Nursing Home Devotional

Remembering Jesus in Memory Care – He Touched Me

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

Through the song, “He Touched Me,” Bill Gaither also touched a place in hearts all over the world. Since it was written in 1960, those words, “He touched me and made me whole,” have been translated into scores of languages, because no matter our culture, language, or race, we all share the longing to be touched. In his ministry on earth one of those moments is captured in the first chapter of Mark:

“And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, ‘If you will, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 
Mark 1:40-41 ESV

The leper, who could not legally come into contact with any other human being not only longed to be healed, but also needed the acceptance and assurance that the simple touch of Jesus gave him. In memory care facilities, where residents live in locked units, there is often no one who touches them who isn’t paid to do so. Days or even weeks may pass without a single friendly hug, kiss on the forehead, or even a handshake. When we visit people whose abilities to communicate are limited and who are often forgotten by family and friends, few things will communicate the love of Christ better than a simple touch. Just as He did for that leper, Jesus is willing to reach out and touch them. But today the hands of Jesus to give that healing touch belong to you and me.

A Celebration!

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11 KJV

In March of 2020, the doors not only to a majority of businesses were closed, but the access we had to those in long term care was almost entirely cut off. For those of us involved in nursing home ministry this was a challenge such as we had never faced. I was not allowed to bring flowers for Mother’s Day and instead we paraded by with our cars while they sat on the porch and waved. I am not sure how long the rest of the nation went on with this, but here in Florida the complete lock down lasted 14-15 months, dependent on the facility. But as someone once said, when God’s closes a door, He opens a window, and the window for us was called, Sunshine Newsletter. With the help of Rob Keller, a graphic artist friend from the men’s group at our church and Pastor Janice Burnett, a nursing home chaplain from Western New York State, we began to publish a weekly devotional. Though we have gone through a few tweaks and improvements over the 3 1/2 years of publication, our newsletter remains a simple, two-sided single page handout. We do this to minimize our printing expenses as well as to leave with the residents something they will actually read and pass on to others. This week as I was getting the final draft ready to send on to Rob, for formatting and artwork, I stopped to think that with God’s help we are now sending out issue number 175! I am so grateful for those many people who have volunteered to write, suggested inspiring quotes. sent in photographs and done the setup and artwork. It is an amazing blessing each week as I hand out copies of Sunshine to see the smiles on the faces of our residents. If you would like to write for Sunshine or receive our free publication, let me know at Revpete51@gmail.com. It would be to send it to you, and we encourage you to share it with others. Have a blessed week everybody!

2023-10-06-sunshine-weekly-newsletter-1Download

Free Devotional – My Mother’s Day Gift

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Almost ten years ago, after several decades of volunteering in nursing homes I wrote my first book on the subject. This is a bit of a specialized area, and no commercial publishing house was interested (understandably) so with the help of coworkers, my pastor and friends we published “Would You Do It For One?” through Kindle Direct Publishing. With various tweaks over the years and a few follow up volumes I thought I had preserved to the best of my ability the many experiences and lessons I had learned. Though I often floundered through the months and years of ministry, I came to depend more and more on God, as well as learn from plenty of mistakes!

The years from 2015-19 felt like smooth sailing, and then the Covid-19 pandemic came along and turned everything on its head. Thankfully after 15 months of complete shutdown, one by one the facilities reopened, but to a brand-new world, where much has changed. Though I procrastinated and listed lots of good excuses about why I shouldn’t write anything more, God continued to stir my heart, to get off my duff and get started on a new volume! So recently I began work on a new book and I would so appreciate your prayers for God’s inspiration, organization and grace. In the meantime, just in time for Mother’s Day, I am offering for free an eBook version of my 30-day devotional written for people living in long-term care as well as those still living home, with the assistance of friends and family. 31 Days of Hope will be available for free starting on Sunday (Mother’s Day) and the promotion will run through Tuesday of next week. (Just in case you are busy honoring a mom tomorrow!) There is also a Large Print Soft Cover Available. Have a Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mothers, both biological and spiritual and a blessed weekend to all.