Old Tunes and Old People

I stood and sang to a group of old people, yet all the while noticing a man in the front row, who no matter what song we sang, he sang his heart out as tears rolled down his cheeks. I talked with him afterwards, and listened as he told me his story of how precious some of those songs were to him and how each one held a precious spot in his heart.

I think back to some of my Grandparents favorite songs, two that stick out to me are “Trust and Obey for there is no other way” and “What a friend we have in Jesus”. Two songs that filled out a testimony and a legacy from my Grandparents and an encouragement to the next generation to live faithfully.

First Trust and Obey Jesus because there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to Trust and Obey and Second find a friend in Jesus… and take EVERYTHING to the Lord in prayer.

When I sit back and think, that’s quite a legacy I have to live up to. The legacy they left not only from how they lived their lives, but the encouragement that they left behind, in song, in written word, in spoken word, and that list could go on is proof of what they made priority in their life.

I have the privilege of meeting a lot of old people. I look across the groups of silver hair and you look into the eyes of each one and you know there is a story there, a past, a history. You have to think of everything they have seen in there 85 odd years of life… all the stories they could tell.

Sometimes you see a distant sadness in their eyes, sometimes regret, sometimes sorrow, and sometimes there is peace, there is a joy in that old ladies smile that just shakes your backbone and sends shivers up and down your spine, and a twinkle in that Grandpa’s eye that tells you there is a joy in his heart unlike any other.

…And I can still hear George Younce say it, “I love ole people, I really do.”

Yeah, I love them and some days they crack me up.

You ask for a song favorite and they immediately pull out the good ole songs from many years ago… “The Old Rugged Cross”, “In the Garden”, “How Great Thou Art”, and many, many more… I sing them with joy because (I know I am a weirdo) I love old songs. I also like some new ones to…:)

You see their dreamy eyes as you sing songs of heaven, knowing that some of them have a handful of loved ones there already. A tear slips down that wrinkled cheek as you sing, “Amazing Grace”, and you know it meant something to her.

Have you ever thought of what heaven must be like?

What will eternity be like?

There is no time there so how old will we be?

Will age really matter?

The Bible talks about singing...

What songs are we going to sing?

How many parts will there be?

An old man remarks, “Do you think out of all the thousands and thousands of songs we are going to sing in Heaven, that Jesus will just let me lead one song?”

Will we be able sing at all... or will we simply be flabbergasted by the beauty that surrounds us, we won’t know what to say or do but simply bow our knees in adoration? I can only imagine...

You know, I have wondered sometimes.

Leaving #booktitlecraziness

Leaving (to go out of or away from, to go without taking)

It’s not something that we like to think about. I think of my friends who have picked up and left home and now live miles away from any of their closest family: in Haiti, Africa, Guatemala, Indonesia. The list could go on and on and maybe it isn't moving countries maybe it is simply moving to the other end of the province or country… In Canada that’s still along way away. 

Yet what if living in the center of God’s will means you have to leave? 

How does one handle that? 

How does one process the letting go feeling of being out on there on their own? I have this slight feeling of shaking in my booties when I think about it? How would I handle it? :)

These questions, I am not saying I have all the answers for but I know that God’s promises are always true and they never fail. 

Acts 1:7-8 says, And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Wherever you are and wherever God has called you to, if you are in His will no matter what the pain may be of letting go, you can and will be a witness for Jesus Christ! 

That being said those are also Jesus parting words to us and I do believe part of this is comfort to His Disciples who stood by in amazement. Having Jesus go away from them, left them without Him constantly by their sides, yet with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in their lives, Jesus was always beside them. 

So we as Christians today have the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and yes its not always our parents or mentors, but with Christ as our Comforter, Provider, and  Sustainer we don't have to fear He will always be beside us. How amazing is that thought it just makes me glow. 

No matter what the pain there is Joy in the morning.

God Bless,

Courage

Yeah guys, I know, a little off topic but it’s on my heart tonight and I can't quite shake this one…. And it sorta goes along with forgiveness to….

