SPRING 2024

I was appalled this week by a good friend who often acts as a check on my wilder moments, but this time roles were reversed—except he was right. He sent me a report showing that most North Americans are ceasing to read even the Bible. Almost all of us, me included, have reduced concentration spans and blunted critical faculties. Even Nobel laureates have commented that modern awards are less likely to be for stunning insights than for applied technology.

Real Physicians, Real Faith was co-edited by Benjamin Doolittle, MD, and David L. Larson, MD, who are both CAPS members. The book is compromised of the writings of selected Christian physicians, from various domains, who each shared a 2,000-word narrative of how their faith impacts their profession.

If you used a depth finder during your daily Bible study, what kind of reading would you be receiving? Throughout my years as a pastor, I’ve observed that faithful followers of Jesus consistently demonstrate both breadth of obedience and depth of understanding—a clear indication of time spent with Him (Acts 4:13). As a master fisherman, Jesus Himself often emphasized the depth finder in His teachings.

It was July 1994. I was a newly married third year medical student on my first rotation: cardiothoracic surgery. Nothing like diving in headfirst for your third year—you have the most energy in July, after all. Unfortunately, while you have energy, you lack both the temerity and the experience to stand up for yourself, even when all you need is a few minutes for a bathroom break. Well, to all the third year medical students out there, I say, “A bathroom break is a very reasonable request, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!”

It was July 1994. I was a newly married third year medical student on my first rotation: cardiothoracic surgery. Nothing like diving in headfirst for your third year—you have the most energy in July, after all. Unfortunately, while you have energy, you lack both the temerity and the experience to stand up for yourself, even when all you need is a few minutes for a bathroom break. Well, to all the third year medical students out there, I say, “A bathroom break is a very reasonable request, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!”

In the summer 2025 edition of CMDA Today, read about a personal medical journey displaying the sufficiency of God, take a look at two brand-new CMDA resources, discover CMDA’s newest commission and how you can engage in mentoring the next generation, and much more.

Only recently has British academic and ethicist Oliver O’Donovan made me see how different these two concepts are, despite the same purpose of providing guidance for peaceful living. Behavioral norms are common to all societies, and once established they resist change very effectively for long periods of time.