tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post4817906054287772058..comments2023-04-09T03:38:25.779-07:00Comments on Chronic Illness, Christian Faith, and Other Laments: Ministry to the Chronically IllDouglas Groothuis, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-837790696024434162009-03-28T14:24:00.000-07:002009-03-28T14:24:00.000-07:00My husband just discovered your blog and passed it...My husband just discovered your blog and passed it along to me. We have been living with my chronic pain, fatigue, etc. for 20 years. Thank you for putting a voice to this invisible illness.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16581609456094309476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-44182786634699907512009-03-21T22:25:00.000-07:002009-03-21T22:25:00.000-07:00Ed:I resist writing on this, honestly. It is so pa...Ed:<BR/><BR/>I resist writing on this, honestly. It is so painful. I have to finish my huge apologetics book first. Then there are at least two other books. Further, a book on chronic illness would likely not be picked up by any publishers. So, I am reluctant, honestly. But it could happen; there is a need.Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-29976654648639385662009-03-20T20:54:00.000-07:002009-03-20T20:54:00.000-07:00Doug, have you and Rebecca considered writing a bo...Doug, have you and Rebecca considered writing a book on caring for those with chronic illness in the church? I think that something of a guidebook (that goes beyond Rotholz's volume) and published by an evangelical house is sorely needed. And, of course, it takes the right kind of person(s) to author such a work. It's hard to imagine folks more prepared for such a task than you and Rebecca.J. Ed Komoszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18111893389217932360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-29992055980169323402009-03-18T10:28:00.000-07:002009-03-18T10:28:00.000-07:00You brought back very good memories of my exceptio...You brought back very good memories of my exceptional nursing teacher. To listen, as you describe it so well, is what she taught us years ago (in the late 50s). Taking care of the sick was a vocation then, not a profession. To pass the grade, we needed to practice not only sympathy, but also empathy. It can be learned if one truly cares. <BR/><BR/>My teacher emphasized listening with our 'eyes' and our 'mouth', not only with our ears. I never forgot. She had the three monkeys statue on her desk. She said often, "Good with evil, but not with suffering. Don't be deaf and blind and mute when meeting people in pain."<BR/><BR/>There's always a danger that our promised prayers become a routine. When it's possible, I add photos to my list of daily prayers. Far away people, family, friends, become very present. I don't say a long prayer unless I just received new informations. I pronounce each name looking at each photo, thank God for His love and help, and ask for His continued support. It's good to have both, you and Rebecca, from one of your profiles. Hoping and praying that Rebecca is doing better each day, and that you can now relax in your role of care-giver.Claudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04307495672130972111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-42890463529130114362009-03-14T20:12:00.000-07:002009-03-14T20:12:00.000-07:00Thank you. You may end up being better prepared th...Thank you. You may end up being better prepared than most when this happens--and it probably will.Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-80219270109636309932009-03-14T18:54:00.000-07:002009-03-14T18:54:00.000-07:00Dr Groothuis,A while back you asked if anyone was ...Dr Groothuis,<BR/>A while back you asked if anyone was reading this blog. I didn't reply then, but even though I do not closely know anyone who has a chronic illness, I appreciate your discourses and hope and think they are helpful when I do meet someone. <BR/>Thanks!<BR/><BR/>ChristophUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18303621855598709131noreply@blogger.com