MEMORIAL WEEKEND 2023

 WIWAK [meaning: When I Was A Kid], we usually stayed home to celebrate Memorial Day.  Many will recall that this was a traditional weekend for remembering those who had died - by 'decorating' their graves with flowers and wreaths.  This day was formerly known as 'Decoration Day'.  

I remember riding along with my parents to Grove Cemetary where we would decorate the graves of my Grandma Haire, Uncle James Archer, and a few others.  Then, we would drive to Beaver Falls and decorate the graves of my mother's relatives from the Walton family.  I could walk you to each of these graves today with little difficulty as a result.  

Sometimes my dad would allow me to help plant flowers or trim the grass from the grave markers.  I could tell he was remembering because he would share stories from his childhood.  This project took hours, but I never minded.  It seemed important that we do this - and do it together.

Don't get me wrong, we still had the traditional cook-out in the backyard with all the expected picnic trimmings.  But this only came AFTER going downtown New Brighton to watch the Memorial Day parade.  Then we would follow the parade to the park and participate in the Memorial Day services.  This was one of the few things that my dad and I did together annually.  

He had not served in the military, partly because of his age and partly because he worked at Townsend Company where they were busy making shrapnel for the war effort.  I remember him occasionally bringing home the one-inch-square pieces of metal.  I didn't like to think about their purpose!  

My brother, Ira, told me that dad was designated as a community appointee when we still lived on Mt. Washington in Beaver Falls. Those were days when we were still practicing 'black-outs' and dad was to go out and make sure that everyone was complying with the requirements.

He and mom were very supportive of our military!  My first memory is of dad walking me to the upper end of Beaver Falls on Veteran's Day to see the parade.  I was born in 1952, so this would have been around 1955 - I was small enough that he held me during the parade.  It had very few bands, but many men and a few women marching in units.  The war was still fresh in everyone's mind!  He was teaching me that day to take my hat off every time the American flag went by - which was MANY times!  

Many years later, I taught this practice to my sons.  One year, while we were attending a Potters football game in East Liverpool, Troy and his friends were playing football at one end of the stadium.  The band came to that corner of the field and began to play the national anthem.  I watched with interest from the stands.  All of a sudden, I saw Troy perk up and turn his attention to the band and the flag.  Off came his stocking cap as he stood rigid and respectful.  Within moments, his friends joined him and also took off their caps and held them over their hearts.  One of my proudest moments!  :-)

As I grew up, my dad always took me to the Pitt/Navy football game at Pitt Stadium in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.  The game was close enough to the Naval Academy that they would bus a lot of the plebes (and other midshipmen) in for the game.  Every time Navy would score, the plebes ran into the endzone and did push-ups to match the Navy score.  It was SO EXCITING!  

Years later, after Travis joined the Navy, he ended up attending the United States Naval Academy from 1996-2000.  We attended many Navy football games during that time since we lived nearby in Spencerville, MD.  We attended two Army/Navy games in Memorial Stadium!  Later in his career, Travis returned to the Academy to serve as the 'Flag Secretary' to the Admiral serving as the Superintendent of the Academy!  

Over and over I thought:  how proud my dad would be!  

When raising our family, some things stayed the same and some things changed.  I tried to instill in our kids a high appreciation and respect for those who served in the military.  However, we chose to go camping over most Memorial Day Weekends.  We built memories as a family that I hope our kids still cherish!  Most of those weekends were shared with Deb's sister, Laurie and her husband Charlie and their three kids: Marshall, Barbie (Bubsie) and Jesse.  Deb's father was also a veteran, having served in the United States Army!  

Today, we still camp with friends and family at the Bayshore Campground on Pymatuning Lake near Andover, OH.  It's our tradition!  Flags fly!  Games are played!  Good food is consumed.  We tell stories and reminice about the past!  Some are veterans: Charlie Mahosky, Marky Noel, and probably a few others.  

Deb and I think a lot about Travis on these days!  He'd be forty-seven if he were living.  The breakdowns are far-and-few-between, but the ache is persistent!  

We're genuinely grateful for the young and old who have dedicated themselves to service in our nation!  Our son-in-law, Jon Kerstetter will be finishing his career within the next year - a stellar service of over twenty-two years - most of it served as part of our submarine force!  We're so proud of him!  

May God continue to be gracious as we move into the future.  We trust Him even in the midst of an environment of chaos and cultural deterioration.  Our cry shall always be 'GOD BLESS THE UNTIED STATES OF AMERICA'.  

NO ONE SEEMS TO BE PREACHING ON THESE VERSES

Leviticus 19:33-34  [NASB]

“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.  The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD”

Matthew 25:35  [NASB]

“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in…”

Hebrews 13:2  [NASB]

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

I Peter 4:9  [NASB]

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

Leviticus 24:22  [NASB]

“There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the LORD your God.”

Exodus 22:21  [NASB]

“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” 

Malachi 3:5  [NASB]

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts. 

Galatians 3:28 [NASB]

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 5:14  [NASB]

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

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I am not happy about the condition of our borders (north and south).  I believe a nation is defined by clearly identified and defended borders and firm laws about allowing people to cross those borders.  Up until a few years ago, I was proud to be a part of the country that had the most generous and clear admission guidelines for entering our nation and even becoming a citizen.  Not so, now. 

HOWEVER, despite the disagreement many of us have with these conditions, we must adhere to the counsel of the Word of God by welcoming the nearly six million illegal aliens who are filtering into all parts of our country!  Hostilities and opinions aside, they are simply seeking a better way of life and the greater opportunities available in our once-great land!  They are fulfilling their dream!

Despite our opposition to the irresponsible actions of our current administration - that have opened our borders - we must welcome these immigrants and offer our assistance as they seek to assimilate into our culture.  As followers of Christ, we have no other option.  Obedience implies acceptance!  If we were in their shoes – we would want to be welcomed! 

And our welcome should not be motivated simply by obedience!  God’s Word repeatedly exhorts us to recognize that we are all immigrants – or have been at some time in the past.  Our welcome should also be tempered by compassion – genuine and generous!  Dare we say that we should even be seeking them out and offering a welcoming and helping hand? 

As a Lyft driver, I can tell you with certainty that they are among us!  I give them rides almost every day – whether driving in Youngstown/Warren or Pittsburgh!  Communications are a challenge since most don’t yet speak English with any degree of fluency.  Over and over again, in recent weeks, I have wished that I had kept up with the two years of Spanish I took way back in junior high school!  How I would love to be able to dialogue with my passengers! 

I reiterate it is possible for us to disagree with the policies that allow this breach of law at our borders, but still be civil and even welcoming to those who are taking advantage of the foolhardy and dastardly policies regarding our borders on the part of our current administration. 

As followers of Christ, our behavior and responses are clearly dictated by the Word of God and His Spirit that directs us from within!  God, help us to be on the right side of this issue!  And may our churches recognize the opportunity for caring and evangelism that is presenting itself at our doorstep!  Shouldn't our churches be leading us in this mission of love and acceptance?

DOES GOD TEXT?

DOES GOD TEXT?

In the Old Testament book of Zechariah [next to the last book], this creative, imaginative prophet of God uses every mechanism he can to get the people’s attention!  He is a visionary and for most of his book he uses his visions to motivate the people to rebuild the Temple of God after returning to a destroyed Jerusalem following seventy years of captivity in Babylon. 

But in chapter 8, he tries a new tactic – always trying to impact the people with the reality and presence of God!  In this chapter Zechariah delivers what we would consider text messages from GOD!  They are brief, relevant, direct messages intended to encourage and motivate the people.  Samples follow:

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I am zealous for Zion – I care!”  [Zion = Jerusalem]  [v.2 TM]

GOD’S Message:

“I’ve come back to Zion, I’ve moved back to Jerusalem.”  [v.3 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes—a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing—a good city to grow up in.”   [vs.4-5]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Do the problems of returning and rebuilding by just a few survivors seem too much? But is anything too much for me? Not if I have my say.” [v.6 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I’ll collect my people from countries to the east and countries to the west. I’ll bring them back and move them into Jerusalem. They’ll be my people and I’ll be their God. I’ll stick with them and do right by them.”  [vs.7-8 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

    Sowing and harvesting will resume,
    Vines will grow grapes,
    Gardens will flourish,
    Dew and rain will make everything green.  [v.12 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

Don’t be afraid. And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.” Decree of God.  [vs.16-17 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Lots of people, powerful nations—they’ll come to Jerusalem looking for what they can get from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, looking to get a blessing from God.”  [v.22 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“At that time, ten men speaking a variety of languages will grab the sleeve of one Jew, hold tight, and say, ‘Let us go with you. We’ve heard that God is with you.’”  [v.23 TM]

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Imagine if you had been removed from your homeland for seventy years and then were suddenly allowed to return and rebuild your former life. 

