The Nocebo Effect
Most people know of the placebo effect. Placebo, which is Latin for "I please" is the positive effect that a person experiences based on their expectation that a particular medicine or procedure will work. Nocebo, on the other hand, comes from Latin for "I harm" and it is based on the expectation that something terrible will happen.
Some recent studies on the nocebo effect in relation to terrorist attacks have been released and they point to the fact that the expectation of a highly stressful or fearsome event has negative effects on the overall health and life expectancy of those who live under this fear.
The interaction between the mind and body is fascinating and complex. Our own positive and negative mental processes and emotions can affect our health, as well as be mediated by our interactions with others and our environment.
I often wonder if the nocebo effect is triggered when a doctor tells a patient, "You have x amount of time to live." For some people, this could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. For others, it is motivation to do something different and prove the doctor wrong.
An interesting book I picked up recently is The Anatomy of Hope by Jerome Groopman, M.D. Dr. Groopman echoes some of the findings of Dr. Herbert Benson of the Harvard Medical School who runs the Mind/Body clinic in stating that the belief of an individual has a profound effect on their health and ability to cope with life and disease. The field of psychoneuroimmunology is growing and it looks at the way the psyche of a person has measurable effects on the immune system, stress response, and even cardiac output.
When you have been raised to look strictly at the evidence that can be reproduced, it is hard to accept that something as nebulous as a thought can affect the outcome of what happens in a person. The soul cannot be hauled out of the body and examined under a microscope or tested in a measurable way. Allopathic medicine's solution until more recently has been to ignore it for the most part. But the soul cannot be ignored. Those who study the placebo effect now know that the environmental cues and behavior of the medical authorities can alter the neurochemistry of an individual, both in the laboratory setting and in the clinic.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, a nineteenth century Boston physician, poet, and essayist, said, "Beware how you take away hope from another human being." Omniscience is not ours. Closing off options and denying choices is premature and clinically wrong.
On a practical level what this all points to is the importance of doing what the Apostle Paul told us to do in II Corinthians 10:5: we are to "cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Again, God has not given us a spirit of fear , but of power, love and a sound (or disciplined) mind. Our hope must be grounded on that which is unshakeable, unmoveable and unchanging.
Guard your heart. Out of it are the issues of life.
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Friday, August 06, 2004
The Mercy of the Wicked is Cruel
Remember Andrea Yates? She was the homeschooling mother who drowned her five children in the bathtub several years ago. The Texas jury who convicted her decided, in their infinite mercy, not to give her the death penalty. So now she is being forced to spend the rest of her life being tormented by what she did.
I feel a sense of compassion for this lady. I think it is quite possible that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis which led her to do the terrible deed. My sympathy for her, however, does not mean I would have commuted her just execution to a life sentence out of a misguided sense of mercy. If an animal you own kills someone, Scripture demands that you put the animal down, even if it wasn't culpable on the grounds of having a moral intent to kill. I think the same thing applies to people. Insanity is no grounds for commuting a life sentence. If a person kills someone and it isn't accidental, they should be executed, even if they are mentally challenged.
Poor Andrea. According to reports she is suffering from mental breakdown over the extreme guilt of what she did. They put her in the hospital to help her with the breakdown, and she comes to her senses only to realize afresh what she did and be driven back into despair and mental collapse.
This is such a pitiful situation.
Remember Andrea Yates? She was the homeschooling mother who drowned her five children in the bathtub several years ago. The Texas jury who convicted her decided, in their infinite mercy, not to give her the death penalty. So now she is being forced to spend the rest of her life being tormented by what she did.
I feel a sense of compassion for this lady. I think it is quite possible that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis which led her to do the terrible deed. My sympathy for her, however, does not mean I would have commuted her just execution to a life sentence out of a misguided sense of mercy. If an animal you own kills someone, Scripture demands that you put the animal down, even if it wasn't culpable on the grounds of having a moral intent to kill. I think the same thing applies to people. Insanity is no grounds for commuting a life sentence. If a person kills someone and it isn't accidental, they should be executed, even if they are mentally challenged.
Poor Andrea. According to reports she is suffering from mental breakdown over the extreme guilt of what she did. They put her in the hospital to help her with the breakdown, and she comes to her senses only to realize afresh what she did and be driven back into despair and mental collapse.
This is such a pitiful situation.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
A Holding Pattern
I haven't reported anything new about my husband, because there isn't anything new to report. They still don't know what he has, which is not surprising, given the fact that the only test they have run on him has been bloodwork. He has seen several residents over the last days, but while they talk amongst themselves about ordering this scan or that test, somehow they just never get around to doing it, and I have not been there to hold their feet to the fire when they are around.
However, Marc is starting to get cranky and restless, which is a good sign in my opinion. His bowels are also starting to work again which is another good sign. He wants to come home because he isn't getting any rest there. Considering the fact that we have seven kids at home making all kinds of racket, things must really be noisy and disturbing there!
My own testing has shown that he is improving. I have been giving him herbal footbaths twice a day and to give you an idea of how effective it is, he says he has been burping up the herbs that he absorbed through his feet.
I have never been impressed with hospitals as places of healing. The diet that they have been giving my husband is a good example of this. Marc is diabetic and is on a full liquid diet. So what do they bring him? Apple juice for breakfast. Loaded with sugar. Lunch and supper is that fake chemicalized ice cream from Nestle, more sugary juice and a starchy cream soup, all of which will raise your blood sugar levels through the roof quicker than you can say "boo!" No wonder they keep finding his bloodsugars being too high. I have been smuggling in real food like homemade soup broth made from bison bones and vegetables as well as protein shakes the last few days in an effort to get him some real food.
If anything new happens, I'll let you know.
I haven't reported anything new about my husband, because there isn't anything new to report. They still don't know what he has, which is not surprising, given the fact that the only test they have run on him has been bloodwork. He has seen several residents over the last days, but while they talk amongst themselves about ordering this scan or that test, somehow they just never get around to doing it, and I have not been there to hold their feet to the fire when they are around.
However, Marc is starting to get cranky and restless, which is a good sign in my opinion. His bowels are also starting to work again which is another good sign. He wants to come home because he isn't getting any rest there. Considering the fact that we have seven kids at home making all kinds of racket, things must really be noisy and disturbing there!
