Is 2019 The Year?

          As we begin a new year, my mind goes back to both a traditional hymn as well as an old, old song that my wife and I used to sing annually as a duet at this time of the year.  Both are songs of hope - actually praise and expectation.  The long anticipated event hasn't yet happened ...  but maybe this year ... or maybe even today ... or maybe even at this moment.  We pray, "Lord come quickly", for that is our hope and desire.   Believers have had this prayer and have waited for centuries, but God keeps His promises.  Maybe it will be in 2019!   Meditate on the words as you read them and then enter the new year with this great hope and expectation.   It will change you in 2019!

What if this could be the year when Jesus comes

The year that we've been waiting for so long

We'd have so little time to get our lost world won

If this could be the year when Jesus comes

Years have come and years have gone

Since Jesus went away

Leaving us the promise that He'd come again someday.  And…

What if this could be the day when Jesus comes

The day that we've been waiting for so long

We'd have so little time to get our lost world won

If this could be the day when Jesus comes

He will comes so quickly in the twinkling of an eye

In a moment we think not

He'll split the eastern sky And…

What if this could be the moment when Jesus comes

The moment that we've been waiting for so long

We'd have no time, no time to get our lost world won

If this could be the moment when Jesus comes

Yes this could be the moment Jesus comes

Now here is the hymn that is much better known, but with the same hope and message.

It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,

When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,

That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory

To receive from the world "His own."

It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,

It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight

Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,

When Jesus receives "His own."

While hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending,

With glorified saints and the angels attending,

With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory,

Will Jesus receive "His own."

Oh, joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying,

No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying;

Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,

When Jesus receives "His own."

Refrain:

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long

Ere we shout the glad song—

Christ returneth! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Amen.

A Holiday Wish

To All My Liberal Friends:
          

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2019, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To All My Conservative Friends who do not care for political correctness:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Would someday walk on water?

Mary did you know

That your baby boy 

Will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know

That your baby boy 

Has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know

That your baby boy 

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know

That your baby boy 

Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy 

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby

You've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see

The deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap

The dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary did you know

That your baby boy 

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know

That your baby boy 

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know

That your baby boy 

Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding

Is the Great I Am 

Let It Snow, Let It Snow ... NOT

       " He holds the future in the palm of His hand and He has never failed me yet. I know He is reigning and still has control, so why should I worry or fret?"

          These are the words of a song that our family used to sing in some of the programs that we presented over 25 years of our family ministry.  And the Lord often brings them back to my mind because I battle with the problem of worry, despite the multitude of ways the Lord has met all of my needs over the years. 

          One of my biggest concerns recently has been snow removal on our property.  I have had four major surgeries over the past four years including bypass surgery.  I am limited to lifting less than 10 pounds for several months.  Dianne has heart problems and has had three hospitalizations since September.  Neither of us are supposed to shovel snow.  So what will we do?

          I have struggled trying to find help.  Our family members live too far away to help us. Two folks that my one son was able to secure a few times in the past will no longer take snow removal jobs. I contacted numerous professionals, including the group that does the adjoining development and all claim to be booked up.  I advertised for help on a community bulletin board - no response.  I contacted eight of our neighbors - no immediate response except one who said she would pray for us and would check a few contacts. We have a good snow blower but nobody to use it.   What would we do?

          Now I should have taken comfort in how the Lord has worked it out in the past.  A few years ago we had a 30 inch snowstorm and we were snowed in. I had a heart cath scheduled the next day and actually ended up with five by-passes. Then Tom, a former neighbor, showed up and dug a path so we could at least get to our garage and get the car out to the road.  Dianne tried to clear the other side of the drive which was drifted but it was too much for her.  Then unexpectedly another former neighbor, Matt, showed up with a Bobcat and opened the rest of our drive and our mailbox.  What a blessing and answer to prayer.  But Tom and Matt are now gone.

         In another big snow another neighbor, a senior in high school, suddenly showed up and dug us out.  He has since gone to college.  Last year after another large storm my daughter-in-law found a family who came and dug us out and even used our snow blower.  But they are no longer taking such jobs.  I  sometimes wonder if all of the folks who just showed up to help were really angels sent by the Lord.