Wouldn’t it be encouraging when your prophets delivered a series of brief, encouraging messages from the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies?  Your God is encouraging you!  Your God is with you!  Your God cares!  Your God is restoring you!

Now, for us here in the United States, we’re on the opposite side of this situation.  We’re watching things deteriorate daily and feeling the despair of powerlessness.  We’re facing the reality of corrupt leaders and unjust government agencies!  We deal with the daily fear, despair and hopelessness of a once-strong country that is gradually – but consistently – unraveling before our very eyes! 

Does the God-of-the-Angel-Armies see us?  Does He feel our pain?  Does He hear our prayers [you are praying about our dilemma, right?]  Is He sending us any messages [you are listening, right?]  Does His Word offer us any guidance [you are reading it regularly, right?] 

I’m no prophet and certainly am not as creative or connected-to-God as Zechariah, but I believe – with all my heart – that God is watching and waiting for us to lean into His strength and wisdom!  From what I can see, we can’t look to the organized church for direction and guidance through this maze of chaos. Unfortunately, most churches have lost their authority and power and are struggling to keep their doors open.  Most church growth today is 'transfer growth', not 'convert growth'.  But remember:  the church isn’t a building or an organization – it’s a body!  It’s a body of believers!  We are the Church! 

And God will use us and our families – along with other believers and their families – to stand against a flood-tide of opposition, evil and compromise!  We WILL pay a price!  There WILL be suffering!  But GOD WILL be with us and He WILL be texting us throughout the fray!  We’re in GOOD HANDS!

RE-IMAGINING THE CHURCH

Ephesians 6:10-23

Eugene Peterson [in The Message Bible] gives us a fresh look at a familiar passage.  He removes the ancient references to Roman armor and weaponry – which some will miss and even criticize – but he sustains the intensity of the battle that rages daily in our lives between the Devil and God!  Sometimes a fresh rendering gives us a renewed awakening!

^10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

^13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Wouldn’t it be great if Christians could get together once a week to share how the battle is going, where they’re weak, where they’re strong, to what extent we need help and how, and to pray specifically for and resource one another in these areas? 

Okay, okay, I’ve got my tongue in my cheek.  We do get together weekly – to a large extent – but there’s very little sharing about our struggles, weaknesses, failures and needs.  Instead, we fulfill a structured form of worship and listen to the results of one person’s study and reflection on the Word.  [I was that person for over forty years.] 

Two decades into the twenty-first century, I'm thinking that it might be time for a new reformation that sends the church back into the home [where it started in the first several centuries].  I’ve said for many years that one government decision could immediately close well over fifty percent of our churches.  That decision would be to tax the church!  We are vulnerable in a liberal, socialism-drifting culture!  The unimaginable has become the expected! 

The ‘underground church’ has met for centuries in secret in homes and other hidden places.  It still meets this way in many countries.  In reality, we might be wise to begin to reorganize the church in America to survive even tougher times that might lie ahead! 

Either way, we need to recapture the kind of environment that Paul portrays in this chapter!

·         Decreased formality

·         Increased intimacy

·         Consecrated and focused, specific prayer

“Be prepared.  You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.  Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet…Pray hard and long.  Pray for your brothers and sisters.  Keep your eyes open.  Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”

MUSTARD SEED AND LEAVEN

Romans 14:18-20

Jesus said, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” [v.18 NASB]  “How can I picture God’s kingdom for you?”  [v.18 TM]

He then lists two very commonplace items that the people of Israel would have been familiar with:  a mustard seed and leaven. 

        

     

The implication is obvious – right?  Jesus' teaching clearly describes the kingdom of God as something that increases – that multiplies – that grows!!

Isn’t it fair to say that a body of believers who identify themselves with Christ as His Church – would grow?

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In 2009, my conference superintendent, Paul Walters, came to visit me at New Middletown, Ohio.  We had seen good growth and were occasionally breaking the two-hundred barrier.  There was a great deal of excitement in the air and new believers were coming to faith in Christ and being trained and deployed.

He questioned me about the future for the church.  In all sincerity, I told him that if in three years the church was still a church of less than two-hundred, I would turn it back over to him to appoint a new pastor who could keep it growing and multiplying. 

Three years later, the church had plateaued at around 160.  It was still a vibrant church with exciting things happening, but something was wrong and I couldn’t figure it out.  Even though Paul was no longer my superintendent, I kept my word and left the church to new pastoral leadership.    

