Right Under Your Nose

Jesus said; "But of that day or hour no one knows... What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’"
— Mark 13:32-37

It was a night that would be like none other in our life.

Most people slept despite the news of this once in a lifetime event. The media had been talking about it for days—in fact students of the night sky had known for many years that this night would be unique.

What Do Angels Say?

Shepherds were watching their flocks by night … suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and they were terribly frightened but the angel said ….
—Luke 2:8-10

Ever heard an angel speak?

The Christmas story is full of angels. Gabriel is perhaps the busiest; speaking with so many different folk as noted by Dr. Luke in the first chapters of his gospel.

What do angels say? Ask Zachariah, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, or a hillside of sleepy shepherds. They will tell you what angels say!

"Fear not!" "Don’t be afraid!" "Don’t be frightened!"

They Went Home Differently

God spoke to them in a dream and the Magi returned home differently.
—Matthew 2:11-12

We arrived in Belize with excited chatter and curiosity that was unbounded on the 2nd of December and drove 3 hours into the interior where we served in clinics, taught in schools, finished a 3 room school, did evening radio programs on health, and had a village Christmas party.

We now leave quiet, tired, inspired and humbled by those with whom we have lived, worked, cared for, ministered with, and been cared by, these past 10 days. Spending intense time with the people of Belize has been one of those life confronting and changing adventures. One that we will live out of for many years to come.

The Adventure Begins!

Be ready, dressed as for a journey, with your lights burning.
—Luke 12:35

Thursday, December 2, 1:30 pm somewhere over Mexico.

A journey, an adventure started three hours ago as twelve associates from Shawnee Mission Medical Center took off on our way to Belize. Michelle, Lisa, Pat, Pam, Merry, Kim, Leslie, Ron, Sue (x 3) and myself are at 37,000 ft, headed to San Ignacio Belize, some to work in the Good Shepherd clinic, some to do health education in the schools and community, some to build a three room school and all to do a nightly radio show.

That is our purpose. The adventure is about what we will experience, and how we will be different when we return.

Leftovers!

“Now gather the leftovers,” Jesus told His disciples, “so that nothing is wasted.”
—John 6:12

What is your favorite Thanksgiving leftover?

Americans consumed approximately 48,000,000 turkeys or approximately 720,000,000 pounds of turkey meat this last weekend. Add to this: the pumpkin pies, cranberries, stuffing, sweet potatoes and you get LEFTOVERS.

Thanks-living!

Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—Ephesians 5:20

Do you have a thankful heart?

I like to think I do but I must confess my heart, at times, is more "busy" than thankful.

Gratitude is the root of thankfulness and reflection is the root of gratitude. "Busy" hearts don’t take time to reflect; consequently I often miss out on thankfulness. Said differently: "If you pause to think, you will have cause to thank!"

Living the Dream!

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.
—1 Corinthians 2:9

What is your dream?

What is your vision for your family, your life, your career, your unit, your clinic, your patients? You know the answer to each of these questions. You can describe the values, the relationships, the experiences you seek for each of them.

What Are You Doing Thursday?

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
—John 15:13-14

What are you doing this Thursday, 11/11/10 at 11 am?

It is not just any Thursday. This is Remembrance Day, Veteran’s Day; observed world wide by people honoring those who serve and those who have served in the armed forces.

Mister ... MISTER ... !

The greatest among you must be a servant.
—Matthew 23:11

Ever had a person talk through you, around you, over you and generally ignore you... like you don’t even exist? Not much fun is it? Remember feeling insignificant, ignored, irrelevant, or even, in the way?

Recognizing, respecting, and honoring the people in your presence is one of the joys of caring ... the work of love. Every time you recognize each person in your presence you demonstrate and they experience a fundamental human longing and desire to belong. How easy is it to forget this most basic of human desires and to deny it to the very people you are trying to help? Forgetting this most basic act of human kindness and respect is more common that you might acknowledge.

The Sound of Hope

In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
—Psalms 95:4-6

What does hope sound like?
A familiar voice when you are all alone? A door opening as an anxious parent awaits the return of a daughter from a date? A siren announcing that help is coming? A nurse’s word of comfort, a doctor’s gentle counsel? A minister’s assurance?

What does hope sound like? For 33 men trapped for 69 days, 2,257 feet below ground in a Chilean mine, the first sound of hope was on day 17 when they heard the distant grinding of the drills being used to find them. Their only hope could come from above.

Me and Mr. Garmin

Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has instructed you, so that you may live…and prolong your days in the land
—Deuteronomy 5:33

I love Mr. Garmin!
He sets you free! He makes it possible to go anywhere you want, any time you want! You can even choose the type of “voice” that tells you when to turn: British, Australian, French. You choose!

I loved Mr. Garmin right up until last Thursday when I was in Chicago. I was there with a team from Shawnee Mission Medical Center: Sam, Sheri, Greg, Lana, and Shannon. We were to visit the four Adventist hospitals in Chicago-land, conducting the bi-annual Mission peer review—a friendly site visit to review their mission effectiveness.