The Wedding March

My most vivid memory of my mother was watching her graceful hands on the organ keyboard. As the church organist she often practiced music for weddings. Soloist, too, would practice the popular ceremonial 1950 songs of Because and The Lord’s Prayer. To me—it was music to a young ‘wishful’ little girl’s ears that still rings today.

Nearly every Saturday evening I accompanied the accompanist to weddings. The flowers, the solos, the candles, the bridesmaids were nice, but the thrill only came when I could spot the shadow of the bride behind the sanctuary glass doors.

Mom would pause; lay her hands in her lap while silence filled the room. My heart raced with excitement because I knew what was next as she gently reached up to manually pull the stop on the pipe organ that transformed the sound to that of trumpets. I can still see my mother’s confidence to announce the coming of the bride with her dramatic pounding on the keys. I still get Goosebumps just writing about the traditional wedding march.

As time also marches on, and just 4 days short of her 81^st birthday, I believe Mom heard the sound of Heavenly trumpets as the doors flung wide to enter Heaven. Adorned in pure white, ushered by the nail-scared hand of her Jesus—she took her first step into the Throne Room of God.

As I look back on her life I see trials, challenges she overcame, and much suffering however; God used them all to make the march sweeter because I can't remember a time when she ever took her eyes off the groom. I’m sure it was a graceful walk towards Him for her life demonstrated true intimacy with Christ. I desire is to leave the same legacy.

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Revelation 19:6-8

Will our transformation end one day? You bet it will!

When? Only when we hear the signal for the march; not a second too early or too late.

I’m ready when He is. How about you?

Can You Hear Me Now?

Transformation is hard work if you truly make the decision to give all of your heart to Jesus. It cost. Pieces don’t cut it.

Childlike faith is the key ingredient, which melts wisdom and intimacy into a sweet relationship with Jesus. The luster of your faith of trust and dependence will bring about the brilliance of Peace and Joy.

A wonderful friend recently gave me a copy of one of the most transforming books I’ve ever read entitled, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Sarah shares her key to intimacy with Christ occured when she began to experience God’s presence continuously in her day. Time alone with God, in uninterrupted communion, taught her the ability to listen rather than talk. Her prayer journals have evolved from a monologue to dialogue.

Sarah now sits before God and waits for Him to tell her what to write as He directs her how to apply His Word to her life. She now rests in His presence as He relaxes her, helps her to let go, and tenderizes her heart to cease striving. Fear, anxiety, distrust have now turned to fullness of joy with a peace that surpasses all understanding because Jesus, Emmanuel, IS God with us.

Here is the May 19^th devotion from Sarah’s book as Jesus talks to her through Scripture.

I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My Presence. That is a fact, totally independent of your feelings. You are on your way to heaven; nothing can prevent you from reaching that destination. There you will see Me face to Face, and your Joy will be off the charts by any earthly standards. Even now, you are never separated from Me, though you must see Me through eyes of faith. I will walk with you till the end of time, and onward into eternity.

Although My Presence is a guaranteed promise that does not necessarily change your feelings. When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11

Do you feel Him near you today? He’s with you whether you feel Him or not.

This Too Shall Pass

Has your mother ever said those four words? Mine would as she consoled me with reminders of inevitable change. The absolute was fine in an undesirable situation but heartbreaking when not.

But one day the rollercoaster will end. All accounts will be settled. Nothing will need to change. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you will be complete; transformed into the full likeness of Him. We, too, will be at the right hand of God. Every earthly situation, good and challenging, will be laid at the Throne of Grace…all for the glory of God.

Why accept Jesus? Because it was He who defeated death once and for all. Only He is worthy to break through the barrier of sin in order to give us access to God. Without accepting Jesus you will experience the ‘second’ death. It is never God’s desire for anyone to spend eternity in hell, but He is a gentleman who has given us the choice to choose life or death. What will you choose today?

“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” 1 Peter 1:3-7 The Message

If you have chosen life then realize it doesn’t start when we go to Heaven…it starts now! You have everything to live for now!. Rejoice in all things for there will be a Day when we will celebrate our genuine faith. Keep on keeping on because this too shall pass.

Action Packed

In my opinion—if you’ve seen one action packed movie…you’ve seen them all. My husband has agreed to disagree with me for they are his favorite. “Oh, gee, wonder how many things will be blown up in this movie?” For which he replies, “Better than watching a movie with a bunch of kissing.” Oh, really! He talks like a Husband 101 dropout.

Watching soldiers scatter on the screen makes it difficult for me to separate the good from the bad guy. My face stares at the screen with total confusion but hubby knows exactly who everybody is, what maneuvers they use, and can even predict their next move.

This could explain why I’ve never been attracted to the study of the Old Testament. After the story of the Garden of Eden story it’s all downhill from there. Eve sins, Adam sins, then their sweet little children fight until one is dead. Who wants to read about bloodshed everyday in their Bible reading? Where’s the love story? Battle after battle as God’s chosen are faithful to obey one minute then run after idols the next. I mean really…where’s the love?

No doubt something big had to take place to stop the madness. And, it did when you start to read the New Testament when God became a tiny baby. Physical battles of human and animal bloodshed were not enough to bring a permanent end for individual freedom. God loved humanity so much that He gave His beloved Son to shield us from a gruesome and violent eternity.

Yes, one day the transformation process will end. Boot camp for eternity will be complete for there will be a day when He either whispers our name to come home or we’ll see Him appear in the clouds. One day the violence will end, pain will cease, and tears will not be necessary.

For those who declare they have tasted a taste of Heaven with near death experiences share it was the great love they felt the moment they sensed the presence of God and Heaven’s  residents. Love so overwhelming; human words are not appropriate. Now that’s a love story with a happy ending.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Thank Him that one day the madness will end and there will be eternal peace.

PS…Today is the National Day of Prayer and Happy Mother’s Day this weekend!