You Are Worthy ~ A Resurrection Concert

       Having just come through Holy Week and with my heart centered on Jesus’ death and resurrection, I’ve thought much about the amount of love and sacrifice the Savior made for us. I venture to say I’m more in awe of it with each passing year.

        I’ve also contemplated how a thought about ourselves might mar something God wants us to come to grips with. This: Some religious circles teach we humans are worthless. Unworthy.

        Maybe you’ve heard this.

        I have. More than once.

        Herein lies conflict with this thought—that we are unworthy.  

        The Bible states in Revelation 13:8 the Lamb of God—Jesus—was slain before the foundation of the world.

        Hold on! Jesus knew He would die for us before we existed?

        Yes! But how?

        Ah! This is where our all-knowing God is vital. He would create us in His image.

        Wait! In His Image?

        Yes! Then how can we be worthless if we were so specially created?

        God doesn’t make junk, and He didn’t make us with failing in mind. Yet He, in His knowledge of all time, knew we’d need a Redeemer.

There Is a Redeemer ~ by Keith Green

There Is A Redeemer - Keith Green

 

        The Creator of all loved us so deeply that He wanted His creation to be joined with Him. He tells us so in 1John 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.”

        God through Jesus gave all so we could become part of His family. This Holy One Who is worthy above all invites us to be joined with Him one day. He didn’t give His life for a bunch of nothings.

For God So Loved the World ~ by Stuart Dauermann 

FOR GOD SO LOVED by The Liberated Wailing Wall

        Yet a problem crept in. Sin. That’s where I believe we get the idea we are unworthy. Because of the mess we’ve made of ourselves by yielding to sin. Thus, we’ve come to believe (or been preached to) that we are unworthy.

        Our sin made us unworthy because it separates us from God. God did not flaw in creating us. We were the culprits.

        But all is not lost! You see, that’s what Easter was all about and always will be. Jesus—the Lamb of God—worthy—hung on a cruel cross (when already tortured nearly to death) and died for His creation—us.

        Then the Worthy One rose again, giving us the opportunity to become His children! He clothes us in His righteousness and calls us…

        Worthy!

        Because that’s Who He is, and we—if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior—bear the same Family Name.

Worthy ~ by Brian Hampshire Worthy Song

        But what about the drug addict sleeping under a bridge? Or the prostitute who wants to quit because she hates her life but can’t break from her pimp? Or a disabled orphan who, by no choice of his own, is placed in an orphanage with no hope of adoption?

        Ironically, they’re the same as the princess who makes an appearance at a charity, dressed to perfection with impeccable manners. Or the professor with six degrees who never worries about being without because he has tenure. Or the doctor who’s totally dedicated to medicine.

        Or me…

        Or you!

        None of the above people are worthless, and all share much in common. They were created by a loving God Who desires they join Him one day. They all have equal opportunity to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. They’re valued because they are life, and all life is precious. They all matter to Jesus Who died for them (even while they were still sinners—Romans 5:8) because Jesus didn’t die for junk and never created any.

        We’re equal in our value. Equal in our worthiness. Equal in the Eyes of God when He looks at our hearts and offers us salvation. We’re worth Him dying for us. Not from our point of view…

        …but from His.

        It’s our sin that makes us unworthy—without hope—separated from God—from our point of view. So, even though you have great worth because you’re a living-breathing human being, sin attempts to hijack your worth.

        Maybe you’re a person who grew up being told you were unworthy. Maybe you don’t think God send Jesus to die for you and have not accepted His gift of salvation. Maybe you cry so many nights you’ve lost count, wondering if there’s any hope.

        Listen!

        You’re worth Calvary! And Jesus paid the full price for you to be saved and sealed! There’s eternal Hope because of Jesus’ Resurrection. Your tears matter. God cries when He views those who are lost because He so much wants you to be a part of His family.

        You’re worth being with God for eternity. So is the drug addict, prostitute, disabled orphan, princess, teacher, doctor… 

        Me…

        And you!

Worth Calvary ~ The Whisnants Worth Calvary

        All thanks to God for deeming us worthy, and worthy is the Lamb Who was slain!

