FOREVER BLESSED!

Time with Jesus - 02 Sept. 2013

Hi all,

RAY CHARLES	NAT KING COLE
"I Love You So Much It Hurts"	"Love Letters"
I love you so much it hurts me Darlin', that's why I'm so blue I'm so afraid to go to bed at night; I'm afraid of losing you. I love so much it hurts me And there's nothing I can do I want to hold you, my dear, Forever and ever I love you so much it hurts me so. I love you so much it hurts me And there's nothing I can do I want to hold you, my dear, Forever and ever I love you so much it hurts me so.	The sky may be starless The night may be moonless But deep in my heart there’s a glow For deep in my heart, I know that you love me You love me, because you told me so Love letters straight from your heart Keep us so near while we`re apart I`m not alone in the night When I can have all the love you write I memorize every line I kiss the name that you sign And darling, then - I read again Right from the start Love letters straight from your heart

Two men, both African Americans, have played a part in shaping me the way I am. The first was Nat King Cole. I’m told that he started in “showbiz” as a pianist. Then, more or less by chance, he started to sing while he played.  The effect was amazing. He had a rich crooner’s voice that was able to get under your skin. It touched you with soft, gentle passion that was unusual for teenaged boys like me. He came across in a “haunting way” that somehow personalised what he was singing. In those days I enjoyed singing and, by singing along with him, it made me feel as though I was in contact with love itself. He sang such songs as “Unforgettable”, Hoagie Carmichael’s “Stardust” and of course, "When I Fall in Love".

The second was Ray Charles. He had a rough, rasping voice which for me was electrifying. He sang “Georgia on my Mind”, “Take These Chains from my Heart” and my favourite by this singer/pianist, “I Love You so much it Hurts!” What particularly touched me was the fact that he was blind. Nevertheless, he had a way of combining singing and piano playing that I still love.

I’ve never been quite sure which way things work when God is molding character and personality into a man or a woman. Do we like a music style and the singer’s artistry because that’s how God has made us? Or could it be that God uses music and the artist’s style to form us into what we are?

What I do know is that I’ve got a typical artistic temperament; very emotional and sentimental. For me, crying is easy. To sit and weep through a movie “tear-jerker” does exactly that. At one time it was very embarrassing. Those were the days when men and boys were not supposed to display emotion. 

“Cowboys don’t cry” was the fallacy foisted upon us. Now it doesn’t matter.

Two verses of Scripture changed this for me forever. The first is found in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians: - ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Cor. 1:4 NLT. 

In ordinary, everyday language this means I experience and go through problems and situations, so that I may be able to comfort and help those who are going through the same problem. For example Phyllida and I have both gone through the heartbreak of divorce. It’s a terrible experience. It’s not something we recommend to anyone. In many respects it’s worse than the death of a spouse. When a spouse dies, there are many beautiful memories. In a divorce, good memories are torn apart. They are hardly ever remembered. However, because we have been there, we are in a position to help those who are going through the experience.

The second Scripture is ³⁵ Jesus wept. John 11:35 NIV: - It occurred to me that if Jesus could weep in public, why shouldn’t I? In addition, Peter also wept. ⁷⁵ Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried. Mat 26:75 MSG. 

Most, if not all men and women, have been there at one time or another. Most men hide away from others, so that they aren’t seen to be crying and thought of as weak. We forget that when we are at our weakest, He is at His strongest in us.

This is one of the reasons why I love Song of Songs. It’s an earthy, passionate and intimate love story about a man and a woman. As you read the book you start to realise how much the couple loved each other. On occasions, as you read it, you feel as though you should “avert your eyes”. 

You feel you are trespassing into an intimacy that should be reserved exclusively between husband and wife. This is exactly what God intended. Here we see raw emotion when men and women cry; they cry out to and for each other in a “no holds barred” love that transcends humanity and touches divinity. At the end we are breathless and amazed.

Does God really love me like that? The truth is He does. It’s an intimate and personal love infinitely greater than anything we can understand. A love that is greater than the love of a mother for her first new-born infant. Can that infant grasp the depth of that love? Not at all; all the baby can do is bawl and squall. 

