Coping

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The eighth fruit of the Spirit is gentleness.  Where do you need to display gentleness this week? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The eighth attribute is Gentleness.

Gentleness can be seen in a mother caring for her baby. In a veterinarian rehabilitating an animal. In a child caring for their elderly mother.

These images reveal that the power of Gentleness is found in one’s ability to recognize weakness and limitation in others. 

Weakness and limitation is easy to recognize in some, however Scripture says to: “Let your gentle spirit be known to all...”

When we find it difficult to be gentle with some, recognizing our own weakness and limitation, can give us the sympathy and empathy that can prompt a gentle response.

How do you respond to the weakness and limitation of others?

Where is God calling you to be gentle today?

Let’s pray: God thank you for being gentle with us. Give us an opportunity to be gentle with others today. Remind us of our own weakness and limitation so that we might be gentle with all your creation. We pray these things in your name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The seventh fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness.  Where in your life do you need to trust God's faithfulness  this week? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The seventh attribute is faithfulness.

Faith is a belief in something. We can have faith in humanity; faith in a friend and in the existence of God.

However, scripture describes faithfulness as something more than a belief. As the Psalmist says: “Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness … come to my relief.”

Whereas faith is a belief, faithfulness is a response. God, in His faithfulness, responds to us when we call out to Him. In turn, God is calling us to faithfully respond to the needs of those around us.

Who in your life depends on your faithfulness?

How will you respond in faithfulness today?

Let’s pray: God, we depend on your faithfulness. You always respond to our cry for help. Would you give us a faith that goes beyond belief, toward response. Tune our ears to the cry of others and provide us with an opportunity to respond in faithfulness today. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The sixth fruit of the Spirit is goodness.  Where can you display goodness this week? Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The sixth attribute is goodness.

We most often attribute “goodness” to someone who is being good. When our pet obeys, we affirm them saying: “good boy.” When our children listen, we compliment them saying: “You were very good today.” Even in religious settings, those who follow strict moral values stand out as being virtuous and good.

However, scripture has a different idea of goodness. As Paul says: “In everything, set them an example by doing what is good.”

In other words, while Good is something we can be, Goodness is always something we do. In all things, Goodness seeks the welfare of others.

Who in your life could benefit from your goodness?

Where is God calling you to do good today?

Let’s pray: God, Thank you for extending your goodness to us. Teach us how to make our goodness beneficial to others. Help us live out the difference between being good and doing good today. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The fifth fruit of the Spirit is kindness.  Who in your life needs kindness this week? Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The fifth attribute is Kindness.

In a world where acts of hostility and meanness dominate the news cycle, kindness has the power to transform the world around us. Kindness is transformative because it focuses itself fully on others. Kindness not only seeks to meet the needs of others, but does so graciously, compassionately and generously.

Scripture says: “Be kind, just as your heavenly Father is kind.”

You see, God's kindness to us, serves as our model of kindness to others.

What area of your life do you need God's kindness?

Where is God calling you to be kind today?

Let’s pray: God, thank you for being so kind to us. We see the need for kindness in our world. Focus our thoughts on the needs of others. Be our source of kindness today. And give us the power to transform the world, through kindness. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause with me and reflect on the passage in John 11:

After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. "Take off the grave clothes and live!" 

Resurrection Sunday is about new life. Where are you currently wearing old clothes? Which ones need to be removed so that you can fully live? Listen now. 

Good Morning & Happy Easter. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

During the Easter season, we focus on themes of new life and resurrection. Prior to Jesus’ own resurrection, he was summoned to the tomb of Lazarus, who had died 4 days earlier. In a dramatic moment, Jesus calls Lazarus out from the grave saying, “Lazarus, come out!” After he performs the miracle of resurrecting him from the dead, Jesus then commands him to “take off the grave clothes” -- so that he might truly live.

Although Jesus has the power to set us free, we, like Lazarus, must take off our “grave clothes”; that is, our past hurts, present pain and future worries. When we are freed from that which hinders us, we are then able to live the life God has purposed for us.

Which grave clothes are you still wearing?

What steps will you take this week to unburden yourself so that you might truly live?

