You raise your children, loving them, teaching them, praying for them (lots of praying), praying that what you give them will sustain them and help them grow and prepare them for what lies ahead. As Jim and I discussed our concerns we came to the same conclusion we always come to. Jesus Jesus Jesus. We are all so flawed and left to ourselves we fail. It's all about letting GOD.
So I dressed my burdened self and went to church where I opened my bulletin to see the words "Worry Free" at the top of the page. The songs chosen for the service were "God Will Take Care of You", one my Mama used to sing to me, "Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary" and the choir sang from the hymnal "Heaven Came Down", you know, that says "now I've a hope that will surely endure, after the passing of time". The Lord was definitely trying to tell me something specific now wasn't He? Isn't He amazing? Then we sang "I cast all my care upon You, I will lay all of my burdens down at Your feet. And anytime I don't know what to do, I will cast all my care upon You". Well, the tears came and the Lord wrapped me up right there in my pew, my heavy heart feeling lighter and me, once again awed by my Saviour and God. He was way ahead of me. What if I had decided not to go to church today?
Well, then Courtney sang " Learning to Be the Light", one of my favorites, and Brother Dick Byers began to speak from Acts about King Agrippa. King Agrippa told the Apostle Paul "ALMOST thou hast persuaded me". That is his legacy to us "almost, but lost". It came to me while I listened to the message that too many of us profess to be "persuaded" and live like we're "almost persuaded". Satan likes us there, professing Christ Jesus, while holding on to sin and behaviors that are so far from Him.
The invitation hymn was "I Surrender All" a very significant song for my family. Jeremiah and Lindsay chose it to be sung for their dedication of Elijah and Kate, then only a couple weeks later we stood and sang it in all realization, saying good bye to our cherished grandson Asher. "All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him, I freely give".
What a Sunday morning I had! The Lord has lovingly made Himself known to me today with clear instructions for dealing with both my burdens and my sin. I am not ashamed to tell you that I am totally and utterly dependant on my LORD. Praise His Blessed Name!
Well, then Courtney sang " Learning to Be the Light", one of my favorites, and Brother Dick Byers began to speak from Acts about King Agrippa. King Agrippa told the Apostle Paul "ALMOST thou hast persuaded me". That is his legacy to us "almost, but lost". It came to me while I listened to the message that too many of us profess to be "persuaded" and live like we're "almost persuaded". Satan likes us there, professing Christ Jesus, while holding on to sin and behaviors that are so far from Him.
The invitation hymn was "I Surrender All" a very significant song for my family. Jeremiah and Lindsay chose it to be sung for their dedication of Elijah and Kate, then only a couple weeks later we stood and sang it in all realization, saying good bye to our cherished grandson Asher. "All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him, I freely give".
What a Sunday morning I had! The Lord has lovingly made Himself known to me today with clear instructions for dealing with both my burdens and my sin. I am not ashamed to tell you that I am totally and utterly dependant on my LORD. Praise His Blessed Name!
