Nursing Home Music

Counting Blessings

/ pastorpete51 / 10 Comments 
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 
Hebrews 12:2

Some days it is hard to sing because as I look out on our audience at Life Care Center, I see people in wheelchairs, some with limbs missing, some no longer verbal, and I wonder what these words mean to them. How can they count their blessings when their life isn’t what anyone ever hoped for? And yet they sing, and they smile and some tap their feet or clap their hands because we are counting blessings together again by faith and Jesus draws near! And the Bible reminds me that Jesus counted the cross as worth it, in exchange for our salvation and for the glory that waited His return to Heaven. He didn’t count blessings with a song but with suffering and yet by faith He endured, as today’s verse tells us, by looking forward to the joys that lay ahead. I pray that no matter what you are going through this morning, that the presence of Jesus will fill your heart with grace and strength. Counting blessings is not always easy. Life is not always a song, and we do not skip down an easy road singing “Lalalala!” every day. Often the way ahead is filled with challenges, hardships and heart ache. But whatever we are experiencing this morning; Jesus has promised to never leave us. He is with us and takes our hand in His, and reminds us of the nails that pierced His, while He was counting blessings.

Oh, How I Love Jesus!

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 ESV

Sixty-five years ago, I visited a nursing home for the first time. I went as part of a youth group and we sang various songs, enthusiastically and a bit off key. How shocked I was to see tears streaming down the faces of grateful residents. After we finished, we greeted of the people and as I passed by, one sweet lady, took hold of my shirt sleeve and as I turned, she asked, “Why did you come to visit us?” For a minute, I was somewhat befuddled as to what to answer, but regaining my composure I simply blurted out, “Because I love Jesus!” That lady’s question remains in the memory banks of my heart. Though I could list lots of statistics about the numbers of people in nursing homes, or the failure of families to stay in touch with their loved ones in long-term care, the real reason remains simple: I go because I love Jesus! 

There is a name I love to hear
I love to sing its worth
It's music in the sinner's ears
The sweetest name on earth

Oh. How I love Jesus
Oh! How I love Jesus
Oh! How I love Jesus!
Because He first loved me!

Oh, How I Love Jesus
1855 - Fredrick Whitfield

What a Day!

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 NLT

Most Christians and even many non-believers are familiar with and take some comfort with this verse. But knowing and truly standing on this precious promise in the face of difficulty is sometimes a different thing. The reality that one day there will be no more sickness no pain, no sorrow or tears can feel far away. But on that morning when we walk that distant shore with Jesus, it will be worth it all! I have discovered that our residents at the nursing home understand this better than most. One dear lady wiped the tears from her eyes after we sang it yesterday. Close your eyes and try to imagine that you can hear her voice in the background and allow the Lord to touch your own heart today!