ER Death: A Bible Study

A Vivid ER Recollection; 23 Years Ago

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
(Jud 1:21-23 KJV)

The Real ER

Emergency Room Bible Study

In the fall of 1983, a Regional Trauma Center ER was bustling with all manner of diseased and injured men, women and children. The medical staff was competent and, with hurried determination, swiftly delivered aid to all in need. Knowing the waiting room was full, after six hours of non-stop duty there was relief knowing only six more hours remained for the night shift. As the hour grew late, the inflow would diminish. I was there and this is a true story.

The hospital operator announced through the hospital speaker system, “Trauma team to the emergency room. Trauma team to the emergency room.” This announced the soon arrival of a trauma victim, usually 5 to 10 minutes away.

The ER trauma team consisted of a trauma surgeon, the physician in charge of ER, a physician from ICU, a physician from surgical anesthesiology, a resident physician in ER training, the nursing supervisor, 3 ER registered nurses, a radiology technician, a lab technician, the ER social worker and a respiratory therapist. Each person had a specific location in reference to the trauma gurney and specific duties to perform.

At the head of the gurney was the respiratory therapist, whom I am. The anesthesiologist was standby for emergent airway complications and other assistance as needed. To the right was the trauma surgeon overseeing the patients care and assessing emergent needs with an RN assistant. To the left stood the ICU and ER physicians also assessing and establishing any required vital access to major veins and arteries with an RN assistant. The third RN was at the foot of the gurney charting all reported and observed procedures, medication orders administered and assuring frequent vital signs.

The resident physician observed and participated according to his or her level of training. The lab and x-ray technicians responded speedily to obtain their respective orders by the physicians. The social worker gathered personal information about the patient, contacting family and informing them frequently of the patient’s status.

The nursing supervisor coordinated the hospital preparation and response tailored to the patient’s needs. This included bed assignment, surgical team alert and other crucial services anticipated. In code blue traumas, the supervisor became the fourth RN assisting at bedside until the patient was stabilized or pronounced dead.

There was an adjacent room with a large glass window viewing the trauma room. Certain people observed from this area. In the room were several phones, long counter tops for paperwork charting and an x-ray viewing light box, just to name a few of its functions.

After a patient arrival, the paramedics and law enforcement personnel joined “visiting” medical staff from other hospital areas congregating in this room to observe the trauma team. Every participant avoided loud chatter and other disruptions to the focus, which was the patient. Everything was in order and every eye focused on the victim of the trauma.

In that year, 1983, and on that night a well-groomed and well-nourished African-American male arrived via paramedics at approximately 1 AM. The young man was 20 years old. He was in severe distress. He was combative in that he tried to sit upright while wildly flailing his muscular arms. He was having significant difficulty speaking and was in obvious severe respiratory distress.

Sedation medication was administered. The anesthesiologist secured his airway by intubation. I took over the airway care by delivering 100% oxygen via a resuscitation bag attached to the endotracheal tube. (An endotracheal intubation is placing a tube into the windpipe: trachea). I gave him 16-20 breaths per minute. Normal breathing rate is 8-12.

Two gunshot wounds were noted. One entry was to the right upper abdomen, over the liver, and the more significant wound site was a chest entry just below the right nipple.

During the course of this trauma, several significant and highly unusual events took place. When the x-rays were ready for viewing, everyone at the bedside rushed to see the damage on the viewer in the large room. There I was, alone with this young man. Doctors were analyzing, nurses were gather equipment and the closest person was 20 feet away. This had never happened prior nor ever again during a major trauma in my 25-year career.

He was sedated but awake. I looked into his eyes and saw the fear and confusion. I said, “You can not speak because of a breathing tube. I am here to help you. Just breathe and I will help you with each breath.”

He closed his eyes for a moment and upon opening, a single tear flowed down his right cheek. My heart was moved and I said, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.”

He looked into my eyes and I saw a kindred spirit. As I looked at the team in the large room discussing the need for surgical intervention, I saw the concern in their faces as they glanced through the window assuring this young man continued his temporary stability.

I moved my head down and spoke in his ear. “Did your mama teach you about Jesus?” Lifting my head to see his eyes, he nodded yes as he tightly closed his eyes as though full of regret and wanting his mother. I quickly bent down as the team approached and said, “Keep your eyes on Jesus. He loves you and is with you.”

As I stood upright, always delivering each breath according to his need, I saw his spirit calmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. All fear was gone. He smiled through his eyes and peace filled his soul. My own soul was comforted by seeing this extraordinary peace in him.

Five minutes later as we prepared to take him to surgery, his heart stopped and he was gone. Although we performed CPR for 20 minutes and opened his chest to attempt stopping internal bleeding, his hour had come. That was the beginning of my true ministry to the sick and dieing. I am now retired due to my own traumatic injury. Now I serve prisoners, like me, bound in their own homes... on the internet.

