Hope Regained

Hope Regained 

Acknowledgement: 
While there's life,there's hope.
 This famous saying was used by Cicero who may have borrowed it from a Latin playwright named Terence (190-159 B.C.) Leading any person along the path of learning is a journey of hope.
   
       All it takes is a small spark of hope to ignite the flame of inquiry leading to a blaze of sheer hunger for knowledge in the very spirit of normal human being. Teachers yearn for this, a mind open just enough for the practical world to touch the threshold of imagination, then you launch- off into your possibilities. Just because the flame of hope was nurtured, believed and ignited. 

Educate:
 The Scholar's Hope
      "Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.   No husbandman would               sow one grain of corn, if he hoped not it would grow up and become seed; no               bachelor would marry a wife, if he hoped not to have children; no merchant or             tradesman would set himself to work, if he did not hope to reap benefit thereby.           How much more, then, does hope urge us on to everlasting life and salvation?"                   Martin Luther

      This quote from the pages of the Reformer, Martin Luther is one of my favorite. Luther takes the crude ground that we walk upon to offer a clear parallel for exquisite truths like that of Spiritual life and eternal hope in providence. What scholar set you ablaze from the gesture of intellectual prowess that places you before pliable minds of the future? Continue to seek that which inspires you to regain hope and refresh those threads of hope to reel in the attention of those you seek to launch. 

Compliment: 

        As you think about those whom you will see in the morning, imagine what compliment would make them feel accepted and affirmed. Smile and make them feel your support in meaningful ways today and tomorrow.

 Empowerment: 

       What is the most important thing that money can buy? (trick question). Money can't buy a thing, it is the person using the money who chooses where to exchange things for its value. Use your money wise and it will place you in a place of comfort, let money use you and you will forever look for comfort because it has no heart. 

Blessing:
 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. May those good and perfects gifts rain upon you and yours today.

 Chaplain Horace Cutter
  hmanchaplain@gmail.com
  www.walkingtogethernow.blogspot.com

Subtitles for a Silent Picture

Devotional: Subtitles for a Silent Picture Text: “Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” Philippians 2:16 Intro: Have you ever watched a silent movie? The subtitles keep you working to make sure that you keep up with the story. I sometimes get lax and don’t read the subtitles and that means that I have to keep watching so that I will understand what was said in the last scene. The actors’ actions help me to know what they were talking about or what plot the villain was planning in the scene where I missed the words. Holding forth the word of life is like us acting in the silent movie, so we must not miss the opportunity to speak so that those actions do not go misinterpreted by the world. Discussion: This past Resurrection weekend, Shibana and I looked at the ‘Passion of Christ’. It is always tough for me to watch this rendition of what happen to our Lord, yet it is always a blessing to engage in reflecting on what Jesus did for me so that my salvation would be secure and final. We also looked at the Ten Commandments with Charleton Heston. It is a great story. Just to let you know I have the 1923 silent version of the Ten Commandments. As I said before, it is sometimes tough for me being a listener to keep up with the subtitles. Looking back at the scene and actors to help fill in what I missed. In many ways we are the actors on that stage of the world helping to see the witness of God in the world but we must prepare words to go with those actions just in case we are asked “why”. God has sent us into the world of many troubles in order that we may “hold fast” and “hold forth the Word of Life”. In his letter to the Philippians, the great Apostle Paul encourages the church to act: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” Paul challenges us to have actions that are acceptable to those who see them, but also challenges us to “hold fast/ forth the word of life”. These good actions in the world must be accompanied by words. So that the world will not be left behind like me watching the silent movie. In his devotional ‘Sanctuary’ Dr. David Jeremiah says, “I never have believed too much in the power of the “silent” witness. But when a godly life is accompanied by the presentation of the Word of Life, the effect can be dramatic.” Without words to accompany the good actions that we do, we are kind of like the silent film that I don’t work to keep up with. People will see the good work but do they understand the ‘why’ that goes with our ‘what’? As you follow the Lord in the mission that you believe that he has called you to, remember to have words prepared that will testify to God’s glory through Jesus. People of the world think that we are doing these good deeds to earn our salvation but we must inform them that these actions come because of the salvation that Jesus has secured for us on the cross and verified for us in the resurrection. Challenge: How would you describe to someone why you follow the Lord in obedience? Make sure that you add the subtitles to the silent movie of your life so that people can consider the reason for real actions brought about by Our Lord Jesus Christ in your own life. Prayer: My dearest Lord, Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path beneath me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, Tonight, and Forever. Amen

