Author: Carrie Dameron

NCFI Cares: My Shelter, the Sovereign One

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Psalm 91:9-10 For you have taken refuge in the Lord, my shelter, the sovereign One. No
harm will overtake you; no illness will come near your home.

 Our testimony is more than a way to bring the lost into the saving grace of Christ.
It is also more than our “salvation” story. It is a constantly changing
expression of how the Lord is working in our lives. Our testimony is a continuous
narrative of our faith journey filled with valleys of sadness and peaks of joys.
These times can be Godly intercessions for us personally and professionally,
and may also include family, colleagues and/or patients. Whether our family is
protected from an accident, our patients are healed from an illness and/or a
colleague finds cancer in the early stages. The Lord’s will intersecting in our
day-to-day events is opportunities to share. When we tell others the mighty
deeds of the Almighty we build up their faith and encourage their spiritual
growth (Psalm 145:4; 1 Cor. 1:4).
I encourage you to take time and reflect on a recent time the Lord has strengthened and/or encouraged you as a Christian nurse. Pray for the opportunity to share with a colleague how
“my shelter, the Sovereign One” worked in your nursing practice. Like the
writer of the 91st Psalm, we can use our life journey of living in
the refuge of the Lord as a teaching tool for our patients and colleagues.        

Hipster Christianity

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I am book worm! I love to read and I go to the public library and peruse the books. One book I had to get was “Hipster Christianity”. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I do enjoy reading about faith, society and what is going on. Besides, my public library had the book–surprise #1 and they had it on a center display for “summer reading”–surprise #2. I am trying to drive “interest” for my public library to choose books.
I recommend finding this book if you are curious about what is happening to the Christian church in America. This is a big burning question, especially if you attend a non-denominational church. Brett McCracken teaches about the history and advent of hipster. I had never even thought about it before and then brings us to the 21st Century. Brett really delves into the impact culture has had and continues to have on the American Christian Church, which includes you and me.
I have written articles on postmodernism impact to Christian nursing and Brett dives into how this phenomenon is shaping our faith. He discusses worship, sermons, biblical knowledge, church history, service and others. Read the book, learn about what is happening and then pray for ourselves and one another. For no matter what church we attend, all of us need a solid ground in the world.
Video

Passion and Purpose in Ministry Video

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About 2 years ago I taught a workshop at a Christian Writers Conference entitled “Passion & Purpose in Ministry” It encouraged and guided Christians in exploring their passion and purpose in ministry.  Check out the video!

NCFI Cares: Protecting Our Redemption

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Psalm 91:7-8 Though a thousand may fall
beside you, and a multitude on your right side, it will not
reach you. Certainly you will
see it with your very own eyes –you will see the wicked paid back.
The Psalmist continues
his description of the immeasurable protection of our Magnificent Lord. The use
of “thousand, ten thousand or multitude” implies an infinite number of ways the
Lord intercedes for us. Our greatest danger is from Satan, who prowls around
seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Our salvation and faithfulness is of
supreme importance to the Lord. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus prays specifically for
Peter to return to his faith after being sifted like wheat. Also, in John
17:15, Jesus prays to the Father to keep the disciples and us from the evil
one.
Working in tandem with the evil of Satan is the Lord’s judgment. How this
occurs is more than we can fathom; for God’s judgments and conduct is beyond
our understanding (Romans 11:33-34/Isaiah 55:9). It also is part of the
redemptive plan (Revelation).
W.A. VanGermeren, Professor of Old Testament writes, “Seeing God’s salvation
with the eye of faith will further encourage the godly, whom the Lord has
promised his protection and blessing. The godly will witness the righteousness,
justice, and fidelity of the Lord as well as the punishment of the wicked. No
power in heaven or earth is greater than that of Yahweh, the Divine
Warrior!” 
So in the middle of a song of praise and protection, we are
encouraged that redemption from the Lord is faithful to secure us while
condemning the wicked.

Update…Our Faithful Journey In Nursing

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Our Faithful Journey in Nursing: A teaching on Faith, Compassion, Prayer and Excellence in Christian Nursing is available as an eBook at Amazon/Kindle for $1.99 USD. Also available via international markets.

This book truly has a God story!
It started as a 4 articles with bible studies published in a Norwegian nursing journal…then compiled into one book with globish revisions…distributed by Tove to Sierra Leone nurses. Now published as an eBook…and now distributing hard copies to Denmark for nursing/medical students.
Don’t you love it when God is amazing!
Wow! If it could earn mileage then it would have a free trip somewhere–LOL
stay tuned…

NCFI Cares: 24/7 Protection

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91:5-6 “You need not fear the terrors
of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that comes in the
darkness,or the disease that comes at noon.”

            We have
been discovering strength found in the Lord’s names, Most High and Almighty. We
also have seen how the Lord demonstrates security as a fortress, rescuer and as
our wise guardian. Our verses this week reveal what the Lord protects us from.
The goal in delving into these verses is not to be specific and think of only
plagues or disease as part of our protection. The psalmist used symbolic
language to define the vastness of dread and destruction that can come into our
lives. The writer understood that we live on a planet with chaos and death. We
are helpless against dangerous volcanoes, vicious earthquakes, and damaging
tsunamis. We share communities with evil men and women who purposefully cause
us pain and suffering. And these are just a few of the terrors and dread that
encompasses our life.

