Watch and Learn

Next Tuesday, April 2, my friend, Rebecca faces the third anniversary of her beautiful daughter's life here with us. Yes, Bethany is with our Lord but I know she is dearly missed.
I was thinking of Rebecca and how couragously she faced this tragedy and how I took strength in watching her faith. She and I walked, talked, cried and prayed through the weeks and months that followed and I was inspired to write the following song which I wholly dedicate to Rebecca.

VERSE Today my friend lost her child
She couldn't find her for awhile
But then she knew the Lord had called her home.
Today I watched this pain and loss
My words were few I felt so tossed;
But my friend shard her heart… she's not alone.

CHORUS: Watch and learn the pain will grow
Into a thing of beauty
Watch and learn and you will know
You'll never be the same
For God will use this life to change your world
Watch and learn.

VERSE On the cross God lost Son
He couldn't see Him for awhile
But God knew that His Son would soon be home.
Many watched this pain and loss
Their words were few they felt so tossed.
But my Friend shared His heart
And gave His life…I'm not alone.

Bridge: Life is hard but there is beauty in the ashes
Life is hard but winter turns to spring
Life is hard but darkness turns to light someday
If you watch and learn…If you…( repeat chorus)

Worship in Times of Trouble

Just as I'm beginning to write this the phone rang here at church. One of our families called for prayer because they have no heat. The pipes are frozen so the basement is flooded because the pipes burst. The husband lost one of his jobs, their phone won't ring in and their house is infested with lice!

I've had two other people in touch with me yesterday and today with family problems. One of them is struggling so painfully she cannot even talk about specifics.

Maybe it's the time of year but it seems there are many struggles right now.

This next Sunday I plan to gather our worship team together for prayer, fellowship and some study of what we do "worship." I bought a little book called Worship Celebration to trigger some interaction with our group and the first thing I read was about longing for God in times of trouble.

Psalm 63 finds David in the Desert of Judah separated from his beloved Jerusalem and the sanctuary of worship. It was his own son that betrayed him and set him on of course of hiding to save his life. David could have raised his fist to the Lord and distanced himself from His presence. David did not but notice what he did...

1. sought the Lord vs. 1

2. longed for God vs. 1

3. knew God loved him vs. 3

4. praised the Lord vs. 4 -5

5. found satisfaction in God vs. 5

6. thought about God during sleeplessness vs. 6

7. found protection in God vs. 7

8. found strength to go on in God. vs. 8

9. found confidence in God vs. 9-10

10. saw future joy in God vs. 11

We can know of God's presence when life is at its worst!!! Let me encourage you to invite the Lord into your difficult situation. Pray and seek the one who knows your struggle. Think on Him and you will not be disappointed.

You may ask what about you Jerral? Where have you struggled? What's your burden right now? Oh...I have them! We have family struggles too. Some health problems that may require future surgery as well. I've lost loved ones to death's bed and we are dealing with aging parents as I write. Life is a STRUGGLE...but along with Job we can say as he fell to the ground in worship, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised."