Happy Friday! 

Funniest line today from an older gentleman I was visiting, “I am ready to go when the Lord calls me.  I just don’t want to be on the next bus!”  I am still laughing when I think about it.

Prayer alert:  Boyd Tolles, a friend of ours from Advent had quadruple bypass surgery today.  He came through with flying colors.  Please pray for Boyd and his family as he regains the strength to heal from this surgery.  Bruce signed the heart shaped pillow that heart patients receive welcoming him into the “Zipper Club.”  (LOL)

Prayer:  “Lord Jesus, thank You for being my God and guide.  Thank you for giving me the precious ability to read and comprehend Your Word as the Holt Spirit enables me to understand its depths and meaning.  Please guide me into all truth today and prepare me for the things You have prepared for me.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen”

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

John 14: 23

Jesus is speaking to Judas (not Iscariot).  Judas asks in verse 22, “Lord, how will You reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” 

Jesus was the perfect example of love.  Many people today do not realize that real love, true love is only experienced by the love of God.  True love has as its mission to have only one desire; to please the object of the love.  Bruce and I love each other deeply and abidingly and choose each other every day.  We also try to please each other in all we say and do in our relationship.  When we treasure God’s Word and act on it in obedience we choose God each day and please God in all we say and do.  God chooses to make His home within us.  When we surrender ourselves to the leading of God, the Holy Spirit enters into us allowing us to bear witness to all that we are children of God. 

The only way the world is going to know about God is if we claim God’s Word, walk in obedience to that Word and share that Word with those we meet.  Tonight I will quote my meditation, “But as we yield to the Father, love the Word, pray and obey, there is a deeper relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit.  Salvation means we are going to heaven, but submission means that heaven comes to us!”  (I really liked these two sentences.)

We can never experience the love of God unless we come into relationship with God.  Pray for God to help each of us to love others as he has loved us and for our lives to reflect the love of Jesus.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Much love to you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com    

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Friday!!

Prayer:  “Lord Jesus, I thank You for loving me in spite of me. I also thank you for always forgiving me when I truly repent of my sin.  I ask You to give me the ability through the power of the Holy Spirit to do for others today what You do for me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”

Romans 15: 13

Scripture tells us that the God who loves us so much is the God of hope.  God is the author and foundation of our hope and the finisher of our hope. According to the apostle Paul none of us will ever have peace, hope, or joy apart from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Even though I pray for all of these things for myself, family, friends and the patients with whom I visit, we do not even need to pray for  hope, joy or peace because all of that has already been given to us through the life of Jesus at the moment of salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Perhaps I should change the way I pray and give thanks for each of these good and gracious gifts - declaring them already given  - and embracing them through all of my life’s challenges and experiences.  What a comfort it will be to know and claim that God is our joy, God is our peace and God is our hope through each thing we face.  Let me know how this works out for you and I will do the same.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Much love to you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Wednesday and happy 4^th of July! 

It has been a wonderful day.  This morning, Daddy, Linda and Johnnie (mom’s sister and her husband), my family and Ken’s family all gathered, dressed in red, white and blue, at Akers Cemetery near Sherman to bury Mom’s ashes.  I led a brief liturgy of scripture and prayer.  Daddy spoke of his eternal love for her and how lucky he was to have been her husband for almost 60 years.  I spoke specifically to Ken about how we are her legacy in so many ways. We will always remember her brilliant smile, her loving heart, her unwavering faith and wisdom to always put family first.  We closed in prayer and benediction. After that, we departed to do just what Mom would have us do to be with family and to “just keep the party going!”

Prayer:  “Lord Jesus, I praise Your name for being my provider and protector as I seek to live for You this day.  I ask You to deliver me from evil learning and to enable me to finish my race with joy.  I desire to finish strong and influence the lives of the people You have placed around me during my journey here.  I submit myself to Your leadership and grace this morning.  In Jesus’ name. Amen”

“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

I John 2: 27

As a Chaplain, when I walk into a patient’s room, I pray that I will say things that will make a difference in the patients’ lives, sometimes beginning with their anxiety about being in the hospital. I also pray that I will know when to speak and when to be silent.  Part of the skills I am learning from my teachers and the people with whom I am learning is this skill of speaking and silence.  Most of the time what I have to say is not near as important as what the patient has to say.  Learning to observe, listen and then speak is part of the training.

