Category: Love

Posted on

The Good Samerican…July 14th

Jesus tells the story of a man who was traveling on the road to Jericho only to be Good Samaritan‘mugged’ by highway robbers.  Being stripped of all he had and left for dead (literally) the man is at the mercy of those who pass by as they too travel the road.  You know how the parable goes and the cast of characters.  And most likely you’ve considered which one you would be.

Most would like to say that in the circumstances described in Christ’s parable we’d follow the lead of the man from Samaria.  But have you considered what it would take to truly help someone who is broken and bleeding?  Would you walk across the road for your neighbor or are you ‘too busy?’  Here in America we live a good life and pretty much ‘want for nothing.’  We know lots of good American’s, but it might take some uncomfortable steps if we are to act like the good Samaritan.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, July 14, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah” -3

Pick up your bible and turn to Psalm chapter 148.  This song we’ll be singing is indeed a ‘psalm’ and is almost a word-for-word account from the chapter.  From the hills and mountains to the beast and cattle, we sing this song of praise.  Whether you see yourself as young man or a maiden we must all be praising God.  Don’t let the birds that in the heavens fly out sing your praise!

“For the Beauty of the Earth” – 67

Consider this first verse, “For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies: Lord of all to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.”  Do you think this praise is for our physical birth or our spiritual birth?  The love that surrounds us (over and above) comes from God.  Makes you think doesn’t it?

“I Sing Praises” – 97

A ‘contemporary song’ that is simple in verse.  We’ll conclude this medley of ‘praise songs because our God’s name, ‘…is great and greatly to be praised.’  Hallelujah!  Praise Jehovah…

“How Deep the Father’s Love” – no book

We’ll turn our minds to the cross and Christ sacrifice using this contemporary song reminding us of the love of God.  The last verse is one of striking value to me…“I will not boast in anything; no gifts no power no wisdom.  But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection…”  Quoting Paul in Galatians 6:14 “…may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

“I’ll Live for Him” – 553

Between the bread and the fruit of the vine we’ll softly sing the third (often omitted) verse.  “O Thou who died on Calvary…”  Many have missed the point of emotion in our songs.  We don’t sing to serve ourselves or those who are listening, we sing to glorify and edify the family of God.  In my humble opinion, the heart is more important than the voice.

“Sweet Adoration” – 253

Where do you turn for comfort in times of trouble?  How do face the frustrations of this world and temptations that seem to be endless?  Try this…come to the Savior, give Him your heart-felt praise and adoration.  As you give your all to adoration, little is left for focusing on your trials.  Admiration and adoration are essential elements when we recognize our Savior.wandering child

“To Love Someone More Dearly” – 636

We all have a job to do in this life.  Some are willing to immerse themselves wholly into their work.  Others just ‘get the job done.’  But there is one task we need to make a priority in our life; to love someone more dearly!  To help a wandering child who’s lost or even just to ponder over something that is good and worthy of our time.  Our task might be as simple as praying or smiling.  The man from Samaria would have sung this song with full conviction.

“A Beautiful Life” – 570

This is a strong spiritual song with a full bass lead in the chorus.  But what do we mean, ‘…life’s evening sun is sinking low…’, are we really talking about death in this upbeat, ‘exciting to sing’ song?  Certainly, when life is over, we will meet our Creator and be held accountable for our deeds.  Are you one who is trying to lift a traveler’s load?  As you strive to be a child of God, remember, your ‘…life must shine along the way.’

“Wonderful Story of Love” – 286lower lights

Not a typical invitation song, but when you listen to what we’re saying I think you’ll agree.  “Sinner, O won’t you believe it (the wonderful story of love)?”  Through His love, the wonderful story of love, Jesus continues to call us to come to Him, since the dawn of creation even until today. 

“Let the Lower Lights Be Burning” – 642

I’ve always enjoyed this old spiritual song about shining our light to the lost world.  The imagine is clear as we consider the responsible we have in reaching out to those who are bruised and bleeding.  The traveler on the road or the sailor on the sea are bound to face difficult times.  How willing are we to shine our light, walk across the path and offer them a Savior!  The good Samaritan did!

Posted on

An Impossible Dream…June 30th

One of my favorite, secular songs was sung by Jim Nabors in November, 1967 on the TV sitcom ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’  The song, ‘The Quest’ was originally written and sung in 1965 for the musical, Man of LaMancha.  You might remember it better by the title of our lesson this Sunday morning at Waterview, ‘Impossible Dream’.  But what is the Impossible Dream?

