Deus Misereatur

Departing In Peace Many years back I was hired on as a part-time hospice chaplain in Midland Texas. Sometimes emotionally exhausting, at other times extremely enriching. It was during that 1 ½ year time I gained a deep appreciation for end-of-life occurrences and comprehension that came in handy as my own father reached the end of his days. And that period as a hospice chaplain has confronted me with my own mortality and brevity of life. That’s what makes “Departing in Peace: Biblical Decision-Making at the End of Life” such a valuable volume. This 328-page paperback, penned by Bill Davis, professor of philosophy at Covenant College, adjunct professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), brings readers to address important questions for themselves and their loved ones when they approach their final season. It may well bring one to tears, but more importantly, it will give a person biblical and practical tools...

Facing Down la Santa Muerte (Recently I met with a young man in his mid-20s and we talked about this subject. That got my wheels turning. And so, taking my cue from the religious cult in Mexico, "Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte" “Our Lady of Holy Death,” I would like to talk about facing down death.) La Santa Muerte lingers around in the shimmering shadows of my periphery at every doctor’s appointment; at every exploratory medical procedure; at every birthday; with every new ache and pain in my body. And she would pirouette around Paul, as can be seen in how often he addresses his own death in Philippians, 2 Corinthians and 2 Timothy; and yet Paul would respond: “ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain ” (Philippians 1.20-21). Before we co any further, let me ask you: What ...

Joy in the Journey: Finding Abundance in the Shadow of Death by Steve Hayner My rating: 5 of 5 stars “Joy in the Journey” came in the mail yesterday and I plowed through it in three hours. It was a fertile piece that brought me to tears in places, made me stop and ponder in spots, and cheered my heart in other locations. With my own father-in-law’s death not too far past, I reflected on how there were similarities and differences between his and the Hayners’ situation. But I also mused over my own inevitable demise. It truly was a fertile piece. The story is about one life, Steve Haynor’s, being quickly enveloped by cancer, decline and death. The stages are chronicled from the first of May 2014 till the thirty-first of January 2015, and a couple of weeks beyond. Each entry is drawn from Steve and Sharol’s CaringBridge notes, as well as their grown daughter’s, which give them an “in-the-moment” urgency and authenticity. The up-and-down, step-by-step development brings the reader i...

The following is a letter I recently sent to a Christian woman who was concerned about how, and if, to approach the subject of dying with a close family member who may be nearing death in the next year or so. This is advice, or spiritual counsel, for a Christian wanting to talk with a fellow believer. {I have also visited with others who were Buddhists, Muslims, and rank non-religionists as they neared death. For them, my advice would be similar, but with some marked differences that are not listed below. I may save that for another post.} --------- Dear Sister, After thinking over our conversation, I have put together some thoughts that may be helpful with regard to talking with a loved one about death and dying. 1. As you know, we see God Himself kindly informing people of their approaching death. One of the most notable examples is King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20.1). Most of the time we cringe away from the topic and seek to sugar coat the whole affair, deceiving ourselves (the s...