Sing It Through

                     Sing It Through

When morning awakens yesterday’s fears

And light fades behind clouds filled with your tears

Let hope fill this moment with His promises true

Just open your heart, let His Spirit sing through.

Let His love shine brighter than what lies ahead

And light today’s journey without sense of dread

Each step brings you closer in faith to renew

Just open your heart, let His Spirit sing through.

We’re never alone when our trials we face

He’s living and loving in a heart bought by grace.

We share Him with others in all that we do

Just open your heart, let His Spirit sing through.

The Son is the source of the praises you sing

You offer them freely to Savior and King

He inhabits your voice and His love shines in you.

Just open your heart, let His Spirit sing through.

For Mary LaFrance

Nancy K. Sullivan

April 22, 2016

  

How Big Is Your Storm?

 

          On May 30, 2013 this cloud was taking aim for Falls Creek Baptist Assembly. Located near Davis, OK, it is one of the largest youth camps in the nation. There were 4,500 children and sponsors attending one of the weeks set aside for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students from around the state. The local weather teams who make it their life's work to study storms and keep our citizens aware of danger had instructed those at Falls Creek to "get below ground."
          Can you imagine being at the camp, or even a parent or other relative, of one of these children. Oklahoma had just said good-bye to nine of our youngest citizens. And now...this.

          Personnel and volunteers are well-trained and prepared for this type of emergency and got word, through the news outlets, that the children were in structurally sound buildings. 

          But, still we prayed and requests were quickly shared through social media. 

          God heard. And He answered..

          The weather reports began to change. The super cell was "failing to organize" into what could have been another disaster for a state still reeling from May 19 and 20, 2013. 

"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

  And He brought them out of their distresses.

  He caused the storm to be still...

  Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,

  And for His wonders to the sons of men!

  Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people,

  And praise Him at the seat of the elders."

   (Psalm 107:28, 29a,31,32 NASB)

          There are more storms coming. Some in the form of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes. Some in the form of men who seek to destroy and to weaken our faith.

          God is bigger. And He is our only hope, whatever the storm. 

          Should we do everything in our power to avoid the things that seek to destroy us? Be aware? Be prepared? The answer is obvious. 

          Regardless of the particular storm heading toward us, we must also:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving let your requests 

be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:6,7 NASB)

       

 Photo by Mandy Kniskern, OKC

The Baker's Dozen

   

    During the holiday seasons cookie recipes fly through cyber space and land in kitchens waiting to be mixed, baked, decorated and displayed. But only the kitchen-tested, most uniform, and perfectly baked will survive long enough to be presented to guests. The ones that are a little too brown around the edges or broken will be tossed or used to appease the appetites of those who could care less about the irregular appearance of the warm, tasty dough.
     Have you ever been in a church service on a day the congregation was “tested” for its compassion? You know the one. An unkempt man or woman enters and moves noticeably to the front pew as the congregation reacts. Some may stiffen with the awkwardness. Others may show downright indignation. More often than not, at least one tender soul will do exactly the right thing to welcome the person who is obviously in need of pastoral care and prayer and who, like the broken pastry, might otherwise be cast aside in favor of one more suitable.
     What about the more discreet differences. Perhaps the person standing next to me is more demonstrative in their worship than I. Or maybe I know the political bent of a fellow Bible Study class member, and I don’t feel it lines up correctly with scripture. A more timid or reserved attendee may come across as aloof or unfriendly, while someone with an outgoing personality who is ready to jump in and tackle any service project or need the church may have could intimidate a more laid-back approach to church life.
      Few of us would nestle comfortably into a “cookie cutter” form of Christianity. What would that look like anyway? Who would get to set the criteria for that batch of believers? Hopefully, not most of the original New Testament congregations:

“But to what shall I compare this generation? 

It is like children sitting in the market places, 

who call out to the other children, and say, 

’We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; 

we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’” 

(Matthew 11:16,17, NASB) 

     God’s personal messenger, John the Baptist, chosen to prepare the way for the Messiah, couldn’t even please them:

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’” 

(Matthew 11:18) 

     And how about those scruffy disciples? A reformed persecutor/murderer, tax collector, a doubter, even a spy-turned-betrayer (and his replacement) rounded out this Baker’s dozen. Not a great public offering from a worldly view.

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 

'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, 

a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” 

(Matthew 11:19, NASB) 

      Jesus didn’t fare any better than the others in the Pharisee’s eyes. It’s time for us to lose those cookie cutters and throw open the doors of our sanctuaries --- while we still can --- united and with the invitation that comes from the King of Kings. Thankfully, Jesus had His own standards for His church family imprinted on His nail-scarred, outstretched hands:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

(Matthew 11:28-30, NASB)