Adventist HealthCare - Monday Meditations

Between Two Chairs

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:42:00 GMT

We had dinner with some friends a few days ago, and during the course of the meal we discussed how another friend of ours was holding up under a series of unforeseen circumstances. Trying to find the right phrase to describe the situation, my friend-who immigrated here from Eastern Europe-said that it sounded to her like the individual was "between two chairs."

Shanah Tovah

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:41:00 GMT

Rosh Hashanah--the two-day celebration that marks the Jewish New Year--began on Monday night. Observant Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah as the beginning of "The High Holy Days," a 10-day period of personal reflection and prayer that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah literally means "Head of the Year."

Hachiko

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:15:00 GMT

In a busy train station in Tokyo, a bronze statute stands as a monument to the power of loyalty and friendship. It is a statue of Hachiko, a young Akita dog that would accompany Professor Eisaburo Uyeno to the station each morning as he went off to work at the Imperial University and greet the professor again in the evening upon his return.

Opera in the Outfield

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:45:00 GMT

I grew up loving baseball, and always enjoy attending a game at a professional ballpark, but I don’t think I could have imagined going off to Nationals Stadium--not to see a ballgame, but to hear and watch an opera. Yes, that’s what I said, an opera.

Fleeing the Storm

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:04:00 GMT

Last Friday, as the news media was broadcasting the weather forecasts for the Gulf Coast and people scurried to get out of the way of Hurricane Ike, I kept thinking about a text I first learned as a small child. It is from the gospel of Matthew, the 24th chapter. Describing an apocalyptic time that would befall humanity, at one point Jesus says simply, "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath." (vs. 20).

Reflections on 9/11

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:57:00 GMT

Tomorrow is the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C. and New York on September 11, 2001. Is there anyone who doesn't remember exactly where they were and when they saw or heard the news of the attacks? Is there anyone whose life has not been directly affected by these tragic events?

Ramadan and the Five Pillars of Islam

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:06:00 GMT

Last week was the beginning of Ramadan—the month-long fast now being observed by Muslims around the world.

Learning from Michael Phelps

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:34:00 GMT

The recently completed Olympics has already been bumped from the front page by more pressing news-none of it as much fun as following the daily progress of those golden athletes. But even as our immediate memory of the games begins to dim, some scenes stand out that we will be thinking about for a long time to come. Near the top of the list of absolutely memorable moments is the performance by Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly-the race he won by just 1/100th of a second.

In Session

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:07:00 GMT

In case you've been asleep for the last six weeks, it is now officially the "Back to School" season. The heralds of the inevitable are stores like Target and JC Penny who begin reminding us of what is coming as early as July. "Back to School!" sales come into full bloom on every side by mid-August. We are all treated to that Staples ad with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" playing joyfully in the background while a father gathers a huge basketful of school supplies into his red cart--and the children sit glumly by, contemplating homework, school lunches, and the end of summer.

A True Story

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:56:00 GMT

The little button on the wall that controls the garage door opener is one of those things in my life that I don’t think about much: it just works. Push it once, and the garage door goes up. Push it again and the garage door comes down. No drama there.