An Uncelebrated Birthday

Today is my son's birthday.  He is 36 years old.  I did not get him a cake.  I was not able to watch him blow out the candles.  There was no singing of the traditional song.  His voice is not heard by me.  He is not here.  He is in another part of the world.  He is living a life without family.  It is the way he wants it.

As I was thinking of him today, I prayed for him.  He would probably not like that but it is all I can do for him.  I pray he is protected from harm.  My desire is that he has people around him who will love him.  I pray he has all that he needs to live comfortably.  But more than all of that, I have prayed, am praying and will continue to pray that he turn to Jesus.

Every person in this world needs Jesus.  We are not even really alive until we are following him.  We are really dead in our sins, our own ways of doing things.  God revealed Himself to me by His grace and I still marvel at that.  The reminder here is that it isn't just about my son but is about all those who are lost in this world without God.  Each one of them has a birthday which is just another year of going through the motions without a purpose.  Jesus gives a purpose.  Jesus is the purpose.  He gives us the ability to truly live.

If my son were here today, I would tell him that I love him.  That is very true.  My love for him will never change even though he is not here.  But my love is nothing in comparison with God's love. 

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

Wow!!  A love that is willing to die for us.  I would like to think that I would die for my son but would I?  Really, would I die for anyone?  I haven't been in that situation but I know my heart is deceitful and wants its own way.  God has already proven His love in the death of His Son.  There is no greater love.  This greater love is the one I desire for my son.  Maybe just maybe God will be pleased to reveal Himself to my son today on his birthday.  If He does then my son will have a new birth to celebrate on the same day. 

My prayer is that we will be concerned for the lost souls and bring them before the throne of grace.  There are many sons and daughters who need to know Jesus. 

"...And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."  Acts 2:47b

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music


And that is all I have to say today!! I am resting in Him alone! Thank you Jesus!

Wisdom from Everett

My grandson, Everett, is seven years old. He was recently visiting with us and had a conversation with me about being a Christian. He said the following:

"Grandma, I am a Christian. You can know that Jesus died for your sins but you have to really believe it and tell God you believe it. Then you will be a Christian."

He also said, "When I grow up I am going to be a preacher or FBI."

My grandson is learning a lot about God. He is being taught well by his parents. I am very proud of them. When Everett said these things to me, I let him know that we will be looking for fruit in his life as he grows. He said that he wanted to bring God glory not himself.

Later before we all had lunch together, Everett asked to pray. He prayed beautifully never mentioning the food but thanking God for Jesus and how he paid for our sins. He apologized to God for our continued sin. Then he said this...
"And God our Uncle Gabe is not a Christian. We want him to be a Christian and we will do everything we can to make him a Christian but you have to do it."
I could barely speak after his prayer. No one had mentioned his uncle, my son and yet he remembered him. Isn't that fruit?

Everett wants to do what is right but still struggles as we all do. (see my former post) Through his instruction from home and the Holy Spirit, I believe he has quoted scripture without really knowing it.

Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Amen and amen...Thank you Everett. God has granted you wisdom. May God grow you up in Him. But whether you are a preacher or FBI or something entirely different, you can honor God with your life. And me??? I will be the proud Grandma.

Politics and a 6 year old

On Saturday I was at my daughter's house, sewing bags for Excess Baggage shows coming up. As the day was winding down, we began to clean up the sewing area and the kids began to clean up the kitchen and family room. My six year old grandson was sweeping the foyer when he said, "We don't want to vote for the man, Bama, because he helped someone blow up three buildings, I think. Dad says to vote for McCain but he is going to raise taxes and we are going to have to pay." He then leaned on his broom looking so forlorn with no answers in his little mind.

After he left the room, I laughed and laughed. Since when does a six year old talk politics? His concern over the raising of taxes was said as if he were going to be paying the money from his pocket. Perhaps he was thinking of the lack of money his parents would have to put in his envelope for his chores. Whatever it was, he was genuinely concerned. It gave me a good chuckle.

This same six year old is concerned about another thing too. Each time he prays, he remembers to pray for his uncle to come to know the Lord. He prays with a heartfelt desire for this to happen. He never mentions his uncle other than to the only one who can save, Jesus Christ. When I think of this, I do not laugh but actually shed a few tears to realize that my grandson is so concerned about my son.

A big thank you to my grandson for showing me the importance of concern. This is not a time to be indifferent. It is a time to weigh every issue, do a little homework and make a decision to vote your conscience. It is also a time to not be indifferent about the lost of this world but to bring them before the throne of grace. We should never tire of being on our knees for the unsaved especially those in our families.

We can apply the following verse to both this country and our families. "Then Jesus toldhis disciples a parable to how them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1