Monday, April
25, 2005
"Such Love!" "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Last night we had a hymn sing. Believers from several local churches joined us to practically fill our country church. Wherever I have lived people like to sing and really, the best singing I've ever heard from the congregation is right here in Penn Dutch country. Over the centuries songwriters arranged their hymn tunes in four part harmony intending that congregations sing in this fashion. The majority of us have not had the rich musical background of learning to sing in harmony but the Mennonite/Brethren people here in Lancaster County not only learned four part harmony but they sang acappella over the centuries. Some still practice this method although most now incorporate instrumentation. It goes without saying these people know harmony very well and several times I just wondered if we were going raise the roof off the church. One of the songs chosen was an old favorite of mine from my earliest days in the faith. It's titled "Such Love" and has a marvelous line that just always blesses me, "That God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this! It's great to love and to be loved isn't it? Some of us have a loving supporting family and homes filled with love. What a blessing. We may also have many friends, an extended family and a church characterized by AGAPE love. The daily verse begins with the glorious phrase, "God so loved the world". Amen, He sure does and He specifically loves you and me this day and everyday. You may have experienced a loving earthly family as I thankfully have. But scores of people have not. Undoubtedly some have had a very difficult time in life and still do. There are those reading this who've been abused and carry deep scars. The sacred trust between an earthly spouse, parent or sibling was violated. Those who bear deep scars especially take note. You are now learning to trust your heavenly Father who is altogether trustworthy. His steadfast love never ceases. I know many of you have long ago memorized the daily verse. It's perhaps the single most memorized verse in the entire Bible. Hide it deep in your heart. I find it helpful to personalize it. "For God so loved me that He gave His one and only Son, that when I believe in Him I shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Indeed, such love, such wondrous love! Be encouraged today, Stephen C. Weber Note from Brooksyne: Though we often try to hide scars they're actually indicative of healing where once there was a wound. Ester is extremely sensitive about her "zipper" that was opened and closed repeatedly over her chest where she underwent five heart operations. And she now has an unsightly scar where the pacemaker was inserted and that, too, causes her embarrassment. We can only visibly see the outer scars of others, but I wonder what kind of emotional scarring God sees when He looks upon our wounded hearts. Medical doctors are limited to treating our physical wounds, but only a God of "such love" can cleanse inner wounds and prepare our hearts for eternity where sin and sorrow will no longer exist. As you fully receive God's love and provision for your life healing will come, if not fully in this life, it will come in the eternal life God has made possible for "whoever believes in Him." Final note: The service concluded last night with a song I've only heard around here they call "The Mennonite Doxology". It is a very lengthy version of the traditional doxology with multiple vocal parts. It's a powerful way to end a service. I couldn't find a sample version on the web so perhaps sometime I can get a recording of this to share with the rest of the world. Here a photo I took this morning of our pets, Roxie and Dottie who are reluctantly learning to get along! |
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