FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PEOPLE: HE LOVES YOU REGARDLESS
GOOD SON-DAY!!!
GREAT PERFORMANCES
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PEOPLE: HE LOVES YOU REGARDLESS
From
the start of my existence, Lord saw it fit to surround me an abundance of
sisters. It started with of seven them in my formative years and after
1980 that numbered more than doubled to a count 16, I love them all.
As
know, Jo and I connected with one in New York City. It was a great time for
all. We literally ran the streets taking in the sites. I even ran
them ragged going to every possible attraction on the densely populated
island. Even to the point where they were "no, mas", but I
pushed and pushed them to ensure the trip was completed and there would be no
regrets. I think it is fair to say that was accomplished.
This
was important to me to show my value as this trip was originally classified as
a "SISTERS" trip. Meaning, no menfolk are desired because it
disrupts the flow of sisterhood bonding. I get it. I could not
attend this trip and be Bobby Boring. I was not. Manhattan was lit with three
site seekers who were completely delighted by the attractions: nary a dull
moment due to my intensive itinerary.
On
the flight back to MSP, I was thinking to myself I did a Neil Armstrong thing
for all the brothers in our effort to establish loving relationships with our
sisters . . .
Neil
famously referred to the moon landing achievement as “one small step for a man,
one giant leap for mankind.” In this case, one giant step for
brother-kind.
Recently,
Jo told me the trip was entertaining and more of her sisters are interested
doing what we did. A grin formed my face only to be dismantled by the
next statement. "You cannot come to the next trip. I could lose my
sisters' license".
Wait,
what???!!!
Jo,
"Yes, your herculean efforts that led to a fantastic experience in New York were
appreciated, but we are going in a different direction, thank you, sir".
In an instant, I was summarily dismissed, laid off, fired, handled, pink slipped, axed by my wife and sisters of 42 years.
There
was a quick rush of dismay and bewilderment. Yet, I accepted their
decision and wish them the very best in their outing and hope it's better than
the one I attended with them because I love them.
One of the components of love is it is unrequited meaning it expects nothing in return and derives joy from giving and not keep records of the giving or dismissals.
In
John 5, On the Sabbath, Christ heals a man of heals a man who for a long term
could not walk. Here is the passage starting at verse two.
Near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda (i.e. House of Mercy & Grace), with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!
Understand Jesus did more than healed this man, he purged the stigma and pain of being a "cursed sinner". At that time, if you had disabilities, society assumed it was because you were a sinner, or your parents were sinners and you were to by default. You were treated less than human and with utter disdain.
Yet when the Jewish leaders questioned the healed man about the greatest thing that has ever happened to him, he didn't exactly come to Christ's defense or give Him a ringing endorsement. Take look here later in John 5.
9 But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”
11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”
12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded.
13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd
Later Jesus finds this man and gives him the absolute loving advice for a better life (BTW like He always does with us) . . .
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
Despite all this Jesus loves this man and then gives the man a second dosage love.
Outstanding! Jesus is doing this in your life today. He loves giving you love. Reciprocate!
SONG OF THE WEEK
"It's Going to Rain", Silver Anniversary Concert Album, 1975, O'Neal Twins (Edward & Edgar)
They were a longtime Saint Louis duo who brought a mid-south sound to the Gospel scene. This song took a heap lot of research to find. The song is a Gospel classic.
Jo said was a staple at the roller rink every Sunday night and all of her skating will think on this song fondly.
The song is 11 minutes long. Don't cut it off. Give it a chance. the video is pulled straight from a phonograph. It was accomplished quite well. Enjoy the white belt and white shoes. Back in the day, this was the thang. I love Timmy Hines on the bass. He drives this song with some definitive funky licks (no slapping---but who cares) with his drummer, Sam Harris Enjoy all of the instrumental solos.
Lyrics
It's gonna rain, It's gonna rain
Better get ready, bear this in mind
God showed Noah the rainbow sign
No more water, but fire next time
No more water, but fire next time
It's gonna rain, It's gonna rain
Better get ready, better get right
God showed Noah the rainbow sign
No more water, but fire next time
No more water, but fire next time
Way back in the bible daysNoah told the people it's gonna rainBut when he told them they paid him no mindAnd when it happened they were left behind
It's gonna rain, It's gonna rain
Better get ready, bear this in mind
God showed Noah the rainbow sign
No more water, but fire next time
No more water, but fire next time
Noah said I'm sorry my friendGod's got the key you can't get inIf something don't happen to the hearts of manSame thing is gonna happen again
It's gonna rain, It's gonna rain
Better get ready, bear this in mind
God showed Noah the rainbow sign
No more water, but fire next time
No more water, but fire next time
Ooooooo
No More Water (8 times), Fire next time (repeat this sequence)
Fire next time
Next time repeated
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