If I sound a little harsh, it’s because I’ve been to both the jail and the nursing home today and it has again helped me have a better perspective as a pastor.
This qualification in mind, let me suggest a couple of constructive uses of a bowl of urine.
Use #1 – When we pray for people in nursing homes it would be a good thing for us to get on our knees and pray next to a bowl of urine. A graphic reminder of the smells that many people live with might give a greater sense of urgency in our intercession.
Use #2 – Maybe if you’re considering skipping church in the near future, or if it has been some time since you invited someone into your home, then put a bowl of urine on your kitchen table for a little bit and consider the fact that there may be a time very, very soon when you would give everything in your possession to sing with God’s people, or hear the Word preached in person, or invite someone over for hot apple pie and ice cream.
Or, you could just skip the bowl of urine exercise and make an apple pie and invite someone over or go to church and soak in the sights and sounds of being with God’s people.
******
Today when I was at the nursing home, I mentioned in passing that I had called in my sermon title and text to our administrative assistant. The lady I was visiting stopped me right there in the conversation.
“Pastor,” she asked, “What is your sermon title and text for this Sunday.”
I stopped, read the text to her, and talked about Philippians 4:10-20.
You or I can’t imagine how much this lady in the nursing home would like to be in church this Sunday. Or, how much she would love to be able to invite someone over to her home.
***************
While I’m at it, I should mention, an improper use of a bowl of urine. Don’t live in fear of the future.
As a pastor, I read Psalm 23 to one elderly person in the nursing home. She was too confused to even talk much. But, I assured her as I prayed for her that the Lord is her shepherd. And, God will give her the grace to walk this tough stretch of road.
And, if you have trusted Him as Lord and Savior, then He will give the strength to follow Him wherever He calls you in life. When you consider the sights and smells that you may face in the future, don’t be afraid. God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
This post was so timely for me, thank you.
My husband works for a network of nursing homes and just this morning was talking about the ministry opportunities there… but we also talked about how much fear we both have of aging and of how we might be able to glorify Christ in our old age (we’re in our 20’s). This was an awesome answer to the wisdom we were praying for. Thank you, again.
Your best blog ever! Blunt is good, cutting through the bs is good. Thank you for being our shepard.
Huh, as one above said, very timely indeed. I know I have been struggling with some fear about what the future might hold for my wife and I right now. Also, it reminds me not to forget the saints of our fellowship that are out of sight by being shut in, but should not be out of mind. I’m glad there’s still a pastor out there that visits the elderly.
Next I suppose you’ll be blogging about ISam 25:22 (KJV).
Doug – – you got me. I looked it up. It does read better in the KJV than the NIV.
Please ask one of your pastors to preach on this from the KJV. I don’t think I ever covered that one at GLBC and it really needs to be addressed from the pulpit.
As I was reading this to my wife just now she pointed out that oblivious to my reading was our granddaughter next to her on the couch singing “tinkle tinkle little star”.
Scott – – you really have to write that one down.
Doug, we have that on the schedule to preach May 22nd. Seriously. And I’m up. I think I’ll preach it from the…um…well, pretty much any other translation.
BTW, it comes up in v. 34, too.