Patience Persistence Presence and Passion

"You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself." Glinda the good witch Did you go through a tough time of caring for someone to find out that they became a very good friend? This is something that we get when we are committed to the call to care. This is what you call real relationships which usually have the opportunity to include friction, adversity and challenge. The best of relationships are those which have stood the test of opposition and challenge. Some may think that having a challenging patient is just not the right person for you but it may be the very person to help you to understand how to care for a difficult person. Caring for a difficult person may lead the care giver to tap into the real gift within to enjoy the gift that they were meant to be. Reaching into your own personhood to care for your patient is not something that most people want to do. reaching in to see yourself is not always a pretty sight. In fact, when looking a character identifications learning about your strengths also carries along with it the pain of facing your own weaknesses. No challenge to your inner person brings no deep reflection to what moves you which results in your ability to fly on auto-pilot. Adapting to the frailties of our own psyche is what we do to make it from one day to the next. Facing the challenge of a difficult patient makes us dig deep enough to see what changes need to be made in our own character in order for the gift inside to make more of a difference. Hard to believe? Just think of it, the athlete, who has the gift of speed, endurance and flexibility still needs to push him or herself in order to become more of what they already are. This is true for any gift inside a person who wants more from their inner person. The word from Glinda the Good is wise instruction for anyone who desires to be fully able and efficient to perform what they believe they have been gifted to do. Facing the challenge helps you to be more. Don't leave that client, dig deep within for the person who you are made to be. Go beyond what you are capable of adapting to, pour your energy into being what you can be and doing what you can do. Dare to be better than you are to become more of what you can be. "You've always had the power to do this my friend, you just had to learn it for yourself."

The Logic of Broken Hearts

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable." The Tin Man: 'The Wizard of Oz' Sometimes I speak with care givers who do not want to "get too close" to their patients. I see this as a waste of presence and a missed opportunity for really caring for the person who needs to be affirmed while having to cope with the humility of having someone else care for them. If a care giver allows their emotions to enter into the picture of care, they will find that they will get more of a blessing than they could give. During the course of my own encounters with patients I have found that I will resonate better with some than with others. This is nobody's fault. Some patients I have found that they do not relate to me in the way that I would like, and I soon remember that love is a commitment not a feeling. The Love that I share for a person while caring for them helps me to be aware of their situation of pain, or suffering even their grief. I need to be able to resonate with their pain in order to walk with them on the journey of sorrow. The reluctant care giver, desiring to keep from feeling the pain of the patient, will have trouble resonating with them. I am not talking about making up your own issues of sorrow in order to cry with them but reflecting on their sorrow allowing it to touch your sorrow is best. This kind of care will cause your soul to hurt and invite the pain of grief to enter in. A person who is suffering can somehow feel that you are just using words while attending to them but a person who sees that you care enough to enter into their suffering will receive the offering of true care giving. It is said that misery loves company and I do believe this is true. This saying is usually referred to when a person is having a tough time in life they want to pull everyone down who will let them. But there is another side to this. A person who is in misery needs someone who is willing to sit in the misery with them, find a glimmer of hope in the middle of hopelessness. To be able to see if there is something to grasp in the midst of suffering. The depth of the life lost, the strength of the character of the hurting, the assurance of a faithful family... These aspects of life and relationship are worth more that anyone can say at the moment. Assumptions, third party feelings, virtually stepping out of the room to detour the issue are all errors in caring for a person who is suffering. You, as the care giver must be in the room physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You are the one who has walked this journey with the patient and it is you that they expect to lean on as they go through. Many times silence is golden the urge to give direction, lessons or even show something to the patient is like walking on thin ice in the relationship. The lesson of the Tin man is that what is felt is not always of a practical nature. The task is to feel what they feel as best as you can and be of support to them, then you will have offered yourself as a real person to minister to another human being. Some care givers give care as if they would like their heart to be unbreakable but this would defeat the purpose of the intimacy of care. Allowing your heart to break for the person to whom you are showing love is a key task in care giving. This is the logic of broken hearts.

A Look at Dunaway Gardens

Famous Quotes from the Wizard of Oz

Quotes from the Movie

A Word on The Wiz

The Wiz

    In the updated version of the Wizard of Oz, The Wiz staring Michael Jackson, Dianna Ross and Nipsy Russell we find an urban look into the story told from a different point of view.

   The Wiz didn't give them anything and stood there with nothing to help them deal with why they had come to see him.  They had done all this for nothing. 

