by Chaplain Liz Danielsen Loss can have a significant impact on an individual’s life leading to physical, psychological, social and spiritual consequences. People understand the face of loss when it is associated with the death of a loved one. However, it is important to understand that loss is not only the loss of a loved Continue Reading >>
Unconditional Love – by Chaplain Liz Danielsen
Valentine’s Day will soon be here, and many people are looking for love in all the wrong places. When I was eleven-years-old, Jim Vaus, who was a wiretapper for organized crime, came to speak at my church. He shared that God had His Son, Jesus Christ, go to the cross for my sins and that Continue Reading >>
Preparing Your Heart for the Holidays
Whatever your age, and whoever has died, holidays lived in the absence of someone dear can be difficult. Customary routines are ended, never to be repeated in quite the same way. Easy-going laughter, once so commonplace, may be awkward or altogether missing. Gift-giving, once so fun-filled, may seem somehow empty. Familiar songs, once so comforting, Continue Reading >>
How to Talk To Your Child About Their Chronic Illness
A chronic illness is a long-term health condition that lasts for three months or longer. Chronic illnesses can affect people of all ages, and when it comes to children having chronic illnesses, it’s important to approach the conversations with honesty, sensitivity, and understanding. Children rely on their parents for guidance and information, and how these Continue Reading >>
Rediscovering Faith After Personal Loss
Whether you’ve lost a loved one, are facing a chronic illness, or are dealing with any manner of personal loss, the grief that comes with it can be earth-shattering. Grief occurs after loss of any kind, and this journey through grief can stir a myriad of emotions and questions, challenging the strongest beliefs. While many turn to faith Continue Reading >>
Love at Christmas
Love is the gift of Christmas, the gift of a loving God who embraces us when grief and hurt seem to push Him away. Love is the gift of Christmas, the gift of a loving God who cries when we cry, smiles when we smile and breathes into us enough wind of life to try Continue Reading >>
Understanding Grief
The concept of understanding grief can seem contradictory – after all, every person’s journey through grief is uniquely shaped by a person’s background, experiences, and relationships. However, despite its individual nature, there are common threads that can unify the experience of grief. In this blog, we’ll explore the various facets of grieving while acknowledging its Continue Reading >>
Why Faith-Based Counseling Is for Everyone
Sometimes, life feels like a whirlwind of emotions. During moments of crisis, grief, or change, many of us search for an anchor to hold onto – something that reminds us we aren’t alone. During these times, faith-based counseling can be a beacon of hope and healing, even for those who might not consider themselves religious Continue Reading >>
A New Life, Not a New Normal
So many people talk about finding the new normal in your life after you’ve had a loss. What is that really supposed to mean? For me, nothing has been normal since my husband died or from any of the other losses I have had to experience. How about you? The American English Collins dictionary tells Continue Reading >>
How To Prepare For The Hard Dates
Grief can get easier as time goes on, but it never really goes away. And though grief can manifest at times when we least expect it, when you lose a loved one, it’s not uncommon to dread certain dates. Whether it’s holidays, anniversaries, or birthdays, it can be hard to celebrate without them. It’s important Continue Reading >>
Understanding and Overcoming Caregiver Burnout
You’ve been there for others in their time of need, pouring love, time, and energy into caring for a loved one. This journey is rewarding, yet it’s not without its trials. You might feel a bit more worn out than usual or be anxious about your caregiver tasks. That’s okay – you’re human, after all. Continue Reading >>
Understanding and Supporting Grieving Teens
Being a teenager is hard enough as it is – there are big exams, tough classes, peer pressure, romantic and social issues, friendships, bullying…the list goes on. It seems silly as you get older but, remember, there once was a time when a person not inviting you to hang out was enough to warrant a Continue Reading >>
Whose Pain is Worse?
I was once asked, “Whose pain is worse? My loss of losing my young husband and being left with a young child or my friend who has lost her son? Everyone keeps comparing our pain.” I hope the following will be of help to you as it was for me many years ago. It goes Continue Reading >>
Thankful
1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.” During this week of Thanksgiving, we thank the Lord for His amazing power and work in our lives, for His goodness, His many blessings, and for His great love and care. We thank Him for food and remember those Continue Reading >>
Receive His Peace Today
I was facing cataract surgery. Normally, this would not be a problem because most people have vision in two eyes. I have vision only in my left eye which is the eye the surgeon would try to correct. Meanwhile, I realized that if the surgeon messed up, I would be blind for the rest of Continue Reading >>