Matthew 10:32-33
If you tell others that you belong
to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if
you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don’t belong to
me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A
couple of years ago, Greg and I went to a James Taylor concert. A
friend of ours who is almost 30 asked, “Who is James Taylor?” Whoa,
boy! That made us feel really old! James Taylor is such a
musical icon that we assume that EVERYONE knows who he is! While his
music was popular when we were in high school and college...his songs
are still sung and played frequently today. James Taylor’s work has
stood the test of time!
We joined the online James Taylor fan
club…and when it came time to order concert tickets, we were given a
two-day advance – and we receive preferential treatment...our seats were
on the floor on the second row! We felt like we could reach right up
and touch James Taylor and the band members. And at intermission, I was
able to walk up to the edge of the stage, hand James Taylor my denim
jacket and a marker, and get his autograph! Every time I wear that
jacket, I think of him. I remember his songs and what they meant to my
life…the times, people, places and things that the melodies and lyrics
represent.
During the concert, we were enjoying a particularly
lively song, and the percussionist looked directly at Greg…then he
pointed, and acknowledged him and how much he was appreciating the
music. I know that James Taylor and his entourage do not know us
personally, but they certainly acted like they did at the concert.
Taylor was cordial, friendly, and personable. He knows that those who
attend his concerts and seek his autograph are fans…supporters…people
who appreciate his work. I’m sure that anyone who approached James
Taylor on the street would be greeted respectfully and cordially…but he
wouldn’t truly know in that brief moment whether the person was a true
fan or as an aficionado of his work, unless the person told him.
Here’s
the thing…some of us “grew up on God”… like we “grew up on” James
Taylor’s music. Many of us have spent a great portion of our lives
going to church, singing hymns, learning Bible verses, and even
praying. We were welcomed into the fellowship of the body of Christ
when we professed our faith in Him. We are entitled to a “good seat” in
Heaven for all of eternity. And when we step forward to meet Jesus
face to face, He will know us by name! In fact, He knows us now…and
recognizes our every breath. How wonderful it is to know that this will
continue forever and ever!
But some of us have turned our back
on God. We have said, “Yeah, I’ve heard of Him…but I don’t much care
for His ways…His rules…His message. I find His teachings to be
boring…constraining…more of a fairy tale…confusing… or simply not for
me.” And some have even acknowledged that they have never even heard of
Jesus…at least not enough to be interested in what He offers them.
These folks are not assured a seat at all…much less a special
assignment! Jesus knows them…the Heavenly Father created them! He
knows their name and counts their breaths. He will always treat them
with kindness and cordiality. But unless these persons become part of
His “fan club”…unless they claim Him as their Savior and acknowledge Him
in every way, He will not remember them to God in heaven. They won’t
receive admission to the biggest “concert” of all…much less preferential
seating!
In August, we will attend another James Taylor
concert…fifth row seats on the floor this time around! We will enjoy
every note, lyric, drum beat and strum of Taylor’s guitar. And maybe
James and the band members will wave at us and acknowledge our
presence. As much fun as that will be, it can’t hold a candle to what
awaits us in heaven…or the relationship we have every day of our earthly
lives with Jesus. The real acknowledgement I want is His. I want to
think of Jesus every day…to be reminded of Him in people, places and
things that fill my earthly life. I cannot wait to be recognized by Him
at the great party that will take place when I arrive in heaven. Jesus’
“fan club” is the one that truly matters…HIS favor is what I desire…the
privilege of a seat at HIS table is the one I’m after.
