puricare chronicles: Change

Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts

Thursday, April 8, 2021

WAITING IS HARD - God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters? There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies. An hour of waiting! Yet there seems such need To reach that spot sublime! I long to reach them--but I long far more To trust HIS time! - "When the cloud tarried . . . then the children of Israel . . . journeyed not" - This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying. Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger -- there was no option but to remain encamped. The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

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Waiting Is Hard

God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse?

May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters? There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.

Streams in the Desert

"When the cloud tarried . . . then the children of Israel . . . journeyed not" - (Numbers 9:19).

This was the supreme test of obedience.

It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host.

Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place.

But, ah, the tarrying.

Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger -- there was no option but to remain encamped.

The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages.

Still God often keeps us waiting.

Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock.

May we not go?

Is it not time to strike our tents?

Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse?

May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?

There is no answer.

The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense.

God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.

Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change!

Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry.

Wait, then, thy Lord's good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time! -- Daily Devotional Commentary

An hour of waiting! Yet there seems such need To reach that spot sublime! I long to reach them--but I long far more To trust HIS time!

"Sit still, my daughter" -- Yet the heathen die, They perish while I stay! I long to reach them--but I long far more To trust HIS way!

'Tis good to get, 'Tis good indeed to give! Yet is it better still -- O'er breadth, thro' length, down length, up height, To trust HIS will! -- F. M. N.

Everyone goes through difficult seasons, tough losses, and moments that feel unbearable. In today's world, people thirst more than ever for reassurance and guidance. Streams in the Desert provides a river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration to weary travelers.

https://www.backtothebible.org/post/waiting-is-hard

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

GOD NEVER CHANGES - We all change. The beauty of youth yields to the aging of the years. Seasons change, nations rise and fall, and men rise to power and fall aside, while God remains the same. God Himself said, “I am the LORD; I change not.” He is the Father of lights with whom there is no change or variation. God will never be less than He is now, or ever be different from what He has already revealed Himself to be in the past. His essential being are always the same - He is without beginning or end. He is not only unchanging, but is just, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever present, holy, faithful and loving. God is also unchanging in His faithfulness to us, in His wisdom and in His counsel. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – In a chaotic world that is constantly changing, nothing can be more comforting than to know there is a God who never changes and to have a secure relationship with Him. Change always seems to be threatening to us — whether it is encountered by a child who graduates from elementary school where he has been the king of the hill and has to go to a school where older children intimidate the new arrivals, or the aged pensioner who has to leave the home to take up residence in a care facility. There is one, however, who never changes. God is unchanging. If you are God’s child, that thought should bring great comfort to your heart.

God Never Changes

We all change. The beauty of youth yields to the aging of the years.

Seasons change, nations rise and fall, and men rise to power and fall aside, while God remains the same. God Himself said, “I am the LORD; I change not.”

The Bible says He is the Father of lights with whom there is no change or variation. God will never be less than He is now, or ever be different from what He has already revealed Himself to be in the past. His essential being are always the same - He is without beginning or end. He is not only unchanging, but is just, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever present, holy, faithful and loving. God is also unchanging in His faithfulness to us, in His wisdom and in His counsel.

Harold Sala

God’s Word Today

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17, KJV

In a chaotic world that is constantly changing, nothing can be more comforting than to know there is a God who never changes and to have a secure relationship with Him.

Change always seems to be threatening to us — whether it is encountered by a child who graduates from elementary school where he has been the king of the hill and has to go to a school where older children intimidate the new arrivals, or the aged pensioner who has to leave the home where she has lived for 80 years to take up residence in a care facility.

There is one, however, who never changes, and that thought both blesses and terrifies.

The Bible tells us that God is unchanging. If you are God’s child, that thought should bring great comfort to your heart.

No one in his right mind would deny the fact that our generation has seen more changes in a given period of time than any other generation in all history.

Ask your grandfather about his world growing up, about the medicines which were prescribed in his childhood, about the length of time it took to go somewhere or do something.

