Christians and the Law

The same way that there is no escaping the topic of the current world-situation and the coronavirus; there should be no way to avoid thinking that the nations of the world need to turn their eyes toward God, repent and reclaim their place as His children.  However...is that happening?  Are His "people, who are called by [His] name," actually humbling themselves and praying and seeking His face and turning from their wicked ways, so He "will hear from heaven, and ... forgive their sin and ... heal their land"? (2 Chronicles 7: 14)

I'm not sure...

The strange times we are living in should, indeed be a time to reconsider our ways and to go back to our faith in the Most High.  But, is our nation doing that?  Or are we like the ancient Israelites, who having walked with God and received His law, abandoned it, rejected it or neglected it?  Are we repenting or are we stuck on forgetting what He has told us?

One quick look at Leviticus 26, the chapter about the rewards for obedience and the punishment for disobedience of the law should make us shudder today.  God revealed to His people through Moses the privileges of abiding in Him and following His commands v. the consequences of the opposite :  the magnificent "I will" statements of God in which He promises His peace and His favor to those who would "follow His decrees and are careful to obey His commands" (Leviticus 26: 1-13) are followed by the statements of the "sudden terror and wasting diseases and fever" that would basically destroy us if we don't. (Leviticus 26: 14-18)  The antidote? To remember Him and His Word.

“‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors—their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me, 41 which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies—then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, 42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land." (Leviticus 26: 40-42)

To listen and to repent...

I know we are not Jews...but...as Christians we follow Christ's Way and He said:   Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5: 17

As I understand it, our relationship with the law is through Christ.  The purpose of the law is to point to Christ.  Since it is impossible for us as humans to fulfill the law, and without fulfilling it, we are separated from God...God sent His Son, the Only One who could ever fulfill it on our behalf.  Therefore, the need for a personal relationship with Christ, since it is through Him and Only through Him, that we can be saved.  He is Our Redeemer.  He is Our Perfect Lamb.  He is Our High Priest.  He is Our Savior and Our Lord.  Our surrender to Him and our constant seeking of His face is how we meet our adherence to the New Covenant that is met in Jesus...it is how we fulfill the law and are reconciled to Our Heavenly Father.

What Leviticus states as our part of the agreement between humanity and God is accomplished by our surrendering to Christ.  Christians fulfill the law by following Jesus.  Therefore, walking away from the path that leads to Him, will bring forth the consequences of God retrieving His favor.  Our reluctance to confess our sins and repent, causes the terror that surrounds our circumstances.

I'm no theologian, so, of course, my words reveal nothing more than the meditations of my heart.  But, it seems to me that the Word is calling us to coming back to God in times like these.

May the Holy Spirit guide our path as individuals and as a nation so we can find our way back to confession, repentance and obedience as we seek His Face and dwell in His Presence.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

Distance Helps Us See

This morning I read something that reminded me of that one early dawn, not too long ago, when I saw the Big Dipper Constellation for the first time...and how, the only reason we can see those shapes on the night sky is because we are trillions, upon trillions of light years away from them...that's mind boggling in itself...my brain can't conceive what one light year truly is...let alone 101...regardless.  The point the reading was making is that of how distance helps us see things.

That really was intriguing to me this morning.

Distance allows us to see better.  I've had myopia since I was a young teen.  Therefore, it's very hard for me to understand how that could possibly be.  I can't even make out my kids' faces in the distance.  How am I supposed to be able to see better if I'm far removed from something?

Well, that's the thing:  I might not be able to.  But God can.

He not only has beyond 20/20 super vision, but He has full panoramic view of our entire lives.  He is with us, in us, but at the same time, He is removed enough from us that He can see the entire picture of our lives.  He is like us looking at the Big Dipper as a constellation...not like me seeing just one star...or worse yet, seeing a big blurry mess (which is what a starry night looks like to me without my glasses.)

We are the constellation, and God not only sees it in its entirety, but He designed it, created it and sustains it. 

We are too close to our lives.  That's why we can't see the big picture.  We plan and we manipulate and we concoct and we try to control so things go our way.  And when they don't, we pout, and throw fits, and raise our fists in anger asking why?  Our frustrations come from the fact that we have a hard time removing ourselves from our circumstances.  We have a myopia of the heart and soul.  We can only see near.  We can't see the future.  We only have the present moment.  And that is exactly how God designed us.