          But, coming back to our current situation, we finally did receive some responses from our letters.  Our next door neighbor called and said that she would help us if we needed help.  She is a young elementary school teacher.  She has a young man who lives with her but he works over an hour away and will need to get himself out to get to work. Will they really help?  Will they be dependable?  I guess time will tell.

          But God wasn't done yet.  A few days ago we were unloading groceries when a young man from the house across the street showed up and said that he and his house mates would help us however they could.  The five of them are college students and members of the fire department.  Several of them are also involved as paramedics.  While we had never actually met them before, they have been very nice neighbors and seem to be very mature, unlike other college students who have lived in our neighborhood over the years.  They have volunteered to not only help us with snow removal but also with anything else we might need done.  What a surprise!  What a blessing!  What a marvelous answer to our prayers.

          But why should I be surprised.  God continues to provide, but just not always on our time schedule.   So why should I worry or fret?

         I guess I should just try to settle back ...  relax  ...  quit worrying ... trust the Lord ... and see how the Lord will continue to handle difficult things this year.  But you probably won't hear me singing, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!", but maybe instead "Thank you Lord".

           

(1)     All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

(2)     All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread;

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living Bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see;

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see.

(3)     All the way my Savior leads me

O the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father's house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages—

Jesus led me all the way;

This my song through endless ages—

Jesus led me all the way.

Memories and Hymns

          Last evening we held a memorial service for a dear Christian brother who had a profound, positive impact upon so many people, as well as on the ministry of our church over about two decades.  The service might not have been as elaborate as the one held this week for former president George H. W. Bush, but it was an appropriate celebration for one who had served the Lord so faithfully.

          Dave German loved people.  He served as a mentor and counselor to so many folks over the years.  And he established an outstanding adult Sunday School program and trained and supervised a team of excellent teachers.  He and his wife Nona spent countless hours working on this program and helping a variety of people.

           Dave developed leukemia and then had a number of mini-strokes which kept him housebound and unable to continue his ministries.  After many months the Lord took him home for His eternal reward.  He is missed and will be for a long time.

          In the memorial service his wife arranged numerous things that were important to Dave - scriptures, music and musicians, testimonies and even his favorite snacks.  But he also loved something else that I also love and miss ... hymns.  And my wife was honored to be asked to play hymns for 30 minutes as a prelude and then more during the service.

          Now while the service was certainly not about me, this choice was a double blessing for me.  First, I had a chance to hear my wife practice these hymns, and I love to hear her play the piano.  Second, I love to hear the old hymns which were such a key part of my Christian growth over the years.  The hymns and scripture passages have been stored in my brain over the years and the Lord so often brings them back to me just when I need them.  I often wonder what the younger generations will have to recall when they get older.

          Now as my wife practiced for the service, several times I had the time to listen and quietly worship.  Silently I would remember and sing the words.  While doing this I would often talk to my Father and thank Him for the marvelous things He has done for me over the years.  As I recalled these, sometimes it even brought tears to my eyes as the hymns led me to worship.

          For you older readers, how could you not rejoice as you recalled the words of  ... Near to the Heart of God ... After ... And Can It Be ... All Your Anxiety ... Soon and very Soon ...  Under His Wings ... Jesus Lover of My Soul ...  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God ... Be Thou Exalted ...  Because He Lives ... Blest Be the Tie That Binds ... Abide With Me ...  I Shall Know Him ... Amazing Grace ...  Trusting Jesus ... How Great Thou Art ... O Love That Will Not Let Me Go ... He Hideth My Soul ... The Old Rugged Cross ...  Be Still My Soul ...  Safe in the Arms of Jesus ... Grace Greater Than Our Sin ... In the Presence o Jehovah ... Great is Thy Faithfulness ... God Be With You Till We Meet Again ... When We All Get to Heaven ... Face To Face ... and so many more.  

          Thank you Lord for so many meaningful hymns that you have used in my life over the years.  Thank you for your Spirit which fills us with peace, strength, comfort and hope when these words are brought back to our minds when we need them.

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face--what will it be?

When with rapture I behold Him,

Jesus Christ who died for me.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now, I see Him,

With the darkling veil between,

But a blessed day is coming,

When His glory shall be seen.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

What rejoicing in His presence,

When are banished grief and pain;

When the crooked ways are straightened,

And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Face to face! O blissful moment!

