Reflections of my Doctoral Journey

 

Reflection on my Doctoral Journey

           After three years of rigorous schoolwork, I started conducting my research and finished writing my doctoral dissertation. I was physically and mentally exhausted when I started the final leg of my doctoral journey. I held a full-time job as a Senior Pastor, which required many responsibilities on my part, from pastoral visitations to sermon preparation and many other things. However, despite this unimaginable weariness, I felt empowered and motivated because now I could see the fruits of my labor and dedication. Finally, the end was near, and I saw the completion of something I had worked so hard to accomplish.

           It took me ten months to complete my dissertation. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) rejected the first dissertation proposal that I submitted. After that setback, I was given the option of submitting a new proposal for approval. This new option would require presenting a new topic, a new research design, and rewriting the first three chapters of the dissertation. I was given 12 weeks to do all that. My other option was to quit and receive an ABD (All But Dissertation). This setback was devastating to me. I found myself asking God for guidance and direction. At the same time, negative thoughts and the un-motivation to continue were present every day. Finally, after talking to several individuals and listening to their advice, I decided to move on and submit a new proposal.

           There were many struggles along the path of this journey. In September of 2018, Hurricane Florence devastated Eastern North Carolina, where I live. As a result, many families within our church family required assistance to get their lives back in order. It was a busy time. Due to this catastrophic event, I had to drop out of school. I needed to be able to concentrate on the aftermath of this atmospheric phenomenon. At the same time, I was moving into a new job, becoming the Senior Pastor of the church I presently lead.

 I got back to school the following term in January of 2019. However, things were not improving on the personal side of my life. In February of 2019, my mother suffered a stroke. I flew to Puerto Rico and stayed there for about one month, helping my sister take care of my mom. My mother eventually went to be with her Savior later that year. Dealing with her death made me temporarily lose my motivation. Nevertheless, with the help of my family and godly friends, I was able to get back on track.

My journey seeking a better life started over three decades ago when I left my hometown of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and came to the United States. I grew up with no luxuries, just a godly mother who taught me to love God and serve Him above everything else. Remembering my humble beginnings is essential to me. My mother's upbringing, love, dedication, and sacrifice made me the person I am today.

My mother was a single mother raising four children. She never graduated from college. As a matter of fact, she completed high school going to night school. However, she understood the value of education. To my mother, our only responsibility was to go to school, have good grades, and eventually attend college and obtain a college degree. Getting this doctorate was my most significant tribute to my mother's sacrifices for her children's education. I know from heaven that she cheered me up and motivated me to complete my dissertation. I love you, and I missed you, Mom. Thank you for everything you did for me.

Completing a doctoral degree is not easy, even for the most talented individuals. At the beginning of my doctoral program, I was highly excited. However, I felt intensely intimated and inferior to my classmates during my first course. They all seemed more thoughtful and better educated than me. Moreover, with English as my second language, academic writing did not come easy. However, I found support from my friends and my boss, Dr. Joe Capper. He took me on under his wing, provided me with counsel and prayer, and helped me with my writing. I still remember my first course and how intimidating it was. I remember submitting my first paper to Dr. Capper for editing. It was ten pages long. When I got it back a few days later, it was fifteen pages because of all the corrections and comments he made. I realized that it would be a long and challenging journey.

My insecurities and self-doubts were the driving forces that made me work harder. I studied twice as hard and wrote twice as long as everyone else. I worked harder and longer to compensate for my shortcomings. I self-imposed deadlines on all my papers because I needed to submit my draft to Dr. Capper for editing. This task put tremendous pressure on me with long hours of research, writing, and rewriting.

My will and determination helped me to overcome my fear of failing. Writing my dissertation has been the most demanding, exhausting, yet enriching endeavor in my life. It was a long and arduous journey not just for me but also for my wife, who had supported me throughout the process. From my experience, it is easy to get lost along the way, procrastinate, and give in to distractions. But with perseverance and hard work, the finish line is attainable.

Today is graduation day. I am walking on the stage, being hooded, and conferred my doctoral degree. This moment is a life-fulfilling moment for me—an accomplishment of a lifetime for which I am proud and grateful. This doctoral journey was a transformative process for me. It was a self-discovery experience of how much I could persevere to accomplish something I consider worthwhile.

I am thankful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave me the strength, endurance, and health to complete this journey. To my lovely wife, Nora, who cheered me and supported me through many ups and downs in the last four years. To my children, Dee, and Jonathan, for their support. To my church family, Living Hope Community Church, for their constant prayers and encouragement. Lastly, to my friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Joe Capper. You never gave up on me. And even after I left the job at the Association, you were there for me. Your constant words of encouragement, prayers, and support were crucial for me to complete this journey. I do not have words to express my gratitude to you. God bless you.