Sunday morning, June 30th, we’ll consider how the New Testament is a pattern of God’s thinking.  We look into the mind of God as we read His word.  But how can we duplicate that message today.  What should we focus on as we strive to follow His commands, or is that…an impossible dream?

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 30, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“In Moments Like These” – 239ebb and flow

If we are honest with ourselves, there times when you feel closer to God than other times.  What causes that feeling of euphoria?  What gives us that emotional lift as opposed to the times when we are feeling down.  Circumstances can change in our life, and like the ocean tide, our days will ebb and flow.  But when you find yourself lifted up and feeling God’s love and strength, sing a song of praise.  “In moments like these, I sing out a song, I sing out a love song to Jesus…”

“Faith is the Victory” – 469

This spiritual songs recalls the armor of God and the battle we Christians should be preparing for.  First, we sing to admonish the congregation to join in the spiritual battle against forces of darkness.  The message is poetically clear in the first verse; as soldiers we are camped next to the hills of light (heaven), but we must be ready to go to war.  Our fight is against the ‘night’ lest it should overcome the glowing skies (which seems to be the current situation in our society).   How should we be fighting?  John Yates wrote, “…let all our strength be hurled.”  Not a timid approach in this spiritual battle.  But note verse 3 (missing from many of our hymnals)… “On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array.  Let tents of ease be left behind and onward to the fray.  Salvation’s helmet on each head with truth all girt about, the earth shall tremble neath our tread, and echo with our shout…”   With our faith in God, we have victory!

“O Sacred Head” – 318

An old hymn remembering Christ’s death.  Poetically and musically it may be a challenge, but don’t lose the message in the old English.  The video (below) adds an extra verse that is not in most hymnals, but is striking none the less.  Christ’s sacrifice leaves us all speechless as we consider His love.  Perhaps, the second verse says it best; “What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this Thy dying sorrow; Thy pity without end…”

 

“Boundless Love” – 325

The love of God, as we sing in this song, is ‘boundless.’  Defined, boundless would mean without limits.  God’s love for us cannot be measured, and as we sing the second verse we’ll transition from boundless love to boundless grace.  Boundless grace…because of Calvary.

“Savior, Thy Dying Love” – 667

Following the Lord’s Supper and during the passing of the collection plate we’ll sing this hymn from the 1860’s.  It serves as a good reminder of the sacrifice (our Savior’s dying love).  Notice the last line from the first three verses; “…some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee.”, “…some song to raise or prayer, something for Thee.” “…some wanderer sought and won, something for Thee.”  But now read the last line of the fourth verse.  “And when Thy face I see, my ransomed soul will be, through all eternity, something for Thee.”  You give a few dollars when the collection plate comes around, but what will you give when Monday morning comes around?

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arm” – 589

We’ll sing this spiritual song of encouragement before this morning’s lesson.  How can we find fellowship and joy in Christ?  According to E.A. Hoffman (1887) we find fellowship while ‘leaning on the everlasting arm.’  We have peace of mind while leaning on the everlasting arm.  Leaning on Jesus…safe and secure from all fear (alarms). 

“Nearer, My God, to Thee” – 684Jacob's pillow

On occasion we’ll sing a non-typical ‘invitation’ song following our lesson.  But this hymn to our Father is a clear call for us to draw nearer to Him.  In the second verse of this hymn, notice the reference Genesis 28:11; “When he (Jacob) reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.” We’ll sing, “Tho like a wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee…”  Perhaps this is more of an invitation song than we have thought…to be nearer to our God is the call we should all be responding to.

“Surround Us, Lord” – no book

Taken from Psalm 125:2, this ‘psalm’ serves as a great ‘spiritual song’ of encouragement.  The singer and the listener are called to hear and understand that, “…we need to be in Your (God’s) presence.”  As the mountains provide security and protection to the city of Jerusalem, so the Lord provides and protects His people.  We are truly blessed to be called child of God.

Posted on

Five Non-Negotiable Duties of a Father

Bruces pictorial directory pixBeing the father of three young adults and writing an article for fathers may seem a little pretentious.  But by no means do I intend to come across self-promoting.  Realizing our youngest is 15, and our older two children are college students is humbling in its own right.  But perhaps there are a few small token ideas we fathers should consider together…

Let me propose to you that there are 5 Non-Negotiable Duties that fathers have toward their families and for their children.  Whether you have one or a dozen children, if you lose sight of these five principles for raising your family, you will surely struggle to fulfill your obligation as a father.  (Singing may be absent from this list, but you will find it’s influence is ever present.)

