World Turned Upside Down

       Just prior to Thanksgiving I managed to break out with shingles. I learned from the doctor (who diagnosed this itching, stabbing, burning rash) I was contagious. Oh bother.

        This changed plans a bit, but I must admit gladly so. You see, I was supposed to go Walmart grocery shopping and take our son who absolutely loves exploring that store repeatedly. I am not, however, a great fan of shopping—anywhere!

        I didn’t want to let Min down, so we decided I’d use the Pick-Up option to get groceries we needed so he could have his moments of wonder and excitement inside the store.

        I went over the change in our regular routine, as our son needs this each and every time we do just about anything. “This time I’m going to pull up and let you out to go in the store on your own.”

        “Okay,” Min said with a smile (as much of a smile as he wears as he isn’t a huge smiler), “and I’ll be responsible and grown-up, and I will call you when I’m done. Right?

        “Yes,” I said. “Do that because I’m going to park further down the lot after I pick up our groceries.”

        So, plan in place, I got the food then pulled into an empty space further down the parking lot than usual. I whistled tunes a while then found myself daydreaming, when I spotted something that made me smile.

        Across the way stood a cart return. There are many of those in the lot, all with a grocery cart logo on top. The sign on this particular bay, however, had slipped, leaving the shopping cart logo upside-down.

        I chuckled. Didn’t the shoppers get the message? They all put their carts in there right-side up. I laughed again. Such rebellion! Then my phone rang.

        “I’m done,” our son said on the other end. “I’m coming out the food-end door.”

        “Okay! I’ll be there in a minute.” I started the car, pulled out, and went to picked up Min.

        He loaded his bags in back then climbed into the car.

        “Do you know how to take pictures on a phone?” I asked, thinking we’d done this a time or two before but not remembering how. (I’m seriously techno-challenged.)

        “Yeah.”

        “Well, can you take one for me please? I saw something I thought was funny.”

        “Yeah.”

        I drove back to where the rebellious shoppers parked their carts right-side up and pulled the car sideways so Min could take the picture.

        Min gave me a blank look.

        “I know. I’ve lost my mind, but I thought it was funny that no one put their cart in the bay upside down.

        “Oh,” Min said. “It should match, right?”

        “Exactly!”

        Then Min smiled big. He took the picture then passed me the phone. “Can I go over there and turn a cart upside down?” He asked. “That’s funny.”

        “Okay. Then I’ll take your picture.”

        Min got out, flipped the cart upside down, and gave me a thumbs up.

        I indicated when the task was completed, and he turned the cart upright and parked it in the bay.

        “Rebel!” I yelled out the window.

        He came over to the car, got in and buckled his seatbelt. “What are you going to do with the pictures?”

        “Oooh, I dunno. Maybe nothing. Maybe get some idea for a blog post.”

        “Maybe we should use carts upside down,” Min said.

        “Cheaper that way! And shop on our heads!”

        “Can we do that?” he asked.

        “I hardly think so.”

        Okay! Insane moments! I admit it. (What else is new?) But, if you think about it, my ridicu-litis could be credible. After all, the Walmart rebels? Some shop in pajamas, ya know. So, who’s to say there’s not an actual rebellion going on!

        I did come up with a reason to use this experience in my blog, which you’ve already discovered if you read this far, you who don’t park your shopping carts upside down.

        I got to thinkin’ about our upside-down world vs. the one I grew up in scores of years ago. Your world too? Let me "splain"…

        Visualize a pyramid! The bottom wide, the top a point. A stable structure, like the pyramids in Egypt—standing firm over 1000s of years. If you were to take one of those (if you could, which you can’t, but if you could) and turn it upside down and rest it on its point. The structure would tumble and break apart. If it didn’t initially tumble, the point would shatter under the pressure.

        Now think of the pyramid as an illustration, as we were taught and believed (and still do) that man and woman are at the bottom of a pyramid with God at the top—God being the utmost as He should be represented. King of kings, Lord of lords, supreme!

        Over the years, the fall of man (caused by sin) has done a 180 to that pyramid. Now man and woman are portrayed as most import along with every form of false teaching they’ve used for building their pyramid. They are still on what had been the base of the pyramid before, but now God—Who was/is on the point now sits at the bottom tip.

        That’s what we’ve done with God. Humanism, environmental teaching that earth is our mother, cults, sexual revolution, moral fall, etc. have all played a part in the once strong pyramid being inverted. God is now portrayed as small. Weak. Man and woman—all-powerful—now are at the top. Playing God. But…

        That structure can’t stand forever. In fact, it tumbles easily. Remember. The pyramid cannot balance on its tip and will topple, becoming rubble.

