O Love that will not let me go...

O Love that will not let me go....

After watching a video by Sheila Walsh, I had to find out more about a hymn that she quoted...it was so touching...who wrote it...

The following is the hymn, written over a hundred years ago by a man who was invited to preach at Balmoral Castle in England by the queen at the time, Victoria...he was totally blind by the age of twenty, but preached and wrote until his death...faithfulness...in his calling...

Each thought brings one back to his love of Christ through the weariness, pain, flickering torch...knowing that his faith was in a worthy Savior, God...who loved and cared for him...the illusions to not seeing make sense when you know he was blind, but kept the faith through the difficult times, knowing the love he knew...

It reminds me to keep on pressing on through the good and hard times...looking toward my Lord who loves me...with a love that has no bounds...a comfort in abundance...a saving that is freely given to those who believe in the saving Grace of a God ...a love that will not let me go...thank YOU...

“O Love that will not let me go”

George Matheson, pub.1882

copyright status is Public Domain

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:3; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Romans 8:35

Albert L. Peace, 1884

1 O Love that will not let me go,

2 I rest my weary soul in thee;

3 I give thee back the life I owe,

4 That in thine ocean depths its flow

5 May richer, fuller be.

6 O Light that foll’west all my way,

7 I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;

8 My heart restores its borrowed ray,

9 That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

10 May brighter, fairer be.

11 O Joy that seekest me through pain,

12 I cannot close my heart to thee;

13 I trace the rainbow through the rain,

14 And feel the promise is not vain,

15 That morn shall tearless be.”

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Matheson

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness...

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Jeremiah 31:3,  25

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

2 Corinthians 5:14

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Romans 8:35 

Wanderings...

Wanderings....

I was reading in Matthew 15 this am...

After being in the area that was spoken of in this passage, I have a hard time time not picturing the scene...the mountainous area, the sea close by...the pathways...this distraught mother...the hungry  thousands...the loaves and small fish...Jesus taking time with all besides rebuking the Pharisees...ministering to each along the way...

https://bibleatlas.org/magadan.htm

The boat ride at the end must have been relaxing after all the events that kept on and on...I can picture Him leaning back, hair caught by the wind, a smile on his face, maybe praying for those left behind or those at the next stop...conversing quietly with the seaman, the disciples, maybe explaining what just happened, maybe rejoicing with and thinking about the joy of the mother who finds her child well after suffering terribly....rest for the soul and body...calming....

Our boat captain explained the sites to us as we moved across the sea, finally breaking into praise songs reverberating off the still waters...so restful...in the land of our Savior, years of turmoil, wars, judgements, divisions, volleys of shots and missiles still going on...a microcosm of the world  around us...

Thank YOU for the pictures in my mind, heart of you ministering whenever you went...the hillsides, the towns, the sea, the pathways to the very end...

Matthew 15...

Matthew 13....

Matthew 13...

Matthew 13 is filled with parables which Jesus explains to his disciples as they sit by the sea and later in a house...I can just imagine sitting there talking to the people with the sea in the background, the hills surrounding...the Creator with the creation, the people who listened, understood and those who didn’t...trying to work through the teachings, the stories, the meanings...

We are now fortunate to have the written words, the explanations, while back then they only had them orally...whose hearts were touched by his teaching, whose hearts and ears didn’t understand....we can mull over the words, meditate on their meaning...

There are those who still do not hear and understand...whose hearts are hardened for whatever reason...as in the parable of the sower...the Word is snatched away by the evil one, or has no root or the worries of the world and deceitfulness of wealth choke or out...

Oh Lord, let me be among those who hear, understand, produce a good crop...who find and bring out new treasures as I study your Word...let the world and wealth not choke out the seed which you have planted...

Thank YOU....

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 

19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” 

He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Matthew 13:1-13,16,19-23,52

Tears....

Tears....

“A Prayer For All Our Tears

Dear Jesus,

Today, I cry tears that mean a hundred things at once, happy and sorrowful and desperate and hopeful. I trust You to sort them out as You catch them, to hear and answer each prayer they represent.

I cry for those of us left behind, for the lonely ones with hollows in our hearts. I ask You to comfort us, give peace, restore hope, and lavish us with love, family, and belonging. In the depths of loss, meet us with Yourself.

I cry for the legacy this loved one leaves, for the ways the world has been made different by their presence, for the memories that become both more beautiful and more painful on this side of death. And I pray that the work You have accomplished in this remarkable life will grow deeper, wider, and stronger in the days to come, uninhibited by a weak opponent like death.

I cry for those who haven’t yet accepted Your invitation into eternal life, for those who grieve without hope today. I pray for awakening in their hearts, for a stirring that draws to You. I pray for more attendees at the grand reunion scheduled in the coming eternity.

I cry for all the ways the world has gone wrong, and for all the ways You’re making it right again. I ask that You make me part of Your work in bringing the kingdom of heavento earth.

I cry knowing You are here with me. And because You are here, even my tears have meaning.”

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/6-prayers-for-the-dying-and-the-mourning.html?utm_source=Daily%20Bible%20Living&utm_campaign=Daily%20Bible%20Living%20-%20BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2986104&bcid=dad4cb6ffa9cb8224d8b23b17fc6f551&recip=488704412%20

I read this prayer this morning, even before I opened my mail...it was among 6 in the above website article...

As I opened my mail, I found that another of my aunts had passed away after a long bout with Parkinson’s...bedridden for months, my cousins caring for her...tears for each ...she lived a long active life...