My own testing has shown that he is improving. I have been giving him herbal footbaths twice a day and to give you an idea of how effective it is, he says he has been burping up the herbs that he absorbed through his feet.
I have never been impressed with hospitals as places of healing. The diet that they have been giving my husband is a good example of this. Marc is diabetic and is on a full liquid diet. So what do they bring him? Apple juice for breakfast. Loaded with sugar. Lunch and supper is that fake chemicalized ice cream from Nestle, more sugary juice and a starchy cream soup, all of which will raise your blood sugar levels through the roof quicker than you can say "boo!" No wonder they keep finding his bloodsugars being too high. I have been smuggling in real food like homemade soup broth made from bison bones and vegetables as well as protein shakes the last few days in an effort to get him some real food.
If anything new happens, I'll let you know.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
A Womanly Woman
I am the fountain of affection
I'm the instrument of joy
And to keep the good times rollin'
I'm the girl; I'm the girl
[with apologies to Great Big Sea for a bit of poetic license]
This has been quite the summer for me so far. I have experienced great joys and great trials all in the space of a few short weeks and in the end, I am been the recipient of new freedom in Christ.
Not that long ago I was reading one of Dorothy Sayer's novels and she described Miss Climpson, an old maid by circumstance and not by desire, to be a "womanly woman." That phrase, "womanly woman" is the epitome of what I want to become.
I have strongly resisted being termed a "Prairie Muffin." Even though "Prairie Muffin" has been defined to be a broad range of women of all sorts and styles who are endeavoring to lead a godly life in Christ, for me it always conjurs up the image of frumpy denim jumpers or frilly calico dresses and that has never been my style. I am more of the Bohemian hippy persuasion and my native clothing is indian muslin, birkenstocks, blue jeans, and hemp necklaces. I think I also have the personality to match that style, though I admit, I can be chameleon like and dress and act to suit my surroundings, whether it is as a corporate business woman or a prim and proper homebody and momma.
Part of who I am is the strong affection that I often feel welling up in me for people. I have often kept a lid on this for various reasons. For one thing, it can be embarrassing to the recipients of the affection if they aren't the demonstrative types. For another, as a friend pointed out, our culture presses everything in the "sex and romance" mold and leaves little room for anything else. This can be very inhibiting. If you love someone of the opposite gender who isn't your spouse, it is supposed that you are suffering from a bad case of lust, especially if they are around your age; and if you love someone of the same gender, you must have latent homosexual tendencies, or so it seems to go. Sexuality gets compressed and brought down to the lowest common denominator of the sex drive, when in reality it is supposed to be the screen through which we express ourselves. A woman's sexuality is not limited to the act of intimacy with her mate; it is expressed in bearing and nurturing children and in making a home. It is doing the practical things needful to make a sick mate or child comfortable. It is cheerfully submitting to the Lord in her place and station, knowing that even if the world views it with disdain, she still is as rare as a ruby if she does it all unto the Lord.
If a woman is not married and has no children, she is still a sexual being who is free to express this in brotherly or sisterly love for the Brethren and in fulfilling a calling. It is expressed in dressing modestly and in behaving modestly and yet doesn't hide itself in frumpy clothing, unkempt hair, or skin that is untended. A womanly woman is a well-tended and orderly garden filled with beautiful flowers that spring from within through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.
A godly, womanly woman is one who can love strongly, deeply, and freely. I am finding more and more, that those I love and am drawn to, are people whom I love for their personalities. Their gender is certainly part of it, but only a small part. It is the soul that I have come to love. How do I know it is a godly love? Love wants the best for the beloved, and one of the highest expressions of love is the desire to assit the beloved Heavenwards to glorifying and enjoying God forever.
One of the glories of Heaven will be the unrestricted pleasure of being able to freely love all there, regardless of gender, and know that it is a holy love untainted by sin, and not suspect in the eyes of others.
Now, I am off to express my womanly nature by grocery shopping with the kids and taking them to visit their sick papa in the hospital. Joy upon joy!
Cheryl's Fan Club
This isn't what you think. My fan club is not a list of people who love and adore me. I jokingly said to a friend after the recent church fellowship bash that I ought to start a fan club of people who love me, but that seems a bit too cheeky to attempt and I might be embarrassed by how few want to join. Instead, Cheryl's Fan club is dedicated to a group of people I have come to love, admire, respect, and sometimes even adore. Expect to see people added to list from time to time. If you think you should be on this list and don't see your name, please do contact me at cheryl@grenon.org and list reasons why I should love you and be your fan. Also, do not despair if you don't see yourself here. I am not intending this to be an exhaustive list. I am just listing off people who have touched my heart in recent days and want to gush a bit about them.
I have an embarrassment of riches in my friends and family. Some foolish person once said a long time ago that you could only have one close friend in your life. I think he must have been a semi-hermit or misogynist or something. I have taken the words of Proverbs to heart: If a man (or woman) would have friends, he (she) must prove himself friendly. I love people. There are very few truly ugly and unlikeable people in the world and everyone has something beautiful about them if you would just take the time to look for it. Sometimes you just connect with people at the level of the heart and soul, no matter what their age or gender. This is a tribute to those who have enriched my life; a sort of reverse eulogy for the living.
Here are some of the people I am a fan of:
Dad -- He's the best father in the world. Any of the things he may beat himself up for with regards to me are actually my fault and not his. If I don't measure up the way I ought to, it wasn't because I lacked a good example to follow.
Mom -- She's the classiest and most beautiful woman I know. I only wish I looked more like her. One of the delights of my life has been to watch my Mom continue to grow in grace.
Dar -- We fought worse than cats and dogs, to my parent's chagrin. But she finally grew out of it [:oP] and became the best sister a girl could have. She still serves to keep me humble, but it is much more fun being friends now than it was being sparring partners as children. Too bad we hadn't discovered that when we were young.
Queen Willy -- What does one say about one of the best and truest friends a girl has ever had? She loves me, prays for me, worries about me, and holds me to the standard of God's Word when it appears I am about to cut loose. She is the one who holds up my faltering arms in the days of battle. She is my Jonathan; my soul is knit to hers.
Cal -- Cal has bound up my bruised and bleeding soul numerous times during seasons of sore trials. He is truly a beautiful soul. He ought to charge for his hugs because I think that is the most effective part of his therapy.