I learn a great deal from my teachers and the others with whom I work.  But the greatest teacher I will ever have is the Holy Spirit.  When I really make a connection with a patient I know it is not me, but the power of the Holy Spirit working through me to help this patient or their family.  Sometimes I know there are words of comfort or assurance I can offer to help, but I know God’s power, the Holy Spirit, has the power to bring comfort to one who is hurting, frightened, anxious or in deep sorrow. 

I need the teachers who are instructing me and I need the other chaplains to offer insight, but most of all I need my resident truth teacher, the Holy Spirit.  When I do not know what to say, I take a moment to quiet myself before God and ask God to help me understand and learn how I can best help someone.  I pray the Holy Spirit will continue to find me worthy of investing time in me as I continue to learn and remain in service to God.  I pray the Holy Spirit will make a difference in the lives of those God has placed before me.  Please continue to pray for me as I pursue this calling. Thank you for journeying with me.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Happy Tuesday! 

Preparations for the family 4^th of July are almost complete.  The peach cobbler, flag cake and deviled eggs are finished.  I just need to write a brief service for the internment of Mom’s ashes.  Mom was such a patriotic gal.  When going through her things we found all sorts of flag pins, a copy of the Declaration of Independence and another of the Constitution, books on presidents and the Life and Look Magazines on the death of President Kennedy.  We decided that the 4^th of July was the perfect day for this event. After interring the ashes, we will go to Ken and Sheena’s for swimming, fun and food.  It is a day Mom would have crafted herself.  She loved family get-togethers, good food and the love only a family could share.  Please offer a prayer for Daddy as it may be kind of tough on him.  Thanks. 

Prayer:  “Lord Jesus, thank you for the night’s rest and for watching over me while I slept.  It is so comforting to know that You never sleep or slumber.  Thank You for our ability to trust You and Your grace during the night as well as during the day.  May I dress myself in the armor of God this morning as I carry Your Word in voice and action into my life and into the lives of others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

John 3: 5-6

Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant about being “born again.”  If you read that story in isolation I would most likely not understand it either.  Jesus was not telling Nicodemus that he must physically return to infancy.  Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he was spiritually bankrupt.  Jesus was trying to tell Nicodemus that all of his worldly efforts and religious devotion meant nothing if there was not relationship with Himself.  Jesus was asking for something humanly impossible because entrance into the kingdom of heaven was contingent not on human effort, but on divine spiritual invitation.  Jesus was trying to tell Nicodemus that he was spiritually bankrupt and must abandon everything in which he had previously trusted for salvation.  Jesus explained that being born of water and the spirit was being willing to become spiritually cleansed through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. 

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  We serve a God who neither slumbers nor sleeps so there is no reason for both of you to be awake.  Count your blessing s and say your prayers.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Blessed Sunday and Happy July!

I went to church today for the first time in what seems like weeks as I was not on-call at all this weekend. Given my current lifestyle, going to church is hit and miss depending on the on-call schedule. 

It was great to see friends and worship with music sung, the Word preached and the invitation to dine at the table of our Lord.  This afternoon I got reading almost done, laundry done and bags packed for tomorrow.  Tomorrow I am on-call at Huguley from 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Somewhere in between I am to take a defensive training class so I can learn how to defend myself in case a patient loses control and attempts to cause harm.  Please offer an extra prayer for me and any patient who might lose control.

Today my daughter has made another leap into the adult world.  She purchased her first car.  It is a beautiful 2010 cranberry red Toyota Corolla.  It is so very pretty and she loves it. She did take her daddy with her for knowledge and guidance and together, they did an awesome job.  I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments.  But mostly I am just proud of her and love her bunches.

Prayer:  “ Jesus, thank You for the ability to get out of bed this morning and sit down before You and Your Word.  Please give me the  ability to comprehend Your ways and will for my life,  May Your Spirit speak into my life and give me direction as I start my day.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Matthew 3: 11

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. His followers were those who sought guidance in the ways of God.  John was called to tell the Jews that even though he was one who could tell the people to repent, his greatest job was to announce the coming of the Messiah who would complete their baptism with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  John knew that he could do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit and neither can we. Jesus does in us through the same Holy Spirit what we cannot do ourselves.  This power of the Holy Spirit is what cleanses us each day and makes us ready to live in the world without becoming of the world.   It is the same power of the Holy Spirit that will allow us to live, yielded and surrendered each day to the God who created us, for He loves us so much that He wants to spend the remainder of our lives in relationship and fellowship with Him.  This is such a great verse and message of hope.  John’s words were so true in that we must decrease (daily surrender) so that Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can increase in us. 