We are not supposed to worry about tomorrow.  We are only supposed to seek Him first...and everything else will fall into place...perfectly.  We are supposed to seek His presence and stop trying to figure everything out.  We are supposed to surrender control and trust Him to be in command of our destiny.  Mistakes, missteps, slips, slides and falls...detours, wrong roads, lost time...all of it is part of God's perfect plan for our lives.  He sees the full picture.  He sees the complete constellation and it is marvelously and carefully put together by the Loving Hands of Our Lord.

We just have to trust.

He has done it all.  It is finished, remember?  His Blood has cleansed us and by His Wounds we are healed.  Let's be still and Praise Him for what He has done for us.  Let's allow Him to be God.

May the Holy Spirit help us understand that Our Great God does not suffer from myopia.  May we be able to see the reality of how Our Amazing God, Creator of the Universe, Designer of Constellations, Sustainer of Our Lives, Lover of Our Souls, has made everything beautiful and perfect in Him...even our seemingly messy and sinful lives.  In the Precious Name of Jesus. Amen!

His Love IS a Gift!

Dylan:  "I don't like online school!!!"
Me:       "I know...a lot of people don't like it.  It's OK not to like it...but...we still have to do the best we can and try to learn as much as possible and get the best grades we can." 
Dylan:   "This is not fair..."
Me:        long pause.... "I know.  Just take a break.  Then, go watch the video lesson again, as many times as you need to, take notes like we told you to, and try the quiz again.  Give it your best effort.  Don't give up. And, really, really pay attention to the video lessons.  They contain the key to solving the problems!"

This little chat has become routine between Dylan and me during the last few weeks of the new "distance-education" reality.  The subject of concern:  Math, of course.  I am completely useless there.  Dan tries, but he feels as if he has to take a seminar first to learn how to do it himself, before he could try to begin to approach a semblance of an explanation to present to Dylan.  It is frustrating for everyone, and performance anxiety is very high:  Dylan feels like an idiot, Dan is stressed out because he doesn't have enough time to dedicate to helping Dylan with all the mountains of work he has, and I feel even more inadequate as a Mother than I usually do.

Sigh...

I want Dylan to do his best in school, but, at the same time, I don't want him to feel as if our love and acceptance is based on his performance.  I want to push him to do well, but I don't want him to feel that if he doesn't do well, I'm going to be disappointed.  It is a balancing act, and I'm not sure I'm doing very well with it. I can see it in Dylan's eyes.  He fears my rejection if he doesn't do well on the graded tasks...sigh...He doesn't understand that my love does not depend on his performance!  I have told him, and tried to demonstrate it forever, but it seems that he just doesn't listen to me or truly believe my words.

The whole thing reminds me of myself and my relationship with The Lord.  I am Dylan in that scenario.  I am the one who doesn't believe ... who doesn't have a firm grasp of,

how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

I still don't understand or know this love that surpasses knowledge.

I'm still waiting to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3: 18-19)

And it is all because I don't listen...because I don't believe His Word. Because I don't pay attention. 

I don't believe it when He says to me:  I have loved you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31: 3

I don't believe that He can "save me in His unfailing love" Psalm 31: 16

I don't believe that I can delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61: 10

I have not given thanks to the Lord, for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107: 8

And it is all because I have yet to fully assimilate the truth that, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2: 8

Like my devotional reading for today says:  "Bring your performance anxiety to Me, and receive in its place My unfailing love.  Try to stay conscious of My loving Presence with you in all that you do, and I will direct your steps." (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

It is time I make His Word mine, and believe that He is who He says that He is...and He is Love!  And yes, I don't deserve His love...but that is not the point, because He loves me anyway.  It is His gift to me and to you...and our job is just to accept it with open hearts, as we allow Him to direct our paths.

Bright-eye, smiling Dylan comes down the steps into the kitchen where I was getting ready to fix supper.  "I watched the video lessons again, paid attention, took the quiz and I did way better!"  I gave him a hug and a high five, and watched him walk away feeling satisfied.  

I pray I can continue to read the lessons God is trying to teach me in His Distance Education Academy for which He had given me the textbook long ago.  I hope I finally begin to pay really, really close attention now to the lessons in His Word, for that's where the key is.  That way, when the tests come, I know that no matter what my performance is, He won't stop loving me and sustaining me, because that's not what it is about.

