Download | Duration: 00:03:10

A Holy Calling for Men and Women 1 Timothy 1:9

    Earlier in this series of podcasts when we were discussing Phoebe, we mentioned briefly deacons and deaconess. It seemed like we buzzed right over this brief mention of both men and women in nursing.  We will see that the calling of men and women to the daily care of the sick continued up to the Reformation.

    After the fall of Rome, we see the inception of the cloistered life for men and women. St Benedict of Nursia established the most influential monastery that stood until it was bombed by Allied forces in World War II. The Benedictine Rule provided reasonable and moderate conditions with adequate sleep, rest, diet, clothing and a balance of study, prayer and manual labor. They became centers of influence, learning, and culture. One of their many contributions to society was the use of medicine and herbs to care for the sick. 

    Caring for the sick became the primary function of the rule: It was stated “Before all things and above all things care must be taken of the sick.” The Benedictine Rule and other monasteries provided hospitals and hospices for the dying. Usually monks did nursing in men wards and nuns would be in the women wards. Because of the chaos during this time there is little known of what kinds of treatments or medical care was actually provided. What is known is that monks and nuns used folk and drug lore therapies, mysticism, bloodletting and application of leeches and blisters. Organization, operation, and training of a large group of sisters and brothers came out of this time of nursing.

    During this time Medieval Hospitals, like the Hôtel Dieu of Paris around 650 AD were established. Both brothers and sisters were assigned specific activities of administration work and care of the sick, as well as religious services and exterior work. The men and women here were from the Rule of St. Augustine and were trained through three stages of training.

    Both men and women have always been equipped by God to care for the sick and dying.  2 Timothy 1:9 states that we were called with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to God’s purpose and grace. Many times we can get caught up in the societal norms regarding our choices in serving God. Well meaning men and women have been talked out of following their heart and the Holy Spirit in serving God. Maybe it doesn’t seem to align up with our spiritual giftings or there is pressure to follow in parental footsteps, or possibly live out the desires of our parents. Whatever the case may be, take your hearts desire to serve the Lord in whatever capacity, whether in nursing or not and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Don’t choose any career based on anything, but the leading of God. Then and only then are we assured we are working out God’s purpose in our life and on earth. 4him, Carrie

Remember, the reference for this and other Christian Nursing History podcasts is the “Nursing: The finest Art, 2^nd edition by M. Patricia Donahue” click on www.nurses4him.org/connections

    

Download | Duration: 00:06:16

            This podcast concludes our interview with Faith Community Nurse and fellow saint, Marion DePuit. She will share her ministry and professional goals, as well as encourage us in our passionate work for Christ in nursing, 4him Carrie

    

Download | Duration: 00:06:38

            We are back again to continue our chat with Marion DePuit. She was just telling us how the Faith Community Nursing or Parish Nursing movement began and, also how she is working with other faith organizations to bring health and healing. Be sure you check out http://www.nurses4him.org/Faith_Community_Nursing.html for links to Health Ministries Association, The International Parish Resource Center and Marion DePuit's email address.

    

Download | Duration: 00:05:22

We are taking a break from Christian Nursing History to introduce you to a Christian Nurse making history through her work as a Faith Community Nurse—Marion DePuit. In her exciting role she is working to build partnerships between faith organizations and a large community health care system in Northern California.

            She took time out of her busy day to meet with us and discuss her passion and purpose in Faith Community Nursing and how God is using her in extraordinary ways.

    

Download | Duration: 00:03:27

Let Your Light Shine Matthew 5:16

            Roman Matrons were a group of women dedicated to the care of the sick. Around the 4^th Century Marcella was one of a group of wealthy influential Roman women who after converting to Christianity devoted their lives to the service of others.

            “She was known for her dedication to a religious life, her leadership abilities, and her intellect. Her palace became a center for women who aspired to a simpler, more purposeful life. Marcella and her followers ministered to the sick and the needy and established hospitals and the foundation for the great monastic systems of Christianity” page 86.

            Another of the Roman Matrons was Fabiola. She renounced earthly pleasures and bestowed her fortune to the sick and the poor. She founded the first free Christian hospital in Rome in her palace in 390. She, like Mother Teresa, sought out the poor and sick in the streets, and care for them herself. She actually had expertise in wound care and established a hospice program for pilgrims and strangers. Here is a eulogy from St. Jerome upon her death in 399 from “Nursing: The Finest Art” page 87.