Let’s pray: God, we thank you for the new life you are calling us to. Help us to rid ourselves of the pain and worry that hinders us. Give us the courage to live each day filled with hope of new life in you. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause with me as we reflect on the words describing Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21:9:

"The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. What are you praising God for this Easter? 
Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

This Sunday marks the final week of the Lenten season. The 40 day period leading up to Easter. The week begins with a holy day of feasting known as: Palm Sunday.

The celebration of Palm Sunday commemorates the Biblical Story of Jesus approaching the City of Jerusalem. As he arrives in the city, he was met by a large crowd of people waving palm branches in the air and laying them at his feet. They cried out to Him saying: “Hosanna! Hosanna, in the highest heaven!"

The word Hosanna is used in this passage as a shout of praise, much like the word Hallelujah. However, where Hallelujah literally means “praise be to God” the word Hosanna is translated as to save or to rescue. So what appears in this story as a shout of praise, is actually a cry for help. Whether we call out to God in praise or in pain this Lenten Season, let us do so, as an act of faith and with expectant hearts.

In what way are you calling out to God this season? 

How will you turn your heart to Him today?

Let’s pray: God, we thank you for this Lenten Season. We call out to you in praise but also in our pain. Turn your ear to our cries today. And help us turn our hearts back to you. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause with me as we reflect on St. Patrick's Day.

St. Patrick's Prayer says,

"May the Wisdom of God instruct us. May the Hand of God protect us. May the Way of God direct us. May the Shield of God defend us. "

Listen now. 

Good morning and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning. 

Today we celebrate The Patron Saint of Ireland, who dedicated his life to teaching others about God’s presence and protection in their lives. As a teenager, Saint Patrick was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland for 6 years. After escaping enslavement, Patrick became a priest, then a bishop and ultimately accepted God’s call to return to Ireland and share the good news of God. This morning, let us pray one of Saint Patrick’s prayers to honor him, and to ask for God’s presence and protection in our lives...

Let’s pray:

May the Strength of God pilot us. 
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.

May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us…

Against the snares of the evil ones.
Against temptations of the world.

May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!

May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. 

Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The fourth fruit of the Spirit is patience. When in your life do you need patience? Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The fourth attribute is Patience.

The moment you are admitted to the hospital you become a patient. However, the hospital experience can make you feel less patient and more impatient. In a world with “Buy-it-Now” buttons and content on “on-demand,” it’s no wonder we struggle to wait.

These days, patience is no longer just a virtue, it’s counter-cultural. 

Scripture urges us to: “Be still and know that God is God.”

When we are still, we are able to relinquish our impatience and allow God to be in control.

Where in your life are you feeling impatient?

How will you relinquish control and practice patience today?

Let’s pray: God, at times we feel impatient. We hear your call to be still. Thank you for your patience with us. Turn our waiting into wanting for you to be in control. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The third fruit of the Spirit is peace.  When in your life do you need peace today?
Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The third attribute is Peace.

Peace be with you.

Shalom.

Assalaamu 'Alaikum. (AS-salaam-ALLAY-kom)

These greetings show that Peace is central to the life of faith. And yet we live lives and work jobs where high stress is the norm.

The hope is that through practices that slow the mind and calm the spirit we can find inner-peace.

However, God calls us to go beyond inner peace to become peacemakers. That is, rather than just seeking peace for ourselves, we are called to share the peace we find, with the destitute around us.

For it is peace that has the power to change our lives, but also the world around us.

Where in your life are you seeking peace?

Whom will you share peace with today?

Let’s pray: God, you are the Prince of Peace. We are your children, who long peace. Provide us peace today. And give us your spirit of peace to share with those around us. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Galatians 5:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The second fruit of the Spirit is joy.  How will you respond with joy in your difficult circumstances today? Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Galatians 5, Paul lists 9 attributes which he calls: the Fruit of the Spirit. The second attribute is Joy.

Throughout scripture God’s people are called to rejoice in all things: In times of pleasure and pain, success and sorrow, delight and distress.

We can face every circumstance with Joy when we place our trust in God who is present, active and able.

Joy is not a superficial response to suffering which pretends that everything is alright. 

Instead, joy is a byproduct of faith, which rises up in us when we light the flame of faith in our lives.

What difficult circumstance are you currently facing?

How will you respond with joy today?

Let’s pray: God, you call us to rejoice in all things. No matter the circumstance today, ignite our faith and help us to respond with joy. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.