The baby cries for many reasons. One reason is for the one who has brought him/her into the world. No emotion is hidden. Utterly dependent on his/her parents for everything and understanding almost nothing, the infant reaches out for mother. He/she doesn’t understand. In a way, he/she never will.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 02 Sept. 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	FOREVER BLESSED!
Much to the surprise of the younger generation, I haven’t always been an old man. Hard as that may be for some to believe, it’s true. In fact 50 odd years ago I too struggled with the older generation who wouldn’t go along with new, young ideas. The wheel has gone full circle. Now I’m one of the “oldies” who resist youthful change. In spite of this, there is one thing which hasn’t changed and will never change. The Love of the Lord for the creatures He has made. Don’t ask me why this is true. There is nothing I can see in me or anyone else that is remotely loveable. When I think of His perfection and my imperfection, I wonder why He bothers. King David was right when he wrote: 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.  3 But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! Psalms 14:2-3 NLT If I was God I’m sure I would just obliterate everything and start again. Of course that’s part of my problem. I’m not all wise and have all knowledge. Sadly that phase passed away with my 21st birthday! One of the hymns I loved to sing as a young man is in the 1936 Methodist Hymn Book. It went like this: I am so glad that our Father in Heaven; / Tells of His love in the Book He has given; / Wonderful things in the Bible I see; / This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.    It’s easily memorised and easy to sing. In Sunday school the boys sang the tune and the girls sang descant. Back then, as now, I struggle with the thought that Jesus loves me. I believe it intellectually. I know it the same way. But truly believing it is a horse of a different colour. If there was anything loveable in us, there would be no problem. But I’m sorry, there isn’t. As David wrote, “Not one of us is good”. Having said that, and aware of my shortcomings, as I’ve grown older the concept of God’s love for His people has become more evident. Two things have led me to this. The first is His grace active in Phyllida’s and my life. Frankly it’s been miraculous. The second has been my reading of Song of Solomon. Here we read of the love of the king for a girl who was “nobody”. It is a love that is deeply and intimately passionate! People have suggested that Song of Songs has no business being in the Bible. It’s too explicit. On the other hand the Jews refer to this book as the “Holy of Holies” of Jewish writ. So is it a case of “Pays your money and takes your choice?” No! It is a picture of the love of Jesus Christ for His bride of which you and I are part. This is the King of Kings loving you and loving me! It’s emotional, intimate and passionate. In today’s meditation the poem begins with questions about God’s rest and our rest. From there I’ve traced this progressively through a series of questions to the “Holy of Holies” in our relationship with Him. Much of it is written in the first person. That’s because I’ve got to the place in life where, in spite of everything, I long to give myself to Him emotionally, intimately and passionately. The pattern is taken from Song of Solomon. Come, share our passion! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, Psalms 23:2 TNIV	Why is it that we have to rest? Is it because we’re tired? Perhaps we’ve had more than enough and need to be inspired? Perhaps we’re feeling lazy and want to lay about? If that’s your motivation, the outcome is in doubt! So why is it God rested when creation was all done? Do you think He’d had enough and now He wanted fun? The Lord is never tired. He can’t run out of “vim”! Throughout the endless ages, there’s been no tiring Him. The Lord has need of nothing. He’s constantly the same. In everything He’s perfect with no desire for fame. You surely cannot “fit” Him in any kind of mould. His justice, power and mercy, by man should be extolled! Of course He is eternal and we are merely clay. And far above our thinking is how He’ll be always. He has no hidden weaknesses except perhaps His love. He loves us to infinity, beyond the stars above. So much, He sent His only Son to earth so He could die For then we could return to Him. Please do not ask me why. In Him we have our being. In Him we move and live. The air we breathe; the food we eat; to us He chose to give. But He will not control us. He wants us to be free, To worship Him and serve him and love Him passionately. And yet there are the occasions when He is in control. He makes me lie in pastures green as Shepherd of my soul! He grants His peace to those of us who honour and obey. But wicked men are tossed around, in muck and mire and clay. Whenever I feel weary, To Him I always go. I take His yoke upon me. It’s comfortably slow! He tells me to be patient; in Him I take my rest. And when I’m at my weakest, He tells me I am blessed. He’s tells me to be honest; admit it when I’m wrong. I sit in His delightful shade; His arms round me are strong. The Lord God is my Lover, my Master, Lord and King. And I, a lowly bond-slave, I wear His wedding ring. He takes me to the Banquet Hall, where everyone can see, The depth of our commitment; how much my Lord loves me! And I will dwell forever, in joy and peace and rest. The “bride” of the Almighty, I am forever blessed. Jim Strickland Written 2nd September 2012
			20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." Isaiah 57:20-21 ESV
			28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT
			7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Psalms 37:7 NASB
			10 For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labours, just as God did after creating the world. Hebrews 4:10 NLT
			9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them. Hebrews 13:9 NLT
			14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. 15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. Ephesians 4:14-15 GW
			3 Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit. 4 He escorts me to the banquet hall; it's obvious how much he loves me. Song of Solomon 2:3-4 NLT