mus·ing /ˈmyo͞oziNG/

The chemistry of the black skin is beautiful" - Anonymous, circa 1991-96 Yes, it still is. Before I knew what it meant to be black skinned, I knew that. Not the kind of knowing that is about the biochemistry of melanin pigmentation nor of its physiology. But that kind called a knowing, like an intuition. The indescribable knowing of a thing that surpasses acquired knowledge. As a little kid, my mind comprehended that. The events and antecedents in the past couple of days have brought this to the fore of my almost daily musings. I have always hoped it isn't true that there is enshrined this evil we see rare up its ugly head ever so often. This evil that pervades the fabric of our societies and communities. Even our sacred ones meant to model the "unity in Christ" are not spared -- indicating the depths of its reach. Oh the desperation of the heart of men and the wickedness thereof. Oh the continued need of a savior and of His redemptive grace, my heart yearn...

Photo Credit: AP Photo My Dad (Daddy-mi) -- the one phrase of ownership as opposed to being owned. Simply mentioned. Sometimes in a trivial way. But not in any less profound. I still would like to live in that space where I believe you're not gone. That you're still here. That I could still call you up. Especially on this day - Father's day - to have our regular Father's day conversation. That I could still call your number when I get not a response from calling Mom's. It's been some days now. Although I feel much better these days, some days I still get those waves of emotions come over me like 'Harmattan' evening dew. Like a cold flush coursing through my veins. I still stare at your phone number when I scroll past, with an almost irresistible urge to dial. I don't know how long the emotional roller-coaster will persist. I am persuaded however, that it would keep getting better. Knowing you were a great man and assured of your being ...

" I have the data. Even the prospectively collected data, I do have 'em all in my coffer. Now all I need do is to inquire all I can. And sure thing, there would be some answers....But hey, before getting too fixated on that, pause a bit. " These seem like the thought running through my mind as I listened to AQ today. "...let the science drive the data and not the other way around" , I think I heard him say - perhaps unknowingly seeming to sound a caution note. I couldn't agree any less. Being fixated on the data undermines thorough rational consideration of the many tiny bits of evidences (often from prior studies) that aid the construction of a well thought out hypothesis. One to be logically proven or otherwise refuted by an empirical process. An ill-planned data-driven exploration may show what is, but may fail to address what leads to what. It seems for a more complete utility of the "available" and "yet-to-be-derived" data, givin...

Getting to know more of the many facets and  characteristic of this. Perhaps getting to appreciate these more than I'd always. Most of the time, the thought of the science had predominated my mind - the exploration, and the discovery process. Inapparent however, is this subtle field - the "business processes" that ensure that the cycle of discovery is perpetuated. Beyond the buying and selling, there is the negotiating, the projecting, and the risk taking aspect of the discovery process. Knowing what would pan out and that which may never is as important amidst competing needs for resources.

Days like these (20180625) reminds me 'why'. Why one came on this path. Days ago a friend's mom got a diagnosis and he was quick to call me up for an explanation. I did a best I could explaining. Being able to explain what it all may mean. And beyond that, outlining necessary steps possibly needed to be taken in the days ahead. Grateful that by talking with, I could be of any help. In some ways, it felt gratifying. Though been able to explain felt so yet there remains the feeling of a lot still to be done. What if he could be assured that with such diagnosis, that it would be alright; that it would definitely be fine in spite of when treatment is sought; that with an unwavering believe that this too would pass. Yes, by faith we belief (Lord, we believe; help our unbelief...!). 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe,      all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and      said with tears, “Lord, ...

For so long I have heard and prayed this verse. However, in the past couple of days, it has taken on a new meaning. The essence of these words seem to appear in a slightly different but deeper light. Unbeknownst, some variants of these powerful and heartfelt words have been presented to make clearer what it truly means or what Christ was saying [ link ]. Few days ago, I had thought of things I couldn't do and why I wouldn't want to. I thought how forgiving myself for doing such may be a difficult thing. Almost at that same moment, the thought of being compelled, tempted and persuaded to accept these eerily crept over me. It was a humbling one. Then, I better understood what it means being shielded, protected or guided. Being shielded and covered under Christ's saving grace from the path of iniquity. Knowing our frame and the propensity of our canal minds, Jesus taught us to pray these words. For all we can be or we are, is by His grace. Dear Lord, ... lead me not into t...