We’ll
enjoy the concert in August…spending a night listening to James Taylor
singing his hits will be fantastic. But spending every day with Jesus
is better. We know a bigger, far superior celebration awaits us someday
in Heaven. Will you be sitting next to us?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label eternity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eternity. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 30, 2011
Psalm 108:1-5
Our God, I am faithful to you with all my heart, and you can trust me. I will sing and play music for you with all that I am. I will start playing my harps before the sun rises. I will praise you, LORD, for everyone to hear; I will sing hymns to you in every nation. Your love reaches higher than the heavens, and your loyalty extends beyond the clouds. Our God, may you be honored above the heavens; may your glory be seen everywhere on earth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Everybody needs a hero, and I’ve had a dandy. For more than fifty-four years, I’ve been encouraged and nurtured by a remarkable lady who shared my birthday. Yesterday, she went to heaven… less than 48 hours after her beloved baby girl died. “MawMac,” as I called her, was really Geraldine McCurry. She took great pride in being the wife of the local Chevrolet dealer, Andrew McCurry… and mother to three girls - Andrea, Marsha, and Mary.
As Andrea wrote in Mary’s obituary, “…a tragic accident at birth caused her to be severely physically handicapped by cerebral palsy. Because of her condition, she was never able to walk, talk, use her hands or be able to care for herself in any way. However, she devised a method of communication when she was about a year and a half old using her eyes. For those who took the time to learn to "talk" with Mary, they found a warm, loving, rather bawdy personality with a little streak of the devil.” Mary would have been 60 this October. Mary’s family and all who knew her loved her dearly. And in a time when many children with cerebral palsy were hidden away in institutions, the McCurrys never treated Mary with such disdain. MawMac and her family were ahead of their time in recognizing that Mary was a bright girl trapped in a body that betrayed her… and they did all they could to make life as “normal” as possible for this precious girl.
As further proof of this, a friend recalled on Facebook the Sunday that Mrs. McCurry wheeled Mary to the front of our church sanctuary, where she said Mary was wishing to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized. MawMac said, “I just couldn’t hold her back any longer… she insisted on coming to the altar.” That was our MawMac… dedicated to her children… and to her God. She was also fiercely patriotic. I like to joke that I am a “Firecracker Baby” because of my July 4th birthday… but MawMac truly was… and she had a collection of red/white/blue memorabilia that defies belief – down to a life-sized “Uncle Sam!” This past July 4th, she wore a new blouse fashioned by her daughters to fit her 4-ft frame… featuring red/white/blue stars, of course! She wore it with red/white/blue shoes, and – what else? – a headband with shooting stars that bobbled along! Did I mention that MawMac was 93 on her last birthday?
If you didn’t get a chance to know Geraldine “MawMac” McCurry in this lifetime, you will hopefully meet her in heaven. She will be the one standing with Jesus, tall and stately, healed from the osteoporosis that shrunk her tiny frame by almost 5 inches… and she will be talking and greeting everyone who enters the Pearly Gates! MawMac taught me a lot about life and overcoming challenges and obstacles… but she taught me more about faith and devotion. She hardly ever missed a church service (or anything else in our community, for that matter!), and she was one of the most devoted Christians I ever knew. She wasn’t preachy or one of those who spouted scripture and lectured about sinful behaviors. She merely modeled the teachings of Jesus… every single day of her life.
I know MawMac wasn’t perfect. I’m sure she had her moments. But I never saw them. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that she and Mary are dancing with Jesus… two faithful women who were loyal to Him without fail. This scripture passage is so fitting for Geraldine and Mary. I know they are having a celebration to end all celebrations… and because of this, I feel like singing and dancing, too – in spite of my sadness.
The more of my loved ones who pass on and go to heaven, the more real heaven becomes to me. It’s a glorious resting place for those who have chosen to follow Jesus, and I am so looking forward to joining the party there. Will you be along? Do you know Jesus in the way MawMac and Mary know Him? Do you live for Him each day – and will you dance and sing His praises even into Eternity? You can! Who – or what – is holding you back? Isn’t it time you raced down the altar, so to speak, like Mary did… and secured your place at the party?
