but now have decided that you want to know Him and to receive all He has to offer you, now and for eternity, and if you feel God is worthy of your attention for all that He has done (and will do) for you, then ask Him to come into your life.  How you say it is not important; it is what you feel in your heart that matters.  However, it must involve the “ABCs” of salvation:

•  an admission that your own sins and pride have kept you away from God and that you never can reach Him on your own good merits;
•  a belief in your heart that Jesus took your sins with Him to the cross and that only through His shed blood can the Father forgive them and wipe them away forever, and that Jesus rose from death so that, only through Him, you one day will rise to perfect eternal Life with Him; and
•  a confession with your mouth that Jesus is your Savior and Lord, to the point that you are willing to Love and serve the Father and the Son, both now and eventually in Their very presence forever.

If you would prefer to pray by yourself, you could say and mean these or similar words:  “Dear Father God:  I admit my sinful and prideful nature to you.  You have given me everything I have, and for that I am grateful.  I thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, the true and only Christ (Messiah), who has washed me clean with His blood.  I believe He was raised from the dead so that one day my spirit, soul, and body will be perfected; and then I can live in your glorious presence forever.  I freely confess Jesus, my Savior, as my Lord.  Please send your wonderful Holy Spirit to me to show me your Truth and to sustain, comfort, and guide me all the days of my Life—now and forevermore.  In Jesus’ Name I praise you and ask these things—Amen.”

If you have accepted Jesus and asked Him into your life, tell others about your faith (Phmn. 6) and read your Bible.  Well-known evangelist, author, and broadcaster Pat Robertson says that

Finally, my brother or sister in Christ, I wish you success and victory in this life; and I will see you in the next one soon to come.  Welcome to the Family of God!  Let’s talk in heaven!!  Email me if you wish: 

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