Small Things, Great Love
Mother Teresa famously said, “We can do no great things. But we can do small things with great love.” I don’t know about you, but some of the most significant moments of blessing and encouragement I’ve ever received came in such small packages, such brief interpersonal interactions, that an outside observer would scarcely notice them, […]
The Branch—May 18, 2026
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What’s Next for Caregivers at First Baptist?
When we find ourselves caring for loved ones who need assistance, permanently or temporarily, we just “do what comes next” and often don’t realize we have stepped into an increasingly demanding role, one that can become overwhelming if we don’t ratchet up our self-care to stay physically and spiritually healthy. Because we are busy, we […]
You Already Know This Person
Have you noticed that hospital stays are getting shorter? Patients are being sent home sooner and sooner, often after very serious surgeries and illnesses! Whatever the reasons for this change, it shifts the burden of care to the people at home. Family members with no nursing training, the adult child who lives three states away, […]
Support Groups at FBG
The TV series All Creatures Great & Small is set in a veterinarian’s home and hospital in World War II era England. One episode opens with a military veterinarian training new recruits beside a mule. He explains that though mules are more common in the field than horses, they are more difficult to read. Horses […]
Authentic Engagement?
Before he became Pope John Paul II, then Cardinal Wojtyla wrote a book—The Acting Person—which described church participation as either authentic or inauthentic. The two kinds of authentic engagement, he wrote, are solidarity and protest. We expect him to say solidarity. But he says there also must be a space for protest in communities where […]
Stephen Ministry Training Program
The Stephen Ministry is an international Christian caregiving program where trained laypeople (Stephen Ministers) provide one-on-one, confidential care to individuals experiencing difficult times. It’s a way for members of our congregation to offer support to those facing challenges like grief, illness or other life crises. A Stephen Minister typically meets with a care receiver once […]
The Healing Power of Our Tears
“Time heals all wounds” ain’t in the Bible; it’s just an old saying that needs revision. Like the love we feel, we don’t ever “get over” our grief like a head cold! However, the sharpness of the pain eases when we express and share it, learn new ways to carry and incorporate it, and allow […]
You Don’t Need to Be Fixed
When you are in pain, you don’t need to be fixed. You don’t need to be labeled as broken, your feelings shoved into codified lists or prescribed stages. You don’t need to be pushed to get better fast. What you need are those things, those people, those places, those words, that come up underneath you […]
Step Into the Circle of Care
The causes of spiritual malaise can be varied and complex, but a good starting place is to discern whether they come from a lack of fulfillment or—to play with words a bit—“fillment.” While the Christian life is one of service, we can suffer when our basic human needs are not met. These needs range from […]