1) A father must cultivate a sense of family identity.  Hold up the family as not only important but a place each member is valued.  I remember growing up and being told, “Remember, you’re a Bruce.”  One youth minister, before taking the kids on mission trip, would remind the students with these words, “Remember whose you are.”  As a family we found honor in our name sake, and as God’s children we cherished the identity we share in His family.  Perhaps the connection (music-wise) is found in the spiritual song written by Isaac Watts in the early 1700’s; “I’m not ashamed to own my Lord, nor to defend His cause…”  When we cultivate a strong sense of family, our children will know they are safe and unashamed of who they are.  Solomon gave a commendation in Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth…”  Father’s, cultivate your families identity but teach them to honor Jesus, the name above all names.

2) A father must regularly demonstrate love to his wife.  Without Mom and Dad's wedding day.docxhesitation we consider Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus (Ephesians 5:25) as he writes, “Husbands, love your wives…”  Alone, these four words are scripture and suffice, but we are left with the question, ‘HOW do I love my wife?’  The next seven words answer the question, “…just as Christ also loved the church…”  But to the un-churched the question may remain, how did Christ love the church?  Complete the verse, “…and gave Himself up for her.”  We realize this means the ultimate sacrifice.  Christ died for us!  Husbands (Fathers) is your wife, your family, important enough to you that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for them?

3) A father must give his children the freedom to fail.  Look no further than Luke 15:11-32 when Jesus tells us the story of the ‘prodigal son’.  (Go to the text and read it again for a refresher.)  The father of two boys is very affluent and provides for his family.  But when his youngest decides to ‘move out’ and make his own way in life, his father doesn’t stop him.  The young man is about to experience some difficult times and his struggles will be crippling.  Certainly his father realizes this, but is still willing to give him his ‘freedom.’  Why would a loving father allow such a foolish mistake?  Why not tell him ‘no’ and look out for his son’s best interest?  The father, in Christ’s parable, is letting his son fail so he’ll learn what’s most important.  Never assume it’s easy to let your children struggle through difficult times.  But if they are to grow and learn and appreciate the blessings of life, they often have to fail.  But it’s then that I remember the old invitation song written by Charles Gabriel, “Patient, loving, and tenderly still the Father pleads; Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee…”  Fathers hurt when their children fail, but often in failure our children learn.  Our prayer is that they’ll learn and grow from their mistakes, then return home.

4) A father must guard his tongue and tone.  This can be hard for those who are ‘manly men.’  We’re rough and Your-Words-Have-Power-Use-Them-Wiselygruff and often bark out commands to the troops.  Fathers, we must be very careful to consider the example we’re setting.  You’ve heard the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  The way you raise your children will be the way in which they learn to treat themselves and eventually raise their families.  Discipline falls into this category too.  We are commanded to discipline our children, but unbridled punishment can be detrimental.  God’s word is our guide…Proverbs 13:24 “He who withhold his rod (discipline) hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.”  Notice that when we fail to discipline (withhold the rod) we, in essence, are ‘hating’ our children.  However, if our discipline is rooted in love we’re following God’s word.  Solomon tells us again in the 16th chapter of Proverbs, verse 24…“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”  Often we reserve kind words for strangers and inject venom upon our family.  How about giving our family (our children) some of that ‘pleasant honeycomb.’

5) A father must build a relationship of trust with his children…built on God’s Word and not on human knowledge.  How much do you value God’s word in the presence of your children?  Do your children see you embrace the word of God and make Him your focus?  Or do we have a tendency to slide up next to the world and let culture dictate our choices?  Reading God’s word, and making God your priority is building a relationship on Him and His word.  Taking your children to the soccer game instead of worship on Sunday morning is not building a relationship on God’s Word, but on the world’s ways.

father and childrenPerhaps Solomon says it best in the first seven chapters of Proverbs as he writes the phrase, “My son…” seventeen times.  Would that we instruct our children over and over again about the glory of God and the admonition to live for Him.  “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.  Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  So you will find favor and good repute (reputation) in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart  and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3

 

Posted on

How Do You Spell Love?

simple truthsSimple Truths is a motivational organization that provides some wonder encouragement and support to it’s readers.  This article is an excerpt from a book that reminds us of the shortness we find in this life.  Whether you are looking for motivation, or simply needing inspiration, Simple Truths will provide for you a great resource.

