Patsy and I have been married eight years. Before we met, we had both been widowed. She had been married 43 years to her late husband. I had been married 50 years to my late wife.

The story of how the two of us met, fell in love and married is a testimony of God's grace and favor. During the time we've been married, we have served in ministry to the widowed community we lived in in Texas. We also served in marriage support ministry (we still do) offering premarital counseling to couples soon to be married, or to the very newly married. We also have ministered to couples who were experiencing troubles in their marriages.

When we moved from Texas to Arkansas in 2021, we became involved in ministry to the addiction recovery community. The area in Arkansas where we lived has a major meth addiction problem. There are quire a few Christian ministries serving the recovery community there. She and I taught Bible classes at some of the recovery houses, and both of us engaged in much one on one support to those within the recovery houses.

Upon moving to Arkansas, we began attending a particular church. There we were asked to form and lead a seniors ministry group. We did that until later when we felt that God was leading us to make a change. Then we moved to another church. This one was heavily engaged in the addiction recovery ministry. This church was growing and God was doing some wonderful things there. Lives greatly changed, and the bonds of addiction broken for many.

Something happened, and I won't go into the details, but the church was suddenly abandoned. We had no pastor and we lost the building. It seemed that the intent was for the church to close, and for the attendees to find other churches to attend. But both Patsy and I, and several others felt that God was not through with the ministry of that church

Both of us felt that this was what God had put us there for. I was able to get the non-profit corp. signed over to me, and took on the role of lead pastor. But we had no place to meet. and a goodly number of the former members had moved on to other churches. Every week we scrambled to find a place to meet. Renting whatever venue might be available for that Sunday. We had no equipment including no sound system for praise and worship time. We had nothing

But God provided. We borrowed sound equipment and even folding chairs. We had different ones help us conduct our praise and worship time. And I brought the Word God had for us that day. Soon we were offered the use of an American Legion hall for Sunday mornings. The fee was very good as our numbers were small, and in that community, offerings were very small as well By the way, this American Legion hall had no bar so that was a plus.

During that time we were able to slowly accumulate a few pieces of sound equipment. We also had a family join who had been experienced praise and worship leaders. They were musicians thus we now had instruments.

Later the opportunity came for us to move into an abandoned church building. The building had not been in use for over five years. It had everything we needed in the way of chairs, a small fellowship room, and Sunday School rooms. It was ready to use for services. No longer did we have to go early every Sunday morning to the AL hall to set up for service and then take down following service.

Now we had a six month lease and a regular place to meet. But we knew that God had bigger plans. In November of 2025 we were able to move into a much more capable church building. At the same time, since the couple who lead our praise and worship had been former church pastors, and Patsy and I knew that our time there would soon come to an end, we appointed them associate pastors. In January of 26, this year, we turned the church pastorship over to them. This was in preparation for our planned relocation to Florida.

So now, here we are. We have connected with a wonderful church here in our city. We are not involved in leadership. What the future will bring, God only knows. But we will serve as He leads and what doors He opens, we shall see.

Thankful Thursday Morning Prayer

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.” — Psalm 92:1 (KJV)