      Sometimes you will not be able to give a tangible gift to the patient you are serving.  In my chaplain visits I have had many patients who cannot engage in regular communication that I am used to.  I find that some severe Alzheimer's patients just cannot comprehend the gift of helping, a gift or mint to lighten their day.  Sometimes things are different, 'Like the Wiz'  In my journeys of care giving I have had patients who knew exactly what they wanted to say yet, they could not get the words out of their mouth to relay the thought to me.  This was so frustrating to them that it brought much anxiety to them and I felt the responsibility of causing angst instead of soothing their mind with my visit.   There are times that you will not be able to give them the gift that you long desire to offer but you may be able to offer them something more.

   

        The offer of non material gifts are important in life as we go along the way.  Gifts such as patience, presence, a pause of silence in order for the patient to process the task at hand or the words just spoken.  These gifts are so important to the patient that we cannot measure their worth to the relationship we are building.  Knowing that everyone is not suited for the naturally comfortable setting that we are comfortable with is part of offering real love for our patients.   Some of the patients we serve are comfortable with the loud TV going in the background.  You may have a patient that is running a race, like one of my recent patients who wanted to walk around the nurses station several times a day, if he could.  Luis was into sports in a big way in his life, he had run many marathons and felt very comfortable in the sports conversations and debates.  Looks different than most hospice patients, but this was a different life that I respect and cared for deeply.  These gifts are sometimes only realized through my conversation with the patient or someone who has known them for most of their life.  This person can help me to understand why they react a certain way, if I can detach from my own familiar life for a moment, I will find out where home is for that patient.    Loving them enough to understand how to bring personal comfort can solve many issues in my challenge to offer support.

    There are also metaphysical gifts that we can learn to lean on in order to inspire hope in a hopeless person.

     Such as the love of God, the developing nature of our existence, and how the attitude can affect each day.  These supports for offering care are much more important than even the things that we write in their chart.  

   

      Life on life care means more than just maintaining hygiene by washing a person, or assisting someone out of the bed so that they can sit up in the kitchen and eat breakfast. 

  The life upon life care is an intimate exchange of presence which speaks volumes of love, affirmation, care, assurance and actual, not virtual, 'connectedness' to the world around them.  You testify to the person  that you are caring for that he/she is a real person who was created by God for the purpose of living in this world.   You relay to them that they are offering to the world value in every breath breathed and every sense felt.  God operates on this level many times and places value on each life by extending His own image upon those lives in the world.    

          Psalm 139: 15 says, "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

          This ancient song in the pages of scripture helps us to remember that God has been and is aware of our presence before we were born.  Much of our existence in the world is consumed with how productive we are but God is aware of us when no one else offers support.  He offers his affirmation to the person who can no longer offer the conventional type of contribution to society.  God's love is shown to them in His Word and we can express that same love to the patient as a gift as we lean upon the metaphysical gift that we have from God. 

  

          This verse of scripture also informs us of the purposeful intention that goes into the makeup of our lives.  The psalmist understands that God has a specific purpose for us even before we are born into this world.  "I was woven together in the depths of the earth".  Being born into the world is an act which is orchestrated by God himself with intent from beginning to the end.  The illustration of weaving something together is not the act of an unintentional mishap but the idea of creativity, sure thought and purpose.      Many people try to comprehend the productivity of a person by understanding what they can do or how they can think but God ordains a birth in the gift of conception and initiates the first act of another actor for a certain purpose and need.  Only God knows the specific purpose of every baby born and only He can direct that child to the place where his/her gifts can be put into use for the solution to a certain need. 

        Just like the Wiz offers a different take on the same old story, each and every person born comes with a tailored makeup to offer us a customized understanding of the world around us.   The Wiz turned out to be a man who was so self-conscious that he did not even want to come out in public at Oz and risk falling under the judgment of those who looked up to him.  This rendition of the Wizard of Oz promotes the fact that we are all made a certain way. 

Believing that you are made a certain way and accepting that as OK is important  in every care giver's life.  

        Life is a lot about realizing who you are and celebrating your gifts by using them to help others.      The Wiz didn't give them what they wanted because he never had it to begin with not even for himself.   Remember what Glinda the Good told Dorothy at the end of the story, "You always had the power, my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself."    When you learn/accept yourself, you can accomplish many things.  Make your time count by doing what you do best.   

"Some people without brains do a lot of talking, don't they?"  The Scarecrow
         Ok, I know what you are going to say…  "Yes, the Scarecrow is right.  I have a coworker who talks all of the time and he shows little signs of brain activity."
    Do you  have a person in your world who has no brains but talks all of the time?  Don't say a word….
 Well I have worked with several teams of people and each group had its own kooky makeup.  Some love hate relationships others who attempted to make the day shorter by making things very interesting for each other in special ways.  The teams that I worked with in the office environments all had at least on person who could be the perfect example of this quote.  

