A Song in My Heart (Part II)

Since my musings from last week about the songs God's placed in my heart, I've discovered another 'singing doctor.' I was so excited when my cousin posted this video (link below) about a physician who's delivered some eight thousand babies and welcomes them into our world with a song. He does this to celebrate the miracle of life. 

"They're special. Each of them is an individual. When I'm singing to those babies I think that I'm singing to an important person. That's the credit I give to all of them," he says. "So to me, it's a wonderful thing in my hands, the miracle of life. And ... you forget about all the crises going on everywhere, for a moment, when you see that miracle of life in front of you."

God's blessings abound.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3, NKJV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.
James 1:17, NKJV

Watch this singing doctor here and smile!

Sing!
Dr Mari

Read Part I of A Song in My Heart here.

A Song in My Heart (Part I)

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.... He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." 

(Psalm 40:1-3)

As a young girl, I was blessed to worship at a little church that sat humbly at the foot of the street where I grew up. On Sunday mornings, I walked down the street with my neighbor to start the week there. All I knew at the time is that I was drawn to the stillness, the Eucharist, and the singing. In many ways, that little space was home.

One of God's greatest gifts to me has been to birth a song in my heart. At work, some call me the 'singing doctor,' which my choir conductor friend will surely find humorous. (Loving to sing is not the same as being gifted in singing! And please read the entire post for an important disclaimer below.) Still, it seems no matter what I experience in life, a song always emerges in my soul as a companion through trials and a reminder of God's presence until the storms subside.

As I reflect on years of trials and joys, so many songs stand out. Like the time my car was rear-ended while Roberto Arellana's song (Árbol Sin Raíces) blasted in my car. I remember getting hit and continuing to sing while getting out of the car. Praising God stilled me right when I needed it, as when Mary's Magnificat welcomed new life when I gave birth to my beautiful daughter. Angels heralded her arrival, and I knew it because of a song.

I remember a tough day months ago when it seemed every good thing I tried to do for my patients was met by walls of resistance. Out of the blue, a nurse stopped me in the hallway and shared a song she said I had to hear right then. So I stopped to listen to Great Are You Lord and joined their song of praise. A two-minute pause for a spiritual drink flooded my soul with God's presence, transforming my day.

It's Your breath in our lungs ... so we pour out our praise to You only, proclaims the song. Indeed, my praise belongs to the One who is always on time and whose love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

I've learned that praise is powerful. No matter what I face in life, I pray God's song will always emerge from my soul, lifting me into His presence where I may "be still and know" that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

And I pray the same for you.

God's Masterpiece in New Smyrna Beach, FL. © 2014, ASW

Sing!
Dr Mari

By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life. 

(Psalm 42:8)

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

(Zephaniah 3:17, NKJV)

I took the photo this summer in New Smyrna Beach, Florida — the most breathtaking sunrise I've ever seen.

Human Physician Disclaimer: I wish I could say I'm always the 'singing doctor.' I'm a work in progress, though I sing much more than I used to (and less today than I will tomorrow!). I owe much of my joy at work to the wonderful people God continues to place around me. My teams (and my patients) are a tremendous blessing.

To hear a singing doctor welcoming babies into our world, read Part II of A Song in My Heart. (Don't worry ... it's not me! This one can sing.)

For a related story, see God's Song.

Hope for Today: Inherit the Promise

I recently wrote a study of the book of Hebrews. While researching and reading before the writing phase, I recognized the recurring theme of perseverance weaved throughout the book. This has also become a recurring theme in my life and, indeed, it is a critical element in the life of every Christian living intentionally for God.

In Hebrews 6:12, the author writes, "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." These words call believers to hold on to what they know, letting nothing shake the foundation of their faith, advancing from spiritual milk to the solid food needed to mature in Christ. Laziness and complacency are our spiritual enemies, but faith and patient endurance are friends on our journey to inherit God's promises.

As Christians, we face the danger of staying stuck in the information phase of our faith — knowledge without fruit. Learning is essential, but if we don't apply what we learn, our lives will not bear fruit for God's kingdom. We may even become puffed up by our knowledge when our lives are starving for a gospel that's alive in us and revealed in the world through our actions.

We have no better example of persevering, active faith than Jesus. Sent to rescue the world from the power of sin and death, he was misunderstood, mocked, and killed. But betrayal didn't stop him. Rejection didn't discourage him. Threats did not diminish him or his resolve. Why? Jesus knew and lived by the truth. He knew who sent him. He knew his creation. And he knew who he was.

Jesus' sense of mission, abiding communion with his Father, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit grounded him completely. Jesus stood firm. Nothing could sway him.

I want that perseverance. I want that certainty. I want that determination. And the good news is that I can have it. We can have it. But, to attain it, we must do as Jesus did. We must claim our identity in God and find our purpose there. We must stay in communion with Jesus, the way to the Father. And we must live filled by the Spirit who gives us the power to live for Jesus.

Lake Gem at Canterbury Retreat Center, a sacred space.

Ponder with me: Am I still sipping spiritual milk or have I moved on to solid food? Am I puffed up and immobilized by knowledge without relationship?

Lord Jesus, help me mature through a relationship with You, that I may not shrink back when life gets tough but continue to believe and trust You, my Savior and my Lord.

Persevere!
Dr Mari

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

For more on perseverance, read Adversity's Gift: Perseverance and Second Chances: Heaven's Heart.

I wrote and published a version of this post in The Journey, a quarterly publication of Bible Reading Fellowship. 

Living on Mission: Compassion Trumps Fear (Part III)

This week, a human story of compassion and faith winning over fear captured my heart. In the midst of a terrifying outbreak of Ebola virus, Dr. Kent Brantly felt called to Liberia to treat patients with this infection with a mortality rate as high as 60 - 90%. While caring for people with the disease, Dr. Brantly became infected and quarantined himself. After initially insisting that the only available experimental serum be given to an infected colleague (they ended up both receiving the medication), Dr. Brantly arrived on US soil for treatment at a special unit at Emory Hospital in Atlanta.

Transported under meticulous infection control procedures all the way from West Africa, he surprised the world by walking out of the ambulance in a body suit before entering the hospital. Though still critically ill, he seems to be improving while thousands continue to pray for him all over the globe.

This 33 year-old physician, husband, and father of two children (ages 3 and 5) works for Samaritan's Purse, an organization that provides food, water, shelter, medicine, and other assistance throughout the world in the name of Christ. Dr. Brantly was drawn to mission work since youth and wanted to be a missionary even before becoming a doctor. He is a member of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations.

Please join me in praying for this selfless young doctor.

Lord, I thank You for drawing people to know and follow You. I thank You for giving Dr. Kent Brantly a heart of service and compassion. I pray that his health will be completely restored and that, through his illness, a cure may be found for the hundreds of people infected with this virus. I pray, Lord Jesus, that Your Name will be exalted through this doctor's suffering and that many people will come to know You through him. I also pray for his wife and children, for all people infected with this virus, and for every healthcare professional caring for him and others with this infection.

Kent Bradley is a beautiful example of courageously walking with Jesus in healthcare. What a witness! Please keep him in your prayers.

In Hope,
Dr Mari

For Parts I and II of this series on mission, see Living on Mission: What's That All About? and Living on Mission: A Look Back.

UPDATE, August 15, 2014: Follow this link to an update of Dr. Brantly's progress. As he recovers, he continues to thank God for His mercy and is grateful for the excellent care he's received.