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Whatever is Pure
July 2008
Whatever is Pure - July 2008
"I Told You Twice - Isn't that Enough?"
A man sits at the kitchen table, waiting for his dinner to appear. From his vantage, he can spy his wife stomping around in the kitchen, slamming pots in the sink, spooning food onto plates with violence not at all necessary as the potatoes are already mashed. As his dish is placed before him, it rattles from the force that was used to set it down. Silently, balefully, his wife pours a mug of coffee, setting down with equal force. Opening his mouth to ask for a napkin to deal with the spill, he thinks better of it; his mate's baleful glare silences him. The tension is palatable, making the meal very unpalatable. Finally, he garners up the courage to look across the table and ask. "Is there anything wrong, dear?"
The wife dramatically lifts her hand, raises one finger and points to the wall calendar. A red heart, with the single letter "A" in its center, highlights the days date. "You missed our anniversary -- again. You didn't even give me a card. How could you! And here I cooked you your favourite meal and wore a pretty dress just for you. Forty years married and you never tell me you love me. I've had it up to here! I want a divorce!"
Bewildered, the old man protests. "But, I told you I loved you the day I asked you to marry me, I told you again for good measure the day we were wed. I figured if I had changed my mind, I'd have let you know."
An amusing story that I have no doubt you've probably heard before. This joke came to mind during a worship service one Sunday morning.I was tired, I was in pain and my mind was wandering. I was quickly distracted by anything that crossed my vision; a sweet little girl in her father's arms, a young couple who were newly engaged. A noisy two year old having the beginnings of a major melt down. Tsk. I noticed a dear friend who I hadn't seen in months enter in the sanctuary and couldn't wait for worship to end so I could go and greet them during fellowship time. Oh was that gum on the bottom of the chair in front of me? All the while, I sang along as the worship team lead the congregation, having memorized most of the lyrics.
Suddenly, I heard a wee small voice deep inside my heart, a wry amused voice perhaps. "Excuse me, I hate to interrupt but isn't this about you and Me? Remember Me? That's me who you are singing about, you know. I'm right here.... Yoo Hoo!" There was not a baleful condemnation in the simple request for me to pay heed. "I've been waiting for you, waiting for you to come into my presence. I'd love to know what you think about me. I've been thinking about you all week."
Ashamed, I apologized to the Lover of my soul. As I gazed toward the front of our meeting place, I saw the communion table and remembered the greatest demonstration of love any prospective groom could give to his beloved - his sacrifice through his shed blood on the cross and his victory over death. Although he more than demonstrated his everlasting, overwhelming, unquenching love for me on the cross, he consciously chose to send me reminders each day of that love; revealing how much he loved me through his words and his deeds. I remembered the words of encouragement he had blessed me as I listened to his Word and the warmth of his affection toward me. I apologized again -- and felt his forgiveness and an invitation to draw in to closer fellowship with Him, it was all that was desired from me that day.
God does not hold resentment or bitterness in his heart when I fail to tell him of my love for him but his heart aches for that intimacy with me. He does not need my love to complete him; he is complete within himself. However, he longs for all my heart, all my mind - all my undivided devotion to be his as he draws near to me.
© 2008 Katherine Walden
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Mine
From The Immortal King Jesus
To My Bride
Betrothed you are to Me and My heart is set on you longing.
Precious you are beyond the stars up in the night sky.
Intently I brood over you with a love that surpasses all.
I live and breath you and I am captivated at the sight of you.
When you approach Me, My eyes light up as the morning.
When you approach Me, My heart beats fast.
When you approach Me, I'm overwhelmed with the thought of being near to you.
When I see you drawing near, I stand up consumed by your beauty.
Captivated by the essence of your praise.
Thrilled at your voice in tender worship.
Saturated with the thoughts of being close to you I AM!
Captured with the thoughts to feel your head rest in peace upon my bosom.
You are, yes you are Mine, and I am Yours!
Forever enjoined to you,
I'll never let go for your value to me surpasses My life.
My life to trickle to the earth,
The drops shaking the foundtions of the world.
You are My desire, forever enshrined upon the walls of My heart to stay.
© 2007 By The Hand of His Child, Jeffrey R Anderson
It Is Not Enough
It is not enough to say I love you
It’s in actions it must be seen
It’s not enough to strike out on your own
We must walk where Jesus has been
It’s not enough to say I forgive you
If it doesn’t come right from the heart
It’s not enough to say I’m sorry
If there’s bitterness there from the start
It’s not enough to stand outside the door
When Father says come in side
It is not enough to wear sin stained garments
When Father wants a spotless bride
It wont be enough to make excuses
If Jesus were to come today
There wont be the time to repent on your knees
The will be no time to pray
It is not enough to say I love you
It’s in actions it must be seen
Someday
It’s Saturday night in Bethany. Simon, formerly “the leper,” has invited Jesus and his disciples over for dinner. Lazarus’ sister enters, trembling. She carries an alabaster jar of perfume. Not the cheap stuff. This is pure nard. Worth a year’s wages. Mary opens the jar and pours. The sweet fragrance of extravagant love bathes the entire room.*
When was the last time you expressed love extravagantly? I don’t mean wantonly or recklessly - there’s a proper time and place - but generously, with joyous abandon? Or are you holding back, linking arms with Someday...?
“Someday we’ll have them over for dinner.”
“Let’s get together someday.”
“We’ll take that family vacation someday. The kids will understand.”
“Someday I’ll remember her birthday.”
“I’ll give him a call someday.”
Ever notice how “Somedays” arrive with the frequency of Haley’s Comet? That calendars too often take precedence over caring? That concocting excuses is more important than connecting? Or that weeds of neglect wither the flower of friendship?
The truth is, “somedays” never come. So plant the garden. Cultivate that friendship. Buy the gift, send the card, offer the hug. Make the apology. Slow down and think for a minute. Is there a call you need to make? A letter you need to mail? An invitation to extend, an email to send - or respond to? Do it now.
Mary knew that extravagant love is meant to be shared. What good is perfume if it never escapes the jar?
* Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-11.
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