“In the faint light of the attic, an old man, tall and stooped, bent his great frame and made his way to a stack of boxes that sat near one of the little half-windows.

Brushing aside a wisp of cobwebs, he tilted the top box toward the light and began to carefully lift out one old photograph album after another.

scrap book

Eyes once bright but now dim searched longingly for the source that had drawn him here.

It began with the fond recollection of the love of his life, long gone, and somewhere in these albums was a photo of her he hoped to rediscover. Silent as a mouse, he patiently opened the long buried treasures and soon was lost in a sea of memories. Although his world had not stopped spinning when his wife left it, the past was more alive in his heart than his present aloneness.

Setting aside one of the dusty albums, he pulled from the box what appeared to be a journal from his grown son’s childhood. He could not recall ever having seen it before, or that his son had ever kept a journal. Why did Elizabeth always save the children’s old junk?  he wondered, shaking his white head.

Opening the yellowed pages, he glanced over a short reading, and his lips curved in an unconscious smile. Even his eyes brightened as he read the words that spoke clear and sweet to his soul. It was the voice of the little boy who had grown up far too fast in this very house, and whose voice had grown fainter and fainter over the years. In the utter silence of the attic, the words of a guileless six-year-old worked their magic and carried the old man back to a time almost totally forgotten.

Entry after entry stirred a sentimental hunger in his heart like the longing a gardener feels in the winter for the fragrance of spring flowers. But it was accompanied by the painful memory that his son’s simple recollections of those days were far different from his own. But how different?


Reminded that he had kept a daily journal of his business activities over the years, he closed his son’s journal and turned to leave, having forgotten the cherished photo that originally triggered his search. Hunched over to keep from bumping his head on the rafters, the old man stepped to the wooden stairway and made his descent, then headed down a carpeted stairway that led to the den.

Opening a glass cabinet door, he reached in and pulled out an old business journal. Turning, he sat down at his desk and placed the two journals beside each other. His was leather-bound and engraved neatly with his name in gold, while his son’s was tattered and the name “Jimmy” had been nearly scuffed from its surface. He ran a long skinny finger over the letters, as though he could restore what had been worn away with time and use.

As he opened his journal, the old man’s eyes fell upon an inscription that stood out because it was so brief in comparison to other days. In his own neat handwriting were these words:

dad and son fishing

Wasted the whole day fishing with Jimmy. Didn’t catch a thing.

With a deep sigh and a shaking hand, he took Jimmy’s journal and found the boy’s entry for the same day, June 4. Large scrawling letters, pressed deeply into the paper, read:

Went fishing with my Dad. Best day of my life.“

Click here if you’d like to read more about this article. (For best effect, turn up your volume.)

The story you just read is the introduction for To a Child, Love is Spelled T-I-M-E. It was written by the co-author Lance Wubbels, a best-selling author for inspirational books.

Posted on

God With Us…Part Two

word became flesh

Part 2 of 2…Immanuel; God with Us!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 2, 14

Incarnation, by simple definition is, “God in the flesh!”  Let’s continue our thoughts about the Incarnation of Jesus the Christ…

It was foretold in Genesis 3:15 as God pronounces punishment on Adam and Eve and the serpent (Satan).  As the ‘serpent’ is given his consequence for deceiving/tempting Eve, God offers the hope of reconciliation to all mankind.  “…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.”  With the fall of man comes the plan for salvation, the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 

In Matthew chapter 1, prior to the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and confirmed the incarnation.  “…take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”  Perhaps 700 years earlier, Isaiah confirms this with his prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, “…The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”  Immanuel, by definition, “God with us.”  We In the beginning was the Wordunderstand the incarnation was foretold and planned from the beginning of time.But perhaps the question we should be asking is, “Why would God become flesh?”  What would motivate a royal, divine, supreme being to descend to the ranks of mortal man?  Why?

Why did the Savior of mankind come to this earth in the first place?  Why would He come?  What determined his lowly state of birth and His humble circumstances?  God’s word, again, holds the key, but you have most likely sung the answer since you were a child.  John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  To know why incarnation was necessary is to know that, Jesus Loves Me.  “Why did my Savior come to earth and to the humble go?  Why did He choose a lowly birth?”  Why…Because He loved me so!

