Built on the Rock

Therefore says the Lord, “See – I am laying a stone in Zion,

a stone that has been tested,

a precious cornerstone as a sure foundation;

 he who puts his faith in it shall not be shaken.”

Isaiah 28:16

I learned a lot about foundations when I was a small child, sitting in my little chair in Cradle Roll class at church.  I certainly was an expert comparing sand vs. rock.  The foolish man (who wanted to be that?) built his house on the sand, and when the rains came, his house went SPLAT!! What a great time we had yelling out that word with the biggest clap we could muster!   Ah, but the wise man built his house on the foundation of a rock.  When the rains came down and the winds blew, his house stood firm.  It was clear as a bell—even to a 4-yr-old.  Sand sinks.  Big rocks just sit there!

A cornerstone is placed at the corner of a building uniting two intersecting walls.  Symbolically, the building is “resting” on the strength of that corner.  Isaiah used the word picture of a cornerstone to describe the coming Messiah – One upon whom we can put all our trust, for our faith will “not be shaken.”

Building a life is a difficult task.  It doesn’t get appreciably easier as we continue to mature.  The winds of difficulty and the rain of unfulfilled expectations are always with us.  However, if our foundation is deeply submerged in the Rock of Ages, the storms of life will buffet and blow, but we will stand firm 

* 

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free.

From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art.

Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 196

Advent: Candle of Hope

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book,

And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity

And out of darkness.  The meek shall increase their joy in the Lord,

And the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 29:18-19

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent - a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming

We light the first candle of Advent – the candle of HOPE.

Hope for H elp

Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

Hope for O pportunity

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Hope for P ower

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  1 John 4:4   "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9

Hope for E ternity

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

*

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand –

All other ground is sinking sand.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 368

Black Friday

 

Keep your life free from love of money,

and be content with what you have,

for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

One of my favorite laugh-out-loud family memories is the year that we decided to go celebrate Thanksgiving in NYC with my oldest daughter, rather than having her come home to Virginia. After a wonderful Thanksgiving Day meal at a French restaurant, we walked toward Central Park as we started making plans for the next day – Black Friday.

The earliest evidence of the phrase Black Friday originated in Philadelphia around 1961, where it was used by police to describe the heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.  Black Friday is considered the biggest shopping day of the year. I never quite understood the “black” part of this term, until this foray into NYC.

My youngest and oldest kids took off early Friday morning, saying that we would all stay in touch by cell phone and would meet up at Macy’s.  We were about two hours behind them when my middle daughter and I finally reached that venerable institution.  When we were finally able to enter the store, we could hardly move for the crush of people everywhere.  Daughters 1 and 3 said to take the escalator up to the Shoe Department.  It took 20 minutes to accomplish that.  When we finally arrived, there were more people in the Shoe Department than there were downstairs.

There were security personnel everywhere, but they appeared to be little more than decoration.  You literally almost could not move, or duck the random shoes/boots that came flying through the air.  You couldn’t see anything, you couldn’t hear anything, and you certainly couldn’t accomplish anything. Daughter #2 turned straight around and fought her way back outside, finally landing at Barnes and Noble.  After touching base with my other two children, I exited the melee as well.

This year, we are all staying home – even though we’ve stayed “home” for the last 8+ months. There is great peace and contentment in knowing that there is nothing that I need that could entice me to join the “fun” of Black Friday.

*

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river,

I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river,

I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2145

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Thanks be to God for roses rare,

For skies of blue and sunshine fair.

For every gift I raise a prayer,

Thanks be to God,

Thanks be to God for lovely night,

For mystic fields with stars so bright.

For hours of dream and deep delight,

Thanks be to God.

Thanks be to God for love divine,

The hopes that round my heart entwine.

For all the joy that now is mine,

Thanks be to God.

Thankful for: Bible Stories

People look at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.

1st Samuel 16:7

2020:  I am Thankful for Bible Stories

One of my favorite Bible stories, from Matthew 8, is about a soldier - a Roman centurion. This centurion was used to commanding hundreds of men who listened to his instructions and obeyed him.  He was based in Capernaum, an area where Jesus often walked and taught.

One day the centurion’s valued servant became very ill.  This soldier must have observed Jesus when he talked with the crowds and healed their sick, because he knew that Jesus could heal his servant.  When he spoke to Jesus about the man, the Lord said, “Lead the way.  I’ll come to your house.” 

But this man didn't want to disturb Jesus when He was so busy teaching the people.  The centurion said, "Sir - I know that if you just say the word, my servant will be healed."   Jesus thought it was amazing that this Roman commander had so much faith in Him.  He said, "Go home!  Your servant is well."  And sure enough, when the centurion went home, he found that his servant alive and well.

