By The Bedside Category

7 Years And Counting

Posted on December 14, 2018 Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I got out for a mind and soul cleansing walk. I knew there was one particular stop that had to be made along the way. I had plans to talk with both my grandparents for the first time in over seven years. As I stood at their gravesides I realized that neither of them […]

My Funeral Arrangements

Posted on December 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

A few years ago, God moved in my heart the need to plan my own funeral. As I plan my funeral, I do not feel led to worry about what songs are going to be played, what people will speak, or even where I will be buried. Honestly, those aren’t the things that will matter […]

Love Like Jesus

Posted on December 8, 2018 Leave a Comment

Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten too little sleep. Maybe it’s because I’ve watched a series of sappy, true life videos. Maybe it’s because I’m a softy when it comes to watching others struggle. But, all I know is God has given me a very tender heart over the years. I have always been compelled to […]

Why I Fight For Hospice

Posted on October 23, 2018 Leave a Comment

Recently, someone told me that I really needed to separate my real ministry from hospice care. I quickly told that person, “that’s impossible because hospice is ministry at it’s highest level.” If you want to start a fight you’ll never win, just tell me that hospice is just a business. I will fly out my […]

Dear Special Friend

Posted on October 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

I’m not sure where to begin as I celebrate your birthday. I’ve seen so much firsthand that I might could write a book. First, I’m gonna give a shout out to your pops. Apart from him being one of my hospice patients we would likely never have met. Before he transitioned to Heaven he just […]

PLEASE HELP ME

Posted on May 26, 2018 2 Comments

Last night I had a series of dreams. Not about imaginary things but of things I’ve observed in the past that still deeply move my heart in the present. In these dreams were people I had the joy of helping throughout Colleton County back when my health was much better. It was as if each […]

I Understand A Lot Better Now

Posted on May 25, 2018 Leave a Comment

I’ve been by the bedside of hundreds of very sick and dying people. I always sought to meet each person with sincere love, compassion and encouragement. I always sought more to understand than to be understood. Man, if God were to allow me those opportunities again I would meet them all with so much more […]

I Want To Be Like Him

Posted on February 21, 2018 Leave a Comment

Today, at the age of 99 one of the greatest ambassadors of Christ passed away. I’ve never met the man in my life. However, I know he impacted many lives including mine. People were drawn to his crusades all over the world. Even on replay television Billy Graham led countless souls to Jesus. I readily […]

Dear Lonely, Grieving And Confused

Posted on December 27, 2017 Leave a Comment

I can’t say I know how you feel. But, I’ve looked in enough of your eyes to see the magnitude of your pain. My heart sincerely aches for those who are missing loved ones dearly this holiday season. I truly don’t think there is anything harder than feeling alone or abandoned. Maybe the love of […]

A Sad World We Live In

Posted on December 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

Earlier I sought to pick up an item my wife ordered online on Craigslist. Of course, nether of us ever met personally the man she talked with by phone. All we knew was it was an older man who moved to the Low Country from Minnesota. He sounded totally harmless for sure. So coming upon […]

Spice Up Your Marriage

Posted on May 16, 2016 Leave a Comment

There aren’t many things I want to remember from my recent three night hospital stay due to major back surgery. However, one thing I will never forget is what ended up meaning the most during that time. I’ve been so blessed to have hundreds praying for me. All those prayers have and still do mean […]

Hold My Hand

Posted on February 29, 2016 1 Comment

I know many remember the song by Hootie And The Blowfish called “Hold My Hand.” Or what about the oldie, but goody that says “Lean on me. When you’re not strong. And, I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on. For, it won’t be long. Till I’m gonna need. Somebody to lean on.” I’m […]

Will You Rub My Feet?

