August 26, 2018

Focus this week on 

CHRISTIAN LIFE

For

Acts 1:8 NIV

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August 19, 2018 - Memory verse

Focus this week on the

CHRISTIAN LIFE

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

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Missions in Africa

Monday, August 13, 2018

I had the opportunity to hear Jenny York, a nursing student at Western Kentucky University, talk about her summer mission trip to the Congo last night. It was amazing. She went to a VERY remote area deep in the jungle to assist at the Pioneer Christian Hospital. 

She was privileged to help deliver a baby while she was there — a highlight for her. But she also witnessed first hand the amputation of the leg of a six year old due to a traumatic injury. Leprosy, yellow fever, and malaria are common in this area of the world. So Jenny got invaluable experience working with patients with those diseases. 

I was thrilled to hear all the ways God provided for Jenny and for her hospital while she was gone and even after her return. I hope you will take the time to watch this video clip from our local tv station. 

https://www.facebook.com/WBONTV/videos/416310682224901/

If you are interested in contributing to the hospital financially, here is the link to do that. 

Pioneer Christian Hospital donation site

(Add your donation amount, press “give,” click on “add instructions to finance office,” add the  phrase, “for Poor Fund Pioneer Christian Hospital,” and continue to provide your information.)

Keep in mind that just 20 cents can provide the medication necessary to save a life from malaria. Imagine what $20 could do. 

Thank you, Jenny, for answering God’s call to the Republic of Congo. He used you well. 

August 12, 2018 - Memory Verse

Focus this week on the 

CHRISTIAN LIFE

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, 

joy peace, forbearance,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Pero el fruto del Espíritu es amor,

gozo, paz, paciencia, 

benignidad, bondad, fidelidad, mansedumbre, dominio propio; 

contra tales visas no hay ley. 

‭‭ Gálatas 5:22-23 NBLH

People who align themselves with God become very aware of His characteristics. We should strive to be like Him. 

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Steel Magnolia

Saturday, August 11, 2018

by Patience (aka “my Alpha”)

In August of 2005, there came a great storm along our southern states. It destroyed many communities and displaced countless families, leaving approximately 1500 people dead in its wake. 

We watched the video footage from the storm-ravaged region in horror. Sheer devastation. Houses marked with a red spray-painted “X” to indicated no one was there to be evacuated. Whole neighborhoods were later torn down because of the overwhelming and irreparable destruction. 

One really good thing came from this storm: Maggie. She was found somewhere along the Mississippi gulf coast and crated northward along with multiple other displaced dogs. One thing led to another and she ended up on a farm outside of Lexington. She was thin. She was frightened. She was withdrawn. And she was precious. 

Lizzie and I brought this Hurricane Katrina dog home in November 2005 and she changed our lives. 

At first she was so reserved that I thought she might be deaf. I began to wonder what was going on in her head. If she could talk, what could she tell us? Do our accents sound different than her owners’ in southern Mississippi? Does inland air smell different?  What does post-traumatic stress disorder look like in a dog? What had she done to survive this ordeal? Does she have nightmares about it? Would she ever be happy again?

Because she was found in Mississippi (the Magnolia State) and she had exhibited such fortitude to survive, I named her Steel Magnolia. Over time I watched her bud open up and become a beautiful blossom. 

I would never know the answers to my questions about her ordeal. But my imagination could fill in the gaps. So it did. And with that, the concept for “Magnolia Blossoms” was born — a children’s book written from Maggie’s perspective about her new life and the characters in it. 

Steel Magnolia was the perfect name for this girl. She was so strong physically and mentally. And, although she was a mixed breed and not necessarily the most beautiful dog in the world, she truly blossomed in her new environment. She loved us and we loved her. 

Unfortunately, just like the Magnolia in our side yard, Maggie began to fade over time and we laid her to rest in March of 2015. She had placed her mark on our lives and we will be forever thankful that she bloomed here with us. 

Your Name

Friday, August 10, 2018

Do you recognize the names Monet, Edison, Einstein, Dickens and Jordan? These are people who might be recognized for their contributions in art, inventions, science, literature and sports. 

Do you recognize the name Nave? If you know my family you’ll know that is my father’s name. What was he known for?

