Intimidating, powerful hurricane Irma is on her way somewhere. “War goddess” is one of the meanings for the name Irma. As I circulated through Key Largo today, I noted a sense of urgency and concern as grocery carts and gas tanks were being filled. Making serious preparations for landfall of a category 5 hurricane is […]

At first, I wasn’t sure about him. I didn’t think I could trust him with my feelings, thoughts, fears, and innermost desires. Some said he had lived a rough life with lots of rejection. I’ve had enough rejection in my life without having to deal with someone else’s problems. Nevertheless, without looking for him, he

Nick and Joe’s friend had brought dead people back to life. It never occurred to them this same power would also bring their friend back to life. They buried their friend in Joe’s own burial crypt. It’s doubtful anyone knows the exact order of the events following the burial. Hundreds saw Nick and Joe’s friend

Nick and Joe worked quietly and quickly to obtain permission from local authorities for burial rights of the executed man they had grown to love and trust. Living during times of political oppression and religious persecution made it difficult to trust any person. In their heart, they knew this executed man to be innocent even

Lilly’s grateful grin reflected joy concerning her 20-year journey ending chronic seizures. She told me the story. “When I was 3, the first seizure occurred during an illness with high fever. I don’t remember that but I do remember being sexually abused at age 7. The second seizure happened shortly after.” Lilly continued, “My mom

The external metal pins protruding from Rick’s lower leg highlighted the inflamed and infected looking skin surrounding them. While riding his bicycle, he suffered some nasty fractures when colliding with a car. The pins were necessary to save his lower leg. Home health nurses were called in to visit Rick when it became evident his

“Why would I want to go to church? You Christians are like boring robots,” said my twenty something friend. Due to a romantic relationship gone wrong she phoned for support. My immediate hurt and resentful thought I didn’t say, “Then why are you calling me?” I got to know Shuana during a 6-hour flight delay.

My surgical team was professional, efficient and kind as they prepared me for minor surgery 6 weeks ago. The surgeon honored my request for local anesthesia to the surgical site with a bit of IV medication to make me relax and forget the surgical proceedings. Forty minutes later they woke me with the words, “We’re

I hear your laughing thoughts, “She’s old and delusional.” No really! Just like “FOMO”, or fear of missing out has become a popular phrase, I think “LU-E” could take care of those fears. What’s “LU-E”? It’s looking up expectantly! Sort of expectantly I was looking up, as Joel and I painted porch railings on our

            Corry, fellow Hospice team member and homosexual, asked,  “Would I be welcome at your church.”  I carefully replied, “Our Pastor and church family would welcome and accept you. We’re all sinners in need of forgiveness. It’s God’s responsibility to show the places in my life that need changing. He has and will continue to

We thought the tenants of our newly purchased property were kind, responsible people. So, the rental lease offered them the opportunity to stay 2 months after the holidays. The first month’s rent came right on time. The second month’s rent never came. Brief conversations with the tenants were threatening and the whole mess was turned

DOES GOD HAVE A PASSWORD? You never know what kind of conversation you’ll have when taking your 2-year-old grandchild to the neighborhood park. Meetings like this one remind me, we can discuss differences and still respect one another. As his 2-year-old son played on the slide with my granddaughter, he freely shared he was from