Lenten Love. . .continued

While most of the Christian community is concerned with counting down the days until they don’t have to eat fish on Fridays, they can eat, drink, and indulge in the things they gave up or “sacrificed” during this 40-day remembrance, there are those who anticipate with sun-bursting joy the celebration of the most significant and important day in the believers’ history; the day in which Satan was forever crushed and Christ was forever victorious – the resurrection! 

I was thinking of this during church this morning as hundreds of believers in our community chapel lifted their voice in song and their hands in surrendered praise to the Creator of the universe.  Yes, His love must be evident in our hearts and we must become as Christ: love-inspired, love-mastered, and love-driven.  But, we, as believers have one very awesome responsibility: to praise, to praise, to praise our God! To honor, to glorify, to exalt, to lift on high the name of Jesus! Blessed be the name of the Lord. As my spirit began to rise within me, I could feel the excitement that Jerusalem must have felt as Jesus came riding into town.

As Jesus told the Pharisee’s during His triumphal entry to Jerusalem, when they were complaining about the noise of His followers, Jesus told them, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."  Luke 19:40 (Message)

Please, take 3 minutes and 46 seconds to listen to this music video.  Close your eyes.  Lift surrendered hands in praise along with this song. 

Remember dear friends, we have just a few weeks to prepare, to roll away the stone that covers our heart. . .rejoice with me and remember, after all is said and done, we win!  We may lose a few battles along the way.  We may get battered, brusied, hurt, wounded, and scarred, but we have victory over the enemy and we win, hallelujah we win, cause I read the back of the Book and we win!!

Almighty God (Tim Hughes)

Listen and be blessed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IHPvpF4MlU

Verse 1:
The rising Sun that fills the sky
The starry host that lights the night
Reflecting Your glory

The mountain heights, forever stand
The rain that falls to soak the land
Respond to Your glory

Chorus:
Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Verse 2:
The vast expanse of earth and sea
Held by You in harmony
Speaks of Your glory

All You've made, since time began
Life itself; Your perfect plan
And it's all for Your glory

Chorus:
Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Creation joins as one to sing
“What A Glorious God.”
So far above all earthly things

Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

Yes, to God be the glory!

Lenten Love

“To assail the changes that have unmoored us from the past is futile, and in a deep sense. I think it is wicked. . .This cannot be an easy life. We shall have a rough time of it to keep our minds open, and to keep them deep. . .in a great, open, windy world; but this is, as I see it, the condition of man; and in this condition we can help, because we can love one another.” (J. Robert Oppenheimer) 

It is a time during the year that we, as Christians, call Lent. The word Lent is derived from the Old English lencten, which means "lengthen." It refers to the lengthening of the daylight hours that occurs in the northern hemisphere as spring approaches. It is in this period of transition from late winter to early spring that the season of Lent falls. There are many reasons why it lasts 40-days, but that’s not the important part. We can “give up” anything we want – chocolate, sugar, TV, etc. – it matters not what we give up or as some call it “sacrifice” during this 40-day period of time. The most important part of Lent is its culmination. 

During the culmination of our Lenten season, Christians everywhere remember, in many different ways, the cruel and gruesome death that Jesus Christ suffered on our behalf. His birth, His very life, His earthly ministry, His teachings, all spoke of the passion for us that would hold him in place upon that Roman cross. It was not the spikes that Roman centurions drove mercilessly through His wrists and feet that held Him to that cross. It was His passion for us. It was the love that His father had for His children. It was the love, the culminating love, knowing that He would be the last spotless lamb that would ever be placed upon the altar of sacrifice. He was the last sin offering, the last scapegoat. It was His blood that was accepted at the divine mercy seat of God on that culminating day. The Creator’s love for His children into whom He had breathed life, hung on that cross. It was His pure, passionate, utterly unadulterated love for us that was on His mind as He uttered those final words, “It is finished.” All His blood had been poured out. It was love that tore in two the four-foot thick veil in the temple that separated a holy Father from His sinful, lost children. The culmination of a lifetime of pure and selfless love had provided a way for sinful man to be at peace with and have the peace of His Creator within. Jesus, Savior. 

