Based on text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (GNB)

Samuel Hears the Voice of God

And the lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel 1:10 (NLT)

God Speaks To Us Through The Holy Spirit
The still small voice of the Holy Spirit

For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:16 (NLT)

• Counselor
• Helper
• Guide
• Advocate

People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

God Uses A Variety Of Means To Communicate To Us

• Bible
• Prayer
• Circumstances
• Church
• Christian community
• Service

God uses these methods to reveal himself and his purposes.

Next Steps

• Pray
• Read Scripture
• Get in a Small group
• Worship regularly
• Find ways to serve the “least of these”

"A person's a person, no matter how small."  When I was a kid my mom would read to us Horton Hears a Who, it was one of our favorite books.  Last summer I saw the movie and thought they really captured well the theme of the dignity of each and every human life.  It really is a global mission theme.

I really believe this:  No matter where you go,  People are people.   After my trip to Tanzania, I believe it even more!

One of the biggest insights for me on our trip to Tanzania was that at the very core of who we are as human beings we are all the same.  No matter where we live, no matter how much we have or don't have, no matter the color of our skin - we all have the same basic needs.  We need relationships with other people and we need hope.

I recently read this quote at  www.oxfamaerica.org:

In the picture above is Pastor Moshi and Benarick Urassa.  Pastor Moshi is the pastor in charge at our sister parish, the Uswaa parish.  Benarick (Ben) is an evangelist for this parish, and has responsibilities in confirmation and youth.  These are two incredible people, they are compassionate, they are faithful to God, and they are on a mission to reach out and serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

It was so fun to get to know Pastor Moshi and Ben and to hear about the life of the people in their parish.  The needs are so great, poverty, hunger, health care, and education are all at the top of the list.  What is the church doing about it?  They are forming small groups, they are going to people's homes and praying with them, they are building a new church. Is it surpising to you that our Sister church in Tanzania is committed to small groups?  It surpised me, but it also helped me to think more of our similarities than our differences.  It also just solidified for me that our hope comes from relationships, not from money.

Pastor Moshi writes this about relationships built in small groups:

All of us need to learn to motivate and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25).  In an interview, Manjau said that "you hear someone in the group saying 'I know what you're experiencing.  When I was going through a similar situation, the Lord directed me to this passage.  Let's study it together.'"

When a woman anointed Jesus' feet before his death with costly perfume and was reprimanded by Judas for wasting money that could have been spent on the poor, Jesus said this:

"'Leave her alone,' said Jesus.  'Why are you bothering her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them anytime you want.  But you will not always have me.'"  Mark 14:6-7

Pastor Moshi and Ben believe that bringing people together under the banner of their faith brings them hope. Building relationships with God and with other people brings hope to people.  That is true here in Nebraska too.There will always be problems, but when we come together around the cross of Christ there is hope.

What brings you hope?  I am so thankful for the ministry of these faithful servants in Tanzania who bring hope to countless people through their dedication to Jesus.

Pastor Sara

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Proverbs 29:18 KJV

Truly our visionary attitude throughout life is often the difference between success and mediocrity.  One is reminded of the classic story of the two shoe salesmen who were sent to a primitive island to determine business potential.  The first salesman wired back “Coming home immediately.  No one here wears shoes.” The second man responded, “Send a boatload of shoes immediately.  The possibilities for selling shoes here are unlimited.”

For the Christian, vision is a true awareness of Christ in all of His fullness and enabling power.  This ancient eighth-century hymn text from Ireland is still meaningful for us today with its expression of a yearning for the presence and leading of God in our lives.  The earnest prayer is enhanced by such quaint but tender phrases as “Lord of my heart,” “Thy presence my light,” “Bright heav’n’s Sun,” and “heart of my own heart.” The text states that when we allow God to have first place in our lives, He becomes our treasure; we care no more for the pursuit of riches or “man’s empty praise.”

