Not long ago Beverly of the blog, Becoming the Oil and Wine, shared the Jamaican proverb, “wise man rides donkey”. I was struck by that wonderful way of telling us how the wisdom of simplicity is best. This morning I was thinking that God also must like this proverb because he chose simple donkeys like you and me to ride on to show the love of Christ in our neighborhood. Here is my little poem to tell it the best I can. Have a blessed day!
God has chosen us to show
His mystery Of long ago
When He was born
Where shepherds bow
And cattle fed
And roosters crowed
To simplest hearts
His glory know!
To Simplest Hearts
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2021
All rights reserved
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
In case you missed this week’s announcement of the transition beginning at Saddleback church in California: Pastor Rick Warren announced that he will be stepping down from his role as Senior pastor there once a replacement has been found. From a practical point of view this is not surprising. He and his wife Kay have given over 42 years of their lives serving not only their church and its many campuses but also countless outreach ministries around the world. Yet the thought of them leaving their role as voices of calm in the storm of our ongoing American culture wars brings a sadness to my heart. I pray only the best for them both and their family as they seek God’s next step. Too many times we only realize how much leaders need our prayers after an embarrassing public failure or financial scandal. Why not join together and pray that the leadership at Saddleback will have the grace and wisdom to find the person or persons to fill the role of a future lead pastor? If you would like to hear more about this coming transition beyond just the headlines, I am posting Pastor Rick’s video here. I found it both quite interesting and encouraging.
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— Colossians 4:3 ESV
O Sing unto to the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1 KJV
I have been praying for God to open doors at the long-term care facilities I visit, but I wasn’t prepared to see them swing open quite so wide. Today seemed like just any another Thursday morning at the West Wing which is the memory care portion of one facility I visit. I got there at my usual time and found about a dozen folks seated in the TV area by the nurse’s station. They seemed happy to see me as we started singing “Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man who stilled the waters!” As the chorus rang out I noticed behind them a lady named Virginia who was pacing aimlessly back and forth hunched over her walker. I paid little attention to her until she suddenly turned towards us and shuffled in our direction. Being concerned that she might fall, one of the nurses jumped up and gently redirected her back to the hall. But just a minute later Virginia was back and this time walked right up to me and stood quietly for a moment, then reached out her finger and touched the strings of my guitar.
Curious to see what she would do; I assured the nurse that it was fine and I watched to see what she would do next. I had not been able to see Virginia’s face because she was so completely bent over her walker but on the next hymn she looked up at me and began to sing. Her face lit up with a smile as she stood next to me and our voices joined together, “Jesus – Jesus – Jesus – Sweetest name I know. Hears the every longing of my heart – Keeps me singing as I go!” Oh yes doors began opening today but the doors that swung open wide were not the ones I expected, they were ones to my heart and hers. God sent Virginia to remind me that everyone in all the earth needs to sing for you!
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