These questions happened during recent conversations with the Yellow House ladies and between Beth and I.
#1. Why is it that when God answers the prayer I've been begging for him to answer, I immediately forget and move on to the next thing I think I need?
Blast this wretched human insatiability. Lately I've really been trying to a) recognize that I'm doing this, b) repent of my ungratefulness, and c) dwell more in thankfulness for all the amazing blessings I've been given. And seriously, there's a LOT of blessings! Tonight at YH every one of us began with a list of blessings, a bundle of blessings, if you will. Dwell in thankfulness. Dwell. Abide. Thanksgiving. Joy.
#2. (paraphrased from the question asked by Nicole) Why don't we do the things we know will make us feel better, be healthier, and overall put us in a better physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional state?
Such as go to bed at a decent hour, get out of bed when we know we should, take our vitamins, eat healthy things, exercise, take time to spend with God everyday, etc. Ugh. Why do we make this so hard when it's so easy (or at least simple)? Goal this week: take one (or more, we'll see how the week goes :) )of these things and make it more of a habit, because it's good for me and about time that I was a little more disciplined.
Showing posts with label priorities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label priorities. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
People vs. Ideas
Along the top of my gmail inbox, there are random things that pop up everyday. Sometimes it's an advertisement, sometimes a CNN or ESPN news clip... a few days ago, it was a quote:
Now, Marie was a pretty smart lady and one heck of a scientist. I keep going back and forth on whether I agree with this quote or not. I do and I don't. Here are a few of my thoughts...
The first thing that pops into my mind is gossip and nosiness. Why is it that as humans we want to know everyone's business? If we took all the energy that we spend worrying about who's dating whom or who made what mistake, and instead fueled it into ideas... innovation, technology, theology, science... then would we make more progress? Possibly.
Another application that is near and dear to my heart is, of course, science. We're researchers. We want to find answers, solutions, ways to make life better for those around us and future generations. However, I think sometimes we think too big to begin with. For instance, we want to develop a vaccine for a virus; this vaccine could save thousands of lives. Great. But it's not beneficial to start there, with the human application. Before we can even begin to figure out how to make an effective vaccine, we need to know how the virus works, how it enters, how it replicates, how it is transmitted. If we don't know this information, not only can we not make an effective vaccine, but we could make the problem a lot worse. For example, Dengue virus has four serotypes. If you get one type of Dengue, you'll get those Dengue fever and probably recover from it, but if in the future you get one of the other three, you'll end up developing Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever which is fatal. So if you get vaccinated for 1 serotype, your basically primed for death if you get one of the other three. It's important that we learn about the details, before we deal with the people. (I'm an advocate of applied science, but I think pure science is just as important.)
Those are two examples in which I agree with Marie, but there's also something to be said for the opposition. What's the point? Why are we here? Last Sunday Pastor Bob spoke about the two greatest commandments. Our first priority: Love God. Our second: Love each other. The second greatest commandment is all about people. We need to put down our agendas, goals, and motives, and just care about each other. Ideas have there place, but people should be more important. I've mentioned this before, but I feel as though this was hammered home to me over break. I was back early, prepared to get a lot accomplished in the lab before the semester began. It was lonely. No one was around, even the lab was pretty vacant. And ironically, I wasn't very productive. Now that everyone's back I feel as though a missing piece has been added back. I tend to get selfish and somewhat self-centered when I'm by myself for too long. It's great to have people to care about and take care of (hello, two) and who care about and take care of me too.
So, Marie, I agree and I disagree. Bottom line, people and ideas are both important, but don't forget to balance it out.
"Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas." --Marie Curie
Now, Marie was a pretty smart lady and one heck of a scientist. I keep going back and forth on whether I agree with this quote or not. I do and I don't. Here are a few of my thoughts...
The first thing that pops into my mind is gossip and nosiness. Why is it that as humans we want to know everyone's business? If we took all the energy that we spend worrying about who's dating whom or who made what mistake, and instead fueled it into ideas... innovation, technology, theology, science... then would we make more progress? Possibly.
Another application that is near and dear to my heart is, of course, science. We're researchers. We want to find answers, solutions, ways to make life better for those around us and future generations. However, I think sometimes we think too big to begin with. For instance, we want to develop a vaccine for a virus; this vaccine could save thousands of lives. Great. But it's not beneficial to start there, with the human application. Before we can even begin to figure out how to make an effective vaccine, we need to know how the virus works, how it enters, how it replicates, how it is transmitted. If we don't know this information, not only can we not make an effective vaccine, but we could make the problem a lot worse. For example, Dengue virus has four serotypes. If you get one type of Dengue, you'll get those Dengue fever and probably recover from it, but if in the future you get one of the other three, you'll end up developing Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever which is fatal. So if you get vaccinated for 1 serotype, your basically primed for death if you get one of the other three. It's important that we learn about the details, before we deal with the people. (I'm an advocate of applied science, but I think pure science is just as important.)
Those are two examples in which I agree with Marie, but there's also something to be said for the opposition. What's the point? Why are we here? Last Sunday Pastor Bob spoke about the two greatest commandments. Our first priority: Love God. Our second: Love each other. The second greatest commandment is all about people. We need to put down our agendas, goals, and motives, and just care about each other. Ideas have there place, but people should be more important. I've mentioned this before, but I feel as though this was hammered home to me over break. I was back early, prepared to get a lot accomplished in the lab before the semester began. It was lonely. No one was around, even the lab was pretty vacant. And ironically, I wasn't very productive. Now that everyone's back I feel as though a missing piece has been added back. I tend to get selfish and somewhat self-centered when I'm by myself for too long. It's great to have people to care about and take care of (hello, two) and who care about and take care of me too.
