Come Rest Awhile



Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” …
Mark 6:31 NLT


Come rest awhile from working through the night
From all men’s expectations
And your own machinations
Come rest in faith that sees beyond your sight

Come rest from sin and all regret’s demands
And from your shame, and every hidden doubt
The unanswered questions and fears that stalk about
Come find your rest in God’s Almighty hands

Come rest awhile when everything seems lost
Just as I slept when the boat was tossed
By that great storm - and the deck by waves was washed
Till at my Word the wind and sea were hushed

Come Rest Awhile
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2024
Use by permission only



Let Us Have a Little Talk

Just a Little Talk with Jesus” is part of a series that we record live at the nursing homes that we visit. “Why do we make these videos?” some of you ask. That is a great question! After all The Gaither Vocal Band harmonizes better and Alan Jackson plays way better, as well as an endless array of gospel quartets. But these videos are made to encourage you to reach out and share the joy of worship in the challenging surroundings where our brothers and sisters live at the nursing home. Sometimes nurses walk in front of the camera, you can hear the clatter of plates in the kitchen and one of our dear sisters is making sounds because she cannot communicate, but she listens and enjoys the music. Yet, despite all the issues, people gather every week, the staff makes a great effort to bring as many as possible in for our meetings and people are reminded that Jesus has not forgotten them. Yes, I pray that you will be blessed by our songs, but I also pray that you might answer the call of God to share the hope we have in Jesus in nursing homes in your own community.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:40 KJV


For those interested in learning more about Nursing Home Ministry, “Walking With Lambs” is our most complete resource and tells the personal stories of many of the friends I have made over thirty years serving in long term care facilities as well as in home visitation ministry. I have included a number of photos of my precious friends, to help you put faces and smiles, with the concept of Nursing Home Outreach.

Stepping into the New Year

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Today is the first day of another year and I am weaker than I was when I was younger, but my hope is stronger because weakness is teaching me to rely more on Jesus and less on me. Being crucified with Christ used to be a mysterious and frightening idea. But in today’s verse, Paul was teaching the Galatians that nothing on earth could make him afraid anymore, because his real life was now in the Christ, who had loved and given His life for him.

But trusting is a choice, and it our choice. Just as the trapeze artist must let go of the bar and fly across space, trusting in her partner to catch her, so we must let go of our own strength and ability in order to take hold of the hands of God. He is reaching out and calling us forward into 2024. Why not surrender your life to Him, and step into the year ahead, with confidence in His love? That same Jesus who gave Himself for us, will certainly watch over us and care for us, no matter what lies on the road ahead.