Shelley -- Anyone who shares a love for hemp necklaces, beautiful beads, streaked or colored hair, cool glasses, Great Big Sea and funky clothing is my soul sister. She is spunky and brave.
Allie -- The fair maid of Arkansas. She was both shy and yet seemed so at ease the first time I got to meet her. The little time I spent with her was pleasant and some day I hope to spend a lot more time with her.
Ed -- My Sweet Wooly Baa Lamb. Ed calls out extreme maternal instincts in me and I want to stroke his curly head and kiss his boo boos all better. I adore Ed. And better yet, he adores me.
Nick -- How many ways can you say "kindred spirit?" I have never had a younger brother ( or even any brother), but if I did, I would probably love him the way I love talented, sensitive, witty, intelligent and godly Nick. He, like Willena, blows away the chaff and keeps the good. He, like she, allows me to be transparent without judging me harshly and yet holds me accountable the way all friends should. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful, but faithful and often gentle are the wounds of a friend.
Pastor Greg -- How can you not love a shepherd who loves the sheep? When I look at Greg, I see Christ in him. I will succeed in life if I could have a tenth of the Christian grace and humility that Greg displays.
Lovely Lonna -- Greg's helpmate. Lonna is a delight and part of her magnetic charm lies in the fact that she makes me feel like I make her feel better. Laughing with Lonna over life's trials is always good therapy for the down at heart.
Belinda, Amanda, Tams, Doralynne, and Jody -- all but one, former Soles girls. I have often envied Cathie and Grant for their daughters and wished they were mine. Mander and Tams, I miss you! If I didn't love Josh and Shawn too, I would be writing them nasty notes for carrying you away to foreign soil.
Martin -- If I hadn't already christened Ed the Baa Lamb, I would append the title to Martin. He is deceptively pitt bullish if you dare to defend bad theology or arguments, but in person one of the quietest and most congenial souls around. What a delight to visit with him and I hope it happens again and often.
Trisha -- She was the companion of my youth and the one who wasn't ashamed to be my friend when everyone else thought I was weird and not cool. We did everything together and some of my best childhood memories involve her. She showed me how to be a creative individual at an early age, and I hope if she is reading this she will drop me a line again. (hint, hint)
More to come, but not necessarily tomorrow...
This isn't what you think. My fan club is not a list of people who love and adore me. I jokingly said to a friend after the recent church fellowship bash that I ought to start a fan club of people who love me, but that seems a bit too cheeky to attempt and I might be embarrassed by how few want to join. Instead, Cheryl's Fan club is dedicated to a group of people I have come to love, admire, respect, and sometimes even adore. Expect to see people added to list from time to time. If you think you should be on this list and don't see your name, please do contact me at cheryl@grenon.org and list reasons why I should love you and be your fan. Also, do not despair if you don't see yourself here. I am not intending this to be an exhaustive list. I am just listing off people who have touched my heart in recent days and want to gush a bit about them.
I have an embarrassment of riches in my friends and family. Some foolish person once said a long time ago that you could only have one close friend in your life. I think he must have been a semi-hermit or misogynist or something. I have taken the words of Proverbs to heart: If a man (or woman) would have friends, he (she) must prove himself friendly. I love people. There are very few truly ugly and unlikeable people in the world and everyone has something beautiful about them if you would just take the time to look for it. Sometimes you just connect with people at the level of the heart and soul, no matter what their age or gender. This is a tribute to those who have enriched my life; a sort of reverse eulogy for the living.
Here are some of the people I am a fan of:
Dad -- He's the best father in the world. Any of the things he may beat himself up for with regards to me are actually my fault and not his. If I don't measure up the way I ought to, it wasn't because I lacked a good example to follow.
Mom -- She's the classiest and most beautiful woman I know. I only wish I looked more like her. One of the delights of my life has been to watch my Mom continue to grow in grace.
Dar -- We fought worse than cats and dogs, to my parent's chagrin. But she finally grew out of it [:oP] and became the best sister a girl could have. She still serves to keep me humble, but it is much more fun being friends now than it was being sparring partners as children. Too bad we hadn't discovered that when we were young.
Queen Willy -- What does one say about one of the best and truest friends a girl has ever had? She loves me, prays for me, worries about me, and holds me to the standard of God's Word when it appears I am about to cut loose. She is the one who holds up my faltering arms in the days of battle. She is my Jonathan; my soul is knit to hers.
Cal -- Cal has bound up my bruised and bleeding soul numerous times during seasons of sore trials. He is truly a beautiful soul. He ought to charge for his hugs because I think that is the most effective part of his therapy.
Shelley -- Anyone who shares a love for hemp necklaces, beautiful beads, streaked or colored hair, cool glasses, Great Big Sea and funky clothing is my soul sister. She is spunky and brave.
Allie -- The fair maid of Arkansas. She was both shy and yet seemed so at ease the first time I got to meet her. The little time I spent with her was pleasant and some day I hope to spend a lot more time with her.
Ed -- My Sweet Wooly Baa Lamb. Ed calls out extreme maternal instincts in me and I want to stroke his curly head and kiss his boo boos all better. I adore Ed. And better yet, he adores me.
Nick -- How many ways can you say "kindred spirit?" I have never had a younger brother ( or even any brother), but if I did, I would probably love him the way I love talented, sensitive, witty, intelligent and godly Nick. He, like Willena, blows away the chaff and keeps the good. He, like she, allows me to be transparent without judging me harshly and yet holds me accountable the way all friends should. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful, but faithful and often gentle are the wounds of a friend.
Pastor Greg -- How can you not love a shepherd who loves the sheep? When I look at Greg, I see Christ in him. I will succeed in life if I could have a tenth of the Christian grace and humility that Greg displays.
Lovely Lonna -- Greg's helpmate. Lonna is a delight and part of her magnetic charm lies in the fact that she makes me feel like I make her feel better. Laughing with Lonna over life's trials is always good therapy for the down at heart.
Belinda, Amanda, Tams, Doralynne, and Jody -- all but one, former Soles girls. I have often envied Cathie and Grant for their daughters and wished they were mine. Mander and Tams, I miss you! If I didn't love Josh and Shawn too, I would be writing them nasty notes for carrying you away to foreign soil.
Martin -- If I hadn't already christened Ed the Baa Lamb, I would append the title to Martin. He is deceptively pitt bullish if you dare to defend bad theology or arguments, but in person one of the quietest and most congenial souls around. What a delight to visit with him and I hope it happens again and often.
