Buy the book that started this blog. “Traces of Hope, St Johann Press 2015. Click on the picture to go to Amazon.
Category Archives: Prayer
The Sh&t Prayer
I was having a stressful moment, shift, day, week… and there was another trauma call for a chaplain. I needed to pray. I needed to vent. I knew God would understand. And so I voiced my prayer: “Sh&t, Sh&t, Sh&t, … Continue reading
A Prayer by John Birch
In my going out and coming in,my risingand sleeping,watch over me,keep me from harm. In summer sunand winter rain,my joyfulnessand sorrowwatch over me,keep me from harm. In the darknessand in lighter daysmy fearsand comfort,watch over me,keep me from harm.This day,and … Continue reading
The nature of HOPE in an ICU
I am a staff chaplain in a hospital with four critical care floors and a cancer unit, and naturally I spend a lot of my time on those critical care floors. My time is spent with patients and families who … Continue reading
Storms
Subtropical Storm Alberto, May 26, 2018 An actual picture. Storm Ending BY JEAN TOOMER Thunder blossoms gorgeously above our heads, Great, hollow, bell-like flowers, Rumbling in … Continue reading
Be Still and Know
When I was teaching and leading retreats I learnt a beautiful way to pray the breath prayer or centering prayer. Using the phrase “Be still and know that I am God” start with the whole phrase, breathing in slowly and … Continue reading
A Blessing for Nurses
When preparing for a Nurse’s Week Service I searched for an image I could use in a blessing. When I found out it would be outside, I thought of a tree: Rooted and strong, upright but flexible, reaching out, but firmly … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, God, gratefulness, Nature, Prayer, religion, spirituality
Tagged gratitude, nurses week 2018, Prayer
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Letting Go of the Illusion of Control
In the face of recent flooding in the South and natural disasters worldwide, I offer this excerpt from my book … ================================================= After Katrina I heard this comment from a Lakeview resident who had lost everything, … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, God, Hope, Prayer, spirituality, Suffering
Tagged God, Prayer, spirituality
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Definition of God
(Jean Houston) – It varies from day to day. When I was a little girl, it was a very personal person. As I got older, it became the universe — the universe in us. But mostly I think it is … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, God, love, Prayer, religion, spirituality
Tagged Nature, Prayer, religion, science, spirituality
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Praying up a storm!
I have profound respect for UMC and Baptist ministers who can pray in such uplifting and deeply personal ways with patients and families. Coming from an Irish Catholic background I am genetically non-disposed to utter Amens and Thank you Lords … Continue reading
Posted in grace, grief, Prayer, religion, spirituality
Tagged Christianity, God, gratitude, Prayer, religion, spirituality
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Finding Our Spiritual Path
To find a spiritual path it is not necessary to give up our job, leave our family, change our religion, or travel to India or Tibet. We start wherever we are, not running away but right in the middle of everything. You might … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, God, grace, gratefulness, Prayer, spirituality
Tagged faith, Prayer, spirituality
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Traces of Hope 