When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. (~ Isaac Watts ~)

As I have been studying the sacrifices of the tabernacle over the past months, I was reminded of God’s provision to His children and His reminders to them of His love, His passion for His people by allowing them to bring sacrificial offerings to the altar for atonement. New Testament writers confirm His acts of love throughout Scripture. It is in His culminating love that we are to live and love as He had loved. 

Some of my favorite passages in the Bible are found among the writings of the Apostle Paul. He understood the passion and love of our Lord. Paul’s inspired words flowed with the love of Christ pointing us always toward our loving Father. While he admitted many times that without constant prayer and divine concentration that He would fall short of exhibiting that passionate love in and through his own life. Paul’s admonition to us in Galatians chapter 5 teaches us that only as we live in love can we fulfill the will of God in our lives. We must become as Christ: love-inspired, love-mastered, and love-driven. Without the fruit of the Spirit (love: Galatians 5: 22) we are just a religious noise (I Cor. 13:1). Dear God, how short do I fall? 

Paul expounds on God’s love stating that the fruit of the Spirit is love. . .Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “you shall know them by their fruits”. The fruit of the Spirit is love and it is manifested in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Joy is love’s strength. Peace is love’s security. Patience is love’s endurance. Kindness is love’s conduct. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s confidence. Gentleness is love’s humility. Self-control is love’s victory.

If we pour ourselves out and put our all on the altar, the Holy Spirit will flood our hearts with the love of God and passion for the lost. As we make our spiritual journey through this Lenten season, however God is leading you, “we may have a rough time of it, but keep your minds open, and keep them deep. . .in a great, open, windy world; but this is, as I see it, the condition of man; and in this condition we can help, because we can love one another.”

“But if we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? Jesus is the way.” (Casting Crowns)

Through the Years. . .

Thirty-three years ago on a very frigid -12⁰, frosty, snowy northeastern Ohio night, February 10, 1979, I married the love of my life, my best friend, Larry.

We had met by an “arrangement” of mutual friends just six months prior to that but from the first time I asked you to have coffee with me after church, my heart skipped a few beats and I was hooked! 

So well I recall every gentlemanly gesture you made and after we grew weary of sitting in a booth drinking coffee, gas was so cheap then, we drove for hours just talking.  When you gently kissed me good night,(yes, I kissed on the first date!)  I prayed for three days that you would call me for another date.  When the phone rang on Wednesday, my heart again skipped joy beats and that night we became inseparable and the rest is history.  You surrounded me with all things lovely and all things that spoke love to my soul.

Engaged on my birthday just two months later, we began a journey then that, over the years has reminded me many times of a trip to Disney World (although I’m sure we could both agree that we definitely resembled Moses and the children of Israel wandering In the wilderness, too).

After we walked through the front gate and the tram whisked us into the park, we arrived in Adventure Land and that’s really what most of our married life has been: an adventure, a wonderful adventure, sometimes through mountains, but other times along beaches.

There were times when it felt like I was in Fantasy Land and wanted to be like Peter Pan, where we would never have to grow up or grow old. There were plenty of times I felt like we were holding on for dear life in Space Mountain being hurled through life with its twists and turns at speeds that could straighten my hair!  And, much to my chagrin, there were too many times we rode the “Mad Hatter” and went around a few too many times. The most fun times certainly were like the Country Bear Jamboree. 

At the altar, when we got married, we took each other “for better or worse” but I can assure you, I got the better and you got the worse! We’ve had our ups and downs and days when we both thought that we were under water and drowning but being married to you, Lar, has certainly made my life overwhelmingly good.   With you, I always have someone who will at least try to understand and someone who knows me by heart.  You were the man who climbed the walls I had so firmly cemented and began to take them down one by one, helping me to learn to trust again.  Your touch on my hand warmed me in a way that I knew that I was the last and the only girl for you.  After the many hurts in my past and I dared trust to pray and ask God for a Christian man, I threw in a prayer for brown eyes and a hairy chest.  I was so thrilled to learn that prayer had been abundantly answered. You show me grace. You are humble. You are kind. You are strong. You are diligent. You love and serve God.

