April 2010 Archives
From Heaven’s Point of View
Since I’ve been praying for the McGruders I find myself singing, “From Heaven’s Point of View.” There’s a video of this song on YouTube which has a great intro by Carroll. If you’re discouraged in some way, I would encourage you to watch the video and let God lift your spirit. I don’t know how to embed videos but you can click on the link here. The view from the valley is limited but, once we’re able to soar like an eagle, the trials on earth won’t matter. It’s not the greatest quality but I hope you can catch the words. “What once looked like a mountain’s just a hill from Heaven’s point of view.” Watch and be blessed!
Prayer Requested for Carroll and Priscilla McGruder
Most of you have probably heard by now that Priscilla McGruder of the McGruders has been placed under hospice care and there’s a good chance that God may take her Home soon. Let’s take some time to ask God to wrap His arms around Carroll and Priscilla and the family during this time. If you are on Facebook, there is a page here where you can leave a note of encouragement. If Carroll and Priscilla have been a blessing to you, please take a few minutes to let them know.
Teach Me, Lord, to Wait
I was listening this evening to the Statesmen sing, “Teach Me, Lord” as the words just jumped out of my stereo.
Teach me, Lord, to wait down on my knees ’til in Your own good time, You answer my pleas. Teach me not to rely on what others do but to wait in prayer for an answer from You. ~ Stuart Hamblen
One of the hardest things to do is to be patient and “wait on the Lord” but Scripture stresses over and over the importance of doing just that.
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass” (Psalm 37:7).
“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon th e LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us” (Psalm 123:2).
In our fast-paced society, we want everything now but sometimes the answer is “Wait.” It’s the waiting that produces patience and ultimately brings the most fulfillment and the greatest testimony to God’s goodness. If everything were instant and easy, we would find no use for God but now we wait patiently for Him and we know that He will never let us down.
Priorities
As I talk to people across the country, it saddens me that there are many hurting people who are going through life alone. Most of them attend church but don’t really interact with people during the week. Some of them have grown children and grandchildren who never call or visit, so they suffer in silence and try to determine why they’re still living. It seems in our fast-paced society people are too busy to build relationships but I would say that those people are too busy period.
I’m not unsympathetic to those who have a hectic life. It’s important to work hard, put food on the table, pay bills, keep up with family stuff with the kids still at home but what about those who don’t have anybody? What about your mom or dad or son or daughter who isn’t living with you but would be thrilled to hear from you? I don’t think anything on earth is more important than nurturing relationships that will last an eternity. We need each other for encouragement and refilling when we’re down. We need to be reaching out to those who don’t know Him so that they can see Him in action and desire to know this Jesus we claim to serve.
One day, that lonely person could be you and you’ll have all the time in the world to think of all the people you should have reached out to while you had the chance. Especially in the age of email, it is not difficult to take a few minutes to let someone know you love them and you’re thinking of them. I’m not a phone person so it can be more challenging for me if a person doesn’t have email but it’s also not hard to pick up the phone or send a note in the mail. You don’t know how much a simple act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Try it and see!
CD Review: God Is (Cavaliers Quartet)
The Cavaliers Quartet consists of Anthony O’Neal, Wayne O’Neal, Jason Reese, and Ben Mullins. This was my first introduction to them but they have good harmony. The songs on this CD are either worshipful or encouraging to those going through trials.
My favorite song on their latest CD is titled “I’ll Keep Trusting On.” It talks about learning the importance of trust while going through a trial. The line that jumps out to me is “You may not deliver me until You take me Home but if the answer never comes, I’ll keep trusting on.” Another song I like is “That’s What Love Looks Like.”
Songs that were familiar to me are: “Praise to the Lord the Almighty,” “Count On You,” and “You Are My King (Amazing Love).”
Other songs include: “God Is,” “It’s Alright,” “I’ll Be Long Gone,” “Jesus Knows Just What to Do,” and “Oh What a Difference.”
When Jesus Passed By
When Jesus passed by
When Jesus passed by
Gone were all the heartaches
The trouble and strife
Just reach out and touch Him
And He’ll hear your cry
And you’ll know something happened
When Jesus passed by
(Jeff Gibson)
Do you remember a time when you needed Jesus and He passed by right at the perfect moment? Maybe it was when you first fully understood that you were lost and needed a Savior. Maybe you needed a healing touch, the doctors had given up hope but then Jesus passed by. Or maybe you were about to end up on the street, unable to pay your bills when a letter arrived with some money. Just what you needed. Thank You, Jesus, for passing by.
