Month: May 2021

When We Get to Heaven

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 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 2 Corinthians 5:6 KJV

Just a few weeks ago I spent part of an afternoon with my 92 year old friend Evelyn. Since her daughter and son-in-law had left that morning on the way to the Ark Encounter and her son wasn’t coming until late afternoon, she was spending most of the day alone. So I packed up my guitar, a bit of apple cake I had made the night before and came by to keep her company for a while. At first I mostly listened as Evelyn talked to me about growing up in the 1930’s-40’s and then about her late husband who had been in the church choir as well as tidbits of family history. Finally as she was winding down, I mentioned that I had my guitar out in the car and if she would like I would bring it in so I could sing her a few of her favorite hymns. “Oh I don’t think so.” she said firmly.

“Well then I’ll still need to bring it in.” I answered politely. “The heat in the car will damage the wood.” I explained.

“”Oh if you’re going to bring it inside anyway, then go ahead and play me a few songs.” Evelyn told me. “But I can’t sing.” she added as I headed out the door. So I came in with my instrument and began warming up with, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.” She nodded and smiled but continued a silent audience, so I encouraged her by saying, “You know even if you don’t think you can sing anymore, God is listening to your heart singing. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks it sounds like.” Then, I continued with several other hymns, until finally I began the first verse of “How Great Thou Art.” My habit while I sing the chorus of that song, is to close my eyes and imagine God surrounded by mighty angels and crowds of worshipping saints. What a thrill went through me as I opened my eyes between verses and noticed Evelyn singing along, this time with both her heart and lips!

On Mother’s Day Evelyn had a fall in her home. She wasn’t injured in the fall but because she was too weak to stand she was taken to the hospital and then admitted to the ICU. Of course our small group prayed for her to recover and at first it looked like our dear friend was rallying, but it was not to be. God had made other plans than we had and on this past Saturday Evelyn stepped from her frail body here on earth into heaven. This morning at Panera’s where I meet with a small men’s prayer group, I leaned from her son-in-law, that the last song Evelyn heard was my simple recording of When We All Get To Heaven. I don’t mention this to make it seem something special but to encourage you not to underestimate the small and simple things that God gives you an opportunity to do for others. You will never know how much the cup of cold water you give some one is needed and how fleeting your opportunity to give it. Below is the YouTube session the song she loved. I will bet dollars to donuts she is singing better than ever with all her heart right now in the presence of the Lord who listens to every song.

Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can. John Wesley

God Remembers Hummingbirds and Sparrows

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Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Luke 12:6 KJV

Hummingbirds live in Florida year-round because it rarely gets below freezing. But on one of those rare mornings that it did get cold, a friend of mine spotted a hummingbird lying on the side of the street. He gently reached down and picked up the poor frozen bird and cupped it in his hands to take a closer look. As the warmth of his hands slowly seeped into the bird’s body, it began to quiver. So, he gently carried it inside where he mixed up some sugar water. Next, as he held the dish near the tiny bird put out his tongue and licked up a little of the sweet liquid. In a matter of minutes, my friend told me that the hummingbird was strong enough to stand up. Finally, he took it outside and was able to release it. His story made me think of how God has remembered us.

Photo by Chris LeBoutillier on Pexels.com

When God remembers us it is different from when we remember friends by glancing nostalgically through photo albums or fondly dusting off mementoes we bought somewhere. God remembered us by stooping low to the cross where Jesus died, so that He could pick us up from where we had fallen. Then God carried us to His own house where he gave us the sweet milk of His word and gave us strength to stand. Finally, He led us out to freedom and released our soul from sin and death. How wonderful that this freedom which God gives is even better than being free like a bird to fly away. Instead, God gives us the wings of His Spirit so we can fly after Him and worship Him forever!

Rejoicing Together Again

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6 ESV

During the pandemic many of us began to get just a small taste of the loneliness that those living in long term care face daily. During the height of the lockdowns people rarely left home and when forced to go out, there was both social distancing, as well as the wearing of masks making everyone seem anonymous. Some of us dealt with the isolation by watching endless reruns, others rearranged the furniture or put together 1,000-piece puzzles. While these activities distracted us for a while, our problem was that God created us for community. We were created to share life together. Now, after more than a year of social separation many of us have forgotten how to connect. The good news is that God has a restoration plan. Notice that today’s reading focuses on the word “Us”. Just as the Lord’s Prayer begins with, “Our Father”. This Psalm of David begins with the cry, “Revive us!”

His prayer reminds me of a story my father told me of his time in the war. During the invasion of Anzio his landing craft was hit with a bomb. His ship exploded and he along with everyone on aboard were thrown into the sea. Dad only remembered beginning to swim and then losing consciousness. Later he woke up on the beach with a severe head wound. His unit had been separated by death and destruction, and yet his healing took place in a hospital, surrounded by other people. That is what God has for us today as well. He has a plan to revive and restore each one of us. No bombs that have separated us in this battle can destroy God’s plan. If we put our trust in Him, our wounds will heal and by His grace we can rejoice together again!