Saturday, May 26, 2012
Baptist Medical Center
I'm in Ghana, West Africa now for a four week International Medicine elective at the Baptist Medical Center in Nalerigu. You can find my blog here: http://www.inmedblogs.us/mikhaillomize
Friday, December 30, 2011
Discernment
"The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction ... Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life." Deuteronomy 30:14-15,19-20
What am I called to become? I feel broken in many ways over the last few months. I'm realizing that I cannot keep growing as a Christian if I don't develop a regular prayer life. It's amazing that I've been able to last this far in my spiritual journey (10 years now as a Christian) without daily prayer. I've been praying before meals for most of those years, yet that's the only prayer I usually do.
During my first year of medical school, me and several other devote Christian medical students, made it our goal to get deeper into prayer. My thought has always been, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world (medical education, career, family, health, etc) and lose his soul?" I would rather fail out of medical school than let my spiritual life not grow. God has blessed me with academic success, yet I've been feeling a growing barrier in my relationship with God. I'm feeling as if my freedom to follow God's will is continually challenged and undermined.
My greatest challenge during that year of prayer was loneliness. I never learned how to fill my loneliness with God. Instead, I desired a spouse to fill it, thinking that if I would get married, my loneliness would disappear. This resulted in a lot of unnecessary pain and I'm still having a hard time seeing anything but my selfish will during my second year of medical school, although my loneliness was temporarily gone.
"Historically, the majority of people born into this world marry and have children. It is the default vocation of the natural order. Rare is the vocation to the priesthood, religious life or (even rarer) consecrated single life. The confirmed bachelor is none of those things. He is simply in the state he arrived in from his mother’s womb; an unmarried man. Too many men waste a tremendous amount of time because they are not sure what God wants."
http://www.6stonejars.com/index.cfm/2011/6/4/Confirmed-Bachelor-Why-Good-Men-Stay-Single
Now, I'm giving control to God in this department. I do not know if God desires for me to be married or have a consecrated single life. All I know is, "Christ is enough." I am simply trying to wait on His counsel for my life, for every vocation: relationship status, career, location, etc.
"Vocation does not come from a voice 'out there' calling me to become something I am not. It comes from a voice 'in here' calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God." Parker Palmer, Quaker minister
"The place that God calls us is that place where the world’s deep hunger and our own deep desire meet." Frederick Buechner, Protestant minister
Find God in all things and constantly work to gain freedom to cooperate with God's will.
Find God in all things
Besides church, the Bible, prayer or Christian groups, you can find God in:
1) Work
2) Difficult Relationships
3) In Our Failings
4) In Loneliness
5) In Pleasure
Examen of Consciousness:Finding God in All ThingsA POPULAR METHOD OF PRAYER FROM ST. IGNATIUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS
3 Minute Retreats
What am I called to become? I feel broken in many ways over the last few months. I'm realizing that I cannot keep growing as a Christian if I don't develop a regular prayer life. It's amazing that I've been able to last this far in my spiritual journey (10 years now as a Christian) without daily prayer. I've been praying before meals for most of those years, yet that's the only prayer I usually do.
During my first year of medical school, me and several other devote Christian medical students, made it our goal to get deeper into prayer. My thought has always been, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world (medical education, career, family, health, etc) and lose his soul?" I would rather fail out of medical school than let my spiritual life not grow. God has blessed me with academic success, yet I've been feeling a growing barrier in my relationship with God. I'm feeling as if my freedom to follow God's will is continually challenged and undermined.
My greatest challenge during that year of prayer was loneliness. I never learned how to fill my loneliness with God. Instead, I desired a spouse to fill it, thinking that if I would get married, my loneliness would disappear. This resulted in a lot of unnecessary pain and I'm still having a hard time seeing anything but my selfish will during my second year of medical school, although my loneliness was temporarily gone.