• education (he was a professor at WKU)
• woodworking 
• calligraphy 
• family
• hard work
• benevolence
• kindness
• spiritual insight

Most of all, Daddy was a man of his word. He was highly respected in his family, his church, and his community. He taught me the value of building a good reputation and protecting it — of living every day with determination to honor our Heavenly Father. 

I am who I am because of my daddy — genetically, spiritually, socially, etc. He always helped me have a good perspective on life. I hope I will always bring honor to his name. 

Father, thank you for my daddy. Thank you that he always sought to glorify you. I pray that above all, I will always honor your name and make you proud. 

Adonai

Thursday, August 9, 2018

I think names are so interesting. I love learning about the origins of people’s names  — partly because my own name has a history. And I especially love it when a name has a meaning which fits the person’s character. We see such names all through the Bible. 

In the Old Testament and in the Jewish Torah, the Hebrew word for God is translated as “YHWH.” You’ve probably seen it further written out as “Yahweh.” For the Hebrews, this word was holy. It encapsulated the essence of God and therefore was not to be spoken. 

When the Torah was read aloud and the reader came to this name (YHWH), he automatically substituted the word “Adonai” for it. And if a Hebrew wanted to speak about God with someone else, he used yet a different term like “HaShem.”

I don’t know how many names there are in the Bible for God. But they all have something to do with His character. 

Adonai = LORD

HaShem = The Name

El Shaddai = God Almighty

Elohim = plural word meaning power and strength and referring to the Trinity

El Roi = God is Shepherd

Jehovah Jira = the Lord will provide 

We can call on Him using any of these names. He hears us. We should give our Creator ultimate respect when we call on Him. He alone is worthy of that kind of awe. 

Respect the Name

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

I have been blessed to have a unique name: Patience. I was named after my mother. She was named for her aunt. And I guess before that it was fairly common along with Prudence and Constance and Chastity and the like. 

I had something interesting happen to me at work several years ago. There was a young pharmacist working with me one evening and every so often he would say my name. I would look up from my work and answer him. “Oh, nothing.” His reply indicated that he was just playing with me and enjoyed saying my name. He continued this for quite some time. And each time I would look up to see what he wanted. 

Before he went home I took the time to share something with him. It went something like this:

You have taught me something tonight. This must be how God feels when we call His name without thinking. He hears us and looks up from what He is doing. “Yes, my child,” He says to us. And if we hear Him, we just dismiss Him with, “oh, nothing.”

Now whenever I hear people say, “Oh, my God,” I always think about this. It must really grieve Him that His Name is nothing more than punctuation for us. 

Shouldn’t it mean so much more than that?

Shouldn’t we show Him a little (or a lot) more respect than that?

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Father, show us when we use your Name frivolously. Convict us of this wrong. And help us to show you much more respect. 

Name-Calling

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

I don’t like it in a car. 

I don’t like it near or far. 

It comes from people everywhere. 

On news tv and in town square. 

They bully people on the bus. 

They call them names and make a fuss. 

I do not like it from the top. 

I do not like it. Make it stop. 

What good it does I do not know. 

The hatred only wants to grow. 

I do not like it. No, I don’t. 

So I won’t do it. No, I won’t. 

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

According to Merriam Webster, deride is a verb with the following meanings:

• to laugh at or insult contemptuously
• to subject to usually bitter or contemptuous ridicule or criticism
• to express a lack of respect for or approval of

Apparently we are senseless. 

We need more understanding. 

Seems like we should go back to what our grandparents told us. 

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

To Blog or Not to Blog

Monday, August 6, 2018

To blog or not to blog. 

That is the question. 

It has been two years since I started posting every day on my blog. I think I’ve only missed something like five days. 

I’ve gotten into a bit of a routine for writing. Sometimes it’s a bit hard and other times it just flows. 

In reflecting about these two years I’ve asked myself several questions. 

• Have I grown personally as a result?
• Have I blessed anybody in the process?
• Have I made the Father proud?
• How long should I do this?
• Would God want me to keep at it?
• Would it be okay with Him if I stopped?
• Would it be a good idea for me to stop or to cut back?

I know the answers to some but not all of these questions. I guess it’s a good idea every once in awhile to assess where you’ve been and where you’re going. 