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If we are adhering to the principles that Christ taught and modeled, then we should see growth!  There should be a continuing influx of new believers who add enthusiasm, joy and new gifts and ideas to the body of Christ! 

However, this kind of growth is hindered in many churches by an entrenched guard who are reluctant to give up their role of influence and leadership.  New people are almost forced to endure a long period of waiting before they are given a ‘voice’ and an opportunity to flavor the ministry of the church.  This is NOT a good thing!  Even the youth of the church are rarely given an opportunity to express their opinions about the direction and life of the church – even though, in some cases, they are the maturing  sons and daughters of the key leaders! 

The wise pastor and church will ease the restrictions on participation in the leadership and influence of the church!  If a person shows the fruit of following Christ and has earnest desire to participate, they should be welcomed and given an opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions!  This is key to keeping the church growing!  

Terms like “the old guard” and “senior saints” are offensive and speak of an unwillingness to change!  Terms like this speak of a seniority that comes with time spent as part of the congregation.  They sound the death knell of the church if unchecked! 

New people and youth representatives –gauged by maturity and wisdom – need to be deliberately placed on decision-making boards and teams so that their influence can be considered and evaluated. 

Over forty+ years of pastoral leadership, I’ve had to deal with stubborn and ungodly leadership structures again and again.  It takes courage to challenge these entrenched systems.  People who have attained leadership and influential position can be very carnal and mean!  Manipulation, intimidation, and even threats of violence can characterize their behavior.  I could tell you stories!

Romans 14:17-20a [NASB]

“…the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God…”

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Lord of the Church,

There are many churches that haven’t had a new convert in years!  Wake them up!  Stir them into salvation-action! 

There are many churches experiencing leadership strife!  They are distracted and are filled with people who hold grudges and plan subversively.  Recapture their hearts and revolutionize them through Your love and compassion! 

Today we see lots of churches that are big enough to hide in!  And people go to these churches as consumers, knowing that they won’t be asked to do anything or accept any responsibility for the ministry of the body!  They want the benefits without making any investment.  Shake up their world enough to make them dependent on You again and then deploy them to serve!

Lord, the Church in our culture is weak and ineffective.  And as a result, it is shrinking!  Call visionary leaders who will be willing to work outside of established parameters – exercising dependence on only You!  Grant them Your favor as they influence others to give their lives to the kingdom of God! 

Help us to see a spiritual revolution in our land and in our day! 

For the Kingdom’s sake!  Amen.

WE NEED A MODERN DAY ZECHARIAH

 Zechariah 7 is a chilling chapter to read. 

Who is Zechariah? 

He was one of two prophets that God appointed to minister to Israel after she returned from the bondage of Babylon [the other was Haggai.]

Their approaches were very different!  Zechariah used visions to draw a picture of what could be if the people trusted and followed God! 

In this chapter, the people are trying to decide if they should have a special commemoration of the fall of Jerusalem 70 years earlier). 

God responds: “You’re interested in religion, I’m interested in people!”  [TM]

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It’s so easy for churches to get distracted!  We prop up traditions that no one remembers the meaning of.  We maintain programs for the sake of longevity!  We fail to evaluate the effectiveness or need for certain ministries. 

In this chapter, God reminds Israel what really matters:

“Treat one another justly.

Love your neighbors.

Be compassionate with each other.

Don’t take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor.

Don’t plot and scheme against one another – that’s evil.”  [vs.9-10]

Wait a minute!  Do you mean these things are more important than the big celebration we have planned?

YES!  These are the things that really matter to God!  These are the practices that He wants to use to define us! 

In Zechariah’s day, everyone was busy fixing up their own home and establishing norms for their lives after returning from seventy years in Babylon. 

Meanwhile, God’s house was still in ruins.  No one was working on it!  Worship experiences were a shambles.  And God sent two men to try to awaken the people and motivate them properly! 

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I know of two churches – in my limited purview – that are growing and healthy.  Neither of them are from my own tradition of Free Methodism. 

One of them I attend – Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  Some of its growth seems to be ‘transfer growth’, however this is going to happen to any church that shows signs of life and vitality! 

The other, I only know from its online presence.  I formerly was part of the Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio.  They recently had 900 attend their Easter services and are in a hopeful building campaign to increase their reach!

My own denomination recently reported a total USA/CANADA membership of 69,880.  Only ten to fifteen years ago the USA membership alone was close to 100,000. 

Are we distracted?  Have we lost our vision?  Perhaps we’re too busy copying one another’s methods instead of being independently creative and searching the mind and heart of God for our local situation? 