We change, too — so very quickly.

The glow of a woman’s beauty passes as does the strength of the man who wooed and won her hand.

I couldn’t help thinking of how quickly we change in appearance, following an invitation by a former classmate to speak in his church.

As I deplaned, I looked for my friend expecting to see someone much as I had remembered him.

As people left the boarding area, a lone figure stood there — balding and paunchy.

His eyes squinted as did mine as I asked myself, “could this possibly be Ed?’

It was. Neither of us recognized the other. We all change.

The beauty of youth yields to the aging of the years.

Seasons change, nations rise and fall, and men rise to power and fall aside, while God remains the same.

God Himself said, “I am the LORD; I change not” (Malachi 3:6).

The Bible says He is the Father of lights with whom there is no change or variation (James 1:17).

This means God will never be less than He is now, or ever be different from what He has already revealed Himself to be in the past.

His essential being (we call those characteristics attributes) are always the same.

This includes the fact that He is without beginning or end.

He is not only unchanging, but is just, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever present, holy, faithful and loving.

God is also unchanging in His faithfulness to us, in His wisdom and in His counsel.

In an old song, seldom heard today, written by Thomas Chisholm, there is a line which goes, “Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.”

As A. W. Tozer wrote, “God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm. His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the eastward garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hand and cried, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’” (A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 60).

At the beginning of today’s devotional, I mentioned that the unchanging nature of God is both a bane and a blessing.

For those who reject the Father’s love, the die is cast, the script is written, but for those who love Him, it is a blessing supreme.

No wonder the songwriter, Henry Lyte, wrote, “Change and decay in all around I see; O, Thou who changest not, abide with me.”

Yes, abide with me.

Thank God, He never changes.

Resource reading: Psalm 90:1-17

Dr. Harold J. Sala

Speaker, author and Bible teacher, Dr. Harold Sala founded Guidelines in 1963.Pioneering the five-minute commentary in Christian radio, Dr. Sala’s daily “Guidelines-A Five Minute Commentary on Living” is heard the world over in a variety of languages. Sala, who holds a Ph.D. in biblical text, has authored over 55 books published in 19 languages.He speaks and teaches frequently at conferences, seminars, and churches worldwide. Residing in Mission Viejo, California, Harold and his wife, Darlene, have three adult children (daughter Bonnie is now Guidelines president) and eight well-loved grandchildren.

https://cbnasia.org/home/2018/07/god-never-changes-gods-word-today/

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https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/07/great-is-thy-faithfulness-thomas.html

Monday, January 4, 2021

MYTHS ABOUT AGING - It’s an unfair blanket statement to assume that every person over the age of 60 has ‘old ways’ of thinking. Not every aging person experiences memory loss. Eating right, getting enough exercise and rest all contribute to healthy aging. Elderly people have faced countless challenges and situations of change by the time they reach a certain age, so while they may be a bit slower to adapt, they are certainly capable of change. Many people of retirement age enjoy active lives. Many people take up hobbies or crafts in their senior years that actually lead to a second career and/or income. People that choose to be happy, usually continue that mindset into their golden years. It all comes down to attitude. Many elderly people retain abilities to understand, make rational decisions and participate in and simply enjoy life. As people age, they or society in general may take on some assumptions about them. There are many myths about aging or elderly people that simple aren’t true. Fellowship Square debunks the myths about aging that should never be assumed about senior citizens. Every individual – young and old – has his or her own unique thoughts and feelings about society. It’s an unfair blanket statement to assume that every person over (or under!) the age of 60 has the same beliefs. Taking some time to speak with elderly people about their thoughts about the world – and their own past experiences – can shed some light on this truth.