We’ve been through so many things over the years. . .there have been times when we have hurt each other, made each other angry, endured conflict, and became vulnerable. We have wronged and we have been wronged and we have forgiven.  We’ve enjoyed mountain tops and endured valleys.  We’ve prayed and we’ve cried together.  Softened hearts that were hurt sometimes turned stony.  But every day, every sunrise brings me a new opportunity to love you anew. 

The Lord just helps me realize once again how extraordinarily blessed I am to have you, the one I can always count on; the one who has ALWAYS had my back and the one I love most in this world.  You are simply my best friend, Dear.  I have best girl friends, but YOU, and you alone, are my best friend, my lover,  the part of me that without I would not be a whole person.  I can’t every imagine life without you and I pray I never have to.  Marrying you was the second best thing I ever did.  We both know that having Jesus is our number one.

And, Larry, I’d do it all over again.

Kenny Rogers song “Through the Years”, says it best:

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the years, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years


Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you ... Through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years!

Happy Anniversary, Larry.   I love you!

No, No, You Never Let Go

Things happen.  We don’t always know why.  We examine our hearts.  We pray and ask God for forgiveness. Wepray about things that “if” we didthem or “think” we did – we repentand ask forgiveness for that too. We pray. . .we wait. . .not always patiently, I might add, but I havelearned through many years of following the footsteps of my Savior that Godalways answers our prayers: in His time, in His way, and Hisway is one of these three: yes, no, or wait. 

2012 is well on its way and ithas not been they way I would have chosen to start a year out. . .any year forthat matter!  So, I decided thatnow might be a good time to brush up on my readings of Job. 

Job 23:10, 11, 12, and 14 reads, “But he knows the way that I take; when he hastried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I havekept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasuredthe words of his mouth more than my portion of food. For he will complete what heappoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. “

It is sometimes quite difficultto focus and to write when you are just not feeling well.  You start a page and give up.  You throw out your “inspired” moment.  You toss the idea – “oh, that wasn’tGod speaking to me anyhow. . .” When these “things” happen to us, it’s reallyeasy to feel separated from God, from our friends. . . no one likes acomplainer – we all have problems and you reach a point where you just get sickand tired of being sick and tired.

However, in the midst of it all,I am a firm believer that, if everything seems to be going your way and thereis no opposition, one of two things is occurring:  [1] it’s the calm before the storm and the Lord is preparingyou for battle; reminding you how to put on your armor and how to stand. [2] Youare riding on the “other side of the fence” and the enemy doesn’t feel a needto “bother” you.  So, in light ofnumber 1, above, I decided that I’ve been getting pushed around long enough. Withthe exception of the illness I have been fighting, I had suspicions about theother things that had been happening and should have had my armor shined, puton and ready for battle, shield held high.

As I stood inside of ourcommunity of believers this morning, I listened to hundreds of voices singingthe song, “You Never Let Go” by MattRedman

Eventhough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Asthe worship band and leaders led us in praise, the melody proceeded and thewords flowed from my lips as I joined the other believers. I listened to eachand every word as I realized that, although it was a time of trial and testing,and even though I am not quite sure exactly what God is doing in our lives, Iknow HE will NEVER let go! No matter what. No matter how long.  And there will be an end totroubles.  And, yes, I have andwill continue to praise Him in the midst of it all, I praise Him. 

As I pulled away from the church’sparking lot today, the sun was shining, it was 42º (mid February!) and Irealized God would never let go.  Iknew that while I was feeling better today that tomorrow would be Monday.  The words to another old hymn floodedmy mind.  It has been one of myfavorites and it has sustained me many times over the years.  The writer was Ira Stanphill. I hope youwill find its words comforting, uplifting, and may the words to this songminister deeply to your soul.

I Know WhoHolds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

To God be the glory forever, Amen.

“For God's Word is solid to the core; everythinghe makes is sound inside and out.  Heloves it when everything fits, when his world is in plumb-line true. Earth is drenched in God's affectionate satisfaction.” Psalm33:4-5 The Message