How many times in my life have I asked Jesus to help me with a certain situation, and then, fearing that Jesus would forget, or not get it done in time, or not do it the way I would do it, I go ahead and try to do it myself.  Thank you, Jesus, for your patience and perseverance in the face of my weak faith.

* 

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied.

Come to God’s own temple, come; raise the song of harvest home.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 694

Thankful for: A Washing Machine

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:3

2020:  I am Thankful for a Washing Machine

My washing machine and dryer are getting old and cranky.  The dryer has a setting that no longer works, and the washing machine sometimes sounds like it is breaking down into pieces at the end of the spin cycle.  But so far, they are hanging in there.  Doesn’t sound like much to be thankful for, does it?

My daughter and son-in-law, on the other hand, have neither a washer or a dryer.  So every weekend, they bring their laundry to me.  When they arrive, I use my trusty Lysol spray on the plastic bags of clothing to counter any virus that might be lurking around.  Then while the bags bake in the sun for a bit, my two children and I – masked and socially distanced – have our weekly face-to-face visit.   It is, without a doubt, the highlight of my week.

The worst part of the pandemic for me, without a doubt, is the loss of face-to-face time with my five kids.  I talk with at least one of them almost every day, but it is just not the same.   How I look forward to the weekend when I can “see” that these two are strong and thriving. 

* 

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known.

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 131

Thankful for: Gardening

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden,

And there He put the man He had formed.

And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground,

Trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.

A river watering the garden flowed from Eden.

The Lord God took the man and put him

in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Genesis 2:8,9,10,15 

2020;  I am Thankful for Gardening

I live in a house that sits on a corner lot, and it has a huge yard.  Ten years ago when I purchased the house, I loved the challenge of planting, watering, trimming and hauling.  Over the years, the burden of caring for it all has become overwhelming, including last year, when I could barely keep the grass cut.

Two things happened this spring/summer/fall to change that.  First, I found two young men, one teenager in the neighborhood and the other the pastor’s son, who were reliable helpers to keep the grass cut and looking sharp.  Then I retired from full-time employment, and my gardening calendar opened up like flowers in springtime.  If I only have an hour to work this morning, I might have some time this afternoon, or definitely tomorrow.   Every Monday morning the big trash can is full and waiting to be emptied.

I am enjoying so much the time outdoors, which helps to break up the monotony of always being inside the house.  And I love the order and beauty of a landscape finally coming under control.

* 

Let all things now living a song of Thanksgiving

to God the Creator triumphantly raise.

Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,

who guides us and leads to the end of our Days.

God’s banners fly o’er us, God’s light goes before us,

a pillar of fire shining forth in the night.

Till shadows have vanished, and darkness is banished,

as forward we travel from light into light.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2008

Thankful for: The Radio

I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted.

The Lord is my strength and my song;

He is my God, and I will praise Him.

Exodus 15;1,2 

2020:  I am Thankful for the Radio

When I roll out of bed in the morning, I have a path that I follow through my house:  Go in the guest room to turn up the heat, then to the kitchen to turn off the backyard lights, through the dining room to the front door to turn off the front porch lights, then stroll through the living room and turn on… the radio!  Beautiful classical music floods my home, instantly lifting my spirits with reassurance that today is a new day – another day to live and love the Lord.

If I have somewhere that I need to go in the wider world, I know that when I turn on the car, that same music will pour forth:  Breakfast classics, Performance Today, the Chicago Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Philharmonic and so much more.

During this pandemic, it is not hard to become discouraged, even depressed – staying home, missing our regular interaction with family and friends.  A silent house would not help my efforts to stay positive.  So I am thankful today for my radio, and the powerful blessings of music.

* 

Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia!  Amen!

Loud praise to Christ our King, Alleluia!  Amen!

Let all with heart and voice before His throne rejoice,

Praise is His gracious choice.  Alleluia!  Amen!

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 158

 

Thankful for: Flowers

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,

The world, and all who live in it.

For He founded it upon the seas,

And established it upon the waters.

Psalm 24:1-2 

2020:  I am Thankful for Flowers

I have 5 large hydrangea bushes running along the side of my house.  Beautiful plants, but they never bloom.  I think the issue is lack of sunlight, and it is very frustrating.  In the front flower garden, I have a white Lace Cap hydrangea, which blooms profusely in the late spring/early summer.

