Creation

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Laparoscopic examination of the human abdominal cavity represents a dramatic advance of modern medicine. It is a routine diagnostic procedure used by physicians around the world. How did laparoscopy develop and why is it so valuable? This article will explore both the advancement and practical applications of this remarkable surgical tool.

Laparoscopy is the viewing of intra-abdominal organs via a small abdominal incision utilizing a special viewing scope. This is typically done under an anesthetic. The use of small cameras provides extensive visualization of the abdominal organs, which can also be observed by the assistant staff on television screens. Additional instruments can be placed using similar small incisions to allow various surgical procedures to be accomplished. Surgical procedures that once required a major abdominal incision in the past can now be done laparoscopically via tiny incisions. Laparoscopy has also allowed us to peer into the amazingly coordinated, interconnected, and interdependent anatomy of the abdominal organs. This highly complicated but well-organized and well-functioning system reflects the mind of its creator.

• 1O’Neill K (2024 Apr 16) The peritoneum. In Teach Me Anatomy [Internet] https://teachmeanatomy.info/abdomen/areas/peritoneum/ Accessed 2024 Dec 13
• 2MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2020 Jun 24]. Abdominal exploration — series — Normal anatomy [updated 2024 Mar 31] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100049_1.htm Accessed 202 Dec 13

Recently I was thrilled to be able to experience an adventure of a lifetime, rafting the Colorado River though a portion of the Grand Canyon with Canyon Ministries. This is a trip I had wanted to do for years, and the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me in late May. On one level the trip was a ton of fun. I have white-water rafted on several rivers in the east, including my favorite, the New River through the New River Gorge (“The Grand Canyon of the East”) in my home state of West Virginia, but nothing compared to this. On another level, however, the trip was so educational and faith-affirming! So many of my beliefs about geology, the age of the earth, and especially the Genesis flood of Genesis 6–9 were confirmed/reinforced on this trip.

Once again it is the time of year that we remember and celebrate the first coming to Earth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, came to save sinners and give us eternal life (John 3:16). Sinners are people who have a sin nature, naturally rebel against God, and break his commandments. Everyone who descended from Adam and Eve, which includes all of us, has a sin nature (1 Cor 15:20–22). The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Jesus came to live the sinless life we could not live (Heb 4:15), pay the just penalty for our sins by dying in our place (Heb 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 1 Pet 3:18), and then, being raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:1–11), give eternal life to those who would trust Him (John 10:10, Rom 5:17).