...can hurt others.
Last night I had the opportunity to view the documentary Invisible Children. If you've never seen if before, you owe it to yourself and others to do so. You can also visit the website www.invisiblechildren.com to find out more information about this atrocity.
I find it somewhat ironic (with no disrespect to those valiant soldiers abroad) that we fight a "War on Terrorism" on the grounds that one country presumably possessed weapons of mass destruction when there is already a war going on using a weapon of mass destruction: fear. A fear that drives children from their families every night to sleep in crowded bus stations miles away. We pursue "terrorists" when there are terrorists out there putting weapons in the hands of precious children and making them fight or die. We know all about insurgents but nothing about the LRA.
Are our priorities right? Is it just that US citizens live in "blissful ignorance" of the desparity of humanity and the incredibly sickening violations of human rights in other parts of the world?
3.31.2006
3.28.2006
Where's Your "Go?"
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -Matthew 28:19-20
In case you didn't know, it was missions that brought me into medicine instead of into a career stuck in a laboratory pipetting microbial DNA and smelling agar for the rest of my life. It was missions that made me realize how much of a need abroad there is for physical healing and how such a medium can be a powerful adjunct to spiritual healing as well. And if it is God's will, medicine will lead me back to the mission field.
God has a funny way of getting us back on track sometimes. Recently, my Bible study partner was feeling a bit rebellious and not wanting to complete her lessons one morning. She decided instead to turn on the TV for a few minutes. When she flipped on the TV who was on TV but none other than the author of the study we've been doing? Likewise, I was in that same mood, and the other day who was that day's Bible study about? Abraham. The father of all nations. The one who garners the title of "most verses" in the "faith hall of fame" Hebrews 11. I had been balking at the thought of having to one day leave my family behind and move to a strange land. Yet God told Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country" and he went, leaving behind family, friends, his country, and setting off on a journey, destination unknown. He stepped out in faith, and God rewarded him. Yes, God has a funny way of setting us back on the right path.
The Greek word for faith, pisteuo, is a present active participle. In other words, it's ongoing. I think one of the biggest lies Satan sells Christians is the idea that we can be merely "good examples." While living a life that models Christ is important, the last words of Christ were not, "Be good examples unto all your neighbors." He told them to "go unto all the world." When Saul became Paul, he didn't just return to his hometown and chat with his Jewish colleagues about what had just happened. He didn't just merely live a good example. He went unto all the world.
It's a "go" of stepping out of your comfort zone, of practicing that present active participle faith. It's a "go" of not knowing what the world entails but knowing that a world exists in which to "go." It's not a "go" that says "go when there are no creepy crawlies in your room at night" or "go where it's ok to eat, drink, and not suffer the consequences." Nor is it a "go where you'll always feel comfortable with those whom you associate" or a "go where your family/spouse/friend think it would be a good idea." Nevertheless, we all have a "go," a place where we must actively tell others about the incredible message of a someone so compassionate, so loving, so merciful that He would sacrifice his own well-being for the least of humanity.
And with a "go" I've learned that there is also a "wait." A preacher once told me that "though the harvest may be ripe, you can't gather it with a dull sickle." Likewise, a famous Christian women's author once stated, "Time is where He tempers and tests us so that premature births of ministries don't result in lifelong handicaps." One of the hardest things for me upon entering medical school was learning that this is a time of waiting, a time of preparation. Yet even Christ himself had to wait. Thirty years for three years of ministry. We have to trust in God's timing and realize that those times of "waiting" are preparing us to "go."
Maybe my "go" is in Guatemala, South America, or somewhere I have yet to consider. Maybe your "go" is the inner-city of Chicago, a battered women's home, or the Hispanic neighborhood in your community. Wherever it may be, remember that we are called to be more than just "good examples." Our faith is active and our message is one of priceless hope.
In case you didn't know, it was missions that brought me into medicine instead of into a career stuck in a laboratory pipetting microbial DNA and smelling agar for the rest of my life. It was missions that made me realize how much of a need abroad there is for physical healing and how such a medium can be a powerful adjunct to spiritual healing as well. And if it is God's will, medicine will lead me back to the mission field.
God has a funny way of getting us back on track sometimes. Recently, my Bible study partner was feeling a bit rebellious and not wanting to complete her lessons one morning. She decided instead to turn on the TV for a few minutes. When she flipped on the TV who was on TV but none other than the author of the study we've been doing? Likewise, I was in that same mood, and the other day who was that day's Bible study about? Abraham. The father of all nations. The one who garners the title of "most verses" in the "faith hall of fame" Hebrews 11. I had been balking at the thought of having to one day leave my family behind and move to a strange land. Yet God told Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country" and he went, leaving behind family, friends, his country, and setting off on a journey, destination unknown. He stepped out in faith, and God rewarded him. Yes, God has a funny way of setting us back on the right path.
