There are eight Bible passages/verses that I keep close by when I’m called to visit a hospital patient or a hospice patient or someone trying to make sense of a tragic or traumatic event. I’ve never unloaded all of them in a single visit and I can’t image a situation where I would reference more than two or three. I’m … Continue reading →
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” — John 16:20 NIV The things that excite this world are not the same as what inspires a follower of Jesus Christ. The world may celebrate immorality, knowingly promote a lie, and applaud when truth is … Continue reading →
It is not uncommon for hospice patients to come to the end of their lives and claim to have visitors who have passed years earlier. For example, a patient may engage in a conversation with a sibling that can’t be seen and that we know has been deceased for several years. Sometimes patients point out their visitors to others and … 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 Years ago I sat at a Japanese Hibachi restaurant when a guest at our table tried to engage the cook in a conversation regarding a recent societal event. The cook simply retorted back, Not my problem. … Continue reading →
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 NIV It’s rare, but once in a while I’ll meet a patient who has lived sheltered from hardship and suddenly finding themselves dealing with illness and suffering is … Continue reading →
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV The writer of Ecclesiastes, who is believed to be Solomon, explores the meaning of living from the perspective of his life being largely behind him. In kind of a life … Continue reading →
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV When I first met this certain patient, I was taken back by the overwhelming loss they were experiencing. The patient just found out they only had weeks to live, their cancer had metastasized throughout their body, their congestive heart failure was already making it difficult … Continue reading →
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” — Nahum 1:7 NIV Some have rejected the Lord, mostly because they have been taught to by their upbringing, so they don’t trust in Him in their daily lives. When troubles come and no one cares they blame the very God they … Continue reading →
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21 (NIV) After the birth of my first child I was peering into the hospital nursery window. Just then a young mother walked up with a friend who asked her, What did you … Continue reading →
“Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made.” — 1 Kings 15:11-12 NIV Adulthood often presents us with choices to maintain the traditions of our families or to break away and start a new course. Ending the unhealthy cycles of behavior that we’ve born into is a … Continue reading →
“Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” — John 5:8-9 NIV When I worked as a trauma chaplain, I often heard families claim miracles for their loved ones who declared they would soon get up off their gurney’s and walk out of the … Continue reading →
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18 NIV It’s always funny to see the memes on social media that convey the message that it’s easier to live with our pets than it is to live with other people. We can all relate to experiencing conflicts between personalities. However, … Continue reading →
I recently watched a documentary that followed a grief counselor as he gave advice and counsel to people and families facing death. I found it very thought provoking because his basic philosophy was that people shouldn’t fear death but instead should see it merely as a part of life. The setting for this documentary and the location of the grief … Continue reading →
Sitting with families who are hearing the bad news of a loved one’s death was a nearly daily occurrence for me when I worked as a hospital chaplain at a trauma center. The way people respond to a physician’s death notification varies so greatly that I began to wonder why and if there is something to be learned about such … Continue reading →
“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” — Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV The pursuit of happiness is not just a governing … Continue reading →
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:13 NIV Whatever God puts on your heart, know that the secret of success is His Spirit blessing your efforts. Our day by day activities are not governed by the miraculous but by our efforts. We may pray, “Lord give us our daily bread” but we don’t hold … Continue reading →
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” — Psalm 9:9 NIV When the circumstances of life are battering against you like a ship on rough seas, the Lord is your sure stronghold. You can find a shelter in Him that is secure, safe, and peaceful despite the storms that rage on the outside. You … Continue reading →
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” — Galatians 5:22-23 NIV Love is a unique quality to the Christian faith. The emphasis on love is not to be compared in the sacred writings from other religions like it is in the Bible. It identifies God as love and speaks extensively … Continue reading →
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” — Psalm 100:5 NIV Every now and then someone comes my way who blames God for some evil thing that has happened to them. Their blame usually goes like this: if God was real then he wouldn’t have allowed whatever it is that happened to … Continue reading →
How should we count down our days when we have been given a bad prognosis? If the physician tells you that there isn’t anything that can be done to bring a cure and you’ve been given days or months to live, how should you respond? How should we wait while waiting to die? With the initial news of no cure … Continue reading →
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” — 1 John 4:18 NIV Fearfulness is usually something we experience when we are worried about a loss, suffering pain, or some type of major setback. We fear the unknown when the unknown could mean harm. It doesn’t have to be … Continue reading →
“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” — Ecclesiastes 1:18 NIV Life is full of unintended consequences. A high school graduate is drawn to law enforcement work but after joining the police force, he’s losing sleep at night over the seedy world of crime and drug addiction. Another desired to earn her registered nursing … Continue reading →
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” — Romans 12:15 NIV When Bill Clinton was running for President of the USA in 1992 he often repeated this phrase to his campaign audiences, “I feel your pain.” He won that election because voters felt like he understood them, he related to them, and he identified with them. Whether … Continue reading →
“I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live…and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” — Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NIV The God of the universe takes pleasure in our happiness, our doing good, and enjoyment in our chosen careers. Sometimes God is portrayed as mean … Continue reading →