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Preaching the Word at Nursing Home

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

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.

The Impact of a Life

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

It has been a long time since I heard Dr. Dobson on the radio, but when I heard the news of his passing, I paused to remember all the blessings his life and ministry gave us. Thirty years ago, I often listened on my truck radio while I worked long hours, trimming apples trees in the fields, or driving home at lunch time. His interviews with such a wide-ranging group of guests impacted not only my own life, but also how Nancy and I raised our boys, and helped us make decisions that changed the course of our marriage. I am thankful for Dr. Dobson’s humility, integrity and courage to speak the truth in love. Year after year, decade after decade, Jim Dobson stuck to his guns. When issues arose or mistakes were made by those at Focus on the Family, he gave us an honest answer, without pretense. I am also thankful for the example Jim Dobson set as he promoted not only his own career but also that of others, launching ministries for men, women, children, the disabled, the elderly and so many more. So today, let’s not place Jim on a pedestal, or enshrine him in a hall of fame, but recall with thankfulness the passing of a brother who dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and remained faithful in what God called him to do till the very end. Oh, the world has changed so much over the last 40-50 years, but it is still a world that God loves and no matter how far from Him they run, He has commissioned us, to run after them with the love and message of Jesus Christ. I am posting this interview done with CBN back in 2018, as I believe it epitomizes the best way we can do that. May God bless the Dobson family during this time and may the debate over the life and ministry of Dr. Dobson be respectful and kind. We must have a faith in Christ that is unwavering in its courage, but in its outreach show respect for others and malice towards none.

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He Giveth

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments 
 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

If anyone knows about weakness, it is the residents of nursing home and assisted living facilities. Our weekly conversations and prayer requests are filled with the news of some dear one in the hospital again, or recovering from a fall, or mourning the passing of a roommate. Maybe that is why they identify so well with this wonderful old hymn. When Annie Johnson Flint composed the lyrics, she was suffering from a severe form of arthritis which she began to experience in her early twenties and worsened throughout her life. Yet in spite of Annie’s suffering, her struggles lead her to trust more and more deeply on the grace and power of God and to write for us these timeless words:

"When we've reached the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving has only begun
His love has no limit
His grace has no measure
His power has no boundaries
Known unto men
So out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again!"

Where are you this morning: not geographically, but spiritually and emotionally? Have the difficulties in your life driven you to despair, loneliness, isolation and confusion? Have you, as Annie Johnson Flint did, reached the end of your hoarded resources? The healing news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that His suffering in our place on the cross, qualifies and empowers Him and only Him, to become the source of hope and salvation for us. No matter how far from God we feel at this very moment, the Bible tells us that, “By HIs wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5). And from those fatal wounds of our dear Savior, flowed the blood that bought and redeemed us. Today, right at this very moment, if we will humbly come to Him in faith and repentance, He will receive us, fill us, and give us His unmeasurable grace, limitless love and mighty mercy. What a hope we have because of He gave His life for lost sheep, lost children, and lost sinners just like you and me!