Author: Carrie Dameron

Energy Based Therapies in Nursing: Part 3

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Hopefully, you have been following the series in JCN on Energy Based Therapies. Part 1 & 2 discussed the information from the medical view and then from a biblical view. In Part 3, I give examples of how to respond when we encounter colleagues and students inquiring or using Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and other therapies. 

I would enjoy reading how other Christian nurses have responded. I welcome your thoughts and experiences, so that we can encourage one another in living out Christ’s love in nursing. 

Click here for the article (subscription to JCN required) 

Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook

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This is a must needed resource for not only Christian nurses and health care providers; but for ALL Christians. I used it for my discussion on Energy Based Therapies for Christian Nursing 101 articles in JCN & as a resource for my personal health. It is available for both Kindle and print through Amazon.

NCFI Cares: One More Tool

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As nurses we encounter times when we have run out of healing
interventions. Chemotherapy and radiation are no longer working for a patient with
cancer; or a dying patient is suffering in pain. Medical and surgical
interventions have been exhausted to save a victim of severe trauma or drowning.
All our resources and skills will not save an unborn child and mother. Or the apparently
hopeless client who has countless readmission’s for substance abuse, depression,
or schizophrenia.

Whenever these and other desperate situations occur, we can
remember there is still a tool left in our box of nursing supplies. This tool gets
buried under innovative technologies, complex surgical procedures, and evidence
based interventions. The tool is just as effective today as it was in Genesis,
yet the tool is used less. This is especially true where medical advancements
pave the way for a quicker, more efficient healing.  As nurses, we may forgo honing the skill for
using this tool, for more certifications and degrees. Yes, knowledge has pushed
this tool down to the bottom of patient care treatments. Even though this tool
is an integral part of our Christian faith it may not even be in our nursing tool
box or part of our personal life.

Have you guessed what the tool is? Prayer—lets reach down
into our tool box of nursing knowledge, skills, and procedures, and bring it to
the top. For then we will be reminded to use it first instead of last. (James
5:15 The prayer of faith will heal the sick)

NCFI Cares: God is Love

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  1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love. We intellectually know
this truth. We memorize verses and sing praises of God’s love. We pray for his
love to penetrate our soul and reach through our heart and hands to touch
others. At times, as we experience earthly trials our prayers for love come
from desperation for healing. One way we can bring the living word beyond our
mind is to personalize God’s word. Here are my changes to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:

            Heavenly Father is patient and kind. He is
not envious. Almighty does not brag, nor is He puffed up. Adonai is not rude, nor
self-serving, Elohim is not easily angered nor does He keep records of wrong
doings. Most High is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. LORD bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. YAHWEH
never ends.

            Rest in the promise of God’s
word which reveals the reality of how comprehensive God’s love is. My prayer
personal prayer for each of you is … “may ________ (insert your name)
comprehend with all the saints, what is breadth and length and height and depth
is the love of Christ, so that ______ (insert your name) may be filled up with
the fullness of God!” (Eph 3:18-19)

Grace & Peace

Carrie 

NCFI Cares: Our Christmas Miracle

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Luke 1:35 The angel spoke to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”

It was the most joyous miracle! God came upon a young woman
and created a child. Not just a human being, but the incarnate of God himself.
This amazing miracle we celebrate every Christmas is the manifestation of the
same Holy Spirit that indwells within each of us. We may not become pregnant
and be so honored to parent the Holy One (thank goodness!), but the Holy Spirit
comes into our lives and performs miracles.

This Christmas season, my prayer for you is two-fold: First,
that the Lord would manifest himself in each of you in amazing ways. Each one
of us need something, a miracle, that only our Lord can supply. The second part
of my prayer is that we would recognize this miracle. Miracles happen every
day, as all health care providers can testify to. Yet, many times we miss the
seemingly little miracles: a changed heart, a kind word, a met need and a
triumph over sin. Open your heart and mind to the daily miracles in your life
this season while celebrating the most amazing miracle!

Merry Christmas from everyone at NCFI!

p.s. better late than never

Video

NCFI Cares: “When you call, I will answer!”

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 NCFI Cares: logo

Psalm 91:14-16 The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is
loyal (know) to me. When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation.

            The clinic on the edge of the village reaches out to the underserved. With very little staffing the nurse fills out intake forms, assesses symptoms, and provides education while listening to a new mom worried about her malnourished toddler. A young teenager is seen for abuse, while a husband is treated for a chronic disease hoping he can continue to provide for his family. Later the nurse rations out medication hoping to provide the limited supply to the most patients.

            The day is long and the sun sets as the nurse takes the city bus back through the violent city to home. The ride is full of anxiety with personal safety a concern, yet grief as a witness to the disgruntled and neglected of society get on and off the bus. The nurse spends the ride reviewing finances, anticipating the coming flu season, and contemplating the future needs of the clinic’s patients.

