World Health

A new site featuring health from around the planet,... even something for Francophiles (RFI Health News),.. a regular feature of this blog (see Health Links), but for quick access, you can see it here. Check it out,...http://pharmacistforafrica.com/RxRadio.htm

Play Ball

6 days, 4 hours and 18 minutes,,, not that I’m counting, ‘till spring training starts. Just heard that more snow is expected next week,,… don’t know if its fact or rumor, but either way, I think we’re about ready for at least the hint of warmth. So here it is. Spring training is on the way. February 17, 2010, coincidentally my birthday, pitchers and catchers for the Philadelphia Phillies, will report to Clearwater Florida for the start of this year’s spring ritual. Play Ball!! Now if you think this is a bit over the top, consider that this has been the snowiest winter in Philadelphia record keeping history. Yesterday Interstates 76, and 676 were closed, as was MLK and Kelly Drives. Major Universities were shut down, not that the students objected, but that has got to be a first. And so on to the big dig,,.. where are our cars?,.. WHERE ARE OUR CARS?? ,.. need a backhoe just to free ourselves from the imprisonment of our driveways..Now, I’m not complaining, its just that, in my old age I now realize why my father couldn’t wait to head south and take up residence in warmer climes. At the ripe “old” age of 76 he built a homestead in Lehigh Acres, Florida. But he came by it honestly,… my grandparents pulled up stakes and headed for Riverside, California when both were 86. So I can blame it on genes and I guess I have a “sunny” future to look forward to,… no pun intended,.. actually I did intend that,… But anyway, its time to think warm. Let’s imagine putting away the snow blowers and shovels. For me, I have tulips in my house as a reminder that spring can’t be far off. The thought of spring training, the sound of cheering crowds and visions of umpires dance in our heads with sights of 6 feet snow drifts, a distant dream. Bring on the ticket takers and the Philly Phanatic and let’s… Play Ball!!

Speaking of contrasts,...

So,.. its 32 degrees F. in Philly, snowy, ...already 8 inches has fallen over the last 12 hours with more on the way,.. and this following the 28 inches from last weekend. In the meantime, in Haiti its 86 degrees, partly cloudly and humid, a slight threat of rain, .. quite a contrasting picture of nature at work,... not the only contrast though. This island nation is still in the tight grasp of extreme poverty, illness and suffering. On of our major concerns in the mid-Atlantic U.S., centers on digging from under the snow. Their major concern centers on digging from under the rubble and poverty that has buried much of the country. Hunger and health care are prime concerns,.. living from day-to-day is a prime concern, ....survival and where to bury the dead are prime concerns, ..all following the massive earthquake that devastated the already weakened infrastructure and has left hundreds of thousands in need of a home, food, health care or a hug. Where do orphaned children find a home, or a Mother, her missing child? Quite a contrast indeed.

And so my good friend, Michael Johnson, boarded a plane in Philadelphia yesterday, made his way to Ft. Lauderdale FL and is now enroute to Port au Prince Haiti on a plane he describes as a "cargo transport with seats". Michael is a surgeon with his primary practice in Nairobi, Kenya. He's used to contrasts. Amidst the palm trees of Nairobi, he's used to seeing suffering of the highest magnitude. Working within a tropical climate, he's become accustomed to hearing the groans of the poor. Within corrupt governmental structures, he's acclimated to watching unnecessary death. Or is he? In developed nations, we take for granted the "luxuries" afforded us by our systems. The human rights we enjoy have eroded our sensibilities such that we become negectfully blind to our neighbors circumstance and need,... even when our neighbor is the island a few doors down the block. But then again, we do that when our neighbor literally lives on our block. But when we truly care, is it possible to ever become habituated when our neighbor hurts?

So Dr. Michael Johnson is traveling with 21 others on "Missionary Flights International" to Haiti. Unnecessary suffering, for them, has not been accepted as the norm. When they reach Port au Prince, they are sure to witness the vast array of needs that have plagued this island country for centuries. Michael is sure to be confronted with the lack of infrastructure that will prevent him from a straightforward route to the hospital where he's needed. The starvation of the country is guarenteed to greet them upon arrival. There is little doubt that these missionaries will use their gifts to care for someone before they exit the vicinity of the airport. Let our prayers and thoughts be with them. They serve with love and compassion.

Jesus talked about healing repeatedly,.. and looking closely at this, perhaps our human commonality is in the healing we all seek. And so while there are contrasts of weather and the diversity of climatic events, congruity can be the result of healing. Physicians may physically provide healing to the sick, but can receive healing through the hope and love provided by the human spirit. And maybe this is what we see in Haiti and other places in the world: Healing and hope become mutually exchanged commodities, ...contrasts yield to similarities, and we find that we can love and care for our neighbors. All we have to do, is get out of the way. Contrasts?... What contrasts?

The size of our minds

Let's think BIG in the name of Jesus. Sometimes we, as human beings, think on a small scale in or Ministries and service to Jesus. Are we afraid of the power He could unleash in our lives, if we were truly to believe in, and practice His greatness. I'm not convinced that when we live in our smallness, we honor His greatness.. Its true, we are finite creatures, but can we, in that limited nature, tap into His infinitude through our faith. He did say, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I'll draw all men (and women) unto me" (John 12:32). What, exactly, did he mean by this? Was Paul giving us a clue as to what we can become in Jesus when he said "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phillipians 4:13). Let's check out this sermon www.inglewoodfirstpres.org/Think_Big_for_Jesus.htm

Answering the call

What a tragedy,..Can you imagine, .. its almost dusk, the ground opens up beneath you, your world begins to crumble around you, literally, and you have no governmental infrastructure, no equipment, little food, no clean water. Night falls, and now, there are no lights. Imagine the long and frightening night of aftershocks, fearful that the next one could be even more devastating than the last. The cries for help and the prayers permeate the dust laden air as you begin to realize that even the closest assistance is countries away. Imagine this at the end of your day. After making your dollar. Its only a matter of where you were born that separates the "developed" world from underdeveloped nations. Only a matter of geography that even the poorest of the poor are faced with even greater physical devastation. On this planet of almost 7 billion, we are called to help our neighbors, regardless of location. In Haiti, as with those victims of Tsunami's in Asia, the call is among this planet's loudest. Will you ignore the weeping of the desperate?... Would Jesus? An organization based in Philadelphia, PA is answering the call, as many are. Visit the website of "Lamp for Haiti" to learn how you can help you neighbor. Will you answer the call? http://www.lampforhaiti.org/

Is it Spring yet?

Ok, Ok, ready for the cold to end? If you want to know what's hot today,.. its not Philadelphia, nor Florida or even L.A. where its currently 53 degrees F. But even that's a heatwave compared to Philly where its 17 degrees F. But hey,. its all perspective,.. In Duluth, MN its 2.5F with wind chills of -13F.. (wonder what that is in Kelvin?),.. some serious cold. Brrr!!!! Do prarie dogs have space heaters?

Meaning of Intelligence

The Meaning of intellegence,... an insightful discussion presented on NPR's "Speaking of Faith" concerning the multitude of educational classifications in our society,.. many of which speak of the "social predestination" described by social commentator John Lewis. An interesting analysis of education in America and the "No Child Left Behind" legislation has been written by Mike Rose. Check it out in "Speaking of Service" side panel.