He stood at attention on the side of the road by his car. I passed this stranger not knowing who he was, not knowing if he had any connection to my current reason for driving along this road in a…
What happened on the way to my funeral
Facing a new year, many of us reflect on our lives. You may be shocked that I would suggest that we talk about death, but after years of training in pastoral care in seminary and Clinical Pastoral Education, and more…
For unto us a child is born
By David Gushee Follow David:@dpgushee I have had the extremely rare privilege in the last two weeks of holding a tiny human being named Jonah. He entered the world on Dec. 10, weighing not even eight pounds and stretching not…
Baptist chaplains eye growing openness to discussion of death
By Jeff Brumley Broaching the subject of death can be a serious downer in a society obsessed with beauty, health and long life. But there are signs that may be starting to change. “There are more people who are talking…
A Blue Christmas Service to grieve together
Life. Death. Birth. Two years ago I went on a forestry tour. I hated it. It was cold, damp, and painfully forgettable – until the end. The forester came out of his professorial role and said, “The reason why forests…
Christmas Ornaments
For the first three years after my Father died, my Mother refused to put up a Christmas tree. Christmas had been a beloved holiday for both my parents, and my Father spent countless hours each year setting up the Snow…
Learning to think more clearly about death
By Russ Dean She was surrounded by family and friends in the warmth of her own home. Her breathing stopped; the light went out; she was at peace. It was apparently just that simple when Brittany Maynard ended her fight…
Dying well, part 2
In part one I asked some big questions, shared the tragic story of Brittany Maynard, and offered a quick explanation as to why we as Christians cannot support her decision to end her life “on her own terms.” In this…
Dying well
By Jonathan Waits Do you want to die well? Do you want to die with dignity? I suspect that desire resides in the hearts of just about everyone. But what does it really mean to die well? I’ll admit, at…