10 Myths about Aging

People that choose to be happy, usually continue that mindset into their golden years - it all comes down to attitude

It’s an unfair blanket statement to assume that every person over the age of 60 has ‘old ways’ of thinking. Not every aging person experiences memory loss. Eating right, getting enough exercise and rest all contribute to healthy aging. Elderly people have faced countless challenges and situations of change by the time they reach a certain age, so while they may be a bit slower to adapt, they are certainly capable of change. Many people of retirement age enjoy active lives. Many people take up hobbies or crafts in their senior years that actually lead to a second career and/or income. Many elderly people retain abilities to understand, make rational decisions and participate in and simply enjoy life.

Fellowship Square

As people age, they or society in general may take on some assumptions about them.

There are many myths about aging or elderly people that simple aren’t true.

Fellowship Square debunks the myths about aging that should never be assumed about senior citizens.

Myth: “Old people have ‘old ways’ of thinking.”

Truth: Every individual – young and old – has his or her own unique thoughts and feelings about society. It’s an unfair blanket statement to assume that every person over (or under!) the age of 60 has the same beliefs. Taking some time to speak with elderly people about their thoughts about the world – and their own past experiences – can shed some light on this truth.

Myth: “People lose their memory as they age.”

Truth: Not every aging person experiences memory loss diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. According to Psychology Today, only 6 to 8 percent of people over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with dementia.

Myth: Genetic health conditions can’t be avoided as people age.

Truth: While it’s true that genetics play a certain role in each person’s body and health, health and wellness is largely in the hands of each individual. Eating right, getting enough exercise and rest all contribute to healthy aging.

Myth: Elderly people are less adaptable to change.

Truth: This is a personal preference – some people enjoy the newness and thrill of change, while others may be more apprehensive about change. However, this is not an age-related issue. Elderly people have faced countless challenges and situations of change by the time they reach a certain age, so while they may be a bit slower to adapt, they are certainly capable of change.

Myth: Elderly people are less adventurous.

Truth: There are many elderly people who have waited their entire lives for the opportunity to be in retirement so they can travel the world and see new things.

Myth: People become less productive as they age.

Truth: Retirement doesn’t mean elderly people just want to sit around all day! While at a certain age and depending on health concerns, some elderly people may need to rest more throughout the day, many people of retirement age enjoy active lives, help with care for their grandchildren and volunteer. A report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 24% of senior citizens volunteer throughout their retirement years.

Myth: People are less creative as they age.

Truth: Many people take up hobbies or crafts in their senior years that actually lead to a second career and/or income. Whether its woodworking, art or knitting, creative activities keep seniors’ brains and dexterity sharp.

Myth: “Old people are crabby or depressed.”

Truth: Depression is a real, diagnosable disease, not a feeling that can be used as a blanket statement. There is no evidence that shows that older people are crankier – people that are generally “crabby” in their younger years may continue that way. People that choose to be happy, usually continue that mindset into their golden years. It all comes down to attitude.

Myth: Elderly people are lonely.

Truth: The loving, caring environments of retirement communities and assisted living facilities such as Fellowship Square intend to make their residents feel at home and offer a vast social calendar of activities to keep seniors interactive with their neighbors. Many elderly people have kept an active social life and now that they have more time in retirement, actually have a very busy calendar.

Myth: “Old people are incompetent.”

Truth: Elderly people that continue to challenge their brains, exercise their bodies and feed their soul with religion and spiritual beliefs are perfectly competent into their senior years. Even as they age and experience some memory loss or dementia, many elderly people retain abilities to understand, make rational decisions and participate in and simply enjoy life!

Sharing Blessings, Serving Others, Celebrating Age

Since 1979, Christian Care has been dedicated to providing the highest quality of affordable senior housing, programs and services. Over the years, Christian Care has grown from a 64-bed skilled nursing center in Phoenix to six caring communities statewide, offering independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, home health and support services.

To this day, our mission is at the heart of everything we do.

Christian Care Foundation is devoted to developing community partners, volunteers and loyal donors who will join us in our commitment to support the continuation of Christian Care's legacy. Your tax-deductible donation will help fund programs, services and housing for seniors - regardless of their economic circumstances.

https://www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/fellowship-square-blog/posts/2017/10/9/10-myths-about-aging/

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