A New Perspective On Swine Flu

Simple Steps To Avoid H1N1

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorialetc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*


5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amlaand other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Thought For The Day

My wife is "the wind beneath my wings" and I am the wind beneath the blankets

Opportunities God Uses

I have to admit I have never been great at witnessing. If the spread of the gospel were to depend on me, we wouldn't be much past the disciple stage. Not sure why that is. I guess its always easier to talk RoughRider than it is to talk to people about the things of God.
But an opportunity arose last Tuesday that even I couldn't miss or at least was not given the opportunity to miss. For years around my office we have had a tradition where every second Tuesday we all go to lunch together. It's production week.
The sales people are all in, the production people are all together and we always have had that little luncheon. No matter who the staff may be or have been and its kind of nice.
Last Tuesday, over lunch, the subject of an after life came up. Presumably the catalyst was the two recent funerals that Louise and I have had in our lives. I was doing my best shrinking violet routine, concentrating on my second piece of pumpkin pie, and trying to stay out of it when one of the girls said to me, "Larry, you've just been through two funerals,do you think there's an afterlife or is this is all there is?"
Well there was an opening large enough to drive a semi trailer through. One that not even I could miss.
So I simply told them - I have never been to a non Christian funeral so I don't really know what transpires there. But for me
15 years ago as I buried my Father and recently as I watched the caskets of my Mother and Father in law being lowered into the ground, I just could not imagine how it would be if we did not have the hope, not only for them but for us as well, of something more. Of an eternity now to be spent with the one who created us and died for us.
One of the men than asked "So you think you will see them again? To which I replied and not in a glib manner. I believe they are already there (in heaven) and I guess whether I see them or not depends on me and what my relationship with God is.
That kind of ended the discussion but later in the day one of the men came to my office and said to me So you really think there is a heaven and we had another opportunity to talk for a moment or two about the subject again.
So out of the recent loss of two individuals that we esteem greatly came my opportunity to share even in a small and seemingly insignificant way. Whether God will take that little seed and develop into something with people who don't have a relationship is now up to him. And you know what, for me being a witness really wasn't as hard as I may have thought it would be. I am always reminded as well that sometimes our actions speak louder than our words.

So shall my word which goes forth from my mouth, it shall not return to me empty without accomplishing what I desire,
and without succeeding in the manner for which I sent it. (Isaiah 53:11)

There Is A River

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. Psalm 46:4

I have always loved rivers and this morning, after my quiet time and on my way to work, drove down Spadina Crescent and along the river. It was so peaceful just watching it flow although I must admit much more pleasant in say July rather than October.
I guess I have always lived in places with rivers. Growing up in the town of Peace River there was the mighty Peace River that flowed through the town and a smaller river called the Hart which joined it. I have many memories of those rivers and one of them is not so pleasant when my brother and I launched tubes on a hot summer day without checking out the river first.
We hit whitewater, collided with a tree across the river, lost our tubes and spend 24 hours in the bush before we walked out to
safety. My Dad and search and rescue were none to pleased and my brother spent several days in the hospital as a result.
My fat spared me from the same fate.
Then in Prince George there were three rivers flowing into the city. In Brandon there was the Assiniboine and now in Saskatoon we have the beautiful south Saskatchewan river.
Rivers for the most part always seem to be a place of peace and contentment. My commentary this morning says that a river is a beautiful figure of God's protection and presents a contrast to the ocean which can be pretty turbulent. I like that description of a river as a figure of God's protection. Everything around you can be in wild disarray but a river just continues to flow along until it is disrupted usually by forces beyond its control. The neat part is that God can never be disrupted because he is always in control.

There is a river that flows from deep within.
There is a fountain that frees the soul from sin.
Come to these waters, there is a vast supply.
There is a river that never shall run dry.
There came a sound from Heaven, like a mighty rushing wind.
It filled their hearts with singing and gave them peace within.
The Master gave this promise, the Spirit will descend
And from your inner being a river with no end.

There came a thirsty woman, who was drawing from a well.
Her life was ruined and wasted, her soul was bound for Hell.
But then she met the Master, who told of her great sin
And if you’ll drink this water, you’ll never thirst again.

There is a river that flows from God above.
There is a fountain, that’s filled with His great love.
Come to the water, there is a vast supply.
There is a river, that never shall run dry.
That never shall run dry.

