The Sutter Delta Blog http://sutterdeltamedicalcenter.posterous.com on Posterous posterous.com Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:00:00 -0700 Sovereignty http://sutterdeltamedicalcenter.posterous.com/sovereignty http://sutterdeltamedicalcenter.posterous.com/sovereignty

 Sovereign.  The wor d came to me early the other morning. You know that state of wakefulness when youre floating between sleep and coherence?  I wasnt dreaming. Maybe I was turning over and somewhat awake, but the word was kind of downloaded into my consciousness, SOVEREIGN!  I figured it was a word from God with some deep meaning, and maybe it is.  I was surprised however when I began to search the Bible for the word. I began with Strongs Exhaustive Concordance. For those who are unfamiliar, its a reference book used to study the Scriptures.  It has every word used in the Bible with a list of each place the word is used. Next, it lists the definitions in Hebrew and Greek, depending on the passage.  This can be an eye opening experience. For example, once I was reading a passage that mentioned sorceries (Revelation 9:21).

When I looked the word up in the Greek, which was the original language of the text, the word was pharmakeia,   MEDICATION, DRUGS.  Its the root from which the word pharmacy was derived. Interesting right? 

Anyway, I digress. The word that came to me was sovereign. The everyday dictionary describes it as 1. a monarch or other supreme ruler, 2. a former British coin. 3. having supreme rank or power, 4. having independent power or authority, 5. superior to all others .  Maybe this was a word from God after all?

 

Regardless of our religious beliefs, or perhaps lack of, WE are not sovereign. At any moment the earth may begin to shake and we have absolutely no control. Fires are raging in various geographic regions of the world. Flooding and storms wreak havoc, as do war and famine. Where does that leave us?  Personally, I lean on the Scriptures that say Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition WITH thanksgiving , present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6&7, emphasis mine.

So whether Im dropping my freshman off at his new high school, or awaiting the results of a medical test, I rest in the truth that although I am not sovereign, I know One who is.    

Chaplain Denise

(925) 779-7200 x1237

 

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Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:00:00 -0700 We All Have Room For Improvement, Appreciate Constructive Criticism with Grace~ By Chaplain Denise http://sutterdeltamedicalcenter.posterous.com/we-all-have-room-for-improvement http://sutterdeltamedicalcenter.posterous.com/we-all-have-room-for-improvement  No one is perfect.   We know this, yet its a  hard pill to swallow when someone points out our mistakes.  Our conscience selves want to be informed of our errors so we can do better, be better at our respective tasks. But lets be honest, its hard to hear criticism, even when delivered softly by someone we trust and admire.  Although we know that in order to improve our performance we need constructive criticism, our inner man doesnt want to hear it. The pride of self bristles at correction.  Add to the mix someone walking about looking for our mistakes and it can be unnerving to say the least.  Lets strive to take corrective criticism with appreciation and grace, after all, no one is perfect.

Chaplain Denise

(925) 779-7200 x1237

 

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