Arrival in Heaven

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”

What is a Real Church?

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I once had an invitation to sing at a large Veteran’s Home, when we still lived in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The chaplain there, a retired Methodist minister related to me the story of meeting one of his old congregants. Their conversation went something like this, “Hi, pastor> It’s so great to see you. what are you doing these days?’

“I am holding chapel services at the Veteran’s Home these days.” he replied

“But aren’t you working somewhere at a real church?” the congregant asked.

“And just what would a ‘real church’ look like?” the pastor asked with a grin.

I love the song, “Little Brown Church in the Vale.” because it reminds me of the little white church in the valley, we used to attend and where we served on staff for many years. But as has so often been pointed out a “real Church” is not a building, whether small or large, picturesque or in need of repairs. A “Real church” is not just in the wildwood, it is in any neighborhood, nursing home or store front chapel where God’s children meet together I do hope you will enjoy the simple rendition of this classic hymn which we sang at our “Real Church” where we met for worship this Friday at Life Care Center!

Hitting High Notes in Memory Care

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I will praise to the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Psalm 146:2 ESV

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of…” I am sure as you read that phrase, that you were not only able to fill in the rest of the words, but that the melody from the Battle Hymn of the Republic also stirred in your memory. The linking of memory and melody is nothing short of miraculous. I still remember a night from a few years ago when a non-verbal 102-year-old resident who had been wheeled into our church services for months, suddenly broke into song at Christmas as we began singing “Silent Night.” Something in those words awoke a memory in her, and she sang along for more than just the first few lines. Amazingly, this dear lady made it all the way through all three verses! You could try to explain her response in some sort of scientific terms, but the plain truth is that there was a mystery there which only God understood. While we have commandments which forbid us from doing some things and require us to do others, as believers, singing praises to God is usually spontaneous. From the beginning of creation, God gave us singing as a wonderful gift to help us express our love and worship to Him. Even with people whose cognitive abilities have been severely compromised, they still retain a sometime hidden capacity to sing,

So, while visiting, friends or family who are living in memory care, why not try bringing along music. Turn on the radio, play a music CD or use a song list from your device. But no matter the form you use, be sure to sing with them. Listening is to hymns or worship songs is soothing, but singing together is priceless. Remember today’s verse says that we can sing to God, not just when we are young and our voices are clear, but as long as we live, and if we have eternal life through Jesus Christ that is a long-long time indeed!

Remembering Jesus in Memory Care – He Touched Me

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Through the song, “He Touched Me,” Bill Gaither also touched a place in hearts all over the world. Since it was written in 1960, those words, “He touched me and made me whole,” have been translated into scores of languages, because no matter our culture, language, or race, we all share the longing to be touched. In his ministry on earth one of those moments is captured in the first chapter of Mark:

“And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, ‘If you will, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 
Mark 1:40-41 ESV

The leper, who could not legally come into contact with any other human being not only longed to be healed, but also needed the acceptance and assurance that the simple touch of Jesus gave him. In memory care facilities, where residents live in locked units, there is often no one who touches them who isn’t paid to do so. Days or even weeks may pass without a single friendly hug, kiss on the forehead, or even a handshake. When we visit people whose abilities to communicate are limited and who are often forgotten by family and friends, few things will communicate the love of Christ better than a simple touch. Just as He did for that leper, Jesus is willing to reach out and touch them. But today the hands of Jesus to give that healing touch belong to you and me.