Autumn

"Autumn" was my friend's facebook status line update this week. The word conjured longing. Things I miss because we don't have autumn in Singapore:

1. The leaves changing color
2. Crisp cool air
3. Pulling out sweaters, jackets and mittens
4. Enjoying soup and hot beverages to its fullest
5. First snow of the season
6. Apple cider
7. Pumpkins and hays
8. Indian summer days (summer like days in autumn)

Faith and Healing

Whether you believe or not, some placebos have been known to relieve pain in certain people. There were even placebo surgeries on the knees and the back that had been documented to produce the same long term pain relief as surgery. It was suspected that it was the patient's own belief that generate changes within the body.

What about those who are healed in Christian healing services or in places regarded to be holy like Lourdes? Did healing come from divine intervention or is it just the mind, out of believe in divine intervention, tricking the body into starting the healing process?

How about miraculous healing recorded in the bible? Jesus often healed with His words alone. Did He worked through the influencing of the mind as well? It could very well be. Is it just a matter of persuasion then? If persuasion is all it takes, doesn't that put any highly persuasive person who is believable in a position of a powerful medicine man?

The human body God created is an amazing thing. It can go haywire for no apparent reason. But it can also right itself without much intervention. What does it mean then for those modern man like myself who put so much faith in modern medicine that has gone through randomized clinical trial? After all, modern medicine has its own limit. At which point should people like me stop believing in modern medicine and rely solely on divine intervention? When the doctors say that modern medicine is no longer a viable option? As Christians, we are called to put our hope in God only. What does that mean? It will be too extreme, won't it, to forgo taking medicine and rely solely only on prayers and faith in God.

I know some will go to one extreme and say anything less than total reliance on divine intervention is a sign of 'lack of faith' and therefore the prayers offered will not produce results. But I believe that God has given me a curious mind and resources to tap into modern technology for a reason. That said, I cannot, in the right mind, ignore them completely. These information are made available to me so I can heed them. It is by no means a sign of lack of faith.

On one income

Having the choice to stay at home to bring up your own children is an enviable situation. But it also means living with one income. Many believe that only those whose husbands make tons on money can afford to do so. Young couples who are just starting out in their career think it is impossible to live on one income.

Living on one income should start before the need arises which usually happen when couples started to have babies. Why? Because it is very difficult to 'down grade' to half the lifestyle you are used to. Of course it is easily said than done. In fact it requires a great deal of self control and fortitude from the individuals to choose to live way below ones mean. It will mean taking the appearance of someone less well off. It requires humility. But speaking from experience, it's all worth it.

Chasing The Blues

Reading my last two entries made me realize I had the blues. It is another side effect of SERM. I am implementing intervention by scheduling activities, up my exercise routine, putting no demand on myself (well sort of), and practice the 'look good feel better' principle. I think it is working already.

Are Christians expected to be immune of depression? Some people believe that. I, for one, know that changes and imbalance on the brain chemistry can cause mental illness, including depression. The one thing that's wrong is for the depressed people to neglect applying treatment.