Posted on

The Best Refuge…Ever!

children of the heavenly father

Though this spiritual song was new to me, it was born in the mind of Caroline Sandell Berg in 1858.  It’s origin comes from the ‘Song Book for Sunday School’, and as you listen to this choral arrangement, you’ll be able to hear the shades of a lullaby. The YouTube video is from Cal-State University Choir, choral archives, dating back to December, 1962.  

“Children of the Heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.


Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh,
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish,
From all evil  things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.”

Consider that third verse; what exactly IS God’s purpose with us?  Are we just an experiment that He started several, thousands of years ago?  Or is there something more than life and death we can be looking forward to?  Are we any better off than a bird that nestles in the trees or a star that flashes in the night sky?  As children of God, we believe that He is in control.  And we know that our life is under His rule.  He can take away, and He often generously gives, but why are we here, what is His purpose?

Wings of ProtectionWe take hope in knowing the God loves us and desires all to come to know Him.  We read this promise in 2nd Peter chapter 3, verse 8 and 9…“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Remember verse three…His purpose, His loving purpose, His only loving purpose is for His children to come back to Him.  As Caroline penned over 150 years ago, ‘…to preserve them (us) pure and holy.’  Do we desire God as much as He desires us?  We flourish because of His grace.  We are spared from all evil because of His mighty arm.  We are children of the heavenly Father with the best ‘refuge’ ever!

Posted on

Jesus Loves Me…May 5th

With a lesson entitled “Jesus Loves Me”, you might think it’s too under-developed for a Sunday morning sermon in the presence of mature adults.  Then again, how much more basic is the message of God…John 3:16!

jesus loves meOften when life is filled with worry and doubt our hearts can become dispirited and distressed.  Anxiety and fear can cause not only emotional problems but physical struggles as well.   But you know someone cares about you!  When you’re happy or sad, there is someone who notices.  This morning our scripture reference is Matthew 9:35, 36.  Jesus felt compassion when He saw the people who were, “…like sheep without a shepherd.”  Singing Jesus Loves Me is more than just singing a child’s song; it’s an encouraging, God-given fact!

 

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, May 5, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“The Battle Belongs to the Lord” – 749

Written in the 1980’s, this song of victory is the modern version of “Soldier’s of Christ, Arise”.  We sing of heavenly armor and the power of darkness, and we know He’s raised up a standard.  We can take courage because the battle has already been won.  I John 5:4, “…And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”

“Holy, Holy, Holy” – 47

As this ‘hymn’ echoes from Isaiah 6, we will sing each verse adding separate parts.  The soprano voices will sing verse one then we’ll add the altos with verse two, tenors to verse three and finally the bass voice will join in verse four.  But apart from the musical emphasis listen to (and read) this message of praise to our God.

“Til My Faith Becomes Sight” – 836

As we read the scriptures we find numerous titles given to our Lord and Savior.  This hymn, to God, identifies four ‘titles’ for Jesus…1) Bread of Life, 2) Living Water, 3) Lamb of God and 4) Savior crucified.  As we honor our Lord and King we proclaim that we will keep our eyes on Him; though we live or though we die.

“My Jesus I Love Thee” – 701

Written in the late 1800’s by W. R. Featherston, this song (again…a hymn) speaks to Jesus saying, I love You and I know You are mine.  The song continues as we proclaim our decision to walk away from our sinful life (“…all the follies of sin I resign.”)  The refrain concludes with the simple statement, “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis (it is) now.”

“Jesus Loves Me” – 1014

A child’s song of praise that has been sung for years by young and old, our sermon bears the title of this song.  Anna Warner is credited for penning these simple, yet profound words in 1860; ironically, the year before the start of our Civil War.  Perhaps we can understand the meaning behind such a simple tune when we consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 18, “…unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

“He Loves Me” – 386

This morning we’ll use this ‘communion’ song as the song before our lesson.  With an upbeat tempo and a message fit for our lesson we’ll turn from singing of Jesus love for us to our love for Him.  Why did Jesus leave Heaven and come to earth, where He knew men would reject Him?  Why would He endure the garden’s ‘dreadful dross’ and allow wicked men to sentence Him to death?  Why suffer death on a cross?  Though we sing with simplisty we sing with the scripture… “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” John 3:16 “…Because He loved Me so.”