The entire Irish poem (c.700s) was first translated into English in 1905 by Mary E. Byrne, a research working and writer for the Board of Intermediate Education in Dublin, Ireland.  Several years later Eleanor H. Hull, a writer of English history and literature, put the prose into verse form and included it in her book of poems, The Poem Book of the Gael.  The melody for this hymn is a traditional Irish folk melody.

From Amazing Grace, by Kenneth W. Osbeck

1. Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart
   Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
   Thou my best thought by day or by night
   Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
   
2. Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
   I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
   Thou my great Father and I Thy true son
   Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
   
3. Riches I need not, nor man's empty praise
   Thou mine inheritance now and always
   Thou and Thou only first in my heart
   High king of heaven my treasure Thou art
   
4. High king of heaven, my victory won
   May I reach heaven's joy, bright heaven sun
   Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
   Still be my vision, oh ruler of all

Our second site was the Trinidad neighborhood in Chicago.  At this head start location, which was also housed in a church, we dodged thunderstorms as we did an afternoons worth of landscaping, trimming and planting flowers.  The exterior of this school/church was totally transformed by the work of our students and adult leaders.  Again, we paid for all of the flowers and mulch so that the preschool had zero expense.

On Monday and Thursday we spent time at Bethel New Life and The Night Ministry respectively.  At Bethel New Life we cleaned up an acre of city block so that they can begin work on a Community Garden in the near future.  It was hot and dirty work, but well worth our time and effort.  At The Night Ministry our students packed hundreds of hygienic totes, over 7,000 cookies and over 10,000 condoms for homeless and low income residents of inner city Chicago.

The experience was outstanding and our students grew together as a group and in their faith in Jesus.  We shared meals together and had nightly teaching and worship.  Our housing was at the International House of the University of Chicago, so our students had a real urban, college-like mission experience.  All told, we contributed about 1,250 volunteer hours to these three organizations during our week.  God is good!

Chip Urhmacher
Director of Youth Ministries

Sometimes the best way to grow is with others.  Other people do a great job of encouraging you, challenging you, supporting you, and holding you accountable.  Check out some of these great ways that your small group can continue to grow together.

• Worship.  Find one Sunday this summer to meet in the café with your group for coffee and catching up and then attend worship together.  Summer Brunch is on July 26.
• Keep on Studying.  We have many great small group study resources in Southwood’s Library.  Talk to Pastor Sara for more ideas!
• The Shack.  This book has generated a lot of buzz.  Get your small group together to read and discuss the book.  Pastor Sara has a great study guide you can use.
• Take care of each other.  Sometimes the best thing your group can do is to be together, eat together, check in with each other, and continue to pray for and with one another.
• Invite.  Think about those people who are not connected to a church or a small group yet.  Would they fit in your group?  Could you group divide and welcome more people into your midst?  Are there people in your group emerging as potential small group leaders?  Invite them to consider this kind of leadership.

Listen to Pastor Sara's Sermon

Message Based on: Ruth 1:1-19

Who’s Who?

• Naomi: Husband is Elimelech.  They are from Judah, part of the Israelites or “God’s chosen people.”  Naomi’s 2 sons are Mahlon and Kilion.  (All three men have died.)
• Ruth and Orpha: Moabite (Gentile) women married to Naomi’s sons.
• Ruth: After her husband’s death Ruth remains with Naomi, marries Boaz, gives birth to Obed who is the grandfather of King David.

The reality for these 3 widows:

• No life insurance, home, food
• No jobs or source of income
• Widow = Destitute

“Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”
Ruth 1:16 (GNB)

Ruth’s response

• Immediate, Unyielding, and Matter-of-fact
• Seems less of a choice than “the thing to do.”
• She is not property to be shuffled about, she has made a life-long commitment to this family

Jesus Defines His Family
“Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:49 (GNB)

Questions for Reflection:

• How do you define family?  By blood or by relationships?
• Who is in your family?  Reflect on matthew 12:49
• Would you look at the world differently if each person were considered a brother or sister in Christ?

