Few of us have actually set out to live our lives as pirates, obsessively searching for rum and treasure while giving no regard for contributing to society or being a morally centered citizen. Some have and they have prisons to call their home. Most of us have set out to do something positive with our lives, like build a family … Continue reading →
“in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” — Titus 1:2 NIV Most religions recognize that our planet has been subverted by evil and that some type of divine intervention will either end it, correct it, or re-make it. The promise of the Christian faith, as explained in the Bible, … Continue reading →
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV The cycle of life for mankind is interesting to me. In our youth we are physically invincible and our minds rush us headstrong into the future as if we are 10-foot tall and bullet … Continue reading →
“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” — Colossians 1:11 NIV There is great value to the individual who is patient enough to endure hardship. The old adage that says, “Good things come to them that wait” is true. The couple with the happiest marriage are usually the … Continue reading →
“who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV I’m on a lot of mailing lists for ministers, and from time to time I get brochures advertising travel tours to Israel, the Holy Land, and others that follow the footsteps … Continue reading →
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” — Proverbs 12:18 NIV You have likely heard the old adage: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. I doubt that adage is completely truthful because as I think back to my childhood, I can’t really remember all … Continue reading →
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8–9 NIV I am a chaplain in healthcare, but that doesn’t mean I know medical things like a physician or … Continue reading →
“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” — Psalm 34:3 NIV On the Beatles 1969 Abbey Road album, the song Come Together was one of the most popular. It actually started out as a campaign song for Timothy Leary’s run for California Governor. The song ended up being filled with Lennon’s nonsensical lyrics (like “toe-jam football”) … Continue reading →
After 35 years of serving as a church pastor, I have learned something about why people come to celebrations or ceremonies. I’ve learned that at a baptism, we come to see the candidate take a public stand for following the Lord. At a wedding, we come to see the beauty of a bride and her happily ever after. But at … Continue reading →
I’m placing these items here so they are accessible to myself or anyone needing resources for a graveside ceremony. Scripture 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Psalm 23:1-6 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Committal For as much as God in His infinite love and wisdom, has given us the life of _____________________ and has permitted him/her to fall asleep in Jesus, we do … Continue reading →
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6 NIV Sister Eva was a Catholic nun and a hospital chaplain whom I worked with for several years before she retired. She was fond of saying to me and the other chaplains, Don’t lose your peace. Whenever one … Continue reading →
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV Let’s be honest, some days just don’t go as planned. On some days nothing seems to go right and everything seems to fight against us. Then there are those days that sideswipe … Continue reading →
”The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” — 1 John 2:17 NIV In 1974 the Rolling Stones recorded a slow-tempo song with an almost hypnotic melody called “Time Waits for No One.” Stones fans still consider it a classic, but everyone recognizes the stark truth the lyrics reveal about our world—time … Continue reading →
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” — Luke 6:45 NIV A man can suppress his actions and hide his real self for awhile but eventually … Continue reading →
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV Intimidation is when a person is threatening to us, it could be a situation, but its mostly something we experience when someone causes us to be afraid because of something they may do. Intimidation is … Continue reading →
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” — Proverbs 24:10 NIV Not having the physical strength to overcome an illness is not something we should scoff at, because it could just as easily happen to us. We can look upon the misfortunes of another and feel sorry for them and their weakness but we … Continue reading →
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13 NIV The ultimate gift that one can give is their life. There is no higher expression of love than to sacrifice your life so another can live. There simply is no other gift that can be given beyond one’s life. I once … Continue reading →
There are three things that I hear as a chaplain from people who are counting down the days of their lives. I’ve heard these things as both a hospital chaplain and as a hospice chaplain. These patients have the same common denominator and that is that they are dying and they know it. Here are the three things that I … Continue reading →
“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” — John 4:10 NIV Jesus tells the Samaritan women at the well, If you only knew who I am you would be asking for more. The truth … Continue reading →
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” — 1 Peter 4:12 NIV Being a Christian and living a life that follows the lessons, principles, and teachings of Jesus does not mean that you will be free from adversity. There are natural … Continue reading →
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” — 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV Sometimes life has a way of making us feel alone, ignored, or unrecognized. You could be a stay at home mom, you could be a professional that spends your day by yourselves, or you could be … Continue reading →
“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” — John 20:29 NIV If seeing is your standard for believing, you are missing out on the true power of Christian faith. When we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) we are inviting … Continue reading →
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” — Joshua 1:8 NIV You can always tell what someone is passionate about because they like talking about it. Their words, however, are just the … Continue reading →
“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” — 1 Samuel 17:40 (NIV) The small shepherd boy, David, stood before the giant Goliath with a simple slingshot and a few stones. He wasn’t wearing … Continue reading →