“Love Lifted Me” – 453Peter walking on the water

Not a typical invitation song, but the words are indeed a call to repentance.  Notice verse 3, “Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves…He your Savior wants to be (translated: He wants to be your Savior) Be saved today.”  With shades of Matthew 14 when Peter walked on the water, in this song we sing of the angry waves. Certainly we can understand how Peter might have felt; sinking to rise no more.  The question; are you crying for Him to lift you?  Remember, He’s the Master of the sea…

“I Love My Savior Too” – 610

Those familiar with this spiritual song will remember the refrain.  As the lead voices sing “I love my Savior; He loves me too…”  The supporting parts (alto, tenor and bass) echo, “Yes, I truly love my blessed Savior, blessed Savior; and He ever loves me, yes He loves me too…”  But as always, don’t get lost in the music…stay focused on the message.  Are you honestly trying to do His will always and never complain?  My prayer is that you will sincerely strive to, “…seek His grace and favor in everything I (you) do?“

Posted on

God With Us…Part One

John 1...1Part 1 of 2…Immanuel; God with Us!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 2, 14

Incarnation, by simple definition is, “God in the flesh!”  The scripture explains it, and for years we have sung about it.  Perhaps you’ll remember some of these old hymns:

  • Come Thou Almighty King (“Come, Thou incarnate Word…”)
  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (“…veiled in flesh the Godhead see;hail the incarnate Deity; pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel…”)
  • One Day (“…one day when sin was a black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, dwelt among men, my example is He!”)
  • We Saw Thee Not (“We saw Thee not when Thou dids’t come to this poor world of sin and death, nor yet beheld Thy cottage home, in that despised Nazareth…”)we believe

So how do we explain such a miracle in time?  Certainly numerous questions come to mind when we consider incarnation.  “How can God become flesh?”  “What is the natural, logical property involved with incarnation?”  Read the words of God as we consider this holy phenomenon.  Paul writes in Colossians 3:9, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…”  Earlier in Colossians, Paul confirms the supremacy of Christ, “He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)  Jesus the Christ was not 50% god and 50% man.  He came to earth 100% divine and 100% flesh.  Though the ‘logical properties’ may be unknown to us, for the believer we have blessed assurance that this mystery of Godliness is great.  We believe that He still came to earth, and everything we need to know about salvation and reconciliation with God is found in Christ Jesus.  We wasn’t born in palace as would be expected of royalty, his birth was in a lowly stable.  Royal recognition was gone and He came to experience royal rejection even by His kinsmen (Mark 3:21).  But still…He came.  The video below is a song from Donna Douglas and Pam Thumb that proclamations our faith. Listen to the message as you read the words.

Do we truly understand the sacrifice Jesus made in becoming our Immanuel?  “He left all heaven’s glory to fulfill the Father’s plan.”  A plan that was necessary for our salvation.  We might sing about it and we might know it’s ramifications, but do we truly appreciate it?  There was no out, no substitute as we read in Hebrews 9, “For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.  For a covenant is valid only when men are dead…” (NAS)  But as the song continues, “…the hope of what He offered so out weighed what must be done.”  We have a means by which we are saved; through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  His death, burial and resurrection.

The follow up to this study (part 2) will explore the “WHY” behind the incarnation.
Look for part 2 in late May, 2013…

Posted on

A Roller Coaster Ride!

Personally, the best description for the last few days of March, 2013 would be a roller-coaster ride!roller coaster

Emotions were flowing as we learned of my daddy’s passing on Saturday afternoon, March 23rd.  Then within forty-eight hours, we spent sixteen hours traveling to Kansas and back for his graveside service.  Though visiting with family was a blessing, laying the patriarch of our family to rest was difficult at best.  The next forty-eight hours brought us to the annual LTC convention in Dallas (Leadership Training for Christ).  An exciting, busy but certainly focused weekend for more than 1,000 saints in down-town Dallas.  But the month of March was still not over; our youngest son decided he was ready to put Christ on in baptism…at 10:30 PM Saturday night, March 30th!  An exhilarating lift as we continued to ride ‘the roller coaster.’  Oh wait, the next afternoon following morning services, my oldest drove back to Tennessee to resume the last two months of his freshman year.  His first time to drive 9 hours…alone.  If you could see the calendar of events and feel the emotional twisting and turning, you’d know these past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride.