            “There she gathered together all the sick from the highways and streets, and her self nursed the unhappy, emaciated victims of hunger and disease. Can I describe the varied scourges, which afflict human beings?—the mutilated blinded countenances, the partially destroyed limbs, the livid hands, swollen bodies, and wasted extremeties?. . . How often have I seen her carrying in her arms those piteous, dirty, and revolting victims of a frightful malady! How often have I seen her wash wounds whose fetid odor prevented every one else from even looking at them! She fed the sick with her own hands, and revived the dying with small and frequent portions of nourishment. I know the many wealthy persons cannot overcome the repugnance caused by such works of charity; . . .  I do not judge them, . . . but, if I had a hundred tongues and a clarion voice I could not enumerate the number of patients for whom Fabiola provided solace and care. The poor who were well envied those who were sick.”

            Another Roman Matron was Paula, who studied with Marcella after her husband died. She is best known as the first to train nurses in a systemic way. She taught nursing as a distinct art rather than just service to the poor. This teaching also included the inception of hard manual labor into the identity of nursing. Work included cleaning vegetables, lighting fires, and other daily needs of the caring for the sick.

            Each of these three women brought their gifts and talents to the service of nursing. Marcella brought leadership and organization skills that assisted her in administrating hospitals and religious orders; Fabiola gave compassion, dedication, and skills to the bedside of the most needy; And Paula brought a system of training and education, as well as understanding the environment contributed to the health of the individual.

            As we reflect on these gifted women who let their new found faith in Jesus lead them to amazing attributes of caring and organization, I can’t help but think of Matthew 5:16 “Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” These are the saints who have gone before us, yet through their knowledge and skill laid the foundation for our idea of modern nursing care. May we continue to walk in their steps of example and not loose the vision that led them, 4him, Carrie

    

Download | Duration: 00:03:03

 

Worthy Saints

Romans 16:1-2   “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deaconess of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”

            Some think Phoebe was considered the first community or public health nurse. Deacons and Deaconesses who were men and women officers chosen by the church to serve the church community. Deaconesses were usually ordained for service, worked on an equal basis with deacons and were required to be unmarried or widows. We know that Phoebe was considered to be a woman of importance, educated and of wealth, as she was able to travel around Rome to carry Paul’s letter we now call “Romans.”

            “Nursing, the Finest Art” also states, that deacons and deaconesses, “. . . provided food, money, clothing, medicines, and physical and spiritual care to those in need.” page 82.  I am amazed at how the basis for nursing has not changed since its inception. As we talked about last week, the sick have the same needs today as they did two century’s ago.

            Notice that spiritual care was part of the job description for the deaconesses and deacons. As many experienced Christian nurses can witness to, sometimes our patient’s biggest problem is not their medical diagnosis; instead it is their spiritual condition of fear, unforgiveness, anger or hopelessness.

            As a nurse it is easy to get caught up in the biophysical modality of caring for our patients and forget about the importance of their spirit. On the other hand, as Christian nurses we can become so concerned about their “salvation” we forget to love them and provide for their physical needs.

            A wonderful Christian book entitled “Spirituality in Nursing: Standing on Holy Ground” by Mary Elizabeth O’Brien discusses a holistic way of providing Christ-like spiritual care for our patients. She discusses the dimensions of spiritual caring as Being, Listening, and Touching on pages 44-47.

            When I see Phoebe and the other deaconesses and deacons of the 1^st Century, I see these dimensions lived out. Being with patients as they visited their homes and provided for their physical needs of food and money; Listening to the concerns of the early Christians, who just like ourselves, were concerned about jobs, families, and health; And touching men and women through baptism, anointing patients with oil for healing, and comforting through prayer and a tender touch.

            Another final note before we leave Phoebe is the blessing she receives from the Apostle Paul. Not only is she responsible for passing on letter, Romans—I don’t think she could have understood the importance of this document! She also was considered a saint to Paul and was to be received as one by those she visited.