I’m no expert.  My opinion is just ‘my opinion’, but it seems clear that there is something wrong to be losing so many members! 

Almighty and Sovereign Lord,

Renew Your Church!

Call those who will SUBMIT to You and follow You!  Use lay people to stand up and speak their piece when pastors take sole control of the church!  WE ARE THE CHURCH!  Remind us of this and enable us to work steadily and in stride with You and Your Holy Spirit! 

Help us to see Spirit-change before it’s too late and You bring judgment on our nation and on the Church! 

For Jesus and His Kingdom’s sake.  Amen. 

EXPERIENCING GOD!

In the final chapter of Isaiah (66), God declares how displeased He is with the worship of His people.  God finds it to be vain, meaningless, and self-serving!  The people ignore God and His messages and do the very things that God has declared evil!  Some have remained faithful, but they are hated by their families who mock God and ridicule them! 

Here we have an incidence where the people are faithfully exercising the practice of worship and suddenly receive a message from God that their worship practices are missing the mark! 

How would that go down in our churches today if we were to suddenly get a message from God telling us that our worship is a colossal disappointment to Him? 

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I learned so much about worship over my years of leading the church!  My education began in my home church during my growing-up years.  It was impacted by worshipping in a very large campus church while I was in college.  Then it was further tempered by the seminary communities that I participated in for over a decade.  Then, suddenly, I was forming and leading worship in small Free Methodist churches.

I prepared studiously and read voraciously.  I experimented with various forms from liturgical to charismatic.  I sat at the feet of those who seemed to be most successful in growing great churches.  I read their books, visited their churches and attended their seminars.  I was not lacking in zeal or effort!

Over time, my passion became focused.  I wanted people to experience the presence of God the way I had experienced it so many times! 

During my thirteen years at the Oakland Church in East Liverpool, Ohio, I found quite a number of kindred spirits who worked with me to create a vibrant worshipping environment.  This coincided with the explosion of the praise and worship movement of the 1980’s and 1990’s.  God taught me so much during these years!

One example:

I began to notice that there were three sensitive women in that congregation who would often manifest the presence of God moving in our midst through the expression of tears.  As I would close services, if I saw these three women using handkerchiefs to wipe away tears, it was a signal to me that God was moving and I should tarry!  This signal never led me astray!

Then, in 1994, the book, EXPERIENCING GOD: HOW TO LIVE THE FULL ADVENTURE OF KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD, came out [by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King].  It was one of the most formative books I ever read – and I consumed it! 

I began to form and shape worship with the hope and intention that in the process of our worship, the people would ‘experience the presence of God!’  Frequently, I experienced the presence of God even while I was preaching!  I often had to take a moment to compose myself before I could continue!  Although a man who rarely experienced tears, they came frequently as I was trying to proclaim God’s Word!

My personal pilgrimage led to being the Lead Associate Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio, where I eventually became the worship leader.  Under Brenda Young’s superb and passionate leadership, this church was exploding with new believers!  Three packed-out services every Sunday were characterized by passion, spontaneity, and spiritual hunger!  People were clearly experiencing the presence of God! 

First-time attenders would often ask us why they couldn’t stop weeping throughout the service.  Over and over, Brenda and I got to explain to them that they were experiencing the presence of God!  It was something brand new to them!

When I returned to being a solo pastor in New Middletown, Ohio, after several years we participated in an awkward national survey where our people literally took about ten minutes during worship to fill it out.  It was sealed in an envelope and sent back to the creators.  Months later, we received the results of the survey and were totally blessed to find that a large percentage of our people reported that they regularly experienced the presence of God during worship!  By God’s grace and through His faithfulness, we were hitting the mark!  PTL!

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Years have passed.  I am now retired.  I no longer form worship.  I sit in the pew with everyone else.  I am worshiping in a tradition that is very formal and predictable.  I have great respect for the leadership of this church and am learning to love the people.  This church is growing – although some of this growth seems to be ‘transfer growth’ – which is inevitable when a church begins to see good things happen.

I yearn to experience the presence of God!  Don’t you?  Experiencing His presence exceeds any other thing I am capable of knowing in this world! 

Fanny Crosby [1820-1950] knew what I’m talking about.  She wrote about it in her hymn, “Blessed Assurance”:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Lord,

If these little glimpses/experiences I’ve had are a foretaste of glory divine, then I can’t wait to be with You forever!  Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Amen.