"Historically, the majority of people born into this world marry and have children. It is the default vocation of the natural order. Rare is the vocation to the priesthood, religious life or (even rarer) consecrated single life. The confirmed bachelor is none of those things. He is simply in the state he arrived in from his mother’s womb; an unmarried man. Too many men waste a tremendous amount of time because they are not sure what God wants."
http://www.6stonejars.com/index.cfm/2011/6/4/Confirmed-Bachelor-Why-Good-Men-Stay-Single
Now, I'm giving control to God in this department. I do not know if God desires for me to be married or have a consecrated single life. All I know is, "Christ is enough." I am simply trying to wait on His counsel for my life, for every vocation: relationship status, career, location, etc.
"Vocation does not come from a voice 'out there' calling me to become something I am not. It comes from a voice 'in here' calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God." Parker Palmer, Quaker minister
"The place that God calls us is that place where the world’s deep hunger and our own deep desire meet." Frederick Buechner, Protestant minister
Find God in all things and constantly work to gain freedom to cooperate with God's will.
Find God in all things
Besides church, the Bible, prayer or Christian groups, you can find God in:
1) Work
2) Difficult Relationships
3) In Our Failings
4) In Loneliness
5) In Pleasure
Examen of Consciousness:Finding God in All ThingsA POPULAR METHOD OF PRAYER FROM ST. IGNATIUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS
3 Minute Retreats
Monday, December 05, 2011
Organic
"Their grapes are filled with poison..." Deuteronomy 32:32
The Environmental Working Group [Harvard Healthwatch June 2003] urges consumers to consider buying organic versions of these fruits that have the Highest pesticide levels: "Peaches, apples, strawberries, nectarines, pears, cherries, red raspberries, imported grapes" and "Spinach, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, hot peppers".
Interestingly, these are also foods that harbor food-born infections in developing worlds: "Thin-skinned fruit (e.g. peaches) or fruit you cannot peel (e.g. berries and grapes), and Salsas and leafy green salads."
The Environmental Working Group [Harvard Healthwatch June 2003] urges consumers to consider buying organic versions of these fruits that have the Highest pesticide levels: "Peaches, apples, strawberries, nectarines, pears, cherries, red raspberries, imported grapes" and "Spinach, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, hot peppers".
Interestingly, these are also foods that harbor food-born infections in developing worlds: "Thin-skinned fruit (e.g. peaches) or fruit you cannot peel (e.g. berries and grapes), and Salsas and leafy green salads."
Heidi Kenney’s Dirty Dozen Cheat Sheet
On the other hand, lowest pesticide levels are in "Pineapples, plantains, mangoes, bananas, watermelons, plums, kiwi, blueberries, papaya, grapefruit" and "Avocados, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, radishes, broccoli, onions, okra, cabbages, eggplant." Fruits, nuts, and vegetables with thick skins or shells (such as cucumbers, peanuts in shells) that you remove or peel yourself are relatively safe to eat in developing countries.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Burns
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God." Job 19:25-26
Severe burns are a worldwide problem especially in rural areas. Aside from the immediate loss of life, the potential for long-term disability is great. In sub-Saharan Africa, young children under the age 15, lose seven times the number of productive years from fires than from war.
"He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:9-10
In South Asia, more years of healthy life are lost for people between the ages of 0-29 due to fire (burn injury) than from TB, malaria, or HIV/AIDs. In this region, as distinct from the rest of the developing world, women are disproportionally more affected than boys, with almost 72% of these burn injuries afflicting young girls and women.
Patient 1: A 3 year old boy who burned the palm of his hand over a year earlier when he grabbed a hot pot. The burn was not life-threatening, but due to lack of treatment, his fingers are now contracted and literally stuck into his palm- this child’s hand is essentially useless.
It doesn’t take fancy equipment or special skills to prevent these terrible outcomes.
Source: Practical Plastic Surgery
Severe burns are a worldwide problem especially in rural areas. Aside from the immediate loss of life, the potential for long-term disability is great. In sub-Saharan Africa, young children under the age 15, lose seven times the number of productive years from fires than from war.
"He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:9-10
In South Asia, more years of healthy life are lost for people between the ages of 0-29 due to fire (burn injury) than from TB, malaria, or HIV/AIDs. In this region, as distinct from the rest of the developing world, women are disproportionally more affected than boys, with almost 72% of these burn injuries afflicting young girls and women.