            Once at home the nurse wearily prepares dinner while helping with homework and coordinating the following day’s schedule. Finally, with the moon high in the star-bright sky, the nurse stops and sighs, “O Lord, where do I begin….” Before the prayers ascend to heaven, the Lord responds “I am here, my devoted child.” Unbeknownst to the nurse, the Lord has delivered, protected, answered, and rescued throughout the seemingly endless day. His answer has quietly cared for patients, opened the hearts of those with money, and brought wisdom to the nurse’s mind.

            The Lord is active in our life and we have been encouraged through his teaching and personal strength found in Psalm 91. We go forth in our nursing practice knowing we abide in the shadow of the Almighty as a devoted servant of the Most High.

Blessings,

This video music is inspiring!

NCFI Cares: Devoted to God

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Psalm 91:14 The Lord says,
“Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because
he is loyal to me.

Devoted to God.

            Throughout
Psalm 91 we have learned about the countless ways the Lord secures our faith: strength,
protection, rescue, security, shelter, and peace. Here in the final
conversation we hear what the Lord wants from us. “Because he is devoted…” Some
translations explain the word or phrase “devote” using “hold fast to me” or
“love me.” The original Hebrew word used is “chashaq” a verb meaning “join
together as one” or “cleave” (Lexicon #2836).

            Similar to
our earthly relationships, the Lord wants our devotion. One relationship is the
devotion in marriage. Where a husband and wife love, provide, and are faithful
to one another through the blessings and the sufferings of life. In parenting, mothers
and fathers devote themselves to their children. Careers, vacations, and
personal pleasures take second place to the steadfastness to raise children to adulthood.
Devotion can also describe our commitment to nursing and the care of patients. We
finance our schooling, work long hours, and at times sacrifice our own health to
serve the sick.

            These are
all examples of devotion in our life. Yet the verb “chashaq” to God is unique. “What
does the Lord our God require of us: worship him, obey all his commandments, love
him and serve him with entire mind and being.” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).  Our devotion to God is comprehensive and limitless,
nothing less than the hundredfold love of the Lord given to us. 

Energy Therapies in Christian Nursing? Part 2

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Second in this series of articles exploring Energy Therapies and their role in Christian Nursing, Part 2 provides scripture and resources guide our knowledge. With wisdom from scripture, as well as solid Christian medical resources we can discern whether or not Energy Therapies have a place in Christian nursing. The article can also serve as a discussion point with nurses, students, and even Christians on Energy Therapies. I would like to hear from YOU!
–What is or has been your experience(s) with energy therapies? 
Check out the article in the Journal of Christian Nursing: Christian Nursing 101

NCFI Cares: A Red Letter Moment

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Psalm 91:14 The Lord says,
“Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because
he is loyal (know) to me.

In previous
sections of Psalm 91 the teacher or psalmist instructed and encouraged us using
his teaching points. Our lesson plan included comparing the protection of the
Lord to a mother bird and the Lord’s security to a fortress. We were recently
reminded that the Lord will even send his angels to our aid. Now at verse 14,
we see a change in the narration with the use of “I” or the phrase “Lord says”.
It is as if our teacher has stepped aside to invite the Lord to continue our
lesson. And like a classroom filled with restless students that suddenly quiet
when the principal walks in, the reader is beckoned to pay attention.

            This sudden
introduction of the Master and Scholar has personally come to emphasize our lesson.
Like the red letter print used to signify the words of Jesus in the New
Testament, these are the words of Yahweh. As students, our teaching lesson has
changed from a group discourse to an intimate moment from the One who reaches
out to us individually in love and patience to emphasize his truth. A quick
reader can miss this interruption. So let’s take time and wait to see what our
Master has to say. 

Blessings

NCFI Cares: Strengthened by Angels

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Psalm 91:11-13 For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do. They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone. You will subdue a lion and a snake; you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent.

            We have explored the many dangers we can experience and the Lord’s promise of protection and strength. One way the Lord miraculously can choose to intervene with us is through angels. The foremost witness of the work of the angels is seen in the life and ministry of Jesus. From conception, through childhood, emerging during his temptation and then reappearing during his suffering and resurrection we see angels appearing in Jesus’ life to assist in the unfolding plan of God. The Lord also sent angels to assist Peter in prison in Acts 12:7-10, protect Paul during his ship wreck in Acts 27:23 and to guide Cornelius to salvation in Acts 10:7.

            As believers, the Lord can send angels to protect, strengthen and guide us (Hebrews 1:14). Our faith rests securely in the Lord God Almighty who governs all created beings in heaven and earth. And intimately sends heavenly beings to encourage our journey.

            At times we may be tempted to inquire about “Did angels do this?” or “Was that a miracle?” Our response to the Lord’s hand in our lives is to praise and thank him while leaving the details up to him (Revelation 22:7-8).