            Yet…and
thankfully, yet we have the Lord’s 24/7 protection with an eternal, around the
clock vigilance. While reading these specific phrases “terrors of night”,
“diseases at noon” we see the magnitude of protection in the seen and unseen,
the natural and unnatural. A reminder of God’s care is found in Exodus.  Where we see the Lord use extraordinary
measures to protect and guide the Israelites through much fear and calamity; their testimony encourages our faith and trust. 

 

NCFI Cares: Rest in Truth

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Psalm 91:4 “He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.”

          Have you ever seen an adult bird tuck a baby bird under
their wings? The adult bird has the strength of being larger and mature; has
acquired life-learning wisdom; and is alert to the surrounding dangers. The
baby chick rests securely, for it is weak and vulnerable depending on its
parent for sustenance, and has no knowledge of anything beyond the warmth and
security of the parent. I always think that is true protection.

            In the
simple, yet intimate life of a bird, we are given another source of God’s
protection—his faithfulness. Some bibles use “truth” meaning stability,
firmness and reliability.  At first we
may be confused to think that the word “truth” is interchangeable with the word
“faithfulness.” Yet, isn’t that where the strength and security of our Lord
comes from, is truth. The divine instruction of the Bible and the authenticity
of Jesus Christ are truth and define the faithfulness of God.

            Romans 3:3
reminds us of the indescribable law at work with God’s faithfulness—it isn’t
dependent upon the believer. For whether we believe or not, God’s faithfulness
does not change. We are to be the baby bird. The difference for us is how we
rest…are we secure and content like a baby bird under its mother’s wings? Or
are we panicking constantly peeking between the feathers to make sure all is
okay?

NCFI Cares: Our Rescuer

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“…he will certainly rescue you from the snare of
the hunter and from the destructive plague.” Psalm 91:3

       Have you
ever been caught off guard or surprised? Maybe it was a sudden accident? Notice
of losing your job? Unfortunately many of life’s painful events come to us suddenly
and without warning. Whether it is a threat to our personal or family’s well
being; a loss of job; or a natural disaster that destroys are home and
community—shock is the element. As occupants on this earth we are vulnerable to
the unknown and sudden tragedies that await us like a trap for a rabbit.

            If the
unknown does not frighten you, what about the microscopic? As health care
providers we are all too aware of the destruction of diseases and illness. A virus
or bacteria can wreck havoc to an unsuspecting victim. Whether in the water we
drink, the food we eat, or the air we breathe we are vulnerable to the
unsuspecting destruction of the smallest organisms on the planet. In the 21st
Century, an epidemic is still one of our greatest threats to human health.

            These two
scenarios found in Psalm 91:3 are enough to cause fear and panic.  And, once again we are reminded where our
security rests. In our Rescuer–Jesus Christ!  We are protected in his hand. Not immune to
disasters, but secure in his ever present providence (Hebrews 13:5; 2
Corinthians 2:10). Even though we are vulnerable to the tragedies of this
world, we have a secured eternal place with him.  

 Blessings,

Carrie

p.s. I mentioned last time about connecting truth contained
in our minds to our heart. A great way to have truth easily accessible to our
heart is to memorize scripture. As we walk verse-by-verse through Psalm 91, I
encourage you to memorize it with me. 

 

Energy Based Therapies in Christian Nursing: Part 1

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I decided to jump off the deep end and tackle energy based therapies in Christian Nursing. Over the next 3 issues, I will give an overview of concerns Christian nurses have regarding Reiki, Qigong, and Therapeutic Touch. This first article is an introduction to energy therapies and the Caritas. The brief articles can only give us a beginning point for learning about these therapies and hopeful an entry into a discussion with health care providers. 

My purpose in writing the articles was really two-fold: first, we have to become knowledgeable as Christian nurses to understand what is out there. In today’s information age, not-knowing is truly unacceptable. The internet gives most of us full access to an array of Christian, Nursing, and Bioethical resources to explore complex topics. We need to get on the web and begin finding the answers from both a theological and scientific standpoint. My second purpose is how to respond to our colleagues. Our guiding truth for responding is simple–grace and love. 
I encourage to read the articles in JCN with prayer and wisdom. The Lord continues to guide us in his love and truth, and may we be filled with his grace to both receive and to give. 
4him, Carrie

NCFI Cares: My God in whom I trust

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A military wall or high strong fence is a means of protection. It prevents enemies or vicious animals from coming inside the protected area. Those inside the protected area are secure from whatever is on the other side of the wall or fence. If the wall or fence has holes or is weak, the people inside the protected area are vulnerable. We know in our minds that the Lord is a refuge and fortress. Yet at times we have doubt or we allow fear to break into our fortress. One way we can remind ourselves of the strength of the Lord, is to say it out loud. “I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress…” (Ps 91:2)

            There is strength and guidance when we speak to the Lord and recognize his protection. It is not as if the Lord provides a sudden barrier, like in action movies. Nor, is it found in our nursing knowledge or skills. The writer of the psalm or song used 4 different titles for the Lord: Most High, Almighty, the Lord, and God–these names represent the power of our Creator God and the endearing Love of our Covenant God. God’s name and character is the fortress.

            Through our spoken words, our heart grabs onto that which our mind already knows—The Almighty, the Most High is our sanctuary. When our heart and mind recognize this priceless truth we can say with confidence…”My God in whom I trust”

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