Courage

…the quality of mind that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. without fear, bravery…

A couple of years ago Sherwood pictures produced an all famous movie called “Courageous” it was the story of 4 Police Officers who decided to take Fatherhood to the next level… well I'm not here to talk to the father’s because believe you me I have no experience in that department whatsoever, and let’s be certain I never will. J

Maybe that’s where you find yourself today, I don't know. Today, God is looking for courageous men and women who are willing to stand up for their faith and to stand for truth.

A lady came into the store today and saw a bowl was priced for $2.50 stating the fact that she thought it was a little much she asked my co-worker if she could sell it for a $1. When my co-worker refused after a little explaining the customer said “we’ll how are they (the owners) to know what you sell the bowl for?” On hearing this I was taken a little back but yet thankful that we didn't go through and process the sale like the customer would have wanted because who would have had to live with the guilt of what we did? We would have had to. Even if the customer’s integrity would have also been on the line, we would have been the ones that suffered knowing we didn't take courage and stand up, not only for truth but what is morally right and wrong.

Courage is something that most people lack. People, including myself when I say this, do not like opposition. We hate it. We or most people like to roll a long with the punches and try not to get too many feathers in a thither.

I think back in my life to times where I had to take a stand for Truth. It wasn’t easy. Do I regret it, absolutely not. I had the privilege of standing for Truth and watching my friends one by one turn against me. That’s not easy, believe me. There was also times when I should have stood up and didn’t, I regret that. I could tell you example after example and never run out, but unless you are brave enough to stand up for what you believe, it will all be in vain.

A little over a year ago I came home one day with a phrase running through my head “dare to be different”. Ok, don't take that the wrong way, I am not saying go out a buy yourself a burnt orange leather vest just to be different, please. Save your friends eyes. What I mean is “dare to be different” when everyone around you says your Faith in Jesus Christ is not worthy to stand for, STAND FOR YOUR FAITH. Jesus says in the Bible “if you are ashamed of me I will also be ashamed of you on the day of judgment.” It’s no fooling around folks. Jesus was serious here.

I came home that day and through the course of three days I wrote this poem. Now don't go looking to see if it rhymes, because I'll save you the time it doesn’t. But allow the words to penetrate your being and “DARE TO BE DIFFERENT FOR CHRIST.” And if I may add even if it means you loose the friends you thought were the closest.

Dare to be Different

Dare to be different and watch others fight,

Dare to be different and slid right along

Dare to be different and stand with the crowd

Dare to be different and feel restless at night

Dare to be different and say not a sound

Dare to be different and die without a cause.

You stand on the side lines, and watch others fall

You stand on the side lines, and do nothing at all

You stand on the side lines, and wish others the best

Yet daring never to take up the rest

You stand on the side lines, and never flinch

You stand on the side lines, and never miss

You stand on the side lines, and watch others die

You stand on the side lines, and fail at success.

I say NO…

Dare to be different and do what’s Right

Dare to be different and stand for what’s Truth

Dare to be different and don't give up the fight

Dare to be different and stand all alone.

Dare to be different and enjoy God’s peace.

Dare to be different and feel God’s contentment.

Dare to be different and die in with a cause

Dare to be different; your death is your success.

Jesus is waiting, for you this moment,

Hoping you'll trust in Him, for your strength and courage,

Your battles He'll fight, if only you’ll listen.

And stand in the fight, we'll others are slipping

Jesus is calling, for you this moment,

Will you dare to be different, or say not a sound?

Rise up men and women, take courage in the Lord.

Stand up for Jesus, You'll never regret it.

God’s invitation is still open, He is still calling, and no matter how difficult it may seem there is joy in the morning. When we have finally breathed our final breath and pass from this life into eternal life, our pain, our hurts, our sword wounded bodies will not matter anymore because in heaven there is peace, joy, contentment, and the list could go on of all the good amazing things that we will enjoy. Folks, it’s going to be wonderful, and you don't want to miss it. 

Take COURAGE, Stand for your faith in Jesus Christ. It will be worth it. Trust me.