Ever Get a Song Stuck in Your Head?

Last Sunday our congregation sang a song during communion that is familiar to most Lutherans (and probably others too).  Usually, if the tune lingers in my head, it’s only for a few hours.  This one, however, didn’t stay with me at all.  That is, until this morning. I was beginning my typical routine of the morning…take the dog out, brew a cup of tea, write in my journal, read a devotion, pray for the people…THEN, I’m supposed to begin reading the day’s entry from “Christ in Our Home“.  All of a sudden I hear, in my head, “Let me ever walk with Jesus…”  I can’t remember the rest of the words, so I figure after I’m finished with my morning readings, I’ll pick up my copy of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship and I’ll find the song. “Let me ever walk with Jesus”… Again, and again, this is repeated to me.  This is becoming a bit annoying.  I can’t ignore this any longer.  So I go to the shelf, remove the book, and search. It took me a bit to find it, but I did.  Of course, I was singing “me” instead of “us”!  I sang the song.  I read the lyrics.  I cried.  Yeah, I’m brought to tears a lot in my guilt-ridden humbleness.  I tried to ignore it.  I prayed. I prayed asking God why this is being repeated over and over and over, again and again.  So, then I look up at the sign from Donna.  “Be still and know that I am God.”  I tried but didn’t hear an answer, except that I should put this into words here, but I’m not feeling much release here either.  I’m hearing this song as background music. This will be a strange Saturday for sure. *Head in hands, shakes her head* Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus (#802 ELW) 1 Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure, Flee the world, which would deceive us And to sin our souls allure. Ever in His footsteps treading, Body here, yet soul above, Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding. Faithful Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee. 2 Let us suffer here with Jesus, To His image e’er conform; Heaven’s glory soon will please us, Sunshine follow on the storm. Though we sow in tears of sorrow, We shall reap with heav’nly joy; And the fears that now annoy Shall be laughter on the morrow. Christ, I suffer here with Thee; There, oh, share Thy joy with me! 3 Let us also die with Jesus. His death from the second death, From our soul’s destruction, frees us, Quickens us with life’s glad breath. Let us mortify, while living, Flesh and blood and die to sin; And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven. Jesus, here I die to Thee There to live eternally. 4 Let us gladly live with Jesus; Since He’s risen from the dead, Death and grave must soon release us. Jesus, Thou art now our Head, We are truly Thine own members; Where Thou livest, there live we. Take and own us constantly, Faithful Friend, as Thy dear brethren. Jesus, here I live to Thee, Also there eternally.

Resting In His Love

WARNING: This may be a very emotional post.  So, far I’ve not gotten through any of it without many tears.  I’ve read it, and I’ve written it, and now I’m putting it out for the world.

I know that if two or more of my devotional readings line up, I’d better pay attention. Maybe because it’s raining and I’ve recently changed my thinking about raindrops being kisses from heaven.  Or maybe because I miss those who have gone before me.  Maybe I don’t know…but today is one of those days.

Even though, I know how my own mother’s love for me was unconditional, and I know how the love for my own children is unconditional, I’m so totally overwhelmed, blown away, with the unconditional love of the Father.  Perhaps it’s my deserve level I need to work on.

Read Romans 4:1-5,13-17.

In today’s entry from Christ In Our Home by Rev. Gene G. Bradbury, I read, “God acts first and foremost on our behalf. That is the gospel, the “Good News”. We are loved because God is love. We are not loved because we deserve love; rather, we are like the child welcomed onto the mother’s lap because she is the mother. There are no conditions.  It is as simple as that.  God welcomes us.

Gracious God, thank you for your continuous welcoming love, through Christ. Amen”

Read Psalm 33:22.

Then I read this from Mornings With Jesus, 2013, the March 16, 2013 entry by Erin Keeley Marshall.  ”I wondered at the effect of Jesus’ love resting on us. Just snuggling against her mother’s familiar heartbeat called Emma, when we draw near to Jesus, His nearness soothes us and allows us to find true rest.  I can almost feel the warmth of His hand on my back now, the stresses of life fading under the gentle press of His care, my head supported, the race of my thoughts slowing in time with His.

Someday I will be held by Jesus in person.  That truth stuns me, and I savor it…Someday I will hear my Savior’s heartbeat.

What a thought.  It is enough to rest in today.

FAITH STEP:  Give yourself a time-out, even if it’s only ninety seconds long, to imagine meeting Jesus face-to-face.  Enjoy a measure of rest simply anticipating those first moments with Him.”

I know there are many more references to be recognized, but these are the ones that bring me to my knees today.

Listening for God’s Direction

I really need to be more attentive to posting.  This is actually a draft I started in early January.

So many verses, devotions, thoughts, are coming together this morning that I can hardly recall them all, nor contain myself for all the emotion within me.  I saw a video, I thought was from a Max Lucado email.  This video of A Child From Bethlehem, sung by a boys choir, brought tears to me.  I am so upset that I can’t find it anywhere.

2 Chronicles 3, Isaiah 42:1-9…Everything has reference to the events of yesterday when I made the decision to withdraw from college and wait until after my 60th birthday to take advantage of the Senior Citizen discount from $98 to $18 for fees (how frugal of me).

We’re now in the midst of Lent, and I’m in a bit of a tizzy.  Because my poor planning, I haven’t decided what my Lenten discipline should be this year.  I don’t know why I expected that this year would be any different from past years.  I’ve been in depressed state of mind since Mom passed away in October.  I don’t think it’s anything serious, but I know it’s there.  I thought about adding a prayer devotion, but instead, I’ve now added yoga and a walking regimen.  I’ve been such a slug for the past six months and it’s evident that changes need to be made.

My friend Jill, and I, had a most beautiful conversation about praying, being still, and listening for God’s direction.  It so reminded me of Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God…”  A few years ago my beautiful friend, Donna, gave me a  sign that lives above our dining room windows.  I see it every day.  Pray, and then be quiet, and He will give you his message, maybe not right away, but He will.  Too many times I seem to be hard-of-hearing.  I can only hope that the next time we get together, He’ll speak up a little, or maybe cure my deafness.

Happy Lent.  Listen for the message.