joyancejames

Category: life

  • Stapes & Femur

    Although I’m a bone doctor, children’s bone doctor to be precise, I’m not qualified to treat all the 206 bones in the human body. Here I want to highlight the beauty and intricacy of the human body, hence the psalmist wrote, “I’m fearfully and wonderfully made”.

    Femur which is the largest and longest bone in the human body can be up to 48 cms long and can take upto 30 times the body weight. This in itself is an unparalleled engineering marvel. The orthopedic surgeons (such as I) commonly operate on this big bone.

    Stapes, the smallest bone which is stirrup shaped is inside the middle ear cavity (inside the skull). It’s just 2-3 mm in size and the ENT surgeons require either microscope or a magnifying loupe to operate on this small beauty. The stapes serves to relay the sound vibrations from the outside to be transmitted to the brain which in turn deciphers the sounds.

    The dichotomy between the largest and the smallest bones in the body in terms of structure and function is fascinating. While one can bear many times the weight of the body the other can vibrate discreetly to relay the sound signals to the brain.

    The God who made both the femur and the stapes is as much concerned about the minute and mundane as He is about the big things in our lives. Even the tiny and the inconspicuous details in our lives are woven into the grand picture of our lives. From our vantage point we may never fully comprehend the unraveling of divine plan and proposes for our lives. The Creator knows His creation best. It takes decades of learning to unravel even a fraction of what the good Lord made from dust.

    Psalms 139:13-14 NLT
    [13] You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.13-14.NLT

    God bless you!


    References
    1. openoregon.pressbooks.pub/bodyphysics/chapter/stress-and-strain-on-the-body/#footnote-843-2


    2. Àwengen, D. F.; Nishihara, S.; Kurokawa, H.; Goode, R. L. (April 1995). “Measurements of the stapes superstructure”. The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology. 104 (4 Pt 1): 311–6.

    3.www.researchgate.net/publication/333521311/figure/fig1/AS:764798413332480@1559353559479/The-three-auditory-ossicles-From-left-to-right-the-stapes-malleus-and-incus.jpg

    https://anatomy.app/encyclopedia/femur
    Left – Right: Malleus, incus and stapes (smallest) [Dissected specimen courtesy Dr Shalom Philip MD]

  • Called to Praise

    Sir Winston Churchill said, ‘The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’ If I may add, ‘the Christian sees the opportunity to praise in every difficulty.’

    In Psalms we find a perpetual exhortation to bless the Lord, to praise His name. King David and the other Psalmists constantly praise His Holy Name irrespective of their circumstances.
    Psalm 103:1-2 AMPC
    [1]  BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
    [2]  Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits–

    https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.103.1-2.AMPC

    Apostle Paul reiterated “praise-posture” to the New Testament Church.
    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
    [16] Always be joyful.
    [17] Never stop praying.
    [18] Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.5.16-18.NLT

    Praise is the love language of a grateful heart!
    Praise/worship doesn’t diminish the sting of the trials or failures that besiege us but it allows us to focus on the only unchanging and unshakeable hope in our lives, the sovereignty of our Father. He’s the Father who never changes nor does His love and faithfulness end.

    From the rising of the sun to the setting of the same let the name of Adonai be praised.

    God bless!

  • Legacy > Inheritance

    The words “inheritance” and “legacy” are synonymous and are used interchangeably yet they are poles apart in terms of their impact.

    Good inheritance equates to a comfortable life for the next generation.
    Legacy relates to the impact the next generation will have on the world around them.
    Inheritance is usually material.
    Legacy transcends the tangible.

    Inheritance impacts the family and children.
    Legacy outlasts familial boundaries.
    Inheritance is proportional to the vocation and hard work.
    Legacy is impacted by the life lived not just the work done.
    Time spent away from the family contributes to the inheritance.
    Precious time with the family and children shapes the legacy.

    The race to work the fingers to the bone and hustle culture will probably translate to an eventual huge inheritance (economically) .
    Memories and moments around the dinner-table, bed-time stories and family time and activities influence the legacy left.

    The castle constructed and bequeathed is the inheritance but if it’s not equally matched with an impactful life and legacy then the castle is just another decoration on the landscape.
    May our children be always assured that their applause matters more to us than the accolades that adorn our walls.
    May our legacy outlasts generations.

    ‭Matthew 6:19-21 NLT‬
    [19]  “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. [21] Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

    God bless you!

  • Constant

    Times change, people change, relationships change, workplaces change but Jesus doesn’t. In a culture which normalises change and diversity Jesus is the only constant.

    Jesus our constant

    Jesus the only true constant assured us, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
    Luke 21:33 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.21.33.NLT.

    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
    Hebrews 13:8 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.13.8.NLT.

    Many times in our lives when we find ourselves surrounded by the unknown, change in our circumstances and comfort zone unnerves us or makes us uncomfortable but He who is the author of our story isn’t surprised a bit.

    He is constant through the trial and in the triumph, constant in the sunshine and in the rain.
    Because He is constant, we need not be afraid of the storms
    Because He is constant, we are not alone in the valley
    Because He is constant, we’ve a hope for tomorrow
    Because He is constant, we’ve grace for today
    Because He is constant, we will not be limited by our yesterdays.

    He is the unchanging one and what He says (Word of God) is unchanging, so what He says about us will never change irrespective of the changes around and about us. Our hope is hinged on an unshakeable and unchanging anchor.

    Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!
    Romans 15:13 TPT
    https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.15.13.TPT.

