Suffering
End of year wisdom from Samuel’s calendar
Samuel took a stone and set it up, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’ Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and judged Israel in all those places. But he always returned…
Read More‘Fixing’ the Patient
The common experience during most medical training is the emphasis placed on diagnosis and treatment of illness, rather than understanding the way that illness moulds and changes the life of the patient. It is only after we spend some time with our patients that we appreciate the opportunity and privilege we have of sharing in…
Read MoreLooking death in the eye – reflections of a Christian doctor
Death is an infinite mystery. There are few who can speak of it in the first person and few accounts of those who have recovered from a confirmed diagnosis of clinical death. Billy Graham said, ‘I am convinced that only when a man is prepared to die is he also prepared to live.’ My personal…
Read MoreThe Wounded Healer
The term ‘wounded healer’ is thought to have originated in Greek mythology with the physician Asclepius, a Greek doctor who in recognition of his own wounds, established a sanctuary at Epidaurus where others could be healed of their wounds. In the twentieth century it was taken up by the Swiss psychoanalyst CG Jung and became one…
Read MoreReflections on a brother’s death
For those of us who have the privilege of serving others in the healthcare professions, we know that amid challenges and discouragements, even pandemics, there are times when patients transcend tribulation in ways that are instructive and touch our souls. I think back to clinic visits over the years with patients living with Trisomy 21,…
Read MoreWe are in a Peniel moment with God to be broken and made vulnerable
En français, español, русский, português The life of Jacob speaks much into our lives in this season. The part of his story that is particularly relevant to our days is the encounter at Peniel. A man who always wants to be in control of his life – scheming, planning and strategising to be upwardly mobile…
Read MoreTake up your cross and follow Jesus
En Français, Português ‘Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me…..For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”’ (Matthew 16:24-26) Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) was a Baptist missionary and the first American…
Read MoreTrusting God through difficulties – five keys to resilience and perseverance
En Français, Pусский, Português We all face difficulties in life. What is unique about the coronavirus pandemic is that we are all facing the same difficulty at the same time – although its effect on each one of us is different. But each family has its own story of illness – mental and physical, chronic…
Read MoreDon’t be afraid
En Français, Português ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.’ John 14:1 We are going through times when fear has invaded everyone, including some Christians. The fear generated by COVID-19 is another virus that is even more contagious and more virulent than COVID-19 itself. The psychosis it…
Read MoreBeing willing to suffer in obedience to Christ is our shared destiny with him
En français, Português ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ Luke 9:62 In 1519 Hernan Cortez set sail from Cuba on a bold mission to conquer Mexico. When they disembarked at Vera Cruz, he promptly ordered some of his 700 men to set fire to…
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