So how does one put this in to prospective?  Any time we lose a family member, we hurt; and anytime a lost sheep is found, we rejoice.  When you feel those two strong emotions within a matter of days you realize priorities have to be set.  What is most important and where do I put my focus?

One of the blessings we experienced at the memorial of my daddy was the assurance of his faith, and gentle hand of sympathy from brothers and sisters in Christ.  Four of his grandson’s lead the singing and read scripture, while several others shared thoughts of encouragement.  But as we closed the service we all joined in singing some songs of praise and inspiration.  We closed the service with the song, “Softly and Tenderly”.  The message was perfect as we sang about ‘coming home’ and in respect to my dad’s passing…I believe he was on his way home.  But then as I considered my son’s baptism I realized that he too began his journey as he decided he was ready to ‘come home’.  Each of these events, though separated by two different extremes, bring my mind toward what’s most important.  Do we listen as Jesus is calling us home?

“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.”

Refrain:
“Come home, come home,
Ye who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!”

This song is a wonderful call for the sinner, the lost lamb, to come back to the fold of God.  And I certainly saw the implications as I realized my son was indeed turning his mind to follow Jesus and come home.  But as we remembered the passing of our daddy, the third verse of this song rings true.  Grim as it may be…it is so true…

“Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing for you and for me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.”Dillons baptism...3.30.13

Roller coasters are certain to come into our lives…whether we want them to or not.  The question we must ask is how will we ride?  Many enjoy the thrill of the lift while others hold on tight.  We know there will be times when we cry out and wish the track would level off.  But the best advise is to find the excitement at every turn and hold on tight!  Know the ride will soon be over and the ups and downs will eventually level off.  Take comfort in remembering Christ is at the controls of life.  He knows your fears and He sees your tears.  And when we come to give Him our lives, even the angels rejoice.  Our Savior is pleading for us all to come home…softly and tenderly.

Posted on

Who Am I?

Oscillating FanAre you blessed?  When the temperatures fall in the winter, do you consider the warmth of your home a blessing?  When the summer heats up and the sun beats down on you, do you find the comfort of your oscillating fan a blessing?

All too often we find ourselves living in an self-satisfying world.  The young teenage boy opens the refrigerator expecting it to be filled with food (though he may hold the door open for 15 minutes trying to decide what he wants).  When we flip the light switch in the hall we expect instant illumination.  We turn on the shower and become frustrated when it takes too long for the water to heat up. In short…we expect favorable results.  But why do we think this way?  Who am I to assume that just because I expect things to be a certain way they will be?  Unfortunately we are living in a time (a culture) of entitlement.  When we once cherished what we had, now we expect it…and more.  The university graduate, with diploma in hand, expecting a 6 figure income.  Many not wanting to work their way to the top, but rather expecting to automatically be placed there.  The young family moving into their first home?  Make that a 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 2-car garage, because, “Hey, I deserve it…” But what really do I deserve? It’s probably not what I would expect.

During the last several months many have shared with me this song made popular by Rusty Goodman in 1965.  Many years ago I remember hearing Elvis Presley sing this song, but it never sounded as strong as it does in this arrangement. Sung by the “Alter of Praise Chorale” in 2010, this song speaks to the blessing we have in a Christ. Notice the words, then listen to the human voice sing this song of humility and reverence.

who am i

Oh when I think of how He left His home in glory
Came and dwelt among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace on Mount Calvary
Take my place then I ask myself a question, “Who am I?”

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray “not my will, Thine Lord?”
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He’d go for who am I?

When I’m reminded of His words, I’ll leave Him never
If you’ll be true I’ll give to you life forever
Oh, I wonder what I could have done to deserve God’s only Son
To fight my battles until they’re won for who am I?

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thy Lord?
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
But to an old rugged cross He’d go for who am I?
But to an old rugged cross He’d go for who am I?

Paul’s inspired words to the church in Rome remind me that I am a blessed man.  We don’t deserve anything good, but we have been given the best gift ever.  Who am I to be the recipient of such an honor?  Why would God look down on me and have mercy on me, a sinner.  You’ve heard the song written some 47 years ago, but now read the inspired words penned some 2000 years ago and ask yourself…who am I?  “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Enjoy the blessings God has given you.  The warmth of your home when the cold air is swirling around; the cool side of the pillow on the hot summer night, and best of all…the assurance that God has given us the greatest gift of all time.