An Ugly Gorilla Broke the Ice

When I became a hospice chaplain, I wasted no time getting stuffed animals (mostly teddy bears and beanie bears) into the arms of my patients. I had friends in the Tulsa area who would call me and ask, 'Do you need any stuffed animals?' I always answered, 'Yes, I do!'

. . . from the Pastor’s Desk

In John 10:10, Jesus said: “ 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Last year the thief—pure evil—visited Uvalde, Texas and came only to steal, to kill, and to destroy.

Adapting to Our New World

Can you minimize unnecessary suffering when mourning the death of a loved one? Is grief always totally disabling? What choices might we make that can help us manage the intensity and sadness?

. . . from the Pastor’s Desk

In the world we live in, people seem to be so beaten down by the everyday struggles of life. Some seem to be so tired and weary. There is even an illness “chronic fatigue syndrome.” Doctors can actually do little about the problem if you suffer from it.

. . . from the Pastor’s Desk

A tennis professional was giving a lesson to a new student of the game. After watching the student take several swings at the tennis ball, he began to suggest ways in which the strokes might be improved.

Finishing Unfinished Business

Was there something that was left unsaid before your loved one died? Or was there some act that was never apologized for—perhaps an argument, an old grudge, or an outright abuse? It is difficult in most human relationships not to look back and feel sorry for something that was said or left unsaid.

Swinging for fences and settling For singles

The batter is warming up on deck – meaning he is the next one to come to the plate to face the pitcher.

When Will We Ever Learn?

A young man said, “I believe in Jesus, and I believe in heaven, but I don’t believe in the devil or hell.” How can we know what Jesus said or did? Jesus and the Devil, also heaven and hell, are found only in the Bible.

Concerning Smiles

We should Thank the Lord for the gift of a smile, among other things, of course, like music and love, things that speak all languages and have healing powers all their own.

Coping with multiple losses

People often experience multiple losses over a short period of time. How do we cope with these losses when they occur so close together? It may be another loss of a person you love dearly. Or it may be the loss of something different, such as the loss of a pet or the loss of a job.