The Greek word for faith, pisteuo, is a present active participle. In other words, it's ongoing. I think one of the biggest lies Satan sells Christians is the idea that we can be merely "good examples." While living a life that models Christ is important, the last words of Christ were not, "Be good examples unto all your neighbors." He told them to "go unto all the world." When Saul became Paul, he didn't just return to his hometown and chat with his Jewish colleagues about what had just happened. He didn't just merely live a good example. He went unto all the world.
It's a "go" of stepping out of your comfort zone, of practicing that present active participle faith. It's a "go" of not knowing what the world entails but knowing that a world exists in which to "go." It's not a "go" that says "go when there are no creepy crawlies in your room at night" or "go where it's ok to eat, drink, and not suffer the consequences." Nor is it a "go where you'll always feel comfortable with those whom you associate" or a "go where your family/spouse/friend think it would be a good idea." Nevertheless, we all have a "go," a place where we must actively tell others about the incredible message of a someone so compassionate, so loving, so merciful that He would sacrifice his own well-being for the least of humanity.
And with a "go" I've learned that there is also a "wait." A preacher once told me that "though the harvest may be ripe, you can't gather it with a dull sickle." Likewise, a famous Christian women's author once stated, "Time is where He tempers and tests us so that premature births of ministries don't result in lifelong handicaps." One of the hardest things for me upon entering medical school was learning that this is a time of waiting, a time of preparation. Yet even Christ himself had to wait. Thirty years for three years of ministry. We have to trust in God's timing and realize that those times of "waiting" are preparing us to "go."
Maybe my "go" is in Guatemala, South America, or somewhere I have yet to consider. Maybe your "go" is the inner-city of Chicago, a battered women's home, or the Hispanic neighborhood in your community. Wherever it may be, remember that we are called to be more than just "good examples." Our faith is active and our message is one of priceless hope.
3.24.2006
Small World
Apparently the preacher that was recently killed in Selmer, TN once was the youth minister at my grandparents' church and had been to their house to visit from time to time. Crazy. I guess you never know where and when life will take you nor when that road may suddenly end.
Just keep the community, wife, and kids in your prayers. I can't imagine what they must be going through right now.
"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." -Psalm 90:12
Just keep the community, wife, and kids in your prayers. I can't imagine what they must be going through right now.
"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." -Psalm 90:12
3.21.2006
Yay for Antivirals!!
Thanks for your thoughts and concerns!!
(A recurring theme?)
I think I'm finally "flu-free" and ready to catch up on all those "lost" study hours. The one thing about being sick is it gives you time to think....and think and think and think. So one of the things I've been thinking about is something I heard in my Psychiatry class last week: Addiction. It's something so prevalent that chances are, you or someone else in the room with you, has dealt with it or will deal with it at some point in your life. For part of a class last year, we had to attend an AA meeting. I must say it was a powerful experience watching men and women, young and old, openly talk about that which had taken over your lives. Of course, as part of the meeting the 12 Steps were presented which I have listed below for your convenience (emphasis mine):
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, and to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
That being said, I began thinking that these twelve steps would apply perfectly to sinners, ie a type of "Sinners Anonymous," especially considering many sins evolve from or into a form of addiction (alcoholism, drugs, food, pride, self-worship/adoration, sex, control, jealousy, internet, TV, sports, work, beauty, shopping, laziness, are you feeling uncomfortable yet?) In fact, many of these steps have Biblical basis, yet many of us have never admitted our sins/addictions to others or apologized or extended forgiveness for the ill effects they may have caused.
Why is it perfectly acceptable to talk about the latest Christian rock band, mission trip, church event, yet talking about someone's sin/addiction brings on a sense of indignant rage? How dare we not praise someone for giving up a week of their life to go serve the poor in Central America, yet how dare we confront that same person about their problem with ____.
Is this Biblical?
Aren't we supposed to build each other up, but at the same time hold each other accountable so that we can continue to draw near to God? And what about that verse in James (5:16) that directly links the confession of sins to healing? Just as addiction to alcohol or other substances can have physical repercussions, so can spiritual addictions/sins.