I recorded in a log that I responded to 487 traumas while on duty in 1983. After 25 years, the number of lives that touched my own is overwhelming and I could never count them from my memory. Because of Jesus, I will soon see that young man. Jesus will wipe the tears from my own eyes as I see all those I served, now whole and brand new. I hope and trust you will be there with me, dear reader.

Dear Christian, we all have gifts from the Holy Spirit. Do not be afraid to use them. The Bible tells us Jesus goes before us preparing the Way. Stay close to our Master and Savior. Listen to His instruction. His burden upon us is light.

God bless you all.

Gary Winship
Agape Touch

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The Cloud Of Glory

Photo by Gary Winship

Nature Speaks Of His Glory

Bible Study reveals the very nature of the return of Jesus. Nature gives us a glimpse but we must realize His cloud of glory will be completely unique.

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
(Revelation 1:7-8 ESV)

What Will We See

His head and his hair were white like wool, in fact, as white as snow. His eyes were like flames of fire, his feet were like glowing bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of raging waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines with full force. When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. But he placed his right hand on me and said, "Stop being afraid! I am the first and the last, the living one. I was dead, but look-I am alive forever and ever! I have the keys of Death and Hades. "
(Revelation 1:14-18 ISV)

I Thirst

Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy."
"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
(Revelation 22:11-17 ESV)

Loving the Word of God

In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. Through him all things were made, and apart from him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life brought light to humanity. And the light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.
(John 1:1-5 ISV)

This was the true light that enlightens every person by his coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him. Yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own creation, yet his own people did not receive him. However, to all who received him, to those believing in his name, he gave authority to become God's children, who were born, not merely in a physical sense, or from a fleshly impulse, or from man's desire, but of God. The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We gazed on his glory, the kind of glory that belongs to the Father's unique Son, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:9-14 ISV)

God bless you as you commit to Bible study. An excellent Bible library for your computer and/or your Pocket PC can be found at e-Sword and it is freely given by Rick Meyers.

Gary
Agape Touch

Storms Of Life And The Bible

When Fear Grips The Heart...

In the aftermath of natural and man-made destruction coming upon our family in America, reviewing the story of Job in the Old Testament comes to heart. I encourage all to read and be open to where these attacks may have come from. What was Katrina and Rita all about? Is it God's judgment, warning of the escalating judgment coming or was it Satan's blow against a "Christian nation"?

Storms Of God's Glory
(photo by Gary Winship)

Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz. He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil. Job had seven sons and three daughters. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pair of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.

Job's sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking. After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.

One day, when the angels had gathered around the LORD, and Satan was there with them, the LORD asked, "Satan, where have you been?"

Satan replied, "I have been going all over the earth."

Then the LORD asked, "What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him--he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil."

"Why shouldn't he respect you?" Satan remarked. "You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face."

The LORD replied, "All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job." Then Satan left.

Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son, when someone rushed up to Job and said, "While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped to tell you."

That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, "God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." (NOTE: Was it God or a man's interpretation?)

Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, "Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, "Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said: "We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The LORD alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the LORD!"
In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.
(Job 1:1-22 CEV)

God specifically said to Satan, "...do what you will..." This indicates Satan's ability, but only with allowance from God, to reek havoc. He did so and continues to do so even upon righteous Christians. He used evil men and forces of nature to accomplish the attack on Job. His effort is defeated in our stedfast faith in God.

Consider the disciples that were slaughtered for the sake of their testimony of Jesus and not just during biblical accounts but those that perish daily. Even Paul admitted to watching the killings of many brought on by his own accusations against the early Christian church. Unknown numbers of believers continue to pay the ultimate price for their testimony of Jesus on this very day.

Could these recent traumatic disasters in the US and abroad be the first wave of what is spoken of by Jesus?

Are we approaching the end of the age?

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
(Luke 21:25-27)


In Bible study we often are anointed with the truth that the only answer to our own personal perplexities and tragedies can be simply stated.

Jesus said, "Fear not, I am with you always, even until the end."
"Let your heart not be troubled."
"Trust God."
"Hope in the Lord."
"Look up. Your redemption draws near."

God bless you, dear reader.

Understand that knowing the Lord is a lifetime pursuit. And knowing Him completely is impossible in this life on earth. Whether what is happeneing is judgment or a time of trial for believers and unbelievers alike, we should humble ourselves in the midst of the pride of man.

We should truly reach out to the poor in spirit and those that are in truely in poverty. Though we will see Him and become like Him, whether in an instant or progressively, seeking the mysteries and, especially, the heart of our Father in heaven should be our single ambition. All else will fall in place as we learn to trust God.

Study (the Word) to show yourself approved of God.

John Gill wrote "Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God; commending themselves to him, and to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth; and such will hear, 'Well done, good and faithful servant' another day."

As you study you will read that a day will come when you will be asked by God to judge the angels. By what judgment will you judge? Search the scriptures. They are the flowing living water that will go forward from you to replenish those that thirst today and assist us in righteous judgment according to the Father's heart. It will flow through the calling and unique talent God has blessed you with.

Gary Winship
Agape Touch