Do you have any suggestions or words of wisdom for me? 

Lord, show me what to do. May you be glorified through me. 

August 5, 2018 - Memory Verse

Focus this week on the 

CHRISTIAN LIFE

Dear friends, let us love one another,

for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God,

because God is love

I John 4:7-8 NIV

Amados, amémonos ynos a otros,

porque el amor es de Dios,

y todo el que ama es nacido de 

Dios y conoce a Dios. 

El que no ama no conoce a Dios, 

porque Dios es amor. 

‭‭1 Juan‬ ‭4:7-8‬ ‭NBLH‬‬

Love is such an interesting thing. 

Some people are easy to love. 

Others — not so much. 

But God loves each and every one of us — from the innocent newborn to the most hardened criminal. 

And if He can show that kind of impartiality, then we should, too. 

Lord, help us consciously choose to love. 

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The Greatest “Invention”

Saturday, August 4, 2018

I’ve spent the week talking about monumental inventions. Today I want to look at the invention of all inventions — or in this case, the creation of all creations. 

What is it?

hubpages.com

The Great Barrier Reef? 

No. 

tripsavvy.com

The Grand Canyon?

No. 

cntraveler.com

Mt. Everest?

No. 

wellnesstransformations.com

The Universe?

No. 

The greatest, most complicated, most detailed, most expensive creation is . . . 

mindamuse.com

US!

The Scripture says that before we were born, God formed us in the womb and knew us. Jeremiah 1:5

He made us in His own image. Genesis 1:27

All the physicians and researchers in the world have yet to really figure out our brains and hearts and immune systems, etc, because we are so intricately formed. 

And we are by far the most expensive of God’s creations. His son, Jesus, paid for us with His own life. It doesn’t get any more costly than that. 

The coolest thing about God, our Creator, is that He wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us. That’s amazing. We can talk with the God of the Universe any time — any where. He loves that communion. He loves us. 

Thank you, Lord, for creating us and for loving us like you do. 

The Internet

Friday, August 3, 2018

Who invented the Internet?
According to the History Channel and the Encyclopedia Britannica, Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn are credited with putting together the computer protocols and systems in 1983 that we now call the Internet. In 1990 the Worldwide Web was born -- thanks to Tim Berners-Lee.

It's funny. I have no idea what the "web" really is or how it works. I just know that it is always there waiting for me every day.

Here is an interesting list of the top 10 uses of the Internet in 1995:

• e-mail
• research
• downloading files
• discussion groups
• interactive games
• education and self-improvement
• friendship and dating
• electronic newspapers and magazines
• job-hunting
• shopping

What do you think the top ten uses for it would be today? Presidential tweets? Snapchat? The compulsive need to share every mundane moment of our day with the world?

• perpetual learning
• increase the speed and efficiency of daily tasks
• GPS (maps, directions, weather, location services)
• business promotion and innovation
• shopping, reservations
• worldwide business communication
• social connectivity
• money management (on-line banking etc)
• cashless economy
• entertainment (movies, shows, music, games, books)

Good or bad, the Internet has rocked the world. Our Mexico missions team texted me last week about something they found at a market. I responded immediately. How cool is that? 

I can tract the weather, locate my child, and watch my fur babies while I'm at work. 

I can check the contents of my refrigerator and order my groceries while reclining on my couch.

I can look at patient charts from anywhere in the hospital or at home or at the beach. 

 

How did we ever survive without it?

nation.com.pk

Penicillin

Thursday, August 2, 2018

This week we are looking at monumental inventions. Today I am focusing on medications since that's what I do every day as a pharmacist. I did a little research as I asked the question, "what are the most important medication discoveries?" There are quite a few that have far-reaching significance.

PENICILLIN
When I was a kid, we used to joke about the mold growing on our week-old loaf of bread as being penicillin. Well, it's quite possible that it was. 

theconversation.com

In 1928, Alexander Fleming returned to his laboratory from a trip and found penicillium notatum taking up residence in some open petrie dishes. Interestingly, some of these culture dishes also had contained staphylococcal bacteria. Fleming found that the mold had killed the staph. Hm.

One thing lead to another and within a few years, we had our first penicillins ready for consumption.