Heavenly Father, on this Thankful Thursday morning, we enter Your presence with grateful hearts and praise upon our lips. Thank You for watching over us throughout the night and touching us with Your hand of mercy this morning. Thank You for the breath in our bodies, the strength to rise, and the blessing of seeing another day.
Before we ask You for anything, Lord, we pause to thank You for everything. Thank You for being our Savior, Protector, Provider, Healer, Comforter, and closest Friend. Thank You for loving us when we were difficult to love, forgiving us when we fell short, and remaining faithful even when our faith became weak. Your Word declares, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23).
Father, thank You for every prayer You answered and every blessing You released. Thank You also for the prayers You answered differently than we expected. We now understand that some closed doors were Your protection, some delays were Your preparation, and some disappointments were Your divine redirection. Thank You for what You allowed, what You prevented, and what You are still working together for our good.
Lord, forgive us for the times we complained about what was missing while overlooking what remained. Forgive us for focusing on our burdens more than Your faithfulness. Give us eyes to recognize Your goodness in the ordinary blessings—the food on our tables, clothing on our bodies, roofs over our heads, family and friends, moments of peace, and strength to keep moving forward. We may not possess everything we desire, but we thank You that “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Thank You for sustaining us through seasons we thought would destroy us. We have been wounded, but You healed us. We have been discouraged, but You strengthened us. We have experienced loss, but You comforted us. We have faced uncertainty, but You continued to guide us. When we could not trace Your hand, You taught us to trust Your heart. When our strength was gone, Your grace proved sufficient.
Father, we place this entire day into Your hands. Go before us and make every crooked path straight. Order our steps, guide our decisions, govern our conversations, and protect us from dangers seen and unseen. Cover our homes, families, workplaces, schools, churches, vehicles, finances, health, and everything connected to us. Let no weapon formed against us prosper, and bring every plan of the enemy to nothing.
Lord, bless every member of our family. Strengthen marriages, restore relationships, protect our children, encourage our seniors, and draw every unsaved loved one into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Bring peace where there is conflict, understanding where there is confusion, forgiveness where there is offense, and unity where division has entered.
Remember those who awakened this morning carrying silent burdens. Touch those battling sickness, chronic pain, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, addiction, or any condition known or unknown. Give wisdom to doctors, nurses, caregivers, and medical professionals. Let Your healing power flow, for Your Word declares, “I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26).
Comfort every grieving heart and remind them that You are “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Provide employment for those seeking work, financial relief for struggling households, shelter for the displaced, food for the hungry, and hope for those who feel forgotten. Open doors that no person can shut, and release resources from unexpected places.
Father, strengthen Your Church. Bless pastors, ministers, leaders, missionaries, and every servant laboring for Your Kingdom. Give them wisdom, integrity, endurance, and fresh anointing. Let our churches be houses of prayer, healing, truth, love, deliverance, and salvation. Help us not merely to speak about Your goodness but to demonstrate it through compassion and service.
Teach us to live thankfully—not only when life is easy, but also when the road is difficult. Your Word commands us, “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Therefore, we will thank You in the waiting, praise You through the struggle, and trust You in uncertainty. Our circumstances may change, but Your character never will. You are still good, still faithful, still sovereign, and still worthy of all our praise.
Let gratitude guide our attitude throughout this day. May our words bring healing, our actions show kindness, and our lives point others toward Jesus. Keep murmuring and negativity far from us. Place a new song in our hearts so that wherever we go, we carry Your peace, display Your joy, and testify of Your faithfulness.
We thank You in advance for today’s protection, provision, divine appointments, unexpected blessings, restored strength, and answered prayers. Whatever this Thursday brings, we will not fear, because You are with us. We will rejoice and say, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
In the mighty, matchless, and victorious name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen, Amen, and Amen!

DECLARATION...
Today, I choose gratitude over complaining and faith over fear. God is ordering my steps, covering my family, supplying every need, and working everything for my good. This Thankful Thursday, I am blessed, protected, strengthened, and deeply grateful—in Jesus’ name. Amen!

WHEN WAS THE FIRST DISABILITY PENSION IN THE USA WAS ESTABLISHED? IN 1776!

SYNOPSIS: The origins of disability benefits in the United States go back to the Revolutionary War, when the Continental Congress voted to support soldiers wounded in the fight for independence. History enthusiasts, students, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities want to understand where the American social security tradition actually began, which shows that care for disabled veterans was written into the fabric of the nation before the country itself was fully formed. READ MORE: https://open.substack.com/pub/robertdhosken/p/when-was-the-first-disability-pension

Caring for Our Neighbours During the Heat

God calls us to love and care for one another, especially those who are most vulnerable.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2

During hot weather, seniors and those with chronic health conditions are at greater risk for dehydration and heat-related illness. A simple phone call, visit, or wellness check can make a meaningful difference.

Remember to:
Drink plenty of water.
Stay cool indoors whenever possible.
Wear lightweight clothing.
Check on elderly family members, friends, and neighbours.

At Inspired Care Nursing, we are honoured to serve our community with compassionate Foot Care and Wellness Checks, helping seniors remain healthy, safe, and independent.

Serving Kawartha Lakes
inspirecare.ca
info@inspirecare.ca
705-808-5255

May God bless you and keep you safe this summer. If you have a prayer request, we'd be honoured to pray for you. Please leave it in the comments or send us a private message.

#FaithInAction #InspiredCareNursing #HeatSafety #SeniorCare #FootCare #WellnessChecks #KawarthaLakes #PrayForOneAnother

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come . . . They were all filled with the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:1, 4

Beautiful Reception and Training: I reached the campus. of the Emmanuel Bible College, at No.1, Palm Grove, Birkenhead, in Cheshire, U.K. I was shaken to see the impressive scripture on a board: "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" (Acts 19: 2). I was challenged to examine my life. I knew that after conversion one needs to be sanctified and filled with the Spirit. So I determined to be sure about my sanctification.

