March 27, 2017

Sue, Phil & Marie

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/3-27-2017.html

    Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst."
Luke 17: 20, 21

          Monday March 20 th ~

     Started this week in Hartford, Arkansas. Drove to Greenwood and did the laundry thing. Then over to the "Retirement Center" to minister at this facility with a large percentage of patients dealing with mild cognitive issues.

     Those who attended (nine) were enthusiastic. Singing along and requesting their favorite songs.

          Tuesday March 21 st ~

     Continuing north, stopped in Jasper, Arkansas and sang at the "Newton County Nursing Home". A couple were just finishing a Bible Study and stuck around to help me sing for the folks.

          Wednesday March 22 nd ~

     Having crossed into Missouri, I connected with folks at the Baptist church in Macomb. Arranged a couple of nursing homes for the next few days. And attended mid-week services.

          Thursday March 23 rd ~

     Drove to Mountain Grove, Missouri and ministered at the "Country Living" assisted living facility.

     An oil change on the van back at the church in Macomb and dinner with old friends.

          Friday March 24 th ~

     Sang for the residents at "Rocky Ridge Health & Rehab" in Mansfield, Missouri.

          Saturday March 25 th ~

     Spent time on the laptop creating the "My Journey Through Israel" slide show & movie.

          Sunday March 26 th ~

     A full day! Attended the "Cowboy Church" in the area where I had the honor of sharing about the trip to Israel. Then to a small town (Vanzant) for a late morning service where I was given the sermon time to share in song, testimony and message.

     Lunch with a couple of family's, then during the evening service back in Macomb, I enjoyed the opportunity of sharing the slide show "My Journey Through Israel". 

                 

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

March 20, 2017

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/3-20-2017.html

    Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: "Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
Job 38:1-3

          Monday March 13 th ~

     Published the newsletter from my friend (Richard's) house in Austin, Texas. Then, On-the-Road-Again, headed north.

          Tuesday March 14 th ~

     Stopped in Caldwell, Texas and sang at the "St. Joseph" nursing home. The activity director remembered me from several years ago and went out of her way to gather folks. Afterward she asked me to sing in a special lady's room (Faith) who couldn't come out. Which I did of course.

          Wednesday March 15 th ~

     In Nacogdoches, Texas I was able to minister at "The Arbor" assisted living and memory care facility.

          Thursday March 16 th ~

     A bit further north at the "Linden Healthcare Center" I arrived an hour before Bingo. Staff quickly gathered folks for me to share with, before that unmovable activity (Bingo).

          Friday March 17 th ~

     Crossed the border into Oklahoma and sang at the "Memorial Heights Nursing Center" in Idabel.

          Saturday March 18 th ~

     Angling toward Arkansas, I stumbled onto a cheap ($15) campground (Cedar Lake) with electric hookups and showers. Got in a nice hike on a beautiful day.

          Sunday March 19 th ~

     Crossed into Arkansas to the town of Hartford where I attended the "Assembly of God" church. I was given the honor of sharing a bit during the morning service, then at the evening service a bit more, mostly about the trip to Israel.            

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

March 13, 2017

Last leg Boston to Austin - Three weeks in Israel - Tel Aviv - Jerusalem - Mesada - Negev Desert - Dead Sea - Red Sea Be'er Sheva - Nazarth - Mount Tabor - Kfar HaHoresh Kibbutz - Tiberias - Sea of Galilee - Mount of Beatitudes - Capernaum - Baptismal Pool - Loaves & Fishes Site - Golan Heights - West Bank - Jordan River Valley and Much More

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/3-13-2017.html

    The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 12:1-3

          Monday March 6 th ~

     Started this week in Tel Aviv, Israel. The girl managing the apartments allowed me to delay check-out for a couple of hours. When I asked about a taxi to the airport, she directed me to a nearby train service for 15 Shekels as opposed to 150 for a taxi. Found my way, no problem.

     Unfortunately my flight doesn't leave till midnight. Gonna be a long, long day.

     Praise God, the plane was only about half full. Had a three seat section all to myself. Actually able to sleep a little. And because I had a connecting flight in Boston with very little time between flights, the head stewardess took me to sit in first class for the final twenty minutes of our journey so I could DE-plane quickly.

          Tuesday March 7 th ~

     Arrived in Austin, Texas at 11:00 am. My dear Brother George was waiting near the exit. Made me feel Special. Took me to lunch at Golden Palace. Then to the van.

     Got settled in, wound down, and crashed.

          Wednesday March 8 th ~

     Wide awake at 4:00 am. Drove to Walmart at 6:00 am. Spent time today on domestic chores; laundry, restocking van and such, including arranging a couple of nursing homes for the next few days.