The following article comes from The Pulse an e-newsletter that Clinic with a Heart submits monthly.

The Clinic with a Heart tag line is "a medical mission at home." Mission work is a different kind of experience. Our medical mission provides care to people without insurance or under-insured. We bring our energy, expertise and spirituality together to serve our neighbors. 
 
When people take a tour and see the clinic for the first time many are surprised at the sights. On a Tuesday evening they may walk into the Center for People in Need and see up to four-hundred people getting food and seeking help from Clinic with a Heart. It is a world many didn't know existed in Lincoln, Nebraska. At first glance it is not an appealing environment. An assortment of mismatched chairs are placed strategically around the warehouse and the noise at times can be deafening. There are so many people that it is hard to discern volunteer from those seeking help. 
 
As we tour, the beauty begins to emerge. We see neighbor helping neighbor. We see the mission teams led by strong clinic leaders, working together as a cohesive and organized unit. The foundation of the beauty is one interaction at a time. You can see the exchanges between patient and volunteer are respectful and filled with a special kind of loving dignity. After a tour I gave recently, one of the participants was teary-eyed at the end. She said, "This is so beautiful I feel like crying." 
 
Like most mission work, it isn't an easy experience even after you understand its beauty. It can be physically taxing and emotionally challenging. We have over 400 people who volunteer for Clinic with a Heart and they bring with them over 400 reasons for participating in this mission. I chose to work at Clinic with a Heart as part of my own spiritual journey. Part of that journey is knowing that at times I will come up short. I also know that I am on a positive journey. Knowing what a challenge it can be, I want to extend a special thank-you to everyone who participates in this medical mission.

Sign up for the Clinic with a Heart monthly e-newsletter.

'"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."' Numbers 6:24-26

An interview with Pastor Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919-2008), author of “Go My Children with My Blessing”:

From Cross Accent, vol. 14, no. 1 (Journal of the Association of Lutheran Church Musician)

1. Go, My children, with My blessing, Never alone.
   Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are My own.
   In My love's baptismal river I have made you Mine forever.
   Go, My children, with My blessing, You are My own.
2. Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.
   Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure.
   Here you heard My dear Son's story; Here you touched Him, saw His glory.
   Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.
3. Go, My children, fed and nourished, Closer to Me;
   Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free.
   Here My Spirit's power filled you; Here His tender comfort stilled you.
   Go, My children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free.
4. I the Lord will bless and keep you And give you peace;
   I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace;
   I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother.
   Go, My Children; I will keep you And give you peace.

Co-written by Heidi Longe and Jeremiah Mushi (writing in blue)

"Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” Genesis 33:11

Let me first introduce you to Jeremiah Mushi.  Jeremiah is a physical therapy student that Southwood is sponsoring through physical therapy school in Tanzania. He has agreed to work at Machame Hospital, which serves the members of Uswaa Parish. I have been corresponding with Jeremiah via email for almost 2 years. During my recent trip to Tanzania I finally got to meet him! What a wonderful experience.

It was an unforgettable day in my life when I met Heidi for the very first time because she has been a wonderful sister in supporting me in my academic career in different ways. For example, she has helped me by sending me books, journals and even in giving some advices in my studies, as she is senior in this field. I can say that I am so lucky to have somebody like Heidi as a friend, "GOD BLESS YOU HEIDI". I would like to thank people of Southwood church with all my heart for their heart of helping me in my studies "MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES". I promise to fulfill my promise of working at Machame Hospital as soon as I finish my studies on August 2010 for the God's wills.

When I found out we were going to sponsor a physical therapy student, I went through all of my old books that I had kept from when I was in physical therapy school. These books were boxed up in my basement and I had not looked at them for at least 5 years. I picked out a few that I thought might be helpful for Jeremiah and I sent them to him.

