This Icy Night
Together
1-4 Hallelujah!
Sing to God a brand-new song,
praise him in the company of all who love him.
Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
Zion’s children exult in their King.
Let them praise his name in dance;
strike up the band and make great music!
And why? Because God delights in his people,
adorns plain folk with salvation garlands!
~Psalm 149:1-4
“I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
The Lord’s Prayer – in the Capitol Rotunda
I attended a poetry reading last week. The feature poets filled the air with anger, angst, gloom, judgement. The atmosphere was palpable. What followed attempted to bring hope. What came after the reading was, I feel, was why we stayed as long as we did. A young man, rejected by his grandfather, his father, had just lost them both in close succession. He felt that there were things he needed to say to them. So he said them in the reading.
Afterwards, both my husband and I, in separate promptings, approached the young poet. We offered different consolations for his loss, and we both felt his spirit lift.
It was worth sitting through all that anger, just for that.
Do that one thing that God has asked you to do. The man in the rotunda did. You can too.
We must stand. Together.
Together
Because of Him,
Linda
The King Of Love
“Sometimes you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” ~
~ Jerry Garcia
You are my shelter and my shield;
I put my hope in your word.
~ Psalm 119:114
The King of Love My Shepherd Is – arranged by Dan Forrest
Choral arrangement : for you directors of music.
It was a summer sanctuary, where a few faithful gathered. We were late, and got there in time for the sign of peace, which is still an exercise in rcreativity. Some flashing peace signs, some shaking hands, some making sure that they were heard. Then we sat and prepared for the sermon.
This seasoned clergyman had many personal connections with our congregation. He was endearing, sincere and hit straight to my heart. The good reverend reminded us that we are taken (chosen), blessed, broken, and given. Some of our congregation had a hard time hearing this softspoken gentle man. I sat in the congregation and just wept as I was reminded that I was so loved by God. The message was reinforced in the special music (which I have included). When Cindy (the soloist) sang, the witness in my Spirit glowed, flowed and showed. It was reinforced in the Spirit, in the hymns, in the very air.
The entire service renewed me, This minister works with young people in the jails on our Island. The one message that they got, over and over from adults in their lives was “You will never amount to anything.” And they went about fulfilling that prophecy. He is there to remind them how loved they are. And he brought that message to us, to me, encouraging me in my very soul.
We discussed the sermon during the coffee hour. We talked about being taken (chosen), blessed, broken and given. One person asked me how to remember why broken was good. I offered that if an egg is not broken, one cannot use it to bake, to cook, one cannot eat a hard boiled egg unless one breaks the shell. She liked the practical example of the brokenness, and how that fed into being given.
No matter where you are in the process, you are loved. By the King of Love, the Shepherd.
Because of Him,
Linda
Let the Children Come
“Children are the true connoisseurs. What is precious to them has no price, only value.”
~ Bel Kaufman
Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise
to do everything you say.
I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,
be gracious to me just as you promised.
When I took a long, careful look at your ways,
I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.
I was up at once, didn’t drag my feet,
was quick to follow your orders.
The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—
but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.
I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;
your decisions are so right, so true—I can’t wait till morning!
I’m a friend and companion of all who fear you,
of those committed to living by your rules.
Your love, God, fills the earth!
Train me to live by your counsel.
Psalm 119: 60-64 The Message
I live in a special world. I realize it more and more. It feels as if my childhood never left me, or was renewed and was restored. I was raised to believe in good winning out over evil. I believed the 50’s sitcoms about families because my family was so similar to those I saw on the screen.
Over the years, I learned what betrayal was. Mostly from the movies till a certain age, then as an adult. Betrayed by people I cared about. Heartbroken when their choices did not include me, crestfallen when I realized just how I did not fit in. I am sure I have been the betrayer as well. Turning someone in when they put others at risk. Especially if that “other” was weaker, or compromised in some ways. A teacher I knew went after a student of min, early in my career. They tried to make him look as if he was unteachable. I refused to participate in the campaign. I was asked to change his grade, my opinion. I was invited into a meeting about this child. This talented young boy who did beautiful work in my class. I stood my ground. That teacher said they felt betrayed.
I am pretty sure he never knew what happened, and I know I was the best grade on his report card. I stood by that student, and many more. Jesus stood by the children. His select tried to shoo them away when they wanted to come to him, and he said, no, let them come.
