You and Me

A memory not so long ago or so it seems to me
Of a baby girl giggling while bouncing on my knee
Sitting on my lap freely giving hugs and kisses too
Always saying “I love you!”
Together we did sing and rhyme
Yet it seems that in no time
That a little girl stood by my side
Always together me and you
Always saying “I love you!”
Before these eyes I watched you grow
Blessing my life I want you to know
Then that little girl became a teen
How to express how much to me you mean?
Together we grew me and you
Always saying “I love you!”
Up hills we climbed
Down them we flew
In sunshine and through rain
Through times of joy and pain
Always behind me
Holding me too
Always saying “I love you!”
Now a young lady stands by my side
Together we look down the aisle wide
Slowly now we begin to stroll
Through my mind the memories roll
“Who gives this woman?”
How can it be?
(Not so long ago it seems to me
A baby girl bouncing on my knee
Now before my eyes a woman I see)
And as I’m saying that “I do”
Know that I always love you too!

For my niece Jeanine on her wedding day

Moments that Matter Most

This past Monday, March 31, I remembered vividly where I was on that date one year ago. I wrote in my journal of the singing that night at Griffin’s Chapel for my Dad and the emotions, love, holiness of that worshipful gathering… it was as if God’s grace flooded that place, His love was released and freely flowed, His Holy Spirit moved freely, it was, well, like nothing I had ever experienced before and really no words are sufficient but as I recall it again the feelings, emotions well up inside of me…it was what we all needed. Dad was in his element, praising the LORD, surrounded by friends, and he was very humbled at the outpouring but even more so he was humbled by the graciousness of God, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the gift of eternal life….and that he so often unashamedly expressed…and in those moments it was I who was humbled by this man and his love for the LORD but even more on this night as I sat next to him and he worshiped as never before…and I watched him walk up on that stage with his friends and raise his voice and raise his hands in praise and…shine…the glory of God illuminated that place, filled that place as the LORD inhabited the praise offered to Him, and oh how sweet and fragrant as he delighted and took pleasure in You, LORD…and I watched as Your all-sufficient grace poured out, Your power was perfected in weakness, You exalted the humble and I was in awe…in awe of You my heavenly Father and in awe of you my earthly father.

One year ago, it is hard to believe and as priceless and worshipful as those moments were, how much more, infinitely, unimaginably more what he is experiencing now and what one timeless, eternal day, we will experience together with our LORD, our Savior, our Brother, our Friend, Jesus…thank You Father, thank You Jesus for Your grace, mercy, love, peace, assurance…for the gift of eternal life…for making it all possible for us to be forever family and to have a forever home with You!

What have I learned? What matters most? How have I grown? How have I changed? How am I different? What will I do about it? What will I do now? Where will my focus be? What will be my priority? The eternal, the spiritual need outweighs the temporary, the physical need. That ministering to the physical need opens the door of opportunity to minister to the spiritual need. It is in the midst of those most trying times that there is openness, tenderness toward things spiritual and eternal…and an opportunity to share, to learn, grow, to draw near to and know the presence, peace, grace, love of God as never before. What matters most? Knowing we are loved…knowing we are not alone…this is what we most need, this what matters most…knowing someone understands even when we don’t and looking to Him, looking to Jesus, learning from Him, leaning fully on Him, trusting Him with All our hearts…trusting that somehow all that happens in this life, this temporary, fits into, is a part of His eternal plan…so to keep our eyes on the eternal…so to have peace that surpasses understanding.

What if I gave ALL?

What if I gave ALL?

What if I followed Your example, Jesus?

You have S.H.O.D.E.* me the Way

No greater example of serving

No greater example of sacrifice

No greater example of humility

No greater example of obedience

No greater example of (self) denial

No greater example of love (displayed)

No greater example of giving ALL!

What if I gave ALL like You?

What if I gave ALL to You?

What if I gave ALL for You?

What if I gave (surrendered) ALL?

What if I truly followed You?

What if I truly sought You with ALL my heart?

What if I truly loved You with ALL my heart?

What if I truly trusted You with ALL my heart?

ALL from You, ALL to You, ALL for You, ALL like You

Then would I experience true richness

Then would I experience true power

Then would I experience truly abundant Life

Today I would give ALL

Today I would be a living sacrifice (holy, wholly, sanctified)

Today I would have the mind and attitude of Christ

Today I would deny self, take up my cross, and follow You

Today ALL like You, Jesus, ALL like You let me be, I humbly pray, Amen.



*Philippians 2:5-11 Servant, Humble, Obedient, Death (cross), Exalted
http://www.angelfire.com/ia/wwmt/whatif.html

Risen Sun

REJOICE! He is Risen!

I know that you seek Jesus
Why do you seek the living among the dead?
He is risen, just as He said
Remember what He said
"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."
He is risen!
He is risen from the dead
He is risen indeed!
"REJOICE!"
Go and tell
You are My witnesses
Peace be to you!
My power be in you
I AM with you always.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who...has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 1:3

Rejoice in the LORD!

Today I will rejoice in You
Rejoice that my name is written in heaven
Rejoice that my name is inscribed in Your nail-scarred hand
Rejoice that my times are in Your hands
Rejoice that my salvation is secure in Your hands
Rejoice that I am Your son
Rejoice that my life has purpose
Rejoice that my life matters because You love me
Rejoice that You are my Abba Father
Rejoice that You, Jesus, are my Lord, Savior, Brother, Friend
Rejoice in an eternal family
Rejoice in an eternal home
Rejoice in abundant and eternal life
Rejoice in Your graciousness
Rejoice in Your mercifulness
Rejoice in Your faithfulness
This is the day LORD that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

The Hour of Power

BEHOLD the hour is at hand
The hour has come
Shall I say "Father save Me from this hour?"
For this purpose I came to this hour
My soul is troubled
My soul is exceedingly sorrowful
The scripture MUST be fulfilled
I came to do My Father's will
I came to lay down My life
It is necessary
It is the only Way
It MUST happen this way
This is your hour
This is the power of darkness
Do You not know that I have power?
I have power to crucify You
I have power to release You
You could have no power
No power at all against Me
Unless it had been given you from above
I have power to lay down My life
I have power to take it up again
ALL power in heaven and on earth is Mine
I AM the Resurrection and the Life
Because I live you will live also
I will sit on the right hand of God
The Son of Man MUST be lifted up
The Son of Man MUST suffer many things
The Son of Man MUST be killed
The Son of Man MUST be raised the third day
Thus it is written...thus it was necessary
For the Christ to suffer and be raised the third day
That repentance and remission of sins be preached
In His Name to ALL nations.