Face to face--to see and know;

Face to face with my Redeemer,

Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Help In Time Of Need

          "Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever."  Psalm 107:1

          A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about our challenges in finding somebody to help us with our snow removal.  I marvel at how the Lord continues to take care of our needs even when it appears that there is no help in sight.  We had been searching for help only to find that all who do this professionally were booked for the winter.  We posted a help ad on the bulletin board of our local grocery store, without any response.  Then the first snow came and a neighbor from the street behind us saw our need as he took his morning walk and stopped to help us with some of the work.

          But we were still in need.  There will be more and probably larger snows this winter.  So I sent letters to eight of our neighbors, including some young men who were capable of helping us.  One neighbor did call to tell us that she was praying and checking a few of her contacts.  I decided to put an ad in a local weekly paper, but as I was doing that our next door neighbor called.    She is an elementary school teacher and has offered to help when she can.  She also offered the help of the young man who lives with her whenever he is at home.  So we'll see how this works out, especially for larger snows.  But we are thankful that the Lord is answering our prayers.  Unfortunately, I guess I don't have enough faith to pray that we don't get any snow this year - we've had record rain and don't really need more moisture.

          Now I must admit that I am having a very difficult time looking and asking for help from anyone besides our family members and I hate to depend upon them when they are so busy.  This stretch since July in which Dianne has been hospitalized three times and I have had cervical spine surgery has been an unexpected challenge.  After a month I am now able to drive again but my limit on lifting only 5 to 10 pounds will continue for three months.  It is so hard not being able to do anything and depending upon your wife and family members to take care of things you normally could do.

          But thankfully we have been able at least to get to church three evenings a week to keep up with my work as financial secretary of our church and treasurer of Awana.  And this next month is a very heavy one with the finances since I must prepare and distribute about 300 new boxes of envelopes and prepare a new computer data base for giving for 2019.  I must also prepare over 300 annual receipts after the first of the year, prepare receipts for several memorial gifts, and keep records of individual giving for each Sunday. That is many days and hours of work. So far I have been able to keep up with that work, with the help of my wife.  I guess it at least gives me something to do when I am well enough to do it.

          I have not been in church for worship since August and a few folks have said that they miss me. I hope that they really do.  It is very easy to get lost attending a larger church  and not really missed.  Dianne started returning a few weeks ago.  I'm not sure when I will go back. We have gotten a number of nice cards from folks during that time as well as two visits from our pastor and our visitation pastor during Dianne's hospitalization and one from each while here at home.  We have also had a few meals prepared by family members.

          Fortunately our family has been there to help as they've been able.  Our oldest grandson has come weekly to cut our grass and now to help us clean up our many leaves.  He has also done jobs around the house that we can't currently do.  On Thanksgiving our family showed up and our daughters-in-law brought the dinner.  The grandchildren carried in all of our Christmas boxes.  Our grandson set up our two trees and two of our granddaughters decorated both of them and did an excellent job. They also put up many of the other traditional decorations.  Some of the family helped with removing our leaves.  It was a special day and a very special blessing to us.  I thank the Lord for them.

          We've also found another way to get some help with a weekly necessary chore - online grocery shopping.  We have been solving the problem of shopping by ordering online and then at a designated time picking up our orders.  We've now done this three times and what a relief it is.  No more limping through the store and standing in lines to check-out.  We are thankful for this great new service.  And, of course, online shopping has been a tremendous help in doing our Christmas shopping.

          It is so hard to depend upon others to help especially when they are busy meeting their own obligations.  And I find it very difficult, if impossible, to do so.  I am finding out that few people really know how to help or are aware of things that they could do to help.  Perhaps they are praying for us. Hopefully, if I am ever again able to do such things once again, I will be more aware of little things that I could do to help others who are in need.  There are so many little things that folks could do if they just think about it.  For example, a few Sundays before Thanksgiving our church had a full turkey dinner for the congregation.  If they ever do it again, I will suggest that they take meals to those who can't attend.  That would have been wonderful and would have tasted so much better than the frozen meals we have been "enjoying".  Little things like that can make a big difference when you are limited and struggling.  And it shows that you really care.

          But I'm not complaining.  I am learning to take my needs to the Lord and then trying to have the faith for him to somehow take care of them.  And He has and He will.  Thank you Lord for your provision.

(1)     He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(2)    When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(3)    Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.