“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV).

     I recently had arthroscopic surgery. The surgeon skillfully repaired a torn meniscus on the interior portion of my left knee. I am amazed and grateful for the advances modern medicine continues making.

     Yet I recognize the value of my partnership in the healing process. The exercises prescribed by a physical therapist have proven invaluable to my recovery. The physician has done his work. It is up to me to do my part, as well.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10, ESV).

     I am a fan of the television series NCIS. I also am intrigued by Gibb’s ninety-one rules. Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a fictitious naval investigator played by actor, Mark Harmon. Gibb’s inherited a list of ninety-one rules from a mentor as a means of guiding his decisions from day to day. Included in the list are:

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”  (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV).

     My wife and I recently adopted a pair of Lhasa Apso puppies. They are siblings. We named them Miriam and Moses. All of our pets have biblical names. Such is the consequence of living in a pastor’s home.