comfort

Abide with Me – Audrey Assad

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The Reverend Henry Lyte wrote the lyrics to the hymn “Abide With Me” in 1847 just weeks before his going to be with the Lord. But rather than being morbid and glum the words instead are filled with the fresh breath of hope. No matter what you are facing in your own person life there is hope in an eternal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He has pursued us faithfully down all the pathways of our lives. His gave His loving discipline when we have strayed, His encouraging hand our our shoulders when we mourned, and His mighty strength when we were weary. So why should we doubt the  faithful love of God as we transition from one chapter of our lives to the next? Whether leaving home for the first time off to the grand adventure of life or preparing for heaven when we lay all we have gathered at His feet; He abides. He has given His all so we could receive all of Him. Don’t be afraid what ever step is before you. I loved this rendition by Audrey Assad. She brings the timeless melody and lyrics to us in her own unique way. Thank you Audrey and may my readers be blessed this Sunday as you remember again the one who has promised.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me

Praying for God’s Comfort

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We are broken hearted tonight and have been praying for the students and parents in Florida. This Valentine’s night it is time for our hearts to remember those who will not be here tomorrow. I miss the days when school violence meant getting hit with snow balls by the kids over on West 21st street! Jesus said that one life -any person’s life is worth more than the whole world. We have lost the treasure of 17 worlds tonight. May God bring comfort to the families and change to our nation.

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26 NKJV

Lost to us but Present with God!

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We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:8

This week we said good-bye both physically and spiritually to my God Mother. My Aunt Helen was a blessing, a fixture, a must phone call at Christmas and a favorite of our family reunions. As the tears fell today, not from sorrow that she is gone as much as a sad recognition that this was never meant to be. God did not program death into His wonderful plan for us. We were the ones who have chosen our own way and yet he has worked an eternal greater good through the cross of Calvary. Through the dark suffering night of Jesus Christ on the horrible cross He gave to us a gift far greater than we will ever know while still here on this earth.

He suffered humiliation, rejection, abandonment and betrayal alone so Helen’s hope and our’s could be honor and acceptance, belonging and faithful love. What a loss I sense at losing my precious God Mom today but she is now found by God and experiencing the fruit of that eternal forgiveness freely offered to us by a the kindness and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord!

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