Chaplain’s Notebook
Apart from my duties as a chaplain for LASD, I also serve as a hospital chaplain. There, I frequently see patients and their families dealing with tough times — often the toughest of their lives. Good times do not last. Hard times are inevitable. This is Job’s famous lament: “Where is God in tough times?” […]
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
Autism affects one of 68 children. It is a lifelong developmental genetic condition that affects individuals of every race, socioeconomic status and faith. Symptoms are evident in some children as early as 18 months of age. Notably, the ratio of males to females diagnosed with autism is close to 4 to 1. Autism Spectrum Disorder […]
SOBER LIFE AHEAD
Many of the people I meet who are in recovery thank their lucky stars every day that they gained their sobriety when they did. Most of them wished they had sobered up sooner, although they almost unanimously subscribe to the idea that everyone quits drinking when they are ready. Not every alcoholic has to hit […]
Apart from my duties as a chaplain for LASD, I also serve as a hospital chaplain. There, I frequently see patients and their families dealing with tough times — often the toughest of their lives. Good times do not last. Hard times are inevitable. This is Job’s famous lament: “Where is God in tough times?” […]
CUMULATIVE TRAUMA
It’s like a slow drip into a bucket that never gets emptied, until the bucket overflows. Cumulative trauma has also been referred to as cumulative post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). John Marx, founder of Copsalive.com, calls it Blue Trauma Syndrome. It consists of having difficult experiences over a long period of time that simply add up. […]
SPRING CLEANING FOR THE SOUL It is time for spring cleaning, and that means cleaning out the garage, the backyard and the locker at work. What a wonderful feeling it is to have a fresh start. However, tossing junk is much easier than clearing out our emotional clutter, which means getting rid of what holds […]
SURPRISING SIGNS THAT YOUR STRESS LEVEL IS TOO HIGH AND HOW IT COULD BE HURTING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Whether you work patrol or custody, there’s no need for me to waste your time by telling you how stressful your job is and how it’s becoming even more stressful with each passing day. Most people know that toxic levels of stress are harmful to their mind, emotions and bodies. But, how many consider the […]
THE BOND OF LOVE
One of the most beautiful qualities and privileges police officers share is the bond of brotherly love. It is not written anywhere but it is sealed in our hearts. It is our culture. It is who we are. Last summer, I was called to the hospital because a veteran deputy had suddenly passed. His spouse […]