Month: September 2019

Have You Been Adopted?

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Have You Been Adopted?

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  Ephesians 1:5 NLT

“Have you asked Jesus into your heart Madeline?” I asked our grand-daughter as she sat on my lap.  P1030885

“Oh yes Poppy. Just last week.” she answered

“Then do you know what to do next?” I asked with a smile.

“Get baptized!” she said with a big laugh. And I’m getting baptized this Sunday.

Madeline is special to us because she is adopted and because after six grandsons she became our first granddaughter. I was so excited to learn that Madeline has accepted Jesus and become not just a part of our family but a part of the family of God. She is now adopted into both our family and into the family of God. In fact the only way for any of us to get into

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God’s family is to be adopted. He only had one Son born in the manger, but the rest of us get in by adoption. Becoming a Christian is such a simple thing. Jesus never said we needed go through any mysterious or complicated process. Instead He invited us to enter into His kingdom like little children. Just like Madeline all we have to do is to believe and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior!

Lessons Learned in The Alzheimer’s World

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With Alzheimer’s awareness walks scheduled in a few weeks I wanted to share some hope with those who have loved ones in the struggling with memory loss. One thing I have noticed from having spent some twenty plus years bringing music in to those places is the pain and heartache of family members.

The residents often no longer realize what is happening to them but their family’s hopelessness becomes so great that they visit only rarely and then go home feeling guilty. “What’s the use?” they ask when Mom or Dad no longer remember their name.

Here are some words of hope which John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can With all the means you can In all the ways you can”

“Do all the good you can” but do NOT worry about what you can’t do. That is God’s work alone. If you can get them to smile you have already moved a small mountain!

“By all the means you can” You know your loved better than anyone. Think of the simplest pleasure you could give them. A chocolate bar or a coffee from their favorite diner may be the best medication they will receive all day!

“In all the ways you can” You have your own emotional and physical limits. If you can give only 1 or 2 days a week to visiting God knows. God asks us each to give our all but your all doesn’t mean neglecting the rest of your family or yourself. Jesus multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5,000. He will use what we can give and make it be enough to meet your loved one’s needs. God bless you as you do your best in this time of their life.

Alzheimer’s awareness events are in October and November. If you would like to participate there may be a walk near you. In our area, West Pasco County Florida is holding theirs on October 19th and Tampa on November 2nd. If you cannot walk or donate please remember to pray. God bless you. Remember God never asks us to give what we do not have but He does love a cheerful giver!