Manuel’s drug of choice was more costly than he ever dreamed. It cost him his marriage, his dignity, and left him dependent, depressed, and – dead. A well-known talk show host became hooked on prescription painkillers and now faces criminal charges. A church deacon’s drug of choice started with one reluctant drink at an office party and resulted in 30 years of alcoholism.

Our country has treatments and drugs for almost every malady. But there are some remedies we can only obtain from God’s pharmacy.

Where were you that terrible Tuesday, September 11th? As I was getting ready to go to my church office, my wife called and told me to turn on the television. I could hardly believe the footage of the World Trade Center exploding before my eyes. At first, I thought a plane was off course and computer animation was showing what “could” happen. But then the reality of the horrendous trauma hit me. It was really happening!

What happens to our emotional and mental state when we witness trauma? How do we cope with tragic events that touch and change our very lives? We all respond differently. Some are in shock, dazed, some are angry, some are in denial, they can’t believe it happened, some are fearful, and some have disturbed sleep.

Have you ever been bone-tired and weary? I’m ready for our annual pilgrimage to see the eagles. As we drive along the scenic Great River Road on the way to Pere Marquette State Park, I anticipate the exhilaration that comes when I see the eagles soaring overhead. I remember that same feeling several years ago while hiking up the backside of a mountain in Yosemite National Park and hearing the majestic call of an eagle. Now within an hour’s drive from home we have the privilege of viewing what few American’s ever see up close and personal – the American Bald Eagle.

Working in the emergency room of a hospital can be extremely hectic and demanding. Recently my cousin’s wife started a second career as an EMT in the ER. She could tell you how stressful it is at times and yet rewarding.

Perhaps, like me, you feel that you have been in life’s ER for most of your life. Life in the ER is a daily encounter with trauma, tragedy, and tears, but there are also times of joyous triumph. Job was one of the most severely tested men in the Bible. He experienced life in the ER – life full of trauma, tragedy, and tears.

Sometimes I think that I’ve spent most of my life in the emergency room. If not for myself and my family, it seems that supporting others in the emergency room of life has been our life’s ministry. We live in a fallen, imperfect, fragile world. Job spent much time in the emergency room. He concluded, “Man is born into trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). But thank God for the emergency room. It is in the emergency room where help is sought and found. Unfortunately, only an emergency room will motivate some people to seek help, both physically and spiritually.

Have you felt like giving up lately? Here’s hope for you – our great and mighty God loves you and has a way out. Hang on! Don’t give up hope.

We live in a world of trouble, terror, and trials. Since the sin and fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the serpent of old has engendered strife and stress, fear and failure, depression and destruction. Jesus told us, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have life and might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

It was the most painful and stressful period in my adult life. It was a wilderness experience, “the dark night of the soul”.

It was a beautiful sunrise that greeted me as I drove to the hospital and walked into the pre-op room. I had come to bring some cheer to a friend soon to undergo heart surgery. But as I prepared to read scripture and pray, he brought cheer to me as he said, “I’m not worried, Pastor, I have full coverage.” What a great statement! He wasn’t referring to his insurance coverage, but he was referring to the blessed assurance that a believer has in Christ.

During the recent flood and tornado disasters in our region, many who thought they had full coverage insurance had a rude awakening

Who is your hero? Dirty Harry or Holy Jesus? Dirty Harry takes aim at a perp and, challenging him to flee, intones, “Go ahead, make my day.” That is the moment in which his personality is defined. He will achieve personal fulfillment if he can kill the evil villain.

Jesus Christ, holy and innocent suffered reproach, abuse, flogging, and crucifixion. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously; who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” (I Peter 2:22-24) Jesus cried out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Depression is not a paper tiger – it is real and can be deadly. I have battled bouts of depression through various seasons of my life. If you are facing depression, you are not alone. Great and godly men and women have battled and defeated depression by the grace of God. In the Bible we see Moses, Job, Naomi, Elijah, David, and Solomon along with a host of saints down through history who succumbed to depression. The good news is – you can defeat depression.

I’ve noticed that one of the first steps to defeat depression is to identify its cause. Here are some common causes of depression identified by psychologists.

This spring yellow daffodils pierce winters gloom and song birds arrive to sing their songs and build their nests. Relay for Life committees plan and execute their annual fundraising events to help those fighting cancer.

As one among eight million cancer survivors, I would like to share some lessons in conquering cancer.

First – LIFE IS SHORT – ETERNITY IS SURE. In Christ we can be more than a survivor. We can hang onto God’s promise, “Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us” (Romans 8:37 NLT). The King James Version says, “We are more than conquerors.” Paul goes on to say, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t and life can’t” (Romans 8:38 NLT).

A few weeks ago someone posed the question “Are we having fun yet?” to me. Many people don’t enjoy life. God wants us to celebrate and enjoy the journey of life. You may gasp at the thought, but God wants us to have fun. I believe God had fun creating the world. After each creation event in the book of beginnings, Genesis, we read, “And God saw that it was good”. Many Christians are on their way to heaven but few seem to be enjoying the trip. Jesus said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10 Amplified Bible).

My son Chris lives in the state of Washington surrounded by majestic snow capped mountains and the splendor of God’s magnificent creation. But 70 miles away looms Mt St Helens and the threat of an erupting volcano. Scientist say that Mt Ranier will someday erupt sending an avalanche of molten lava and debris cascading down through the Seattle – Tacoma area into the Puget Sound. But the residents stay! Why? They hope that it will not happen – at least not in their lifetime.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His mercy endureth forever.” (Psalm 118:1) Thanksgiving is more than turkey, table talk, or the things we have accumulated. Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart; it’s unique to the Judeo-Christian religion. V. Raymond Edman, a former president of Wheaton College, wrote, “Paganism has no note of Thanksgiving in its worship. Its people may have prayer wheels and make pilgrimages, but they have no song of praise. They have fetishes erected for fear of evil spirits, but they know nothing of a feast of gratitude for God’s goodness. They have idols, but no ideals that show God’s mercy and grace.”

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. To many people, Christmas is a portrait of peace. We send and receive Christmas cards with serene nativity scenes of contented animals in a cozy stable. The picture of a white Christmas with a sleigh riding through a winter wonderland with happy, singing carolers fills our minds. Strains of “silent Night” bring a calm nostalgic glow to our hearts. “Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, ‘Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”