So why is it that non-Christians can meet faithfully week after week to support each other and help overcome each others' addictions, but oftentimes belittling gossip starts flying whenever Christians try to do the same? Is it really an odd concept to bear the title of "sinner?" Isn't that what we all share in common? Is it really just not in the Christian's "job description" anymore to admit to God that which has taken control of our lives, to confess to others our specific wrongdoings, and to ask for forgiveness and to continually do so?
Just something to think about.
(A recurring theme?)
I think I'm finally "flu-free" and ready to catch up on all those "lost" study hours. The one thing about being sick is it gives you time to think....and think and think and think. So one of the things I've been thinking about is something I heard in my Psychiatry class last week: Addiction. It's something so prevalent that chances are, you or someone else in the room with you, has dealt with it or will deal with it at some point in your life. For part of a class last year, we had to attend an AA meeting. I must say it was a powerful experience watching men and women, young and old, openly talk about that which had taken over your lives. Of course, as part of the meeting the 12 Steps were presented which I have listed below for your convenience (emphasis mine):
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, and to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
That being said, I began thinking that these twelve steps would apply perfectly to sinners, ie a type of "Sinners Anonymous," especially considering many sins evolve from or into a form of addiction (alcoholism, drugs, food, pride, self-worship/adoration, sex, control, jealousy, internet, TV, sports, work, beauty, shopping, laziness, are you feeling uncomfortable yet?) In fact, many of these steps have Biblical basis, yet many of us have never admitted our sins/addictions to others or apologized or extended forgiveness for the ill effects they may have caused.
Why is it perfectly acceptable to talk about the latest Christian rock band, mission trip, church event, yet talking about someone's sin/addiction brings on a sense of indignant rage? How dare we not praise someone for giving up a week of their life to go serve the poor in Central America, yet how dare we confront that same person about their problem with ____.
Is this Biblical?
Aren't we supposed to build each other up, but at the same time hold each other accountable so that we can continue to draw near to God? And what about that verse in James (5:16) that directly links the confession of sins to healing? Just as addiction to alcohol or other substances can have physical repercussions, so can spiritual addictions/sins.
So why is it that non-Christians can meet faithfully week after week to support each other and help overcome each others' addictions, but oftentimes belittling gossip starts flying whenever Christians try to do the same? Is it really an odd concept to bear the title of "sinner?" Isn't that what we all share in common? Is it really just not in the Christian's "job description" anymore to admit to God that which has taken control of our lives, to confess to others our specific wrongdoings, and to ask for forgiveness and to continually do so?
Just something to think about.
3.17.2006
Waste of Money
If flu vaccines are supposed to prevent the flu, then why did the doctor tell me today that I have it?
Stocking up on Gatorade and soup and preparing to spend the next few days in bed...
Stocking up on Gatorade and soup and preparing to spend the next few days in bed...
3.01.2006
Books and Shoes
I've given up. I've decided that it is mentally impossible to cram 130 drugs, mechanisms, uses, and side effects into my head before 8am Friday morning. I should have started studying earlier, but somehow 5 other tests, ACLS training, and the Olympics (how evil to put such an event during the middle of my exams) kept me from meeting my desired learning objectives.
That being said, does anyone have any reading recommendations? In the very near future, I'm actually going to have free time (does that phrase still exist?) and lots of it. Not wanting to lose such a valued skill, especially when accompanied by palm trees and ocean waves (seriously), I'd like some recommendations. I'm already taking one of Paulo Cuelho's novels and Rigoberta Menchu's autobiography with me.
On another note, if anyone is looking for new Chaco's, REI has a very appealing offer at their online outlet store. I've had mine for three years now and call them my second feet. Hands down the best pair of shoes/sandals I've ever bought and worth the investment, this statement coming from someone for whom it's impossible to find a well-fitting shoe.
Anyways, back to cramming drugs in my head...
That being said, does anyone have any reading recommendations? In the very near future, I'm actually going to have free time (does that phrase still exist?) and lots of it. Not wanting to lose such a valued skill, especially when accompanied by palm trees and ocean waves (seriously), I'd like some recommendations. I'm already taking one of Paulo Cuelho's novels and Rigoberta Menchu's autobiography with me.
On another note, if anyone is looking for new Chaco's, REI has a very appealing offer at their online outlet store. I've had mine for three years now and call them my second feet. Hands down the best pair of shoes/sandals I've ever bought and worth the investment, this statement coming from someone for whom it's impossible to find a well-fitting shoe.
Anyways, back to cramming drugs in my head...
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