My graduation was a life-fulfilling moment: an accomplishment of a lifetime for which I am proud and grateful. The experience made me realize that I am more than I ever thought. It changed me. I came out stronger and better. Because I overcame my fears and shortcomings, I became more hopeful about the future.

 

What would you do with Christ?

"Jesus said; "I tell you today will be with me in paradise." Luke23:43

When I was young, I remember a song I sang with the church’s choir that said something like this; "Before Pilate Jesus is standing, all his disciples are gone. The question before Pilate is; “What would you do with Christ? You cannot be neutral. Soon you will have to decide”. This is the question that Jesus is asking you today, what would you do with me? You cannot be neutral. People often say, "If only I had one more day of life, this is what I do.” Hence, they produce a list of various activities and desires. The truth is that none of us knows the day or the hour in which we take our last breath. Only God knows. This verse found in the Gospel of Luke tells the story of two criminals sentenced to die along with Jesus. Most likely that these two individuals were not prepared for what was about to happen. At the end of their lives, one of them continued to resist the saving love of God, while the other humbled himself and asked Jesus to save him. What difference that made in the spiritual life of this man! A man died without God, the other died with the peace of knowing that from that moment he would be walking with the Lord in paradise. What would you do with Christ? You cannot be neutral. Pilate washed his hands and sentenced him. The Jewish people chose Barabbas and rejected the Messiah. The other criminal on the cross chooses to die without Christ in his heart. What about you? What would you do with Christ? There are two options, but only one takes you to eternal life and experience the love and glory of God for eternity. What is your decision? May God continue to blessed you always.

Pastor Dimas

Marks of Genuine Faith

James 1:26-27

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world (Holman Christian Standard Bible ).

Throughout generations and cultures, people have asked the question, what should a relationship with God look? James response is stunning in that is does not focus on behaviors to appease the divine. Instead, it offers a simple description of controlling the tongue and caring for other people. A right relationship with God will be evident in the right relationship with other people. Jesus said people would know His disciples by their love for one another (John 13:35). Christlike love is most evident in relationships in which the other people have nothing to offer in return. This kind of love is countercultural. It is selfless. It is righteous. Orphans and widows are vulnerable and have nothing to make an offer in return for kindness, especially in the context in which James is writing, where Christians were persecuted. God expects us, His church to go out of our way to love the overlooked, the vulnerable, and the needy. Why? Because showing God’s love and kindness for others is precisely what the Bible commands us to do.[1] May God help us to have spiritual ears to hear His truth and eyes to see opportunities to put it into practice.

Pastor Dimas

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[1] Adapted from James: Faith and Works by Matt Chadler. P. 45. Lifeway Resources

Dealing with Anger

Anger is a powerful emotion and how we deal with this emotion will impact our relationships, our attitude toward life, and even our witness before a watching world. The Bible has much to say about anger. Psalm 37:8 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evil”. The New Testament tells us to get rid of anger. It says true love is not “easily angered”. James tells us to be slow to anger. With all these commands in mind, we may be surprised at this command from the Apostle Paul, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold”.

There are times we should be angry. Anger is a valuable emotion because it alerts us to a problem that needs to be addressed. We become angry when we feel pushed aside, taken advantage of, or when we see that someone is being inconsiderate or self-absorbed. We get angry when we see destructive things happening in the life of another. We get angry when others are being mistreated.

Our real question is: How do we control our anger rather than letting it control us? Let me offer some suggestions. First, embrace your position in Christ. This may be the most helpful aspect of dealing with anger. No matter what the world says or does God sees us, knows us, and loves us. We need to remember that we ARE significant in Christ whether or not the world around us recognizes it. Second, be aware when anger begins to rise.  The first key to handling anger is to deal with it before it is out of control. Third, identify the source of your response. It is helpful to ask, “Why am I angry?” The anger that gets us into trouble is always the result of some kind of pain. Fourth, deal with anger immediately. Paul tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger. Fifth, take responsibility for your anger and choose to release it. Blaming others for our angry outbursts is easy. Finally, look for the positive. We have a choice: we can look for a fight or look for a blessing. We can focus on the faults or the gifts that reside in another. Choose to focus on positive things.

We live in an angry world. Controlling anger will enrich our relationships, will allow our families to thrive, will enhance our Christian witness, and will also help us to enjoy the journey of life. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

Integrity

Integrity

A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. (Numbers 30:2).

