Monthly Archives: March 2015

The right of conscience is enshrined in our human rights codes.  Recently a push by medical associations has brought a conundrum to the forefront.

The bylaws of various associations are trying to find a balance.  Unfortunately they seem to be tipping more than balancing.

A doctor is to give access to all types of patients.  The are to give strong medical care to the best of their abilities.  The patient has individual voice in the care provided.  Which outweighs which?

Until now we generally accepted the expertise of a doctor as most valuable.  When they could show that a treatment was not for the welfare of the patient, their decision was strongly considered – in many cases expected to be followed.

Patient advocacy has done a great service in highlighting the needs of the patient.  Patients are more aware and aggressive in their treatments.

So now, the question is, “when does a patient’s rights trump the conscience of a doctor?”

Up until now, the doctor could withdraw from treating a patient and in case of objections from a conscience strongly held and practiced, could leave it at that. 

Now the medical community is considering requiring that doctor to provide referrals and even to seek out those who could provide treatment that they are not willing to perform.

Can you, as a doctor, refer a patient, in good conscience, to seek a procedure that you consider to be wrong?  Can you work in concert with, by knowing and associating in implicit practice with, those who are acting completely opposite and contrary to your view?

The question of conscience for a doctor who is dealing with abortions or doctor assisted suicide/death comes to mind immediately.  I’m sure other options will arise. 

Can this be the tolerant society we envision?

Each day I read a devotional or two in the morning.  Great bathroom readers!

Today I came across a quote that I just had to share – from Allen Ratta in Making Spiritual Progress

There are times when we need to bloom where we are planted and start producing. Then there are times when we need compassion to prompt us into action.  finally, there are seasons when we need to be reenergized by fresh inspiration.

Faith produces, Love prompts. Hope inspires.

Enjoy your day.  May you experience faith, hope and love!

Some years its weddings.  Some years its deaths.  This year is shaping up to be anniversaries.

And not any general type of anniversary. 

This is the year of church anniversaries.  We have already accepted two invitations.  50th anniversary types!

One is my wife’s “growing up” church.  The other is a church where I ministered for 11 years.  Both will be festive events with new people to meet and “older” ones to reminisce with.

Both churches saw us in a music role.  We will sing and maybe dance??  OK, not sure every church is ready for that yet, but you never know. 

And so, off we go . . . oops, not for another few months . . . but we are excited to have the opportunity.

There is a combination that inspires me, brings rest to the soul and exercise to the body.

I love to lead singing – small and large groups.  I’m not the most accomplished, nor the most exact or even the most educated in this area.

But I love to sing, and those around me seem to catch on to the enthusiasm.

I have had opportunity to lead music a few times these past weeks.  In a seniors complex and at church.  I’ve had some amazing musicians to work with.  And the freedom to “do my thing” – which I must always keep in check!

Somehow, and I’m not sure how – other than God wired me this way, I come away having sung my lungs and my heart out.  To find something that is re-freshing is a very good thing.  Almost like God, as he finished creating this earth – it was very good!

And the next day God rested.  No big schedule (other than to keep the earth revolving around the sun, and oxygen flowing to the creatures of the earth and the stars twinkling!).  Just a day of rest.