Nursing Home Minisrty

Hope, Jairus and the Story of Two Parrots

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But now abides faith hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

The story of Jairus, is one that teaches us to hope when our hopes have run out on us. But I learned a valuable lesson on hope from the unlikely duo of two parrots. You see, when I was still in business, my possession of a pickup truck and trailer made me a very popular guy with my friends, friends of friends and, my family when it came time to move. It was really a great way to get to know people, get some free pizza and stay in shape. One December, Susan who was a friend from our church, asked my wife and I tot help her to move. Though it was chilly, the weather was not too bad by Northeast Pennsylvania standards, but the biggest challenge of the day came in the form of two large parrots. These fellows each had their own large cage, and I had left them for last.

So with the truck packed almost to the gills, After I carried out the first parrot and slid his cage carefully into the passenger side of the pick-up, I realized that there was no way that both cages were going to fit up front. So, the unlucky resident of cage number two was given the warmest spot I could find in between the boxes in the back, and I also carefully wrapped the entire cage in a blanket. Then after tying the cage in securely, and closing the tailgate, I slowly drove the eight miles or so of winding country road over to their new home. After pulling in, I first brought in my feathered friend from the front, while he was cheerfully chirping away, unfazed by the journey. The other less fortunate bird however was quite a different story. After bringing in his cage and unwrapping it from the blanket I saw him sitting as silent as a stone and virtually motionless. Whether he was suffering from shock or the cold I don’t know, yet nevertheless, after thirty minutes warming up, he seemed none the worse for wear.

The journey of these guys reminds me of that verse about hope. When everything else we have in this world is packed up and our world is changing around us, unlike the parrots, we get to choose between two options. We can ride up front close to Jesus, or we can make the journey in the back, wrapped in a blanket, safe secure and alone. Hope calls us to ride up front, close to Jesus. He promises us that even though we still won’t understand everything and that the situation is not in our control, that He will stay by our side and we can ride next to Him. I HOPE that you will like this little message that I shared with the residents at Life Care Center this Friday. Have a blessed weekend everyone!

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.

There is a Fountain

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We often hold the hymn writers in such high esteem that we forget that these giants of faith had feet of clay. Though being trained under the ministry of John Newton, William Cowper spent long periods of his life struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. Those dark places are not what God wants for us, but it was from the depths of despair HIs words sprung:

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains 
Lose all their guilty stains 
Lose all their guilty stains 
Lose all their guilty stains!

This week we opened the service at Discovery Villages with “There is a Fountain,” and talked about the dying thief who was promised paradise, in verse two of Cowper’s hymn. After we finished, I imagined a conversation between the thief and Abraham, with Abraham asking, “How long did you know Jesus?” and the thief answering, “About five minutes!” Just like that thief, our salvation doesn’t depend on the length of our walk with God or the number of things we have done in His name. Everything we will ever need we have only in one thing – the Cross of Christ! So, when we get to heaven, there will be no finger pointing! No shame! No more guilty stains! May you each have a blessed week. If you are considering volunteering at a nursing home in your community, remember that we have Mother’s Day right around the corner. Why not buy some inexpensive cards or even make your own and then pass them out to the ladies there. Your small act of kindness will be a blessing far beyond anything you can imagine!