            As we follow Christ in our calling to care for the sick, we are saints. We are blessed to have the honor of being the hands, feet, and skill of Jesus himself as he works to relieve the suffering of so many. My blessings to you, fellow saints, 4him, Carrie

    

Download | Duration: 00:03:25

 Podcast 2 "In the beginning...Jesus" Luke 10:30-36
To begin this journey into our spiritual roots of nursing, I will be using many resources and will have an ongoing reference list on the website www.nurses4him.org/connections.html My prayer for this journey was mentioned last week as we discussed being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I pray that the testimony and witness of nurses who have gone before us in the name of Jesus will touch our lives, enliven our spirit, and encourage us to continue on in the work they have bravely endured.

            “The history of nursing first becomes continuous with the beginning of Christianity.” says Donahue, the author of “Nursing, the finest art.” The idea of “organized nursing” was a direct response to the teachings of Christ. Pure altruism is defined as service to humanity and devotion to others without hope of reward. This service to others as a devotion to God and a desire to be like him was the impetus to place spiritual significance with acts of caring for the sick, prisoners, homeless, and other community works.

            Charity was defined as “love in action.” In other words, a 1^st Century Christian couldn’t espouse to love their neighbors unless it was demonstrated. An example is found with Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-36. If you are unfamiliar with this teaching from Jesus, than I would encourage you to read, study, and meditate on it’s profound truth of caring for our brothers and sisters, without concern for culture, religion, nor personal loss.

            I like how Donahue expounds deeply on the eternal truth of the Good Samaritan. She states, “This parable was a plea for sympathy, generosity, kindliness, brotherly love, and dignity for all human life.”

            As we begin our journey into the history of Christian nursing we can begin reflecting on early Christian application of Jesus’ teaching and our current nursing practice.

1) Are we sympathetic to those whose life has been less than fair, kind, or downright full of injustice?

2) Are we generous with our time, skills, knowledge, and most of all our self to those who need us the most?

3) Do we demonstrate kindliness to everyone in need of care?

4) In our heart of hearts are we full of brotherly/sisterly love for all of mankind?

5) Do we strive to provide and advocate for the dignity of all human life?

            These are not questions to be rushed through, like a to-do list. Instead, I would encourage you to stop and listen closely and seek the Holy Spirit on each of the 5 pleas from our patients:

            Sympathy, Generosity, Kindliness, Brotherly love, and Dignity for all human life. The amazing thing about Jesus’ teaching is they are just as relevant today as they were 2000 years ago. Christ embodied love in action as a pulsating presence in the lives of hurting people.
A profound truth is: Our love in action mirrors the amount of passion that we have allowed Christ to embody us with. In other words, we give the amount of Christ-like Charity that we have personally received.

            Our patients are we still pleading for this life changing love of Christ—may we continue on in His service with the upmost altruistic goals of serving our God and continuing to be more like Him. 4him, Carrie

    

    Well, I have been on vacation for the past few weeks. I am originally from Wyoming and enjoyed spending time with family. In order to see my sisters and brothers, as well as my parents, I need to do alot of driving! Thus, I enjoyed the great expansion of the true openess of the prairie, the edge of the Rockie Mountains, and the wonderful wild outdoors. 
    I am excited to be back and continuing with our Christian Nursing History podcast and in the coming weeks will post an interview with a wonderful Christian nurse, who has blessed my life and I am sure will bless yours! 
    Hope you continue to enjoy the podcasts and are encouraged in your work for Christ, 4him carrie

    

Download | Duration: 00:03:04

Surrounded by Great Witnesses Hebrews 12:1

            I hope you were encouraged to continue your faithful commitment to serve Jesus during our podcast series on “PERSEVERENCE”. As I was praying and looking at our next topic, I was motivated to do a series on Christian nurses in History. The Nurses’ Week Podcast on Florence Nightingale encouraged me to explore nurses from our past who can inspire us.  As Protestant Christians, we seem to take no notice to the “saints that have gone before us” in the faith. Yet they are wonderful models and can provide encouragement.

            Since we are surrounded by such great witnesses we should lay aside all that stands in our way and run our race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1). When we think of great Christians of the past, I am sure you first think of men and women of the bible. Their lives and faith has been recorded for us as a map to be true disciples of Christ.

