Happy and Blessed New Year! I love your faithfulness and anticipation for what the Lord has in store for you in 2008. Paul’s words of forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead is one of my favorite scriptures, and a constant reminder of God’s ultimate faithfulness. You continue to be in my prayers, Dave, Irene and Girls. May you just enjoy the presence of our Lord, wrapping yourselves up in his warm, gentle arms of love!
Dear Dave, Irene, Joanna, and Joceyln, I am sure 2007 has been a terribly long year for you all. I learned of your trials a few months ago and check in to see how you all are doing. I am inspired by your faith and encouraged by the glory given to God by your dependence on and strength in Him.
I know how this journey affects each of you as individuals, as a couple, as a family. How wonderful that God reveals himself daily to you and that you recognize those miracles. At a time I needed it most, God reminded me of the event of the Israelites in the desert gathering manna. Each day they were to gather only what they needed for that day. If they gathered too much it would rot. That manna provided all the nutrition and sustenance necessary to get through the day.
Irene / Dave:
I’m sorry for the news you received today. . . and I’m praying for you.
Today is the 300th birthday of Charles Wesley, the 18th child of Suzannah Wesley. What a gift #18 was to all of us. I thought I’d drop the complete lyrics of one of my favorite of his hymns to you today.
May God bless you and keep you!
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
‘Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left his Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite his grace!
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned sprit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
“Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23
