Singing hymns

Music for Memory Care

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Luke 12:24

In spite of my having memorized this verse; I confess I have been worrying. It’s as if that scripture has lived on the shelf for so long that it has passed its expiration date. Or maybe I worry because we have now passed the fifth week of complete shutdown from being able to sing for my friends in the nursing homes where I visited each week. I know that the staff is doing their best to care for them but I am especially concerned for those in memory care. I think about how they not only have not had a chance for my music but they also have lost contact with family, friends and not even a priest or pastor is allowed in to hold their hands if they pass away.

But in my quiet moments of private worship God reminds me that He would never leave them alone. There is no virus, no shutdown, no sickness or even death that can separate any of us from His love! He has promised to be with us and God’s promises are never go out of date!

If you know someone who is shut in during this time please consider sharing my simple videos. This one includes; Jesus Loves Me; Trust and Obey and Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. Most of my people not only know these but they love to sing along! I have included captions so they can follow easily. God bless and have a blessed week-end everybody!

 

My Father’s World

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Then pray like this: Our Father in Heaven Hallowed Be Your name Your kingdom come Your will be done On earth as it is in Heaven  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.                               Matthew 6:9-13 ESV

 

The hymn, “This is My Father’s World” was written as a poem by Maltbie Babcock and wasn’t set to music until 15 years after his death. If we were to step back we would also see it as a reflection of the Lord’s Prayer. Throughout our current Corona virus crisis this reminds me that in the middle of uncertainty; God never changes. “This is my Father’s world and to my listening ear.”  The first unchangeable truth this song gives us is that, no matter what happens in this world our Father in Heaven is listening but during our time of enforced idleness we might ask, “Are we listening for His voice?”

Secondly; even though God is in charge He gives us a part to play. We are to pray; “Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Just as the birds raise their carols in the second verse, our opportunity in this crisis is to praise God as our creator and worship Him in a way that brings heaven’s rule to our own little patch of ground.

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Then we must trust Him even when our world seems dark. “And when the wrong seems oft so strong.”  When we are unable to provide for ourselves as we are accustomed we learn to ask Him to give our daily bread. When we lose patience or fail under pressure; He promises that if only we ask that He will forgive us as we are forgiving of those around us.

“This is my Father’s world, the battle is not done.” Last of all when temptation calls we must depend on God’s help to lead us away and when we are surrounded by our enemies; He promises to deliver us by His cross! “Jesus who died will be satisfied; and earth and heaven be one.”

 

Hymn Session 2

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Now entering into the end of two weeks unable to sing for the services at several area nursing homes I am making short sing along video sessions of hymns that people have loved over the years. If you’re getting a bit of cabin fever like we are why not join in. When we lift up the name of Jesus it is always amazing how He reaches down and lifts up our hearts! Is it a modern professional recording? Absolutely not! But I pray you will be blessed. God has not forgotten a single one of us and He is inviting us to call on Him today!