Christmas

.... As a Member of Christ's body, I shld attend to the pain of a suffering member nearby. But then what? Hw shld i respond? The physical adaptations to pain in my own body teach me much abt the appropriate responses of neighbouring cells.

To better understand the mechanisms of response to pain, I've subjected my own fingers to the mechanical devices we use on Clarence(Monkey): machines that press a metal rod against fingertips with measured force and frequency. If i put in hand under the tiny mechanical hammer delivering a force of exactly one pound over one-twentieth of a square inch (twenty pounds per square inch), I find it not painful at all. It feels rather pleasant, like a vibromassage. But if i let the machine run on several hundred beats, my finger turns slightly red and feels uncomfortable. After 1500 beats i must pull my finger out, for i can no longer endure the pain. My finger, now sore to the touch, is distantly warmer than its neighbouring fingers. When i return to the machine the next day I can only tolerate a couple of hundred beats before yanking my finger away. In a mysterious and complex process, my body evaluates pain not only by the mechanical forces but also by how the cells are "feeling" when the stress begins.

My body's protective response shows visibly in inflammation, as blood surges to the affected area and the body cushions the point of stress with extra fluids. In regard to the pain system, inflammation brings on a condition called hypersensitivity. My finger that has endured hundreds of tiny hammer blows becomes hypersensitivity to hammer blows, because in its inflamed condition just a few more stresses could lead to a blister or ulcer.

Similarly, a finger that has been burned becomes hypersensitive to heat, because even a little heat would harm the mildly inflamed tissues. I've more than once put my hands in basin only to discover, to my surprise, that my hands are sending mixed signals. My left hand tells me the water is hot; my right hand says warm. Then i remember an incident from breakfast: a drop of hot bacon grease popped out of the pan and landed in my left hand. I had not noticed it at the time, but pain nerve endings at that spot lowered their threshold and are now reporting warm water as hot.

Who has not felt the irritation of a sore finger, from an infected hangnail perhaps, always seeming "in the way." It gets bumped every few minutes no matter hw careful you're. That sensation has a sound physiological basis: your pain cells have suddenly become ten times more sensitive to pain. My finger becomes hypersensitive so that i won't foolishly subject it to more hot grease or hammer blows. Pain cells in effect "turn up the volume." In these remarkable ways, hypersensitivity builds up a shield of pain to protect unusually vulnerable parts.

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All of us experience a psychological parallel to the reaction of hypersensitivity. When we are under severe strain, maybe resulting from an accumulation of small stresses - bills, work pressures, irritating habits of family members - suddenly every minor frustration hits like a blow. We've become hypersensitive, and our minds are telling us we need a respite as surely as neuronal hypersensitivity warns our bodies of a need for relief.

Following the example of cells in the human body, we members of the Body of Christ would do well to learn the place of hypersensitivity and how to respond. Cells in my fingers, although uninjured themselves, take up the cry for relief from a nearby injured cell and report it to the head. There is a place for "intercessory pain" in the Body of Christ.

In addition, the body makes certain allowances for its hurting cells. Pain works precisely because it is loud and insistent. People in pain, physical or mental, while in a hypersensitive state may lash out against those who try to befriend them. They require from more healthy members a forgiving acceptance that sees past surface reactions to the hidden needs.

The Christian church, said one noted pastor, "is the only outfit I know of that shoots its wounded." He referred to a common tendency to harshly judge a person who is alrdy in emotional or spiritual pain. In contrast, a healthy body will make far-reaching adaptations to announce the pain and make sure it is heeded. Healing agents are summoned by the area of local need, as my study of monkey's denervated fingertips clearly confirmed.

Real love protects and defends areas of special vulnerability. We may be called on to booster bruised egos, gently confront an insensitive person, or take upon ourselves some of the minor stresses that have accumulated. As a former missionary, I cannot overstate the life-sustaining role of people back home who invested themselves in me by praying and writing letters. These specially sensitive cells sought out my pain and nourished me in time of need. Such dedicated people make the difference between a missionary who serves twenty years and one who breaks down after a short time.

- Paul Brand

This the Season of giving and receiving even more than one expects. Jesus coming to take our pain away truly mark this special day which we celebrate every year. Are we as his Body practicing what He has personally demonstrated to us in reaching out to our fellow brothers and sisters when they send out the pain signal, that we'll protect and defend them with love? Are we able to love unconditionally without judging someone's past? Only as an individual would you know yourself best in this area.

2007 is drawing to a close like no body business. For everyone of you, it's been a yr of up's and down's of which some have more up's than down's and vice versa. No matter what, it's a year that the Lord has brought us through and gave us lots of reasons to care and support one another in times of needs. Continue this rush of blessing and accountability so that as one body, everyone will grow together spiritually and in other ways as well.

December is flying past way too fast and jan is almost here, meaning its back to the cycle once again ! Oh well, despite all the tiredness of so many activities, personally it's been a great chance to catch up with everyone as well as having joy and laughter together as a cell.

It's rare to receive christmas gifts in such as large cost for myself personally. Thanks really to the Lord for giving me a creative zen from a friend's church outreach lucky draw. 1st prize somemore ! I didnt pray for this, kind of lost on what exactly to do with it atm since i very much prefer music from my handphone but i guess, it means i'm suppose to use it in a way to bless others in 08. Time will tell I suppose, the true meaning of such a gift.

Thanks esp to Guorong and Linfeng for the watch ! However, i'm still going to fix my other watch which has it stripe broken, haha. The watch cell grp gave is almost 4 yrs old but it's still working so oh well, now at least, can change different watch to wear. But still, a big Thank You for the gift guys. On top of that, many thanks to everyone for your cards of encouragement, chocolates and gifts. This might sound funny but here goes. Every gift's value is small cos why, the most impt thing is that for 365 1/4 days in every year, the friendship, care, support, etc that God has bless me with through u guys is the true value of friendship so many thanks to everyone for the daily blessings of doing the small or big things ! Remember to carry on encouraging and loving one another forward in the new year itself. That's really what the Body of Christ is for right?

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May 2008 be an awesome year for everyone here in Mkkadesh. God bless