Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 29 February
2012
Hi all,
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Our Love is Here to Stay
It's very clear
Our love is here to stay ; Not for a year But ever and a day. The radio and the telephone And the movies that we know May just be passing fancies, And in time may go ! But, oh my dear, Our love is here to stay. Together we're Going a long, long way In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibralter may tumble, They're only made of clay, But our love is here to stay.
George & Ira Gershwin
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In 1890
Albert B. Simpson wrote:
“Yesterday,
today, forever, Jesus is the same.
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name! Glory to His Name! Lord Jesus; Glory to His Name! All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name!
Music by James H.
Burke
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For
me, 1955 was a “water-shed” year. I was at school in Sasolburg. Dad’s company suddenly
called him back to England for a six month refresher course. So I had a six
month holiday in England. I was 13, and overnight became acutely aware of
girls. At the time, Taaibos Power Station was being constructed. Taaibos was
rather isolated. It was ±15 km from Sasolburg. In those days, Sasolburg was little more than
a small housing estate. The nearest town was Vereeniging, some 30km away. Taaibos
village boasted a recreation hall for bioscope shows, dances and a variety of
social and sports clubs.
I
distinctly remember going to the recreation club to see the movie, “An American
in Paris” staring Gene Kelly and Lesley Caron. For me it was the first “Love
story” I’d seen. It featured one of my all time favourite songs, “Our love is here
to stay”. The haunting words and melody are with me some 57 years later.
I
had no idea that the title would dwell in my heart for so long. The fact is, 5
years later I met the only one of whom it is correct to say, “Our love is here
to stay”. I met my Lord and Saviour in Bainbridge Memorial Methodist Church
Hall in England and discovered someone about whom the words of this song truly
apply.
At
age 13, some things do not cross your radar screen. All of life was in front of
me so death was little more than a column in the newspaper. Perhaps this is why
the song is so significant? Those who know me know that I love singing. I’m no
Mario Lanza, so my voice is unlikely to be anyone’s favourite. But I know the
Lord loves it; particularly when I sing about Him and His love.
In
1961 I first came across another song which I love. The theme is similar. I
learned it and sang it with the people who were attending the Cliff College
Easter Convention. Already I knew something about change. There are enormous
changes between 13 and 18. But as far as I was concerned, the years ahead were
beckoning with eager anticipation.
Many
other things have changed since then. “Age and decay in all around I see”. There
are things I could do then that I no longer attempt. In spite of all these
changes, a couple of things remain true. “All
may change but Jesus never”. And “Our
love is here to stay”. Thank you Lord!
Today’s
meditation looks at some aspects of our changeless God.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Our Changeless God
We don’t
know what it can be like for things to never change.
Even
now, just thinking of it, seems so very strange!
Will the
next word in a sentence; fill our listening ears?
Surely
it can never happen. What about our tears?
Can they
flow over our faces? Surely they will freeze?
Any
movement that we think of, like an engine seized.
Every
photograph we look at, constantly the same.
Every
particle of motion, captured in its frame.
Relatives
we knew so closely, some have passed away;
But
each time we see their pictures – was that yesterday?
Is there
aught that we can think of, in our time and space,
That
will carry on forever? Change will not take place?
Mountain
ranges all will crumble. They cannot endure!
Time
will do its work upon them. This we know for sure.
But there
must be somewhere stable; fixed and ever firm.
Something
like a tiny virus or some tiny germ?
Nothing in
this vast creation will go on and on.
Though
we think its everlasting; soon it will be gone.
God alone
is never changing; Thank Him it is so.
He
alone is everlasting; doesn’t ebb and flow.
Yesterday,
today, forever; starting point and end.
Isn’t
subject to the seasons; doesn’t flex or bend.
Every word
that He has spoken surely has come true.
He’s
the fullness of perfection; needs not me nor you.
Priest and
King Who reigns forever. He will always be,
Author
of our great Salvation, loving steadfastly.
Merciful
in great abundance; constantly the same.
Not the
slightest variation in His Holy Name!
Infinite
in every aspect, Length and breadth and height,
Reaching
out in all directions; Lord of endless light.
How can we
extol Thy virtues; Words are far too small,
To
declare to men and angels, Him who’s all in all.
Even with
our limitations, we all long to see;
Him who
has no start or finish, ruling endlessly.
Lord
forgive us for attempting to expound Your Grace.
For us
it would be sufficient, just to glimpse Thy face!
Righteousness
and love abounding. Lord to Thee we bow.
Knowing
that we will be with You in Your timeless now!
Jim Strickland – Written 29 February 2012
