We’ve become very fond of the medical staff at UCSF.  Established in 1873, this literal “city on a hill” is a place where professionals, 24/7, have committed their lives to saving lives.

We recently learned through Wikipedia that UCSF’s official motto is “Fiat lux”, interpreted: “Let there by light”.  It was a thrilling discovery!!

According to the UCSF website, “Let there be light” is an English translation of the Hebrew yehiy ‘or. Other translations of the same phrase include the Latin phrase fiat lux, and the Greek phrase genēthētō phōs.

The phrase comes from the third verse of the book of Genesis in the King James Bible:

1:1 – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

1:2 – And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

1:3 – And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

1:4 – And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

UCSF in 1908, with the streetcar that used to run on Parnassus Avenue

Despite Irene’s cold, Shirley Churchill worked with Irene for almost three hours to relieve her discomfort.  We’re so grateful and hope she can endure the next few days until the cold passes. Irene is now running a low grade fever of 100.4.  Thanks for praying.

After an early morning dialysis treatment tomorrow, we’re scheduled to be at UCSF for outpatient services, seeing Dr. Stephen Gluck, the renal specialist.  Irene will also give a blood sample which will be tested for amyloid.  The purpose of the test is to learn if the amyloid is in remission and, if not, what percentage of amyloid is still within the bloodstream.  We hope to get test results when we return to UCSF on Dec 17 to see Dr. Lloyd Damon.

Jesus asserts…

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all

Continue reading

Most everyone enjoys a romantic sunset and we have captured many magnificent settings from our home.

As the earth’s primary source of ENERGY and LIGHT the sun’s energy can be harnessed in a variety of natural and synthetic processes and its ultraviolet light can even be used to sanitize tools and water.

But that’s just the beginning.  As earthly environmental concerns rise and the GREEN movement gains momentum, the study of the sun’s solar energy becomes an increasingly important component of confronting the challenges in front of us.

Here’s the point …. as we apprehend how to better harness and appropriate the sun’s resources, we improve the quality of our daily experience on earth.

You know what it’s like to have a cold …. and yes, that’s exactly what Irene is experiencing now …. feeling tired, achy, sore throat, sneezing, wheezing and coughing …. temperature is 98.8 and her blood pressure is 136 over 81; pulse 80.  Pray she endures the cold and it doesn’t get any worse.

As we apprehend how to better appropriate the sun’s resources as earthly stewards, so goes appropriating the Son’s infinite resources into our individual lives.

For Jesus proclaims:

I am the light of the world
John 9:5b

After all, the Son is the true source of all energy and all light, even that of the sun.

And, in that Son, we trust.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Continue reading

Whose REFLECTION is it?

If REPUTATION is how we’re known in PUBLIC …. and if INTEGRITY is how we behave in PRIVATE …. are we reflecting the same person?

Or what about this convicting inquiry …. does one set of people in our relational network view us one way and another group of people view us in another?

Being a consistent person of high moral CHARACTER is a lifelong quest and a worthy aspiration.  We’re admonished to be salt and light, thus reflecting Jesus and His glory in our lives.

Irene had a very challenging day.  Her nausea “manifested” itself at dialysis.  She was lightheaded from a blood pressure drop …. and is experiencing sore throat and cold symptoms which developed late yesterday.  She was very lethargic so her ambitious plans were deferred to another day.

Who do you see in the mirror?  Are you the same person in private that you are in public?

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
James 1:23-24

Our identity is in Jesus …. and we long to REFLECT Him.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Continue reading