Insights from Isaiah

On Sunday I visited my parent's home church, where I grew up. I know a lot of people there, and have a lot of fond memories and role models/mentors there. The preacher, Brent, pointed out some things that I had never really noticed. I'm not sure I totally agree with his whole perspective, but it is compelling and exciting to consider.

He pointed out that just as someone would turn to the Book of Psalms to know David's heart, so too would someone turn to Isaiah to know the heart of Jesus. He points out that there seems to be four "Messiah" Psalms, or songs, in Isaiah. He seems to believe that Isaiah was the mouthpiece of the Word, the pre-incarnate Jesus, and these four songs reveal the heart of Jesus. We are most familiar with the 4th Song of the Messiah, in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. But it starts with the 1st Song, in Isaiah 42, particularly verses 1 through 9, which promises a Servant of compassion and justice. The 2nd Song is Isaiah 49:1-13. Here you seem to have the revealed heart of the Messiah, struggling with the stubborness of God's people, and wondering if everything he's done and about to do is worth it. And God says resoundingly, "Yes! I will strengthen you, and you will be successful not only in bringing Israel back to me, but also the Gentiles." The 3rd Song is in Isaiah 50:4-11, which reveals the "self-speak" of the Servant, strengthening his will to obey God. The final Song is the one mentioned first, starting in Isaiah 52:13. Of course, this is the famous "suffering Servant" song.

This perspective and ordering are fascinating, and worthy of days of discussion and study. But something even more striking resonated with me and where I am in my spiritual journey. In our house church, one of our members recently reiterated an important aspect of Christianity. That aspect is that we are to be a royal priesthood. One implication is that we are to function as mediators of God to humanity. (This is in contrast to many perspectives on Christianity, that seem to categorize people as either a royal son or daughter of the Father, or as dogs who are ignored by God; in other words, you're either in or your ignored by God. But God's plan is for his people to share their blessings, to show him to the world, to serve them in his name). Anyway, Brent pointed out what I believe to be another way of thinking about the Christian's commission. In Isaiah 42:1 (NLT), he says, "Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am please with him." This definitely has reference to the Messiah, Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate servant of God. Contrast that with Israel. In verses 18 and 19: "Oh, how deaf and blind you are toward me! Why won't you listen? Why do you refuse to see? Who in all the world is as blind as my own people, my servant? Who is as deaf as my messengers? Who is as blind as my chosen people, the servant of the LORD?" (NLT). The contrast within the same passage could get confusing. But it is powerful. Israel was intended by God to be his servant, the one with whom he was well pleased. But Israel failed. Miserably. So, Jesus came to be that servant of God. But what was God's servant supposed to do? Bring food to him? Praise his name? No. He was not to be some earth-bound angel. Phrases from these Messiah Songs tell us what God's servant was supposed to do. Reveal justice and be merciful to all the nations (42:1-4); a light to the nations (42:6); free captives, give sight to the blind (42:7); restores relationships (49:6); speak wisdom and comfort to the weary (50:4); does not hide in shame from the beating the world gives (50:5-6); carry the burdens of the weak (53:4); etc, etc. Isreal was to do this in the world; he Law was set up to share these thoughts and principles with Mankind. But she failed. And God stepped in, and gave of himself to be this servant of God. Though he would belong to God, he would not primarily serve God, but serve Mankind.

As the new Israel, we are called to be God's servants. In Christ, we become the faithful servant of God. This is a powerful message that I need to be reminded of often.

A Brief Update

It has been a while since my last post. Too long. I have been busy. Just a brief update before starting some new posts. This fall, my mom came out for two weeks to visit (my dad had a medical procedure done and couldn't come). One of those weeks she and I went to Washington, DC. I'll have more pics and post later. Let's see... I also had a really great Fall Harvest Costume Party (again, more post and pics to come). I had a phenomenal time at Christmas... well, Christmas eve. We (our church) met for what ended up being over 7 hours. We met, had our meal, had a devotional of singing and scripture reading, and then began the 5 hour long process of sharing our blessings. It was great!