            One person that always comes up is the Apostle Peter. We have learned when we should keep our mouths closed, how to step out in faith and walk on water, and then how to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into something more than our natural talents. Mary, Jesus’ mother gives us an example of humility, servant hood, and obedience. Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, reminds us that we may have a heart for our own people of our life, only to follow the Lord in serving people we are the least familiar with. Of course, we can’t forget about great men and women of the Old Testament, David who was King of Israel, yet had a “heart for God.” His intimate relationship with the Lord is recorded in the Psalms. A great woman who saved the Israelites from annihilation is Esther.

            The best and most perfect person is Jesus, who lived a completely obedient sinless life. His testimony as recorded in the Gospels is our ultimate guide for how to live in the world while remaining a resident in the “kingdom of heaven.” And, when we look for witnesses or saints to gleam encouragement from, they should all be in view of Jesus. Their lives will never be in comparison, but we can learn how they stayed faithful through difficult times, were obedient to the ways of Christ, and lived a humble life full of love and grace.

            My goal for coming weeks is to delve into the lives of nurses who can motivate and encourage us in our work for Christ. I hope to focus mostly on our faithful brothers and sisters, but at times we may find great men and women that have done much for the cause of nursing with seemingly Christian values and direction. I am never one to discuss whether some one is in heaven or not—that judgment is reserved for Christ. Instead, I look at the fruit of their lives and then with the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, continue to form me into the nurse Jesus wants me to be.

            As we continue through this series please send me nurses that you are familiar with or even nurses who will not necessarily make the annuls of history.  I am sure there are great nurses who have served the Lord in caring for His children, which we will never know.  I want to take this brief moment to recognize the unknown nurses who serve and have served the Lord without the recognition they deserve—may your blessing be from the hand of our Lord and for all eternity, amen, 4him, Carrie

    

Download | Duration: 00:03:16

E for Eternal Reward                John 17:3

            This is our last letter of PERSEVERANCE, the letter E for Eternal Rewards. Many of you may be saying, “Ya, Ya, one more thing about heaven. But, what about now, I need the eternal reward now.” You are on track to number one realize that Christ came for more than just a golden kingdom in the future, but he also came to change our lives now on this earth. The second thing you are correct in, is realizing that there is more to this life. Now, lets stop here and agree that we are not talking about fame, glory, and riches—that is what the world gives you. When we talk about an abundant life or a life better than what we have now, we have to remember the purpose of Christ’s redemptive purpose. We needed to be reconciled with our creator. This is not just because we are sinners and need constant grace, but also because we were alienated from a one-one-relationship with our Father.

            Remember in the garden with Adam and Eve in Genesis, chapter 1-3. Adam and Eve had an intimate relationship with God. “the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” Genesis 3:8. This is the relationship we were created for, and for what Christ redeemed us for: to live once again in an intimate companionship with our Father. 

            With this in mind, lets return to our original discussion of eternal life. Remember discussing how you say, Carrie “I want a better life, now.” Well, I am telling you, that you already you have it. Your eternal life began immediately upon believing in Christ and allowing him into your life. I know this is beginning to sound like one of those “name it and claim it” sermons, but it is true! When Christ came into our lives he restored us into an eternal relationship with the Father. It is done, signed and delivered.

            The problem comes when we choose to live our lives under our rules of relationship (as if we are the experts-I might add). Our relationships are based upon our own idea of love. We also lack the faith required for a true trusting relationship. Oswald Chambers in “My Utmost for His Highest”, May 8, says:

            “God ventured His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to venture our all with total abandoned confidence in Him. There are areas in our lives where that faith has not worked in us as yet—places still untouched by the life of God. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ’s life, and there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, “This is eternal life, that they may know You…”John 17:3. The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we will take this view, life will become one great romance—a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful things in all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.”

            Part of our Eternal Reward is the ability to experience this life with eternal faith, power, and love of the Holy Spirit. God has given us all we need to do more than just persevere through this life, instead He has given of Himself so that we may experience a glorious relationship with Him today.

            I hope you have enjoyed this acrostic on PERSEVERANCE and the Lord has provided you encouragement and tools for your work as a Christian nurse—tune in next time, 4him, Carrie