Blog Archive

Knowing that his death was near, Jesus demonstrated love, compassion, and value for his mother by making sure she would be taken care of after his death: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing Read more

This week, while searching for a way to illustrate where Linda is on her journey, the Holy Spirit forcefully brought to my memory a conversation she and I had nearly thirty years ago. Perhaps, conversation is not a good word. It was near the end of the day and I was a bit drained; Linda, Read more

A caregiver to a dementia patient often finds the chasm between hope and hopelessness seemingly insurmountable — with no way over, around, or through in sight! A year ago, on almost this same date, in the midst of the pandemic and only able to visit Linda by Face Time, I recorded these thoughts in my Read more

I am not invincible! My family and friends agree, and if you have been influenced by my ministry, you are also aware of this obvious fact. However, twenty-seven years ago, an overly developed sense of responsibility, an unrealistic work schedule, and an unwillingness to accept my limitations caused me to ignore all the warning signs Read more

Generally, peace is conceptualized in terms of freedom from conflict or disturbance. On September 30, 1938, Neville Chamberlin, after signing an agreement with Adolph Hitler, stood outside 10 Downing Street and proclaimed to the people of England: “My good friends…I believe it is peace for our time…Go home and get a nice quiet sleep.” Today, Read more

The picture accompanying today’s blog shows Linda joyfully playing “Bat the Ball.” Just across the hallway, earlier that day, Stephanie, our daughter, and I had spent several hours in her room: We cleaned nooks and crannies, sorted out items that did not belong to her, arranged her clothes into matching sets, threw away everything that was Read more

Our Heavenly Father does nothing without planning. Before sending His precious Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be born of a virgin, He carefully selected the man who would serve in the role of His earthly father: The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Read more

Prior to Linda’s developing Alzheimer’s, I thought I was prepared to help others understand what happens between birth and death. However, after helplessly watching normal growth and development be reversed as she slowly moves toward infancy, I am humbled by how little I know! At this point in our journey, there are two truths which Read more

King David, contemplating God’s placement of human beings in the order of His creation, lifted up one of the most probing questions found in the Bible: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,what is mankind that you are mindful of them,human beings that Read more

As a counselor and pastor, I have never had someone tell me they would like for their life to become more complicated and stressful; however, I have had countless persons, many with tears in their eyes, express a desire for a simpler, less complex existence. In today’s blog, we will see this is not a Read more