Category: Sister Judy (Page 52 of 267)

 Upon rising, I looked up who wrote this familiar song in 1917 and read about Frederick Martin Lehman who was a California Christian businessman but had lost everything. He was forced to make a living by working in a packing plant putting oranges and lemons into wooden crates; but while he worked God used this environment for him to write songs. One Sunday he was so touched by the Pastor’s sermon that he could hardly sleep that night. The next day, words came to him throughout the day as he worked; he later rushed home to write them down and went to the piano to compose the melody to The Love of God. He wrote 2 stanzas but 3 were necessary for a song to be considered complete. There were no words that came to him but he remembered a card he had received and noted that at the bottom it said that the words were written on the wall of a prison cell 200 years ago by a prisoner so he could be reminded of God’s love. It was not known what the prisoner had done but the words were left behind when he died and written down before the cell walls were painted.

  Lehman found that the words fit perfectly for the 3^rd verse of his song, and they still ring just as true today. “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.”

  We talk and sing about God’s love, but has His love penetrated our hearts that no matter what is happening in our lives, His love remains measureless and strong. His love reaches down to us no matter if we are the most wretched sinner for His love endures forever.

  In seeing death, we come to know that we all have limitations and that one day our bodies will cease to function, and we will die. Just knowing that should help us live each day to its fulness and embrace what comes. Death is holy and not to be treated as a problem we need to fix but part of life that happens to all.

  Jesus experienced death and the worst kind of suffering, so whatever we go through in our last days in dying, we know that He has already entered into. He is present and will be with us through it all. And the best thing is what lies ahead of us when we know Him. We have a friend right now who is in hospice and will soon be going to glory. Her family is surrounding her and it is hard to let go as they realize that soon she will no longer be with them. But it is also glorious for she will be forever with the Lord. As Jesus told Martha after her brother died, (John 11:25), “I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” Do we believe this! Yes! Yes! Yes!

I read today Psalm 133.which was a song sung by the pilgrims going up to Jerusalem to celebrate annual festivals several times a year. David wrote, “See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony! It is like fine, scented oil on the head, running down the beard—down Aaron’s beard—running over the collar of his robes.”  Unity is precious and a sweet fragrance just like the warm oil flowing down Aaron’s beard.  David also says that it is like the dew on Mount Hermon, so fresh each day with newness.

  Of course, that doesn’t mean we all think alike and have the same opinions on things, but that we agree on the essentials of faith, and choose to learn from one another in those places we differ. I rejoice that we experience harmony where we live, although we come from so many walks of life, different church backgrounds etc. I don’t hear people gossiping but rather looking out for one another. The same is true at church as I have not heard murmuring or complaining or gossip. As Christians our relationships are rooted in the Lord and we belong to the family of God, and do not give up on each other but encourage one another, and pray for one another.

We were never meant to go alone but to belong to a community of faith who worship together and grow together, and work things out when problems arise. Let us be like those pilgrims who walked together singing in unity.

Challenge for today: When differences arise with other believers, look at them as a fellow sister or brother and work towards harmony.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

 The first problem he mentions has to do with how our culture encourages ambition without limits and always wants more and more but never satisfied. The desire is to rise to the top, be in control and be No#1. Even our arrogance and pridefulness of taking things into our own hands is looked as a virtue in our society today. But that is not God’s way. The Psalmist starts out by saying, “God, I’m not trying to rule the roost. I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.” He knew better than to be his own god and taking things into his own hands. The Psalmist seems to recognize the need to be humble and not arrogant and parading his self-importance.

 The second problem to guard against is not growing up, but remaining an infant in dependency that others should cater to. It gives the impression of wanting to be protected, and perhaps indulged in just as a baby who has not been weaned and cries out for attention. But the Psalm goes on to say, “Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!” We are to be like the weaned child that is content and can just rest at our mother’s side, being close to her. We love her for herself and not for what she can do for us. God desires that we love and worship Him for Himself and not because of what He can do for us and give us. That transition does not take place overnight but in time we can go from an infant to one that goes on to maturity.

  A mark of maturity is freely coming to the Lord with a trusting heart and being able to wait like the weaned child. Just like the Psalm closes with the words,” Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!” We can wait quietly with an expectant heart for whatever the Lord has for us.