March 31, 2014

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein

"How Deep The Father's Love For Us"

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure

Lord God, Almighty One, Father in Heaven, Abba,

We sit in our little houses, surrounded by our little things, encapsulated in our own little lives, and we see no miracles. We pretend we're taking care of everything by ourselves. We lull ourselves to sleep without noticing Your love.

But then the snow geese pass. Flocks like clouds, singing Your praise, white bodies tipped with black and for a moment, our eyes awaken to the miracles.

The miracles of temps rising, of new life growing, of hearts changing. And as we see the miracles, we see the love behind them from You.

Help us to see Lord. Help us to be engulfed in Your love.

That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

And there's the greatest miracle of all--that You would love us enough to create us; and then to die for us. So many times, we wonder how You can forgive us; and yet You already did, 2000 years ago.

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

During this season of Lent, Father don't let us forget the cost. Help us be changed by it. May the cross make us grateful. Humble. And yet overwhelmingly confident in Your love.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

Lord, we want to confess for our people here on Fort Drum. We understand that all need to individually repent, but we corporately confess too. Forgive us for our pride. Forgive us for our egocentrism. Forgive us for thinking we don't need You. Forgive us for filling our need for You with so many other things like drinking and relationships and greed and busy-ness. So much busy-ness. Forgive us for not protecting the innocent. Forgive our foul, scoffing mouths. Forgive us for not seeking You.

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

It is finished. Lord help us to remember the chains of our sinful lives, without staying in them, without wallowing in them. Without saying 'your sacrifice wasn't enough, I still need to punish myself.'

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Easter is coming! And beyond that You are coming again! Lord, help us shout this out! Help us share the joy. Not the joy in the new dress or the eggs or the spring. The joy in You.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Great, unending love. And it is because of this we can pray. 

We pray You will guard the hearts of our deployed. May Your resurrection be real to them as never before in this season. We pray against the demonic spirit of suicide in our troops.

We pray for the Afghan elections. Lord, move in that country according to Your will, for the sake of the children. May these hard times be the catalyst for great things. Please give our soldiers wisdom and keep them safe during this process.

I see that Christian missionaries are able to reach Syrian refugees in Iraq. Wow Lord! How amazing the ways You work. Thank You for the sacrifices of our soldiers ten years ago that made this area a safe haven for these people now. May they continue to see Your hand and may they turn to You.

We pray for healing for our friends--for concussions and thyroids and miserable flu bugs and mysterious illnesses and pre-mie babies. We turn to You, our great Physician, recognizing that everything is a miracle.

We ask for Your wisdom Lord. How to help our children. The logistics of another move. How to serve our husbands. How to reach our neighbors. Please give Your words to our teachers this week.

Help us to live as deeply loved daughters this week.

We love You and Your Son's Name, Amen.

http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=577430