Articles written by Pastor Lee Seese
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Jesus Keeps Praying
That Jesus had people on his mind as he prayed just before his arrest is not surprising. This prayer in John 17 is sometimes called the high priestly prayer. Jesus is our great high priest which in basic terms means he is the one that represents us...
Jesus Prays
This week I meet a man who did not think he wanted me to visit him. He had just been admitted to our hospice services at a fairly young age. His life included financial struggles, a divorce, addictions, and being estranged from his only son. He had...
Prayer Bear
About 90 minutes before beginning to write this column I saw an awesome site (besides my wife). She looked out our back doors and reacted in such a way that I hurried to join her. About 25 feet away, we saw a fairly large black bear, just beyond our...
In a Little While
Much time was spent on John 15 in my series but now I am ready to move on to chapter 16. Moving on is something I help people prepare for and do as a hospice chaplain. Family members know that their loved one will be leaving them soon and that they...
The World Hates You
It is sometimes surprising to hear Christians bemoan the fact that the world is not friendly toward churches, the Bible, and people of faith. We sometimes feel entitled to be respected and to have a voice as we seek to represent God in the world. We...
Abiding and Asking
In my previous column I wrote about my college roommate and the impact that John 15 had on him as he wrote a long paper on it. It occurred to me that he might like to read what I had written. I was able to track down what I hoped was a current email...
Abiding: Part 1
During my four years at a Christian college, I was blessed with several good roommates. My first was one that I had served on a ministry team with a year earlier. Some of the guys in the hall were not fans of his, but we got along well. In my junior...
Peace for Troubled Hearts
As I resume my series in the gospel of John, my mind goes back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was a turbulent time. Of course, we would be hard-pressed to think of an era since then that has not had its challenges. One thing I remember about...
The Best Valentine's Gift
Sometimes I wonder what Valentine would think of Valentine’s Day. He was, after all, a saint. He performed underground marriage ceremonies when they had been outlawed by the Roman government. He...
Wonderful Words
As someone who has done his fair share of writing over the years, I recognize that words have meanings. The other night my wife and I were talking, and I said something strange because I was thinking from an unusual perspective. I pointed out to her...
The Only Way
It is probable that in my line of work I have more opportunities to interact with and meet people than the average follower of Jesus. In recent weeks I can think of several folks I have met who know and love the Lord, although they are of a...
23
As we are about to bid goodbye to another year, I thought I would look back and then look way back. We can probably agree that 2022 was a better year than the past few have been. I trust that you...
Sing a Song of Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Whether this will be the most wonderful column of the year remains to be seen. As long as I do not get coal in my stocking from the editor, I will be satisfied. I started with that sentence because it is...
Jesus Knows
For most of my life I have waited until after Thanksgiving to start to listen to Christmas music. But since last year I have broken my unwritten rule. Once November hits, I am ready and willing to hear the music of the season, whether silly,...
The Marvelous Light
I just read that some places in Ukraine may be without heat and power for a very long time as winter approaches. Imagine shorter, colder days with no electricity. We take for granted the comforts of home like running water and lights that turn on at...
Losing to Gain
I do not like to lose. From an early age, I have been competitive. Whether it is a board game or athletic competition my goal is always to win. Sometimes I will join in some sort of game and someone...
The Palm Parade
Every person has emotional ups and downs. We have our good days and bad. Sometimes what is happening in the world around us can impact our feelings. One moment we can be doing and feeling well and then suddenly our mood and thoughts change for the...
A Plot and Perfume
The most difficult thing to hear in that news is that someone has been killed by another person. Most obituaries reflect people who died naturally, whether from old age or disease. But when someone takes the life of another it is a terrible thing ind...
Sheep Will Never Die
This week I have had several patients surprisingly pass from this earthly life. No one should be too surprised when a hospice patient dies. However, in the case of these ladies I had recently visited them and they were talking and feeling pretty...
The Sacrifice of the Shepherd
Recently I spoke with two dear relatives about my columns. One complimented me on my most recent one. I asked her what it was about. She paused. I thought. She could not recall the contents of the article. That made two of us. The other relative...
Light and Right
I am grateful to have safely returned from a really nice family vacation. Everyone got along well, were able to relax, have fun, and see some beautiful sights. We even went to a Thai restaurant for the first time. There were several experiences...
Teaching with Authority
Recently my wife and I attended college orientation with my youngest son. Next month, we will have two sons attending school full time. As I observed the campus and how young the incoming freshmen looked, I could not help but make a few...
Buying the Bread
In a few days I have a unique and special opportunity. I will officiate the outdoor wedding of one of my nephews and his fiancé. I admit that I am a bit nervous about it. It is not because I have not...