     Sleep pattern still messed up. Usually takes a few days to readjust.

          Thursday March 9 th ~

     Ministered at the "Brookdale Becket Meadows" here in Austin for some lovely folks who sang along with most the songs. Wonderful, uplifting time for me with the first nursing home back in the country.

          Friday March 10 th ~

     Sang at the "Senior Care of West Oaks" nursing home in south Austin. Started off with a lot of noise and commotion in the foyer of this busy facility. But (Praise God) nurses, care givers and visitors quickly quieted down, making for a gentle, solemn time of worship.

          Saturday March 11 th ~

     Attended the old "Rivers" church group's Saturday morning proverbs study. Then over to Sister Sarah's for some fellowship.

          Sunday March 12 th ~

     Attended the "Hope in the City" church in Austin.
     Lunch with some old friends. Afternoon "Home Group" at Sister Sarah's.            

        

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

March 6, 2017

Photo opp

Damascus Gate

Soldiers

Pools at Bethesda

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/3-6-2017.html

    Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie--the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. For an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
John 5:2-9

          Monday February 27 th ~

     Started this week in Tiberias, on the western shore of the "Sea of Galilee". Went on a sightseeing day-drive to the northern most part of the country into the "Golan Heights" near the Syrian border. On around through some mountain passes along the border with Lebanon. Then back to Tiberias for one more night.

          Tuesday February 28 th ~

     Drove south into the "West Bank" through the "Jordan River Valley" past Jericho. Spotted numerous shepherds tending small herds of goats along the way. Turned off on a road leading to the place where it is believed Jesus was baptized by John. But came upon a checkpoint which appeared to be a crossing into Jordan. Rental agreement doesn't allow me to take the car out of the country.

     So, continued on to Jerusalem, stopping at one point for a photo-opp with a camel.

          Wednesday March 1 st ~

     Rainy morning, which let-up by the time I got going. Hopped on the light-rail-train to the "Old City". Walked around the outside from the "Damascus Gate" to the foot of the "Mount of Olives". Then climbed the long steep hill. Spotted a little out-of-the-way alcove with a small sign, "Tomb of the Prophets". A man came out of a nearby house asking if I'd like to go down into the cave complex.

     He unlocked the gate, and led me down this creepy underground burial chamber where among others; Haggai, Malachi and Zechariah had been laid to rest.

     I came out alive and unmolested. Headed down the hill to the "Garden of Gethsemane". Through the "Lions Gate" into the "Old City" to the "Stations of the Cross" churches. Then back to the hotel by early afternoon to rest my aching ankles.

          Thursday March 2 nd ~

     Another day of exploring Jerusalem's "Old City". Including "The Rampart Walk" (path along the top of the city walls). Also explored "Zedekiah's Cave" (length of over two football fields angling down beneath the Moslem Quarter, maximum width 100 yards. average height 4-story building).

     There are sections of the city with numerous alcoves containing shops of all kinds from clothing to jewelry to food. Many people live in the different sections with schools and even hotels/hostels amid the many churches, synagogues and mosque.

     Might have overdone it today, physically. Too much walking and climbing.

          Friday March 3 rd ~

     Rested a bit the first half of the day. Then the Spirit moved me to take the guitar into the "Old City". Just inside the "Lions Gate" I ran across the "Valley of Bethesda". A beautiful courtyard and ancient pools where Jesus healed.

     St. Anne's Basilica (Church) built on the site allows singing. So, I broke out the guitar and with awesome acoustics, started singing Praises and Hymns. Many other tourist began singing along.

     One of the more special experiences of my time here in Israel.

          Saturday March 4 th ~

     Drove to Tel Aviv where I was able to check-in early at the apartment building I stayed at upon my arrival in Israel three weeks ago. As I was walking back after getting some lunch, I heard a church service going on in a building just a few doors down. Grabbed the guitar and walked into a congregation of African immigrants (Republic of Ghana) and sat at the back.

     The service was mostly in heavily accented English. Towards the end of the service a gentleman approached me and (after a few quick questions) said they'd like to give me a few minutes to tell about my mission. Shortly thereafter I was called to the front and handed the microphone.

     I spent two minutes telling about the ministry and the Lords provision, ending with my one-minute-sermon.

     While visiting afterwards I was able to leave the guitar with them to be used for the Kingdom, however they saw fit.

          Sunday March 5 th ~

     I've been a bit surprised by the fact that Shabbat-Sabbath-Saturday tradition is so ingrained here, that even Christian churches meet on Saturday. Sunday is considered the beginning of the work week ending about noon on Friday when pretty much everything shuts down.

     Last day here. Returned the car to the rental place. Preparing to fly back to the States tomorrow.      

        

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!