May-26 Imaging, if you will, a doctor who takes the time to listen to you. A doctor who does not rush you through the 10 minute appointment. A doctor who does more than run a few tests and prescribe a few pills. My friends, these doctors are few and far between. Now imagine one who makes house calls when it's necessary, one who give you her cell phone number, and actually answers it. Welcome to the small world of Concierge medicine. A parishioner at our church has created one such practice.Not just for the rich and famous, Concierge medicine is for those who, yes, can afford it, but also for those who want a higher standard of care.
For years I have seen a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. As students, they received much the same training as an MD. They also receive training in Osteopathic manipulation. My first experience with this was as summer camp many years ago. I suffer from sinus problems, and the camp was a great smorgasbord of allergens! The DO on staff massaged my eustacion tubes, telling me that they would clear in two days. Indeed they did. He explained that I could have taken a pill instead, but this was a more wholistic approach. Since then I saw many MD's, and received lots of pills, until I found a physician near my office in 1999. Not only is she a kind and caring doctor, she is unashamed about her Christian witness. The bad part is that over the years the healthcare association for which she works has forced into to the 10 minute model of practice. She has become an MD out of time contraints.
Dr. Robin Hall, DO, of Destination Health has created a practice that not only caters to the medical needs of her patients, but to their mental and spiritual needs as well. Not being under the oversight of a healthcare association, Dr. Hall s free to practice in her own style. Due to the limited number of patients, one can schedule an appoinment for the same day, have minimal wait time in the office, and receive all the personal attention needed. Also, as a DO, she is free to practice the Osteopathic manipulation, which cuts down on the medicine one might have to take. There are other benefits that make this a good choice for many people. Dr. Hall's office does not negotiate the fees with any insurance company, and therefore does not operate "in network" with any of them. She does, however, file all paperwork with your insurance company of "out of network" benefits.
I applaud Dr. Hall's vision of attentive, personalized healthcare in a world increasingly controlled by bean counters. 9/15/09 For we know that all things work for good for those who love the
Lord, and who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Does the Almighty, the creator of the universe, have time to influence
the little things in my life? Does every little thing that happens to
me have a purpose? If I am truly walking in the Spirit of God, will He
guide my feet along His path? I have found that the more I submit to
the Lord, and pray that he guide me, the more I see that things seem
to be under His influence. And it 's not just the big things either.
Even when I make a mess of things our heavenly Father has a way of
smoothing it over. Last Saturday, I double booked myself for two
important activities. While I fretted over which to cancel I got the
call that one was canceled when too many people called at the last
minute to cancel their attendance.
Just a few days ago I heard from a friend I had not talked to in
several years. I had been recounting one of my favorite stories about
how his daughter, then a toddler, had seen an angel in Laurie's
hospital room. He had not even heard the story! Now he wants to
rekindle our friendship, and he wants me to meet his son for the fist
time. If everything works for the good for those who love and serve
God, then it's everything, not just the big things or the little
things. Most people never find this out because they are afraid to
submit their will to God Almighty. We have submitted our wills,
brothers and sisters, and we are called to help others do the same. Do
you have a story to share that may help another to learn to submit to
the Lord? Write it down, tell it often, make it a part of your life,
then when the right time is at hand you will tell it to someone who is
searching for God. You might be that one person who helps the person
make a decision to follow Jesus, and when that happens the angels will
dance around the throne of God singing Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God
Almighty. And your joy will be overwhelming at the knowing that
another soul has been saved by our beautiful, wonderful Jesus.
God bless,
John+ 4/8/09 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were
wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble
birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise;
God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what
is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to
nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of
God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us
wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the
Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
It has been a long time since I have worshiped at St. Vincent's church.
The high walls and ceiling were filled with the sounds of the wonderful
organ, and the voices of a fine choir. The air was heavy with the smoke
of incense (...and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the
saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Rev 8:4) which
makes some folks cough, but not me. I breathe it in and savor the
smell! The procession of our clergy was grand, as they were dressed in
their white robes and red stoles. The bishops with their beautiful red
copes and tall miters followed them in. This was the annual Chrism mass
where the clergy renewed their ordination vows, and the bishop blessed
the sacramental oil for the year.
One of the bible readings was the one above from 1 Corinthians. Why did
God choose the weak, the foolish and the despised? I know lots of guys
who are successful at their careers. They own businesses, or practice
law, or are financial wizards. While they don't overtly boast about
their accomplishments, their life-style says it all. They are proud of
their expensive cars or motorcycles. They do boast that they don't need
anybody's help for their lives, and anyone who believes the myths of a
higher power or a god of some ancient and obsolete religion is a
hopeless emotional child. Some of my friends will occasionally draw
their ire by wishing them something as innocuous as Merry Christmas!
They seem to go out of their way to belittle Christians. Sometimes the
Christians will try to convince the humanists that God exists, and
wants to save them. The humanists just scoff and boast that they don't
need saving. I never get into these discussions because most of these
guys are really smarter than me. I do pray for them to have open ears
to the Good News, and I try to let my actions speak for my beliefs. If
asked about my testimony, I will gladly share it, though.
I have nothing to boast about, myself. For the first 50 years of my
life I had a lot of failures. I was weak and powerless over my desires.
I was not wise and made many poor decisions. I was foolish and
squandered the good things I was given. I was not truly grateful for my
riches. The second 50 years has started off much better with 3.5 years
of sobriety (10/9/2005). I prayed to Jesus to remove the urge to drink,
and he answered me. Now Jesus lives in my heart, and fills my life with
love for God and for my brothers and sisters. Now I want to share the
hope I have with others, and help them seek Jesus, too. I believe God
chose me for this reason, because I was weak and foolish, and have
nothing to boast about. I can only boast about what Jesus has done for
me. Nobody can argue with that!
God bless,
John | |