Tackling Life's Troubles
By Bob Spurlin

    Being a Christian and church member, just like you, this writer has sat on a variety of pews over the years to worship the Lord our God. We have prayed together, sung together, listened to great discourses, and were thoroughly edified in our worship. However, now my life has changed with a permanent disability causing me to be a long term shut-in. During the holidays, shut-ins are generally presented with a fruit basket, in fact last year this shut-in was presented with four such baskets. Beloved, there are twelve months per year, three hundred sixty-five days in a year, and shut-ins have needs during this entire period and should not be neglected. Letters and occasional phone calls can be very encouraging and positive as we attempt to deal with each passing day.

    Shut-ins are normally seasoned and mature Christians who have given much during their earthly pilgrimage. Brethren as a whole have missed a rare opportunity in failing to tap into that valuable resource that offer positive blessings. They can offer much sage advice and counsel that would benefit the church. Shut-ins love the lost and care about the growth of the church in which they have given so much. Keep them informed so they may feel they are a part of the on-going activities of the church. Shut-ins are deeply concerned about the purity of the church and seeing the Gospel preached in the local congregation and mission areas as well. Christian shut-ins of my acquaintance, who are confined on a permanent basis, are deeply concerned about the church and it's determination to following the "old paths" (Jer. 6:16). It is this writer's opinion that without this special group the church of the Lord would be much weaker than what it is currently. How fortunate to have this special group of stalwart members who has been the underpinning of virtually every congregation.

    Since shut-ins have been so valuable before, during, and after their confinement, we would all do well to remember them.  Be cognizant of them in your daily prayers. Communicate with them frequently with cards and visits. But, most of all, make them feel like they are part of the church and not an outsider. Far too many shut-ins feel discarded by the church at large; who have been derelict in their duty. Why not resolve to make amends by changing our attitude and conduct toward those who have given so much. It will be a blessing to them and we will derive more benefit than what we have invested in time and energy.    

    James, the inspired writer penned these words. "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world"  (James 1:27.) Certainly the fatherless, orphans, widows, widowers, and the shut-ins, fall under the Christian admonition to visit. Literally, visit means to supply, sustain, and furnish that which is needed. All too often simple encouragement and having an attentive ear is a great blessing to our shut-ins. From personal experience this preacher, when in good health, frequently visited shut-ins and gained far more from them than this writer could ever hope to benefit.

    Being a shut-in for more than  five years, yet prior to my illness we would visit shut-ins with great frequency and we were always received well and treated as though we were someone important. One of the keys is to make short visits and not spend the entire morning or afternoon with them. Such long periods of time can wear out the shut-in, and possibly create embarrassing moments that could be avoided with with a modest call. Many shut-ins are generally intuitive about the work of the church, seeking information about the attendance, contribution, and the mood of what is going on in the congregation they love so dearly. Many of those confined to bed and having great difficulty with their health nonetheless will refuse to give a detailed account of how they really feel. Having a desire to know what is going on outside in the world is more vital to them. Visiting one particular shut-in on a regular basis, although having a difficult time, wanted to know about certain members that were delinquent and if they were present the previous Lord's day. Many times she would take note of it and would make a phone call to encourage the individual to faithfulness. Faithful Christians, who become shut-ins, are always concerned about others and took a real interest in what was going on within the church. This particular Christian shut-in made an impression on me that caused this writer to live closer to the cross than before making a visit. Let us visit our shut-ins and make a real difference in their lives.                                                                         ---- used by permission

You may purchase this book from:

Bob Spurlin

122 Brooks Lane

Somerville, AL 35670

The cost is $10 plus s/h. Sales of the book will go toward the mounting medical bills the Spurlin's face.

                     

      
If You have questions or comments, please email Bob directly.
PrechTeach@aol.com 

Or visit his website @ www.bobspurlin.com 

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