Nursing Home Ministry

The Picture Frame of Life

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 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. John 11:25 ESV

Somewhere between “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.” and “Yet shall He live” each of us must live in the picture frame of life given to us by God. Yesterday I preached at a memorial service for my friend Mary ay one of the nursing homes I visit. It reminded me that even our best plans matter far less than the people with whom we are passing through this life. While we have sorrow when a friend’s life is suddenly gone it makes us realize how just much what they did to touch our life matters. The limits of each of our years on earth give meaning to the things we choose to paint inside our frame.

Our friend Mary was quite a character and a memorable lady at Life Care Center. Almost everybody knew Mary because she talked with anyone who would listen, from the cleaning lady to the facility director and they all showed up for her memorial yesterday. What I remember most about her is how she not only participated in singing hymns, but she also wanted to give and would slip a few dollars into my hand on occasion. We remember how she wore bright red hats and gave her opinion on everything, but most important was that because Mary put her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, He became her resurrection and life. His grace painted what mattered most inside the picture frame of Mary’s life. How appropriate that after our service, we joined in the courtyard to plant a Purple Glory Tree. Now, when it flowers, we can catch a glimpse of the glory the life she is experiencing in the presence of Jesus today. Are you struggling with the limits in your life? Do you wonder what will matter at its end? Why not simply allow the hands of Jesus to take control of your life and ask Him to paint the picture that He had in mind for you? God bless and keep you always in the palm of His hand!

Jesus Watches Sparrows

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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29‭-‬31 ESV

It doesn’t get any more real than worshipping with my friends in memory care. No lights..no smoke…not even a microphone and yet there is the joy of Jesus reflected in their eyes. What a privilege it is to get to sing for them. If you want to serve in your community you won’t have to look far. Start visiting a friend or family member and ask God to use you to help feed a few other sparrows with the hope of Jesus Christ.

Flying Away to Jesus

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The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10 KJV

Years ago, I used to visit an elderly couple from our church, who because of age and its attending aches and pains no longer were able to come to Sunday services. In the corner of their little apartment, they kept a cage with two parakeets that tweeted happily off and on during our time, especially when we began to sing some of the hymns. Sometimes when the cage door was left open, they got especially enthusiastic and during the music they would swoop out with their wingtips brushing by my head and then perch up on top of the kitchen cabinets. In their balcony seat they seemed quite at home and didn’t miss a note in their singing. Now both of those birds as well as my dear friends have flown off to the presence of Jesus. Sometimes I imagine them looking down from their advantage point still singing and waiting for me and my guitar to come join them. Today I was delighted to sing I’ll Fly Away with the people I love to sing it with the most at our nursing home. I pray that you will be blessed by our simple rendition and that you will draw comfort and joy knowing that no matter what you are going through, if you have given your heart to Jesus, He promises that one day we will fly to meet Him in the air!