Sunday, February 27, 2011

With great power, comes great responsibility....

I watched the movie Iron Man with my husband. He wanted to watch a "grown up" movie together, so we did. We have watched many movies in the past with comic book heores and action/adventure, etc....but it was hard watching this movie.
First because the violence that was portrayed on the scene in Afghanistan is not merely fiction. It is too close reality. Then, there is the frustration that came from my immediate suspicion of the soon to be revealed villain. The ultimate frustration of the abuse of power, the corruption, the greed and love of money that fueled the evil powers that be to sell and take arms against innoncent people.
I could not help but think of Oppenheimer and his atomic bomb. The scientist is often interested only in the sake of science and what it can achieve. Such things are safe only in the hands of benevolent people. However, the scientists when tempted by pride and sometimes financial gain, fall prey to manipulation of those in power.
It is hard not to see that there is a slippery slope in all of science, even medical science. We have the ability to do this and that, but should we? Yes, just because we can? The basic tenants of medical practice vow to first, do no harm. Medical scientists can be tempted by pride. Even the proposed desire to save life and treat disease can be manipulated by the powers that control the money and the political power. In the name of healing, we could be capable of hurting. It is important that with all the medications, research for genetic testing and biological developments that we do not create a monster we wish we would have kept hidden, despite the scientific advances it could achieve.
Mind you, I am not an enemy of science, medicine or research. However, we humans fall prey to our pride and often try to play God in ways that we cannot. And if we are not careful, our developoments could leave us staring our Frankenstein's monster in the face, fearful wondering if the sake of science was worth the price. To sum up my thoughts on this, it is important to remember that all power comes great responsibility. Those in power have the repsonsibility to consider the greater good, but unforuntately power corrupts.
On a personal note, the peace I keep is that God saves. So I pray for godly leaders, scientists and medical providers.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Dancing in Heaven

Often times, you cross my mind
But I would dare not write a verse
No lines that I could pen
Could serve your memory justice

But often times I think of your brief candle
The brevity was painfully short
Your absence breaks the hearts of
Two people I love dearly
And so it breaks my own

Questions, there were many
And yes I have my own
But it is not my loss nor my pain
So it is not my privilge to dwell
But then again though you were not mine
You are my family
And so it is natural that your absence grieves me

And when I think of you now
or hear your sweet name
I think of something sacred
Untarnished and unstained
And when I see the pictures
Of your sweet face
I see God's beauty, love and GRACE

And though we have yet to meet
So deep I love you still
And I know in faith, in greener pastures
Some day our souls will meet

For now sweet child
I am left with imagining
And when I hear your sweet name
I see a little girl dancing

Dancing round and giggling
And laughing with lots of joy
Because you dance before our King
Joy is all you will ever know

So it breaks my heart
For all the things we never got to do
But keep dancing there in heaven child
Some day we will dance with you