Broken Arrow / Pawnee

Generally right around the major holidays there's a little more commotion in the nursing homes. This morning was no exception. Some employees were already gone for the holiday. Many of the residents were confused as to what day of the week it was because of the Thanksgiving. We did eventually have 8 in the service and we did have a good service. All that attended were glad they came.

The big news is that I reacquired the Pawnee nursing home. There had been some complications with scheduling and I ended up leaving Pawnee and ministering in another town. I really believed I needed to be in Pawnee so I went back this afternoon. There is a new activities director. The schedule has all changed and this morning she was praying that she would be able to get another pastor to come. YES, YES, YES.

Chouteau

We turned a so-so morning into a fun morning by singing the praises of our Lord. When I came in the residents were scattered throughout the facility. I set up in the dining area. After the music started, here they came. There is a phrase that I use a lot. It's a phrase the Lord gave me for the nursing homes - "Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost." This morning we were strengthening the saved. I reminded them, who they were in Christ. You could see the "wheels turning" and the smiles coming back.

Tulsa

We had a great first service. Plus, we took a little time to get to know each other. There were approx. 10-12 in attendance. I'm really looking forward to coming back. God has been faithful to open doors into nursing homes all throughout eastern Oklahoma. It was wonderful to see their eyes light up as we started to sing some of the old hymns. Now it's on to Stillwater. Jesus Is Lord!

Okmulgee

It was a surprise to see so many people this morning. Today was their big Thanksgiving meal. Besides all the residents, many family members and friends were invited. When I got there at 10am there was a constant stream of people coming in to visit and for the meal. The activities director suggested I set up in the middle of everybody and have a hymn sing. So, that's what we did. It was a great time to thank the Lord for who He is and what He has done.

Muskogee

Wow, we had a great time this morning. The residents were in the room and ready. We gave thanks to our wonderful, loving heaven father for His goodness. Jesus said in Matt. 6:10, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." We realized that we could answer every question we had by asking the question: what is it like in heaven? That's how Jesus wants it on earth. That caused us to shout for quite a while. God is so Good!

Claremore

Alzheimer's affects the mind, so does the Word of God. We are to renew our minds to the Word of God. This morning we sang hymns filled with the Word. As the residents sang we watched them "wake up". I asked them several questions between the songs. The staff was impressed with their answers. Praise the Lord!

Pryor

We gathered this morning to praise the Lord and hear from Him through His Word. There are many residents who are lonely. They need a touch from God but they also need fellowship with other fellow Christians. This morning we succeeded in both. At the close of the service we also prayed for the sick. The Bible says, "Lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." I believe that.

We continue to:

Strengthen The Saved - Save The Lost

Wagoner

Once again I was reminded that for some of the residents, this is family. This is their only family. When we get together this is it.
During this time of the year depression can be rampant. Not just in nursing homes but everywhere. Relationships and family is very important during the holidays. Remember to always receive people with love and acceptance. We don't always agree, but we can love them as Jesus loved.

We raised our hands in worship and thanked our God for His goodness and mercy. After the service, I laid my hands on the sick and I am expecting full recovery. Praise The Lord!

Stigler

Perspectives

As I looked around the room I realized that it is only the Love of God and His Word that actually has the answers to all the needs that I saw. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are given a mandate in the Word, "Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only". Many times when we go to church and hear the Word we have a tendency to think that's enough. We've heard the Word. It makes us feel good. And, we go home. But, hearing the Word and not doing the Word is not enough. We must do what the Word tells us to do. (I have to tell you right here, I believe in more than just the concept of the Bible. I believe in what the Bible literally says!)

 The past several months I have been meditating on Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." KJV


As believers we should be doing that. Instead of that sounding radical it should be the norm for the believer. I must admit, it's much easier to be a hearer than a doer. "These signs shall follow those who BELIEVE."

Muskogee

It is always a joy to minister here. This month we are focusing on thanksgiving. We raised our hands and our hearts to the Lord in praise. He is such an awesome God. At the close of the service we recommitted ourselves to Him. (I am told that this service brings in more residents than any other activity. Praise the Lord!)

Wilburton

There are some new residents in this facility. When we started to sing, "Spirit Of The Living God Fall Fresh On Me", They began to cry. (It is quite traumatic when a person first enters a nursing care facility. Their entire world changes. Many of the residents have had either a physical or mental event that caused them to be here.) When they started to cry I new they were believing for something from God. After the service we spent some one-on-one time in prayer. We are expecting!

Tulsa/Bartlesville

Today we raised our hands to the Lord and thanked Him for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He continues to do. He is such a good God. The activities people are so great to bring residents to the meeting. We always have a wonderful group. He is worthy to be praised! We continue to lay hands on the sick and we see wonderful manifestations of Gods healing power. Praise the Lord!

Bartlesville
 The Angels are rejoicing as one more has accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Glenpool

We continue to preach the uncompromising Word of God. God is Good. Jesus is Lord. He did not come to condemn but to give life. He is the only way. And, it is our choice.
Hands were raised once again as we worshiped our Lord and Savior. There are former residents who come back for the service. After they were healed they were able to live on their own but this is their church. Praise the Lord!

Muskogee

Can you picture and emergence waiting room with people raising their hands and giving praise to God? That might give you a visual of what I see most days. We press into God and expect Him to move on our behalf because He is a Good God. These residents are getting stronger by the day: spiritually, mentally, and physically. I make it a point to touch and pray with each one in the room. Even if they are visitors. Everyone can use a touch from God. Sometimes I tell them, "I think I ought to sit down and let you preach." Many times I'll start a verse and they'll finish it. This is my family, over 3,000 residents in 36 nursing care facilities all throughout eastern Oklahoma.

Warner

Whether the group is big or small the power of God is always ready to save, heal, and deliver. We raised our hands in worship as we thanked our God for being so good to us. He sent us Jesus! Wow, what a Savior!

It was in this facility, November of 2009, this ministry was started. It's been 7 years. We have ministered in 47 different nursing homes in Oklahoma and 3 in Iowa during that 7 year period. We are currently in 36, on a monthly basis which requires full-time traveling. God has done tremendous things in peoples lives. We have also encouraged others to expand their nursing home ministries in Florida, Arkansas, and Texas. Yet, I believe we are just getting started. There is much more to come. I remember making a commitment to the Lord and saying, "You tell me where to go, and what to do, and I'll do it." I had no idea where that would take me.

We are on the road:

Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Tahlequah

There is a whole world of people who live in nursing homes that most people are not aware of. These people have one thing in common. They need long term care of one kind or another. Their age does not matter.
This morning, as I entered the facility I noticed another young gal who I would guess to be in her early 20s. She lives here. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with her physically so I was anxious to talk with her. When I did, I could not understand anything she said. I'm not sure of her situation but it's very sad to think she could be living here for the rest of her life. That is where God comes in. He is the way-maker. He can make a why where there seems to be no way. During the service we all raised our hands to the Lord and thanked Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do. As a dad with 4 kids, (2 daughters and 2 sons) it's difficult to leave someone like her in a long term care facility except for leaving her in Gods care. I will be back. We will continue to pray. And, we will continue to see God do miraculous things in peoples lives. He is so very, very good. We continue to: Strengthen The Saved - Save The Lost