|
| Easter '07: God welcomes me in my afflictions |
|
| |
This Easter (Resurrection) Sunday was quite a day! It began with an amazing worship service punctuated by Pastor Mark's inspired message about how the resurrection gives our lives meaning. (If the resurrection is not true, our lives are absolutely meaningless.) But this afternoon saw a second, different type of worship service, no less exhuberant, in it's own way. I assisted with worship at an assisted living center, a traditional service, for Alzheimers patients. During the service, an elderly woman sitting next to me, clearly in the advanced stages of her Alzheimers, turned to the nurse/staff on her other side and, with hand shaking and voice trailing off said, "I want to receive...." That was all she could say. It brought tears of joy to my eyes as she reached out for the Savior with everything she could muster. The Holy Spirit seemed to confirm to me that God fully understood her desire far exceeded her ability to reach out to Him. And yet this in no way prevented her from receiving all that He had to give her. I don't see myself as being any different than this dear afflicted woman. My desire to reach the Lord far exceeds my ability. And yet I know that God understands, in His great love, and welcomes me just the same. This is a testimony to the greatness of His ability, not mine.... Happy Resurrection Sunday! ~mike |
|
| To add a comment to "Easter '07: God welcomes me in my afflictions" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| April 08, 2007 |
 |
|
|
I have a lot of wonderful stories about people coming to the Lord in nursing homes. It never ceases to amaze me how people respond when you don't even think they can comprehend. All praise be to Him! |
|
|
| April 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
Amen! Thanks , Mike for the post. Many are involved in children's ministry, but many times we forget about those in the nursing homes, especially those with alzhiemer's. I think many avoid these people because they think they are going to be tough cases (hearts that have grown cold to the things of God) or that Alzheimer's patients can't comprehend. Just because a person may not remember someone's face or what they did 5 minutes ago, Christ never forgets. A person may not remember who they are, but He knows who HE is and who they are. Isn't He wonderful? |
|
|
| April 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Thanks for sharing that powerful moment! And thanks for your faithful service at Sunrise Assisted Living. It's been a while since I've been there... hmm...
|
|
|
| April 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
Mike, thanks so much for sharing such an awesome event! I especially loved your comparison between this dear woman and yourself, well, everybody. I completely agree that my desire to reach the Lord FAR exceeds my ability and thank God for His long arms!! Deb~ |
|
|
| April 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Thanks for sharing this... it is so true and to witness it in its pureness like this is wonderful. I agree to reach the Lord is beyond our abilities, but God is there and he will reach you. You just have to want/need and to listen with your being. Just like this wonderful woman. |
|
|
| April 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Thanks for sharing your moment my mom has alzheimers she gave her life to the Lord years ago she has trouble remembering what just happened but as of now she remembers her Lord and Savior and i believe she always will on my sight there's a story i heard on the radio Him I Know it so touched me that i blogged it. |
|
|
| April 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Just signing in to show an "amen". Good post mike |
|
|
| April 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
How true our desire for our God far exceeds our abilities. I am so thankful for His Grace, Mercy and Love because without them I would be hopelessly lost in despair. Thanks for sharing! |
|
|
| April 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Mike...a great reminder to how near He is to us and how willing to "stoop down" so we can experience Him. I have been witnessing The Lord use a drama/worship team here of Down-Syndrome individuals....His presence is ushered in incredibly. Thanks gfor sharing that encouragement! |
|
|
| April 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
Good post, Mike. I especially appreciate the reminder that we are all on equal ground with this woman from God's omnipotent and omniscient perspective. The nursing homes are such wonderful mission fields, and it amazes me how many of us are more willing to travel to foreign countries than to visit these precious people who live next door. I think we Americans have "issues" about getting older. Most other cultures deal much better with issues of aging than we do. |
|
|
| April 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
Many thanks for the positive comments. It really is humbling when you put a serious piece of your heart out there for all America (and perhaps the world) to look at. But it is all for God's glory! Nancy, wow am I glad you mentioned those with Down's Syndrome. Hit me in the heart again, why don't you! What makes some people think that God doesn't love/care for these dear folks?? Basically anyone who has a theology that says we must earn, maintain, or strive not to lose our salvation must admit that they are basically writing off as hellbound a huge number of people here. My own kids, all three, continue to struggle with grasping basic biblical truths, starting with exalting God (or anyone else) above themselves, at least for a significant length of time. Most people with Down's have a similar mental capacity. And yet according to scripture God LOVES children, and I would definitely extend that to include those who are locked at the developmental level of children as well!! God bless you! ~mike |
|
|
| May 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Wow Mr. Mike, not too many blogs can put tears in my eyes, but this one did. How precious to see this dear woman reach out with all her strength. Makes a person reflect on themselves. What is my desire. She didn' t have the physical ability, but her spiritual ability far exceeded that. Here I am a 25 year old with alot of physical ability, yet how weak my spiritual ability or better put willingness is. *phew* Thanks Mike for putting it so clearly in front of my face. Blessing Brother! |
|
|
Follow this blog