        How did this happen?

        Rebellion. Real rebellion. (Not like the people who didn’t park their carts in obedience to an inverted sign.)

        We live in dangerous times. Nearly godless times.

        Oh, there are those who hold solidly to the Word of God—their foundation, and there are genuine revivals breaking out—praise the Lord. But for the most part, the grounded believers are percentage-wise smaller than the masses.

        One example of this has to do with shopping, believe it or not.

        Have you noticed, as Christmas approaches, stores and ads show more and more “things” you can buy and don’t show or mention Jesus—the Reason for the season? Have you noticed each year Jesus gets pushed further and further away from the time of year we should be coming to “let us adore Him?”

        This is a part of the inverted pyramid. Making God small. Making “things” big—“must haves.”

        I, for one, almost feel like scrapping Christmas gifts altogether. Call me a Scrooge. A Grinch. But it hurts my heart to see Jesus ignored. Kept in storage. And, if He does show up on a shelf, for example, in Walmart, He is quite alone.

        May I encourage you to keep your hearts upright? To above all put Jesus in your “cart” this Christmas? And fill your heart-cart with gifts for the Savior?

        After all, it is His Birthday!

No Room / Have You Any Room for Jesus?

Evie Tornquist - No Room - Have You Any Room For Jesus

 #shopping #rebellion #pyramid #forgettingJesusbirthday #Christmas 

Photo Credit: Nativity~pixabay.com

Devotion

          This week is our wedding anniversary. Forty-seven years ago, we made promises to each other—to love, cherish and more. The preacher who married us included that we pledge our abiding devotion.

          And we did.

          I’ve thought a lot about that part of our commitment—the abiding devotion part, and I’m brought back to the times in our marriage that were good but also the struggles. Marriage—the good, solid kind—is hard work, and that’s where abiding devotion comes into play. That commitment to be one before God no matter what happens.

          No. Matter. What.

          So, because my husband was committed to me and I to him, we weathered storms and came out the other side still thanking God for bringing us together. Why? Because I can’t imagine having done these forty-seven years alone. Not without Brian and certainly not without the Lord.

          Some of our anniversaries have found us in strange places. One even separated us by several countries’ borders. And this year, after an over-flowing year of medical challenges, we’ll “celebrate” in a surgeon’s office far from home.

          Because we’ve had some “very interesting” anniversaries, this one didn’t seem particularly odd. We’ve always managed to plan a dinner out or have a special dessert at another time. I guess we could have thought, Why don’t we get a break? We could have thought that. We might have.

          Then this happened...

          We received a wedding invitation from a girl we’ve known since she was born and her fiancé who we’ve gotten to know by mail. You see, Naomi and Nick* were engaged several years ago, but…

          …something happened. Prior to their engagement, Nick took a wrong turn and found himself sentenced to a penitentiary. This is where I came into Nick’s story because Naomi shared about him, their being apart, and how hard life was now that he was incarcerated.

          I offered to write to Nick. That’s how we “got acquainted”—through our once-in-a-while exchange of letters. What I learned from Nick’s letters? He was full of information, very smart and interesting, sociable, and so in love with Naomi who wrote to him every day. He also was clinging to the Lord and hanging tight to his faith, despite the opposition behind bars.

          So, when we received Nick and Naomi’s wedding invitation, we rejoiced that the groom was now free and ready to start a new life. But…

          …then I read their invitation aloud to Brian:

“With joy in our hearts, we are excited to announce

our upcoming wedding…It won’t be a typical wedding—

no bouquet toss, no dance floor, no cake. Just heartfelt vows,

faithful commitment, and a lot of love.

Because we can only have four witnesses present,

we’re asking the rest of our family and friends to celebrate with us

in spirit on our wedding day. Pray for us…

After a long engagement, we’re thrilled to be joined in marriage,

even at the prison. Thank you for walking beside us the last seven years.

God’s faithfulness has carried us every step of the way:

through separation, struggle, and the long refining road of grace.

This marriage is a testimony to His mercy, redemption,

and the love that holds all things together.”

“I have found the one whom my soul loves.” Song of Solomon 3:4

…and to say I got through without totally choking and flooding with tears? Impossible. But here’s what struck me, and I shared this with Brian.

          “This is what marriage is all about.”

          I’m not sure our abiding devotion holds a candle to Naomi and Nick’s, even though our marriage went through so much that psychologists would’ve given us a 0% chance of survival.

