Hope for the Caregiver

While in college, I worked for a music star in Nashville who had a long driveway lined with beautiful trees. A tree service was called to trim them, and the results were not what the star expected.   Please consider helping us expand this show with your tax-deductible gift at HopefortheCaregiver.com/giving       

As a caregiver, do you ever struggle with knowing how to pray? Over my 35 years as Gracie's husband and caregiver, I sure have. I wrote this prayer for my book, Hope for the Caregiver, and it seemed to mean a lot to fellow caregivers. The Caregiver's Prayer Heavenly Father, I love _______. I have committed my life to caring for him/her, Yet I know the task is greater than my abilities. As I seek t...

Forgiveness benefits the offended, does not require reconciliation, and can be extended even if unsolicited. Remorseless criminals fill our prisons, yet victims can still forgive. Many care for abusive but impaired loved ones who are incapable of repenting and reconciling. Yet, those caregivers can still forgive. Resentment gnaws at our souls and, as caregivers, we already bear enough. We can choo...

With all the unsettledness in our country and around the world, what's our response? One thing we can do is turn off the television and specifically cable news. While news outlets profit over keeping us churned up, we profit when we turn our hearts to God's word " ...and  the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " PHIL 4:7    Hope...

I opened the show with a hymn from my CD, Songs for the Caregiver ...and shared i offered the message of this hymn to a listener struggling to care for the parents who abused her. A line from the hymn:  There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. A place where sin cannot molest ...near to the heart of God.  https://music.apple.com/us/album/songs-for-the-caregiver/1168214760 Hope For...

From our national broadcast (7/31/2021) As a caregiver, are you resting? What does that even look like? Hope For the Caregiver is the family caregiver outreach of Standing With Hope.  Your support helps us continue strengthening family caregivers. www.standingwithhope.com/giving    

After caring for several family members, this caller felt alone and despondent. The hymn I chose for the show that day made a perfect tie in to her life.  _________________________________________________ Please consider helping us expand this show by visiting www.hopeforthecaregiver.com/giving   

One of the most beloved songs of all time serves as a the theme for this episode from our national broadcast.    Hope For the Caregiver is heard each week on more than 200 stations and downloaded in 100+ countries. Please help support this ministry today by visiting www.hopeforthecaregiver.com/giving    

Hiring individuals to help with an impaired loved one is not only an important decision, but a difficult one. We discussed this with the caller and pointed him to resources that I think serve as the Gold-standard of what to look for.  If you are enjoying this podcast and our nationally syndicated radio program, please help us add more radio stations by supporting this ministry. https://hopeforthec...

Two different caregivers shared the same sentiment to me this past week. "I'll get help when it's beyond my control." When I quietly asked what shape they (and their loved ones) would be at that point, they both gave them same response: silence. Many caregivers competently (and admirably) handle enormous challenges. The issue, however, is not how competent the caregiver is today.  Caregiving takes...

Entertainment icon, Kathie Lee Gifford, called the show to discuss the transforming work of Christ in her life and how her faith has helped her tackle her most ambitious project yet.   http://www.kathieleegifford.com   If you are enjoying this podcast and our nationally syndicated radio program, please help us add more radio stations by supporting this ministry.  https://hopeforthecaregiver.com/gi...

Ever found yourself the recipient of glib comments from church folks about your challenges? Admittedly, it's hard to know what to say to someone in distress or in messy situations. In a dusty clinic in Ghana West Africa, this point was driven home to me that forever altered the way I approach the heartache and messy situations of others. (From opening monologue on our national broadcast) If you ar...

My dear friend, Joni Eareckson Tada, called the show to discuss an important milestone in the life of she and her husband, Ken. In this wonderful conversation, we laughed, played music, and strengthened each other with hymns and scriptures.  www.joniandfriends.com    

Sometimes the simplest phrase from a song serves as a source of help, comfort, and strength. In this episode (from our nationally syndicated broadcast) we talked about this song and how caregivers can appropriate it in our lives.  www.hopeforthecaregiver.com  

Mark Negley knows what it's like to face the pain of loss and fight to build a new life from the ashes. Over the past thirty years, he has faced cancer, raised a special needs child, lost his beloved mother, nearly lost his wife in a car accident, and supported her through depression and mental health issues resulting from her brain injuries. Tragically, in 2016, Mark received the biggest blow of...

One of the most recognizable individuals in the entertainment industry, William Lee Golden (of the Oak Ridge Boys) and I talked about his music, life, and new book: BEHIND THE BEARD.   

For some caregivers, Father's Day can be complicated.  For other caregivers, it can be painful. In this special broadcast we discussed fathers, faith, and our ultimate Father.  www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

From our broadcast on June 12, 2021.  Can we as caregivers cultivate gratitude in our lives regardless of our loved one condition(s)?  "Gratitude is not only greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." – Marcus Tullius Cicero

Author (and caregiver) Cara Whitney (wife of Dan Whitney - AKA LARRY THE CABLE GUY) discusses her deep faith and lessons she learns around her farm about herself, God's love, and sharing her faith. 

Do you ever feel that God has forgotten you or forgotten to be gracious to you?  If so, you're in good company. In this episode from our radio show, I discussed a hymn and psalm that guides us on answering the anguish and despair in our hearts.   O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home. www.hopeforthecaregiver.com  

The Art of Choice: Making Changes that Count in Work and Life offers lessons from business leaders, along with keys for gaining perspective, experiencing clarity, and achieving results whether you are starting out in your career, facing a major life decision, or nearing retirement.  Author Terry Warren i s passionate about helping people employ intention and commitment to achieve what they may not...

According to a recent survey, 92% of  Americans want to age in their own homes and communities.  Given the disperse of the American family. and the challenges of caregiving, this goal seems unattainable. That's why companies such as ADT are offering an increasing number of services that help caregivers be in two places at the same time ...while keeping vulnerable loved ones safe.   www.adt.com/hea...

More than once, I've glossed over the the genealogy sections of the Bible. Yet over the weekend, I saw something in Matthew chapter 1 that I'd never noticed before ...and I felt it appropriate to share on Memorial Day.  www.hopeforthecaregiver.com  

Set to the tune, FINLANDIA , Be Still My Soul" remains one of the most treasured hymns of the Christian faith. It's timeless message reflects a Biblical response to our prone to fret and worry about things beyond our control. The stress and challenges of caregiving often cause our anxieties to near deafening levels. We discussed this on the show ...and how this hymn speaks to our anxious hearts. ...

It's hard to know what to say to individuals struggling with grief. Sometimes, good intentions offer bad platitudes.  Messianic Rabbi Eric Walker of Igniting a Nation joined us for this special show to discuss Biblical understanding of engaging those who grieve.