I'm in Phoenix right now, spending the week of New Year's in Phoenix. Tomorrow, January 6, 2007, will be my parents' 35th wedding anniversary. My parents eloped in Alaska (where my dad was stationed in the Army), and so my mom never got a real wedding ceremony. It is my sister's and my great honor to through my mom (and Dad, though he had to be brought in on it) a surprise 35th Anniversary Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony. It will be at a resort, with 50 or so family and friends, complete with tuxes, officiate, decorations, a sit-down reception, cake, etc. She'll love it!

Back in March, our house church had a sort of "crisis" that led to a few months of exploring our direction. Long story short, we realized what our strengths were, and decided to build on them (primarily, relationships and flexibility). So, things are going strong. We have several new "family" members, and more on the way (Jen will be moving to Ohio shortly after getting back from visiting friends in China).

Overall, things have been really great. As I look forward to 2007, I already have several things planned. I plan on going to Orlando in March for the ACOFP (American College of Osteopathic Physicians) Annual Convention with some fellow physicians and good friends. I've never been to Orlando, so I'm looking forward to it. In October, I hope to spend a week with my immediate and extended family in a chalet in the White Mountains of Arizona. At work, one of the three family physicians is being sent on his second 4 month tour in Iraq as a National Guard physician, so that will make my work life VERY busy from February to June.

I am hoping to post more about past trips, and try to keep up with them, as well as some thoughts about life, religion, church, and politics (yeah, they really can't... or shouldn't... be separated!).

My Friend's Wedding: Part III: The Ceremony

I have never been to a Jewish wedding. It was a wonderful experience. Jack is not Jewish, but he didn't mind having a Jewish ceremony. True to Rebecca, it was pretty laid back. In fact, when the Rabbi was pronouncing the seven blessings, her parent's car alarm went off... and everyone stopped and Rebecca was laughing and commenting about how appropriate it was (apparently it goes off a lot... it did the night before at the Welcome Dinner, but it took her dad a little while to realize it was him!).

As you can see, Rebecca was stunning!



Part of the ceremony was the sharing of the cup of blessing. Look and sound familiar to any Christians?












Another Jewish tradition involves the woman going around the man in a circle three times, correlating to the three blessings pronounced by God in the book of Hosea. The modern female Rabbi read the blessings, and had Rebecca go around Jack three times (supposedly clockwise, but she went counterclockwise... it was actually kind of funny, 'cause she even asked, and some were answering, but it was just a jumble of words!), and then Jack went around Rebecca three times (pictured) and then they went around each other three times. It was incredible to see such tradition and symbolism.



Another thing that was brought up is the ketubah, or the ancient Jewish tradition of a marriage contract. Originially, it helped protect the woman in case of divorce or her husband's death. It now is about the same as written vows. What is so cool for me is that my church recently finished a class on Marriage and Divorce, and the ketubah was a key cultural component to understand the context of Jesus' statements about divorce and remarriage.

She and Jack wrote the vows, she had a friend make a copy of the vows in Hebrew, and then Jack actually did all the art work (very detailed and beautiful), the bride, groom, and witnesses signed it, and then it was framed. What a beautiful tradition.






Here are the newly weds coming into the reception.












One of the most entertaining and news-worthy notes is that just like in Fiddler on the Roof, they actually did the Chair Dance! It was a lot of fun. Not only did they lift each individually, they lifted them together, and then lifted each of the parents individually. What a time!

My Friend's Wedding: Part II: The Locale

The wedding was held in Meredith, New Hampshire, in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire. The communities are around Lake Winnipasaukee and Lake Winnisquam. The wedding itself was held outside on the grounds of the Inn at Mill Falls - Church Landing. It was an incredible location. I did not realize how high the mountains of central New Hampshire really are. It was gorgeous. I highly recommend the area, and especially the Inn (I stayed at the Super 8 15 miles away in Tilton, but I got to change clothes in one of the rooms that my friend was staying... amazing!).


