"When you begin to think outside the box, you often become some other "leaders" lousy follower. That usually costs something" (Andy Rayner)

"Our guardian angels are bored." (Mike Foster)

It's where I feel I'm at these days. “In the second half of life, it is good just to be a part of the general dance. We do not have to stand out, make defining moves, or be better than anyone else on the dance floor. Life is more participatory than assertive, and there is no need for strong or further self-definition” (Falling Upward. Richard Rohr.120).

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Jesus Loves Me For Seniors

A church in Atlanta was honoring one of its seniorpastors who had been retired many years. He was 92at that time and I wondered why the church evenbothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.
After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker,and as the applause quieted down, he rose from hishigh back chair and walked slowly, with great effort
and a sliding gait to the podium.
Without a note or written paper of any kind he placedboth hands on the pulpit to steady himself and thenquietly and slowly he began to speak....

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life
and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me...
The only thing that would comfort was this verse....

"Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
We are weak but He is strong.....
Yes, Jesus loves
The Bible tells me so."

The old pastor stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me '
(for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could
see they knew it the best."

"Here for you now is a Senior version of Jesus Loves 
Me": 
JESUS LOVES ME 

Jesus loves me, this I know, 
Though my hair is white as snow 
Though my sight is growing dim, 
Still He bids me trust in Him. 

(CHORUS) 
YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. 
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. 

Though my steps are oh, so slow, 
With my hand in His I'll go 
On through life, let come what may, 
He'll be there to lead the way. 
(verse 2) 
When the nights are dark and long, 
In my heart He puts a song 
Telling me in words so clear, 
"Have no fear, for I am near." 
(Verse 3) 
When my work on earth is done, 
And life's victories have been won. 
He will take me home above, 
Then I'll understand His love. 
(CHORUS) 

I love Jesus, does He know? 
Have I ever told Him so? 
Jesus loves to hear me say, 
That I love Him every day. 

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