“You were there for us!” Braveheart chaplains hear this declaration with some regularity. Whether a few days after a scene or months later, this is frequently expressed. In my sixteen years as an emergency responder chaplain, not once have I heard anyone say, “You shared the most startling information I have ever heard”, or “You … Read More
“I know that I have life insofar as I have love. I have no love except it come from Thee. Help me, please, to carry this candle against the wind.” -Wendell Berry As most people know, we have experienced some difficult days in the Flathead over the last month and a half. Death, pain, and … Read More
In the last 10 days, I have witnessed the top of a car being ripped open in order to try and save someone, trainees honing their skills and newfound strength while learning from a master, a couple being talked down from a domestic disaster, and a person withstanding and surviving a surprise attack. These events … Read More
One of the joys I have is teaching Compassion Fatigue to each class of new nurses at our hospital. This seminar helps to equip these registered nurses to take care of themselves while they serve in a high-stress career that too often leads to burnout within their first year. Those who work in the caregiving … Read More
By Chaplain Chris Messenger A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from Drew Buckner, the head chaplain at Braveheart Ministry, and he asked if I wanted to go on a call with him concerning the death of a teenager in downtown Kalispell. Though internally not knowing what to expect, my desire to help … Read More
Getting hit hard hurts! Whether it is in sports, a surprise business downturn, the dissolution of a significant relationship or an unexpected tragedy, it causes pain! Around 8:30 a.m. last Thursday, I was contacted by a shift leader of an emergency responder agency. He and his crew were on the scene of a young person’s … Read More
Tears of sadness fell from the eyes of the young adult whose friend lay dead inside of the house. As this mourning female sat in the back seat of a law enforcement truck, she was in need of consoling. Prior to arriving on scene, I had been making a routine, late afternoon visit to the … Read More
In an instant. This phrase brings to mind the reality of how fast one’s life can change. The A.L.E.R.T. helicopter is lifting off with a driver injured in an accident in which he quickly crossed over the center line and struck a much larger, oncoming truck and trailer. He then careened into another big truck, … Read More
The first day of winter weather hit hard and so did these two vehicles! While sitting in a caring citizen’s van who stopped to help and while waiting on a loved one to arrive, one of the drivers emphatically declared, “I can’t believe how many responders are here, how fast they arrived, and how well … Read More
“Thanks for being here.” I hear this phrase quite often from responders on scene, especially in the midst of the more graphic, harsh situations. Last night, I heard this comment from several law enforcement officers as we stood in the middle of Highway 93, a few miles south of Whitefish. It was late at night, … Read More
OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