Trisha -- She was the companion of my youth and the one who wasn't ashamed to be my friend when everyone else thought I was weird and not cool. We did everything together and some of my best childhood memories involve her. She showed me how to be a creative individual at an early age, and I hope if she is reading this she will drop me a line again. (hint, hint)
More to come, but not necessarily tomorrow...
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Tyranny Stalks Us
Psalm 118 tells us not to put our trust in princes and with good reason: fallible humans with power will often abuse that power and violate every one of God's commandments. The Patriot Act in the US and other forms of legislation in so-called western democratic societies will be the club used to beat down all forms of peaceful protest deemed dangerous to the ruling powers, in the name of suppressing terrorism.
What could be more dangerous to today's civil magistrates than to assert the Crown Rights of King Jesus? The Christian Church is due for some severe weeding and pruning in order to start producing the peaceable fruit of righteousness. I predict that day of pruning is not far away.
Psalm 118 tells us not to put our trust in princes and with good reason: fallible humans with power will often abuse that power and violate every one of God's commandments. The Patriot Act in the US and other forms of legislation in so-called western democratic societies will be the club used to beat down all forms of peaceful protest deemed dangerous to the ruling powers, in the name of suppressing terrorism.
What could be more dangerous to today's civil magistrates than to assert the Crown Rights of King Jesus? The Christian Church is due for some severe weeding and pruning in order to start producing the peaceable fruit of righteousness. I predict that day of pruning is not far away.
Monday, August 02, 2004
A Marc Update
Ok, I went in this morning and saw my poor hubby. He's not feeling well, but doing a bit better than in previous days.
Like the smart boy he is, he refused Tylenol for his fever. It isn't that high a fever, and when you are producing triglycerides like nobody's business, stressing your liver with toxic drugs that normally take 2 weeks to metabolize is not a good thing to do. Plus fever serves a purpose: the immune system raises the internal temperature in order to cook invading organisims.
In the middle of my putting together an herbal health group remedy for him, an LPN (licensed practical nurse) walked in and wondered what in the world I was doing. I told her and assured her I wouldn't be feeding him any herbs. Instead, I am giving him a footbath with the herbs so that he can absorb them that way. I was also caught doing an energy balance over Marc's abdominal area. This involved sort of getting on the bed and hovering over him as I held my hands on each side of his abdomen until the "pulsing" stopped. He reported a significant relief from pain after I was done. Some may think this is just a placebo effect, to which I say, "So what?" The placebo effect is REAL. Why not use it?
You have to realize that my husband has been somewhat skeptical about my practices, but as I have been able to help him more and more, he is trusting my judgement on these things.
The doctor says the blood work is improving, but still holds that it was pancreatitis because of the blood work. Well, his pancreatic enzymes etc., are always wacky. He's diabetic, you see. The infection in his intestine is coming down but it looks like he will be in for a few more days. I am heading back up to the hospital this evening to give him an herbal foot bath.
Ok, I went in this morning and saw my poor hubby. He's not feeling well, but doing a bit better than in previous days.
Like the smart boy he is, he refused Tylenol for his fever. It isn't that high a fever, and when you are producing triglycerides like nobody's business, stressing your liver with toxic drugs that normally take 2 weeks to metabolize is not a good thing to do. Plus fever serves a purpose: the immune system raises the internal temperature in order to cook invading organisims.
In the middle of my putting together an herbal health group remedy for him, an LPN (licensed practical nurse) walked in and wondered what in the world I was doing. I told her and assured her I wouldn't be feeding him any herbs. Instead, I am giving him a footbath with the herbs so that he can absorb them that way. I was also caught doing an energy balance over Marc's abdominal area. This involved sort of getting on the bed and hovering over him as I held my hands on each side of his abdomen until the "pulsing" stopped. He reported a significant relief from pain after I was done. Some may think this is just a placebo effect, to which I say, "So what?" The placebo effect is REAL. Why not use it?
You have to realize that my husband has been somewhat skeptical about my practices, but as I have been able to help him more and more, he is trusting my judgement on these things.
The doctor says the blood work is improving, but still holds that it was pancreatitis because of the blood work. Well, his pancreatic enzymes etc., are always wacky. He's diabetic, you see. The infection in his intestine is coming down but it looks like he will be in for a few more days. I am heading back up to the hospital this evening to give him an herbal foot bath.
Marc
First of all, thanks to everyone who is praying for my husband. I am going in this morning to check him over and to see which herbs and supplements I need to be using on him. One of the things I didn't mention in yesterday's post was that I had diagnosed his bacterial infection in his large intestine before the doctor's did with my kinesionics. But of course, no doctor is going to accept my diagnosis.
It was kind of funny, actually. The doctor's were standing around Marc in the emergency ward telling him it could be pancreatitis. Then Marc said very definitely, "No, it isn't pancreatitis." The doctor looked taken aback by the strong positive statement.
"How do you know that?"
"My wife checked me."
I didn't say anything, or make any claims, but the doctor looked at me in disbelief. Then I could see him trying to make out what my kinesionics books was, which I had open and was holding upside down.
"Are you a health care professional?"
"Let's just say I am just very interested in health."
They subsequently ran some tests and did some xrays and came to the same conclusion I had. I had even pinpointed the area that was affected with my testing. It is fairly easy to get a picture of what is going on in the body once you know how.
I was in to see Marc yesterday before church and checked him over. The infection is not as acute as it was in the one area, but it has spread to the rest of the large intestine. Today I am going to check his appendix and small intestine and then figure out if they are being affected and
then get him going on some herbs via foot baths. I'll let y'all know what' s up later on.
First of all, thanks to everyone who is praying for my husband. I am going in this morning to check him over and to see which herbs and supplements I need to be using on him. One of the things I didn't mention in yesterday's post was that I had diagnosed his bacterial infection in his large intestine before the doctor's did with my kinesionics. But of course, no doctor is going to accept my diagnosis.
It was kind of funny, actually. The doctor's were standing around Marc in the emergency ward telling him it could be pancreatitis. Then Marc said very definitely, "No, it isn't pancreatitis." The doctor looked taken aback by the strong positive statement.
"How do you know that?"
"My wife checked me."
I didn't say anything, or make any claims, but the doctor looked at me in disbelief. Then I could see him trying to make out what my kinesionics books was, which I had open and was holding upside down.