          Nick and Naomi. Already a long-lived relationship while a bride-to-be sacrificed years of her life for the one she knew was God’s man for her. Waiting. Separated by distance, locks, and prison bars.

          Devotion.

          Then we took our developmentally disabled son for his annual oncology appointment. We sat waiting for some time between two appointments—one for labs and the other to see the doctor. So, we saw people come and go—all of them with their own difficult stories.

          Then this happened…

          A couple stepped out of the elevator, she shuffling and holding onto her husband’s arm. They sat facing us. The wife immediately sprawled across the couch-like seat, laid her head on her husband’s lap, and closed her eyes.

          No doubt which was the patient to be seen that day.

          The husband gently stroked her arm, kissed the palm of his other hand, and placed it on her head for a moment. He looked toward her closed eyes, dosed off, and awoke to make sure his bride was as comfortable as possible—again stroking her arm. Repeatedly. Tenderly.

          Both weary. Both sharing the burden.

          We didn’t wonder if this couple loved one another. Not for a second. What we witnessed?

          Devotion.

          And, again I turned to Brian, eyes filled with tears and voice quivering. “That’s what marriage is all about.”

          He nodded.

          I’ve learned lessons this year. From Nick and Naomi. From a couple whose names we don’t know, and from reflecting back on the day we took our vows and, amongst the other things, pledged…

          Abiding devotion.

          The following hymn—loved by so very many—may sound like a groom writing to his bride, but Rev. Matheson had no bride. He wrote it on the eve of his sister’s marriage—the one who’d helped him through his years of blindness.

          That evening Rev. Matheson fell into deep melancholy. Whether because of losing his sister as a loving aide or thinking back to when he was much younger or both.

          You see, the reverend, who’d struggled with his eyesight all his years, once was engaged to be married. His eyes had worsened to the point he was told he’d become blind. When he shared this news with his intended, she broke their engagement because she was quite sure she couldn’t cope with a blind husband.

          About penning the words to this hymn, Rev. Matheson said, “Something happened to me…which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering…I had the impression rather of having it dictated to me by some inward voice…this came like a dayspring from on high…”

O Love that Will Not Let Me Go

 

Bill & Gloria Gaither - O Love That Will Not Let Me Go [Live] ft. Gaither Vocal Band

 

O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

 

O Light that follows all my way, I yield my flick’ring torch to thee,

My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

 

O Joy that seekest me thru’ pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow thru’ the rain and feel the promise is not vain

That morn shall tearless be.

 

O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red

Like that shall endless be.

 

(from the original hymn, O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go, by George Matheson, 1882, public domain)

#devotion #marriage #anniversary #prison #cancer #lifestruggles #commitment #vows

 

*Thank you, Nick & Naomi, for permission to include your love story. You are a blessing!

Helping Soldiers Smile

          When our twin sons were deployed in the war (Afghanistan and Iraq), they wrote letters to us when able. They also wrote to one another when possible, but their “letters” to each other were more—oh, how shall I say it—comics poking fun at one another in their situations.

          Yes, laughs in the toughest of times! Humor, like joy, can be a “good medicine!”

           I know that might sound weird, but—to be honest—those drawings gave the brothers and us smiles. And that crazy art work has been preserved over these years. Keepers!

          Last month I pulled a book off our shelves that reminded me of those cartoons our boys drew, but these were done in a different time and different war. The book had belonged to Dad. I remembered it being loaded with comics, but I’d not read it before.

          What started as a I’ll-read-it-then-likely-pass-it-on moment grew into a I-cannot-help-but-read-this.

          Up Front by Bill Mauldin* (an American editorial cartoonist) shared his war comics featuring generically named Willie and Joe—GI characters he created for Stars and Stripes while imbedded with several units in the European Theater during World War II. Bill wrote the history behind his comics in Up Front. He also shared his observations of war, soldiers, and so much more. Here’s a little of what he had to say about men in combat when they come home:

“…There are millions who have done a great and hard job. But so far there are only a few hundred thousand who have lived through misery, suffering, and death for endless 108-hour weeks and, as I said, they are going to be too tired and sick of it to bother anybody who might be worrying about their becoming problems.