Children are often treated the way immigrants were treated as they left their own countries to pursue freedom and their dream. Children are used as a commodity, traded, abused, betrayed.
And still Jesus calls them, no matter how old they are, to shed those things that hurt them and come to Him. Children are marginalized so very often. Parents don’t think they listen to them, until they hear them playing, pretending to play house, or some other game. Then those words come out. Then those actions show themselves.
Children often forgive, no matter what the hurt. My parents did their level best to live the life in front of us that they expected us to live. Every day until they died. That lesson influenced the way I lived, taught, parented. I fell short often, but still, Jesus said come, to this ever-child. His lap is big enough for you too.
What is precious to them is truly priceless. They love you even when you fall short, they loved me when I fell short. They are true messengers from God. So are you.
Take a moment. Let the breeze wash over you, let it blow over your face, your arms, your whole self. That is the Spirit of God. Immerse yourself in it, hear His call, be renewed, dear child of God.
Bring Him Home – Les Miserables
Because of Him,
Linda
When You Can’t, God Can
Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
~ Jeremiah 32:17
“Advice from this elderly practitioner is to forget publishers and just roll a sheet of copy paper into your machine and get lost in your subject.” ~ E.B. White
My friend who operates a local Christian coffee house often talks of her dream to have just such a place. She talks about the fact that she had no money, and did not know how to make coffee. She talks about her sound person being tone deaf, and everyone chuckles. And they have been chuckling for nearly 30 years.
There are so many of us involved there that “can’t”. But when we can’t, God can. We need to do as E.B.White suggests, and “roll a sheet of copy paper into our machine and get lost in (y)our subject.” When the subject is the Lord, all other things fall into perspective and our “can’t” turn into can and will and “dones.”
Nothing is too hard for God, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. I heard a sermon in Maine that reminded me that we need to pare it all down to the simple. If Jesus tells you to go wash in a muddy river to be clean, go. If He tells you to wash the muddy paste from your eyes, do. If He directs you to open a coffee house, invite musicians in and run a poetry workshop where the students far outstrip their instructor, do. Whatever it is, go and do. God will bless His work as you put it all in his capable arms. He’ll take care of the rest…
Keith Green – He’ll Take Care of the Rest
You know, it ain’t no use banging your head
Up against that cold stone wall
‘Cause noboby’s perfect except for the Lord
And even the best’s bound to fall
Remember
He is the vine and you are the branch
He loves to get you through it if you give Him a chance
Just keep doing your best and pray that it’s blessed
Jesus takes care of the rest
[Chorus]
Yes, the Lord said He’ll take care of the rest
He’s gonna do it
He’ll take care of the rest
He’ll see you through it, yeah
Well, He’ll take care of the rest
The devil blew it
Well, He’ll take care of, He’ll take care of the rest
[Verse 2]
Just think about Moses in front of the burning bush
Barefoot on the holy ground
You know he must’ve been thinking
“Hey, what’s an old dude like me gonna tell ’em of when I go down?” (Go down Moses)
But the Lord said, “Hey Mo, don’t you worry about goin’ down south
I’ll be sayin’ every word that comes out of your mouth
You just keep doing your best and pray that it’s blessed
Hey Mo, I’ll take care of the rest”
[Chorus]
Yes, the Lord said He’ll take care of the rest
He’s gonna do it
He’ll take care of the rest
He’ll see you through it, yeah
Well, He’ll take care of the rest
Old pharaoh blew it
He’ll take care of, He’ll take care of the rest
[Bridge]
Just believe
And you’ll receive
That comfort you need
You just think about all those lonely people you know
They’ve got everything they want but they’ve got empty souls
But He’ll take care of the, He’ll take care of the
He’ll take care of the, care of the rest
[Verse 3]
You just think about Noah
Shoulderin’ his umbrella when there wasn’t a cloud in the sky
All his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe
And they would oh-ho, snicker as he passed by
But the Lord said, “Hey Noah, be cool
Just keep building that boat
It’s just a matter of time till they see who’s gonna float
You just keep doing your best and pray that it’s blessed
Hey Noah, I’ll take care of the rest, I’m the weather man”
[Chorus]
Yes, the Lord said He’ll take care of the rest
He’s gonna do it
He’ll take care of the rest
He’ll see you through it, yeah
Well, He’ll take care of the rest
His neighbors blew it
He’ll take care of the, He’ll take care of the
He’ll take care of the rest
He’s gonna do it
Yeah, He’ll take care of the rest
Oh, now Jesus will see you through it
He’ll take care of the rest
Yes, yes, yes
He’ll take care of the, He’ll take care of the
He’ll take care of the rest
You better believe it
He’ll take care of the rest
Only the pure in the heart receive it
He’ll take care of the rest
Yes, yes, yes
He’ll take care of the, He’ll take care of the
He’ll take care of the rest
Hallelujah!