The Lord's mighty visitation: I remembered the practice of our having a long season of 'waiting on the Lord,' on Saturday nights at the LEF, in India. There in Birkenhead, I found an underground chamber where the heaters were kept, emanating heat to the whole building. I locked myself in that warm chamber, to pray from 9 p.m. (Saturday night) till 6 a.m. (Sunday morning). My British friends discouraged such long seasons of prayer.

One night the Lord spoke to me, "The Lord, whom ye seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3: 1b). Then came the Word, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come ...they were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2: 1, 4). I could not believe that I was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The next day was the prayer day for the college. I humbly went into the hall where the whole college, staff and students, all British, had gathered. When my turn for prayer came and I opened my mouth in prayer, the Holy Spirit descended on all the people in the hall. They fell down from their seats and cried to the Lord. After some time, the meeting was over, and each one went to his room. I give all the Glory to the Lord Who significantly visited me, with my 'white' seniors around.

Our Principal, Rev. Stanley Banks, was quite impressed and so was the whole college, to see the 'black, Indian boy' blessed by the Lord. They asked if I could lead the college, at the Principal's level. I rejected the offer, as I had still to learn, to grow in the spirit and prepare for the ministry.

- Taken from the book, "The Second Mite," the autobiography of the Rev. Dr. Whitson Paul

(Posted with permission from Daniel Job, coauthor of the book).

GUIDELINES FOR LIVING
March 11TH, 2026

5 Tips for Aging Well

Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. Deuteronomy 34:7

“Dear Dr. Sala,” writes a friend, “Would you have any suggestions to help people who have reached their eighties and feel they have nothing to live for? I admit feeling very useless at times. I’m 82, in a wheelchair, and I have little energy.”

In recent days, there has been a graying of society as more and more of us are living longer and longer; and with the years come new challenges. Frankly, every year I hear from more and more people who are struggling with their existence and their inability to cope with aging. I’ve done two things, thinking about this issue. First, I’ve asked again, “What does God say about this issue?” And then, I’ve talked to a number of seniors who are there and I’ve asked them what they have found to be most helpful.

The fact is the number of men and women reaching into their eighties has increased dramatically in the last two decades. Better medicines, better nourishment, better health care in general have combined to give a lot of seniors more time. Whereas a few years ago many would have succumbed to illness, they now often fight back and have more years to enjoy, provided they can learn to enjoy them.

Far sooner than we would like to admit, the years turn into decades, and we find ourselves thinking about doing fewer and fewer things for the first time, more and more things for the last time. So, how do you handle the changes of life?

Synthesizing the comments some of my older friends have made, I’d like to suggest the following guidelines:

Guideline #1: Come to grips with the fact that you are here by the will of God, not fate or chance. God makes no mistakes and He suffers no surprises. Paul said in Ephesians 1:11, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will … .”

Guideline #2: Realize that your true value as a person is dependent on your character, not your productivity. One of the flaws of our thinking, and especially as we age, is that we’re not worth much unless we are really producing. This, of course, runs contrary to everything the Bible says. It tells us: you are a person of value and worth, not because of what you do, but because of what you are. Paintings and fine books only become more valuable with age. So is it with people.

Guideline #3: Accept your lessening strength with grace. “I greet each day as a gift,” says Beatrice Cole, at age 90. She says that the last decade, from 80 to 90, has been the best gift of her life, though she’s been alone most of that time apart from the company of her pet poodle.

Guideline #4: Force yourself to get out and mix with people. “After I lost Ethel,” says Frank Emery, “I forced myself to get out, to travel, to play golf, to be with people. It was the only way I could beat the loneliness.” He’s not alone, either. Sitting at home, in your apartment, refusing to reach out to others, only compounds your illness and your loneliness.

Guideline #5: Refuse to accept defeat at the hand of yourself. Loneliness never leaves you where it finds you. You either greet it as a friend of sorts and you make peace with it, or you fight it until you succumb to it and wither and die. As a friend, it can cause you to reach out and make new friends, or it can kill you.

Resource reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Guidelines for living
December 18th, 2025
​

5 Ways to Age Well

Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. Deuteronomy 34:7

​

“Dear Dr. Sala,” wrote a friend, “Would you have any suggestions to help people who have reached their eighties and feel they have nothing to live for? I admit feeling very useless at times. I’m 82, in a wheelchair, and have little energy.”

In recent days, there has been a graying of society as more and more of us are living longer and longer; and with the years come new challenges. Frankly, every year I hear from more and more people who are struggling with the challenges of aging. I’ve done two things, thinking about the issue. First, I’ve asked again, “What does God say in His Word about this?” Then, I’ve talked with a number of seniors who are there and asked them what they have found that is helpful, which I will share with you.

