Where is Your House Being Built?

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV

This morning, I wanted to show an often-overlooked side of nursing home ministry. Sure, our friends are mostly in wheelchairs, and some don’t have the ability to communicate well anymore, but they still love to laugh and express their worship as joyfully as children. Though I have been serving at Life Care Center for almost seven years, what has been happening there over the last two years is almost like a revival. Our dining room has been filling up with residents; more volunteers have been participating and the sense that God is on the move is reflected even in the staff. This week’s theme was trusting in God’s Promises, and though this is a Sunday School song, it is more biblically sound than a lot of the hymns. When Jesus ended what we call, “The Sermon on the Mount”, He says that there will be rains falling, floods rising and winds blowing in our lives. But then He promises that if we build our lives on the rock of His teachings that no matter what comes, our eternal home will still stand strong. I do hope you enjoy today’s video, and maybe even sing along. If you hear God’s call to nursing home ministry, stay tuned. I will be sharing more articles and videos over the next week to help you if you dare to enter God’s service in this much needed field.

Basta! More than Enough!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

I love the word “Basta” which we use in Portuguese in this verse, which means, “Enough!” or “That’s enough!” God uses this word in reply to Paul in the way a father uses it at the dinner table when the children are all clamoring for attention, or squabbling with one another, “Basta!” In other words, “Settle down. We have more important things to do right now.” When I am sick or just plain exhausted, I often pray reminding God that I belong to Him and need His help to make it through. Though I rarely experience a miraculous answer, if I wait long enough, I always come away with a renewed sense of His grace and enough strength to keep going. In that dark moment I hear the loving voice of my Heavenly Father rising up above the clamor of my hardships, confusions and pain and He cries, “Basta! Be calm! My grace is more than enough for you!” Whatever you may face today as the sun peeks up above the horizon, if you turn your heart to the Lord He will answer. Our Jesus, who did all for us on the cross, till in agony, He cried out, “It is Finished!” “Basta!” It is enough Father; I have given all!” That grace is now so free and open to us today because Jesus gave His all, so that we might never be alone, never abandoned, never without hope. “Basta!” May His grace be more than enough and all you need for today my friends!

Redeemed From The Pit

Chris shared such a heartfelt and transparent story that I hoped for more people to hear it. If you are at the bottom of things today, please take a moment to read and then ask God for His help. He is able!

Today is the 22nd anniversary of the lowest point in my life. I had been through six months of having the bottom fall out from under me. I went through the death of a friend, a divorce, a repossession, loss of friendships and a lot more. One thing after another seemed to crumble. Everything I […]

Redeemed From The Pit