"Are you a health care professional?"
"Let's just say I am just very interested in health."
They subsequently ran some tests and did some xrays and came to the same conclusion I had. I had even pinpointed the area that was affected with my testing. It is fairly easy to get a picture of what is going on in the body once you know how.
I was in to see Marc yesterday before church and checked him over. The infection is not as acute as it was in the one area, but it has spread to the rest of the large intestine. Today I am going to check his appendix and small intestine and then figure out if they are being affected and
then get him going on some herbs via foot baths. I'll let y'all know what' s up later on.
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Update
Well, I planned to blog a few days ago because I mistakenly thought that I would have plenty of free time since my husband had taken all the kids camping, with the exception of Elodie, and Nathanael, who had to work. However, I ended up doing some cleaning and grocery shopping and doing laundry from the day before they were gone. Then the day after they returned, my husband got sick with some sort of bacterial infection in his intestines and ended up in hospital. He is still there, even as I type, on IV abx and morphine. How fun can that be on summer holidays?
Oh well. It could be much worse.
Well, I planned to blog a few days ago because I mistakenly thought that I would have plenty of free time since my husband had taken all the kids camping, with the exception of Elodie, and Nathanael, who had to work. However, I ended up doing some cleaning and grocery shopping and doing laundry from the day before they were gone. Then the day after they returned, my husband got sick with some sort of bacterial infection in his intestines and ended up in hospital. He is still there, even as I type, on IV abx and morphine. How fun can that be on summer holidays?
Oh well. It could be much worse.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Was Napolean Done in By Doctors?
You know, it is easy to be fooled into thinking that modern medicine is a highly developed and precise art by pristine surroundings and machines that have flashing lights and make interesting buzz and bleep noises. "Modern medical treatment" is a magical mantra used to soothe the masses into believing that when they see a doctor, they are getting the benefit of a precise, highly developed form of health care. What we really get is a form of disease management that uses crude tools like toxic chemicals, and surgery to "cure" dis-ease.
The latest study on accidental death at the hand of the medical establishment pegs the number at 195 000. "If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual list of leading causes of death included medical errors, it would show up as number six, ahead of diabetes, pneumonia, Alzheimer's disease and renal disease,"
Want to know how screwy the whole system is? I have a close friend who is a highly skilled and certified midwife. She has over 1000 births under her belt and runs a tight ship. She worked out her wage recently, and she makes approximately $7.50 an hour for her work, which is less than minimum wage here. A recent client of hers had to have a doctor take over her care. He didn't even make it to the delivery, but he did manage to get in six stitches for the perineal tear at a cost of about $100 per stitch for about 20 minutes worth of work. Please don't get me started on the butchery to women that usually takes place in the name of "safe hospital deliveries."
Other health related stuff:
Ever watch a thriller and notice how your heart accelerates as if you were there on the screen? Or how about when you are reading a good book and get to an exciting part? Here's what Nicholas Regush has to say about this:
If Romantic And Violent Movies Can Make Hormones Surge, What Other Daily Influences On Health Are We Overlooking?
I find it astonishing that reasonably bright people fail to try to understand that they live in a world (or should I say "whirlwind") of ongoing influences that impact the mind and body. Once in a while, science decides to pick out some item of interest that is shown to affect the body and/or mind. And so while it makes perfect sense (to me) that movies will have an impact on the human body in a variety of ways (mostly ways that we do not yet understand), there continues to be a piecemeal approach to this entire area of environment-mind-body investigation. And when some stimuli - in this case, a type of movie - is linked to a type of physiological effect in the body (a hormone change), this notion is rarely presented in the media and in scientific channels as an important clue to understanding the ongoing, never-ending, dynamic, complex relationship a human being has with the ever-changing environment. Is this because many people like to think that they can control the impact that words, images, and bio-chemical complexes have on their minds and bodies? Yes. And it is delusional, at best. It is anti-science and yet another example of ingrained ignorance, fueled by dogmas of various sorts. This latest little bitty bit of information - that movies can affect the human body - is merely a tease of what will be understood in some future world.
RFD Editor Nicholas Regush
And I say that it will be a good day when Christian researchers can look into mind/body medicine without getting the willies or thinking they are delving into eastern pantheism or witchcraft.
You know, it is easy to be fooled into thinking that modern medicine is a highly developed and precise art by pristine surroundings and machines that have flashing lights and make interesting buzz and bleep noises. "Modern medical treatment" is a magical mantra used to soothe the masses into believing that when they see a doctor, they are getting the benefit of a precise, highly developed form of health care. What we really get is a form of disease management that uses crude tools like toxic chemicals, and surgery to "cure" dis-ease.
The latest study on accidental death at the hand of the medical establishment pegs the number at 195 000. "If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual list of leading causes of death included medical errors, it would show up as number six, ahead of diabetes, pneumonia, Alzheimer's disease and renal disease,"
Want to know how screwy the whole system is? I have a close friend who is a highly skilled and certified midwife. She has over 1000 births under her belt and runs a tight ship. She worked out her wage recently, and she makes approximately $7.50 an hour for her work, which is less than minimum wage here. A recent client of hers had to have a doctor take over her care. He didn't even make it to the delivery, but he did manage to get in six stitches for the perineal tear at a cost of about $100 per stitch for about 20 minutes worth of work. Please don't get me started on the butchery to women that usually takes place in the name of "safe hospital deliveries."
Other health related stuff:
Ever watch a thriller and notice how your heart accelerates as if you were there on the screen? Or how about when you are reading a good book and get to an exciting part? Here's what Nicholas Regush has to say about this:
If Romantic And Violent Movies Can Make Hormones Surge, What Other Daily Influences On Health Are We Overlooking?
I find it astonishing that reasonably bright people fail to try to understand that they live in a world (or should I say "whirlwind") of ongoing influences that impact the mind and body. Once in a while, science decides to pick out some item of interest that is shown to affect the body and/or mind. And so while it makes perfect sense (to me) that movies will have an impact on the human body in a variety of ways (mostly ways that we do not yet understand), there continues to be a piecemeal approach to this entire area of environment-mind-body investigation. And when some stimuli - in this case, a type of movie - is linked to a type of physiological effect in the body (a hormone change), this notion is rarely presented in the media and in scientific channels as an important clue to understanding the ongoing, never-ending, dynamic, complex relationship a human being has with the ever-changing environment. Is this because many people like to think that they can control the impact that words, images, and bio-chemical complexes have on their minds and bodies? Yes. And it is delusional, at best. It is anti-science and yet another example of ingrained ignorance, fueled by dogmas of various sorts. This latest little bitty bit of information - that movies can affect the human body - is merely a tease of what will be understood in some future world.