Worthy is the Lamb ~ Gaither Vocal Band

Gaither Vocal Band - Worthy the Lamb [Live] ft. Gaither Vocal Band

 

#worth #worthy #inHisimage #Calvary #cross #death #Jesus

#Redeemer #Savior #Lord #resurrection #equal

 

Bible Verses: from NKJV

Photo Credit: shutterstock.com & lovethispic.com

Making Music “with What You Have Left”

        Most of us have heard, “If life hands you lemons, make lemonade” as a solution for tackling a tough situation and creating something redeemable. May I share an incident that recently happened to me—a “lemon” situation? (I think I heard you say, “Yes.”)

        I was playing special music in church along with my husband on nyckelharpa. I’d practiced my part and had it down pat in my mind. So, no worries. I placed my fingers where they belonged, but lo and behold—a line or so into the hymn my violin produced a dissonant sound.

        My eyes shot open, and I winced as I attempted to correct my error which didn’t correct at all. I stopped playing and said to my husband, “Something’s wrong.”

        He whispered, “Just keep playing.”

        (Note: This happened while I’m standing in front of the congregation with the service being broadcasted live.)

        So, I did, only to stop again when the same spot in the hymn produced the same dissonant tone!

        Now, let me tell you. When we learned to play instruments many years ago, we were taught to keep going, even if we made an error. Carry on!

        But I was totally thrown by what happened!

        Maybe it was lack of sleep, maybe brain freeze—I don’t know, but I almost cried telling my husband, “I don’t know what to do.”

        He grabbed a hymnbook, opened it to the page where this particular hymn was, and handed it to me. “Use the book.”

        I tucked my violin under my chin again and played, but the same problem occurred. I was beside myself!

        I apologized to the congregation and turned to our pastor. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong. I practiced, but I don’t know what to do.”

        Frustrated and so embarrassed, I set my violin on the front pew and took my seat.

        It wasn’t until several minutes later a thought popped into my head. Sarah, you stupid girl. (Yes, I thought “stupid” on a Sunday!) Your string popped! Such a simple diagnosis, but I’d been clueless until it was too late. And now all I wanted to do? Cry.

        Our son carried my instrument into the house when we got home. “Where do you want me to put your violin?” he asked.

        “In the corner where bad violins belong!” I huffed.

        And there my lovely couldn’t-help-it violin stood quietly serving its sentence.

        Later that week, I opened my violin case to assess the situation, and another string broke. I was well past tears now and laughed as I shared with my hubby, “Ya know, if I’d just realized the problem, I could’ve played on a different string or in another key.”

        So, I made up with my violin and instead ordered it a new set of strings. (So what if we can’t afford groceries this week! At least the violin’s happy! And, PETA, the strings are synthetic!)

        I also decided I needed to “get back on the horse.” Ya know, that old expression: “If you fall off, get back on,” they tell people who ride. (Of course, my horse is tailless because some luthier’s used it to rehair stringed-instrument bows.) I would practice and make sure I played another Sunday.

        This is a simple example of something that should have been lovely and a blessing (I hope) instead being a lemon not-yet-turned lemonade. And, although it happened and I failed to rescue the moment, it was not life-shattering.

        Sometimes things just go wrong. But sometimes those events can turn for the better.

        The following story is not mine, but I thought it a great example of someone who, one might say, was handed “lemons” through contracting polio as a child—Itzhak Perlman—famed violinist. But did that stop him? I shall let the online teller fill you in:

        “One of the most famous anecdotes about Itzhak Perlman happened during a concert in New York. Perlman, who had polio as a child and walks with difficulty using crutches, made his way slowly to his seat on stage, sat down, and began playing. But early in the performance, one of the strings on his violin snapped with a loud twang.

        The audience held its breath, expecting him to stop and replace the string.

        But instead, Perlman simply closed his eyes for a moment, then signaled the conductor to continue. He proceeded to play the entire piece on just three strings, reworking the fingerings and shifting positions on the fly.

        When he finished, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

        Perlman smiled and reportedly said, “Sometimes, it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.”

        The story has become legendary—not just for its humor but for its deep message about resilience and artistry.”

        And may you now enjoy listening to a very special piece played by the virtuoso himself!

Hatikva ~ National Anthem of Israel, played here by Itzhak Perlman 

Perlman's HATIKVA - THE HOPE

        Life may “rob” you at times, but here’s a question for you: What will you do with the remainders?

        If you’re one who’s put your faith and trust in God, you may have already experienced Him using the leftover pieces of whatever was broken and making something amazing from it. He is the Master of such!

        In moments like those, you’ll discover you can still make music “with what you have left.” Then you can present your “symphony” to God with thanksgiving.

