Forgetting What Lies Behind

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14 ESV

Yesterday we looked at remembering, but today’s verse talks about forgetting what lies behind and taking hold of what is ahead. When we were small children, life was simple. We didn’t decide where to live, what to eat or what to wear. But even those of us who had wonderful childhoods were not satisfied. We wanted to become teen-agers! For me, that meant giving away my baseball cards, Roy Rogers cap gun and army men. I wanted to be cool! Strangely enough, as a teen I discovered that I was not happy. My parents were still in charge and were concerned about boring things, like grades and keeping my room clean. I wanted to be treated like an adult! But after moving out on my own I found out that along with freedom came bills, college professors who demanded assignments on time and police officers who pulled me over for speeding. On top of the unexpected disappointments of young adulthood came a deep loneliness. I had forgotten my past completely, but in the wrong kind of way and found myself clinging onto the steering wheel of life with no idea of where I was going. And then Jesus came – though to be clear, Jesus had been there all along, I just didn’t know. Then I had a choice. I could keep holding on to my steering wheel, or I could let it go and take hold of Him. How glad I am that I let go and then He took hold of me. Is anything that you are clinging to that is keeping you from taking the hand of Jesus? Don’t be afraid. It will be so worth it all to forget and let go but only you can decide. What is your answer to Him?

An Open Door

I am so excited today to tell you that two of the long term care facilities where I visited have invited me to return the first week of May! It has been over 13 months of talking through closed doors (how does that work at your house?) Please pray that God holds this door open and that we all learn how this new opportunity will work.

For anyone interested in visiting in your community be sure to start by getting vaccinated and then gently and humbly asking the activities department how you may serve as a volunteer. These folks on staff have been through the mill over the last year and need plenty of encouragement and praise.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being thankful and watchful. And pray for us too that God may open a door to our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains. Colossians 4:2-3 NIV

Getting to Sing by Christmas

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord , all the earth! Psalm 96:1 ESV

It seems that the door is just beginning to reopen to nursing home ministry if only just a crack. I cannot yet go into a facility nor can the residents come out. But what we were able to do was meet outdoors with those in the Senior living units that surround the main building. Please pray with us that no matter the results of the election that in some safe way that we will be able to sing for our dear friends by Christmas. We can and do send cards and have already raised money to purchase about thirty large print Advent devotionals to give. What is on my heart is to have opportunity to sing Christmas carols in person even if we cannot hug or even shake hands. Thanks for your prayers encouragement and ideas. Today the video includes Have Thine own Way, some clips from our meeting last Saturday and O How I Love Jesus. God bless you and have a great weekend.