Have you ever wondered why some patients refuse to just die peacefully because, it is thought by some, the patient isn't going to get any better.

We all do it. Yep, sometimes we think too much ... presume to know too much.We hear something and immediately, we’re jumping to conclusions. Our arrogance leads us there.

In the movie The Natural, there's a poignant line where Glenn Close tells Robert Redford she believes we have two lives -- the life we learn with and the one we live after that.

A diagnosis of cancer often acts as a major earthquake in a person's life, causing a host of emotions -- most notably fear -- to rise up and come crashing in, much like the tsunami did on Southeast Asia in December 2004.

There's nothing worse than to have a desire to do something and then be physically unable to perform. This incites frustration to the point where people adopt strategies to acquire more energy, be it through a healthier diet, rigorous exercise, vitamin supplements or energy drinks.

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Sibling rivalry has been the subject of numerous books. My four daughters, each about two years apart in age, were living proof of its existence in my life.

When you ask people to pray for you, do you ever think about what it is you’d like them to pray? Do you pray those things for yourself as well? What we pray for, what we ask for, really reveals what’s in our hearts.

As the human race, we commemorate many things from birthdays to anniversaries to less happy events like the beginning of wars. We remember certain leaders by building monuments in their honor.

Probably one of the significant truths about complaining is that it's something you don't have to teach. Having an 8-year-old daughter has made me quite aware of the fact that children complain as soon as they are able to express themselves.

As I write this, I’m finishing the last leg of my flight from CTCA in Tulsa to my home near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The news in Tulsa was good, I get two more months without the absolutely harsh effects of infused chemotherapy that I’ve endured since my diagnosis for lung cancer over three years ago.

Strongholds and places of refuge have always been important, even in today's world. When we're outside our country, our nation's embassies serve as places of refuge, especially in a time of war.

What comes to your mind when you think of a refuge? Maybe you think of a European castle. Maybe you think of a wartime stronghold. Do you ever feel like you just want to get away from all this cancer stuff for a while? There may be times when you feel the need for the reassurance of a refuge, a place to go to get away from it all, a place where you're protected and strengthened.

Job is a book commonly thought of as a go to guide for situations of suffering. Most everyone knows Job's story. Most everyone trembles at the thought of such circumstances coming into their own life.

If we could, most of us would choose to avoid pain, never face disease, avert loss, crisis, difficulties or problems. We’re sure that would go a long way toward making our lives “perfect.

Does it ever seem to you that things are out of control? You may feel overwhelmed by information, decisions, your family's expectations, tests and test results.

Each one of us can remember a time when we were sick, I mean really sick. The kind of sick where you can't get out of bed, or if you do, you have to literally drag yourself to the kitchen for a drink of water or drag yourself to the bathroom to relieve yourself.

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! -- Ecclesiastes 4:10 It really is true that you find out who your friends are when you need them the most.

In all of life, whether we know it or not, we’re looking for wisdom. Years ago when my four children were young, I remember looking for wisdom.

Are you angry with God? Oh, I have been angry with God, and what is amazing to me is that I may have stuffed my anger with others but I did not stuff my anger at God.

Something will wake me up in the middle of my sleep -- usually it is a hot flash, bathroom stop or Dave tossing and turning. And right when I am ready to snuggle in and go back to sleep -- bam -- that is when they hit me and overtake any hope for sleep -- worries -- my terrors of the night! And to make matters worse, my worries always seem bigger -- more magnified -- more terrifying in the middle of the night.

As children, when hurt by mean words, we’re taught to say, “Sticks and stones can hurt my bones, but words can never harm me.”It’s a nice sentiment, but, unfortunately, not true.

When the actor Charlton Heston died, moviegoers lost a truly iconic actor, one who played heroic, larger-than-life roles. These included Moses in The Ten Commandments, Roderigo Díaz de Vivar in El Cid, and Judah Ben-Hur in Ben-Hur.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matt. 11:6Have you ever taken offense at the action or inaction of someone you love? Maybe you asked for something, and the person you were sure of turned you down.

Worrying is non-productive, burdensome and exhausting. But it is not easy to simply stop worrying and turn off anxiety like a faucet -- OH, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could!!!!! But for those who live with a serious or life-threatening illness, the tendency to worry and become anxious is especially problematic because worry and anxiety rob us of peace, exhaust us and undermine our ability to make good decisions.

This psalm was written in the time when the Israelites were being exiled from their land and taken into Babylonia. These soldiers were attempting to strip God's people of their familiar land, familiar life, and familiar praise.

Even though I like to fool myself into thinking I'm really in control of things, every day, within a few moments of waking, I find the stuff of life crowding into the driver's seat, grabbing the steering wheel, putting the pedal to the metal, and taking off, often times with me hanging on for dear life.

I read this verse along with several others one Monday morning in the chapel as we prepared for prayer time for patients, family members, staff and administration.

How many times have I given these verses to someone grappling with a decision? I'd say at least a hundred times. The words from this Bible proverb are as familiar to me as my home address.

Matt. 13:15-16: For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

Dear friend: I have arthritis in my right knee. It's probably due to high school athletics and a number of years running in 10K races and a few marathons.

Caves, by nature, are dark, dank, lonely places. They're often regarded as homes for smelly, evil things, as harborers of hidden terror or places of defeat and death.

 As caregivers, we know how important it is to love the person we're caring for. Sometimes it comes naturally, especially when you're caring for a family member or close friend.

The older I get, the smarter my dad becomes. It's pretty funny how we often discount our parent's wisdom while we're growing up, but then come to appreciate it later in life.

The other day a woman, who was admittedly non-religious, told me the world seems to have gotten particularly crazy the last year or two. I think she is right.

As a chaplain at a cancer hospital, I am often lured into trying to learn everything I can about cancer; its causes, remedies, types and stages.

The most common Hebrew term translated “to teach” is the verb lamad. In nearly fifty passages, it’s rendered “teach,” while in other contexts, it’s often translated “learn.

When the phone rang, I wasn't prepared for bad news. My oldest son had been seriously hurt in an accident. Life Flight was transporting him to an emergency room.

While circumstances, loss and/or pain can often drive us into a mental or emotional cave in our confusion, shame or despair, caves are also places where we can discover some of God’s gemstones of truth for living an abundant life.

Experiencing hurtful circumstances is like going through surgery. There is pain, fear, and a tense time of waiting, but there is also reassurance from the surgeon, comfort from the nurses, and get-well wishes from friends.

Days in the cave can be scary, doubtful and depressing, especially if God doesn't let you see when they’ll end. But they serve a variety of purposes in God's plan, not the least of which is to break you, empty you of self once again and put your focus and dependency back on Him.

Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things ... Isaiah 12:5 NKJVWhen I was a little girl, my favorite activity right before bedtime was dancing with my daddy.

While Dave outwardly expressed his anger, I stuffed mine, and I never dealt with it. Neither action (his or mine) is God's way of dealing with anger.

We are told over and over again in the Scripture to tell God what we need. I had faithfully followed this command by presenting my requests to God daily.

As I read the paper, watch the news or listen to people discuss the traumatic events that take place thousands of times a day all over this world, I often find myself without words to express the horror I feel at the things we as human beings appear capable of doing.

My friend Scott and I have been studying a video/Bible study series presented by Ray Vander Laan for several months. It’s a very enriching experience, because Mr.

The story of Jesus walking on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee and calling Peter toward Him is one of Jesus' best-known miracles. It is a powerful image that is easy to describe and remember.

What is fear? Fear: Dread or alarm in facing danger; timidity. This definition is lacking to say the least.2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.