I don't quite know how to begin this blog entry, I just know that God is a good God and He is worthy of our praise. For the past few days I have been attending Woodside Bible Church, http://www.woodsidebible.org/ in Troy Michigan and have been consumed by great music, Godly teaching, Godly friends, and great opportunities to learn from others that lead Worship. I've been having a great time learning about and praising our Heavenly Father. Tonight about 300 of us attended a Paul Baloche worship concert at the church. Of course the music was good and the quality superb, no questions, but what made tonight so special was what happened during the service and it wasn't music related. Last year I met a woman from New York who has a great spirit and good heart. Now in talking to her I knew that her husband had passed away several years ago but I had no idea how or why. Yesterday being 9/10 I asked her how she as a New Yorker was holding up being out of town and all on the 5th anniversary of 9/11. She said fine and that the Integrity family had been there for her. Well shortly after that conversation, I learned that her husband had died as a result of 9/11. So tonight at the concert, during a time of reflection and offering, the host said he wanted to offer up a prayer for her. I looked over and she was sitting somewhat by herself. I was compelled to go sit with her and in my feeble attempt, tried to comfort her during the prayer and time of remembrance. Others from the class surrounded her, and as a family of believers, brothers and sisters in Christ we stood there under one God praying for our sister and for the others who's lives were dramatically changed by the events of that day. I was reminded of the scriptures that speak of taking care of the widows and orphans in time of distress,I believe it is James 1: 27. Nothing I could say at that time would make her feel better, nothing I could do would take her pain away. But as we stood there together, tears streamed down my face, my heart ached and I could feel her pain. We grieved with her, and cried with her. After the prayer, the entire place broke into this standing ovation that seemed to last forever. I would imagine most were clapping in honor of the sacrifice her husband paid in trying to save those who were lost in the collapse of the towers. Some may have been clapping to affirm her that they were there for her. I clapped for her because she is strong in the Lord. With all this woman has been through, she places her hope and trust in Jesus Christ and praises His name with a heart that is pure and righteous. To watch the outpouring of love for her tonight was amazing. That's what we as a church are to be about. Loving others the way Christ has loved us. I have a picture in my head of tonight's events, and as I look at it, I see that we were not the only ones hugging and comforting her tonight, she was in Gods hands and he had His arms wrapped tightly around her.
One of my favorite scripture readings used to be read by a minister that served the church I attended as a child, and it went like this.
"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." '
1 comment:
WOW, you were very right on about this. I have to tell you that as the day progressed I was extremely antsy about Sara and how she would react to the days events. I prayed so much that day for her,& for the rest of the widows & orphans because of that day. I was abit upset that I couldn't be there to be with her and protect her, but God knew I would have just got in the way. Because I couldn't be there God was in His wonderfully wise way took excellent care of her and allowed others to bless her and be blessed by her. In HIS service,T
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