This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. ¹⁴ The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Co. 2:13-14).

For the better part of two decades, Jake has been longing to be free — free from the “demons” and guilt that he has been carrying around with him since his last tour of duty. Whether Jake is suffering from clinical PTSD or not, I cannot say. What I can tell you, however, is that his attempts to find peace in a bottle proved unsuccessful.

As a hospital chaplain, I have visited people from numerous Christian denominations and non-Christian belief systems. I have ministered to people of different races, of different cultures, of various sexual preferences, and even several transgender people. As a hospital chaplain, I strive to accept each individual as a fellow human being deserving of dignity, equality, and respect. 

John is a WELS Member who has been incarcerated for most of his adult life. I first met John when he joined our Bible study at the prison to which he had been transferred. While he has been at several prisons at which I do not serve, I now meet with him regularly to study God’s Word.

“It worked!” Martina said excitedly when I came back to the jail for our second visit. Last week, Martina had told me about her dilemma.

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Gal. 5:7)

Ina was a native American with great athletic skills who loved to play softball. However, when her doctor told her that she could no longer play ball, she became very discouraged, lost hope, and attempted suicide. While she was in the hospital, I was asked to help.