We live in times of trouble. It’s never easy to know what to do with that. It’s good to have friends, family and others who help us find our way through. As we help those around us alleviate their suffering, we even find a lightening of our own load.
I recall the words spoken a long time ago, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Here’s a prayer that the Creator of the universe would help us find that promised rest, even in times of trouble.
“Times of Trouble”, authored by John Moore, 2020. Vocals and guitar by John.
Help us, Lord, through these times of trouble. Lend a helpin’ hand.
All around there’s hearts a breakin’, cryin’ throughout the land.
Thank You for your mercies. Thank You for your love.
All your lovin'kindness, flowin’ down from above.
Show us, Lord, how to share the load; free the burdened soul,
All the ones who have been forsaken, longin’ to be made whole.
Thank You for your mercies. Thank You for your love.
All your lovin'kindness, flowin’ down from above.
Fill us, Lord, with a gentle spirit; there for all to see.
All our worries are overflowin’; take ‘em all and set us free.
Thank You for your mercies. Thank You for your love.
All your lovin'kindness, flowin’ down from above.
You alone, Lord, are our refuge; a shelter in the storm.
There are those who say that it was a terrible miscarriage of justice when, around 2,000 years ago, an innocent man was falsely accused, tortured and crucified. I’d have to agree, except for one thing. The innocent man voluntarily chose to take the place of the guilty ones, so that they could go free. This makes no sense until we dig a little deeper and discover a larger plan that was designed to upend evil and set right a world of wrongs.
Peter, a close friend of the innocent man, wrote the following:
“…Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly…”
“Entrust Myself To You”, authored by John Moore, 2020. Vocals and guitar by John.
The other day, a guy gets in my way.
Then he throws me a dirty glare.
So I raise my fist, poke his stink-eye with my finger.
I hear my wife say, “No need to stoop to that.”
When I am insulted, Lord help me not retaliate.
When I’m made to suffer, Lord help me make no threats.
Whatever I’m tempted or led to do, help me entrust myself to You.
Lord, help me entrust myself to You.
The other night, they take a sister’s life.
A church building burns to the ground.
So I raise my voice, questioning, “What the hell?”
I hear someone say, “You need to trust He’s there.”
When we are insulted, Lord help us not retaliate.
When we're made to suffer, Lord help us make no threats.
Whatever we're tempted or led to do, help us entrust ourselves to You.
Lord, help us entrust ourselves to You.
The other day, a word gets in my way,
“Bless, don’t curse, when evil comes.”
So I raise my cry, “I still want an eye for an eye!”
I hear it said, “That leaves us all blind.”
When we are insulted, Lord help us not retaliate.
When we're made to suffer, Lord help us make no threats.
Whatever we're tempted or led to do, help us entrust ourselves to You.
Lord, help us entrust ourselves to You.
“…so let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone...” (written around 50 AD by Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, to friends in the region of Galatia)
“…come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” (spoken around 30 AD by Jesus to the crowds surrounding him in the region of Israel)
Whether I’m laboring or at leisure, experiencing joy or sorrow…
…I can always find hope, rest, encouragement and strength in the best Friend a person could ever wish for.
(Serene sunrise over Lake Erie. Who ever came up with such an idea and how do they orchestrate it day after day? c. John Moore)
"Be Still", authored by Isaac Slade (the Fray), 2012. Vocals and guitar by John.
Although there is no guarantee of how many tomorrows we’ll have on this earth, we find some interesting and compelling affirmations and evidences for a secure tomorrow in eternity.
(Den H., why are RVs so enticing? May we continue celebrating many more tomorrows! c. John Moore)
"Hey Tomorrow", authored by Jim Croce, 1968. Vocals and guitar by John.