Frankly speaking, I can say that I am among few students at our college who have many books and I got all of them from Heidi. What a wonderful sister!! In fact, I have a better learning atmosphere. In country like Tanzania we face a lot of challenges, one of them is the scarcity of tutors. This is because physical therapy courses especially in level I am doing (degree level) is still new. Through few tutors we have and through books I have I believe I will be the best physical therapist.

Ten years ago when I bought, read and highlighted my physical therapy textbooks, I had no idea how critical they would be in someone else’s academic career. These books went from getting me through my education, to sitting for nine years in my basement, to helping Jeremiah get through school. What was old, is now new again!

What do you have in your basement that is waiting for you to give away? You never know how it could change someone else’s life.

Listen to Pastor Greg's Sermon

Based on: Joshua 1:1-9 (GNB)

When you follow Jesus you will eventually be led to a crisis that requires faith.

• Job change
• Life decision
• Moral dilemma
• Financial decision
• Relationship issue

God often calls us to get out of our comfort zones

• Encounters with God are God-sized
• What you do in response to God’s invitation reveals what you believe about God
• True faith requires action

God assures us:  Be Strong and Courageous

• Go where God is sending you!
• Stay firm in what you believe!
• Do not be afraid or discouraged, for God is with you wherever you go!

Next Steps: 

• In what areas of your life is God calling you to make some adjustments in order to follow his leadership? (from Experiencing God by Henry Blakaby)
• Circumstances (job, home, finances)
• Relationships (family, friends, business associates)
• Thinking (prejudices, methods, potential)
• Commitments (family, church, job, plans, transitions)
• Actions (how you pray, give, serve, study)
• Beliefs (about God, purposes, ways, relationship to him)

This fall, we plan to create another Southwood CD with Christmas songs that we will hand out to everyone who comes to the Advent Festival.  The songs on the Christmas CD will be highlighted at the 3:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service.  Plan now to be a part of this special Christmas service.  Families singing together the story of Christ’s birth is a beautiful way to celebrate the Joy of the season.  I hope to keep hear them singing . . .

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. Psalm 47:6-7 NIV

The word worship is a contraction of an old expression in the English language, woerth-scipe, denoting the giving of reverent praise to an object of superlative worth.  True worship, then is an act by a redeemed human, the creature, toward God, his Creator, whereby his will, intellect, and emotions gratefully respond to the revelation of God’s person expressed in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit illuminates the written Word to his heart.

The author of this text, Robert Grant, described himself and all of us as “frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,” even though he was a member of a distinguished British political family, a member of the Parliament of Scotland, and governor of Bombay, India, for a time.  Throughout his life, Grant was a devoutly evangelical Christian who strongly supported the missionary outreach of his church and endeared himself to the people of India by establishing a medical college in Bombay.

Although this is the only hymn by Sir Robert Grant in common usage today, it is considered to be a model for worship.  Its descriptive names used in exalting the Almighty are significant: Shield, Defender, Ancient of Days, Maker, Redeemer, and Friend.  Also the vivid imagery—“pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise,” “whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,” “chariots of wrath,” “wings of the storm”—aids us in the worthy praise and adoration of our heavenly King.

from Amazing Grace, by Kenneth W. Osbeck 

1. O worship the King, all glorious above,
   O gratefully sing God's power and God's love;
   our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
   pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.
2. O tell of God's might, O sing of God's grace,
   whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
   whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
   and dark is God's path on the wings of the storm.
3. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
   in you do we trust, nor find you to fail;
   Your mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
   our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
4. O measureless Might, ineffable love,
   While angels delight to hymn you above
   The humbler creation, thou feeble their lays,
   With true adoration shall sing to your praise.

Did you have a child that came to Vacation Bible School, or know someone who did?  Did they tell you about VBS?  If they did, what did you hear?