Grieving Normal Life

You never know how much you miss something until that something pops up in front of you after a long absence.  That happened to me today. 

Once I realized that I was not going to be able to get any of my much needed groceries until Friday through the online ordering and curb-side pick up services around my area...I decided to brave the streets and go shopping.  Boy, has that become a chore...but anyway...on my way back, as I was riding on the hilly side of Harmony Road here in Slippery Rock, I approached the top of one of those hills behind the University and, there it was... roaring in front of me... the yellow giant I haven't seen in over a month:  a school bus... flashing its lights, followed by a long, long, long caravan of over 50 cars all with red and white balloons, signs and other decorations displaying their joyful purpose.  I was the only car driving on the opposite direction, so slowly I realized what it was.  It was a parade of teachers and other staff from the entire district riding around the neighborhoods, to try to cheer the kids up and to show them that they care about them...that they have not been forgotten.

I have to tell you, after a good 25 plus cars going by me...I lost it.  I just lost it.  My vision became blurry with hot tears and I just broke down sobbing the rest of the way.  I couldn't stop.  I have been able to handle this whole thing uncharacteristically well, for my standards, but seeing that caravan just brought up all the sadness that I have been bottling up for the last 5 weeks...and the loss of all we are missing came gushing out.

I know I'm sounding selfish, ungrateful and even childish, but I just realize how much I'm missing normal things like seeing my boys leave for school in the morning, seeing the school bus drive away at dawn and back in the afternoon.  I'm missing the after school stories and the daily complaints of how much homework they have to do any given day.  I'm missing the events and activities that we would be getting ready for.  I'm missing the frantic rides to the Dollar General to grab a last minute something for whatever project that is always due tomorrow.  I'm missing the backpacks left on the living room floor and the gym bags on the steps.  I'm even missing writing checks for whatever fundraising is going on...and of course...I'm missing getting ready to see my young man prep for prom, spring concert and commencement. 

Life is not fair, and it's best if we learn this lesson early in life.  I know...but I think it is also OK to mourn when we experience loss.  And this current world situation is causing lots of different types of loss...and it is important to acknowledge it and allow ourselves time and space to grieve.  The current crisis is not just one that impacts our physical health...but at a deeper level, it is impacting our emotional well being too.  And just as we take precautions and protect our bodies, so should we also protect minds and spirits.

I finally made it home.  Red-eyed I was welcomed by the big smiles of two boys who had just experienced an event that really did the trick: the parade rode around the neighborhood and lifted their spirits with the horns, waives and cheers of those who took their time to show they understand and know how to teach lessons of the heart.

So today, I pray, that the Holy Spirit will grant us a very special awareness of His Presence in us, with us and around us so His Comfort can flow through our hearts and souls in order to experience His Peace that surpasses all understanding...as we go through different types of loss.  May we also be aware of this reality of widespread grieving, so we'd do what we can to show our solidarity, our understanding, our care, concern and above all, our love to those around us. In Jesus' Precious Name! Amen!

Witnessing the Resurrection of Christ

Easter celebrations took a very different shape around the entire world yesterday, didn't they?  And one thing is certain, people's ingenuity never ceases to amaze me.  God has endowed the human brain with the ability to create and adapt...hence, our ability to survive.  All over social media we saw, liked, shared and commented on all different kinds of creative ways in which individuals, families, friends, churches and organizations figured out how to virtually gather, make memories and bring joy to those around. 

As it has become the new usual on Sunday morning, after Dan made the kids hunt for their Easter Baskets, we gathered together in our living room to worship  and to sign hymns glorifying our Risen Lord.  Then, I concocted a meal with whatever I still had in the kitchen and gathered around the table to praise the Lord for His Provision.  Later, we hooked up the laptop to the TV screen and gathered with the extended family on Zoom for a time of catching up and laughter.  Later in the day, I gathered with my sisters and friends in social media, to enjoy the pictures of little kids with their baskets and the fun ways that Easter Egg Hunts took place in a socially distanced society.  In the evening, we gathered around the table again to play a board game to wrap up the day.