Life seems shorter and shorter as we age, watching others in our generation and the next up pass on...

There are days of rejoicing and days of tears...

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Ecclesiastes 3:2,4 

I remember reading the psalms as my husband lay dying...I sat there beside his bed each night, reading and sobbing loss, fear, why, pain(emotional and physical), anger....tears, tears, and more tears...I cry now thinking of those times...

I cry with joy when God overwhelms me with a new lesson, a new site, a new revealing of himself...how could he care so much....

A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.

Job 14:5 

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 

Thank YOU for tears... even the hard ones...we learn so much...

Global strategy....

Global strategy....

I don’t know about you, but I tend to get focused on the places closest to me...oh, I read the paper, watch some news, but my daily world seems to stay close...

So, with intentional short trips to various places with a few Christian ministries, I love to get the big picture of what they are doing...but, mostly what God is doing throughout the world ...whether in Bible translation, sharing the gospel, church planting, gift boxes, digital media... the Word is being proclaimed to every nation, tribe, culture in some form...as well as next door...

I love to see the connections of ministries working together, forming with God a formidable force of taking down the walls, barriers that the enemy has erected...nothing, no one can stand against God...He is on the Move worldwide

A song...”who can stop the Lord Almighty...who can stop the Lord...” comes to mind, when I listen to these reports.

I just returned from one of these meetings...

Phases that stood out for me, from the many outstanding speakers...movers and shakers of the gospel...

• with pain comes fulfillment...
• It is time to sing your song...
• How can God use you even more...
• Steward, manage the affairs of the Master...
• Spiritual multiplication with partners...
• Glorify God with whatever we are given...
• A church for every 1000 people worldwide...
• How can the 2 billion Christ proclaimers share with the 5 billion non proclaimers to fill heaven?
• How can digital media effectively reach those who cannot openly fellowship or those who are tuned into the media
• Celebrate what God has done, don’t live in regret...
• Believe in God for something that is impossible...
• Teach us to number our days...
• How can I bless the kingdom...
• Success is being obedient, faithful...
• Many times we have to dig down to go up...a firm foundation...
• The many references in the Bible that say, “but, God...” when we only see a little ways...he sees the whole picture...
• No one is ever hidden enough to not be found by God...
• Risk to set free...
• Live celebrating the Joy that only Christ gives, celebrating salvation...

These gatherings exist to encourage, enlighten, expand our limited horizons...to facilitate giving with meaning and intent...whether with funds , prayer or talents...

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

At this last seminar, we finished with the song, “Is He Worthy?...beautiful....thank YOU...

https://www.christian-songlyrics.net/2019/03/is-he-worthy-lyris-chris-tomlin.html

IS HE WORTHY? LYRICS

“

[Verse 1]

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)

Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)

But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)

Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

[Verse 2]

Is all creation groaning? (It is)

Is a new creation coming? (It is)

Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)

Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

[Chorus]

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave

He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

[Refrain 1]

Is He worthy? Is He worthy

Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy of this?

He is

[Verse 3]

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)

Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)

And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)

Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)”

“ I go into brothels once a month...”

“ I go into brothels once a month...”

This statement out of the mouth of  a quiet, seventy year old pastor’s wife usually stumps as well interests listeners...we are attending a CRU global meeting in AZ...introducing ourselves around the table...”what would you not know about me”...each having uniquely interesting facts about themselves or what ministries they have been involved in...

What a delight to meet people from all over world whose vision for spreading the Gospel exists In so many dimensions...from the nomadic Mongolians to the digital highway ....goals of planting 5 million churches, translating the Bible into as many mother tongues as there are...working in brothels to national leaders, gears to palaces, hand held devices to meetings of thousands...all so that “none should perish” not having the Word of Hope...God is on the move no matter where...as churches are shut down in some places, many spring up to take their place...Christian organization seeing the need to work together putting aside “territorial “ ideas...all for the cause of Christ...not trying to change culture, but giving the “whosoever “ the chance to eternal salvation.

We can all play a part of this monumental movement that has been going on through the years...prayer, giving, sharing...one person at a time...there is a place for everyone...becoming aware of those next door,  across town, on the streets, in high places, in the low places, on foreign to us soil, everywhere there is life...and a soul...

Thank YOU....

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17 

Humans in church....

Humans in church....

Several years ago I had the opportunity to take several classes at the seminary level. The final one was “Christians in conflict, finding resolution”. Little did I know when I signed up that our own church body was going to split wide open...so I had a first row seat in watching the disintegration, the heart and soul hurt, the anger, the denial, the accusations, the harshness, ....as I was study books, people...my semester paper was written on splitting churches...a healing project for myself ...

As I was reading  the following article I was reminded of this trying time again...the cliques who can split a church by their exclusiveness, their judgements, their lack of love...my titles were different, “the old guard” and the “ young entrepreneurs”, but the following was the same...

Over the years there has been healing for most who lived through those times and times like them, and hopefully growth in Christ...awareness that splits can happen is huge and we must cling to our unity in Christ...bearing with, encouraging one another rather than being exclusive in our cliques....

Thank YOU that you show us the way....to unity...in love...

https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/10-cliques-that-exist-in-every-church.html?utm_source=Daily%20Bible%20Living&utm_campaign=Daily%20Bible%20Living%20-%20BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2979628&bcid=dad4cb6ffa9cb8224d8b23b17fc6f551&recip=488704412%20

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 

He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-13