I suspect there are some of you who are still looking for that touch. Maybe you desperately need to receive from Him and are getting tired of waiting. Don’t give up. His heart is toward you and He still has a plan. His ways are not our ways but they are nothing but good. Stay on your knees and when you begin to feel Him pass by, cry out with Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” No good thing will He withhold for those who love Him and seek Him with their whole heart!
How Does God See You?
“With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure: and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down” (2 Samuel 22:26-28).
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
Do you ever stop to think about the way you treat others? Different places in Scripture, it is clear that how we treat others is how God will treat us. If we are merciful and compassionate, God will show mercy and compassion to us. If we forgive others, God will forgive us. I highly suspect that most people do not treat others the way they would like to be treated. I don’t think we even think about it but, after reading the above Scriptures, I think we should.
Jesus was confrontational but He was also compassionate. He was not here to build Himself up but to serve in love and humility. That’s how I want Him to respond to me but I have a ways to go to treat others like that. My prayer this week is that this will ever be before me. When I respond to even a nasty person, may I do so in love. May I be understanding, knowing that they may have things going on in their life that I’m not aware of. May I reach out with the love and compassion of Jesus instead of defending my right to be miffed and offended. Life is short but eternity is forever.
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:40).
Be a Light
In the past six months or so, I’ve found myself truly desiring to be a Light. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” That is my prayer and I’ve noticed that people who let their “light shine” really do stand out in a positive way. If I notice a difference, how much more would the world notice when someone is actually kind and merciful and loving?
Often we feel justified in our reactions but, as Believers, there is no justification for unGodly behavior. Especially when dealing with unbelievers, it is sometimes better to be defrauded than to fight for what we think we deserve. Jesus set the example and He had every right to call down fire from Heaven on a group of selfish people whose only thought was to rid themselves of someone who convicted them of their hypocrisy. Yet He humbled Himself, even to the point of dying on a cross (Philippians 2:8).
Whether we’re with our family, friends, or by ourselves in public, let’s truly ask ourselves: “What would Jesus do? How would He handle this situation? Do I truly have a ‘right’ to be upset or is this part of the practice of patience which God’s designed just for me?” Total surrender to God is the best way to be a light. The world WILL notice!
CD Review: Canaan’s Crossing (Canaan’s Crossing)
A few months ago, I met Tina Miller who plays and sings in a group called Canaan’s Crossing. I’d never heard of them before but I’ve enjoyed becoming more familiar with them. They are bluegrass but 100% gospel.
Songs on this project are: “Rain Fallin’ Down” (an uptempo number), “Give Me a Song to Sing” (a song which I love due to the fact that God always does that for me),”Praying” (a song I grew up hearing and absolutely love; it’s a great reminder of the importance of prayer), “Battle Scarred Soldier” (which the Bishops recorded years ago), “Goin’ to Heaven,” “Leaving Despair” (an instrumental number), “Talk About Suffering,” “Palms of Victory,” “There’s a Man in Here,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “I’m Going Over,” and “Glory Land,” which they sing a capella. The only group I’ve heard sing this is the Primitive Quartet but it’s a beautiful song with an encouraging message.
This group is good musically but my favorite part of the CD is their song selection–very strong lyrics which just happens to be accompanied by talented musicians. Other group members are Tim Maze, Drew Long, Andy Wilks, and Josh Palmer. If you like bluegrass, you will enjoy this group.
A Tribute to Priscilla McGruder
On Thursday, April 29, Priscilla McGruder made her grand entrance into Heaven. As I prayed for the family in the days leading up to her Homegoing, I’ve been thinking a lot about the impact she’s made on people’s lives. I never had the blessing of meeting her in person but, as I watch videos of her dancing and singing, even after being diagnosed with cancer, the presence of God comes through and I am reminded of His power and of the miracle she’s been. When the doctors gave her a short time to live years ago, God overrode their prognosis and gave us a few more years with her. I praise Him for that.
As I look at Priscilla, I see a lady who enjoyed her life on earth but who was ready to go Home whenever her Master called her. I’ve heard her described as classy, anointed, and full of the Spirit.
She is now one of the special who has made it Home, looking upon the Master that she faithfully served. Humanly, it seems like she could have done so much more had she lived longer but God doesn’t make mistakes. He has a plan we may not see but one which will better fulfill His purposes. I miss her but I wouldn’t wish her back for the world. “Jasper walls, gates of pearl, rejoicing around the Throne. We call it special. The special call it Home!”
Please continue to keep Carroll and the rest of the McGruder family in your prayers.