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Jesus is there
Jesus is always with us no matter where we are in life.
In my ministry, I have visited many people in various stages of dementia. Sometimes as I am talking with these dear souls, I don’t know where they are. I know where they are physically, but I don’t know where they are in their minds. Some may be back on the farm where they grew up. Some are in their teens reliving teenage memories. Some are still with their spouse who has been gone for years. Some are in happy places. Some are in dark, scary places. I try to go to where they are in their minds, but I can't.
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When I minister to these Christians, I often read portions of Psalm 139. Sometimes their family members are there with them, and I make sure to assure the loved ones that wherever the person with dementia is in his or her mind, the Lord is there.
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I read the following words from Psalm 139 recently to a member who has dementia:
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Illustration by Lori Ehlke, art teacher at St. Paul, Onalaska, Wis., and Luther High School, also in Onalaska
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In 2013, a 13-year-old girl named Jahi got her tonsils removed. The procedure went well. Jahi woke up in the recovery room and asked her mom for a popsicle. Suddenly, she started bleeding from her nose and mouth. Her heart stopped beating, and her brain swelled. . . .
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“Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands. . . . Even in darkness light dawns for the upright . . . They will have no fear of bad news” (Psalm 112:1-7). It’s been more than three years since Russia invaded the nation of Ukraine. The . . .
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Can you see it? Heads turn as the pastor walks to the front of the sanctuary. Surrounding him is a choir of silver steelpan drums, shining as they reflect light from around the room. Can you hear it? Hushed anticipation fills the air as the last few . . .
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