Patient 1: A 3 year old boy who burned the palm of his hand over a year earlier when he grabbed a hot pot. The burn was not life-threatening, but due to lack of treatment, his fingers are now contracted and literally stuck into his palm- this child’s hand is essentially useless.
It doesn’t take fancy equipment or special skills to prevent these terrible outcomes.
- Application of splints while the burn wounds are healing will help to prevent contractures. You want to keep the hand and fingers in neutral position (wrist in slight extension, MP joints in flexion, and IP joints straight).
- In addition, regular physical therapy during the healing process will keep the joints mobile. Encourage the patient/patient’s family to help them exercise their fingers several times a day.
- And particularly for burns that cross joint creases, early excision of the burned tissue followed by skin grafting can prevent or lessen the disability than can results from these injuries.
Source: Practical Plastic Surgery
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Simple Meals: Healthy Foods Under One Dollar
"They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig-tree, and no-one will make them afraid." Micah 4:3-4
"Having access to one’s own source of food and drink was, as it is today, a great source of security. Yet the image of every person with a vine or fig tree is not one solely of self-reliance. Vineyards and trees, more than other crops, require years and even decades to reach their full potential. Wars, which destroy homes and scatter families, and the threat of war make such long-term investments in a piece of land impossible. In addition, in order for everyone to have the ability to grow food, a community must share its resources—water, suitable soil, etc.—equitably. As it is today, an ideal food system is linked both symbolically and literally to much larger international and local relationships." Mennonite Central Committee: Simply in Season
I've heard some people say that it's expensive to eat healthy and cheap to eat junk/fast food. Not true! One serving:
1. Brown rice 10 cents – half cup
2. Pearl barley 12 cents – 2 ounces dry
3. Lentil 14 cents – 2 ounces dry
4. Oats 18 cents – half cup
5. Baby carrots 19 cents – half cup
6. Green peas 25 cents – half cup
7. Canned tomatoes 28 cents – half cup
8. Canned beans 28 cents – half cup
9. Egg (cage free) 30 cents
10. Organic milk 44 cents - 1 cup
11. Broccoli 45 cents – 1 cup
12. Banana 45 cents
13. Sweet potato 50 cents
14. Yogurt 60 cents – 8 ounce
15. Spinach (fresh) 80 cents – 1 cup
Source: Healthy Foods Under $1
Notice: Bread and wheat cereals are not included because they are NOT HEALTHY and highly processed. Oat and Barley are supreme! Also, dried beans are superior to canned beans (because of Bisphenol A [BPA] in canned food liners) if you have the time and foresight to cook them.
"Live simply, so others may simply live!"
"Having access to one’s own source of food and drink was, as it is today, a great source of security. Yet the image of every person with a vine or fig tree is not one solely of self-reliance. Vineyards and trees, more than other crops, require years and even decades to reach their full potential. Wars, which destroy homes and scatter families, and the threat of war make such long-term investments in a piece of land impossible. In addition, in order for everyone to have the ability to grow food, a community must share its resources—water, suitable soil, etc.—equitably. As it is today, an ideal food system is linked both symbolically and literally to much larger international and local relationships." Mennonite Central Committee: Simply in Season
I've heard some people say that it's expensive to eat healthy and cheap to eat junk/fast food. Not true! One serving:
1. Brown rice 10 cents – half cup
2. Pearl barley 12 cents – 2 ounces dry
3. Lentil 14 cents – 2 ounces dry
4. Oats 18 cents – half cup
5. Baby carrots 19 cents – half cup
6. Green peas 25 cents – half cup
7. Canned tomatoes 28 cents – half cup
8. Canned beans 28 cents – half cup
9. Egg (cage free) 30 cents
10. Organic milk 44 cents - 1 cup
11. Broccoli 45 cents – 1 cup
12. Banana 45 cents
13. Sweet potato 50 cents
14. Yogurt 60 cents – 8 ounce
15. Spinach (fresh) 80 cents – 1 cup
Source: Healthy Foods Under $1
Notice: Bread and wheat cereals are not included because they are NOT HEALTHY and highly processed. Oat and Barley are supreme! Also, dried beans are superior to canned beans (because of Bisphenol A [BPA] in canned food liners) if you have the time and foresight to cook them.