He’ll take care of the rest
Only Jesus can give it to ya
He’ll take care of the rest
He’ll take care of the rest
Because of Him,
Linda
Holy Spirit, We Welcome You
“No matter how far life pushes you down, no matter how much you hurt, you can always bounce back.”
~ Sheryl Swoopes
… so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
~ Ephesians 3:17-19
Our service yesterday at church was stellar. The sanctuary was so inviting, so warm, and so vibrant. Everything about the service spoke of the Spirit of the Almighty God. The Holy Spirit was all over that church. From the most introverted person I could see exuberantly gesturing with affirmation with both hands, to those unashamedly weeping for joy, to giving God a clap offering, it was a “full of the Holy Spirit” service.
We had one teen baptism followed by the confirmation of our youth. There was all kinds of Holy Spirit music, there was a feeling of unity, fellowship, the love of God. Needless to say, I could barely sing, as the tear ducts were very busy flowing with the evidence of the Spirit.
The church has been pushed down by so many things in the past few years. We are bouncing back. Bouncing back from so many experiences, hurts, illnesses, losses, pressure.
Yesterday I could not express exactly what I was experiencing in words. But today, readying the scripture, I have got it! We were being filled with the fullness of God. Nothing replaces in person worship for me. The unity we share in the Spirit of God weaves us together as a body. And yesterday was an incredible affirmation.
We dressed in red and celebrated Pentecost! Even the cake for the confirmands was strawberry!
Today, I pray you experience this full measure of joy in your lives. And if you haven’t been to church in awhile, consider taking the risk and going back in whatever way you feel comfortable.
This chorus came to me from a friend in England. Something I have never heard before. Wow.
Holy Spirit We Welcome You
Because of Him,
Linda
Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
~ Psalm 56:4
“More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginning of all wars.” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt We watched two documentaries about war yesterday. One was about the Korean Conflict, the other was about World War 2. No matter what your feelings might be about the military, these men and women served our country, continue to serve our country in times of war and peace. They face many of the same challenges that our forefathers did, and each generation hopes at the end of such conflict that it is the end of all wars. For me, it begins in families. Families who live and work together. Conflict in the family sets one up for conflict, period. Many overcome the conflict in their families, going on to help others in the same place. Healthy children, children with all manner of challenges, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, God’s children grow up and bring their family with them everywhere they go. Even in the family of God there is conflict. There are people who overstep their boundaries and violate others. Their space, their minds, their bodies. There are those of you who say that these things should not happen in a church, and yet, in a church, there are people. People who bring their family experience with them wherever they go. My dad chose to rise above the dynamic in his family, and he always went “home” to visit the folks and honor them. He took his commitment to God seriously, and more than talk about it, he lived it. So did my mom. That gave more power to their words than any lesson they could “tell” us, “teach” us. They lived the life in front of us that they expected us to live. That is what gave, and gives me hope. That there are people who made choices to live the healthy life that they expected their children to live and that those children pass that along to their own. Our family is not without conflict. We try and keep conflict outside our doors, and when we are involved, we try to respond rather than react. OH MY. So hard. So, so hard, especially in these last five years. We must be instruments in our families, in our churches, schools, communities, jobs. We must attempt to respond, not react. (big job for me) We must choose love, root ourselves in the joy of the Lord and live. Every time we allow ourselves to be offended, adapt someone’s words to mean something else, react…we are giving Satan an in, an opportunity to destroy. Today, on this day so important to remember those we lost in conflict, in way, let us cling to the Prince of Peace and love those that God puts in our path. Lord, make us instruments of your peace.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc0BORDHnGo Lord, Make Me an Instrument – John Rutter Because of Him, Linda |