To say that this was a monumental find would be an understatement. Did you know that many of the deaths in war times were not from injuries but from bacterial illnesses? In World War I, it is estimated that 15-20% of soldiers died from bacterial pneumonia. That statistic was cut to less than 1% for World War II, thanks to penicillin.

Since its discovery, countless penicillin derivatives have been developed. And who knows how many lives have been spared because of these medications. I read one article that suggested that perhaps 75% of today's population would not exist because an ancestor would have succumbed to infection were it not for penicillin. That's mind boggling.

VACCINES
I can't even imagine the fear of coming down with polio -- or smallpox. Now we inoculate our children against multiple diseases and don't even think about it much less fear the diseases. Have you ever had the measles? Mumps? Rubella? Tetanus? Diphtheria? Shingles? Anthrax? Cholera? My grandchildren will never have to worry about these diseases in their lifetimes. 

INSULIN
Diabetes care altogether has come a long way over time. But the initial use of insulin from cows and pigs revolutionized patient care and decreased the incidence of death or complications from the disease. 

HIV MEDICATIONS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus took the world by storm in the 1980s. The death rate spiraled out of control. Very quickly we developed protease inhibitors and other anti-virals that we were able to use to put the progression of the disease in check. Thankfully many who are diagnosed with this disease today can live fruitful lives by using these agents to keep it under control.

ASPIRIN and MORPHINE
So many medications have been formulated from these two pain killers. They are used to treat arthritis, cardiac disease, minor aches, and major pains. When used properly, they can make life bearable for so many people.

ANESTHESIA GASES
I think it is safe to say that surgical advances would not have been made possible if William Thomas Green Morton had not first demonstrated the use of ether as an anesthetic for a dental procedure back in 1846. Thankfully, ether has been replaced by much less flammable and safer agents.

CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS
Now this is a broad category. Did you know that the first chemotherapy agents were derived from mustard gas? That's scary. It wasn't until the 1990's that more specific and beneficial cancer meds really started gaining traction? Now there are medications that are considered targeted therapy that hone right in on the cancer cells and wipe them out. 

As you can tell, I could probably talk about medications for two or three weeks because I find this stuff to be pretty interesting. Think about it. Where would we be -- or would we even "be" -- if these meds had never been discovered?  

Industrial Age

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

In thinking about all the really significant inventions that changed our world, I thought about the compass, the printing press, the combustion engine, the lightbulb, the telephone, the airplane, etc. These machines took me then to the age of the Industrial Revolution from somewhere around 1760 to 1830. So many devices were created during this time period that I find it hard to pick out one of them and say that it shaped the world more than another.

So here is an interesting list of years, inventors, and their creations during the Industrial Age. As you read through the list, think about how different our world would be if these men had not been born or if they had not followed their imaginations.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spinning_jenny.jpg

1764 James Hargreaves - The Spinning Jenny
1775 James Watt - steam engine
1775 Samuel Crompton - the Spinning Mule
1784 Henry Cort - puddling process for mass production of wrought iron
1791 John Barber - gas turbine
1792 William Murdoch - commercial gas lighting
1794 Thomas Mead - gas engine
1794 Robert Street - internal combustion engine
1794 Eli Whitney - the cotton engine (or gin, for short)
1798 John Stevens - American internal combustion engine
1802 - William Cruickshank - mass production of the battery
1802 Humphry Davy - first electric arc lamp
1804 - Richard Trevithick and George Stephenson - locomotive revolution
1810 Peter Durand - the tin can

       (123rf.com)

1816 John McAdam - modern road building technique
1824 Joseph Aspdin - Portland Cement
1826 John Walker - modern friction match
1827 Joseph Nicéphore Niépce - first camera image
1829 William Austin Burt - typewriter
1830 Samuel Morse - telegraph

Later in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was awarded the patent for the electric telephone.
Between 1802 and 1879, 20 or more inventors worked on producing a functional, practical light bulb.
Thomas Edison is credited for inventing the incandescent light in 1879.

original carbon-filament bulb by Thomas Edison (www.bulbs.com)

One thing comes to mind as I look at all these machines and devices. God made the man and gave him his intelligence, curiosity, talent, and drive. Man used these gifts to invent.