The fact is that a number of men and women in their eighties—that number has increased dramatically in the last two decades. Better medicines, better nourishment, better healthcare in general have combined to give a lot of seniors more years. Whereas many would have succumbed to illness a few years ago, they now often fight back and have years to enjoy, provided they can enjoy them.

Far sooner than we would like to admit, the years turn into decades and we find ourselves doing fewer and fewer things for the first time and more and more things for the last time. How can seniors handle the challenges of life?

May I suggest the following:

Guideline #1: Come to grips with the reality that you are here by the will of God, not fate or chance. God makes no mistakes. He suffers no surprises. Paul wrote, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will … .” Never forget, until He calls you, you’re here by His design.

Guideline #2: Realize that your true value as a person is dependent upon your character, not your productivity. One of the flaws of our thinking, especially as we age, is that we’re not worth much unless we are producing. This, of course, runs contrary to everything the Bible says. It tells us that you are of value and worth, not because of what you do, but because of what you are.

Guideline #3: Accept your lessening strength with grace. “I greet each day as a gift,” said Beatrice Cole, at age 90. She says that the last decade, from 80 to 90, has been the best gift of her life, though she’s been alone most of the time except for the company of her little pet poodle.

Guideline #4: Force yourself to get out and mix with people. “After I lost Ethel,” said Frank Emery, “I forced myself to get out, to travel, to play golf, to be with people. Sitting at home, refusing to reach out to others, only compounds your loneliness.”

Guideline #5: Refuse to accept defeat at the hand of yourself. Theologian Dr. Wilbur Smith once wrote, “It’s no sin growing old, but it’s mighty inconvenient.” My wife of 60 years and I recently co-authored a book entitled, Age is Just a Number. Now that we’re both in our 80s, it’s nice to write about something we have experienced firsthand. As the horses of time gallop down the lessening hills, share your life experiences with those who follow in your footsteps. Your memories will be with them long, long after you are gone. Indeed. Never forget that age is a matter of the mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

​Resource Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

A new book I wrote with the help of AI:

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Bearing-Fruit-Serving-Senior/dp/B0F7K437XL/

#christian #seniors #faith

A TRAGEDY THAT I CAN PERSONALLY RELATE TO ...
( the story below was found on facebook )
" Enough time has passed that I guess I can now talk about something that has been gnawing at me for months. I heard a testimony from a pastor who said there was an unsaved man dying in a nursing home nearby in Alabama. This lost man asked for a preacher to come lead him to salvation.
They called some pastors, but it was during Christmas time, and they were busy and would not come talk to this lost man who was on his deathbed. Five or six different pastors said no, they had other things to do. Then they call this pastor friend that I'm talking about. He hopped in his car to go lead this man to salvation. But they called him before he was even halfway there and said the man had died. He died before anyone could pray with him.
So, what I struggle with is the idea that people only think a preacher can lead a man to salvation.
Was there not one Christian in that nursing home who knew how to tell someone about Jesus?
I posted a couple of times how only 17% of churchgoers even know what the Great Commission is, according to a Barna research survey.
But 77% of churchgoers believe that tithing is biblical.
It’s pretty obvious that the Great Commission isn't as important to the church as tithing is.
Of course I'm just venting here but it's kind of difficult for me to put together that no one in several counties could lead that person to the Lord. The church has to do better."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robin Stephen Aldrich relates: In the late 1960's , I was a teenage student at Cliff College, Derbyshire, England. ( evangelical Methodist layman's-college )and a new Christian from a non-Christian home. During college break, Mom asked me to make a day visit to my grandfather who was in a distant seniors' home, following strokes ( my grandmother was dead and Mom had no siblings or a car ). Grandfather was a retired 'unbelieving' farmer in his nineties. I'd recently witnessed to him. He was sitting in a quiet lounge with many elderly men around him: No TV or radio on and no nursing staff in sight ! He recognized me and immediately asked me to pray with him for Salvation. I led him in prayer, step by step and as I did so, the other elderly men around us repeated the phrases !!! Only the Lord knew the exact circumdsatnces and timing. Grandfather soon after, died on the day Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.

I am a Christian business person specialising in Digital products and marketing. I have been a christian for 42 years being saved from my previous life as a druggie, mainly dope and some acid etc.

I read my bible every day and am involved in seniors and Red Frogs at church.

Happy to help with any business or other digital info. Have made QR Codes for different churches as well.

Would like to link up with other Christian business people.