Chaplain Jeanne

Patient (18 years of age) expressed need of someone to talk with. Begin crying as she shared how she was told, “You will not live until you are ready to die” She was frightened. Her boyfriend attended a church that she felt was judgmental towards her. She not attend as he did and felt she could worship God better praying to him alone than begin forced to do what they wanted her to do. She had begun having physical problems for a few months now and the doctors could not find out what was wrong. Her tongue and esophagus were swollen and she could not eat.
It reminded me of a story I had recently heard from James Dobson where this same thing happened to a pastor. He ended up with a feeding tube put in him. Later on a trip with his family the feeding tube got blocked and he cried out in despair to God who completely healed him right there. He had no one to turn to and was in a desperate condition. That was when God intervened for him.
I shared with the patient God’s love for her and that he gave his life just for her. I also shared that God does not punish us like that. Fear is normal, but God wants to give us peace through it all. She was so much better by the time I left.

Met a man in the hospital who said he was a Music Director for a good sixe church. He has 12 singers and 5 instrument players. The singers are on a rotating basis. His greatest challenge he said was working and doing ministry both for church and his family. He felt if the church could hire him full time that would make a difference, so therefore he had to work two jobs. Loving music (I understand here) he put himself into it taking time from family. His second challenge was working with the younger singers who were not as committed. He would receive a text or call they had a game, ect. He loved his work. The pastor likes to preach so he did not do musicals on Sunday mornings. The kids would do stick ministry in the church. He served for a congregation of about 400. He used mostly contemporary music with a few hymns and said they had been singing a lot about the blood recently. He watches the congregation and if things go well he goes with his plans; if not, he will add in a hymn. This seems to help apparently.

Chaplain Jeanne

A lady shared with me that she told her doctor she had a GREATER physician. He said he was upstairs.

Man went a used bookstore and purchased an old bible that was large print. He has read it many times and one day turned to the Old Testament and found 2 - 100.00 bills. WOW!

A patient had surgery and there were complication following the surgery. He got a blood clot. During this time, he struggled with wanting to be independent and leave the hospital against rules of the facility. One evening, he shared how his sister had married into money. They were millionaires. She had nothing to do with her brother who lived on a modest income. One day, he got into a fight at a bank and there was a restraining order placed against him. The church that he had attended all his life or for many years at that time got a new pastor. The pastor of the church had a family member who happened to be the one who placed the restraining order on him. Now he has to leave his church, due to the restraining order. Life is not always fair. We do reap what we sow, but God is not respecter of person’s He loves us all!

Chaplain Jeanne

A lady who was sick did not think God had time for her small prayers. She felt that he was too busy taking care of the large disaster type problems in the world. When I assured her he was, she still did not think he had time for so many small prayers. She was glad to learn that He did.

Met a young woman who had been sick for some time off and on in hospitals. She did not feel connected with her church and wondered if that was a good enough reason to change churches. She felt that she had not connected part with the others members. She could not do a whole lot due to being in the hospital and sick too often. She had to give up her job as a Social worker due to her health. She was seeking how God could still use her. Shared about my writing and the possibility of her finding another ministry where she could be a blessing to others. I mentioned how I wrote for a web site. It gave her some things to think about and she was appreciative.

One elderly lady asked if I would sing for her. I asked her if she knew Amazing Grace. She did not think she did. I started singing it and noticed her mouthing the words to the song. I sang three verses. She was so touched. I quoted her some scripture and talked a little while. She was blessed enough that made her spiritual care giver feel she had been used to meet a need. As I was leaving a staff worker said it was a beautiful voice. God had called me to sing and will give opportunities if we make ourselves available to his leadership.

Chaplain Jeanne

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2 (NLT)

There was a man who shared with me that he left his church being quite upset due to some changes in the leadership. The music director, who did a good job according to him was let go, and due to that, his Sunday school teacher whom he really liked had left the church. Furthermore, he was unhappy that they had both already been replaced, and the new music director did a lot of songs that he did not know. As a result of all this, he had left the church and had not found one yet to attend.
Change is inevitable! There will be good changes, not so good changes, changes in methods, music, styles of worship, leadership and on and on. These things will happen and there is nothing that we can do about some of them. However, there is a change that must take place in our hearts in order for us to be able to seek the will of God amidst all this.
God wants to make us “new” inside. This does not mean we are born again in our mother’s womb or that we get a whole new body (wishful thinking). God wants to be first place in our lives and allow Him to direct us and help us be obedient to Him.
The customs of society will always change. But one thing we can know for sure is that we serve a God who does not change. He will transform your life and make you a new person in Christ, and will help you adapt when change does come your way. It surely will! Our utmost desire should be to please Him in the way we react and think no matter what goes on around us.
©Rev. Dr. Jeanne McIntosh June 26, 2011. All rights reserved.

Chaplain Jeanne

While my husband and I were visiting a couple who were considered (shut-ins) we were having a wonderful conversation when the hostess stopped the conversation to offer us something to drink. She brought me a tall glass of cold water. Her hospitality was not elaborate, expensive, nor did it take a lot of time in preparation. It reminded me of the scripture in which Jesus tells us from Mark 9:41.
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (KJV)
Once while talking with a man in the hospital, he shared how he went to church once time and was called a bum. What a tragedy and missed opportunity for someone.
As servants of Jesus Christ, we are to reach out and offer this water whenever we are see the opportunity to make someone comfortable and at ease. We are to show them “Jesus” in our words and actions. Jesus reached out to the poor, the lame, the lepers, and those who no one wanted to associate with.
Hospital is a word derived from “hospitality” and it is a place where the sick are made whole. It is a place of comfort, love, kindness, and great care. As a member of the Body of Christ, let us reach out to those around us. We do not have far to look and God will present opportunities our way if we are looking, listening, and opened to learning how we might give a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh June 26, 2011. All rights reserved.

Chaplain Jeanne

One patient expressed his displeasure in his doctor. The doctor had walked into the room asking one question and walked out. The patient was not happy. I convey this with the nurse’s station. They showed concern and were willing to record this message. I am glad that we serve a God who is never too busy to listen to us.
A woman were distraught and emotionally upset. She shared that the police had came to her door, knocking it down while she was in the hospital. Her father said they also came to his house and asked where she was. She said she had always paid her rent and could not understand why she was treated this way. She lived right across from the police department. I did not know the whole story, but the One who does and can help her. I had prayer with her and referred her to Social Services to see if they could make sense of her story. God understands when we do not.

Teaching Faith for Kids » Ministry Resources for Children's Workers

Teaching Faith for Kids » Ministry Resources for Children's Workers