They don’t need pity, because you don’t pity brave men—men who are brave because they fight while they are scared to death. They simply need bosses who will give them a little time to adjust their minds and their hands, and women who are faithful to them, and friends and families who stay by them until they are the same guys who left years ago. No set of laws or Bill of Rights for returning veterans of combat can do that job. Only their own people can do it. So it is very important that these people know and understand combat men.”                     –Bill Mauldin

          That’s only a snippet of Up Front. I failed to mark more parts that touched me deeply, so I’ll want to read it again. There are no chapters—just text running from front to back with corresponding cartoons decorating almost every page. Bill shares things a GI might never speak about himself or the circumstances he endured.

          Willie and Joe? Corny characters really, but they shared a naive mix of winsome and hard truths of war. They also weren’t too shy about poking fun at officers!

          At any rate, those fictitious characters gave our military some smiles. After all, good humor—really well-crafted—is so relatable. The GIs who read those comics “got” the messages they were meant to convey.

          How many of us know Veterans who never speak of the war in which they fought? Who die with long-lived aching or nightmare visions that repeat themselves over and over until he/she is laid to rest?

          And what about the ones who do finally talk? Ones now old and so wrinkled who can no longer hold back tears when asked, “Grandpa, what was it like?”

          Anything I could write about Veterans will not suffice. All the thanks I can give will never be enough. And all I’ve gone through in life falls in a small heap at the feet of the ones who made such tremendous sacrifices for me.

          And for you.

          As for the copy of Up Front I now own, I wonder what those comics meant to Dad. After all, he kept his copy of this very different book throughout his life.

          Ironically, while writing this blog post, I discovered We’ll Meet Again, written during World War II—a coming-home song.

We’ll Meet Again (by Ross Parker & Hughie Charles)

Sydnie Christmas - We'll Meet Again (Official Video) - YouTube

 

          Many of us, like Sydnie Christmas, have grandparents/great-grandparents who fought in World War II. My own dad had a stop-over in England (Sydnie’s homeland) before he was shipped to Europe with his unit of combat engineers from Fort Bragg.

           When we were growing up, we knew our dad served in the Army. In fact, he and Mom chose Dad’s dear, Army buddy and his wife to care for us girls if something happened to our parents before we were grown. And other Army buddies remained in our lives until God called Dad Home.

          I didn’t realize then what our dad sacrificed for us—how much all Veterans did. Yes, we always went to the cemetery on Decoration Day where we placed flowers on graves, joined in military remembrances, honored all branches in church, and took part in Veteran’s Day parades.

          But I don’t think it ever truly registered then what all our soldiers went through. In my young mind, they went to war, came home, got jobs, and raised families.

          My favorite Veteran now lives in Heaven. Unlike the song posted above, I do know where we will meet again! But I don’t know the when. How thankful I am to God for His Son’s sacrifice through which Dad could gain eternal life in Heaven.

          For Dad not only served in the US Army but was a soldier of the Cross too!

 

#Veteran #WorldWarII #comics #humor #laughtergoodmedicine #BillMauldin

#UpFront #Willie&Joe #soldiersreturn #sacrifice

 *Cartoons copyrighted 1944. Text in book copyrighted 1945. 1st 3 printings sold before the 4th came out in May of 1945. 

Photo credits: image 1 & 2—pinterest, image 3—pinterest.com.au 

Persecuted for Christ's Sake

           Some weeks ago, I was driving home from our local dollar store when a hymn popped into my brain first, then my heart. Surprising because I’d not heard this particular hymn since my youth!

          Once it penetrated my brain and I sang the words aloud, tears ran down my cheeks as the meaning pierced my heart.

“Are ye able,” said the Master, “to be crucified with me?”

“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered, “to the death we follow Thee.”

 

Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, Like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

 

          I’d not expected a moment like this after what had been just a quick errand.

          When I got home, I sat on the couch and waited for my husband to pause from his studies. He was filling in for our pastor that upcoming Sunday, so he was deep in thought. When he glanced up, he asked, “Is there something I can do for you?” as he always does when pausing in his studies and spotting me sitting across the way.

          “I just wanted to tell you about a hymn that shook me up. I only remember the first verse and chorus.” I shared that with him. “I’m gonna look up the rest.”

          So, I moved over to where my laptop was, fired it up, and found the hymn. I read the other verses to Brian.

Are ye able to remember, when a thief lifts up his eyes,

That his pardoned soul is worthy of a place in paradise?

 

Are ye able when the shadows close around you with the sod,

To believe that spirit triumphs, to commend your soul to God?

 

“Are ye able?” Still the Master whispers down eternity,

And heroic spirits answer now, as then, in Galilee.

 

          “Maybe this hit me so hard because of Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom and all the horrible things that are going on,” I said.

          Brian wiped the tears from his cheeks. “I, too, have been thinking about that, and it’s what the Holy Spirit led me to touch on in this sermon prep.”

          I’ve thought a lot about martyrs these past weeks. To have “witnessed” Charlie’s brought others to my attention. I knew persecution of believers still happens in our world, but I’d not been abreast to the number of brothers- and sisters-in-Christ who’ve perished. Then I spotted articles and photos concerning believers in Nigeria and other countries as well—a staggering number killed for Christ.

          How can this be??? my soul cried out. Then I remembered Jesus’ Words:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world,

but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word

that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me,

they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake,

because they do not know Him who sent Me.” John 15:18-21

 

          I recalled those who’d been martyred for their faith so very long ago, amongst them one of my many-times great-grandfather, Dr. Rev. Rowland Taylor*. He was burned at the stake by the queen known as “Bloody Mary” in 1555. And he wasn’t alone. No less than 280 believers (men and women) were martyred during Queen Mary I’s short reign.

          I remember, when I learned about this brave ancestor, being taken aback by his testimony and death. In my DNA is a tiny bit of him. How could I neglect to stand for Christ, knowing what this many-times great-grandfather endured? Succumbed to?

          Then I had an additional thought. I am blood-bought by the One Who lives in me still—Who gave His life, sacrificed on a cruel cross. Dead. Buried.

          Resurrected!

          How could I neglect to stand for He Who endured so much for me? Whose blood paid the price for my sin? Who lives in me?

          This brought me to my knees. Lord, You have told us, since they persecuted You, they will persecute us also. We believers, then, have targets on us, so to speak. I have one.

          Believers were martyred on the mission field, the first I knew about were the five missionaries killed in Ecuador. I was so very young when that happened, but I still remember my mother crying and telling us they died. We were acquainted with missionaries—those who serve God no matter what. But to think they were targets! And are still!

          Believers have been targeted in school killings, the first incident I was acquainted with being Columbine. 

          So, it’s possible any of us believers might fall for our faith.  

          What if that happens to me? To us? Again, Jesus’ Words ring out:

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

          We may be asked to drink from the cup of sacrifice that Jesus also did—pouring out His Life.

“…Jesus said to them (disciples James & John), ‘You do not know what you ask.

Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism

that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’” Mark 10:38-39

 

          Lord, we are able! May this be our commitment—our prayer. Not only during this week of Reformation Day** remembrance but every day of the year.

 

Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, Like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

 

Melody of Are Ye Able is in the first half of this YouTube video:

Are Ye Able Said The Master / All The Way My Saviour Leads Me

(“Are Ye Able,” Said the Master by Earl Marlatt, 1926, public domain)

 

 

Historical Christian Persecution Statistics

     More than 70 million Christians have been martyred in the course of history. More than half were martyred in the 20th century under communist and fascist governments (Gordon-Conwell Resources).

     In the 21st century, roughly 100,000 to 160,000 Christians were killed each year (Gordon-Conwell Resources & World Christian Database). Roughly 1,093,000 Christians were martyred, worldwide, between 2000 and 2010 (World Christian Database).

     Modern, Global Church Persecution Statistics: 322 Christians are killed for their faith every month. 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed every month. 772 forms of violence (beatings, kidnappings, rape, arrest, etc.) are committed against Christians every month (Open Doors).

     Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or neighbors because of their faith (United States Department of State). At least 7,100 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons in 2015, up from at least 4,344 in 2014 (Open Doors).

(Copied from The Esther Project—A Voice for the Persecuted Church Internet site.)

 

#persecutionofbelievers #martyrs #CharlieKirk #assassination #RowlandTaylor #burnedatstake

#FoxsBookofMartyrs #church #Columbine #missionarymartyrsEcuador #ReformationDay #JesusSavior

 *Written about in Fox’s Book of Martyrs—Chapter 267.

**October 31^st, 1517—Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the castle church (catholic at that time)

                                      in Wittenburg, Germany thus bringing about the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

 

Photo Credit: Charlie Kirk—religionnews.com, Rowland Taylor—Wikipedia.com, 

                       Ecuador/5 martyrs—blogspot.com, Columbine memorial—USAtoday.com

The Messiah—Written for a King, Composed by the King

Dear Mr. Handel,

          We’ve not made acquaintance. That’s quite impossible since you lived centuries before me, but we will meet when the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ rise. I desired to write you now, though, to thank you for using your musical talent for our Lord God. Your compositions have touched our world and inspired many, giving Hope even in darkest times.