Let us begin each day by telling God how much we love Him and wake up yielded and surrendered to Him and His purposes.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. (That is next on my agenda!)  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all very much!  Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

 Happy Saturday! 

I am not on call this weekend and  I am enjoying spending time with the family.  I did some shopping today and had lunch with Bruce, Geni, Travis and a guest.  It was really wonderful. 

Prayer:  “Father, help me walk in truth by sharing the truth that Jesus is the only way to God.  In His name I pray, Amen.”

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14: 6

Sometimes the truth is hard to come by.  As I have surfed through the channels on the TV I am amazed at the programing that is offered with theme or “reality” shows.  I am not a reality show watcher because to me it is simply “wrestling” dressed up to look like something else whether in a beauty shop or someone’s home.  I have some trouble believing that the “reality” portrayed in these programs is truth.

The scriptures tell us many things and the New Testament tells us one great truth: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The only way to the Father is through Jesus.  In this amazing verse we are assured that we have been created for eternal fellowship with God.  The only way to experience this fellowship with God is through a relationship with His Son, Jesus.  God poured His very essence into the person of Jesus creating “God on foot” -  creating Him fully human and fully divine so that we might know Him and the Father.  

While we were separated from God by our sin God made provision for us providing forgiveness and righteousness through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  In order to fellowship with the Father we MUST have relationship with His Son.  When we enter into relationship with Jesus we need to remember to give thanks to God for giving us Jesus as the Way, so we do not get lost, the Truth so we can believe and the Life, so that we might begin eternal life from that moment until we are united with him in this life and the next.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Thank you all for your wonderful prayers as I am journeying through CPE.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

owever the scriptures Hllmmm…However;;       Ho

Happy Friday! 

I have now pulled two all-nighters at JPS.  I seem to be okay during the time I am at the hospital.  The next day recovery, though, is really hard.  It takes all day and all night following the all-nighter for me to recover.

 

I really love the patients and the staff.  Sometimes the situations are hard especially in the Trauma bays, but it is fascinating to watch the docs, nurses and all who participate in patient care including the police officers, ambulance drivers or helicopter pilots.  They all have one purpose: to do all they can to quickly assess the patient’s needs, set up tests and x-rays and save the patient.  The trauma team sees the great need for chaplains and seem really glad when we are on the floor. They know that we not only pray for the patients but for them, also.

 

Prayer:  “Father, I do not want to fear the wonderful practice of witnessing for You.  It is an honor to testify of Your grace and greatness.  Help me to depend daily on the power You provide to be an effective witness.  

Amen.”

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1: 8

I was on call at JPS from 6:00 PM Wednesday evening until 8:00 AM Thursday morning.  My shift began with the same issue; the death of two patients.  At 6:00 pm, I received a call from Labor and Delivery to minister to a mother who had delivered a stillborn child. Upon my arrival the mother and the baby were in the bed together.  The mother was silently mourning the loss of this beautiful baby girl.  The baby was dressed in a little white dress and wrapped in a tiny pink blanket as if she was about to be presented at church.  The little one looked perfect and simply appeared as if she was sleeping.

 

My last call of the shift came shortly before 7:00 am to the bedside of a woman who was born in 1922.  Her appearance was not perfect.  The color changes that occur in the death process had taken over and this dear lady looked like an email I once read.  The email was told by a woman who said, “I want to die feet first, sliding into heaven raising dust, body all used up, coffee in one hand and chocolate in the other.”  After speaking with the patient’s children I found that this woman had done just this.  She had a rich life with many stories to tell.

Here is the interesting part, both of these bodies were no longer able to sustain life and yet both of these souls are safely and joyfully being held in the arms of the Father.  The tiny one will never know her earthly father, but will be raised and taught by her Heavenly Father.  The elder woman will have stories to tell to that same heavenly Father, giving thanks for her life on earth, for the children she treasured and for being welcomed into heaven as a believer. One never saw her earthly home and one left her earthly home with the same destination.

 

As difficult as it was to walk into these two rooms I realize how important it is for me to rely on the power of God and to simply be the vessel through whom He will begin to comfort these tender hearts.  There are no words of comfort for these folks, but being a silent witness for God allows for the Ministry of Presence to what families in these situations need.  Sometimes witness in the power of the Holy Spirit requires words and sometimes it calls for a few or even no words, letting these families know that God understands because He has suffered grief and loss Himself.

Take joy in the journey even when it is hard.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some rest.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love  you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.