There’s a New Song in My Heart by John W. Peterson &

Life Is a Symphony by Beatrice (“Bea”) Bush Bixler

(“Bea” happened to be a friend of my violin teacher & his wife)

There's A New Song In My Heart / Life Is A Symphony (Medley) - YouTube

#violin #violinstrings #lifesymphony #usewhatyouhaveleft #ItzhakPerlman #polio #music #brokenness #hope #Hatikva  

Disclaimer:

No lemons, violins, horses, or cats were harmed in the evolution of this post. (Smile.) Just my feelings!

 

Internet Account Credit: Possibly originated with Pamela Hovland, published 2001 Houston Chronicle in a fancier form, printed in yet another form in Rabbi Wayne Dosick’s When Life Hurts: A Personal Journey from Adversity to Renewal, 1999. Because this account has been passed to many sources, I cannot verify its accuracy, although it is totally plausible the virtuoso played with what was left since this is a way of life for him.

Photo Credit: violin scene—pixabay.com, Itzhak Perlman—news.cgtn.com

To Our Alphabetizing, Pencil-Loving Son

        Blessed happy birthday! You’ve already outlived the time we thought you’d have on earth. But God had another plan, and here you are! How we thank Him for this!

        Now, here are some alphabetical guidelines to help you through the next year of your life. You have so many challenges with your neurodivergent mind and chronic illness, so don’t worry if you can’t handle A-Z in one-fell-swoop! Just think of these as a list. Oh, how you love lists!

Ask questions. (Try limiting them to less than 100 per day though.)

Buy healthy groceries, but don’t eat all the watermelon in 1 day.

Commit (give with promise) everything you do to God.

Devote time learning more about Jesus. Your Action Bible helps.

Eat your vegetables. Raw = okay. Dipped in ranch dressing = acceptable.

Fight the enemy only when dressed in the full armor of God.

Greet each new day as a gift, which it is.

Hold onto Hope!

 

 

 

Invent new cartoon monsters & other things. You’re so creative!

Jump for joy! It burns calories. 

Keep your birth parents & homeland in your prayers. Always.

Live in a way Jesus shines through you. (No, you’re not invisible nor have a hole in you.)

Make friends. Being kind (as you are) draws (no, not with pencils) friendships.

Never quit! You don’t have an easy life, but keep going, “kiddo!”

Only be yourself. You’re child-like (which suits you), unique, & so funny!

Promote your memoir. It continues to bless & help others.

Quote Scooby-Doo. “Rut???” Some will laugh. Others will wonder.

Reach out to people who need help. (By the way, you’re good at this.)

Sharpen your pencils? Yes, but not all at once. You have over 1000 now!

Tell jokes. Your humor makes us & others laugh.

Utilize (make use of) compassion (holding others’ hurts in your heart)—blessing others.

Value little gifts as much as big ones. (You’re good about this too.)

Wait when you should. You always hated that word & still don’t like it much.

X marks the spot! Be content where God places you. (You navigate this pretty well.)

Yearn for Heaven. This helps when the world seems hard.

Zip your lips sometimes so you can listen when God speaks to you.

Loving you always,

     Dad & Mom

A gospel ABCDEFG song…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb9W0lx2hDo&list=RDRb9W0lx2hDo&start_radio=1

        Hey, Min! We used to sing that song at Camp Hope. But guess what! There’s a backwards version too. Do you want to know how that goes? (I think I heard you nod your head.)

ZYX & WV—God is watching over me.

UTSRQPO—Jesus loves me this I know. That’s so!

NMLKJ & I—I will meet Him in the sky!

HGFE—God has promised me

DCBA—a Home with Him some day!

#birthday #KimMinSoo #neurodivergent #developmentaldisability #chronicillness #God #Jesus #lifeadvice #AHomeforMinSoomemoir #adoption #SouthKorea

Photo Credit: ABC Pencil Points—ba-bamail.com, son & memoir—family owned

Ancient Paths ~ Part 2

        Ancient paths carved out by God are worth revisiting. They provide rest and retreat while reminding us what’s good and right—ways of the Lord. How beneficial for our lives and souls—those ancient paths!

        Yet there’s one we shun. It doesn’t draw us in like those which provide rest and restoration. Its name? The Via Dolorosa.

        “The what?” you might ask.

        Via Dolorosa—“Way of Sorrow.” This is the traditionally-believed path Jesus took to the cross. To His death.

        “What does that have to do with me?” you might ask.