          I’m acquainted with the deep struggle you went through during your writing of The Messiah. How you poured out your soul to your Creator, seeking His guidance so this masterpiece would be solely from His Hands, not yours—you desiring His Will be done! How you starved, became so ill and weak, and slept minimally!

          I learned the Scriptures used in The Messiah were chosen by another, inspired to share them with you for this purpose. But how did you create such a masterpiece in that summer of 1741 in less than a month’s time? Surely the Holy Spirit worked through you—His instrument. And in the 284 years since, your composition is still revered worldwide!

          Beyond your composing The Messiah for King George II as his court musician, it was truly written by the King of Kings—each piece speaking Scripture through music. Those who’ve sung it (or heard it repeatedly) find The Word of God flowing from their lips.

          Just three weeks ago, my husband, son, and I traveled a long way. We were so weary! My husband plugged in his IPOD. “Ancient technology,” he said (but of course you don’t know of such a thing). We listened to The Messiah from beginning to nearly the end, and the beauty and inspiration we received carried us all the way home in our vehicle (something else you know nothing of).

          We pulled into the driveway to Hallelujah! Please forgive us, gifted composer, for we did not stand while it played, as did King George II when he heard the first performance. Be assured, though, our hearts “leapt to their feet!”

          Mr. Handel, our world is so terribly troubled in this era. Was it so in yours? This is why I’ve chosen to share in this blog post (“What is that?” you’ll also wonder) some pieces from The Messiah.

          There is overwhelming sadness. So many know not the Savior. They yearn to be comforted in their sorrow but seek this in wrong places and in empty ways. I’m so glad one of your pieces shares the message of comfort—to all and especially mentioned, Jerusalem.

Comfort Ye My People ~ Handel Messiah, Tenor Accompagnato: Comfort ye, my people

(Isaiah 40:1,2)

          Did you experience God’s comfort when you went through trials, struggling with anxiety and hardly able to make ends meet with the path you’d chosen—giving your life to music? And may I not forget to mention the challenge in and of itself, being the King’s court musician!

          Many in our world also seek to be led. Some follow false leaders and evil doers. I’m sure you knew of those in your time as well. Every century has both. Still, we people, being like sheep, seek a shepherd to lead us safely and with tender loving care. If only more souls knew the Good Shepherd, our God, Who gave His life for His sheep.

He Shall Lead His Flock Like a Shepherd

Handel: Messiah | He shall feed his flock | Academy of Ancient Music & VOCES8

(Isaiah 40:11)

          You must have experienced the Good Shepherd’s care in your life when you suffered strokes, eventually leaving you blind. I wonder if hearing your oratorio ministered to you as well.

          Oh, how wonderful it would be if we sheep grasped that our God can carry us through any trials that come our way because for Him, the load He carries is but a light affliction.

His Yoke Is Easy, His Burden Is Light

Handel Messiah, Chorus: His yoke is easy

(Matthew 11:30)

          All this is possible because a Child was born! Mr. Handel, it won’t be long now until we celebrate that Baby’s birth—Christmas. Isn’t it astounding, though, His Birth was prophesied long before even you were born? And, although this piece from The Messiah is usually heard at Christmas time, I love hearing it throughout the year. It holds such Hope—such promise!

For Unto Us a Child Is Born

Handel Messiah, Chorus: For unto us a Child is born

(Isaiah 9:6)

          Again, thank you for all the life you poured into composing The Messiah. I will close with the song that filled our vehicle at the end of our journey three weeks ago, as it makes one’s heart sing even in the darkest hours.

          Mr. Handel, I will greet you in Eternity where we’ll join the music, praising God—the King of Kings and True Composer of The Messiah which was entrusted to your care!

Hallelujah Chorus

Handel: Messiah | Hallelujah Chorus | VOCES8 & Academy of Ancient Music

(Revelation 19:6)

Gratefully yours,

a lover of music from another time & place who, decades ago, played some of your pieces

 

#Handel #TheMessiah #KingGeorgeII #music #troubledworld #comfort #shepherd

#HolySpiritinspired #Scriptures #LordGod #PromisedChild #Hallelujah

This is a colorized version of The Great Mr. Handel ~

the story telling how The Messiah came to be!

The Great Mr. Handel 1942 (Full Film) - YouTube

It moves me each time I watch it.

Photo Credit: letter writing—stock.photo.com, Handel—allaboutHandel.com, musical score--CCARHWiki

Musical Credit: Tafelmusik & Academy of Ancient Music