24- From the Pastor's Desk 1980-1989

The Clock controls, our lives. We are always conscious of time. We have to go places. We are people on the run. But illness puts the brakes on the hustle and bustle of life. We must rest. And so illness can provide a golden opportunity for soul care. Why? Man is more than flesh and bones. He is soul and body. And in time of illness the needs of the whole person must be met. Sickness can bring a person either closer to God or trouble his faith. It is often a time of testing, and sometimes even a Christian can loose his way. Help and care are needed in such periods of life.

Who should care for the sick? First of all, caring for the ill is the task of each individual believer. The ministry of prayer is given to all of us. The whole community of saints must be involved. When one member suffers, all of us suffer (1 Cor. 12:26). Scripture entreats us to help the needy. The sick are also people in need. Visits and cards are always appreciated. Help can also be offered to the family of the patient.

Secondly, the pastor usually becomes involved. When should he be called? When there is an accident or an acute illness. He should also be informed when the illness becomes a matter of weeks. Don't let the pastor hear the news via the grapevine. The gospel of life is for this life and for the life to come. As Reformed Christians we believe that the comfort of the Gospel is needed for every day living. In the perspectives of Scripture we visit in the name of and for Jesus, the One Who said: "For I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and. ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked and ye clothed me; I was sick and, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me ", (Matthew w 24:35, 36) ...... In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done; it unto me" (Matth. 25:40).


		Reformed Reflections
	From the Pastor's Desk 1980-1989 ON BEING SICK The Clock controls, our lives. We are always conscious of time. We have to go places. We are people on the run. But illness puts the brakes on the hustle and bustle of life. We must rest. And so illness can provide a golden opportunity for soul care. Why? Man is more than flesh and bones. He is soul and body. And in time of illness the needs of the whole person must be met. Sickness can bring a person either closer to God or trouble his faith. It is often a time of testing, and sometimes even a Christian can loose his way. Help and care are needed in such periods of life. Who should care for the sick? First of all, caring for the ill is the task of each individual believer. The ministry of prayer is given to all of us. The whole community of saints must be involved. When one member suffers, all of us suffer (1 Cor. 12:26). Scripture entreats us to help the needy. The sick are also people in need. Visits and cards are always appreciated. Help can also be offered to the family of the patient. Secondly, the pastor usually becomes involved. When should he be called? When there is an accident or an acute illness. He should also be informed when the illness becomes a matter of weeks. Don't let the pastor hear the news via the grapevine. The gospel of life is for this life and for the life to come. As Reformed Christians we believe that the comfort of the Gospel is needed for every day living. In the perspectives of Scripture we visit in the name of and for Jesus, the One Who said: "For I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and. ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked and ye clothed me; I was sick and, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me ", (Matthew w 24:35, 36) ...... In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done; it unto me" (Matth. 25:40).

Reformed Reflections