Friday, July 23, 2010

Potions

Originally, an apothecary was simply a shopkeeper – the word comes via Old French from late Latin apothēcārius, which was based on Greek apothḗkē ‘storehouse’ (source, via French, of boutique (18th c.) and via Spanish of bodega (19th c.)), a derivative of the verb apotithénai ‘put away’ (formed from the prefix apo- ‘away’ and the verb tithénai ‘put’ – source of thesis).

By the time the word entered English it was reserved to shopkeepers who sold non-perishable groceries, such as spices – and herbal and other remedies. Gradually, apothecaries began to specialize more and more in drugs, so that in 1617 a formal separation took place between the Apothecaries’ Company of London and the Grocers’ Company. Apothecary remained the general term for a ‘druggist’ until about 1800, when chemist began to take over.


There must be a lot of people who feel pretty lousy..(just take a look at a typical website for diseases)- the drop down list of ailments is staggering! You should be happy I'm not going there!
Having said that, I don't really have much respect for the FDA ..but it seems when it comes to health or politics, your dealing partly with the spiritual realm too- whether we realize it or not ? (I like to hope we can all learn something from one another though).
Anyway, this reminds me (sickness or what have you) of something I encountered back in the 80's shortly after I began to learn about who Jesus Christ was. It was something known as (name it and claim it)  Although this was my experience, I do hope I'm not stepping on any one's toes. Now this crowd felt you must be positive without wavering- God is required to answer - known also as (Word-Faith).  “Believe it in your heart; say it with your mouth.."By His stripes you are healed" -the principle of faith being- you can have what you say. 

Well, I saw a movie a few years ago -What the Bleep Do We Know, you may of heard or seen it..actually well done- but (this link) will give you a quick description for a film that's often "been criticized for misrepresenting science and containing pseudoscience, and has been described as quantum mysticism.."  It just smacks the same to me- maybe on another level as W.F.?  


The Greek word ἰατρός (iatrós, doctor or healer) is often translated as physician. Ἱατρός is not preserved directly in English, but occurs in such formations as psychiatrist (translates from Greek as healer of the soul)... iatrogenic disease (a disease caused by medical treatment). In Latin, the word medicus meant much what physician or doctor does now.


My point is , does God always heal or do we create our own reality? Do we try and work faith to our advantage? While I'm at it..just what should be regulated? Hey..and what about Michael Jackson..was it all the Doctors fault?
I don't appreciate guilt like in the above and I don't think there are any short cuts either..however, that doesn't mean I've never resorted to it! (cough)
Now God says, “I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26.. rather to me, this is an invitation to know..to get more out of it (as in a relationship..learning His ways) than merely being healed- though healing would be ideal?
I've found that I don't have all the answers, but God in his infinite wisdom has always come through in whatever crisis I've gone through,  may find myself in presently or in the future- that He gives wisdom as we learn to trust Him.  One reason is because suffering produces patience and I firmly believe this is one of the chief reasons behind and for "building up the body" . There has to be spoils. I'd love to hear what you think?

8 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

The history of the word aphthecary is real interesting, I had wondered about that! Well, I do agree with having a positive outlook, and that our emotions and dread can make us ill,BUT this "think it and make it happen", I don't think so! Just because we want something does not mean that God wants it for us. That is like saying to God "Here's what I want, here's what I'm going to get, and let's just forget about your path for me or your will." It smacks of selfishness. We cannot see into the future like God does, so we do not know what's best for us. I think god will use suffering for patience and also for empathy to better help us to console others. Another great, thought provoking post!

rainfield61 said...

I am totally with Ginny.

And that's no short cut.

MadSnapper said...

this morning while looking for something in my bible, i ran accross this answer written on the inside cover of my Bible. all of my bibles are full of things I wrote while listening to sermons, i did not write who said this.
"Jesus did not come to get us out of our troubles/struggles, or to remove our problems, but to give us eternal life and to give us strength to live through and above our problems and to help us live through them with joy and peace.Philppians 4 tells us Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, buy prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guards your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Note he does not say here he will make it go away, but he will give us peace with it. He also does not say speak it and it will happen, that is not found in scripture.

that said I do beleive if we say negative things all the time we can make ourselves miserable and if we say happy things we can feel better. always talking problem constatnly reminds us of it. but we do need to talk to friends about them just to get comfort. wow, this is tuff i could go on and on

MadSnapper said...

forgot to say i LOVE that little bee stuffing his head way down in there to get the sweet stuff

The Write Girl said...

Faith is so important to have in your life especially when you are going through an issue. I learned a lot from your post about apothecaries and medicine. Hope you are feeling and doing better. Take care :)

Unknown said...

Interesting and thought provoking post. Maybe we exist so the soul can experience different thing. Like love and Hate, joy and sorrow. In my life I have seen wonderful things like the birth of my children, I have looked deep into the eyes of nature and felt connected. I have also seen and experienced frightening things, death, terror,violence it's all there in full colour on Sky news. Is this God or the Devil? Well who knows but we wouldn't know what good was unless we had experienced bad. I am not really an organised religious man. I don't go to church as I believe that if you want to feel connected to life and your God, you just have to step outside to see and feel it. The only real Evil I see in our world is done by humans not a Devil. We might want things in our life but who says the Soul wants it after all, isn't it our soul thats important?

Butternut Squash said...

There is plenty of evidence the shows one's attitude of optimism effects his/her health. Pray, why not? What harm could it possibly do? Enjoy God's gifts and give gratitude. However, perfect health eternally is not a reasonable expectation. We all die. When I leave this world I want to carry with me as much joy as I possibly can, not the disappointment that I was sick but God never made me better. Everything we do has an effect on how much joy we can take from any moment. We never know how long we have to love we only know how well. Embrace life, joy, friendship, share every good thing you have. Pray for the health and happiness of each and every one. Everyone knows the effect of a nasty remark or the feeling of praise and a smile. These are the things that create our reality here and now.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Kilauea Poetry said...
Thanks to all of you! Ginny, your so right, we can't see into the future, and Sandra, being anxious for nothing- I like that verse as he does give peace in the midst of whatever circumstance.
Katina- thank you- hope your enjoying your weekend my friend!
Butternut..ya, our attitude is so important..I like yours..I like feeling fuzzy but am struck by the battle of life..so am compelled..driven to dig deeper? Not sure if that makes sense? Anyway, thank you.. I read your recent post (actually have a little reply in my draft) but was pondering an e-mail response..I'll get back-
Hi there Kev..I agree about the religious. Generally, I'd say for the most part we've only been accustomed to witnessing the result of what happens when, or instead of life -(even allowed-without scrutiny) to flow outside an organization, rather than being generated by the (what I believe) work of the spirit (not implying He doesn't work through O.R. (organized religion) but often in spite of ourselves? I don't think many know how to even operate outside of the system due largely to this type of dependence or conditioning? In regard to evil..my only comment would be that (what you mentioned - man rather than the devil)..maybe just that- like good, the evil or those actions would have to have a source? I really appreciate the dialog (all)- hope you have a good day-

Let's be perfectly clear- the war on free speech is spiritual!