I ask you to please stop and thank God today for heroes like MawMac… for Godly women who are devoted to their Heavenly Father, their family, church and community. Pray for those who will miss her… and thank God for welcoming her and Mary to His banquet table. I’m sure they’ve saved a seat nearby for me… and I am looking forward to seeing them again someday. Won’t you join us?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Our God, I am faithful to you with all my heart, and you can trust me. I will sing and play music for you with all that I am. I will start playing my harps before the sun rises. I will praise you, LORD, for everyone to hear; I will sing hymns to you in every nation. Your love reaches higher than the heavens, and your loyalty extends beyond the clouds. Our God, may you be honored above the heavens; may your glory be seen everywhere on earth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Everybody needs a hero, and I’ve had a dandy. For more than fifty-four years, I’ve been encouraged and nurtured by a remarkable lady who shared my birthday. Yesterday, she went to heaven… less than 48 hours after her beloved baby girl died. “MawMac,” as I called her, was really Geraldine McCurry. She took great pride in being the wife of the local Chevrolet dealer, Andrew McCurry… and mother to three girls - Andrea, Marsha, and Mary.
As Andrea wrote in Mary’s obituary, “…a tragic accident at birth caused her to be severely physically handicapped by cerebral palsy. Because of her condition, she was never able to walk, talk, use her hands or be able to care for herself in any way. However, she devised a method of communication when she was about a year and a half old using her eyes. For those who took the time to learn to "talk" with Mary, they found a warm, loving, rather bawdy personality with a little streak of the devil.” Mary would have been 60 this October. Mary’s family and all who knew her loved her dearly. And in a time when many children with cerebral palsy were hidden away in institutions, the McCurrys never treated Mary with such disdain. MawMac and her family were ahead of their time in recognizing that Mary was a bright girl trapped in a body that betrayed her… and they did all they could to make life as “normal” as possible for this precious girl.
As further proof of this, a friend recalled on Facebook the Sunday that Mrs. McCurry wheeled Mary to the front of our church sanctuary, where she said Mary was wishing to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized. MawMac said, “I just couldn’t hold her back any longer… she insisted on coming to the altar.” That was our MawMac… dedicated to her children… and to her God. She was also fiercely patriotic. I like to joke that I am a “Firecracker Baby” because of my July 4th birthday… but MawMac truly was… and she had a collection of red/white/blue memorabilia that defies belief – down to a life-sized “Uncle Sam!” This past July 4th, she wore a new blouse fashioned by her daughters to fit her 4-ft frame… featuring red/white/blue stars, of course! She wore it with red/white/blue shoes, and – what else? – a headband with shooting stars that bobbled along! Did I mention that MawMac was 93 on her last birthday?
If you didn’t get a chance to know Geraldine “MawMac” McCurry in this lifetime, you will hopefully meet her in heaven. She will be the one standing with Jesus, tall and stately, healed from the osteoporosis that shrunk her tiny frame by almost 5 inches… and she will be talking and greeting everyone who enters the Pearly Gates! MawMac taught me a lot about life and overcoming challenges and obstacles… but she taught me more about faith and devotion. She hardly ever missed a church service (or anything else in our community, for that matter!), and she was one of the most devoted Christians I ever knew. She wasn’t preachy or one of those who spouted scripture and lectured about sinful behaviors. She merely modeled the teachings of Jesus… every single day of her life.
I know MawMac wasn’t perfect. I’m sure she had her moments. But I never saw them. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that she and Mary are dancing with Jesus… two faithful women who were loyal to Him without fail. This scripture passage is so fitting for Geraldine and Mary. I know they are having a celebration to end all celebrations… and because of this, I feel like singing and dancing, too – in spite of my sadness.
The more of my loved ones who pass on and go to heaven, the more real heaven becomes to me. It’s a glorious resting place for those who have chosen to follow Jesus, and I am so looking forward to joining the party there. Will you be along? Do you know Jesus in the way MawMac and Mary know Him? Do you live for Him each day – and will you dance and sing His praises even into Eternity? You can! Who – or what – is holding you back? Isn’t it time you raced down the altar, so to speak, like Mary did… and secured your place at the party?
I ask you to please stop and thank God today for heroes like MawMac… for Godly women who are devoted to their Heavenly Father, their family, church and community. Pray for those who will miss her… and thank God for welcoming her and Mary to His banquet table. I’m sure they’ve saved a seat nearby for me… and I am looking forward to seeing them again someday. Won’t you join us?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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