Just Sing!

I've lived a long time, and I do not remember hearing people talk about the "old vs. new" songs as much I hear now. I'm really getting kind of tired of it. :-) Not wanting to get into a discussion about it, please. It's just an observation I've been thinking about. I have decided to go to church, worship God from the depths of my heart, and if I don't know the song, and really don't even like the style of it, what does it matter? If I focus my attention on HIM...I will be doing well. If I can't...then...I'll figure it out at that time, but my worship doesn't depend on anyone else and what they do or don't do. Let's live for God with gladness, and let everyone around us know that we're not "gripey guts"! I say all of this with love, kindness, and goodwill toward my fellow travelers. I will close with this song that is "old, yet new if you've never heard it"... ;-) "I feel like traveling on...I feel like traveling on. My heavenly home is bright and fair, and I feel like traveling on." If the trumpet sounds tonight I will see you all on the other side and we will all be singing a NEW SONG...

P.S.   I really think it is a ploy of the enemy to get us distracted from our worship!  We can get so wrapped up in things we don't like that we become focused on that one thing and lose the meaning of true worship!  

 

Dear Preacher and Preacher's Wife

I don't know why my mind has wandered off to far away places today, but for some reason I found myself in my Grandpa and Grandma Layne's living room.  In the middle of the room was Daddy and Grandpa Layne.  At times, they would get into a "wrestling match" just for fun, and Grandpa always "won"!  This time was no different, but what WAS different is that in the car I overheard Daddy telling Mother..."You know Lila, I could have wrestled Pop to the floor, but I just won't do that to the old man."  He said "old man" very respectfully!  He went on to say, "I didn't want him to "feel bad" because he just didn't have the strength he use to have."  

WHY did my mind wander down that "memory lane" today?  I was really kind of shocked!  Almost as soon as that memory invaded my thoughts, I had another thought that formed, and as I realized what was taking place, I knew God was speaking to my heart. 

 A "spiritual wrestling match" has been going on for sometime now between the "deceiver" and those who have been taught Biblical holiness and separation.  The message the "deceiver" brings is from the pits of hell.  He will say things like, "Surely you don't believe those old-fashioned things anymore! Don't you think you could do away with them?  Really...do you think those things are still necessary?"  A saint who has loved their separated life is suddenly under attack!  They now find themselves in a "wrestling match" that they really don't understand, because the "deceiver" has already been working on them through anger, a critical spirit, and a tiny seed of bitterness.  After the onslaught of "sweet smiles, and silvery words from the deceiver" they have become weaker, until they can no longer tell right from wrong.  They find themselves questioning the very truth they once loved!   The things of God seem so...far...away.  Then, without notice...they feel their legs give way.  They cannot withstand the "deceiver" any longer.   Now, they reason..."I love my church...but I just can't believe "that" anymore.  I don't want to leave my friends and family here, and I wish they would go with me, but they're still holding onto what we've always been taught.  I just can't understand how they can go along with that kind of preaching anymore!  Oh, I know they've stood beside me through many trials, and they said they loved me, but they're "love" was so shallow.  They really didn't mean it."  And the "deceiver" keeps weaving his web!  Everyday that goes by the "deceivers" words play over and over in their mind, and they feel a confusion like never before as they reason of how it wouldn't be right to leave all those they love.  Their thoughts become more muddy, and their head  feels like it is literally spinning.  One minute they want to leave, the next..."I think I'll just stay here.  I'm sure it'll all be okay!  People will understand that I've made a few changes, but they'll see I'm really happier than I was when I was doing what the Pastor preached.  They'll eventually see that the REAL me really hasn't changed at all.  I'm still the same person I was years ago."  As they continue to reason, never making a fresh dedication, or a new commitment, they find themselves lulled to sleep from the ever so soothing music of the "deceivers voice", and what they once knew was truth is no longer part of their life.     

On the sidelines, sits the Old Prophet of God that has led his people to righteous, holy living and he watches as those he has given his life for buckles to their knees.  He weeps as he remembers the countless times he has led his congregation to the throne room of God, and their lives were changed after he preached, "Thus sayeth the Word of the Lord!"  As he sits there, it's as if he feels a sword rip through his chest and it goes directly to his heart!  He has preached about the spirit of compromise, and warned his people about the last days, but he never dreamed he would ever SEE that day happen!  His very being is torn into, and his heart cries for those he loves...but it seems there is nothing he can do.  Under the load of discouragement that has broken his heart he closes his eyes...

Just as the Old Prophet is about to take his last breath, someone steps into the room.  Who is it?  A young man?  As he tries to focus his eyes on the young man, he thinks of when HE was young and strong.  As he watches the young man stroll towards him, he notices his vision has been restored.  He feels his strength return as he "remembers".  The young man is now standing in front of him, so the Old Prophet raises his head and asks..."Young man, who are you?  Where do you come from?  What are you doing here?  What is your name?"  As the young man begins to speak, the Old Prophet realizes that he has been sent by God to help fight the battle that has been raging.  And FIGHT he does!  With an anointing that only comes from the Holy One, the young man reaches out and grabs that long, ugly sword of discouragement that has pierced the Old Prophet's heart.  With his strong hands he carefully removes it.  With a power like the Old Prophet has not seen for awhile he watches as the young man  throws "discouragement" aside.  Then...Encouragement speaks, "Oh man of God!  What the "deceiver" has tried to do to those you have given your life for, will no longer prevail!  God has sent me to tell you that all you have done...is not in vain!  You have preached, you have given, you have prayed and fasted, you have loved unconditionally.  The "deceiver" may have destroyed a few, but he hasn't destroyed the CHURCH!  Stand up now!  Look around you and look at the CHURCH!  It is ALIVE and WELL!"       

Loyalty

LOYAL - faithful to - steady in allegiance...Those who gripe, complain, and criticize America needs to ADJUST THEIR ATTITUDE or LEAVE IT!  It's easy for some people to forget where they would be if it hadn't been for those who fought for their freedom.  I remember a speaker on the radio that use to say when he had made a point, "Are you listening?"   :-)   Friends...ARE WE LISTENING?  Sometimes I like to do an "attitude checkup" on myself. What is my attitude about my church, my church family, my Pastor, my organization?  Am I thankful for what they have done for me?  Do I still LOVE  them enough to DEFEND them, or am I going to sit around and "gripe, complain, and criticize" that which brought me FREEDOM, and those who have fought to KEEP ME FREE?  I don't have a choice to LEAVE IT...that's not in my vocabulary, SOOOO  what does one do when they find themselves "griping, complaining, and criticizing"?  It's easy!  Pray until your spirit gets right, your attitude adjusted, and..."If I don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything at all."  Ok...I'm done!  It's just a little thought I had...