So, Marie, I agree and I disagree. Bottom line, people and ideas are both important, but don't forget to balance it out.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Conflict of Interest
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. --1 Timothy 6:10
We all know the trouble that money can cause. The Bible obviously tells us to be cautious of money. But oh, how easy it is to forget. Tonight I went to a meeting about the pharmaceutical industry. The focus of this meeting had nothing to do with money; it actually consisted of 4 IU bio alumi who currently work for companies such as Cook, Baxter, and Eli Lilly, all discussing how they came to work in pharmaceuticals. It was very informational and I am assured that the kind of job I would like to have after school actually exists!
One of the speakers talked about different aspects of pharmaceutical business including ethics. During part of his presentation he gave us a couple of situations that were conflicts of interest. He then proceeded to tell us about some of the regulation that is required in industry to ensure that these problems are dealt with ethically. One situation he gave us was that of a doctor. This hypothetical doctor is paid through a "fee for service" process. In this case, he gets paid per patient per procedure instead of a salary. Now, the job of a doctor is to take care and try to improve a patient's health. It is fair to say that a doctor's job relies on sickness and disease. When you add in the "fee for service" aspect, there is potential for problems. Where do the doctor's priorities lie now? Does he put the patient first and give them the best health care possible at any given time? Or does the love of making more money take over? Conflict of interest. One would hope that a doctor's priority would lie with the patient. My optimistic side assumes that this is the case with most doctors--that they truly care for their patient's well-being. However, I have no doubt that making money is the draw for some doctors.
Health care brings up some very real issues regarding the evils of money--the one mentioned above being one of them. Another interesting aspect is that of pharmaceutical drugs (also brought up by this speaker.) There is sickness and disease in the world. Scientists and doctors have found ways to treat and cure many problems. Treatment (surgeries, medicine, etc.) cost money. Companies that produce these products have costs to deal with and also have to make a profit in order to stay in business. Where do you draw the line here? Our dream is to help those that are ailing. Reality is that everything costs something. How do we maintain the right priorities (people before money) while still being realistic? I don't have an answer. Something to think about.
In life in general, I think the main way to do this is to keep our eyes on the real prize.
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. --Matthew 6:24
If we are relying fully on God, then money becomes less important. We aren't attached to material things here on earth. After all, you can't take it with you.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. --Matthew 6:19-21
I think complete trust in God to fulfill our needs is the only way to truly dissolve the hold that money has on us.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6: 31-33
Take home point(s): Don't rely on money. Do not make it a top priority. Make heavenly things your treasure. Trust God to supply your needs.
Easier said than done, right?
We all know the trouble that money can cause. The Bible obviously tells us to be cautious of money. But oh, how easy it is to forget. Tonight I went to a meeting about the pharmaceutical industry. The focus of this meeting had nothing to do with money; it actually consisted of 4 IU bio alumi who currently work for companies such as Cook, Baxter, and Eli Lilly, all discussing how they came to work in pharmaceuticals. It was very informational and I am assured that the kind of job I would like to have after school actually exists!
One of the speakers talked about different aspects of pharmaceutical business including ethics. During part of his presentation he gave us a couple of situations that were conflicts of interest. He then proceeded to tell us about some of the regulation that is required in industry to ensure that these problems are dealt with ethically. One situation he gave us was that of a doctor. This hypothetical doctor is paid through a "fee for service" process. In this case, he gets paid per patient per procedure instead of a salary. Now, the job of a doctor is to take care and try to improve a patient's health. It is fair to say that a doctor's job relies on sickness and disease. When you add in the "fee for service" aspect, there is potential for problems. Where do the doctor's priorities lie now? Does he put the patient first and give them the best health care possible at any given time? Or does the love of making more money take over? Conflict of interest. One would hope that a doctor's priority would lie with the patient. My optimistic side assumes that this is the case with most doctors--that they truly care for their patient's well-being. However, I have no doubt that making money is the draw for some doctors.
Health care brings up some very real issues regarding the evils of money--the one mentioned above being one of them. Another interesting aspect is that of pharmaceutical drugs (also brought up by this speaker.) There is sickness and disease in the world. Scientists and doctors have found ways to treat and cure many problems. Treatment (surgeries, medicine, etc.) cost money. Companies that produce these products have costs to deal with and also have to make a profit in order to stay in business. Where do you draw the line here? Our dream is to help those that are ailing. Reality is that everything costs something. How do we maintain the right priorities (people before money) while still being realistic? I don't have an answer. Something to think about.
In life in general, I think the main way to do this is to keep our eyes on the real prize.
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. --Matthew 6:24
If we are relying fully on God, then money becomes less important. We aren't attached to material things here on earth. After all, you can't take it with you.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. --Matthew 6:19-21
I think complete trust in God to fulfill our needs is the only way to truly dissolve the hold that money has on us.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6: 31-33
Take home point(s): Don't rely on money. Do not make it a top priority. Make heavenly things your treasure. Trust God to supply your needs.
Easier said than done, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)