        Everything.

        First of all, Jesus’ death was necessary for us to be able to receive His gift of salvation and promise of eternal life. But that very historic path symbolizes something else to those who surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

        You see, sorrows and all that go with them will come our way. They’re unavoidable. What matters is your reaction to them. You might avoid some and may succeed, but you won’t be able to flee all of them.

        Most of us, I believe, would choose to avoid paths of sorrow, grief, pain, persecution, suffering. Yet there’s a deep truth for those who surrender and walk with Jesus—even if it leads to the death. In surrendering to even this, one becomes more Christ-like as he/she “travels the road to the cross” with Him.

        When you partake in Christ’s suffering, you risk it all for the sake of what is eternally important, knowing full-well this path isn’t only rough but seems impossible. But not impossible because you don’t walk it alone.

        I’ll be honest with you, though. If someone hung a sign overhead reading “Choose Your Ancient Path” then broke those down into different lanes, I wouldn’t get in line for the Way of Sorrows. I don’t want to hurt, grieve, be persecuted, suffer!

        But…

        If I’ve surrendered my life completely to Christ’s Lordship, how can I not choose to follow Him? It just doesn’t make sense because incomplete surrender isn’t really surrender at all. Not with conditions attached.

        Here’s the thing: God is able to help us down the dreaded “Via Dolorosa”—that walk where we’re dragging broken bodies, heavy loads, and wounded hearts. Where we cannot see the end or face another day. Where we’re being tormented either physically, emotionally, or both.

        To be with Christ each step of the way—even unto death—holds hope. Promise.

        How can we know this?

        Because Jesus defeated death! He arose!

        Resurrection! Hope!

         From our experience, walking with the Master on the way of sorrow, I can testify that—no, we didn’t choose to be there. Yet what we experienced on that ancient path taught us lessons we may not have ever learned otherwise. God knew we needed to walk it with His Son. And completing the journey with Him? Oh, the Hope we’re able to share with others who come along the way!

        God knows best. Despite how awful our circumstances might look and feel, the Savior promises hope and a future! Planned before the foundations of the world, He already knows the paths’ twists and turns, the ones we need to take, the ones we will take.

        So, whether you find yourself shunning the Way or choosing to walk with Him on it, know that God already knows the beginning from the end—just like He did when He walked the Via Dolorosa. He didn’t want to die such a beyond-horrific death, but he desired to follow His Father’s will, and He knew ahead of time His death would lead to Resurrection.

        All this for the love of us who may or may not choose to walk with Him! All for love of us no matter what but wanting us to join Him so no one need perish. For walking with Jesus assures us of Hope, even if it means suffering beyond what we think we can endure.

        I still find myself wanting sorrow’s way removed from me. But if it’s needful and best with eternity in mind, I know God walks with me every step of the way. And His Holy Spirit stays with me until I reach Eternity.

        But what about revisiting this difficult path—one that can even mean death? What benefit is there in going back?

        I’ve wondered that as I’m writing, and here are thoughts that crossed my mind when I think of revisiting our way of sorrows.

1)     I’m grateful to the Savior for walking with us and leading.

2)     God, in His infinite wisdom and knowing, did not err in allowing us to walk that road.

3)     The choice of being bitter or getting better from the experience was mine. (For a long time, I admit, I was bitter; but now I am better. It took me decades.)

4)     What I learned while traveling that way I can use to minister to others who are on that path now and need help and encouragement.

5)     In facing death—real or what seems like that—I know for sure this is followed by resurrection when traveling the way, fully committed to the Savior.

6)     Revisiting this ancient path helps me see God ever so clearly in and through it all.

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

 

All the way my Savior leads me. What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who thru’ life has been my Guide?

Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

 

All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread;

Gives me grace for ev’ry trial, feeds me with the living Bread.

Tho’ my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me, lo! A spring of joy I see.

 

All the way my Savior leads me; Oh, the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised—In my Father’s house above.

When my spirit, cloth’d immortal, wings its flight to realms of day

This my song thru’ endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.

 

(written by Fanny Crosby, 1875, public domain)

 

        The previous and following songs ministered to my heart. I hope they bless you who’ve committed your steps to the Lord, are on the way of sorrow, or are now revisiting it. Remember: Hope holds your hand from the first step to the very end of life’s journey.

