“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” — Revelation 12:7-8 This week we have Veterans Day on our calendar. It reminds us that our fellow citizens have given years of their lives to serve … Continue reading →
“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” — Psalm 39:4 NIV Turning 50-years old was particularly difficult for me. It caught me off guard to realize that I had reached a birthday that once seemed so far into the future. I felt paralyzed from this unexpected milestone, … Continue reading →
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds” — Ephesians 4:22-23 NIV There is an old saying that goes something like this, Thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, character becomes … Continue reading →
A Hospice Chaplain is available to patients and families on hospice without cost or obligation to them. They are provided for emotional, spiritual, and personal support so patients and their families can cope effectively during their hospice journey. Here are seven things to know about the role of the hospice chaplain: 1) Provide Emotional Support Hospice chaplains are listeners who … Continue reading →
“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.” — Proverbs 15:17 NIV A patient’s family was telling me about their home when they were growing up. They said the neighborhood kids always hung out at their house and that it wasn’t uncommon for them to come home and find one or two neighborhood kids … Continue reading →
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34 NIV Sometime back I began to notice something different between me and my wife when it came to how we approached our day. I noticed that my wife had a unique ability to simply enjoy the activity … Continue reading →
“let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” — Proverbs 1:5 NIV When I was in seminary I had a Greek professor who frequently retorted back to students “You are showing your ignorance.” No one wanted to be the target of his zingers but we all knew the bigger lesson the professor was … Continue reading →
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18 NIV It’s just a theory, I have no scientific research to back it up, but it seems people are more short tempered than ever. The store cashier is hearing more customer complaints, the restaurant server is enduring more mean guests, and … Continue reading →
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” — Proverbs 10:12 NIV Years ago a hospice administrator told me that she had to terminate an employee because he refused to visit a new patient. I asked her why and she replied that the patient was gay and that employee made it clear that he hated gay people. Now … Continue reading →
“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” — Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV Since man’s creation, work has been assigned as an integral part of life on earth. Man was created and told to work the garden. In the thousands of years since, man has worked to developed buildings, … Continue reading →
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” — 1 John 4:1 NIV In my study at home I have a piece of wooden decor on my book case that reads, IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING YOU WILL FALL … Continue reading →
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children” — Ephesians 5:1 NIV The secret to spiritual contentment is not found in joining the solitude life of a monk, or in the amount of money you give to a church, or in a multitude of good deeds. For any of us to know peace and wholeness in the depths of our … Continue reading →
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice” — Proverbs 24:17 NIV Whenever my grandmother heard of someone’s misfortune, she would say, “Except for the grace of God there go I.” Perhaps she was reminding herself not to worry about the same thing befalling her or maybe she was taking advantage of … Continue reading →
“Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” — Isaiah 57:2 NIV For generations the abbreviation R.I.P. has been recognized and affirmed to mean Rest in Peace. When a person passes from this life into death we often comment that they now appear peaceful and we take solace that they are resting from … Continue reading →
“Yet we urge you…to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV Our world tends to glorify those who have made it big in the field of sports or on the stage of music or up on the … Continue reading →
“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.” — Psalms 34:12-13 NIV A long good life cannot be built on a foundation of evil or the practice of lying. However, a life that values honesty, authenticity, and the welfare of others can bring one a … Continue reading →
“I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” — Lamentations 3:20-21 NIV The first national observance of what would become Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868. It began as a day of decorating the cemetery for civil war casualties and became a day of mourning … Continue reading →
“The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.” — Proverbs 5:22 NIV There really is no perfect crime because our own attempts to hide something or conceal a wrong or the effort we invest to be untruthful, falls apart by our own human nature. We forget to hide something. We inadvertently reveal … Continue reading →
William was an excellent hospital chaplain. He had the kind of professional pedigree that translated into a rewarding long-term career. He had the education, the experience, and the demeanor that set him apart as a chaplain who would be serving others well into his old age. Except, he burned out before his time. One day William didn’t show up to … Continue reading →
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” — Mark 6:31 NIV Among police homicide detectives there is a saying that goes, “Everybody has their body count.” It means that at some … Continue reading →
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” — Philippians 4:11 NIV Life is a series of ups and downs, good times and bad times, successes and losses. It’s easy to be in the center of success when we’re celebrating and life is good. However, it’s not so easy coping with losses and difficulties, so how do you deal with those … Continue reading →
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 NIV An off-duty hospice nurse was at the beach contemplating her yearning for God’s intervention in her life when she was distracted by a small child and his dad. They were walking across the beach toward the parking lot as the small child was struggling … Continue reading →
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” — Proverbs 4:25 NIV Our world bombards us with messages trying to recruit us into someone else’s cause. Turn on the television, dial into the radio, or scan a social media platform and you’ll be confronted with someone trying to convince you to join in their emotional zeal … Continue reading →
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.” — Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV Evil may be ready to ruin your plans but don’t let it threaten your future before it even strikes. Life has enough things to cause us to … Continue reading →
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” — Proverbs 11:25 NIV After 12 years as the top law enforcement officer in a Georgia county, the Sheriff decided to find work that was less stressful. He started a tire store that brought him good working hours and great financial rewards. However, he felt miserable and purposeless until … Continue reading →
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 NIV A writer from the 1930’s once told the story of a wealthy family whose interior decorator suggested placing an ornate fancy hanging bird cage under a stairwell to fill in the empty space. The family said they did … Continue reading →
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” — Proverbs 16:24 NIV The words that come out of our mouth mark us as a positive or a negative influence to others. Most people who we encounter in a typical day are starving for gracious words that will encourage them or positively influence them. If … Continue reading →
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” — Proverbs 29:11 NIV Those who are owners of multiple dogs know that they influence each other to bark and get riled up without reason. When one starts barking the other joins in without knowing why. Undisciplined dogs will blindly follow the other’s lead. However, … Continue reading →
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” — John 11:33 NIV The Lord Jesus Christ is not a callous unemotional being who is unmoved in spirit by the sorrow of the human experience. The message of the Scriptures is that the Son of … Continue reading →
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 NIV In 1979 Bob Dylan released an album with the award winning song, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” John Lennon said the song was “stupid” and wrote a song titled, “Serve Yourself.” However, Bob Dylan … Continue reading →
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35 NIV The early Christians were frequently mocked by pagans because they were recognized as truly having love for each other. The pagan mind could not comprehend people being in harmony and unity without any expression of selfish behavior. Christian gatherings were often … Continue reading →
“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.” — Isaiah 45:2 NIV Obstacles either stop us from proceeding toward our objective or they challenge us to find a way to work with them so we can realize our goal. Too many give up on pursuing … Continue reading →