This morning, I think of all the accounts of those who witnessed the Resurrection of Christ on that first Easter Sunday, and remember what Pastor Doug mentioned in his sermon...Jesus met the first witnesses where they were, as they were going about their day.  That's what happened yesterday.  I believe Jesus met each and every one of us exactly where we were.  We didn't have to go anywhere special.  We didn't have to wear our Easter dresses and new shoes.  We didn't have to travel across states.  We didn't have to make a fancy meal.  All we had to do was gather our thoughts and join together with those around us without leaving our homes...and Jesus met us there.  And Jesus meets us here...yesterday, today and forever.

We witness the Resurrection of Christ right where we are today...because He lives within our hearts.  And when we gather together as believers, He shows up!

May the Holy Spirit make His presence evident in us at this moment, so we would be assured of His constancy, from everlasting to everlasting.  In the Precious Name of Our Risen Lord, Amen!

Waiting for The Light!

I was just exchanging messages with my sister and asking her for prayer with a giant mess we have at work right now, and after assuring me that she'll be praying for me, she said something that stuck.  She said, "today is a day of prayer and waiting, because we are waiting for The Light."

I loved that image. 

Last night, as we worshiped with the Tenebrae Service that Our Church put together and shared on YouTube...we experienced the darkness in a very physical way.  Only the one lonely candle representing Christ was lit at the end...and, I praised Him for Being the Light of the World.  Today, that image comes back to mind as we do take a day to wait for the Light in the midst of our own darkness.  Today is the day that the Lord has made for us to meditate on how horrible life is without Jesus...and how ugly things get when society wants to extinguish The Light of the Word. 

We don't like the Light because it exposes our every flaw and our every sin.  We say we fear darkness...but we get comfy in it, until we fall asleep...muting and hiding all evil that always develops and grows in it.  Today is a day to be awake in the dark.  Today is a day to be uncomfortable and to grieve the seeming departure of the Light.  Today is a day to wait for the return of The Light as we rediscover that The Light was never really gone...that it was us who withdrew from Him.

Jesus spent this day buried in a dark tomb carved upon a rock.  But there is no tomb so deep or no rock so heavy that can contain or extinguish The Light.

Let's wait knowing that Sunday is coming!  The Resurrection happened and the curse of darkness has been destroyed.  May the Holy Spirit give us guidance as we go through this Holy Saturday in prayer and expectation...as we wait for The Light!  Amen!

Remembering Good Friday

Good Friday, 2020...I wonder how it would be remembered?  What would be the label?  The one we were quarantined...the year we were isolated...when the entire world was practicing social distancing...the one without Easter egg hunts...the one when we celebrated at home...

I'm not sure how this year will be remembered in the future.  I don't want to imagine how the events of the spring that never was, would be discussed in social study class or in history books.  I don't want to make a judgement as to the validity of what's happening today or any projections from the years ahead.  I don't even want to discuss the heartache I'm experiencing due to the broken dreams and impossibilities that are impacting my life right now.  All I want to do at this moment is to stay in the moment...and turn my eyes towards the One Who Deserves All the Glory!

Today, I want to fix my eyes on the One Who Gave it All for Me...little, ole, insignificant me.

Today, I want to meditate on Jesus' Sacrifice on the Cross, which gave me hope.

Today, I want to remember that by His Wounds, I am healed.

Today, I want to be one of the women who didn't abandon Him...and followed Him all the way to Calvary.

Today, I want to sing that sad, sad song that asks, were you there when they crucify My Lord?

Today, I want to trust Him with every detail of my life.  Like the devotional reading I just finished says, today I want to remember that "nothing is random in His Kingdom.  Everything that happens fits into a pattern for good, to those who love Him."  Today, I want to hear Him say to me:  "Instead of trying to analyze the intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on trusting Me and thanking Me at all times.  Nothing is wasted when you walk close to Me.  Even your mistakes and sins can be recycled into something good through My transforming grace.  While you were still living in darkness, I began to shine the Light of My Presence into your sin-stained life.  Finally, I lifted you up out of the mire into My marvelous Light.  Having sacrificed My very Life for you, I can be trusted in every facet of your life." (Sarah Young's Jesus Calling)

Thank You, Lord Jesus for what you did on a day like today, so many years ago.  The pain I'm feeling does not compare to what you went through, but I offer it to You...I bring it to the foot of Your Cross and give it to You as my offering.  Take it and make it holy and worthy of You.  Thank You for choosing me, even when I was among the crowd that cried: crucify Him.

This year will be remembered whichever way history decides.  But today is remembered as the Friday that was and continues to be Good, for Goodness and Light was poured out from the wounds of Christ.