RFD Editor Nicholas Regush
And I say that it will be a good day when Christian researchers can look into mind/body medicine without getting the willies or thinking they are delving into eastern pantheism or witchcraft.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Let It Go
Released February 2004(written by Doyle/Sampson/Daly)
Hey man, you don't know what you're missing
You count your curses and forget about the blessings
Don't you think you should learn a little lesson
What are you waiting for?
Hey man, what makes you so special
Can't seem to find the angels for the devils
Don't you think that if you learned to love a little
You'd live a whole lot more
Chorus
Let it Go Let it Go
This is smaller than you know
No bigger than a pebble lying on a gravel road
Let it Go Let it Go
Got to leave it all behind you
Give the sun a chance to find you
Let it Go
Lift you head, there's no time for crying
You made your bed but don't think its fit to lie in
Wasted on the ground when you know you should be flying
What are you waiting for?
Bridge
How can a man not see
It seems so clear to me
You've just got to live and learn
Smile at the simple stuff
This road ain't long enough
To miss a single turn
Great Big Sea has a new CD, Something Beautiful out that I picked up not that long ago. The song above is one of the nicest tunes and lyrics on the CD. And I like the sentiments of the song. We often make mountains out of mole hills when we really should just let it go. Blessing the Lord for the benefits we enjoy doesn't come natural or easy, but it is a better way to live than to always be grumping about life.
Released February 2004(written by Doyle/Sampson/Daly)
Hey man, you don't know what you're missing
You count your curses and forget about the blessings
Don't you think you should learn a little lesson
What are you waiting for?
Hey man, what makes you so special
Can't seem to find the angels for the devils
Don't you think that if you learned to love a little
You'd live a whole lot more
Chorus
Let it Go Let it Go
This is smaller than you know
No bigger than a pebble lying on a gravel road
Let it Go Let it Go
Got to leave it all behind you
Give the sun a chance to find you
Let it Go
Lift you head, there's no time for crying
You made your bed but don't think its fit to lie in
Wasted on the ground when you know you should be flying
What are you waiting for?
Bridge
How can a man not see
It seems so clear to me
You've just got to live and learn
Smile at the simple stuff
This road ain't long enough
To miss a single turn
Great Big Sea has a new CD, Something Beautiful out that I picked up not that long ago. The song above is one of the nicest tunes and lyrics on the CD. And I like the sentiments of the song. We often make mountains out of mole hills when we really should just let it go. Blessing the Lord for the benefits we enjoy doesn't come natural or easy, but it is a better way to live than to always be grumping about life.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Miscellaneous Musings
What I am listening to: Something Beautiful by Great Big Sea.
Musing #1.
We live in a blessed time. In years past if you wanted to listen to music, you either had to make it yourself or find someone to make it for you. Now we can have all the music we want, and precisely what we want at any time of the day or night with the flip of a switch. I especially like CD's because I can easily switch back and forth between songs without difficulty. I often drive my kids crazy because I will listen to the same piece over and over again in order to absorb all that I like about it. I also drive them crazy because I love to sing along with favorite songs, especially harmony. Too bad I sound like a crow with tonsillitis. Even so, singing with favorites gives me a lift every time.
Great Big Sea does a lot of traditional Newfoundland/Celtic music. But I confess that I tend to like the stuff they write better. Their newest CD is truly skookum.
Musing #2.
Nothing is as scary as a toddler with a black permanent marker. I am afraid to go out to the kitchen/living room to see what artistry has been performed there. Perhaps I shall go straight up the stairs to bed when I leave this place.
Musing #3.
Teens are frustrating. If you come down hard on them for just reasons, they squawk like nobody's business. If you act in a reasonable fashion, they run over the top of you. I hope they all have a dozen just like them to give them pepper in their sunset years.
Musing #4.
As a young person I used to think that young love was the best love in the world. The love of middle aged people was ridiculous to my youthful eyes. Now I know that things can only get better as you grow older, especially if you can work through stuff. Makes me think that the best is yet to come, even as I fall into physical decay.
What I am listening to: Something Beautiful by Great Big Sea.
Musing #1.
We live in a blessed time. In years past if you wanted to listen to music, you either had to make it yourself or find someone to make it for you. Now we can have all the music we want, and precisely what we want at any time of the day or night with the flip of a switch. I especially like CD's because I can easily switch back and forth between songs without difficulty. I often drive my kids crazy because I will listen to the same piece over and over again in order to absorb all that I like about it. I also drive them crazy because I love to sing along with favorite songs, especially harmony. Too bad I sound like a crow with tonsillitis. Even so, singing with favorites gives me a lift every time.
Great Big Sea does a lot of traditional Newfoundland/Celtic music. But I confess that I tend to like the stuff they write better. Their newest CD is truly skookum.
Musing #2.
Nothing is as scary as a toddler with a black permanent marker. I am afraid to go out to the kitchen/living room to see what artistry has been performed there. Perhaps I shall go straight up the stairs to bed when I leave this place.
Musing #3.
Teens are frustrating. If you come down hard on them for just reasons, they squawk like nobody's business. If you act in a reasonable fashion, they run over the top of you. I hope they all have a dozen just like them to give them pepper in their sunset years.
Musing #4.
As a young person I used to think that young love was the best love in the world. The love of middle aged people was ridiculous to my youthful eyes. Now I know that things can only get better as you grow older, especially if you can work through stuff. Makes me think that the best is yet to come, even as I fall into physical decay.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Class Picture
What you have here in this picture is the 2004 Advanced Kinesionics class, consisting of the teacher, nine students and the teacher's dog. I was part of a select group of people who actually went on to qualify as a certified kinesionics practitioner and who were invited to participate. It was an intense four days of learning involving a combination of theory and then practice, practice, practice. I thoroughly enjoyed my time of non-interruption by small children and conversing with adults, but I haf ta tell ya, I don't know how working mothers do it! I came home wasted every evening and the last thing I wanted to do was make a meal or clean house.
