November 26, 2013
It's Thanksgiving week and I was provided
a perfect opportunity to write about something a bit different ... a true
'change-of-pace' from the norm... and it was totally inspired by the Holy
Spirit. ...
Some of you know that I am the worship
leader at Chehalem Valley Baptist Church ... and this past Sunday's service
provided the backdrop. .. To start, I had invited Marci Ehrhart to be our guest
worshiper.
Also, I had asked her to do one of her
own compositions as a special. ... When the time came, she first told the story
of what had inspired her to write the lyrics ... how when she had gone to
Washington, DC as a young girl and witnessed street people and how cold, hungry
and 'empty' they appeared. ... Now let me share the words that best describe
her experience .....
-
Love and Compassion -
- Verse # 1 -
"Daily he walks by their poor outstretched arms - begging for
something to eat
He always makes sure he walks six feet away - so they can't touch his
feet
Then he gets to his office and always complains - 'bout the beggars and
bums on the street
For he just couldn't see why they didn't get a job - and stop being so
lazy
- Chorus #1 -
Whatever happened to all the compassion - that we used to show to one
another
Has it really turned into 'keep all for yourself' - and hang on as tight
as you can
What ever happened to do unto others - as you would have done unto you?
And loving your neighbor - as you would love yourself?
- Verse #2 -
He walked in his office - and saw a pink slip on his desk
It wasn't an invoice, it wasn't a receipt - it was a one-way ticket out
the door
They said times were hard - and they had to cut back
They were sorry - but he was the first
Then the stock market crashed- his investments fell through
and he lost everything that he owned - now he's wondering ......
- Verse #3 -
Week after week, he couldn't find a job - now he's standing in the soup
kitchen line
Daily the business men pass him right by - with a sneer on their face he
used to wear
Well he finally landed a job interview - over on the high-rise part of
town
When he opened the door - he saw that woman once more
only this time the tables were turned - and she said to him ......
- Chorus #2 -
I'll show you compassion and caring - that you never once thought of
sharing with me
'cause I've been where you are and I know how it feels - to be judged by
the clothes that you wear
Too many times people look with their eyes - and not what they feel in
their heart
But as Jesus forgives us so I shall forgive you - and give you the
chance that you need
Daily he walks by their poor outstretched arms - begging for something
to eat
He always makes sure he walks right up to them - with a smile and love
in his eyes ........"
Needless to say, there weren't too many
dry eyes in the sanctuary .... It was a wonderful conclusion to a very moving
service, and afterwards, the Church provided a "harvest Meal
Celebration" which most all attended. ... During this time, the leader and
head teacher of our Christian school approached and told me that one of her
students ... a young girl named Abby ... had attended our Church for the first
time, and after hearing the story and then the song, she was moved to try and
find a way to make blankets for homeless people. ... Now I gotta tell you that
this young lady can't be much past 12 or 13 years of age, and to be touched by
the Spirit in such a way was simply overwhelming to me! ... Fortunately, the opportunity arose for me to
share Abby's vision, and needless to say, everyone in attendance was also
deeply touched .... What an absolute blessing this moment meant to me and most
everyone else. ...
As I said in the opening statement ...
this is Thanksgiving week .... and Abby's testimony truly shows the true
meaning of all that it stands for .... Most of us are blessed beyond what our
basic needs are, while many others throughout the world are not. ...This story
tells it all ... Abby's heart shows us clearly what it is all about ...
I want to close with a Scripture we all
need to SLOW DOWN & READ ... and then dwell on its true meaning .... It is
Matthew 25:31-46 ....
"When the Son of Man comes in his
glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly
glory. 32) All the nations will be
gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33) He will put the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.
34)"Then the King will say to those
on his right, 'come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance,
the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35) For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you invited me in, 36) I
needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in
prison and you came to visit me.
37) "Then the righteous will answer
him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
something to drink? 38) When did we see
you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and cloth you? 39) When did we see you sick or in prison and
go to visit you?
40) "The King will reply, 'I tell
you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.
41) "Then he will say to those on
his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared
for the devil and his angels. 42) For I
was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
nothing to drink, 43) I was a stranger
and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was
sick and in prison and you did not look after me.
44) "They also will answer, 'Lord,
when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick
or in prison, and did not help you? 45)
He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the
least of these, you did not do for me.'
46) "Then they will go away to
eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Not much more need be said ...It is clear
that young Abby's display of love puts her on the right hand of our Savior as
one of his precious sheep. ... I pray this thanksgiving that we all learn from
Abby and that we can be sure of our rightful position in the Kingdom of God
.... Hallelujah!
Until next time,
Red