God breathed the life into me; it was so sweet to be,
It was early spring; with earth refreshed; he wished for me to see.
The beauty was so stunning; the breath he gave fell still;
His work with me not over; my cup was yet to fill.
He guided me with his own hand; sometimes I would let go;
He let me fall; then pick me up; he knew I had to grow.
There were mountains that stood to block my view; or so it seemed to me,
I must look beneath the surface; my heart it holds the key.
The flowers bloom in springtime; yet fade at summers’ end,
Only to renew for those with faith; the flaws his hand will mend.
He showed me love and caring; and there were times I’d turn away;
He’d reappear at oft times, and I knew I must not stray.
If I have to leave in springtime; what better time to go;
With earth refreshed; my work well done; leaving seeds to sow.
I’ll breathe new breath; such peace I’ll find; mere words cannot attain,
Love and beauty all around; releasing all life’s pain.
I don’t want to leave in springtime; but if my world must end,
I’ll wish your journey very blessed; as my gardens you now tend.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
That slippery slope
Today I attended a conference on Palliative Care. The speakers centered on the subjects concerning ethical decision making, euthanasia and the like. I find it so upsetting to see how our culture is moving. We are not so far removed from the way of the Netherlands. There, you can remove life, young or old with the stroke of a pen. The reason doesn't seem to have to be all that convincing. "Suffering" is such an open term. The bioethical discussion and debates that took place today have all of the mappings towards a culture of death. We are so concerned with the patient autonomy (which is important) that we find ourselves rationalizing what is a good quality of life. What type of life is meaningful? Are we wanted? Are we valued?
I also found it interesting some of the vendor displays that were at the conference. There was quite an array of books from a London bookstore. They were all books concerning themselves with Palliative Care. Among the dozens of books, I could not find a single one that had a Christian theme or author. There were many New Age books on finding your inner self, or inner peace. There was also one book "How To Pray Without Being Religious". My question is, who are they supposed to pray to? Perhaps they pray to themselves or a statue or a pet. Who knows. New Age seems to be a common theme in health care and particularly in palliative care. We know that a spiritual search is within all of us. We all long to find what it is that fills the hole in our lives. When I think of these books, I feel like they are just covers filled with emptiness. There will never be peace if the advice is adhered to. If there is a sense of some peace, it will be short lived and will certainly prove itself when a person's life on this earth is over and they pass into eternity.
I do believe these authors and promoters will be called to answer for leading so many into dead end streets. We need to speak for Christ in word and in deed. People must be respected for their belief that they may have, but we need to be alert to the call of the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth of God's love for them. He loved us all so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son, so that we could live with Him forever.
I also found it interesting some of the vendor displays that were at the conference. There was quite an array of books from a London bookstore. They were all books concerning themselves with Palliative Care. Among the dozens of books, I could not find a single one that had a Christian theme or author. There were many New Age books on finding your inner self, or inner peace. There was also one book "How To Pray Without Being Religious". My question is, who are they supposed to pray to? Perhaps they pray to themselves or a statue or a pet. Who knows. New Age seems to be a common theme in health care and particularly in palliative care. We know that a spiritual search is within all of us. We all long to find what it is that fills the hole in our lives. When I think of these books, I feel like they are just covers filled with emptiness. There will never be peace if the advice is adhered to. If there is a sense of some peace, it will be short lived and will certainly prove itself when a person's life on this earth is over and they pass into eternity.
I do believe these authors and promoters will be called to answer for leading so many into dead end streets. We need to speak for Christ in word and in deed. People must be respected for their belief that they may have, but we need to be alert to the call of the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth of God's love for them. He loved us all so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son, so that we could live with Him forever.
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