Category Archives: Pastoral Care

On the Anniversary of my 16th Year of Ordination to the Diaconate

“So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.  But it is not so among you; … Continue reading

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Filed under christian life, faith, Pastoral Care, Religion

Holy Week and the Outcasts

Sieger Köder “Barmherzigkeit” “Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is … Continue reading

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Filed under christian life, faith, Pastoral Care, PTSD, Religion

Faith and Doubt: A Reflection on Christmas

“God weeps with us so that we may one day laugh with him.” Jürgen Moltmann There was a time in my life that faith in God, for me the Christian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit was something that I pretty … Continue reading

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“Tommy Atkins” and “Just a Common Soldier” an Ode to Veterans Yesterday and Today

There has been much talk by our purloined and pampered politicians, pundits, preachers and their backs on Wall Street about the need for all of us to sacrifice. They seem to pushing harder and harder for the men and women … Continue reading

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Filed under History, iraq,afghanistan, Military, Pastoral Care

Reaching the Lost Christian Generation

“God weeps with us so that we may one day laugh with him.” Jürgen Moltmann Over the past couple of weeks I have been thinking about encounters that I have had with Christians of various denominations who have suffered a … Continue reading

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Filed under christian life, faith, Pastoral Care, PTSD, Religion

I Think I Feel a Sermon Coming On: Padre Steve Looks at the Corporate Church Leadership Model and Finds it Wanting

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ … Continue reading

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Filed under christian life, faith, leadership, Pastoral Care, Religion

Musings on a DC Monday Night: I’ll have a Beer and watch Baseball thank you

I had a wonderful first day of my conference at the George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health.  The conference was thought provoking and made me realize once again that afterIraqI really don’t know a whole lotta anything about … Continue reading

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Filed under beer, faith, healthcare, leadership, Pastoral Care, philosophy, Politics, Religion

The Tapestry of Life: How PTSD and Combat Stress is a Part of Who and What We Are

I have been dealing with the effects of Post Traumatic Stress over 3 ½ years.  In that time I have had my struggles going ranging from falling into the abyss to a measure of recovery and occasional relapses.  It has … Continue reading

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Filed under faith, Military, Pastoral Care, philosophy, PTSD, Religion, star trek, Tour in Iraq

Sometimes between Life and Death a Baseball often Matters as much as a Prayer

I have had a number of patients in my ICUs who have been avid baseball fans.  Likewise there are a number of physicians and nurses who are avid fans of the game, or sometimes certain teams.  Like me they were … Continue reading

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Filed under Baseball, christian life, faith, film, movies, Pastoral Care, philosophy, Religion

A Church of Love: Reflections on the celebration of my 15th Anniversary of Ordination

Christmas in Iraq 2007 It is hard to believe that I am a Priest and that I have been one now for the past 15 years. I held ordination in a two different Evangelical churches dating back to 1989 and … Continue reading

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Filed under christian life, faith, Pastoral Care, philosophy, PTSD, Religion