• Did you hear anything about Peter or Jesus?
• How about singing around the campfire?
• Science experiments?  Were your kids surprised by what would float - as they talked about Jesus walking on the water?
• Did you like the songs? Do you still like the songs? I hope so because we're going to be singing them in worship this summer!
• Could your child tell you about the craft?
• We hope your kids didn't come home hungry. We had a different form of trail mix each day and tried very hard to make sure they were safe for everyone to eat.
• Was anyone napping when they got home? They played hard in recreation!
• $1708.15 was given to send children in Honduras to camp. At $45 for a 3 day camp, that means that 38 children will be able to go to camp!

Our Bible stories in Vacation Bible School this year were all about the relationship between Jesus and Peter – so as you can imagine they included a lot of boats, fish and water!   With almost 500 kids in VBS we wanted to be sure and tell the story in a lot of different ways so each child could hear it in the way they learn best.  Almost 50% of the children were visitors so we hope they will come back for summer children’s sermons and Sunday School in the fall!

With teachers, craft, recreation, snack, science, music, drama . . . there were over 90 adults and 60 youth involved in creating and running the two weeks of VBS.   I couldn’t count on both hands the number of people who took vacation to be involved with VBS.  You are amazing!  A huge THANK YOU for the time you gave to help the children know Jesus! 

If you have time, take at look at our week!

w

Irene

The girl's name Irene \i-re-ne\ is pronounced eye-REEN, eye-REE-nee. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "peace."

When I left for Tanzania, all I knew was this name, Irene.  When i returned I knew the meaning of this name truly was peace.

Irene is the young girl in the picture above with the red jacket on, second from the right in the back row. She is pictured with her family, her mother and father, her grandmother, her sisters and brothers.  She is now a student Uroki Secondary School, she is about 14 years old.  Irene is the girl that Heidi Longe and I sponsor as a part of the scholarship program at Southwood.

Heidi and I met Irene at church on the first Sunday we were there, she was wearing a beautiful pink dress, not in perfect condition, but in comparison with other kids that morning it was a very nice dress.  Irene is just beginning to learn English and so she was very shy when she met us, she didn't say much more than "My name is Irene."  We met her sister and a few of her friends that morning.

The next morning we met Irene's father.  He is sick, with something like throat cancer.  His wife had been sick too.  That day he left her at home and he walked the distance up to the church to meet us.  We were unable to speak with him because we don't know Swahili, but after a long wait (about two hours) a translator appeared and we were able to hear his question:

"Thank you for providing my daughter with the scholarship for her education, she is a good student and she works very hard.  Is there anyway you could pay the full tuition for her so that she could live at school.  When she comes home at night she has to study by candle light because we have no electricity, this is very hard on her eyes."

We assured him that we would investigate this request and visit him at his home on Wednesday.  We found out that Irene is a new student and when some of the older kids graduate and move out there will be more room in the dorms for her to stay.  Hopefully within the next month she will be able to board at Uroki.

We visited the families home on Wednesday, it was a special occasion, Irene was taken out of school as were her two sisters.  We all gathered in front of their home and we celebrated Irene's schooling, we prayed for God's guidance for Irene and his healing for her parents.  When were given a tour of their home we saw this:

• Three rooms
• Dirt walls, dirt floors
• Two small single beds.  One with a foam mattress, the other with a mattress woven from banana leaves.
• No dressers, desks, tables, or chairs.
• One beautiful pink Sunday School dress hanging neatly on a nail on the wall.

I was so overwhelmed by the conditions that I could not take a picture, ask a question, or fathom all of these children sleeping in the same bed.  The picture of that simple pink dress hanging on that dirt wall is emblazened in my mind, her one posession proudly displayed.  In Tanzania we were rarely invited into the inner parts of people's homes - we were at Irene's home - Heidi appropriately labeled this a humble honor.  I fully agree.

But I left in peace.

I saw peace and gratitude in Irene's eyes.  I felt peace in the hug from her mother.  I saw both pride and peace in her father's eyes as he saw his daughter getting an education he probably had only ever dreamed about.