It takes not a college degree to acknowledge that ideas are great. Quite often, what is overlooked is the implementation of a noble idea -  the nitty-gritty of what it takes to make such novelty a reality. The process of bringing into being is tedious. Though exciting, it is sometimes boring. Sort of an oxymoron in description - excitingly boring or boring excitement  (haha 😇) if there is any such expression. I have always known 4D(s). I mean, I came to know or was taught of 4D(s). Determination, Dedication, Deligence, and Discipline. Thinking back, these were handy getting through medical school. As memories rush back, I remember that higher-class young man standing in front of my sophomore-year class, admonishing us on what it takes to make it through medical school. I think those words did reinforce my subconscious realizations. Or perhaps those lessons taught me the deal. I have come to hear of other Ds. Including Desire, and the Drive. However, the role and essence of P...

It seems just a moment ago the year got started. Whew!! Time truly seems to fly. In the little time there's been both gain and not so gainful; joy and not so joyful; success and not so successful etc. The role of being a victor or the victim is both perceivable -- a many sided story of that which, there is no doubt, is part of a grander scheme. Oh, how may one understand and how may one know? Is one a victor or a victim here?  To His words one finds solace [1, 2, 3]. Therein lies the one story. The one story of ones purpose. The one story, eternally told, that gives meaning to the contemporary. The ancient tale of time, of time before, and time to be. What if it is otherwise? What if it isn't in the affirmative? It is ultimately good [4, 5]! Why isn't it always so good now? Why is there to be the 'not-so-good' to arrive at or appreciate the good? Perhaps much like the labor pain before the new-born's cry. Even though a 'cry', quite often attributed to...

Whew!!! How fast the month did just go by. Amidst many travels; for personal reasons, for friends, friends getting married, moving, helping friends move, etc, the days seem to zap by. It doesn't seem to be over yet though. Oh, it is the moving season -- that time of the year when locations, positions, statuses etc change. That time when uncertainties tend to pervade, faith exercised, and much grace desired. Counting the number of miles, I think I might be clocking over 3500 miles I've had to travel in as little as a month. I've had thoughts I'd like to put to pen and paper, but somehow didn't get around to getting these down -- perhaps these become part of those in my memory archive. It is easy to think one is expending oneself and ones resources for another.  Unsure to be repaid back. Unsure they appreciate it. Or perhaps we're standing in someones else stead in giving of the self and resources. Need we be paid back? Need we be bothered our expenditure isn...

There is something about learning a new thing - an unexplained excitement about a journey to discover the unknown. A journey to perhaps unravel a secret or knowledge of a previously known or unknown concept -- that which may be harnessed for the greater good. It often seems nature tucked away its many secrets. And the expedition to discover these, it reserved for the curious. Good thing excitement accompanies such voyage, else we won't bother. “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;             He knows what is in the darkness,             And the light dwells with Him."                                                   - Daniel 2:22 (NASB) "The secret things belong to the LORD our God,           but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever...

Herein is the substance of our faith. The meat of that which we believe. The essence of why we believe. The object of what we believe. And the strength of our believe. For had Christ not died, there wouldn't have been the forgiveness of our sins. Had Christ not risen, there possibly wouldn't have been a reason to believe. For He died. And, He rose! Hallelujah, He is risen! He is risen indeed!! 15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of t...

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,  even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro,  and knowledge shall be increased." - Daniel 12: 4 It was the summer of the first or the second year of medical school.  With the exception of a few other students staying back for many other reasons, as medical students, we almost always stayed back while everyone else was gone for the break or holidays. Quiet, serene and peaceful. It was an almost perfect time and place to study uninterrupted. In addition to a near predictably triangulated and monastic lifestyle we settled into, we would meet in groups to fellowship and study the scriptures...

Schaeffer’s...concerns can be traced back to the Enlightenment by which man placed his ‘autonomous’ reason over and against the authoritative revelation of God in Scripture. It seems to be that in our day the same decision is forcing itself upon all us evangelicals: shall it be the Word of God or the thoughts of fallen humankind that determine our thinking and praxis? Were Schaeffer still amongst us today, he would doubtlessly have opted for the former. - Will Graham on Shaeffer's "The Great Evangelical Disaster" Reference: http://evangelicalfocus.com/magazine/2383/10_Concerns_Francis_Schaeffer_Took_to_the_Grave