      I can remember working with my great friends at Kaiser years ago with a group of people who loathed a young guy (who was pretty silly too).  They hated the guy so much that the day he called in and quit from the office, they actually threw an all out office party.   This was after I had worked with them for about a month.  I remember thinking, "They wanted him to quit so much that they are using his quitting as an incentive to have a good time."  The two girls who instigated the whole thing were of the less brainy but chatty, chatty club.  
      Hey, let's face it… some people do not think before they talk and this is just the way they have gotten along in life.   Some have found that most people are not listening to them anyway so, what they say always makes sense to them.  With little feedback.  That's tough.
     
     If you are familiar with the movie, The Wizard of Oz, you will remember that the Scarecrow was pretty smart to be functioning with no brain.  I remember in the office where I worked,  I would think sometimes, maybe she was just born in the wrong age or she's from a strange land.  Lord, they just may need a do over in life.   If you are a chatty chatty person please don't take this too personal we all need a little grace.  Grace is an important gift to be ready to  give and to learn to accept.   Let's just hope you don't wear out your friend's grace button!!!!!

       If you have given a no brainy person a pass lately, good for you, the serious thinkers need someone to balance out their square peg and round hole approach to life.  We all must remember that each person in our lives has a gift to offer the world of friends that she has.  It is great to find out the gift that a less brainy person has and then celebrate with them in their accomplishments.   We all need that type of support and affirmation in life and can benefit from the closest of friends advancing in life.   Hey I bet those two young ladies who I worked in that office are doing just fine now.
     
        Even though the Scarecrow didn't think he was smart enough, his new found friends did not kick him aside. They accepted him as a fellow friend on a journey to greater understanding in life.  You will also remember that Dorothy and the other two characters would not have gotten too far without the Scarecrow's way of thinking outside the box.   The folks without a brain can be a great companion in many ways…
     When you need to think way outside of the proverbial box, they will help since they don't think straight.
     When you need some comedy relief they are always able to help out.
     When someone is taking things too seriously, less brainys are great to lighten the atmosphere.
 
So, Just remember that although some people who talk too much and have little brain activity are sometimes annoying, they will help you to know when to press the grace button for them.  They will bring the comedy in even when they do not know it.

     And they will help you have a better and more productive prayer life because you will have to pray to take them as a serious friend at times.  But continue to be their friend, you're gonna need them too.

What is the Annual Care Giver Retreat

The ACGR is a retreat specifically conducted for the care of those who care for other people in their profession.
     The retreat could be applicable to Teachers, Social Workers, Counselors, Ministers and others who deliver life on life care to other people.  The purpose of the retreat is to offer time to refresh the spirit and reconnect with the true self.  This is done by engaging in the task of affirming yourself much like the caregiver affirms the life of the person that they care for each day.

    The ACGR registration fee is $25 per participant please bring cash for your payment.
   
      Attending the ACGR is a very refreshing event and should be utilized for each person attending.
Coming to the retreat it would be a good idea to:
     1- Dress warm - it is usually cool in the mornings even when we enter the gardens it is still chilly.

     2- Wear rubber bottom shoes that do not slip easy.

     3- Take your time driving out to Dunaway Gardens- It is nestled out in the corner of Newnan so don't be in a hurry to get here.

     4- Bring a positive attitude about your time of relaxing.

     5- Be ready to connect with someone who does work very similar to your own.

     6- If you take allergy medicine, bring it with you. You will be among nature and the Georgia Pollen can be a great challenge.
   
Most people who come to the retreat leave so refreshed that they get together with other participants and go to Newnan to each lunch and some catch a movie.  You can treat yourself to a whole day of relaxing and refreshing.  Chaplain Cutter recommends that you bring a good friend who does the same type of work so that when you leave the gardens you both can hangout together.  Your registration to the retreat pays for you to stay in the gardens for the day so feel free to roam after the retreat is over.

     We are arranging a light breakfast with juice and coffee so bring your favorite cup, like I do.

 Below are some ground rules for the retreat sessions.
• Group members will never be forced to talk, but are encouraged to do so.

• Group members agree to respect the other group members and keep things said within the session confidential. Personal information is not to be used outside of the group. (Exception: if you are a danger to yourself or others.)

• Group members agree not to judge or correct other group members. Everyone is at a different place on his or her journey.

• Group members understand that he or she is free to ask questions and to express feelings, thoughts, concerns, anger, fears and successes.   When emotions are expressed please offer your presence, your patience, your pause and then your support.