In the lower corner of my property by the street are three large Hydrangea plants that never blossom either.  Certainly not a lack of sunshine in that location.  I was beginning to give up hope when one of those three plants burst into bloom in late summer with striking pink blossoms.  I have enjoyed having them this late in the season.

A few weeks ago, as I glanced out at those three plants, something looked a little discolored.  Imagine my surprise to find four blooms that were multicolored: blue on one side, fading into lavender that faded into pink on the other side – a tricolored hydrangea!  God’s love of beauty never fails to amaze me.  His gorgeous handiwork always lifts my spirit.

*

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses.

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own.

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 314

Thankful for: Dreams

Nothing is impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

2020:  I am Thankful for Dreams

I once read an interview in the AARP magazine with Kenny Loggins - master musician and longtime rocker.  When asked about his dreams, he said 

The head and heart are almost always in disagreement.

The head wants to play it safe; 

The heart wants to jump in.

 I've taught my head to serve my heart.

So when I get a crazy intuitive idea,

my brain's job is to figure out how to achieve that goal,

not scare me off with reasons why it's impossible.

All dreams are impossible until proven otherwise.

Those words really struck home with me.  I am the queen of nay-sayers to my own ideas.  I have all kinds of things that I would love to put my hand to, but before my heart can really kick into gear, my head has unloaded all of the reasons why the idea won't work.  I am, in a word, my own chief "discourager." 

The interviewer closed with this question:  "What's been your best moment in life so far?"  Mr. Loggins' answer could be a guiding thought for all of us today:

I like to think that the best times are yet to come.

By living in gratitude and believing in everyday miracles,

I stay open to surprise and delight in my life. 

* 

All I need is You, Jesus

All I need is You.

You are the source of all I need.

All I need is You.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2080

 

Thankful For: God's Love

For God so loved the world, that He gave…

John 3:16 

2020:  I am Thankful for God’s Love

During my childhood in Arizona, my little church Sabbath School class learned a song that has stayed with me all these years.  I think of it often when I hear/see the news on radio or television, especially when I see someone holding a sign dripping with hatred. 

God is love - we're His little children.

God is love - we should be like Him.

`Tis love that makes us happy,

`Tis love that smooths the way.

It helps us mind,

It makes us kind

to others every day. 

* 

God is so good.  God is so good.

God is so good, He’s so good to me. 

God loves me so.  God loves me so.

God loves me so, He’s so good to me.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2056

 

Thankful for: Rest

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

 Matthew 11:28

2020:  I am Thankful for Rest

I am not a “stop-and-smell-the-roses” type of person.  I am pretty driven, a perfectionist, and a bit of a workaholic.  Slowing down and taking a “rest” is not something I manage on a regular basis.  I retired in September from my full-time Music Director position of 19 years, and still the hours of the day go flying by me.  My “To Do” list keeps getting longer rather than shorter.  Where does the time go?

Those same character traits cause me to try to shoulder the burdens in my spiritual life as well.  But Jesus is well acquainted with people like me, and He calls out – “Tired? Exhausted?  Come – give Me your burdens and take a rest.”  That is an invitation that we need to readily and regularly accept.  And when you set your burden down at Jesus' feet, try really hard not to pick it up again as you walk away to start your day!

* 

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.

A place where sin can not molest, neat to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,

Hold us who wait before Thee near to the heart of God.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 472

 

Thankful for: Integrity

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… and be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 

Today is November 16, and in less than two weeks, it will be Thanksgiving Day.  Thanksgiving is, without a doubt, my favorite annual holiday, but it is going to be very different this year.  My kids will not be gathering at my home to stuff themselves with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. In the midst of this pandemic, our visitation will be a Zoom chat, which I am really looking forward to – with or without pie.

This is a very good time of year to remind myself what I have to be thankful for.  It is easy, in times of stress and crisis, to feel like there is nothing particularly good about our lives right now.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

2020:  I am  Thankful for Integrity

Do you swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, and

nothing but the truth,

so help me God.

~Witness's Oath

My father was a big fan of the truth.  He told me that a person's word - his/her truthfulness - was the most important part of their character.  He said that my integrity was based on my honesty - on my ability to face up to and live the truth.  He also told me that no matter how look it took, the truth would always come out eventually. There were times growing up when I didn't want to hear what he had to say, but through the years I have come to realize that those lessons were the finest counsel he ever gave to me.

It is very difficult to find the truth in today’s society, so being a person of truth is much more important today than it was in my father’s lifetime.  The Apostle John gave this counsel:

My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear.

Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you.

1 John 4:1 

* 

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;

I would be pure, for there are those who care.

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer,

I would be brave, for there is much to care.