...focusing on the complexity of biochemical designs is not a good starting point to build a case for a Creator. Why? On the surface, this argument seems compelling. But it is actually an informal fallacy called the “argument from personal incredulity.” Just because I can’t believe something is true, doesn’t mean it’s not true. Evolutionary biologists have in fact made many suggestions as to how complex systems could have developed through natural processes. Reflecting on the complexity of a cell can certainly inspire our wonder and worship, but to build the case for a Creator from biochemistry, there are much better starting points, including:  a critique of evolution,  the Watchmaker argument,  the empirical argument, and  the bioinspiration argument. - Dr. Fazale Rana

Not very often is a song from a dream remembered. On this occasion, as a first thing on realizing I was in a dream, I made it a duty to immediately try to play the melodic tune at a very least and to pen it down (on a diatonic scale, in tonic sol-fa notation). It seems like a-three-beats (perhaps four-beats) per bar. I suppose the tonic " do " may be a " movable do ". When played, the  A-flat  rooted scale sounded most familiar to what I heard in my dreams. Although it sounds familiar, there is a perception of something new about it which I'm yet to grab a hold on. Ha, the words! Those escaped me. I thought I had some of it. Perhaps my concentration on ensuring I had the tunes down made them slip. m s l s m      C, E-flat, F, E-flat, C      r m r d         B-flat, C, B-flat, A-flat       m s l s m      C, E-flat, F, E-flat, C      m r m r        C, B-flat, ...

Courtesy - https://www.pexels.com/search/city/ It is technically almost a year since moving to a new city and a new state after a long time of being in Baltimore (Bal'more as fondly called), Maryland. It may almost seem natural to initially be skeptical -- the apprehension; the uncertainties; the subliminal but yet prevailing culture into which one is being teleport-ed; the spoken and unspoken rules; the self organizing groups, clicks, or cohorts; the politics, etc. of a new work environment and of a place to be called home. Standing at an almost one year anniversary and looking back, there are no regrets but gratitude for the great friends made and a community so glad to be a part of. Truly, He's got... many people in this city . 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”                                         ...

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the  glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea..."    - Habakkuk 2:14 (KJV) For many other graduating high school seniors, that was just a song. For me, it maybe wasn't. It was much more. I may try to go as far back as possible to where it'd began - where the pursuit of purpose began; to when as a little kid I'd first thought I would be a grand art master, an engineer, a scientist, a medical doctor, or the thought of being them all. For me, the day (termed "send-forth" as opposed to "send-off" day) we sang that as a song, one which I've not stopped singing, was the day I think I got a clearer sense of purpose. Those words, in particular, still play on my mind and in my thought like I just heard them -- like an audio track set to auto-repeat. Un-fallen off my lips, I murmur to myself time and again. My sight, I suppose, since that day, was tuned to seeking the glory of the Lord....

Year after year it comes Month on month we anticipate Day after day we wait The seasons declare it here As the weather does Its joy pervades And the gleeful fanfare deny it not With grandeur we celebrate Unaware, its essence slips Though its purpose eternally sealed Matt 1:18-24, Luke 1:26-2:20, Isaiah 9:6

[Dedicated to the memories of kids that did not live to their fifth birthday and to the many care-givers that did all they could to care for them.] For days she’d been here Incarcerated to a reformatory not bargained By the cold hands of an infirmity That wouldn’t let go. In agony I watched her Drowning in her own waters. Life was stealthily taking a leave As it could no longer be contained. She clenches to the thread of strength Holding her frail and feeble body. My libations to appease rebuffed, Incapably I stared. To a plea I resorted; “It’s only a while you’ve been here. Remember the sweetly voices of angels in damsels skin. And, the thundering beats of strong men Heralding your arrival.” I struggled so hard not to, But to no avail, A warm laden tear trickled; Contradicting the believe that we don't cry. Rhetorically, I asked why? And to the realms of comprehension I peered. But, more questions I got Than I sought to know. circa 2003

Fresh, local champs, simple and pristine kids were we when we boarded. It was in the year of our Lord, and it was the fourteenth day of the fourth month. Then, our ship did set sail after a much protracted delay and many months behind its scheduled departure date. “It's a sea fever”, someone said. “No! It’s the heat on board”, replied another. Whatever it was, many didn’t make it past the first 365 nautical miles - a year gone and we were yet at sea. We did spend many months at the “Municipal bay”. Thereafter, we headed for the battle for survival of the fittest. At that time, all else made no meaning. All we thought of was surviving. Life was triangular and predictable. Sleep, wake, and gaze at the endless pages of books were the order of the day. Then came the battle at the canal of Meghan-Bolt (MBI) - between the Red sea and the Mediterranean, an extension of the Atlantic. Not too many survivors made it through. After that, we lost count of time. It was better facing life as...