You can see the Inn in the background, with the wedding tent in front. The wedding and cocktails were served outside, and it was a perfect day, as you can see. Memorial Day can be brutally hot or bitterly cold in New Hampshire, but it turned out to be perfect... I'm guessing upper 70s.

I hope I get to go back again soon.

My Friend's Wedding: Part I: My friends

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to my good friend Rebecca Rich's wedding this past (Memorial Day) weekend. I left on Friday from Akron-Canton and flew to Manchester. The pre-wedding dinner was Saturday evening, and I found out then that several friends from medical school were also there. It was a wonderful surprise, and made the trip. The wedding was Sunday late afternoon, and I came home on Memorial Day. More on all that later.
So, let me start by telling you about my totally awesome friend Rebecca. Rebecca is a crazy, wonderful friend (and former next door neighbor) that I met during medical school. She has an amazing history, but eventually she left northern New Jersey and Washington, D.C. behind and came to Kirksville to KCOM. My friendship with her was such a fun and eye-opening experience. Here I was, one of three conservative, Christian, suburban Westerners all from Phoenix (Aaron G. and Tim K. being other two), living next door to Rebecca Rich, a northeast liberal Jew. To date, those two years we all spent on Sundown Drive were two of the best ever. We literally WERE the "Friends" show. No locked doors, random sharing of food, clothing, books, furniture, you name it. It was awesome! And she even "took one for the team" one time playing Ultimate Frisbee when she got stitches in her eyebrow (thanks Truman State player!) I've never been the same since meeting her. Thanks Rebecca! Anyway, she started a Pediatric Residency in Detroit, but when her program closed, she took an opportunity at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she eventually became Chief Resident. She is now a Pediatric Hospitalist/Consultant for the Pediatric Surgery ward at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. Rock on, Rebecca! So, here is Rebecca with her New Hampshire husband, Jack Yukica.

The next couple that I saw (and the only other person that I knew was coming) was Jimmy (Boo) Hewitt (the 3rd, I think). He was another classmate and Ultimate Frisbee-er (as well as a great Osteopath). He's a great guy, and now he is engaged to a wonderful and beautiful Psychiatric Resident named Jen.

Boo is in the military, and did his family practice residency in Hawaii; he made up for it though by being stationed in Iraq for a year. He is now stationed in Hawaii again (where Jen is doing her residency), and Boo and Jen are getting married in October.


Above are John and Irene Hamilton. They flew John's parents to Chattanooga to watch their three boys, Toran, Mason, and Porter, while they got to enjoy a nice weekend in New England. (Actually, they report have small bouts of withdrawal... from their kids!) John was in my anatomy disection group in medical school. He too was a fellow Ultimate player (are you seeing a pattern?) He did his anesthesiology residency in Birmingham, Alabama, and now practices in Chatanooga.

The next couple could barely get caught actually together... one always had their beautiful 4 month old daughter Lizzie in hand. They are Ned and Rachelle Tognacci.
Ned is from my neck of the woods (Phoenix area) and he and Rachelle met at Northern Arizona University. They are just one of the most down to earth, laid back couples I know. They are awesome. And yes, they are BIG Ultimate players as well!

The final friend that I saw at the wedding was a surprise; I didn't know that she was coming. Her name is Ceci Rai, and she is a family physician. She was one of the Ultimate Frisbee gurus, that got me hooked on "the spirit of the game." She is married to Jim, a surgeon.

We had a great time. It was beautiful there, and great to get caught up.

Above, Boo and I, and then Ned and John.


This was our initial attempt to get a group picture. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good one on my camera; we were having some "dysfunction" ;-) trying to get set up.

Hello all,

I'm going to use this blog to give my friends and family a chance to see pictures and get updates about what is going on in my life. No deep, theological or political discussions. Just plain old pictures and updates. Enjoy!