"Care From Above"

Working in a large metropolitan area, we have a more frequent opportunity to utilize air medical teams. Some argue that this method of transportation is over-used (or even shouldn't be used at all). That may be. But, there are those times where the situation is perfectly suited for this highly specialized service. For example, you arrive on the scene of a MVC and you have one unconscious patient that is still entrapped. Estimated time to extrication is about fifteen to twenty minutes. In our area, that gives the chopped plenty of time to be on scene. Time from extrication to surgery is reduced by at least a half hour. There are other "time-critical" patients that could be flown... such as CVA's.

No matter the reasoning for calling for the flight team, every time you do so, the "hazard-factor" increases... to you and your crews, to the patient and to the flight crew. In fact, last year was the deadliest year in air medical transportation - twenty-eight people lost their lives.

But there is "care from above" that is perfect... every time. That care is the love and the help that only our REAL CHIEF can bring. When you are down about something... call for GOD to rescue you. When you are in need of help in your life... call for GOD to help you. When you need a miracle... call for GOD to provide.

If you have ever been on scene when a helicopter lands, you understand the "rush"... the almost palpable electricity in the air as you are a participant in something that very few people will ever experience. And that's on earth with man-made machines and human beings providing care. Imagine what that "rush" will feel like when GOD HIMSELF arrives 'on the scene' of your life... YES! The "Father of the heavenly lights" arrives and the care that HE provides for you is perfect... absolutely perfect. Ah, yes... I love serving...

Copyright © 2009 Chaplain Skip Straus and Emergency Ministries.

May 13, 2009

"Forgiven"

Another one of the great parts of being a Chaplain is being able to be with people at a great time in their life... as they get married. I love sitting down with young couples and learning how they met and what they love about their spouse-to-be. I also love learning about their spiritual life.

A lot of times, folks automatically say, "Well, we don't go to church every Sunday..." as a way of explaining their "spiritual life." That's not what we are talking about. Going to church every Sunday is what our pastor, Jeff Wells, says is "churchianity." It's not about religion... it's about a relationship. Being a Christian means having a personal relationship with our REAL CHIEF... with GOD. You can't work your way into Heaven. You can't be "good enough" to get into Heaven. The only way to Heaven is through CHRIST. And, when you ask HIM into your life... when you ask HIM to be your REAL CHIEF... and beg forgiveness, HE forgives you for all of the bad things (sins or transgressions) that you have done.

So, what does that mean? In our verse this week, HE promises that HE has tossed those sins away from us and HE removes them "as far as east is from the west." Think about that. How far is the east from the west? Well, let's say you started walking in a straight line due north. You would eventually end up at the North Pole and then... well, you would be walking south until you got to the south pole, then... well, you get the picture. HOWEVER, if you started walking east in a straight line, you would forever be walking east. THAT is how far east is from west!

So, you have the opportunity to be completely and forever forgiven. All you have to do is to believe that HE died for you and ask HIM to become your REAL CHIEF. Ask HIM to forgive your past and ask HIM to help you as you learn to walk...

Copyright © 2009 Chaplain Skip Straus and Emergency Ministries.

May 4, 2009

"Inexpressible Joy"

Every time I write an article like the one written last week, I get two or three notifications of people that have "unsubscribed" from the email list to receive STRESS RELIEF. So, what is it that causes this to occur? It has occurred to me that it is because they are sensing a call from our REAL CHIEF to come into a personal relationship with HIM. And, maybe, it scares them a little bit. I can understand that. I was once right where they are... I knew I needed HIM in my life, but if anyone even slightly hinted at that... well, I was outta there!

How little did I know. All those years I resisted experiencing the joy that I have now.

What is that joy? It's kind of like this; my sister (okay Sherri, my younger sister) is the Chairman for the annual fundraising ball for the American Cancer Society up in the Dallas area. She had invited Cindy and I up for the event, which was held this past Saturday. The event is huge... on a big ranch north of Dallas... several hundred on the invitation list. Attendees got to see first class entertainment, a live auction, a silent auction, games and more. There were celebrities and the elite of Dallas. Then, there was Cindy and I... heheheh. Anyway, when my sister heard we were there, she came running up to me and grabbed me and held on. And on. And she started crying. THAT, you see, is joy. It is a joy expressed when you are with someone special. It is a joy mixed with emotions like relief and a overwhelming sense of "everything's going to be okay."

Our friends that left the list perhaps felt uneasy about a relationship with our REAL CHIEF.  And, if it is like I was, it is because they are the type that have to "see it to believe it." I understand now and hope that they will soon also understand that you don't have to see something to know it exists. The best example of that is LOVE. Can you see love? Can you touch it? No... you just know it exists and it is very, very real.

The Bible says that HE IS LOVE. HE is very, very real. That's why I am filled with joy as I serve alongside you...