When I left for Tanzania, all I knew was this name, Irene.  When i returned I knew the meaning of this name was peace.

For those of you who sponsor a child, even if you never meet them, you must know that the money you give brings the greatest kind of peace the world will ever know.  Thank you.

Pastor Sara

It will probably surprise no one today to hear me proclaim:  I am dreaming of snow.  Yesterday I was happy about summer because my garden is producing vegetables and flowers, but after spending 10 minutes picking green beans and consequently dripping with sweat, I am not so happy with this heat. 

In my opinion, Yesterday was unbearable, today is worse. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I would gladly trade July and August in Nebraska for January and February in Minnesota.   The sad thing is, its not even July yet and I'm dreaming about such a trade. 

I ran across this proverb today that helped to redirect my thinking:

Just for the record: I'm not complaining about the heat any more.  (Well, I'm going to try not to complain.)  I'm going to take my mind off of this heat and focus on the things that bring real refreshment.

Trying my best to stay cool,

Pastor Sara

Listen to Pastor Michael's Sermon

Text: Genesis 32:22-30 GNB

What do we learn from Moses about faith?

• Faith is the freedom of being brutally honest with God.
• Faith allows God to feel angry, allows unfairness.
• Faith is being afraid but going anyway.
• Faith is being a servant of God’s greater good without reward.
• Faith moves us into something greater, for future generations.

Moses’ faith example:

• Moses was called through the burning brambles.  Moses said “I am a nobody.”  God said, “I am with you and you will worship me on this mountain.”
• Moses said, “But if I tell them their god sent me, what name do I tell them?”  God replied, “I AM, I WAS, I WILL BE, is my name.”
• Moses said, But if…” and God said, “Go, I’ll handle it.”
• Moses said, “I’ve never been a good speaker, send someone else!”  God said, “I made speech, now go.”  Moses said, “No.”  God got angry.  Moses went.
• Pharaoh made it worse on the people.  Moses complained to God, “See?  Told you it wouldn’t work.”   God said, “Wait and see.  I’ll handle Pharaoh.  You just go and confront him.”  This happens over and over.

Both weeks of SonRock Kids Camps - Vacation Bible School 2009 wrapped up at noon today with a worship service for the parents and kids to attend. Prior to both Friday services a video slide show was displayed for parents to have a glimpse of a few events. Below you will find those same videos in YouTube form so you can share with friends and family.

VBS Week 1 Photo Slide Show

• Week 1, Day 1 Photo Album
• Week 1, Day 2 Photo Album
• Week 1, Day 3 Photo Album
• Week 1, Day 4 Photo Album
• Week 1, Day 5 Photo Album

VBS Week 2 Photo Slide Show

• Week 2, Day 1 Photo Album
• Week 2, Day 2 Photo Album
• Week 2, Day 3 Photo Album
• Week 2, Day 4 Photo Album
• Week 2, Day 5 Photo Album

The clock is ticking ... here's the question:

Stop now and answer that question.

Don't keep reading until you've answered the question - what can you do in one minute?

• Read a newspaper article
• Brush your teeth
• Make a piece of toast
• Go to the bathroom

So, what can you do in one minute?

Here's something I just learned, every minute, somewhere in the world, 4 children become orphans because of HIV or AIDs.

While I was going to the bathroom, while I was brushing my teeth, while I was enjoying that piece of toast, 4 children had their lives changed forever.

I learned this from an article I just read over on the City Impact blog.  Take a minute to read it.  The article is about one meeting of the Social Justice Club.  The Social Justice club is a part of the Impact Leadership Academy.  First of all, I think it is so great that students are spending their summer off from school in a Social Justice Club.  Second of all, they are not just learning facts about the global world's need, they are making a plan to do something about it!

I love City Impact because they don't just talk about making an impact, they are actually making one!

What are you doing to make an impact on this world?