Hopes for Healing
I did not know what to say. That is certainly unusual for me. I found myself having an intense phone conversation with someone I had never met in person. She was not a telemarketer. This 70-year-old...
Thirst No More
Recently I had what amounted to a cold. Along with it came some coughing and congestion. My son jokingly reminded me to drink lots of water. He did this because that has always been my “go to” adv...
It's a Must
A Christian colleague and I have recently teamed up to answer spiritual questions and share the gospel with a hospice patient. Our basic message and plea to him has been what is found in John 3:3 & 7...
WWJD?
Almost a quarter century ago there was a phenomenon in the Christian world that you may recall. People were wearing WWJD bracelets by the millions. Were they Blue Pirate fans proclaiming Williamsburg...
A Mysterious King Ends It
It is said that all good things must come to an end. I do hope that my readers would say that my long series of articles examining and expounding on the book of Proverbs has been good. I am sure some...
Loving Proverbs
The approach of Valentine’s Day means a lot of people will think and hear about love in the days ahead. I recall decorating shoe boxes at school to bring home those little cards that each classmate...
Wisely Waiting
As January mercifully nears its end, our thoughts turn to springtime. However, no matter how much we may long for green grass and trees blossoming with warm temperatures, there is the reality of...
Plans for Tomorrow
For weeks, my siblings and our families planned our annual holiday get together on Jan. 2 at my younger brother’s home. About a week before that, his wife was stricken with COVID. Soon after, two...
What is New in '22?
Now and then I make the mistake of asking my hospice patients what is new with them. In general, nothing is new with a person who is in their final months or days. Now and then they may receive a...
A Bing Christmas
‘Twas just days before Christmas and this columnist thought, “Will I be able to write creatively for the big day or not?” He went to his keyboard with a slipper on each foot, glad to not have to go down a chimney with soot. Would he write...
God Bless 'A Christmas Carol'
As I have been immersed for several months now with a theater version of A Christmas Carol, I thought I would make some random observations of the Charles Dickens classic redemption story and my...
Apt Words
Due to nursing home facility visit restrictions, I had to do a telehealth visit via Zoom today for a dear lady of the faith. It was the second time in the last several months that I had to settle for...
Something Missing?
Sometimes in life we find that we are lacking the very thing we need at any given time. Last week I was well down the road on my way to work and already thinking about lunch when I realized I had...
Is it Worth It?
A few days ago my brother sent my sister and me a bill. As mentioned in my previous column, the three of us traveled over 1,000 toll road miles to Illinois to visit with family from England. The trip...
No Matter What or When
As I type these words, I am just a few days away from a trip with two of my siblings. Our unique journey will take us to the Chicago area to visit our 3-month-old great-niece. Her parents will be ther...
Wise Steps
If I have learned anything from working through the book of Proverbs, it should be the problem with pride. While I would like to think that the Lord has helped me stay humble, there are still weak...
Vacation Observations and Lessons
In my most recent column I mentioned looking forward to our big family vacation. I stated that you may be hearing more about it in the future. Now that I have been back for over a week, I thought I...
Looking Forward
As you read these words, I will have just completed what may be our last family vacation. Only the Lord knows the future; but my sons are young adults now. Between them working and being in college,...
From the Mailbag
With the holiday weekend upon us, I thought I would do something a bit different. I am taking a break from my Proverbs series to answer your questions as I open up the reader mailbag. It will be a...
Summer Wisdom
This summer has already been interesting. I booked a family vacation for California. We watched our youngest son graduate from high school and vacation without us. I got to play disc golf with my...
Control Patrol
Most people know that there are things in life that we can control. I control my thermostat – until my wife changes it. I decide what clothes I will put on in the morning and how fast I will drive. Folks also realize that there are some things...
Lines by Lee
For over a year, my bicycle has been hanging in the garage – untouched. It needed new brakes, tires and an overall tune up. Since I have no mechanical abilities, I broke down and decided to take it...
Heart of Grief and Peace
Recently I found myself in an interesting position. Although I help people prepare for grief and in the midst of their grief, this was a new one. It is different when family is involved. What made it...
Just the Facts from Proverbs
Recently I have been watching old episodes of the TV show Dragnet from the late 1960s. I am not sure why I am getting into it but I find it very interesting despite the stiff, predictable acting and...
Lines by Lee
Some people find the number 13 to be unlucky for some reason. I never heard the reasoning behind that superstition. Some tall buildings go from floor 12 to floor 14 just to avoid the dreaded number. O...
Lines by Lee
As I continue to write this series of observations and applications from the book of Proverbs it becomes increasingly clear to me that it is easier to write about God's truth than it is to obey it....
Lines by Lee
I am nearly 2.5 years into my ministry as a hospice chaplain. Time flies. I like most everything about the job. I am able to meet amazing people and share God's Word with them. We listen to and...
