Category: Assisted Living

Thank you, Jesus! Lord, forgive me. Bless those in Ukraine. Help me, God. These four prayers are spontaneous utterances that I have spoken in the past week. They are examples of four types of prayers that I encouraged Confirmands to use in their prayer journals: thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and petition. The truth is, these short, spontaneous prayers are much more my style than the longer conversation or meditative style of prayer that some prefer.

“Thank you, Jesus” may come in response to something as simple as the elevator being on my floor when I’m in a hurry or when I get a phone call from a long-time friend. “Lord, forgive me” is appropriate more frequently than I actually pray it but comes when I have thought unkind thoughts about someone, for example.

Prayers of intercession come maybe while watching the news, or hearing about someone’s illness, or even when seeing a homeless person while driving. There are many opportunities to lift up a quick prayer for someone. Just saying a name is enough — God knows the needs more than I do!

And finally, petition: prayers for myself are much needed — particularly praying for patience. I recognize the value in the longer, more thoughtful conversations with God — I read the Upper Room every day as well as a Lenten devotional, and each evening I write five things for which I am thankful. But still, for me, the admonishment to “continue instant in prayer” is best acted out spontaneously. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Kindness is part of Lenten discipline. Spiritual values became important to me when I began looking for a way that I could discipline myself and begin practicing the deepest spiritual values of the Christian faith.

It was not long until I discovered Galatians 5:22-23. It is titled the “Fruits of the Spirit.” “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” (NRSV)

I began to look at these nine gifts one by one. What I found in my study of kindness is a closeness to God. Consider with me, Kindness — being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Kindness is a very personal habit and characteristic that makes one attractive to others as a friend. As we cultivate this characteristic, we find persons are attracted to us; however, kindness is more than just making friends. Kindness includes the above characteristics.

How do we be friendly? The Golden Rule might help! “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Think of the way you act when out and about in the community and in the community at large. Is road rage a reaction? Or, do you step back and give someone else your place in line if it would be of help to someone? Are you pleasant to the checkout person – the stocker?

Feel the presence of God when you share kindness in your life. In this season of Lent, will you continue to develop in your life the discipline of kindness and all of the other “Fruits of the Spirit?”

Join us for a special time of prayer for peace.

During the 40 days of Lent, we have been challenged to perform daily acts of kindness. This is a marvelous idea and one that is worthy of pursuit; however, should we not be living a life every day that is centered on being kind to others, especially those who struggle with living in economic, emotional, social, or spiritual poverty?

One of our main objectives as a “Christian” is to strive to become more and more like our Lord, Jesus. We walk this road by daily taking on His mantle, living as He lived. One of the characteristics of His life was to be kind, to exhibit lovingkindness. Throughout Scriptures, this is expressed in two ways.

The first is God expressing His lovingkindness for His people, you and me. His lovingkindness is displayed in passages such as, “… with everlasting kindness, I will have compassion on you.” (Isa 54:8, NIV); “… I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness…” (Jer 9:24, NIV); “…He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons…” (Act 14:17 NIV). Our Lord is kind to us as His provisions for us substantiate.

The second way the Scriptures describe kindness is for God’s people to be kind-hearted, to exhibit kindness to others be they our friends, our enemies, those who are wealthy, or those who are poor; regardless of their circumstances in life, treat them with kindness. Why? Because in the Scriptures we are commanded to and are given instructions on how to express kindness. His direction to us is recorded in passages such as, “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Eph 4:32 NIV); “And the Lord’s serv-ant … he must be kind to everyone…” (2 Tim 2:24 NIV). In other passages, the Bible expressly tells the Christian to show kindness to the poor, the needy, the oppressed, and one another.

Here at Epworth Villa, we live in a world that longs for expressions of kindness, and this 40-day challenge should be just the start. We should at all times through our days intentionally look for opportunities to show lovingkindness: a note or word of encouragement; a smile and pleasant greeting; an offer to assist; a phone call. There are many ways we can respond to the Lord’s direction and the Holy Spirit’s inner nudging. Don’t let an opportunity to brighten someone’s day pass you by.

But you know what; having talked about our Lord’s expressions of His lovingkindness and His direction to His people, we have yet to consider the greatest act of loving-kindness this world has ever seen; and that is the Crucifixion of Jesus, God’s one and only Son. It is this act of lovingkindness that provided the way for sinners like you and me to be forgiven of our sins and to have eternal life. Loving-kindness cannot be expressed in any greater, more compassionate way than that, and that is why we celebrate this Easter blessing. HE IS RISEN!!!!!! — Don Frost

Mention the words “Valentine’s Day,” and we conjure up images of love and romance — maybe Cupid (Eros), the Greek god of love, or a heart, long linked to strong emotions, like love. But why the name, and why February 14? Legends give us some interesting theories. The Roman St. Valentine, for whom the day is reportedly named, was put to death possibly on February 14, c. AD 270, allegedly for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. The added love story is that the imprisoned Valentine sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with his jailor’s young daughter, whom he had befriended and healed from blindness. Before his death, he supposedly wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression still used today. Because of his sympathetic, heroic, and romantic reputation, Valentine had become one of the most popular saints in England and France by the Middle Ages. Valentine’s Day is now celebrated in France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and the U.S.

Another story claims the Christian church may have chosen mid-February for St. Valentine’s feast day to “Christianize” Lupercalia, a Roman fertility festival celebrated on February 15. In the Middle Ages, the day became definitively associated with love. The French and English believed that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, suggesting Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.

We use the word love usually to indicate affection or deep feelings. Add a bit of excitement and mystery, and you have romance! I know Jarrell loves me; he kisses me morning and night, no matter how old, disheveled, or cranky I am. Romance? He’s surprised me with: a harp-shaped cake he made himself; his own poetry; jewelry; what’s become my favorite sweatshirt (and he’s colorblind); and adventures in foreign countries. What first attracted me to my husband was his voice. Even now, hearing his voice still warms my heart.

Wes Howl’s joyful, waltz-tempo rendering of “Love Lifted Me” during a recent Vespers reminded me that God’s love for us underscores the love we have for each other. Love has been part of God’s world since Adam. God knew Adam needed a woman; adding Eve set the stage for couples from Day 8 (or so). The Bible tells of many successful marriages, and one can find plenty of romance, especially in Solomon’s Song of Songs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us a great recipe for a good marriage: “Love is patient, love is kind…” Philippians 2:3 adds to it. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Ephesians 4:2 tells us to “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” I’m still trying.