Friday, January 31, 2014

My Story

     Each of us have turning points in our lives.  Mine happened when I was five years old.

        It was a Sunday morning.  Our family always went to church; however, today was different.  We had a new pastor.  I cannot remember any sermons up to this point in my life. This one changed me.  The text was John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He went on to explain that God loves everyone--every single person ever!  He loved us even though we had sinned--and I knew even as a 5 year old that I had sinned.  Sin is just doing things our own way, missing the perfect target, or stepping out of the boundaries that God has set.  I knew that I was selfish, disobedient, and sometimes downright mean.  I also knew that I had a problem.

      I was old enough to know that actions have consequences--my sin deserved a punishment.  As the Pastor told us about Heaven and Hell, I knew that I wanted to go to Heaven.  It was so easy!  I just chose God's way:  1. I admitted that I was a sinner  2.  I accepted what God said was true--Jesus died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again to pay the punishment for my sin  3. I trusted His promise to save my soul from Hell and take me to Heaven.  Nothing spooky.  I went from trusting what I did to trusting His Word.

     This Changed My Life!

    It was the starting place of getting to know God.  He has infinite understanding and can relate to my life experiences when no one else can. He helps me to grow into a person that will trust Him and His Word more and more. This takes the pressure off of me--He leads, I follow.  Simple--life changing!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Our Friend

My Friend Needs You

You must love her more than I
For You came to earth to for her die
You see her pain, her past, her cry
Is it really wrong to wonder "Why?"

Why does wrong always seem to win?
Why does a child suffer for another's sin?
Why do lies glow while the truth grows dim?
Why does fear paint dark shadows within?

 Jesus, You also shouted a "Why?"
 As you hung between earth and sky
Bearing each sorrow, each grief, each sigh
Inviting the broken to your heart draw nigh

"Suffer little children to come unto me."
"Father, forgive them." Your unselfish plea
Though we are wounded, we wounded Thee
You offer a gift through faith-Your Mercy free

 The soul is quiet and questions vanish
You care in the past and present and finish
 Your Cross touches with tender completeness
 May she also find this healing sweetness

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Life!




LIFE!

Sincerity does not secure our salvation
Self's thoughts do not equal justification
Scripture shows all this simple direction
Jesus, sacrificed, solves sin's condition

Call upon Him in humble contrition
Trust Christ then "No condemnation"
Believe His Word--not fickle emotion
He will redeem you-no condemnation

    His Heart begs you humbly to enter
                                           
His grace freely makes you this offer                                                              New life
                                                          Eternal life
                                                        Abundant life
                                        

The way,   
The truth,
and the life--

Jesus!

Sing!



                                     Speaking 
                                        in Songs

God the Father wrote the composition
Framed before the world's foundation
 Justice and judgment in perfect notation
Holiness and Love

God the Son knew the Father's heart
He played the instrument--each painful part
Hammers strike strings and His hands like darts
Forgiveness and Grace

God the Spirit brings Their melody release
Vibrating heart language of this wondrous piece
 Speaking of the Cross and Christ's increase
Understanding and Faith

We, the sinners, hear the timeless song
The chords echo the love we have searched so long
His Word urges our soul to come, to belong
Will we turn away or sing along?


Romans 5:5-6; Epe. 5:19; Is. 12:2