I trust You, Lord.  In Your Precious Name, Amen!

Holy Thursdays of Long Ago

Holy Thursday was always very special to me, growing up in Panama, for several reasons, but mainly two:  "la procesión del silencio" and "los monumentos."

Each of these events are tightly associated with Holy Thursday in Panama.  In my memories, each of these events is tightly associated with my parents.

What is commonly referred to as "La procesión del silencio" or, loosely translated, "The procession of silence" is exactly that, a procession up the main street of my hometown where men, only men, silently walk or process all the way, up the long, main street, accompanying a statue of Jesus of Nazareth that represents the moment when He was arrested after the Last Supper out of His intense time of prayer and meditation in the Garden of Olives.  Men fill the street, surrounded by the low whispers of the bystanders and the echo of their shoes hitting the pavement.  It is the most solemn of processions of the entire Holy Week celebration in our town.  It gives all a time to ponder and contemplate on the events that developed a couple of thousands of years ago, which altered the course of the history of the world.  It was a special time for me, because my Dad always, always walked along his friends and acquaintances, in his tall, sober way.  I'd always, always spot him right away, and followed his slender figure all the way to the church, where the men would come in, pay respects, set the statue on a place of honor and quietly leave or wander toward their families to go see "los monumentos."

"Los monumentos"  typically set up to the left of the main altar in the church, it's a special way to display the Sacrament of the Eucharist to symbolize Christ with us.  Each church takes great pride on decorating the "monumento" and it stands tall, as, exactly that, a monument to what Christ has done for us in His Death and Resurrection.  My Mom and I would visit as many churches around town to pay our respects as we meditated on Jesus' Sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sins.  It was a treasured time for me, to see my Mother's devotion and faith in display, as a gentle reminder of what the soul of a woman of God ought to look like.

Today, in this cold and dreary April morning, when we are about to celebrate Maundy Thursday isolated from society...I can't help but to reminisce of these Holy Thursdays of long ago.  It will be 8 years of my Dad's passing. And this April 17th, it will be 20 since my Mom's departure...but I can still vividly see them with the eyes of my memories.  My Dad, tall and slender, full of honor and integrity, with the rigidity of an Oak... my Mom, petite and gentle, with the softness of the flowers in a quiet valley... the people who made me who I am ... the people who gave me life ... the people who handed down a faith in the God Above which has transformed me from the inside out...the people who loved me unconditionally...the people who I have been without for so long...

This Holy Thursday will be different in so many ways to those of long ago, but the spirit remains:  a spirit of silence and contemplation, made even stronger by the circumstances of today...a calling to sitting still in the Presence of the One Who Gave it All for Us...

May our day be a "monument" to Christ and in the silence of our souls, may we hear His voice telling us: I AM Still Here!  In the Precious Name of Our Lord, Jesus, Amen!

Baby Steps

I read something on a devotional that had stuck with me:  "Victorious lives flow from victorious days." (Beth Moore)  At first, I wasn't sure what that phrase meant.  But I kept repeating it in my head over and over again...until it clicked (I know...I'm very slow).  It means:  baby steps.

Yes!  In order to have a life that could be considered victorious, I must start with a first step, which probably is going to be a baby one.  A victorious life is one that begins with one day...the day of calling...the day when I receive my call from My Lord asking me to follow Him.

From that day on, the war begins...but it is impossible to win the war without winning the daily battles first.  And each daily battle begins with a baby step...a baby step for the day.  The daily baby step is usually a decision: I will begin today thanking God for a new dawning.  I will read something from the Bible today.  I will speak life today.  I will not gossip today.  I will be kind today.  I will forgive today.  Anything that would constitute taking one baby step today will defeat the enemy and win the battle for that day.  And as we continue each day...renewing our minds and putting on the armour of God every day again and again, we will accumulate a whole history of days in which battles were won until a complete life rises up as a testimony of the Victory in the Lord.

Setbacks will occur...of course...we live in a fallen world and our wills are corrupted.  But nothing is impossible for the Lord and in His Great Mercy and Love, He forgives as we confess, and He picks us up as we fall.  Confidence in His plan and Hope in Christ, however, must always remain.  After all, we have already won!  Jesus won!  And, we share in His Victory.

