Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters

In 1969, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was a song for millions. That era saw America in turmoil; social unrest, war protests, and fear in the land. The Kennedy brothers and Martin Luther King had been assassinated, the Cold War threatened nuclear annihilation.  And then came this folk anthem about making one’s way through the mess: 
When you're weary, feeling small; 
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all. 
I'm on your side - When times get rough, 
And friends just can't be found; 
Like a bridge over troubled water, 
I will lay me down. – Paul Simon, copyright, 1969

Interestingly, here I am a half century older and the world is still a mess!  As a 14 year old kid, I needed a friend.  As an older man, I need a friend. Friends stand with us, pour concern over us, offer words that help us to see the hope of a new day.  The balladeers got it right. A friend is a bridge over troubled water! Where do we go when troubles come that no song can soothe, that are not erased by calming words of concern?  We have the Friend of friends. His Name is Jesus!  In Him there is wisdom because He holds all of ‘yesterday, today, and tomorrow’ in His plans for me. Peter, who had walked on some troubled water, invites you and me to "cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV) 

“Cast” is an action world in the original Greek text of the New Testament. It only appears twice and has the meaning of ‘throwing something down violently!’  Those burdens of life, those intractable problems, those fears and yes, even our failures – all the things that bring us care – we can throw them onto the shoulders of an Almighty God who is not only Lord but Friend! Peter, the impulsive disciple whose faith was expressed in fits and starts, was riding in a small boat on the lake when Jesus came walking on the water. When Jesus invited Peter to walk on water, he did!  Only then did he take note of the impossibility of his situation. When he saw the waves, he sank, saved only by his Friend’s grasp. He followed Jesus on the night of His arrest showing more courage than all except John, but then his courage collapsed and he swore, “I never knew Him.” But, his Friend found him, broken and disillusioned back home. With tender forgiveness, He reached out to Peter and sent him out to “Feed my sheep!”  When the Holy Spirit filled him, he fearlessly preached on the streets of Jerusalem and led the disciples through the first decade of Christianity.

That man, who knew trouble and the power of a Friend, uses the action language innate to his personality. “Weighed down by concern, troubled by life? Throw it on the Lord! He is ready to care for you.” 

Jesus warned us that "In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.” But, that is not the last word.  “But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:33, The Message)  We have a Friend who is undaunted by the things that can get us down. People will disappoint and frustrate you. Disasters will come – fire, flood, and sickness – and we will not understand why.  In such moments we have the invitation, the words of Jesus, our Friend, that are our Word for this day.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV) 

Right now… take that heavy thing that is breaking your heart in your grasp. Got it?  
Now, with a toss heavenward say, “Here it is. Thank you for helping me carry it, Lord. Amen.”
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What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

O what peace we often forfeit

O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden

Cumbered with a load of care

Precious Savior still our refuge

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Do thy friends despise forsake thee

Take it to the Lord in prayer

In His arms He'll take and shield thee

Thou wilt find a solace there

Charles Crozat Converse | Joseph Medlicott Scriven

© Words: Public Domain

Why we must have hope

As the gravity of his medical condition settled on the elderly man, his eyes filled with tears. He softly murmured, “That’s a death sentence.”  It was a moment that stabbed my own heart with pain. The rest of that story is a shift in hope, a reminder of that our lives all have an ending here on earth, but … in Christ, we find eternal life.  Shaken by yet another encounter with mortality, I thought long and hard about my own way of life. Am I prepared for the inevitable? Will I grow old and bitter, or keep hope as vitality declines? Is my hope in Christ strong today, shaping my thoughts, words, and actions; laying a solid foundation for days to come? Hope is such a critical part of our lives, isn’t it?

People who are able to cope with the up’s and down’s of our existence, who can bounce back from disappointment, pick up the pieces when things get broken are those with hope. I am not talking about that goofy, out of touch choice to avoid reality, to live without responsibility. Hope is not sustained by escaping from life, dancing and singing as if tomorrow never comes. Real hope is gained from faith, where God’s promise is matched to our need. Paul was inspired to urge us to let the profound hope of the coming Kingdom change us from the inside out! "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14, NIV)

Christians have a Blessed Hope!  We rest in the promise that Christ will come and bring His reign to set things right. The Mystery of His return is written through the Scripture, a time when wrong is made right, when justice comes, when those who have served find their reward.  I confess that at times life gets so full of urgent demands I lose sight of that promise. When I do, I also tend to lose hope.  The joy of serving is lost to the drudgery of duty in those days. It becomes more appealing to conclude, ‘Why even attempt to do right? What’s the use? Go with the flow.”  But, then I remember, the plan of God includes the appearing of the One I love and when He comes, there will  be the Great Reversal – the weak made strong, the oppressed made free, the power of death broken.  Those who have lived in hope will hear the commendation - "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" (Matthew 25:23, NIV)  Ah, what a moment!  No wonder Paul calls it the ‘Blessed Hope.’

Defeat despair with God’s words. Meditate on them.  "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." (Revelation 21:3-6, NIV)

Hope, we cannot truly live without it. On whom, in what have you set your hope?

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Mystery

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity

Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity

Bread of heaven broken for me

Cup of Salvation held out to drink

Jesus mystery

Christ has died and

Christ is risen

Christ will come again

Celebrate His death and rising

Lift your eyes proclaim His coming

Celebrate His death and rising

Lift your eyes lift your eyes

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity

Charlie Hall

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Our Deep Well of Resource

John Wesley, the famed preacher of the 18^th century, was born into poverty. At that time in England those who could not pay their debts were sent to debtor’s prison.  As a young boy, Wesley saw his pastor father taken off to that prison. Imagine the impact that scene had on a child.  We might expect that as a man he would become a saver, carefully securing his future against want. And, we would be wrong. Wesley’s income grew along with fame, but the preacher kept his expenses steady and gave all the increase away. At one point his income approached what would be about $300,000 in today’s terms but he did not increase his spending.  He continued to live on a fraction of that sum, giving as much as 90% of his income away each year.  An article on the man says that in 1744 Wesley had written, "[When I die] if I leave behind me ten pounds . . . you and all mankind [may] bear witness against me, that I have lived and died a thief and a robber." When he died in 1791, the only money mentioned in his will was the miscellaneous coins to be found in his pockets and dresser drawers.  (http://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/1987/winter/87l1027.html)

What an inspiration!  Are you a generous person?  It is not just about money! We can be generous in spirit, too.  Are you a person who refuses to take offense, who seldom speaks critically of others, who offers thanks and encouragement quickly?

Generosity is a pathway to joy, knowing not only the appreciation of those who benefit, but the approbation of God Himself. “God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-11)

Deep generosity is fed by real faith that grows an “abundance mentality.” Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, borrowed a Biblical concept and coined that phrase.  When we trust God, who ‘owns the cattle on a thousand hills’  as the source of our security, we come to understand that there are always resources to share with others. From that deep well of resource we become those who live a life of generosity. Covey insists that generosity multiplies our resources rather than diminishing them. Jesus Christ said it first - "Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:38, The Message)

Here’s a word from the Word. As you read it, Let it speak to every part of your life. "Just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. … For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:7,9, NIV)

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