This one's for my fellow bloggers. If you're anything like me, you may be a little frustrated with this whole trying-to-be-a-writer thing. On the one hand, writing inspires you to the point of being driven. Your ideas keep you awake at night. You can't not write, and you know it. You have an important message burning in your soul. On the other hand, it may seem that no matter how much you write, there's so much competition and distraction in the world that no one is paying attention to your stuff. You pour out your soul, then click "publish" ..... Continue Reading
6 Helpful Things to Offer Your Chronically-Ill Friend
You get what they don't need. They don't need platitudes. They don't need theological proof texts pointing to sin in their life. They don't need another burden -- the burden of condemnation, or forced cheerfulness, or a sense of obligation to try your sure-fire remedy. We talked about those in last week's post. But what can you do that your loved one will appreciate? What actions lighten their load and brighten their day? 1. Your gentleness and sensitivity. There's a reason hospitals are kept quiet. Sick people get easily stressed by noise and activity, and this impairs Continue Reading
5 Things Your Chronically-Ill Friend Doesn’t Need to Hear
Q: What's worse than facing day after week after month after year of poor health, with no answer in sight? A: Having your church friends tell you, "The reason you're not healed yet is because you don't have enough faith." Has anyone ever said as much to you? Or, have you heard those words come spilling out of your own mouth? The place of faith in healing is a subject worthy of a separate post, but for now, let's acknowledge most of us have been guilty of insensitivity toward those with long-term health problems. We act like Job's comforters, offering theological Continue Reading
How “Just Kidding” Is Far More Harmful Than You Think
My brother Wil has trouble hearing. As health problems will do, his condition sometimes causes him to feel frustrated, depressed and isolated. One day, he made plans to meet a good friend of his -- we'll call him John -- in a public parking lot. As Wil waited near his car, John approached him from out of his line of sight. Wil didn't notice him until John was almost right next to him. "You are hilarious!" grinned John. "I was right there and you didn't notice me!" On the outside, Wil managed a smile. On the inside, he was crushed. John was just being funny -- but by making light Continue Reading