    God bless you.

  • The promise of joy & peace

    The shepherds were minding their own business in the cool of the night when the angel announced to them, “don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
    Luke 2:10 NLT
    The birth of the Messiah and the Savior will cause joy for all people.
    “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
    Luke 2:14 NLT

    The angels announced joy and peace to them and to us today.
    Joy that is not circumstantial because it’s source isn’t earthly, peace that is not dependent on external calmness or serenity rather it depends on the presence of Jesus.

    This Christmas season may we find our joy and peace as we put our faith in Jesus.
    Let me pray this verse over you,
    “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
    Romans 15:13 NLT

    https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.13.NLT

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmmANTxqKRQ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

    Wishing a blessed Christmas and a Happy New year 2023 Joy & Peace and Faith. Joyance, Shalom and Charis-Faith.

    Joy + Peace + Faith

  • Temporality vs eternity

    The same rose 4 days apart.

    The temporality of beauty and life hits hard as I study this picture.

    “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
    Matthew 6:28‭-‬30 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.28-30.NLT

    We are obsessed with things which catch our eyes, we fuss over things which are here today but gone tomorrow. God cares enough for you so that you can be carefree about tomorrow. May our worries be shaped into prayers to the One who holds our future.

    As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
    1 Peter 1:24‭-‬25 NLT

    Let us make choices that outlast our lifetimes. The Bible compares our lives with the grass so transient that it vanishes without a mark, but the thing that remains forever is the word of the Lord. I pray that our lives and the choices that we make will be worthy of an eternity with Jesus.

    “Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
    Only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C T Stuff

    God bless you.

  • Favoured, loved and never alone

    World mental health day 2022

    May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
    2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.13.14.NLT

    1. Grace = unmerited favour/ getting what we don’t deserve.
    Justice – getting what we deserve
    Mercy – not getting what we deserve
    Grace – not only being spared of what we deserve but getting better than what we deserve.
    It is through the Grace of Jesus Christ that His sacrifice on the cross makes us eligible for the love of the Father.

    2. Love. Let it be a reminder that we are loved by the Father by the virtue of being a child and being adopted into His family and not because we are inherently worthy.

    3. Fellowship. We are never alone, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, advocate and helper as promised by Jesus to His disciples before He ascended.

    Wherever you might be today, facing a trial or a triumph, in a valley or a mountain top, alone or surrounded by family/friends, remember that you are favoured, loved and surrounded by the Trinity.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cjh6GWODOZJ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

    God bless you.

  • It’s mine (Is it really mine?)

    “It’s mine” says my little daughter Faith while snatching a toy or hair clip from my hand and sometimes I gently remind her that since she is mine, so whatever she owns is actually mine. As a child she feels entitled to her toys and hair clip and throws a tantrum when she can’t have her way, are we any different than my toddler? We feel entitled to all the blessings, crave things to happen our way, on our time schedules, forgetting that God is sovereign and we are not.

    The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
    Psalms 24:1 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.24.1.NLT

    Let us remind ourselves that things better in the almighty hands that never falter nor fail than our butter fingered hands. A heart that trusts is better than a mind that comprehends. Even the wisest King of Israel, Solomon advised us not to lean on our own understanding but to trust the Lord with all our heart.

    Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?
    Romans 11:33‭-‬34 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.11.33-34.NLT

    We end up wasting a lot of our time and energies and mental peace because we do not realise and acknowledge the sovereignty of God in our lives. Let us remind ourselves that the sheep never search, “pastures near me” on the maps trying to make it’s life easier but trusts the shepherd to lead it to the right pasture.

    The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
    Proverbs 20:24 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.20.24.NLT

    God bless!

  • Take me deeper vs carry me

    Lessons from Faith’s first day at beach

    Faith with mummy vs daddy at the beach

    Yesterday was Faith’s first day at beach and it taught us a lesson or two. She was so scared to step into the water even after seeing smaller babies rolling in the sands/water. Shalom took her to the edge where the waves just kiss the shore and baby cried her heart out, as if she was afraid for her life. I’d to salvage her first beach experience’s trauma by picking her up and calming her and that decent photo is the evidence of that calmness.

    There are days when He takes us deeper into the waters and days when we see only one set of footprints 👣 on the sand (when He carries us in His arms). The hands that hung the stars are big yet small enough to carry you too.

    We’ve days when we can’t imagine going further or deeper yet God knows when to stop and pick us up. Whether it’s in deeper waters or in His arms may we never forget that it is His presence that matters. He will never forsake us nor leave us.

    ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
    Exodus 19:4 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/exo.19.4.NLT

    Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you.
    Isaiah 46:4 AMPC
    https://bible.com/bible/8/isa.46.4.AMPC

    God bless.

  • Fix versus love

    We spend a major lot of our lives wishing we could fix our friends, family, spouses, children, neighbours, bosses, co workers and the list is endless, but fixing people isn’t our job description. If we had our way we’d love to see the people around us molded to our likeness, but we forget that all of us are made in God’s likeness inspite of the idiosyncrasies. It is the Holy Spirit’s to convict and change people and we can’t do His work for Him.

    Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
    Romans 12:9‭-‬10‭, ‬17‭-‬19 MSG
    https://bible.com/bible/97/rom.12.9-19.MSG

    Paul has some hard to digest and harder to practise commands for the church. If we learn to discover the beauty in everyone then maybe we’ll stop yearning to fix everyone.

    God bless! 🤠