Thursday, May 31, 2007
Good quote from National CMDA
Dick Swenson just wrote a wonderful article, regarding the changing role of doctors, in the summer issue of Today’s Christian Doctor that you should be receiving soon. I would recommend you read it.
He begins the article by quoting a fellow physician:
“Someone took the lid off the blender of my life, and that stuff on the wall is not a mirage.”
He then concludes it with these words:
“It is reassuring to know that God is not confused. He never makes mistakes, never loses battles, and is not taking Prozac.
He would reassure us with advice like this: Do not worry about tomorrow. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be anxious about anything. Guard your heart against hardness. Run toward Love, not money. Always walk uprightly before a watching world.”
Dr. Swenson's book Margin is one of my favorites. If I were smart enough to follow his advice, I'd have a richer life. In brief, I think he basically says that you should schedule your life to about 80% of maximum, and life will take care of putting you near 100%. If you schedule to 100% (and what doc doesn't?) you'll be working at 120%. Sound familiar?
He begins the article by quoting a fellow physician:
“Someone took the lid off the blender of my life, and that stuff on the wall is not a mirage.”
He then concludes it with these words:
“It is reassuring to know that God is not confused. He never makes mistakes, never loses battles, and is not taking Prozac.
He would reassure us with advice like this: Do not worry about tomorrow. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be anxious about anything. Guard your heart against hardness. Run toward Love, not money. Always walk uprightly before a watching world.”
Dr. Swenson's book Margin is one of my favorites. If I were smart enough to follow his advice, I'd have a richer life. In brief, I think he basically says that you should schedule your life to about 80% of maximum, and life will take care of putting you near 100%. If you schedule to 100% (and what doc doesn't?) you'll be working at 120%. Sound familiar?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
John Patrick's Reading Recommendations
We had an excellent meeting last night. Sorry if you you missed it! John spoke about some of the problems Christian docs face. We had about fifty of us there and a good time was had by all. Near the end, John suggested some reading that would challenge us to expand our thinking. As promised, here are some links:
From First Things Magazine:
David Hart, Christ and Nothing
Robert Jensen, How the World Lost its Story
J. Budziszewski, The Revenge of Conscience
From Policy Review:
Lee Harris, The Future of Tradition
As an aside, one of my personal favorites is David Hart's analysis of the Tsunami, with one of my favorite lines:
"As for comfort, when we seek it, I can imagine none greater than the happy knowledge that when I see the death of a child I do not see the face of God, but the face of His enemy."
ROFTERS is Readers Of First Things. First Things is a journal of religion and public life, and I guarantee it will challenge you. It's intellectually high level, argumentative, well thought out. The First Things website has a description of Rofters. I've been going to a Denver group for some time now and have met some interesting, smart, thoughtful, and warm people that way.
So, if you read some of the above articles, first of all don't give up in frustration because of the level of the pieces. You will get better at it with practice. Second, I wonder if we ought to consider a Medical Rofter group, sort of a journal club? We could meet once a month and pick out an article to dissect (I am a pathologist after all). Think about it, pray about it, perhaps next Fall we'll figure out a time to get it going.
From First Things Magazine:
David Hart, Christ and Nothing
Robert Jensen, How the World Lost its Story
J. Budziszewski, The Revenge of Conscience
From Policy Review:
Lee Harris, The Future of Tradition
As an aside, one of my personal favorites is David Hart's analysis of the Tsunami, with one of my favorite lines:
"As for comfort, when we seek it, I can imagine none greater than the happy knowledge that when I see the death of a child I do not see the face of God, but the face of His enemy."
ROFTERS is Readers Of First Things. First Things is a journal of religion and public life, and I guarantee it will challenge you. It's intellectually high level, argumentative, well thought out. The First Things website has a description of Rofters. I've been going to a Denver group for some time now and have met some interesting, smart, thoughtful, and warm people that way.
So, if you read some of the above articles, first of all don't give up in frustration because of the level of the pieces. You will get better at it with practice. Second, I wonder if we ought to consider a Medical Rofter group, sort of a journal club? We could meet once a month and pick out an article to dissect (I am a pathologist after all). Think about it, pray about it, perhaps next Fall we'll figure out a time to get it going.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Video of Baby in utero
Youtube has some incredible movies on it, incredible as in unbelievable, bad, good, all over the place. I was talking with Janice from Alternatives Pregnancy Center and we wondered out loud if there might be an online movie of a fetal ultrasound? Sure enough, I went to YouTube and did a quick search and found a very nice little movie.
For you movie geeks out there, try searching YouTube for Chad Vader and watch Vader as manager of a grocery store. Pretty funny.
For you movie geeks out there, try searching YouTube for Chad Vader and watch Vader as manager of a grocery store. Pretty funny.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
John Patrick, MD, coming to Denver
John Patrick, MD, is a compelling speaker with a message. He will be speaking on "Why doctors hate to go to church" on May 23rd on the Skyridge campus at 7 PM. RSVP to the address, denvercmda at hotmail dot com. Or, click on Comments just below this message and it will get to me too. We hope to see you there.
The Cafe Theology Blog
This is a cool blog. It appears to be run by at least a couple of thoughtful young Christians who like to address big issues. There is, for example, a good link to an Evangelical response to the obvious anti-Catholic bigotry after the Supreme Court upheld the partial birth abortion ban.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
CMDA Resources Available
The National CMDA Website has a good link to the multiple ministries available. There are 83 of them at last count. Amazing.
The latest CMDA CD newsletter has some startling news about right of conscience, something we thought the First Amendment ought to protect. I loved this line from the talking points:
Your doctor's conscience may some day be the last line of protection
between you and those who would profit from your early death.
We have to get involved, ASAP. Our friends at the Christian Legal Association are on our side on these issues.
The latest CMDA CD newsletter has some startling news about right of conscience, something we thought the First Amendment ought to protect. I loved this line from the talking points:
Your doctor's conscience may some day be the last line of protection
between you and those who would profit from your early death.
We have to get involved, ASAP. Our friends at the Christian Legal Association are on our side on these issues.