"Live simply, so others may simply live!"
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
History Repeats
Two years transpired since I last blogged. Medical school has dominated my life. I've been looking over my old posts. Some posts are fascinating and others embarassing. Actions are more powerful than words, so why waste time blogging?
"If some are still dominated by their former bad habits, and yet can teach by mere words, let them teach. For perhaps, being put to shame by their own words, they will eventually begin to practice what they teach. " - St. John of the Ladder
Instead of God dominating, bad habits dominate me. While my medical school journey has been successful by the World's standards, I could be glorifying Christ daily seventy times seven times more. Love, forgiveness and Jesus are replaced by vasa previa and late decelerations (ob/gyn rotation now). Obsessions about memorizing facts, "being a good doctor" and pleasing my superiors predominates. Hopefully my confessions will humble me to action!
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." John 6:21-24
My spark to proclaim Christ in the Wards and Clinics is dwindling. Several months ago I was organizing and doing spiritual care outreaches. Now, I am fearful of discussing faith because it would be seen as "a waste of time" and "slowing down efficiency." Doctors who work fast are venerated. The anti-spiritual culture is more powerful than I surmized. Fortunately, Christ Community Health in Memphis, Tennessee with Dr. Rick Donlon is like an oasis in the spiritual desert I find myself. I might be joining them next summer for a community/family medicine rotation for one month!!! :-)
"The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27
Specialities in medicine has been a stronghold instead of God for the past two years. I've listened to things like, "the waning interest in family medicine is likely due to several factors, including the lesser prestige associated with the specialty, the lesser pay, and the increasingly frustrating practice environment in the U.S." - Wikipedia. The lure of Anesthesiology caused me to overlook my call to humble family medicine. Dr. Rick Donlon helped me to see that last Spring, but I resisted it until last week.
"He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:28-31
"If some are still dominated by their former bad habits, and yet can teach by mere words, let them teach. For perhaps, being put to shame by their own words, they will eventually begin to practice what they teach. " - St. John of the Ladder
Instead of God dominating, bad habits dominate me. While my medical school journey has been successful by the World's standards, I could be glorifying Christ daily seventy times seven times more. Love, forgiveness and Jesus are replaced by vasa previa and late decelerations (ob/gyn rotation now). Obsessions about memorizing facts, "being a good doctor" and pleasing my superiors predominates. Hopefully my confessions will humble me to action!
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." John 6:21-24
My spark to proclaim Christ in the Wards and Clinics is dwindling. Several months ago I was organizing and doing spiritual care outreaches. Now, I am fearful of discussing faith because it would be seen as "a waste of time" and "slowing down efficiency." Doctors who work fast are venerated. The anti-spiritual culture is more powerful than I surmized. Fortunately, Christ Community Health in Memphis, Tennessee with Dr. Rick Donlon is like an oasis in the spiritual desert I find myself. I might be joining them next summer for a community/family medicine rotation for one month!!! :-)
"The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27
Specialities in medicine has been a stronghold instead of God for the past two years. I've listened to things like, "the waning interest in family medicine is likely due to several factors, including the lesser prestige associated with the specialty, the lesser pay, and the increasingly frustrating practice environment in the U.S." - Wikipedia. The lure of Anesthesiology caused me to overlook my call to humble family medicine. Dr. Rick Donlon helped me to see that last Spring, but I resisted it until last week.
"He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:28-31
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
I’ll be in the top 2.44% richest people in the world when I start working next year for NYCTF ($42,500 annual income).
$8 could buy you 15 organic apples OR 25 fruit trees for farmers in Honduras to grow and sell fruit at their local market.
$30 could buy you an ER DVD Boxset OR a First Aid kit for a village in Haiti.
$73 could buy you a new mobile phone OR a new mobile health clinic to care for AIDS orphans in Uganda.
$2400 could buy you a second generation High Definition TV OR schooling for an entire generation of school children in an Angolan village.
See how rich you are at globalrichlist.com.
Are wealthy Christians called to Relocation, Redistribution and Reconciliation? Do Christians follow Christ?
This entry was originally published at Interconnectedness
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