The Big and Little Picture
One of the appealing facets of Biblical Christianity is the fact that it deals with life from the perspective of the Big and the Little Picture. But what else would you expect from a Faith that has a God who is both imminent and transcendant at the same time? God is over all creation, but yet personally with it at the same time.
I think this aspect of Big and Little Pictures is expressed in the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Q.1 What is man's chief end?
A: Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
God's glory is the Big Picture. Our enjoyment of Him is the Little Picture. Biblical Christianity encourages one to relate to God on an individual basis, but also encourages us to see ourselves as part of the larger picture of what God is doing in time and eternity. Both aspects are important to a mature Christian walk. We cannot neglect the personal aspect of faith in Christ by chasing after intellectually appealing doctrines without causing that personal aspect to wither on the vine from lack of communion with Christ. We also cannot expect anything but a truncated spiritual growth if all our attention is focused on "what Christ means to ME" to the neglect of where we operate in the Body.
Sometimes our attention will be drawn to one aspect more than another. In recent days I have been focusing my attention more on the individual aspect of faith. This is finding some of its expression in music; not that which I make myself (alas for piano lessons that were never put to good use), but that which others make. One of my favorite CD's to listen to recently is one called Thrive, by the Newsboys.
The other day I posted some lyrics to one of their songs from this album and subsequently deleted the post because it provoked a number of calls and inquiries about my spiritual state. It goes to show you how different people can interpret different things. To many who inquired, it was a post written in despair. But really, it was a post written with a reflection of thanksgiving and hope that is reflected in the chorus.
Rescue
Now this song speaks eloquently to me of the Little Picture. It is a snapshot of what the Westminster Confession of Faith says in Chapter 5 on Providence, which I posted a few days ago. God sometimes allows us to look deep into the darkness of our hearts and to see the terrible depravity and wickedness that lurks there ready to spring into action, but for His restraining Hand. Proverbs tells us that a man without self control is like a city without walls; there is no defense. And yet how often does God supply the defense for us when we would do otherwise? Let's face it: whenever we are defended, it is GOD who does the defending, not our weak, faulty, and puny wills. So the song above is a song of hope to me. For every day I am rescued again from myself.
Another song from this CD that really speaks to my soul lately is the title track.
Thrive
Music by Peter Furler / Lyrics by Peter Furler and Steve Taylor
The lyrics in the verses express the hopelessness and despair of life in a sin-wracked world. It expresses the longing of the soul for communion and life with the only One who can wash us and rescue us from the hopelessness and despair of life under the sun.
One of the appealing facets of Biblical Christianity is the fact that it deals with life from the perspective of the Big and the Little Picture. But what else would you expect from a Faith that has a God who is both imminent and transcendant at the same time? God is over all creation, but yet personally with it at the same time.
I think this aspect of Big and Little Pictures is expressed in the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Q.1 What is man's chief end?
A: Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
God's glory is the Big Picture. Our enjoyment of Him is the Little Picture. Biblical Christianity encourages one to relate to God on an individual basis, but also encourages us to see ourselves as part of the larger picture of what God is doing in time and eternity. Both aspects are important to a mature Christian walk. We cannot neglect the personal aspect of faith in Christ by chasing after intellectually appealing doctrines without causing that personal aspect to wither on the vine from lack of communion with Christ. We also cannot expect anything but a truncated spiritual growth if all our attention is focused on "what Christ means to ME" to the neglect of where we operate in the Body.
Sometimes our attention will be drawn to one aspect more than another. In recent days I have been focusing my attention more on the individual aspect of faith. This is finding some of its expression in music; not that which I make myself (alas for piano lessons that were never put to good use), but that which others make. One of my favorite CD's to listen to recently is one called Thrive, by the Newsboys.
The other day I posted some lyrics to one of their songs from this album and subsequently deleted the post because it provoked a number of calls and inquiries about my spiritual state. It goes to show you how different people can interpret different things. To many who inquired, it was a post written in despair. But really, it was a post written with a reflection of thanksgiving and hope that is reflected in the chorus.
Rescue
Old as the hills, new everyday
It's in the bones like it's DNA
First taste is sweet 'til it rots in your mouth
Another old friend who rats you out
All of the time in this life
Can't loose the ties that bind
They shackle our feet, we trip, we fall
We crawl
I was born in the mess of it all
Chorus
Then You rescued me, rescued meLord,
with a touch of Your hand
Another captive free again
Who else in heaven could do this but You?
You rescued me, rescued meLord,
with a love out of mind
Oh, You know I love it when
Everyday I am rescued again
Over the years your nature's way
Is turning wrongs into roles you play
Caught in a spell that's overcast
You gain perspective, it doesn't last
All of the time in this life
Can't loose the ties that blind you
They're new everyday, old as the fall
The fall
And I was born in the mess of it all
Chorus
Every day, every way, every
Every cheap imitation
All of my imagination
Even my self-preservation
Is yours in time
Chorus
Now this song speaks eloquently to me of the Little Picture. It is a snapshot of what the Westminster Confession of Faith says in Chapter 5 on Providence, which I posted a few days ago. God sometimes allows us to look deep into the darkness of our hearts and to see the terrible depravity and wickedness that lurks there ready to spring into action, but for His restraining Hand. Proverbs tells us that a man without self control is like a city without walls; there is no defense. And yet how often does God supply the defense for us when we would do otherwise? Let's face it: whenever we are defended, it is GOD who does the defending, not our weak, faulty, and puny wills. So the song above is a song of hope to me. For every day I am rescued again from myself.
Another song from this CD that really speaks to my soul lately is the title track.
Thrive
Down here in the valley
Every shadow You see
Has its own story
Down here in the valley
Every puddle of mud
Comes from tears and blood
And it's so hard just to get warm
That the chill turns into despair
Chorus
Will You lift me up with tender care?
Will You wash me clean in the palm of Your hand?
Will You hold me close so I can thrive?
When You touch me, that's when I know I'm alive
Down here in the valley
Nothing's able to grow
'Cause the light's too low
Folks spend their days
Digging 'round for diamonds and gold
'Til they just get old
And they don't know anything else
They don't know they're breathing bad air
But I'm tired of living like this
And my soul cries out, "If You're there...
