Getting Ready for Exams (What the church can do?)

How does your Church help you prepare for an exam?

There are three thing you can ask them to do.

I've got one month to go before the Diplomate Exam for Family Medicine. Many of my fellow doctors are not confident in taking the exam. They feel they have not yet prepared fully even if they have done everything in their capacity to learn as much as they can. I share their sentiment. But we can never be ready enough. First, ask them to remind you to do your part - study. (i.e."Wag mag lakwatsa - aral muna", "Aral ka lang muna - wag ka muna nood sine")

I am reminded by a pastor who once preached that faith is when you recognize that your effort will not be enough. This is where we Christians hope in God. Whenever we recognize that our efforts in studying till the wee hours of the night is not sufficient for us to be ready, our faith will carry us knowing that God will help us. Second, ask them to encourage you with uplifting words. (i.e. "Relax, don't worry", "have faith in God")

The busy schedule and the numerous activities that are lined up for me will not make me tremble. As long as I am doing my part, God will carry me through this. This is also my prayer for all my friends who are discouraged. God is sufficient to cover for whatever shortcomings we have. If God wills it, it will happen.Third, ask them to pray for you. There is strength in praying as a community.

Tips: Three Best Venues to get CME Credits

As medical doctors, we have the duty to update our knowledge. God gave us knowledge and we must use it and be responsible enough to be updated. We are lifelong learners especially with new innovations and knowledge coming up every hour. There are a lot of venues where we can have continuing medical education. But we also want to learn from respected and reliable institutions to ensure the quality of our education. Here are the top three venues you can learn for the coming weeks if you are around the Manila area.

1.) The 17th Post-graduate Course of the Department of Family and Community Medicine - Ospital ng Maynila, "Infectious, Occupational and Sports Update," on October 23-24, 2013.

2.) EBM Circuit Course of the UP-PGH Department of Family and Community Medicine, October 17-18, 2013.
 


3. Philippine Venereologists Society 10th Post-graduate Course, Sept 20-22, 2013.

 

What does 100 days before Christmas mean?

Today is the day when it is exactly 100 days before Christmas. This was the reminder given by the local evening news. I wonder what does that mean for many?

What does 100 days before Christmas mean? For that local news reporter, what does he mean by that when he reminded his viewers about it? My quick guess was that he was implying about the vacation that Christmas celebrations bring. Was he excited to get a break from work? Was he implying too that people get excited about the holiday celebrations? Does 100 days before Christmas mean also that merry-making and festive celebrations are near? This is probably the meaning for many, especially kids.

Most kids will probably get excited about parties and gifts they will receive on Christmas. And there are only 100 days before I get my most desired new toy gadget or doll or bicycle. That's what 100 days before Christmas may mean for some kids. For adults, they may also expect such gifts. Most will probably look forward to exchanging gifts and partying with friends. For some it will be a holiday vacation in some tourist spot. For business men, it means more income. For establishment owners like restaurants and hotels, it means more costumers and visitors. But not all will have a happy expectation to the 100 days before Christmas.

The less privileged will probably be reminded again of their miserable condition 100 days from now. The poor will most likely receive some "gifts" from good-hearted people 100 days from now. Some of the needy will think it is just another party day for the rich. But for most of the marginalized, 100 days from now will not matter - it will just be any ordinary day. But for religious people, it may mean something.

What does 100 days before Christmas mean for religious people? For Muslims? Probably not so much religious-wise. How about for Christians? What does 100 days before Christmas mean for Christians? If their answer is similar to those above, what makes Christians different from others? Is it a preparation for a church activity? Is it a countdown to the Christmas Camp? Or the number of days left to practice for the Christmas cantata? Or is it the number of days left before celebration of the birthday of Jesus? But why need to count? Would 100 days vs 99 days make a difference? So what if there is only 1 day left before Christmas? Does it matter? If it does matter for Christians, so what does 100 days before Christmas mean? Or maybe, it does not!

How about you, what does 100 days before Christmas mean?

 

Where is The Longest Birthday Celebrations

Have you ever wondered where is the longest birthday celebrations held?

The Philippines will have to own that distinction. The Philippines is that country where the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated for almost four months.  My little kid is quick to remind me that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. And Christmas celebrations in the Philippines start as early as the "ber" months sets in.

Today is September 2. When I opened my radio this morning to listen to the morning news, I heard my station DZAS play my very first Christmas Song this year, "Feliz Navidad." Christmas songs in Septmeber. That is not unusual here in the Philippines. The "ber" months are associated with the rainy (typhoon) season plus the cold breeze of the air. Such is the atmosphere of the cold nights of Christmas. So one can say, the cold breeze of Christmas is now felt on the air this early in September. That cold breeze will continue until the months of December, even early January.

 So, from the "ber" months starting this September, until the last days of Christmas on January, people will be celebrating Christmas. Most Filipinos don't mind. We shouldn't. Especially if we really believe in our hearts that we must not only celebrate Christmas during December 25 but we must make everyday feel like Christmas. Now, that will leave us with a year long birthday celebration.