Alert! Support Your Missionary!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:13-15&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2028:18-20&version=NIV1984

I still remember the first time I ever heard or saw a missionary.  It was in the mid-60's at our little Free Methodist Church in Niagara Falls, New York.  The pastor’s son had been a missionary to Africa.  One Sunday there was a table inside the sanctuary that had all kinds of artifacts from Africa.  I think there was a piece of ivory tusk.  About the size of a key fob.  A couple of objects were made out of cast iron.  There was a map.  And some photographs.  The display was very interesting.  Exotic.  To a young teenager they represented adventure.  Excitement.  Enchantment.

Funny, after all these years, this is the way that many people still think about missionaries.  They have it made.  They get to live in a foreign land.  Eat foreign food.  Speak a foreign language.  Get to see all kinds of cool and strange sites.  Plus, they are making an impact for God!  Who could ask for anything more?  Certainly missionary life must rank right up there as the most exciting thing a person could ever do with their life, right?  Well, yes and no.

Yes, being a missionary and taking the Gospel to people who may have never heard the name of Jesus is one of the greatest privileges this side of Heaven.  No, being a missionary is not all fun-and-games.  The reality is that being a missionary is lot like going to war.  War seems very romantic until people start shooting at you.  And people die.  Being a missionary also seems very romantic.  Until you find out just how difficult it can be.

Yesterday at church I shared a newsletter from one of our missionaries.  Or ‘international workers’ as they are now known.  The letter details what it was like to return back to the field after a 6 month stretch at home.  Here’s what she encountered on her first day back:

    •  The land under the front gate to her apartment had settled, meaning that she couldn’t get her vehicle in or out of the apartment complex.  The gate is for protection from thieves.

    •  The land under the awning that acted as her car port had also settled, pulling the awning almost completely away from the building it had been attached to.  She couldn’t park her car under it because if the awning fell it would damage her car.

    •  Her telephone wasn’t working.

    •  The cable for her internet service had been down for 3 months.

    •  Millions of tiny ants had taken up residence in the house.  No food can be left out anywhere for more than 5 minutes before it attracts the ants.

    •  She decided to wash some bedding (good idea) but the water was muddy.

    •  On her 3rd filling of the washer (the water was now clean) she threw in her sheets.  In a matter of moments she saw something else inside the tub.  Cockroaches!  They had made the tub their home.  She drained the washing machine and started all over.

    •    She went to open the safe where she had put her driver’s license and extra local currency.  She wanted to put her passport and other valuables in it.  The safe wouldn’t open.

    •    Several members of her ministry team are leaving the country shortly.  Permanently.  A program that she was involved with last year that had 100 students is now down to a handful.

Can you say, discouraged?  Depressing?  Overwhelming?  This is missionary life.  Oh, not every day.  But on more days than we could ever imagine.  The fact is that missionaries serve in various countries around the world at a cost.  Far away from family and friends.  In a culture that is foreign to them.  Rarely getting to speak their own language.  At the risk of thieves.  And bodily harm.  Driving down poorly-maintained highways and bridges.  Where few people observe the traffic laws.  Trying to reach people who are suspicious of them.  Trying to work with national church leaders who may be difficult to work with.  Or who are more interested in status than they are the lost.  All of these elements can combine at times to discourage even the most optimistic of missionaries.

This is why they need our support.  Our prayers.  Our money.  Our contact.  E-mails.  Letters.  Cards.  (Where such correspondence is not going to jeopardize their ministry.)  A package or gift from time to time.  These kinds of things help a missionary to know that they are not alone.  That others back home are thinking of them.  And haven't forgotten them.

So support your missionaries.  Pray.  Give.  Keep in contact where you can.  Make them aware of your presence.  They desperately need it.  And it is our duty.  After all, it is our place they are taking!

Lord, I thank you for the thousands of missionaries all around the world who are serving You.  Many in difficult places.  Where life is not comfortable.  Or easy.  Where Satanic opposition is strong.  Protect them, Lord.  Encourage them.  Strengthen them.  Help that the message they bear will be heard.  That many lives will be changed.  Help me to do my part in supporting them.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Happy Birthday, Beth!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%202:18-25&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:10&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012:4&version=NIV1984

Today is my wife’s birthday.  Happy Birthday, Beth!  Unfortunately I will get no points for posting this because she never reads my blog!  Oh, well.  Happy Birthday anyway!

Way back in Genesis 2:18, the very first thing that God said wasn’t good in all of His creation was that Adam was alone.  And this is despite the fact that Adam already had a relationship with Him!  So, the way that God designed humans is for 2 kinds of relationship - one with Him and one with fellow human beings.  The most intimate of these human relationships is marriage.  One man and one woman coming together as one flesh.  So God made Eve.  Not from the dust of the earth like He had Adam.  But from one of Adam’s rib.  So Eve really was an extension of Adam.  You can’t get any closer than that.  What a wonderful picture of closeness this is.

In thinking about Beth, as I’ve said before, if there is one word that I would use to describe her it is servant.  She serves so well.  Much better than I do.  She serves all the time.  Me.  The kids.  The grandkids.  Others.  And she serves so well.  And without complaining.  In fact, in a very real sense, she lives to serve.  No wonder why I admire her so.  She is amazing! 

The truth is that in a lot of marriages, a spouse gets taken for granted.  That is always sad.  I don’t know that I’m an especially enlightened guy.  If I am it’s due to the fact that I work with people all the time and do a far amount of pre-marital counseling.  So I have come to realize just how much Beth does.  And how valuable she is to me and our family.  I would have to say that she is the glue of our family.  While I’m working, or playing with the grandkids, she’s the one who keeps in touch with everyone.  She pretty much keeps her finger on the pulse of everyone’s health and welfare.  She also arranges the social calendar.  And she is absolutely indispensable come the holidays.  This is in addition to all the other things that she does (buy groceries, prepare the meals, do the laundry, keep the house neat and clean, picks up things for the kids, etc.) on a regular basis.

At this point in time we’ve been together for so long that I can hardly remember when she wasn’t a part of my life.  She has been there every step of the way.  Through good times and bad.  She has loved me for who I am.  And put up with my drivenness.  My complaining.  And even my driving!  She was willing to leave her aging Dad & Mom behind so that I could attend Bible College at age 35.  What is really amazing about this is that she was their only daughter.  And being as quiet and shy as she is, she was willing take on the role of pastor’s wife.  There is no doubt in my mind that she is going to receive some fantastic rewards in Heaven as a result of her sacrifices.  I wouldn’t be in ministry today if it weren’t for her.

Perhaps the best thing that I can say about Beth is that I am a better man for having married to her.  God has used her to shape my life in so many good ways.  I am proud of her.  And extremely thankful.  Many years ago God answered my prayer for a good, godly wife beyond what I expected.  Or deserved.

So Happy Birthday honey.  I hope you have a great day celebrating who you are.  The woman God has made you to be.  My prayer is that you will have many more birthdays.  So that we all can continue to enjoy you.  And be blessed by you. 

Lord, I thank you for my wife.  For the incredible, amazing woman she is.  May You bless her today.  Help her to know how much she means to me.  Our children.  Our grandchildren.  And to so many others.  And may she have an awareness of how much she means to You.  Continue to give her strength, patience, wisdom, peace and love on a daily basis.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friday The 13th. Do You Believe? Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%204:11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Neh%209:6&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov%2016:9&version=NIV1984

Yesterday we looked at superstition.  As exhibited by fear of Friday the 13th.  And other such superstitions.  We also saw that superstition is belief in the supernatural.  That unseen forces are at work in our lives.  That our lives are affected by doing or not doing certain things.  Or wearing or not wearing certain objects.  So, is Christianity nothing more than superstition?  Is it OK for Christians to observe certain superstitions?  Or should we avoid them altogether?

I suppose that some people would say that all religions (including Christianity) falls under the category of superstition.  Since they basically believe in the supernatural and that supernatural forces are at work in the world and in our lives.  Unfortunately, since Christianity is now about 2000 years old, a great deal of superstition has crept into it over the centuries.  Beads.  Candles.  Statutes.  Holy Water.  Wearing a cross.  Repeating the Lord’s Prayer.  So to the uninitiated observer, Christianity does seem to contain a lot of superstition.  But in the classic sense, we find that there is a great deal of difference between Christianity and superstition.

I have created the following comparison so that you can see the differences, side-by-side:

                   Superstition                                  Christianity
                   - promotes fear                            - promotes confidence
                   - rooted in ignorance                     - rooted in knowledge
                   - happenstance/random                 - divinely-inspired
                   - random routines/rituals                - specific disciplines

As Christians, while we believe in the supernatural, we believe that God rules our lives.  Not fate.  Or chance.  Or some nebulous, supernatural force.  We also believe that the way in which God acts is measured.  Thought out.  Planned.  There is nothing even remotely random about what He does.  And He has full control over our lives.  As Jesus said, even the very hairs of our heads are numbered.  So we don’t need to rely upon some sort of superstition to either assist or defend us.  God does this for us.  And He does it in response, not to rituals, but to spiritual disciplines - prayer, Scripture, fasting, etc.  The end result is that we don’t have to live in fear of the supernatural.  Our God has everything in control and this gives us confidence.  The fact is that Friday the 13th is no different than any other day.  Every day is an opportunity to worship, trust and serve God.

So don’t let superstitions run your life.  Every time you observe one, you diminish not only your own faith in God but the faith of others around you.  God has something far better than that for us.  Faith in Him, the Faithful God.  The knowable God.  The all-powerful God.  The loving God.

Lord, I thank you that I don’t have to worry about protecting myself from curses.  Or accidents.  Or bad luck.  That I don’t have to rely on any superstitions for assistance.  Or good luck.  All I need is faith.  Faith in the Faithful One.  Who saved me.  Protects me.  Guides me.  Loves me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Friday The 13th. Do You Believe? Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%204:7&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%204:3-4&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+18:9-11&version=NIV1984

Today is that day.  You know what day.  Friday the 13th.  Yeah, that day.  It is the ‘unlucky’ day.  The day when bad things happen.  You know, you drop you Big Mac on the floor.  Your toilet overflows.  Your vehicle breaks down.  You are involved in an accident.  Perhaps someone even dies.  It’s all because it’s Friday the 13th.  The unluckiest of unlucky days.  As a result, we need to be extra careful.  Don’t drive too fast.  In fact, you might be better off not to drive at all.  And whatever you do, don’t climb a ladder.  Or on a chair.  If you do, you know that there is a 100% chance that you’re going fall and break something.  In your body.  The bad news is that this year has 3 Friday the 13th’s.  Today, April & July.  Talk about an unlucky year.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

I tried to do a little research into Friday the 13th and was shocked to find that it is of rather recent origin.  There is no known reference to this infamous day before the 19th century.  And it has only been in the past century that belief in it has really exploded.  It seems most likely that Friday the 13th is a combination of 2 unlucky entities, Friday and the number 13.  Friday has been seen as an unlucky day for a couple thousand years.  Jesus was crucified on a Friday.  In ancient Rome it was the day for executions.  (I guess if you were one of those getting executed, it would be unlucky!)  In the intervening centuries, without any Biblical support, it is also thought that Adam & Eve fell into sin on a Friday.  That God changed the language of the builders of the Tower Of Babel on Friday.  That Noah’s flood began on a Friday.  And that Solomon’s Temple was destroyed on a Friday.  So, Friday has been viewed as a very unlucky day.

As far as the number 12 is concerned, in numerology, it is the number of completeness.  Again, referring to the Bible, there are 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples.  There are also 12 hours in a day.  12 months in the year.  And 12 signs in the Zodiac.  So, the number 13, since it exceeds 12, has been viewed as irregular.  And therefore unlucky.  As case in point is that there were 13 people present at the Last Supper.  One of them, Jesus, died soon afterwards.  As a result of its unluckiness, most hotels don’t have a 13th floor.  Many airports don’t have a 13th gate.  And airplanes don’t have a 13th aisle.  So when you combine unlucky Friday with the unlucky number 13, you get the unluckiest day of the year - Friday the 13th.

What is amazing, is how many people let superstition rule their lives.  Currently, Friday the 13th is regarded as the most popular superstition in America.  This is why some people refuse to go to work on this day.  And why others won’t eat in a restaurant.  And why there aren’t very many couples getting married.  Something about bad luck.  Why take the chance?  But there are other superstitions that we also observe.  We follow horoscopes.  And avoid black cats.  And walking under ladders.  We collect 4 leaf clovers.  And put horseshoes above our doors.  There are many other superstitions that we also follow.

I don’t know if its’ more so than the average person, but athletes have long been known to be superstitious.  For example, you will see some baseball players make the sign of the cross before they go up to bat.  Others have a ‘lucky’ cap, or socks, or jewelry that they wear.  Then there are ‘rally’ caps in baseball, where everyone on a team turns their cap backwards in order to come from behind in a game.  Really?  If this actually worked wouldn’t it be advisable to wear your cap backward all the time?  My favorite superstition is in football.  It’s the end of the game.  A game-winning field goal is about to be attempted.  The TV cameras show the sidelines.  What’s this?  Ten or so players (rough, tough, grown men), from the kicking team, all locking arms, kneeling on the ground?  Why?  Because they believe it gives them good luck!  Only belief in a superstition could get grown men to do something like this on national TV!

What is superstition?  Basically, it is a belief in the supernatural.  That unseen forces are at work in our lives.  Everyday.  That our lives are affected by doing or not doing certain things.  Or wearing or not wearing certain objects.  So how should we, as Christians, view superstitions?  Is it the same as Christianity?  Is there any value in following them?  Or harm in not following them?  I will cover this in tomorrow’s post.

Lord, I thank you that my faith is more than myth and superstition.  I thank you that it rests in You, the ultimate reality.  Help me to resist the temptation to treat my faith in a superstitious manner. To always be careful to live in such a way as in keeping with Scripture.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+84:3&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hab%203:17-18&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040:31&version=NIV1984

A continuation of yesterday's post.  I couldn’t help but be reminded of the song, His Eye Is On The Sparrow.  You don’t hear that song much anymore.  I think I first heard it on a Billy Graham crusade on TV.  It was sung by the great Ethel Waters.  She sang it only like she could sing it.  Slow.  Smiling.  With plenty of feeling.  You can view her singing it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Jmu0zG9rE This might be the original broadcast I saw many years ago.

I found the background to the song on cyberhymnal.org.  It was written by Mrs Civila Martin.  She later wrote about the inspiration behind her song.  “Early in the Spring of 1905 my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York.  We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle — true saints of God.  Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years.  Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair.  Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.  One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it.  Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”  The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me.  The hymn, His Eye Is On The Spar-row, was the outcome of that experience.”  The day after she wrote this poem, Civila mailed a copy of it to Charles Gabriel, who then came up with a tune for it.  The rest, as they say, is history.  In the hundred years since, the song has been a comfort and inspiration to millions.  I hope that it does the same for you.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion, my constant friend is He,

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me,

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears,

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see,

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me,

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free,

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me,

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Lord, I thank you for Your great love of me.  If You care about the tiniest sparrow, then You certainly care about me.  May the beauty of this thought bring me encouragement.  Today and every day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Birds, God And Us

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2010:28-31&version=NIV1984

This morning, since the house was quiet, I decided to do my devotions in the living room.  Instead of in my study.  As I was sitting there, the sun was shining in the window.  Outside, in the bush in our front yard, my eye noticed some activity.  It was some birds.  There were several small ones in the branches. Probably sparrows.  I watched them for a couple minutes.  One thing about birds is that they are never still.  On one branch.  Then on another.  Bob this way and then that way.  Fly to the ground.  Fly back to the branch.  It’s like they’ve all had too much caffeine!

As I watched them, a thought came to my mind.  Throughout the course of a week I rarely, if ever, notice birds.  Unless one were to attack me or to fly into my windshield, they are invisible to me.  And yet they are all around.  Everywhere.  Chances are that if you walked to a window, or stood outdoors right now (assuming that it’s not dark), you would see all kinds of bird activity in your neighborhood as well.  As I was thinking, it occurred to me that it would be nice sometime to take about a half hour, or maybe even just 15 minutes, and observe the birds.  They are a part of God’s beautiful creation yet I almost never take the time to watch them.  To appreciate them.  To admire them.  Because I’m too busy.  Because I am preoccupied.  With life.

So, after a few minutes of watching the birds, I began my daily Bible reading.  I was in Matthew 10.  Part way through the chapter Jesus mentions sparrows.  Wow.  Was that a coincidence or what?  I would say that God was trying to get my attention.  Just exactly what is He trying to tell me?  I think it’s that I have worth to Him.  That even though He is busy running the entire universe, that even though there are 6+ billion people on this planet, He notices me.  Me!  I’m not sure that my finite mind can comprehend it, but He takes the time to observe me as I go about my daily activities.  He watches me going from here to there and back again.  And somehow, by watching me, He appreciates me for who I am.  For who He created me to be.  And best of all, He cares for me.  He gives me food.  And rest.  And a roof over my head.  He also gives me strength.  And peace.  And guidance.  And people who love me and who care about me.  And so much more. 

And God feels exactly the same way about you!  As you go back and forth during your day, God sees you.  He watches you.  With love.  With fascination.  With wonder.  He marvels at His creative genius in how He designed you.  And He thinks to Himself, “I did a great job with that one!”  You are of great value to God.  You are a part of His personal treasure.  You are of greater worth than many sparrows.  What a thought!

So as you go about your day today, or tomorrow, look for the birds.  They are all around you.  Flying here and there.  Being taken care of by their Creator.  Take a few moments to observe them.  To appreciate them.  To admire them.  Then remember this:  The same Creator who made them, made you.  He watches you.  And takes care of you.  And loves you.  And delights in you.  This alone ought to make your day.  I know it does mine!

Lord, I thank you for the times that You speak to me.  As you did this morning.  In a completely unexpected and meaningful way.  I am glad that You drew my attention to birds.  How You love them.  And take care of them.  And how You love and take care of me.  Thank you for the encouragement.  May it bring joy and gratefulness to my day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Life And My New Weather Station

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016:1-3&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2013:5&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Jesus+Christ%2C+yesterday&qs_version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2034:18&version=NIV1984

When I was a child one of the many interests I had was the weather.  Being curious and wanting to learn, I did what I always did.  I checked books out of the public library.  On weather.  And read them.  Then I got myself a composition notebook.  With the standard black & white cover of those days.  Inside I began to keep a log of the weather each day.  The temperature.  The condition of the sky.  Sunny.  Cloudy.  Foggy.  The types of clouds.  Cirrus.  Stratus.  Cumulus.  One thing I always wanted (but never got) was an anemometer.  An anemometer measures wind speed.

For Christmas this year my wife bought me an automated weather station.  It has a sensor outside that transmits the weather conditions to the indoor station. At the top it records the current temperature outside as well as the humidity.  It also keeps track of the high and low temperatures for the day.  At the bottom of the weather station is the indoor information.  Current temperature and humidity.  And current time and date.  In the center is the current weather condition outside, notated by symbols.  Then, just to the right of that, is the barometer.  The barometer measures barometric pressure.  This is very important because it says a lot about the weather you are currently having.  And will have in the near future.

There are 3 main readings of the barometer.  Rising.  Falling.  Steady.  That’s it.  A rising barometer means that a high pressure system in approaching.  A high pressure system always means good weather.  A falling barometer means that a low pressure system is approaching.  A low pressure system always means bad weather.  A steady barometer means more of the same weather pattern that you’re already in.  The faster that the barometer changes (going either up or down) the faster the weather pattern will change.  Now, as I said, when the barometric pressure goes up, the weather is good.  Sunny.  Lack of wind.  These are the gorgeous days that we enjoy in the summer.  However, when the barometric pressure goes down, trouble is ahead.  Thunderstorms.  Snow storms.  The lower the pressure goes, the worse the weather gets.  Severe thunderstorms.  Blizzards.  Tornadoes.  Hurricanes.

As I proudly looked at my weather station one night and saw the barometer I thought of how it was just like life.  Life is basically a series of highs and lows.  The highs can be moderate.  Such as having a good day at work.  Or celebrating a birthday.  Or enjoying a day off.  Or the highs can be very high.  Graduation.  Getting married.  The birth of a child.  Landing the job of our dreams.  The same is true about the lows.  A moderate low can be a day sick with the flu.  Or having a bad day at work.  Or having an argument with someone.  And the really low days can be devastating.  Getting fired.  Getting divorced.  Getting cancer.  The death of a loved one.  In between all of these highs and lows are the ‘steady’ days.  Ordinary days that aren’t too good or too bad.  Just run-of-the-mill.

In the same way that we have no choice about the kind of weather that we experience (short of moving to a particular climate, which even then can be unpredictable) we don’t have much choice over the happenings in our lives.  Throughout life we vacillate between a series of highs and lows.  Sometimes we have a good day.  Sometimes we have a bad day.  Sometimes we have a good week.  Sometimes we have a bad week.  Sometimes we have a good year.  Sometimes we have a bad year.  That’s just the way that life is.  What is the constant?  Well, it’s not a ‘what’ but a ‘who’.  That ‘who’ is Jesus.

As a Christian, Jesus has promised never to leave or forsake us.  No doubt we’ve all had our share of fair-weather friends.  (Sadly, some people have even had a fair-weather spouse.)  You know, the kind who like you when you have money.  Or are popular.  Or are healthy.  Once the storms of life start to come they disappear.  They don’t do storms.  They only like sunny weather.  And tropical breezes.  But Jesus is no fair-weather friend.  He has promised to be with us 24/7.  Through good times and bad.  And everything in between.

So the next time that you look at a thermometer.  Or check the forecast.  Or look at the sky to see what the weather’s like, remember this: Jesus will always be with you. 

Lord, I thank you for the reminder from my weather station that life does change.  Constantly.  From good to bad and back again.  In the midst of all the change, the one thing I can always count on is You.  You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank you for this great truth.  And may I be faithful to You in return.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.