Month: April 2022

Amazing Grace – Don’t Wait for God to Harpoon You!

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

There are various stories about the early life of John Newton. While some of the details remain sketchy, the truth behind the details led him to write words that still resonate in hearts today. It is said that when John was a young man, he fell overboard and was brought back onto the ship only after being harpooned and dragged up on deck. I am not sure whether the harpoon was all they had to throw or how he was wounded, but the scar left behind was something he carried all his life. But we don’t have to wait for God to harpoon us to come back to Him. In fact, Jesus simply invites us to come. Our problem is sometimes we are so busy thrashing about in the waves that we can’t hear His voice. For some of us that may mean God has to allow us to be wounded to get our attention and to bring us safely into the ship. Here is His invitation – 

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV

If you would like to learn more about using nursing home ministry in nursing home ministry, I wrote a small book several years ago titled, “Music Matters in Nursing Home Ministry” which focuses on that subject. It is available both in regular print as well as e-book. There are also a few videos from a series of talks that I gave to our ministry team on my YouTube channel that are devoted to music ministry for those wanting an in-depth examination of the subject. Thanks for listening and reading. Have a blessed weekend!

Easter Cards at Nursing Home update

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

Since posting on Thursday about the ladies making and giving out Easter cards at the Sunshine Memory Wing, three ladies came today to Life Care Center. I was so excited to have helpers that I put them right to work! So, this morning they not only helped to sing hymns and give out Easter cards they also to the time to serve communion. If you get communion every time you go to church like we do, you may think that is not a big deal. But at a nursing home with covid protocols in place as well as the special needs of residents it is a tremendous blessing! The cups are each individually sealed with a separate layer for the wafer and are difficult to open. (You might be nodding your head in agreement if you have used these!) To serve just the 15-20 residents who came today took the three ladies 10 minutes of our 30-minute meeting time. But no one cared that it took a while and as you can see the folks were all smiles! So just remember that you may not realize the value of small things you do for others on this side of heaven. But as Mother Teresa says, “Do them anyway!”

And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. Matthew 10:42 NLT

Easter Cards at Nursing Homes

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 NLT

I was so excited that the ladies’ group from our church volunteered to make Easter cards for the nursing homes I visit, but my expectations were low as to how many they might put together. How surprised I was this week when I was handed a pack of over 100 cards along with a request to come and help pass them out! This morning was the first event, and we went into the memory care wing of Sunshine Christian home. Though the people love me and look forward to the music each week, they just lit up with joy to see the ladies singing along with the Easter hymns this morning.

It was especially meaningful because one of the residents was a pastor on staff a few years ago and he recognized one of the women and they warmly greeted one another as the cards were given out. In the day of the apostle James, perhaps the men didn’t live to old age or that families tended to neglect the widows. But for both men and women who are in extended long-term care, being visited is still important, both to them and to God. God is delighted when we slow down long enough to spend some of our time in the service of those who are most vulnerable. If you are looking for ways to be involved in long term care ministry, you don’t have to travel far or spend lots of money. Jesus has open doors in your own community just waiting for people to walk through them. Have a blessed day all!