Mar 26
The most crucial and necessary first step to becoming a church that welcomes children with emotional disturbance from past trauma is to adopt an attitude of humility. It’s the humility that asks, “What must have happened to that child?” or “I wonder what I might have done to cause this child to react that way?” …
Mar 14
I was invited to be a part of the “Book Launch Team” for a new resource for churches that I think is invaluable for any ministry considering outreach to those that struggle with mental health issues. In Montana, where the need is great and services are often lacking, the Church has a great opportunity to …
Mar 02
As Spring nears, we are excited to enter a new chapter within the spiritual and cultural care of children on our residential campus in Helena. Van Orsdel Commons will provide a permanent space for the chaplain’s program and related activities. We hope your 2018 plans will include a trip to 500 South Lamborn to come …
Feb 25
I hope your Lenten season is going well, and that you and your church families are growing closer to the Lord as we all prepare for the coming of Easter. The lesson for the third week in Lent touches upon a theme, and a temptation, that I know I need instruction in order to avoid. …
Jan 15
It’s been fifty years since there was a dedicated chapel space for the children in care at Intermountain’s residential campus. In fact, the last place dedicated for worship and learning about God was the Helen Piper memorial chapel in Mills Hall, which once stood on 11th Avenue across from the Capital Mall. So, as I …
Dec 30
2018 is here, and it’s the season when most of us consider New Year’s resolutions and even the most cynical among us dares to think that with a little will power we might do any number of things: lose weight, eat healthier, watch less TV, get that promotion, or repair damaged relationships. 2017 was a …
Dec 18
In case you missed it, there was a wonderful story on KTVH in Helena about Alizajane Sark and the Festival of Trees donor that paid $800 so her tree could be donated back to the children of Intermountain. Here’s the story that ran on the news last week: We wish you a blessed …
Oct 23
The holidays are almost upon us again! This time of year can be wonderful for children – filled with magical moments, time with loved ones, and treasured traditions. But the holidays can also be a difficult time, especially for children like Samantha. At seven, she was sexually molested by someone close to her. Taken from …
Sep 13
By the time she was 16, “Alyssa” had been kicked out of her house several times by her drug-addicted mother. She bounced between her home and a few different group homes. Her mom told her she was worthless. Alyssa was referred to Intermountain by her school’s counseling staff. She was a kid who was trying, …
Aug 23
The following message was delivered at Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church on 8/13/17. I could tell I had settled into the role of Chaplain at Intermountain when the following diagnoses no longer startled me: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; Reactive Attachment Disorder of early childhood or infancy; Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Combined Type; Anxiety Disorder; Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent; Neglect …
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