Lifeline Chaplaincy has volunteers & chaplains in the Dallas Metroplex.

June 6, 2013
8th Annual Dallas Benefit Dinner more info
Buy Tickets

LIFELINE DALLAS
By Jesse Stroup, Director of Spiritual Care
Lifeline Chaplaincy Dallas

Sixteen volunteers and friends of Lifeline came to Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ for a Prayer Gathering on January 28. Two Lifeline volunteers, Geri Lacy and Pat Hopkins, served the lunch provided by the host congregation. We focused on meditation and holiness, along with designated prayer time together.

The sharing time was launched by reading a portion of Howard Thurman’s “Mediations of the Heart,”

How good it is to center down,
To sit quietly and see one’s self pass by.
The streets of our minds seethe with endless traffic;
Our spirits resound with clashings, with noisy silences,
While something deep within hungers and thirsts for the still
moment and the resting lull.

Regarding holiness, this passage from Hebrews 12:10 was read, “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.”

These are the categories we chose to pray for: our children, the sick, supporters and donors, congregational health and growth, listening hearts, laborers in God’s harvest fields, and conforming to the likeness of Jesus.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the gathering, and felt blessed to be able to provide compassionate support to the seriously ill in Dallas medical centers.

WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY
By Larry Foster, Development Officer
Lifeline Dallas

As Jesus comes to Bethsaida a blind man is brought to him (Mark 8:22-26 ). The blind man pleads with Jesus to touch him. Jesus responds and the blind man’s eyes are opened. But they are opened to a world of confusion and distortion. Jesus asks, “What do you see?" and the man responds "I see people and they look like walking trees." Then Jesus touches him a second time and the man sees clearly. Over the years, millions of people have been converted to Christ. Often their initial encounter with Christ is eye opening but the confusion and worldly distortions that surround them, both in the world and in the church, have dimmed their vision.

According to the Barna Group, which does research on religion and culture, church membership and attendance have been on the steady decline for more than a decade. Great percentages lose their vision and fall away. Some would like to come back to Jesus but they don't know how. Many never find their way back. What they need is a second touch of the Master's hand.

WHERE CAN WE RE-CONNECT WITH THESE HURTING PEOPLE? Sooner or later most of them will find themselves in the hospital. Personal illness or the illness of a precious loved one will bring them to the hospital. Suddenly they realize that they are vulnerable and in need of a second touch. How will they get that touch? Most of them won't! Evangelistic minded churches are often so focused on mission work that they don't realize the opportunity they have at the local hospital.

Lifeline Chaplaincy volunteers meet fearful, hurting, inactive Christians every day. Many of them are people who have become detached from their faith community, but are now faced with the frailty of life. The beauty of being a Lifeline volunteer is that we can be Jesus in the hospital room, reaching out with a second touch.

What an opportunity for mission work in our own backyard.

Larry Foster has been a part-time Development Officer with Lifeline Chaplaincy’s Northeast Region for 5 years. His heart for hurting people continues to lead him to share Lifeline’s ministry of compassion with others who are willing to partner with Lifeline Chaplaincy to meet the needs of the seriously ill.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13:35)

Information - click on links:

Lifeline Chaplaincy On The Move! VIDEO