Tuesday, June 27,
2023
MY FAR-FLUNG FRIENDS
John 10:16
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 17:24
24 Father, I will
that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may
behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the
foundation of the world.
These two
Scriptures, probably ripped from their context, provide the launch
for today’s thoughts. Easily seen in both is Jesus’ desire to gather and be
WITH his friends. He made it a part of His High Priestly prayer. “Father, they
are widely scattered. I want them to be with me.”
As a retired pastor, I have a large
collection of far-flung friends. In over a half century of ministry, I have called
many regions home. I have friends in Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Boston,
Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Montana, Colorado, Papua New
Guinea, England, The Philippines, Brazil, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Oh,
how I would love to gather them together that they could be where I am. That would be heaven!
I have learned that my enemies
are fewer than I imagine and that my friends are far more. Greater Vision recorded a song that tells my story.
FACES
I dreamed my life
was done
I stood before God's
son
It was time to
see what my reward would be
With love he
reviewed my life
To count what was
done for Christ
For that is what
will last eternally
See I'd done my
best to share
That Jesus really
cares
And he would save
if they just believe
Oh, but seldom
did harvest come
And so few did I
see won
Until the lord
said, "turn around and see."
()
Then he showed me
the faces of the ones who'd come because of me
So many faces
that my life had led to Calvary
All those years I
thought nobody saw as I labored in lowly places
That's when Jesus
smiled and showed me all the faces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhBoTAYbRuI
Blessed art Thou, O Lord my God, King of the universe, who blessed me
with far-flung friends. AMEN
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