 

Via Dolorosa by Billy Sprague & Niles Borop, 1983

(sung here by Theresa Yow-Black)

Via Dolorosa - Acoustic

Lead Me to Calvary by Jennie Evelyn Hussey, 1921

(sung here by Evie Tornquist Karlsson)

EVIE - LEAD ME TO CALVARY

 

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked by Daniel Twohig, 1920s

(sung here by George Beverly Shea)

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked

 

#ancientpaths #ViaDolorosa #wayofsorrows #suffering #grief #pain #death

#Jesuscrucifiction #Resurrection #hope

Disclaimer—

I am not a counselor. What I shared in this blog post comes from our own life experiences and what I’ve gleaned from them.

Photo Credit: Via Dolorosa—Pinterest; Jesus on the Via Dolorosa—pixabay.com; Resurrection scene—dreamsline.com

Ancient Paths ~ Part 1

        Since we’ve left the old year behind and entered a new one, we look forward. Right?

        But what about looking back? Should we? Seems so when we travel back to biblical Jerusalem in Jeremiah’s time and see what was going on there.

        No wonder this man was known as “the weeping prophet” as he witnessed the Jewish people repeatedly turning against God. And how many chapters in the Book of Jeremiah does God say He will discipline them but not utterly destroy them?

        But the people fail to heed God’s Words via Jeremiah. Still by Chapter 6 & Verse 16 God gives these ones who are so precious to Him (yet outright disobedient) excellent guidance.

Thus says the LORD: “‘Stand by the ways and see

and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it;

And you will find rest for your souls.’”

 

        Ancient paths. Ways known to the people. Traveled before the time they turned their backs and hearts away from God. Had they forgotten how He guided them? Showed them right from wrong? Rescued them? Met them in worship? Gave rest in their utter weariness?

 

        Yes, they did. Still, in looking back and beckoning them to embrace the old paths—the former ways—God had good for them, rest, restoration, spiritual renewal, and the promise that this return would benefit them in the very best way possible.

        Further on in Jeremiah, the Lord again expresses the desire of His Heart—for His people to return to the ancient paths.

        There are other times in God’s Word where He told the Jewish people to, for example, build an altar that would actually end up under water but serve as a remembrance—a looking back—how God led them, saved them from drowning, carried them forward.

        Our very patient God didn’t give up! He doesn’t quit on us. And He won’t give up on you either.

        Look for the “ancient paths,” dear readers! They will remind you, encourage you, bolster your faith, provide rest and refuge for your soul!

        The ancient paths are where we met good, laid the cornerstone of our faith, learned morals, understood the importance of godliness, and embraced God’s guidance—paths that are still there for our return, if we just remember and backtrack.

         In contemplating this call for us to return, I consider the path our world is on. Our nation, in particular, as we celebrate this 250^th anniversary of our birth.

        Our forefathers prayed over this United States of America—a covenant nation, founded on God and His Ways. If it were possible for them to “turn in their graves,” I’m sure they’d be doing so now—for we’ve neglected the old path they carved out for us, clearing the way to build this great nation’s foundation on God—just like the Jewish people in Jeremiah’s time did. No mistaking their rebellion, as they state at the close of Jeremiah 6:16:

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

        Talk about gall! Can you even comprehend facing God (which is what they were doing through the prophet who spoke for Him) and raising a verbal fist to His Face???    

          Oh wait. Yes, we can imagine it. Sounds familiar. If any of you’ve watched the news lately, there are great crowds of people standing against In-God-We-Trust. What a tragedy that this is the state of so many in our nation—our “under God” covenant country.

         How did this happen? The people forgot the old paths (or choose not to return to them), disregarded the teachings they might have learned there (or weren’t taught), rejected God’s guidance in exchange for their own sinful ways (even embracing “false gods” instead).

        There is Hope, though! There always is. For God still beckons His creations to visit the ancient paths—urging them to spend time there, rest in Him, and heed to the guidance of the One Who leads the way onward.

           Oh, that we of this nation will turn back, seek and find the old ways, and carry those with us as we move forward onto the path lying before us!

        And, oh, that we who claim to love the Lord with all our hearts will not neglect what we learned and experienced from our times on the ancient paths as we travel onward!

Show Us the Ancient Paths (by Tom Inglis)

Show Us The Ancient Path - Tom Inglis

#ancientpaths #Godleading #Godshowstheway #rebellion #Jeremiah #weepingprophet

#UnitedStates #covenantnation

 

*NASB /  Photo credit: aninspiredpencil.com