Stillwater

Stillwater is the county seat of Payne county. It is one of the towns I need to be in. I am in 22 counties and their county seats. Then, besides that, I'm in an additional 15 facilities. This is one of the afternoon nursing homes I have not said a lot about.

This afternoon there were many who just wanted to hold my hand. (They would have held anyone's hand. They are lonely.) I can give them my time and my love but what is very critical is that I share with them the love of God. It is the kind of love that can stay with them when I'm gone. And so, I think, with every new song we sang I held someone else's hand. It's always exciting to experience that love ooze into the hearts and lives of the residents. God is so Good!

Tulsa

I always like Mondays. It's good to get back on the road again. We had a group this morning that was ready to praise the Lord. It's been a while since I've been here so we did an overview of the Armor Of God. Kieth Moore has a song with lyrics that say, "My symptoms my change but my confession stays the same." That's the crux of fighting the good fight of faith. Continue to believe and confess  the Word of God in the face of opposition. The Word is Truth. Many residents who live in nursing homes and grew up in traditional churches do not know how to Fight The Good Fight Of Faith. We have been on this know for 6 months or so. I think this may be my next book. It's an extremely important topic.

McAlester

Today continues to be a day of increase. Starting next month I will be in Walnut Grove Living Center. It's not time to settle in, it's time to expand.

Just Some Thought Along The Road

Change is certainly in the air. One thing is certain. As long as something is alive, there will be change. I continue to see change in the line-up of the nursing home ministry. Not just change but growth. One thing I have learned in the ministry; If you have a heart for people, and are willing to work, God will have more than enough for you to do. I say more than enough because for years now I have "believed" I could not do everything He wanted me to do. I'd say, "I can't do that." It was just to much. It would cost to much. Or, it would take to much time. Finally, I realized He is not trying to punish me, He is trying to bless me. When I started saying, "Lord, you show me how to do it and I'll do it." Everything changed. Today, I am doing so much more than I every thought possible. But, I'm sure, not as much as I will be. It's so much easier when you relax and just do WHAT He says and HOW He says. Then, Matthew 11:30 will come alive - "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Traveling the highways and byways of eastern Oklahoma:

Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Hartshorne

This was my first service in Hartshorne. 21 residents came in. I was excited. At the beginning of the service no one was smiling. I could tell they were checking me out. We had a great time of singing and ministering. At the close of the service 1 resident rededicated her life to the Lord. Many said they would bring in more people next time. Another resident said she appreciated my honesty. She said, "You know we are close to death. We've relaxed at the end of our lives but eternity is forever. We need to know the truth." Wow, I was impressed. She is right. We need to hear the truth of God's Word. On the road in eastern Oklahoma.

Muskogee

This morning there was an air of revival in the service. Many were raising their hands with tears in their eyes as they worshiped the Lord. I said, "The Lord is here. the Bible says, where two or three are gathered in His Name their He is in their midst. Just reach up and receive whatever you need." The majority of them reached up to receive. At the close of the service we sang - Standing On The Promises Of God and many of them stood up out of their chairs as we sang. Praise the Lord!

Nowata

When I go into "small town Oklahoma" I understand more and more why the Lord has called me to these communities. The ministry resources to these communities is very small. This afternoon I had residents, family, and staff in the meeting. They were very thankful and soaked up the Word like a dry sponge.

I really want to thank my supporters again. I'm so thankful that I've been given the opportunity to minister in these facilities. I remember the first meeting here. Staff came in crying and asking me "Where did you come from?" And, "Why did you come here?" I had the opportunity to tell them that God loves them. That He has put in the hearts of people the gift of giving so I can come. Every time I come they ask me, "When will you be back?" Then, I have the joy to tell them, "Soon!"

Claremore

I'm always blessed to see Alzheimers residents know and sing all the old hymns. Some of them came into the room with a blank look on their face. When they heard the music and began to sing they lit up. The power of God's Word continues to overwhelm me. He is so good!

Bartlesville

This is a nursing facility I have never written about. I have been coming here for several months now. But, because it is an afternoon service, I was not writing about it.
We had an amazing time. This afternoon the residents had a Valentines party the hour before I arrived. I got to visit with the Valentines Queen for a while. There were many visitors. I saw family, friends, and even school groups to sing and visit. I ministered to everyone for about 45 minutes. We focused on the Love of God looking at John 3:16. We realized that we are all whosoevers. The verse says, ". . .whosoever believeth in Him should not parish but have everlasting life." I handed out another large print Bible and prayed with many who were in the service. God is so good to put us in the right place at the right time. Praise the Lord.

Tulsa

This morning we looked at John 3:16, "For God so loved the World. . ." I wished everyone a happy Valentines Day and then we looked at the Love of God toward us. (Before we started the service many of the residents said their spouse was in heaven. They said, If they were here they would wish me a Happy Valentines Day. It's obvious they are very lonely.) At the close of the service several of the residents rededicated their lives to the Lord. The majority wanted prayer for their families. So, I spent a lot of time in prayer with each one. They shall know we are Christians by our Love.