I would be brave, for there is much to care.

The Christian Life Hymnal, No. 500

 

Generous Heart

Goodness is about character - integrity,

honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage,

and the like.  More than anything else,

it is about how we treat other people.

~Dennis Prager

I tried very hard to raise my three girls to be generous.  My philosophy has always been that no matter how poor you are, there is always someone who is worse off.  Even during the period when we were so poor that we were on food stamps, I would give a $1 stamp to the girls to give to someone who was hungry/homeless.  After we finally were stable financially, we never passed a red kettle at Christmas time without contributing something, even if it was only a quarter.  The same principle worked with the collection plate at church.  Even if it were just a few pennies, we always gave something.  Whether it is blankets for the homeless or food for the Chesterfield Food Bank, there are so many ways that we can be generous – even when we don’t have very much ourselves.

Generosity is about so much more than money.  There is the generosity of your time.  The blessing of your smile.  The gift of compassionate listening.  Is there someone who needs your help today?  Look for someone or something that would be blessed by your generous heart.

* 

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.

And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2223

 

Give and It Will be Given to You

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,

pressed down, shaken together and running over,

will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 6:38

Every year in November, I patiently wait for one particular gift catalog to come in the mail.  It is from Heifer International, a charity that gives animals to impoverished families to give them food, give them the means to supply their own needs (clothing, school supplies), and  give them the means to better their lives.  Recipients are taught how to care for their animals, as well as how to pay it forward by sharing a portion of the offspring with other poor families.

Over the years, I have learned a lot about the animals that are gifted.  I would not have guessed that a goat is the most requested animals by poor families, because it is small, doesn't eat as much as a cow, gives milk (from which one can make yogurt and cheese), and the hair of the goat is used to make clothing.  Alpacas give the indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Andes the ability to make and sell their beautiful fiber creations and escape the endless cycle of poverty.  Heifer International also gives water buffalos, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, fish and honeybees. 

If you are not acquainted with Heifer International, you will find them on the Internet at www.heifer.org.  If you have a friend or relative who has absolutely everything, consider giving an animal in their honor as their Christmas present.  The gift of a Heifer animal for an impoverished family is truly "a gift that keeps on giving." 

* 

Though I may speak with bravest fire,

And have the gift to all inspire

And have not love, my words are vain

As sounding brass and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,

And striving so, my love profess,

But not be given by love within,

The profit soon turns strangely thin.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 408

Jesus?

If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father...

John 14:9

I grew up in a very conservative household and attended a fundamentalist church.  My mother's view of God was much more akin to Titan than to Jehovah.  Her "God" was One that sat in the heavens with a shaft of lightning in His hand, just waiting for us to do something wrong so that He could zap us.  Strict, harsh, demanding, sober, unfeeling - those were the words I might have used if someone had asked me to describe what God was like.

When I was a young adult, a wonderful artist named Darrel Tank drew a series of pictures of Jesus from a very different perspective.  There was a packaged set for sale in our Christian bookstore, and the picture above was the one that was displayed on top.  The drawing is breathtaking.  Here are two teenage boys painting a house - or at least they are supposed to be painting the house.  Mostly they are having a wonderful time painting each other.  And there - in the window - is Jesus himself, grinning like a Cheshire cat and thoroughly enjoying the shenanigans. 

I remember to this day my utter disbelief as I stared at Tank's artwork.  Jesus?  Jesus laughing?  Jesus with a sense of humor?  Jesus enjoying (nee approving of) a boyhood prank?  What Jesus was this?  Certainly not the one I was raised with!  I framed that picture and displayed it on my bedroom wall, where I could gaze at it every day - a constant reminder that maybe my childhood “lightning bolt” view of God was not quite accurate.

Does God have a personality?  I grew up believing that God didn't have so much a personality as a demeanor, and a distinctly unpleasant one.  Darryl Tank's artwork prompted me to take another look at the God I thought I knew.

* 

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,

To reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him.

Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2086

 

Veteran's Day

 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, September 18, 2012

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified...

for the Lord your God goes with you,

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded continuously since April 6, 1948.  Although a shelter was built for the guards to use in times of extreme weather, most of the men decline to use it.  The Tomb's honor guard comes from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).  You can read more about them at www.army.mil/oldguard.

There is something that strongly pulls at the heart to see these young men continuing to guard in the pouring rain.  They are ordinary human beings like you and I, but their strength, courage and dedication go above and beyond the normal call of duty as they refuse to abandon, even for a moment, a poignant symbol of the greatness of this country and the longevity of its memory and love for its fallen heroes.