Posted on January 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

Recently, I was visiting one of my favorite patients. He is literally in his last days. The least I can do is provide him some spiritual comfort. This man always tells me he loves me and never grows tired of me singing his favorite hymns. I mean never grows tired. I usually just have […]

The Brain Is Broke, The Spirit Is Alive

Posted on January 19, 2016 1 Comment

He was lying in bed seemingly asleep. I entered the room and our eyes met for the first time. Some would think he was totally confused. Many would not even attempt to have a conversation with someone doctors say has lost their mind. But, experience has taught me that as long as the soul is […]

More Than A Pack Of Cigarettes

Posted on May 13, 2015 5 Comments

Countless folks have already been touched by her story. I’m praying that you might become another soul on that list. I am hoping to pay tribute to the life of Sharon Horne. A lady who fought a long, courageous battle with cancer. She requested I preach her funeral back in September 2014 at St. George […]

Just Hours From Eternity

Posted on May 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

I’ve had it happen on more than a few occasions. Someone will call me and just simply ask, “Can you help me find peace with God?” But, this time was more than urgent as the other person on the phone knew she only had hours left this side of eternity. The nurse had just informed […]

“I Was Struck By Lightning”

Posted on June 13, 2014 Leave a Comment

Back on May 2013, while waiting on his wife to get home from work my friend got struck by lightning. Without warning, while cooking sausage and drinking a cold beer in his own kitchen, lightning struck him down. He said, “I didn’t know if this was the end or not. I told my son, […]

Things Every Caregiver Should Know

Posted on May 25, 2014 Leave a Comment

This article was written for anyone who feels called to care for another human being. Being a caregiver is so much more than a profession. It’s a God given opportunity that should never be taken lightly. Here are five things every caregiver should know in order to reach their full potential. #1 YOU ARE […]

Swimming With Dolphins

Posted on October 21, 2013 Leave a Comment

At Amedisys Hospice of Walterboro, I work with some of God’s angels. God has called us to come alongside those who apart from a miracle don’t have much time left on this earth. Our goal is to make them as comfortable as possible, provide support to their families, and help them discover God’s peace and […]

A 103 Year Old Atheist

Posted on May 9, 2013 Leave a Comment

Sometime back I was having conversation with a man that was 103 years old. He had been in the nursing home so long that he called it home. Believe it or not, this man still looked healthier than most and I’m not sure he was convinced that he would ever die. After much small talk, […]

I THOUGHT I HAD CANCER

Posted on March 30, 2013 Leave a Comment

My heart is still pounding as I process the news I earlier received. I had gone to the doctor for what I thought was just a routine visit, only to hear those dreaded words, “You’ve Got Cancer.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and was desperately hoping it was just a dream. I quickly […]

The Last Pork Chop

Posted on March 2, 2013 1 Comment

Being by the beside of so many you see and hear more than you can ever imagine. Every family has things unique and dysfunctional about them. I just had to share this brief recent experience of a brother letting go of his brother the day he was passing. This is not intended to make fun […]

SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE

Posted on January 20, 2013 1 Comment

It’s never easy to say goodbye to someone you loved so much. When you least expect it you have one of those moments that just grabs your heart and takes you back in time. It may be a picture, a place, and many times a song that takes you back to those memories of […]

BUD LIGHT YEAR

Posted on January 14, 2013 1 Comment

Who would have ever thought my most popular article so far would be called “I Bought My First Six Pack.” It made its way to hundreds of computer screens, sunday school classes, and the newpaper. While that story is totally true, God taught me so much through a six pack of beer. As many of […]

IF I HAD ONLY ONE YEAR TO LIVE

Posted on January 7, 2013 Leave a Comment

What if 2013 was the last year you had on planet earth? Let’s suppose your doctor after studying your test results looks at you and says, “I’m sorry, but based on what we’ve discovered you have only a year or less to live.” No doubt this revelation would change the way you approached this life. […]

Grieving Through The Holidays

Posted on December 7, 2012 2 Comments

Growing up as a child I never fully understood why my Grandma struggled so much to get in the Christmas spirit. She would say things like “I might not even put up a tree this year” or “I might not even get out a single decoration this Christmas.” I had no idea why she […]

30 Years Apart

Posted on December 5, 2012 Leave a Comment

There are so many aspects of dying that go far beyond just taking your last breath. One of those things is making peace with those you love and who love you dearly. I’ve said many times that death will either scatter or gather a family. Fortunately, I often get to be a part of seeing […]

I BOUGHT A SIX PACK OF BEER

Posted on October 26, 2012 8 Comments

A few years ago, I intentionally made myself a little uncomfortable. Honestly, up until then I had never bought a beer in my life and certainly not a six pack. However, I was faced with a strange request that I believed could open the door of someone’s heart. Let me explain… One day, I met […]