After a warm welcome,
introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from
his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to
the podium.
Without a note or
written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself
and then quietly and slowly he began to speak....
"When I was
asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what
was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought
about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most
difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing
that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and
sorrow paralyzed me...
The only thing that
would comfort was this verse....
"Jesus loves me
this I know.
For the Bible tells
me so.
Little ones to Him
belong,
We are weak but He is
strong.....
Yes, Jesus loves
me....
The Bible tells me
so."
The old pastor
stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's
hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it
was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the
best."
"Here for you
now is a Senior version of Jesus Loves Me":
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me, this I
know,
Though my hair is
white as snow
Though my sight is
growing dim,
Still He bids me
trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME,
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are
oh, so slow,
With my hand in His
I'll go
On through life, let
come what may,
He'll be there to
lead the way.
(verse 2)
When the nights are
dark and long,
In my heart He puts a
song..
Telling me in words
so clear,
"Have no fear,
for I am near."
(Verse 3)
When my work on earth
is done,
And life's victories
have been won.
He will take me home
above,
Then I'll understand
His love.
(CHORUS)
I love Jesus, does He
know?
Have I ever told Him
so?
Jesus loves to hear
me say,
That I love Him every
day.
The service ended, Pastor closed his Bible, pronouncing "Thus the service is ended. Praise be to God."
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry. I deleted the first because of a typo.
DeleteI am quite sure that you all knew exactly why this elderly gentleman had been asked to preach. And doubt that anyone in the room questioned the decision.
I love this :)
ReplyDeleteI have a neighbour who is very religious and I think she will like it, so I printed a copy for her.
I bet that she will appreciate it.
DeleteThat was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo simple, so lovely.
DeleteThat brought a smile, THANKS. However, it does remind me of age. He stood at 92 I thought , 'That is OLD,' Then my mind told me he was just 11 years older than you! I did enjoy the read, good entry.
ReplyDeleteLove from North CArolina
Sherry & jack
Listening to him speak would have brought me and others to tears. So profound.
DeleteI’m leaving this generic message so you don’t think I’m a flake. I didn’t feel good Friday, and when I woke, the entire area around the eye that got damaged last summer had swollen so badly, I couldn’t open it. After speaking with the vision specialist, the soonest I can get in is Monday morning. I am not to wear the eye patch I was given in case it might exacerbate the swelling, but I am to take the eyedrops I was given from before. Thanks for understanding why I haven’t been to visit you.
ReplyDeleteOh, my. I will enjoy your comments whenever they come my way!
DeleteI will be praying for you. I promise.
The Gospel in the simplest form. How I love it!
ReplyDeleteI still remember my children singing on a Sunday morning. Those sweet faces, singing these words!
DeleteWith age comes wisdom! I'm hoping it will come to me soon! This was great and I really love the verses. It was a similar theme at our virtual church this morning. Even after all the bad that has happened in our family since last March, I know I couldn't have gotten through it without the Lord at my side. He doesn't always take the bad away, but helps us get through the trial. Thanks for sharing this today!
ReplyDeleteGod is our source, our strength, or salvation.
DeleteYou can't beat a classic old hymn with a simple but truthful message.
ReplyDeleteSimple words say so much.
DeleteIt's still one of my favorite hymns, and i want to learn these new verses, too.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by other verses as well.
DeleteThis is so nice, my friend. It is special what the Pastor said.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have good February days.
~Sheri