You and I also have someone who stands guard - One who never slumbers or sleeps and who will not leave us or forsake us, no matter what is happening in our lives.  How blessed we are to have the Creator God as our strength and shield. 

*

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm has bound the restless wave,

Who bids he might ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep.

O hear us as we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2191

Pay Attention!

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

listen well to my words of insight.

Proverbs 5:1

In my musical career, I have taught vocal classes to lots of teenagers.  Every school year, I had at least one student who came in feeling like they owned the world:  they had already conquered the intricacies of singing, they were ‘seasoned’ performers and were headed to Broadway, and our little class was merely a bump in the road that they must endure.  They didn’t know me from Adam and suspected that I knew as much about singing as he might have.

 One such student stands out in my memory.  I handed out this individual's song for the first nine weeks - a song only two pages in length, with two verses, and quite a bit of repetition.  A piece of cake, right?  Well, it should have been.  But this young lady came to class each week with very little preparation of the song.  Suddenly it was time for the dress rehearsal for their recital.  This student came up on stage, did her spoken introduction, launched into the song, and promptly forgot her words.  I had begged, pleaded and cajoled for weeks to try and motivate this child.  Now I made a unilateral decision as the teacher - she would have to sing the recital using her music.  Much wailing and gnashing of teeth ensued.  No way was she going to do that.  "Yes way," I said. 

Recital day arrived, and then this student's time to perform.  She came onstage with the music, put it on the music stand, then placed the stand at least two feet from where she would stand to perform. She gave her spoken introduction. I began the piano accompaniment and waited for the meltdown I knew would follow.  The student positively trashed the piece - couldn't remember the words, couldn't remember the music, couldn't remember anything, and fled the stage in tears.  It was a very painful public collapse, and one that was completely unnecessary.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, King Solomon pleads with his listeners to give heed to his words and advice regarding the wisdom and understanding that comes from God.  Solomon knew from hard-knock experience that man's wisdom isn't worth a hill of beans when it comes to the pressures of human life.  The book of Proverbs asks these questions:  Do we already know it all?  Or are we willing to humble ourselves and listen? 

* 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,

Still You’re there right beside me.

And nothing will I fear as long as you are near.

Please be near me to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 601

 

Fire!

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 

Pastor Bruce McIver tells the story of returning from a trip during the period of time soon after his wife's death.  He had been attending a three day seminar that was required for his college teaching.  As he walked across the lawn toward the house, words of greeting for his soul-mate were already forming in his mind when he crossed the threshold and remembered - the house was empty.  He dropped his luggage - a suitcase and brand new leather briefcase - on the floor, turned up the thermostat, and dropped into a lounge chair for the oblivion of a short nap before picking up his little girl.

Sometime later he woke from a deep sleep to a burning odor and a cloud of thick smoke.  The floor furnace was located just inside the entrance of the room - right where he had dropped his luggage before turning up the heat.  He grabbed the hot handles of the bags, opened the front door, and pitched the luggage out on the lawn.  The upsurge of oxygen caused the luggage to burst into flames, and all McIver could do was stand and watch as his clothing, underwear, suits, shirts, sweaters, ties, mementos, correspondence, notes, etc., were reduced to a heap of ashes.

At that point, McIver said that he had two options - sink into an even greater despondency and possibly depression, or laugh.  He chose the latter.  In the midst of his laughter, he chuckled to himself: "If the phoenix can rise from the ashes, maybe my insurance can at least buy me a new set of clothes!" 

* 

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You.

You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship You.

You alone are my strength, my shield,

To you alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship You.

The Faith We Sing No. 2025

 

Happy Tears

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,

and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, 

neither shall there be any more pain, 

for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4

When I get where I'm going

On the far side of the sky

The first thing that I'm gonna do

Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion

And run my fingers through his mane

Or I might find out what it's like

To ride a drop of rain.

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears

I will shed the sins and struggles

I have carried all these years

And I'll leave my heart wide open

I will love and have no fear

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my granddaddy

And he'll match me step for step

And I'll tell him how I missed him

Every minute since he left

Then I'll hug his neck.

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears

I will shed the sins and struggles

I have carried all these years

And I'll leave my heart wide open

I will love and have no fear

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

Don't cry for me down here.

So much pain and so much darkness

In this world we stumble through

All these questions I can’t answer

So much work to do.

But when I get where I'm going

And I see my Maker's face

I'll stand forever in the light

Of His amazing grace.

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears
Yeah, when I get where I'm going

Don't cry for me down here.

*

Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod,

With it's crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God.

Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river,

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 723