We live life as whole persons, but we experience and process it at the four levels of mind, emotion, body and spirit.

Living with a chronic illness has a profound impact on one’s life and creates a lot of grief in response to the losses it imposes on our lives. There are wide arrays of potential life interruptions and psychological changes one will go through when dealing with their illness. Our illness is erratic and unpredictable and requires constant readjusting. We are likely to endure multiple losses that may include the loss of control and personal power, which is an important contributor to self- esteem, as well as loss of independence, loss of identity, loss of financial status and loss of one’s customary lifestyle. In addition to these, we may also have to face the possible relinquishing of our hopes and dreams and face the fear of more ongoing losses. Changing roles in family, work and social situations that result from a person’s illness also can create additional adjustment problems for everyone involved. Family members and partners are likely to be experiencing the same feelings as we are, as well as their own feelings as to how the illness is impacting their life. If these issues are not worked out, then relationships may fall apart and leave us with another loss.

When the death of a loved one occurs, regardless or whether it was expected or not, you will find yourself having to deal with a great number of people. Some you will know closely, others may be complete strangers, all claiming some kind of relationship to the deceased.

The grief that we feel when a loved one dies often overwhelms us with feelings and emotions that can go on for many months or even years. It does not seem to matter if the death of the one for whom we are grieving came after a long illness or was totally unexpected, as is the case in an accident. And the grieving can bring us physical pain and symptoms as well as mental or emotional ones. Most of us seem to feel that if we could just have one more conversation, or spend just five more minutes with the one who has died, our own pain could be alleviated. We all long for that contact, deep in our souls.

I’ve been trying to make sense of what would appear to be a senseless attack on America by crazed, religious zealots.

Do you know that you serve a God that is so concerned with what happens in your life that He bottles your tears. There isn't anything that goes on in your life that is so small or so trivial that God doesn't care.

Take a moment to reflect on that. To know that when my feelings may get hurt over some small thing (at least to everybody else), God knows and cares about it just as I do. He is touched by every one of my sorrows and every one of my pains. Because God is so awesome and because He holds the world in His hands, sometimes it's easy to think He only has time for us when we have a major crisis in our lives. But that's what makes Him so awesome. He can hold the world and little ol' me all at the same time. What a mighty God we serve!

So the next time something happens in your life and you feel no one cares, remember God does. He cares enough to bottle your tears.

In the United States, November is the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time for us to pause for a moment and give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings we have in our lives. Yet, this year, it’s difficult to feel thankful when there is such tragedy in the Middle East. The horrific act of terrorism against the US Navy, and the death and destruction occurring between Palestinians and Israelis does not necessarily make for a joyous or thankful time at all. The hope brought about by peace talks in the summer seems to have shattered in the fall. And it looks as though it may be a very cold winter.

Are you one of the seven out of ten North Americans who do not have an up-to-date Will?

Have you ever felt like you were all alone? That nothing in your life seemed right and there was no light at the end of the tunnel? Those who face serious illness, financial setbacks, loss of loved ones, or even roadblocks in trying to achieve their goals and dreams often feel totally alone in their darkest hour.

Babies do go to heaven. I can't offer any scriptural basis for my belief; only a personal experience. I have felt Jesus pressing upon my heart to share my experience for some time now. I selfishly hoarded the experience not wanting to share it with a large number of people. In all honesty, I didn't want the world to know because I thought it might diminish the importance of the event. However, Jesus reminded me that he wouldn't have blessed me with an experience like this if he didn't want me to share it with others. I dedicate this to all the women out there who have lost a child due to abortions or miscarriages. I hope this will comfort your heart and soothe your spirit like it did mine.