Nursing Home Update - July 2017

Barnsdall

This morning we had a room full of residents who were ready to praise the Lord. As I walked up the walk to the building I could see the activities director, through the window, scurrying around, filling up the meeting room, getting ready for what God wanted to do with all of us. It is an amazing experience. He truly did move this morning!

I'm sitting here at a McDonald's so grateful:
1 -  For the opportunity to share the Good News in nursing care facilities.
2 - That people all across the country are willing to give so I can share the Gospel.
(Realizing it is more than me. It is WE who are sharing the Gospel.)

I am the preacher but I am also an observer. I get to watch God work and move in peoples lives. At times it is overwhelming to me. It is an amazing adventure. I am so grateful.

Now it's on to Sapulpa!

Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Muskogee

I am convinced that once people realize they are actually hearing the Word of God they get excited and want to hear more. What I'm referring to is the Gospel, the Good News. I minister to a lot of older people. People who have been exposed to the Bible or have gone to church most of their life. I am also convinced many of them have not hear the Good News. The reason I say that is because of their excitement level. They act like little kids in a candy store. Do you know what I mean by that? It's like they've heard it or seen it for the first time. This afternoon we got really excited!

Muskogee

This week has been extremely busy. I walked into this mornings service tired. Before I got out of the car, in the parking lot, I said, "Lord, I know your a good God. And, I know you want these residents to be blessed. I'm going to do everything I know to do in the natural and I'm going to trust you to move in this service." After I set up and started the service I forgot about that prayer. I new everything would be OK, and it was. We had a wonderful service. The Lord moved and many residents and staff were blessed. Trusting in Him is an amazing way to live. He is faithful!

Broken Arrow

This morning we went for 1 1/2 hours and then just had to find a place to unhook. (Residents are no different than anyone else when it comes to wanting to know the Truth of God's Word.) We believe the Word of God literally. We believe what it says. When it says God is Good, we believe that. When it says, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus", we believe that. But, it operates right along side, "Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only." We spend a lot of time on all of this and more. We are growing, growing, growing!

Inola

I'm all about family. This morning I made a comment on Facebook that 60% of residents do not have family or friends come to see them. Well, this morning there were several family groups visiting in the room we normally meet in. I was not about to interrupt that. So, I set up in the room right next to it. (There is only a half wall between the 2 rooms.) I pointed my speaker away from the families. It was the best of both worlds. We had a wonderful service with many of the small kids, who were part of the families, dancing to the music. It really did give them something to do! Physical family on one side and spiritual family on the other. It was great!

Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Okemah

We are growing more and more. (I received a phone call from the activities director, ten minutes out, just letting me know she was gathering residents for the service.) That was a great phone call. We lifted up the name of Jesus with our hearts, our mouths, and our hands. It was wonderful to watch and experience. I'm not sure this happens very much in nursing homes. I asked the question, "How many go to church on Monday morning?" And of course the answer was, "We do!" Now it's back on the road again. We are off to Wewoka for a 2pm service.

McAlester

We finished the afternoon with a testimony service. I sang a song called "It's just another red sea." After the song many of the residents wanted to share their "red sea" stories. It was wonderful as they all gave glory to their heavenly Father. It all started when one resident said, "Everyone in this room has a red sea story." The promises of God are true.

Henryetta

This was the 2nd time I've been in Henryetta. We are already growing. Many of the residents who came last time were there - plus more. Lifting up the name of Jesus is what we do. It's who we are. It's the reason for ministry. It is the one thing that crosses denominational lines. I have had so many people ask me if I was: Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Holiness, etc. because I sounded like the church they came from. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We prayed a prayer of rededication at the close. Many were encouraged and left the service much happier than when they came in. Several said they would invite more next time. We continue to: Strengthen The Saved - Save The Lost

Step Out

I know that these articles that I write are on a Blog called "The Nursing Home Chronicles." I have a heart for those who find themselves in nursing care facilities. They could be young, old, male, female, black, white, or any other color. I have a heart for them because the love of God, who is on the inside of me, loves them. Those who are down and out, those who are in a rough place in their life, God has an amazing plane and purpose for them. How do we help them see that? By building relationships. Many times those of us who seem to be "OK" overlook those who are not. We probably will not cross paths unless we are intentional. I know we will not build relationships unless we are intentional. Let's let the God, who is in us, come out in intentional ways. You may never darken the door of a nursing home but where is God calling you? If you are in a place where God wants you to be, I rejoice with you, and encourage you to continue. But, if you are not, what is the "thing" down on the inside of you that God has been prompting you to do? Follow that leading. When you step out, "He will make a way where there seems to be know way." Isaiah 43:16

Nowata

I'm excited to announce that we will be in the Osage Nursing Home in Nowata starting next month. Since the beginning of this ministry we have ministered in 60+ nursing care facilities. We are currently in 37 on a scheduled bases.

