Cursing... bellowing out expletives... objecting to the very notion that he needed a chaplain. "I don't want to talk to you, I just want to lay here and rest." I'm fine, just leave me alone". Cursing as I left the room. I was irritated by his rejection but not too much. It wasn't the first time I've been asked to leave. Thoughts of him didn't enter my mind again until early the next day The following morning I met with Dr. D and we were discussing several patients. "I'd like for you to go by and visit Mr. C. in room 214. He has a psa of over 200. Normal is 4. A psa that elevated indicates a rapid growing cancer of the pancreas. The medical team met with him this morning. He doesn't have very long." The moment he mentioned the name I new it was the patient that practically threw me out the day before. I left the doctors office and headed toward the room. When I arrived, I found myself hesitating before going in. ...
One of the most heart rendering experiences I've ever had occurred on a mission trip to the south pacific. My niece came with me along with a dozen other workers. We arrived at the airport in Manila Philippines for our return flight to America. My niece reached for her passport...and it wasn't there. One thing for certain, you're not getting on an international flight without a passport. It was lost on the bumpy ride to the city. She had everything, but not quite! Everything.. but the most important item... which gave her right of passage. At that point, nothing else mattered. I recall her weeping on my shoulder, "Uncle John, there going to keep me here forever". How God bailed us out of that jam was amazing and a great devotion for another time. What I'm reminded of from this is the story of the rich young man that came to Jesus in Matthew 19. He had everything and had kept all the law. He would have been like the Bruce Wayne of Palestine. He had money, ...
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did not hesitate. The fiery furnace was in their future. They didn't presume to understand why or how God could use this experience for His purposes but they were determined to be faithful. Their response to the king was, "Our God will save us from the fire, if not here, then in glory." It wasn't until they were cast into the blazing furnace that the image of the fourth man appeared, the presence of Christ was there! God may have the fiery furnace set before you, but take courage. It is when you are in the fire that the 4th man appears. God will use this for good!" I knew God wanted me to share this Old Testament story. The soldier for whom God had chosen this message was a patient of mine. After speaking to him about these things I wasn't sure how much of it he would remember. His medical situation had left him discouraged and hollow. The following day I stopped in to check on his condition and ...
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