Chorus
Call me up to Your side
Draw me up to Your light
Let it blind me
Lord, refine me
Refine me out of my mind
Chorus
Music by Peter Furler / Lyrics by Peter Furler and Steve Taylor
The lyrics in the verses express the hopelessness and despair of life in a sin-wracked world. It expresses the longing of the soul for communion and life with the only One who can wash us and rescue us from the hopelessness and despair of life under the sun.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
The attached photo has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels with patients at St. Joseph Hospital. Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress will find differences in the two dolphins. If there are many differences found between the dolphins, it means that the person is experiencing significant amount of stress. Look at the photograph. If you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a vacation.
Monday, July 19, 2004
Real Life
"The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations, and the corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and the deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them up to a more close and constant dependance for their support upon Himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends."
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." ~ 1 Cor. 10:13
One of the things I love about Scripture and biblical Christianity is how true to life it is. I mean, it isn't this pale, shallow shadow that tries to paste a smiley face over the worst of situations. Instead it spits on both its hands and gets right down in the pit with you and helps you out.
That is one of the reasons we should take joy in trials. They help us to sort out if we really believe all this "stuff." Falling into sin, or coming close to it is no fun. But it does give you practical experience of the lovingkindness and tender mercies of God, not to mention his infinite wisdom and patience. The One who watches Israel does not sleep, and He will not let his elect fall away finally and forever into sin.
"The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations, and the corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and the deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them up to a more close and constant dependance for their support upon Himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends."
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 5.5
One of the things I love about Scripture and biblical Christianity is how true to life it is. I mean, it isn't this pale, shallow shadow that tries to paste a smiley face over the worst of situations. Instead it spits on both its hands and gets right down in the pit with you and helps you out.
That is one of the reasons we should take joy in trials. They help us to sort out if we really believe all this "stuff." Falling into sin, or coming close to it is no fun. But it does give you practical experience of the lovingkindness and tender mercies of God, not to mention his infinite wisdom and patience. The One who watches Israel does not sleep, and He will not let his elect fall away finally and forever into sin.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Lord's Day, July 11th
I have much I would like to say about my past week and a half, but I am still processing much of it and want to chew it over a bit more before commenting on and relating it for others. Instead, since this is the Lord's Day, and therefore a day to be devoted to Him, I thought I would share some meditations I have recently had in my private worship and the practical outworkings I have seen.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 [NKJV]
Our usual response when we face a trial is to moan and complain and be anything but full of joy. Trials mean pain most of the time. Yet God tells us, nay, commands us, to consider it a joy when we have trials. Why? Because this is the means that He uses to bring us to maturity and completeness and to conform us to the image of His dear Son.
God tells us to count it all joy and when we take Him at His word, knowing that all that comes into our life is ordained by Him for His glory and our good, then we can rest and find joy knowing that we are not being harmed by God, even when we experience negative providences. Even these are a joy to those who place their trust in the Rock of their salvation. The ability to walk confidently in this knowledge is the evidence of things unseen and the foundation for peace in the midst of trials. It is the basis for freedom from fear of man and circumstance.
I have seen the practical outworkings of this in my own life. Things that were formerly things to make a federal case out of now recede to minor incidents that are to be dealt with calmly. Potential tragedies are opportunities for faith, love, and trust in God. I am convinced, as I walk in this truth experientially, that I have found the secret perspective that enabled Job to say, "Thou He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
How can we not love a God who enables us to rise above the sorrows of life in a sinful world and to experience a joy and a mercy that can undo us when we contemplate its depths?
Bless the Lord, oh my soul! And all that is within me, Bless His holy name!
I have much I would like to say about my past week and a half, but I am still processing much of it and want to chew it over a bit more before commenting on and relating it for others. Instead, since this is the Lord's Day, and therefore a day to be devoted to Him, I thought I would share some meditations I have recently had in my private worship and the practical outworkings I have seen.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 [NKJV]
Our usual response when we face a trial is to moan and complain and be anything but full of joy. Trials mean pain most of the time. Yet God tells us, nay, commands us, to consider it a joy when we have trials. Why? Because this is the means that He uses to bring us to maturity and completeness and to conform us to the image of His dear Son.
God tells us to count it all joy and when we take Him at His word, knowing that all that comes into our life is ordained by Him for His glory and our good, then we can rest and find joy knowing that we are not being harmed by God, even when we experience negative providences. Even these are a joy to those who place their trust in the Rock of their salvation. The ability to walk confidently in this knowledge is the evidence of things unseen and the foundation for peace in the midst of trials. It is the basis for freedom from fear of man and circumstance.
I have seen the practical outworkings of this in my own life. Things that were formerly things to make a federal case out of now recede to minor incidents that are to be dealt with calmly. Potential tragedies are opportunities for faith, love, and trust in God. I am convinced, as I walk in this truth experientially, that I have found the secret perspective that enabled Job to say, "Thou He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
How can we not love a God who enables us to rise above the sorrows of life in a sinful world and to experience a joy and a mercy that can undo us when we contemplate its depths?
Bless the Lord, oh my soul! And all that is within me, Bless His holy name!
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
I'm Still Alive
Sorry for the hiatus in posting, but things have been very busy on this end. The last of my company leaves late Friday night and then I have two days of rest before my advanced kinesionics class starts. I'll try to post an update of how all the events went at the end of it all. For now, it can be summed up as it was one grand party from beginning to end: A baby, a wedding, a baptism, the Lord's Table, lots of visitors and visiting, serious discussion, loads of laughter and not a few tears at parting. And I miss Ed! Wah! Canada will never be the same since he was here, and my house is strangely quiet. Ed, come back soon!
In the meantime, those who would like to read about the wedding and see pictures of it (including the wedding cakes I made), may do so at Ginny's blog.
More photos are available here and here.
Sorry for the hiatus in posting, but things have been very busy on this end. The last of my company leaves late Friday night and then I have two days of rest before my advanced kinesionics class starts. I'll try to post an update of how all the events went at the end of it all. For now, it can be summed up as it was one grand party from beginning to end: A baby, a wedding, a baptism, the Lord's Table, lots of visitors and visiting, serious discussion, loads of laughter and not a few tears at parting. And I miss Ed! Wah! Canada will never be the same since he was here, and my house is strangely quiet. Ed, come back soon!
In the meantime, those who would like to read about the wedding and see pictures of it (including the wedding cakes I made), may do so at Ginny's blog.
More photos are available here and here.
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