Spirtual Needs of God's Older Children

One of the most important aspects in answering God’s call to our ministry of Grey Hair Is Beauty is the command, “go and remind My older children that I love them.”

We know the promises of the scriptures, we know the words to the Ethel Waters moving performance of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and yet there are so many times in our lives that God seems to be so far away. So we often get into our cars and drive to church for fellowship, invite Christian friends over, or call someone for prayer request.

In the every day lives of an elderly or disabled person there is little opportunity for uplifting spiritual renewal. Dim eyes, can no longer read the Bible or the Devotional of choice and muffled hearing can no longer detect musical notes and certain sounds. Sadly many residents live in Long Term Care Facilities that not only do not provide opportunities for connection to God, but are not aware of the spiritual needs of their residents. This opportunity would usually be scheduled on the facilities activities calendar.

While there may be resources made available for vision and hearing impaired such as Large and Giant Print books, Bibles, and literature; as well as, audio books for the vision impaired who can hear; there remain few opportunities for attending a traditional church service. These resources would need to be requested by the resident. Family, or responsible party; so the need would go unnoticed if the person suffers from dementia of various forms or the person(s) responsible is not actively involved in the life of the resident.

It has been my experience over the years of working in facilities that our Catholic brothers and sisters come regularly and administer communion to the residents of the Catholic faith as well as other rites and rituals that are required, while the residents of other faiths look on longingly. Usually, admission forms ask for the religion of the resident and this may or may not be filled in but it usually is only addressed upon terminal or imminent death. I should also point out here that the rules and regulations put in place by the government make it difficult for this information to be shared without the involvement of the family or legal guardian.

Studies have been done and documented in Nursing Manuals of the effects spirituality and it’s necessity for healing and recovery. In school nurses are taught to assess the whole person in developing the plan of care. "Spirituality can be the intangible quality that gives meaning to our lives, gives us the strength and purpose to live our life to the full.
Main Category: (Seniors / Aging,Article Date: 13 Apr 2006 - 5:00 PDT Contact: Paul Grocottp (.grocott@uws.edu.au) Research Australia

I can offer many testimonies from the last 5 years but the one that stands out for this discussion was early in our ministry when I went to a nursing home and set up a Service with an Advent Wreath in the activities room for about eighteen residents. As I carefully explained the meaning and purpose of the Advent Wreath and the story of this celebrated season a man in a wheel chair was making his way to where I was standing. He had on a lap robe, his catheter bag attached to the wheelchair, he badly needed a shave and hair was disheveled but what I noticed first was the tears running down his cheeks. He rolled up close to the wreath and looked at me with that sorrowful face and said, “I am a Pastor, thank you for bringing it all back to me today. I Pastored two churches and have not heard this story in a very long time.” You also helped me remember how Jesus got to Paul on the road to Damascus. Tearing up, I could hardly conclude the service.

God’s older children who live in facilities must be ministered too. The facilities must consider their residents spirituality as an integral part of their care. The administration and medical staff must be taught that freedom of religion is not just a constitutional right the right to practice their beliefs. The residents must be given the opportunity and resources within the guidelines of the rules and regulations to act on their faith.

Pray with us as God leads this ministry to bring the word to the lost or lonely elderly and disabled in Long Term Care Facilities.

Pastor Judi Baxter
Vice President Grey Hair Is Beauty

Soul and Spirit of Man

What is the difference between the soul and spirit of man?
The soul and the spirit are connected, but separable (Hebrews 4:12). The soul is the essence of humanity’s being; it is who we are. The spirit is the aspect of humanity that connects with God.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The word “soul” can refer to both the immaterial and material aspects of humanity. Unlike human beings having a spirit, human beings are souls. In its most basic sense, the word “soul” means “life."
The word “spirit” refers only to the immaterial facet of humanity. Human beings have a spirit, but are we not spirits. However, in Scripture, only believers are said to be spiritually alive (1 Corinthians 2:11;) (NIV) For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Think on these things; which Spirit would you have dwell in your soil, Gods or Satan? 10/21/2009 Pastor Arthur

Soul and Spirit of Man

What is the difference between the soul and spirit of man?

The soul and the spirit are connected, but separable (Hebrews 4:12). The soul is the essence of humanity’s being; it is who we are. The spirit is the aspect of humanity that connects with God.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The word “soul” can refer to both the immaterial and material aspects of humanity. Unlike human beings having a spirit, human beings are souls. In its most basic sense, the word “soul” means “life

The word “spirit” refers only to the immaterial facet of humanity. Human beings have a spirit, but are we not spirits. However, in Scripture, only believers are said to be spiritually alive (1 Corinthians 2:11;) (NIV) For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.



Think on these things; which Spirit would you have dwell in your soil, Gods or Satan?



10/21/2009

Pastor Arthur

Faith

Faith

Pastor Judi Baxter

October 22, 2009

Shady Hills United Methodist Church Family Center

Senior Bible Study

Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted,

in spite of your changing moods. CS Lewis

Faith- Believe what God has said and act accordingly.

Faith is one of three things that never change. In Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

Jesus taught what we can do when we have even just a little faith in God our Father, in prayer, and our abilities because of who we are in Jesus Christ. Mark 11:22-24 (NCV) Jesus answered "Have faith in God. ²³ I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'Go, fall into the sea.' And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, God will do it for you.²⁴ So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you. And Paul said in Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.”

We must act on what we learned on what we believe. As in James 2:18-21 (NKJV) But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

Faith is Obedience, Rest in the promises of His word, accept the word as truth and act on it.

Examples of Promises: Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

These gifts from God are not a result of selfish desires but in His plan and will for our lives. We are not going to enjoy these blessings which by the way are way better than we could imagine for ourselves but according to His will and purpose.

Promise of Salvation and eternal life

Promises in the Beatitudes: Notice the root word “attitude” there

Promises in Matthew of provision ie clothing food shelter

Promise of the living water of the well from the river that never runs dry

Rest in those promises

Romans 4:12 (KJV) And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. ¹³It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

When we trust God completely, we obey Him completely. Phil 2:12-13 God gives us initial capacity for faith it is up to us to ace.

When we are faithful with small things God increases His blessings to greater things.

In the meantime we must remain prayerful, obedient, and faithful to what we have.

Faith has saved thee. Luke 7:50 (NCV) Jesus said to the woman, "Because you believed, you are saved from your sins. Go in peace."

He did not say you are saved while you stand here, He said “Go Live Do and be peaceful”

Philippians 4:4-7 ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice

Gentleness to all

Do not be anxious

In Prayer ask God for your desires with praise and thanksgiving

Invite the Holy Spirit to come in and do an inner faith check. God will reveal where improvement is needed.

Hearing God Speak

Speak, Lord, in the stillness,
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen
In expectancy.

Speak, O blessed Master,
In this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord,
Feel Thy touch of power.

For the words Thou speakest,
"They are life," indeed;
Living Bread from heaven,
Now my spirit feed!

All to Thee is yielded,
I am not my own;
Blissful, glad surrender,
I am Thine alone.

Speak, Thy servant heareth!
Be not silent, Lord;
Waits my soul upon thee
For the quickening word!

Fill me with knowledge
Of Thy glorious will;
All Thine own good pleasure
In my life fulfill.

Like "a watered garden"
Full of fragrance rare
Ling'ring in Thy presence
Let my life appear.
Emily May Grimes Crawford

Be His Delight

One definition of delight is "the power of affording pleasure" Are you a delight to God? Psalm 16:3 says, But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Evaluate your own list of things to do today; then, give it to Him and ask Him to change the list to what pleases Him. You will be richly blessed.