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5: 4

Like a toddler learning how to walk, let's take our baby steps today, guided by the Loving Hands of Our Father, until we are able to look back and see a victorious life flowing from the collection of the victorious days of our lives.  In the Powerful Name of Jesus and by His Mighty Strength!  Amen!

Palm Sunday without Palms

13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” John 12: 13

Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem...scarcely a week before He would be crucified and put to death as a criminal.  This is what we celebrate today...that moment during His earthly stay when He entered the Holy City of God and was lauded as hero.  He was welcome into the city as the rescuer, the one who would deliver Israel from its cruel captor, the Roman Empire.  Hence the branches of palm trees and the shouts of Hosanna along with the verse from Psalm 118 that proclaimed Him as the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!

Ever since I remember, Palm Sunday has always been a landmark of the year.  As a little girl and young adult in Panama, I reserved my finest wear for this day.  The memories of the exhilaration of the triumphant music at church and the scent of freshly cut magnolias covering the streets of my hometown along the procession that reenacted the scene of Jesus riding on the donkey are forever imprinted in my mind.  As a grown up, spending every Palm Sunday at New Bedford Church, teaching kids in Junior Church how to make palm branches out of construction paper, making crosses out of the palm branches we received as we entered the sanctuary, listening to "All Glory, Laud and Honor" and rejoicing in the Lord Our Savior surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ...constituted a never before questioned reality which today crumbles at the sight of a pandemic that confines us to our homes, disturbing the normal accord of the holiest of weeks in the year...

Stuck on a corner of the world that does not see the palm tree grow, we are without palm branches today.  But we are not without hope...because "beneath the cross of Jesus I DO find a place to stand" and,

I take, O cross, thy shadow

For my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than

The sunshine of His face;

Content to let the world go by,

To know no gain nor loss,

My sinful self my only shame,

My glory all the cross.

Let's sign today, as the church at home, a song that reveals that we are triumphant, indeed.  Let's remember that we still shout Hosanna! because regardless of today's circumstances, we still have Our King, "Who in the Lord's name comest, the King and Blessed One!"  And He deserves All Glory, Loud and Honor today and for eternity.  Let's lift up our palms, the palms of our hands, and sing to Him a song of Victory, from wherever we are... let's allow Him to re enter our hearts! Have a blessed Palm Sunday!

1. All Glory, Laud and Honor
2. 1. All glory, laud, and honor
   To thee, Redeemer, King,
   To whom the lips of children
   Made sweet hosannas ring.
   Thou art the King of Israel,
   Thou David’s royal Son,
   Who in the Lord’s name comest,
   The King and Blessed One.
3. 2. The company of angels
   Are praising thee on high,
   And mortal men and all things
   Created make reply.
   The people of the Hebrews
   With palms before thee went;
   Our praise and love and anthems
   Before thee we present.
4. 3. To thee, before thy passion,
   They sang their hymns of praise;
   To thee, now high exalted,
   Our melody we raise.
   Thou didst accept their praises;
   Accept the love we bring,
   Who in all good delightest,
   Thou good and gracious King.

Text: Theodulph of Orleans, ca. 760–821

Music: Melchior Teschner, 1584–1635

I Trust You, Jesus

A few days ago, I read this meditation, but I keep going back to it because it just seems so very appropriate for today's situation.  That's also why I thought I'd share it here with you.  I pray it brings you comfort:

I am taking care of you.  Trust Me at all times.  Trust Me in all circumstances.  Trust Me with all your heart.  When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words:  "I trust You, Jesus."  By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms.

Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day.  Every day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me.  Signs of My Presence brighten even the dullest day when you have eyes that really see.  Search for Me as for hidden treasure.  I will be found by you.  (Sarah Young's Jesus Calling, March 30th)

I trust You, Jesus.  I trust You, Jesus.  I trust You, Jesus. 

Over and over and over again, I trust You, Jesus.  I don't understand Your plans.  I get lost following Your path.  I get distracted by the storm.  I'm scared by the winds and the waves.  I'm afraid of the unknown.  I don't want to lose control.  I'm mourning.  I'm worried.  I'm stressed out.  But... I TRUST YOU, JESUS!

May the Holy Spirit give us all a renewed awareness of His Presence in us today, as we face what lays ahead.  We are not alone.  We are together in this, and He goes before us.  We Trust You, Lord.  In the Precious Name of Christ, Amen!