Claremore

Have you ever had times when your day changes? You just think you know what you are going to do. As I walked into the nursing home this morning there were some things going on that caused me to not have an effective time with the residents. I will be back! (I always have a lot of things in my back pocket that I can do wherever I am.) I am in Claremore this morning. I know there is a Rhema church in town but have never been there. My heart is to have a dynamic church in every county seat within a 75 mile radius of Broken Arrow. (I know that's a big vision.) Claremore already has one. I drove to the church and discovered they have purchased a strip mall. They are exploding! Everyone I talked to was excited about Cedar Point Church. www.cedarpointchurchonline.com  If your in the area check it out. Now I'm off to Nowata.

Pryor

Singing some of the old hymns that are based on the Word is a very powerful way to share the Good News - "What Can Wash Away My Sins, Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus", "Amazing Grace", "Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I know", "Victory In Jesus" The question is always, "Why do you have to leave so soon?" There is a reason we call the Bible the Good News. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Tulsa

The peace of God was amazing this morning. We began the service by focusing on the peace of God, the love of God, and ended up staying right there. For 45 minutes we sang and basked in the peace of God. He is so good! Now it's on to Stillwater.

Stigler

It's wonderful to be back in Stigler. Actually, it's good to be ministering the Word wherever I am. But this morning it's Stigler. We lifted our hands and our voices in praise and worship and we stayed right there. For 45 minutes we worshiped HIM. It was wonderful. I noticed residents crying as they experienced the presence of Jesus. He Is Lord!

Muskogee

We had a double memorial service this afternoon. I'm always curios how people die. Especially when I know they are Christians. I have heard some amazing stories. Now I have another to add to my list.

One of the residents was 100 years old. He had asked the Lord for the past year why he was still here. He really wanted to go to heaven. One evening, just last week after supper, he had the sense that he would be "going Home". He told some of the people at his table and then went to his room to lay down. While he was sleeping he slipped out of his body and woke up in heaven. Amazing! God is so very good!

Muskogee

We continue to see God move in a mighty way at Eastgate Village. The staff is wonderful. There are several residents here, who I know from other facilities. We lifted our hands and voices to the Lord and worshiped Him. After the service I visited with a resident, and his daughter who was there to visit with him. He has had a stroke and then recently heart surgery. He is definitely a fighter and loves the Lord. He said, "With God's help I'm beating this thing and going home!" We are fighting the good fight of faith.

Wilburton

Wilburton is a long drive but there are people there who need the Lord too. We lifted our hands to the Lord in praise. Even during the service, there were several who interrupted the singing asking for prayer. It is always worth the drive.

I have been preparing a memorial service for tomorrow, in Muskogee. On the way home from Wilburton I received a text asking if I could do a double memorial service. Another resident has run their race. So, I am sitting in a McDonalds and preparing for a double memorial service. Many of these residents cannot attend funerals so we provide memorial services whenever asked. On the road again ministering in nursing care facilities throughout eastern Oklahoma.

Muskogee

This morning was a big surprise! Some very close friends showed up who have family in this facility. They came because they new I would be here. Then, they stayed for the service. Thanks for coming. (You know who you are :) It was a great time.

We are lifting up the name of Jesus and inviting everyone to come into the family of God. We also had a special soloist. A lap dog to one of the residents. He howled to all the hymns. The bible says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." So we just let him howl.. Now it's on to Wilberton.

Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Bartlesville

After the service many of the residents said they felt so clean. They said, "Your message just makes us feel good all over." Well, I certainly can't take any credit for that. Only the Holy Spirit can do something like that. We've been talking about "Salvation." It's a big word. It takes 60 individual words to begin to describe salvation. We could be on this for a while.

Tulsa

I just love it when I walk into an already crowded room. This is another facility who honors the Lord. Once again, hands were lifted to heaven as we praised the Lord. After the service there were many who wanted prayer. We believe in a God who is faithful to His promises and we receive according to our faith. Jesus Is Lord!

Sallisaw

Hugs were in demand this afternoon. Many of these residents do not have many visitors or family around. They can get very lonely. I am always talking about family. If they have accepted Jesus as their savior, we are family. If they have not, come on in. They just "light up" when I talk like that.

Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Wagoner

Most residents do not have the opportunity to leave a facility to go to church. We are dedicated to bring corporate worship to them. This morning you could see the joy and smiles as they realized we were going to sing and worship God again. Hands and voices were raised as we sang the wonderful hymns of the church. At the end of the service I asked for hands for those who loved the Lord. Every hand went up. That's not the case in many facilities. However, That is the goal for all the facilities I am in. Now it's off to Sallisaw. Praise the Lord!

The Hand Of God

I have gone a week without saying anything on social media. It has been an extremely busy week. Last Saturday my mother had a stroke. She is 99 years old. We traveled to Minnesota to be with her. We have watched the hand of God heal her. But that doesn't come without a fight. (What I mean by that is when Satan comes to steal, kill or destroy, she is ready to fight back with all that is within her.) It is fighting the good fight of faith. It is believing the Word of God. One day the prognosis was: Put her in a nursing home on hospice. Within 24 hours it was: Let's get her some therapy and back to independent living. There is still a ways to go, but she is on the right track. And, like I said, she is a fighter.

We are home now and ready to get back to the nursing care facilities. We believe the hand of God continues to do a mighty work in her body. God is good!