Month: August 2025

Preaching the Word at Nursing Home

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One of our newest volunteers, Gena came to me two weeks ago and asked if she could bring a message one Friday. Now, many people may think that preaching at a nursing home is too difficult, calls for special training or would be pointless. But as Gena shared that morning, it became evident from the look of rapt attention on the faces of the residents, that they were listening. They weren’t listening because Gena had a polished delivery, was a local celebrity or had some special certification. They wanted to hear what Gena had to say, because she had spent a year visiting with, praying with and loving them. As she talked about going through her own storms, many of them knew exactly what kind of storms she was going through because they had gotten to know and trust her over time.

If you are interested in learning how to volunteer at a nursing home, Gena’s testimony is a just a small preview of what that looks like. Volunteering means taking time to get to know people, remember their names, pray for their needs and do it on a consistent basis. Then, when an opportunity arises to sing, preach or coordinate a Christmas program, you will have something that no celebrity possesses. You will have their trust. Whether our instrument is out of tune or we are running late, people will still come, not because we are personally impressive, but because they have experienced God’s love in action through our lives. Gena’s message about dealing with her storms is something that all of us can identify with. I pray that you will be both blessed and challenged as you listen and that you will pray for us, as week after week, month after month we do our best to answer the call of Jesus to go everywhere and share His message of hope, healing and salvation with everyone we meet.

Taking Care of Mom

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When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 ESV

A few years ago, during the pandemic, the way we had served in the past was challenged because nursing homes had closed their doors to visitors. Everything we knew how to do was denied us and we struggled to find ways to still reach the residents in practical loving ways. Today, that era is a distant memory, but if you are a caregiver, chaplain, family member or friend, you will still face moments of despair, and today’s verse encourages us to keep going whatever difficulties we face. Jesus chose us to serve in a unique way, to love widows and those orphaned by the world, entrusting their care to us for a season. When that call seems overwhelming, we need to remember, that when Jesus asked John to take care of His mother, He didn’t assign her as a problem to be solved or a burden to bear, but as a mother to love. Our calling as long-term care workers is to keep on loving people in every way possible and through every opportunity that God puts in our hands. Notice also that none of the other disciples ever understood or helped John out. While Peter and Paul had big public ministries, John stayed close to home. He was taking care of Mary as his lifelong commitment and a lifelong trust. While some people will understand and encourage us, most have little idea of what we are going through. But what matters is not what others think, what counts is that Jesus knows, and will give us His strength and His provision, because after all- we are taking care of His mom!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Are You Having a 5-String Day?

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While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 
Mark 14:3 NIV

Every Thursday I have great fun visiting the memory-care wing of a local nursing home and singing for my friends. But last week, as I slid my guitar out of its case, I was dismayed to see that one string had come completely off its tuning peg. Being presented with the options of, putting my guitar back in the case and singing acapella, spending several minutes trying to replace the string, or playing with just five strings, I chose the latter. Sheepishly I explained to everyone that things were going to sound funny and then set off plunking away the best I could. Yet, in spite of my embarrassment, we actually had a great time praising God together. We sounded far from professional, but I felt sure that Jesus didn’t mind my out-of-tune instrument any more than our off-key voices.

Now playing with a guitar string missing was challenging, but God reminded me that for some of those folks, even their best days were five-string days, at best. I remembered that the songs we sing are a treasure, not because of a nicely tuned instrument, but because of the joy they bring to the heart of God. We are all like the alabaster jar in today’s verse. We have a precious treasure inside. Even though our jar may begin as outwardly beautiful, it is also fragile and aging. What matters is not how impressive our outside looks, but the value of the treasure on the inside. And it is only when our jars begin to crack, that the fragrant treasure hidden on the inside can pour out and its sweet fragrance fill the room!