The Hope of Heaven

One of our local radio stations, an all talk call in station, had an interesting and sometimes sad topic this morning.
The topic was "Is The Church Still Relevant Today" The background was twenty some churches that have closed in the Ottawa area due to sagging attendance and general dis-interest in things spiritual. Some of the calls this morning were particularly disheartening. Unfortunately many callers spoke of having been burned or hurt in some way by "The Church". And of course there were the usual "they only want my money calls". One caller pointed out that he didn't go to church, didn't believe in it, but that didn't mean he wasn't a Christian. In theory of course he is correct. But you are left wondering how strong is his commitment if he doesn't have a desire to go to church.
Coming on the heels of two, what I would term triumphant and victorious funeral services, I was left wondering what a non Christian funeral would be like? Without the hope of being united with God and the hope of being reunited with family and friends, how hollow a funeral service like that must be.
At both the funeral of my Mother (two weeks ago) and the funeral of my father in law (only days ago) the hope of life beyond the grave was something to cling to. The music, the testimonials and all were so uplifting. Although I am far from perfect, I was left wondering how can there be any doubt? And if you don't believe what are you left with?
So is the church still relevant today? I believe it is and always will be. In the very early days the church was referred to as
"The Mother". Why? Because in many cases it is our Mothers who taught us about Jesus and instilled early values in us.
Is that relevant for the Church to do so today? I would suggest even more so. And if you want to go even further back, shall we say to the very beginning the Church was referred to as "The Bride of Christ" Are brides still relevant today? I would suggest they are. Many brides have remained faithful even when their husbands were not faithful to them. In the same way God remains faithful even to those who doubt him.
Through the ages, God has used the church to keep alive and pass down the story of what Christ has done for us. It is the church's witness that has kept the world aware that Christ is alive today, offering help and strength to those who trust in him. The story of Christ would have been lost during the Dark Ages if the church had not sustained it in monasteries where the Scriptures were laboriously hand-copied while barbarians were tearing down the rest of Western civilization. Church councils have protected Christianity from heresies by examining new theologies. Today, it is against two thousand years of church tradition that our modern-day interpretations of Scripture are tested. In short, it is the church that has preserved the Gospel and delivered it into our hands.
Again I look back at the two recent funerals. One of the things that impressed me the most was the number of young people
(Grandchildren and their children) that attended and how these young people on both sides of my family have turned out.
These young people were handed down a legacy from their now deceased Grandparents not only of things eternal but also
of things not eternal) I learned the value of working hard from my Father and I know that has been passed on to my children.
But more important than that is the Christian heritage that has been passed on to all these grandchildren who now will pass
on to theirs and on it goes.
The question the talk show host asked "Is the Church Still Relevant Today? I would answer is heaven still relevant today?
Yes it is and it always shall be and I thank God for a Christian heritage passed down from my wife's parents and grandparents and from my parents and grandparents. That is still relevant today and so is the church and the hope of heaven.

Who Is Watching You From Heaven?

It has been a week now since my Mother's internment in Trochu, Alberta. Due to distance only a handful of people were there but what a beautiful sunshiny day it was. Vern and Dorothy Carmack were again there and Pastor Vern conducted the graveside service. What faithful friends to my parents this couple were. Even unto death. I was so thankful for Vern's strength and his guidance through this time.
Vern is a man that doesn't beat around the bush. You ask him. He gives it to you straight and again Pastor Vern delivered a strong message of salvation before committing my Mother's body to the ground.
Mom was buried alongside Dad as was her wish. Their headstone, which will now have Mom's name inscribed on it is so fitting. Dad an accomplished pianist and musician, Mom a pianist as well and carved onto the headstone is a grand piano. I was so delighted to see that. Dad's life was about music. It was his life and Mom shared that joy along with him.
I know I have been blessed to have had Christian parents. Dad was a man who modelled faith and worked hard. I don't know how many times I heard "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" That was how he lived his life and expected us to do the same. Mom was quieter but as I look back on it, we have Mom to thank for our
Christian heritage and ultimately our salvation. Dad came from a long line of unbelievers. Hard working, good men, strong men but just not believers. Mom, on the other hand came from a strong heritage of believers and through her Dad came to believe as well.
Today I did a little quiz on the internet. The quiz asked the question "Who do you think is watching you from heaven"? I took the quiz and answered all the questions and then waited for the answer. The answer came back your Father (Dad)
(this incidentally was a secular quiz) and went on to say "He misses you dearly and is keeping his eye on you, his special treasure. Whether that is true or not is unimportant. My parents were treasures to me and today I am grateful and thankful to them, my Mom and my Dad, for the life they gave me, the life we shared together and the love of music which we all shared together.