Pastor Sara

“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 NIV

One of the important lessons the children of Israel had to learn during their wilderness journey was that God’s provision of manna for them was on a morning by morning basis.  They could not survive on old manna nor could it be stored for future use. Exodus 16:19-21 NIV

While many enduring hymns are born out of a particular dramatic experience, this was simply the result of the author’s “morning by morning” realization of God’s personal faithfulness in his daily life.  Shortly before his death in 1960, Thomas Obediah Chisholm wrote,

Thomas Chisholm was born in a crude log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky.  From this humble beginning and without the benefit of high school or advanced education, he somehow began his career as a school teacher at the age of sixteen in the same country school where he had received his elementary training.  After accepting Christ as Savior, he became editor of The Pentecostal Herald and later was ordained as a Methodist minister.  Throughout his long lifetime, Mr. Chisholm wrote more than twelve hundred sacred poems, many of which have since become prominent hymn texts.

from Amazing Grace, by Kenneth W. Osbeck

1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
   There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
   Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
   As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
   
2. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
   Morning by morning new mercies I see.
   All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
   Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
   
3. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
   Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
   Join with all nature in manifold witness
   To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
   
4. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
   Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
   Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Text:  Thomas O. Chisholm © 1923, renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Co.  All rights reserved.  Used by permission. CCLI #646016

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

While staying at our sister church in Tanzania we attended a funeral. We didn’t know the man who died, in fact, we were a little sketchy on the details of just who he was, but we attended his funeral and I still maintain that this was the most spiritual time of the whole trip. It was amazing.

The thing that made it so special for me was how real it was. We gathered at the cemetery, under the trees, with the people of the village. The simple casket was placed on two benches and a cross with the man’s name, birth and death dates was leaning against it. The people just gathered around to sing, pray, hear God’s word, and say farewell to this man’s life on earth.

When this formal part of the ceremony was over the casket was carried over to a hole already dug. After it was placed down in the hole about 6 young men from this tribe began to put dirt down on top of it. They worked for about 15 minutes filling that hole; there were only about 3 shovels, so they would step in to relive each other. The way in which they worked as a team on this project was really inspiring. When the hole was filled some women came around to all those gathered and handed out small bouquets of flowers to all in attendance, one by one we went down to the grave and placed them in the dirt. Finally these big palm branches with flowers braided into them were placed over the grave and also placed on the graves of this man’s family members.

People were gathered to say goodbye, to grieve, and to celebrate the hope that comes only through the word of God. It was so real, no one tried to glaze over what was really happening.

In America we tend to sterilize this whole process. When we gather at the graveside there is a velvet cloth covering the hole and the casket rests on top of this. We drop a few ceremonial grains of dirt on the casket to remind us of our mortality – but the gathered family and friends almost always leaves the graveyard before the body is lowered and the dirt covers the casket. I think as a general rule – we don’t like to think about death and we don’t like the reality of it staring us in the face – even at funerals.

I think what was so spiritual for me at this funeral was just how real it was. The reality of this text from Isaiah was staring me in the face - “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Even all of those beautiful flowers that we placed on the grave that day, have now withered and gone away – but God’s word is what remains.

It caused me to wonder how I might live this life to the fullest, really live in such a way that God’s word endures as the only lasting and impact making part who I am.

I ran across an essay on “Life” by Frederick Buechner from the book Wishful Thinking, in this essay he asks us to consider the following questions:

• Have you wept at anything during the past year?
• Has your heart beat faster at the sight of beauty?
• Have you thought seriously about the fact that someday you are going to die?
• More often than not, do you really listen when people are speaking to you instead of just waiting for your turn to speak?
• Is there anybody you know in whose place, if one of you had to suffer great pain, you would volunteer yourself?

He then says this: If your answer to all or most of these questions in No, the chances are that you’re dead.

Honestly, none of us want to spend a lot of time thinking about death, but I really think that if we do, it will make this life so much more meaningful.

Pastor Sara