• Group members agree to allow time for everyone to comment and share.  Instances of silence during discussion time will be viewed as "okay" because it allows everyone time to think before answering.    

 Group members are encouraged to hug due to the touch deprived society that we experience each day.  Real Hugs are encouraged for All!!!


• Group members understand that this is a spiritual program and at times will give Biblical references to support participants reflections.

Knowing these things will help you have a productive time for your retreat experience.

General info:
Dunaway Gardens, is a well manicured garden tucked in the corner of Newnan, Ga.   You will be surrounded by nature and have time to take for reconnecting with your mind and body and spirit.
The Retreat will take place on Fri. May 27  from 8:00 am- 1:30pm, breakfast will be served.  The attendance fee for access to the gardens and Retreat is $25.00.  Register by May 20    (call Chaplain Cutter (770-969-8354).

Participants will meet at Dunaway Gardens: 3218 Roscoe Rd., Newnan, Ga. 30263
Please call Chaplain Horace Cutter for any questions or concerns.  678-763-1871

Directions to Dunaway Gardens :  
*From I-85 take exit 47 Bullsboro Dr. (Hwy 34) in Newnan.
*Drive toward Newnan about ¼ mi, make right on 34 by-pass.
*Continue on 34 by-pass (3mi.) to Hwy 70  (Roscoe Rd). make right & Drive apprx. 5. 5 miles.
*Dunaway Gardens will be on the Left.              
Stay tuned for more information on the ACGR

ACGR past refreshing, fun, relaxing and renewal

The ACGR Connect

There was a quote from the story of the Wizard of Oz, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."  Dorothy

     It took a tornado to lift the house up into the air and see all of the people that she had recently interacted with in order for Dorothy to realize that she was not in Kansas anymore.  There comes a time sometimes several times in the life of a care giver that they realize that they are not in Kansas anymore.  And I don't mean the great state of Kansas, I am referring to the familiarity of which we are prone to settle into when caring for a person in need.  The needs change, the medicine changes, the daily tasks change, THE DIAGNOSIS CHANGES!!
     These are the types of changes that can really get you to thinking, "Who up there doesn't love me."
 Well, I am here to let you know that, it is because He loves you that you are the one who has been chosen to care.  Your love for the person you care for is essential to their comfort and sanity and helpful to your own life fulfillment.  Remember that as a care giver, you find some purpose of your life in caring for others. This is important!!  The patient on the floor, that husband of the patient who is completely out of his element in the hospital, that social worker or chaplain looking for ways to comfort a family, all need your help. You have been called to guide them through this ordeal or hold their hand while you both see this chapter in the family's life being played out.   You have the heart for this and that is why you are here.
      Care giving is not for someone who wants to checkout in life but for a person who is willing to love with all they have so that the fulfillment of the soul is nurtured and set free to do that special task in this time of your own life, the season for caring and learning to love more and to do what you have been created to do.  Yes, you will go through times where Kansas is where you would love to be because you enjoyed the simple life but there is more to care giving than that!!!
      Don't let a tornado have to happen so that you can find out that you are not in Kansas anymore.

The Annual Care Giver Retreat at Dunaway Gardens, Newnan, GA

ACGR
    

   The Annual Care Giver Retreat 
   This year's theme is, "There's No Place Like Home"... Yes from the epic tale 'The Wizard of Oz' 
   We will be reflecting on the idea that home is that place of refuge where people tend to go when things get tough, when stress is high and when life gets challenging.  We all like to think that home is that place where we have our own little corner where we can be who we really are and will never be judged for it.  

The ACGR will be held on May 27th on location Dunaway Gardens, among the natural fragrance of flowers and lovely landscape.  The Annual Care Giver Retreat is specifically for Professional Care Givers. 
      Dunaway Gardens, is a well manicured garden tucked in the corner of Newnan, Ga.   You will be surrounded by nature and have time to take for reconnecting with your mind and body and spirit. 

     

Participants will meet at Dunaway Gardens:

3218 Roscoe Rd., Newnan, Ga. 30263

Please call Chaplain Horace Cutter for any questions or concerns.  678-763-1871

Directions to Dunaway Gardens       

*From I-85 take exit 47 Bullsboro Dr. (Hwy 34) in Newnan.

*Drive toward Newnan about ¼ mi, make right on 34 by-pass.

*Continue on 34 by-pass (3mi.) to Hwy 70  (Roscoe Rd). make right & Drive apprx. 5. 5 miles. 

*Dunaway Gardens will be on the Left.