A godly character starts by living as people of truth. We are to keep promises because our promises are made to or before, the Lord our God. We take more oaths than you realize: getting married we make promises, when we join a church, we make promises, when we sign tax forms or other legal documents, we swear we are being truthful. We make an oath when we enter into a contract with someone. Because we belong to the God who is True, we are to honor Him, by doing what we promised. How do we live a life of integrity and faithfulness?”

Integrity (or the soundness of moral character) is a problem today. Think about what we read and have seen in our experience

• Church leaders involved in a sexual scandal
• Politicians who take bribes and commit indecent acts
• Employees who steal from their employers
• Students who cheat on exams
• Athletes who gain an edge through drugs
• Witnesses who lie on documents and in court
• People who claim to be Christians but can’t be trusted in business.
• Co-workers who never arrive to work on time (and often leave early).
• People who are prominent in a church but don’t live lives any different from the pagans around them.[1]

Integrity is a problem, and it is an especially significant problem for Christians. As representatives of Jesus Christ our inconsistency and lack of integrity destroys our testimony before a watching world. Integrity is measured by how we live by God’s standards. That is not the way everyone defines integrity (which is where we find our integrity crisis). To an increasing number of people in our society, their standard of truth is “whatever works for me” or “whatever makes me happy (in the moment).” For these people, they don’t see their actions (when they lie, cheat, or act immorally) as a lack of integrity. In their minds, they are entirely consistent with their value system. They are doing whatever will gain them the most significant advantage or pleasures.

Christians must operate from a different reference point. There is a standard of truth; there is a right and a wrong; that is the same for everyone. It does not change with the individual; it is set by God. We find that standard of truth in the Bible. The Bible says the person of integrity is one who lives consistently with God’s standards. They are people who DO what is right rather than merely TALK about it. Take stock of your life today. Honor God by being truthful. This is where integrity begins. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

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[1] Goschel, R. (2010). What Does Godly Integrity Looks Like. Wheaton, IL. P. 87.

What Counts?

What Counts?

There is a story I read recently. A surgeon in a large city hospital had a habit of insisting on a few minutes alone before he operated. He had an outstanding reputation as a surgeon, and one of the young doctors who often worked with him wondered if there might be a correlation between this habit and the man’s success.

He asked the surgeon about his habit, and the surgeon answered, “Yes, there is a relationship. Before each operation, I ask the Great Physician to be with me, to guide my hands in their work. There have been times when I did not know what to do next in surgery, and then came the power to go on, the power I knew came from God. I would not think of operating without asking His help.”

The surgeon’s words quickly spread through the hospital, and then across the country. One day a father brought his daughter to the hospital, insisting that the only doctor he would allow to touch her was the one who works with God.[1]

 The apostle Paul recognized this truth when he wrote: “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil”.  What motivates you to do your job? What energizes you to do your best? Take some time to cover your work in prayer. You will find that time well spent, as He helps you to achieve more. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

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[1] God’s Little Devotional Book for Leaders, p. 199. Tulsa, OK: Honor Books.

Facing Trials

James 1:2-11

We all face trials and tests of some kind. And we all meet different types of things in our walk through this life. Some will face relationship difficulties, other health issues, physical challenges, mental challenges, job problems, church problems. One thing that jumped out at me this week though was that we are to face these trials and face these tests. When a problem or trial or test comes into my life, we need to face it head-on. We should not turn my back on the issue and pretend that it doesn’t exist, that would not solve anything. When turn our backs to our problems, trials, and tests, will be unable to protect ourselves from the issues that might arise from them. If we ignore a disease, it will only get worse. If we ignore a relationship problem, it will just get worse. If we turn and run from our problems, we will never be able to handle anything that comes our way; we won’t get strong enough to handle more difficult issues. 

The story is told of a Scottish discus thrower from the 19th century. He lived in the days before professional trainers and developed his skills alone in the highlands. He made his discus from the description he read in a book. What he didn’t know was that the competition discus was made of wood with an outer rim of iron. His discus was made of pure metal, four times heavier than the ones used by his would-be challengers. This committed Scotsman trained day after day, laboring under the burden of extra weight. He marked the record distance and kept working until he could throw that far. Of course, when he arrived at the competition, he was handed the official wooden discus. He threw it like a tea saucer. He set new records, and for many years, none of his competitors could touch him. And that is what God is trying to do in us as we go through different and more difficult problems in life. He is trying to MATURE & COMPLETE US. It’s like a bodybuilder, who works to lift heavy weights. They don’t work with the heaviest weight they can raise to build muscle. They work with lighter weights, doing many reps, saving the heavyweights for only a few of their workouts. Muscle build gradually so that, in time, they can lift heavy weights. God develops perseverance in us the same way; by testing our faith little by little, in increasing increments and perhaps even frequency. Faith is trust in God, His Word, and His promises. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas