Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear ones.
Another challenging day is heading my way. Unfortunately, I’m doing it without Becki. I just spoke with her about a half hour or so ago while she was whizzing down I-5 in northern California at 75mph with our son Andy driving. They left last evening, heading to Pasadena to join in a family memorial for Becki’s sister, Lorna Wilson, who went to Glory just Thursday following a long drawn-out hospitalization with all kinds of complications. The family is happy with her graduation and freedom from suffering, but she will be deeply missed. That’s just how things go on this side of the line.
That pesky woodpecker just hammered again on the downspout above this window. I’ll take that as the start-gun for launching a jog. Have a blessed day—a wonderful option still available within this “fallen world”—although, of course, it does depend on Who you know
Love, Dad/Ray.
Herein is what I have come to believe to be one of the most important psycho-spiritual “secrets” for doing life within this “fallen world” while maintaining a reasonably balanced sound mind. To be sure, there is no escaping trouble. There is no way we can make everyone like us. There is no way to be exempted from misunderstandings, misrepresentations, and rejections by some. There is no way we can avoid accidents, sickness, set back, suffering, or death. And for me personally, I have learned that if I fail to exercise this blessed option here role-modeled again by the Psalmist David to CRY ALOUD TO THE LORD—BEFORE HIM I TELL MY TROUBLE, there is no way I can avoid at least some degree of anxiety and/or depression.
This blessed option is the theme of the song WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS:
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!”
While on this track of drawing special meaning from song messages, let me draw your attention to another. In fact it’s one I will be singing today at a memorial service to celebrate the life of a precious 96-year-old saint who was just relieved of this “fallen world” and transferred to Glory on the 27th of May—Elsie Burley. One of her favorite songs was MY GOD AND I. I’ll cite the words below. Elsie’s HEART AFTER GOD clearly found rich fellowship, delight, and sound-mindedness in this relationship. And when I grow up, I want to be just like her.
My God and I go in the field together;
We walk and talk as good friends should and do;
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter;
My God and I walk through the meadow's hue.
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter;
My God and I walk through the meadow's hue.
He tells me of the years that went before me
When heavenly plans were made for me to be;
When all was but a dream of dim reflection;
To come to life, earth's verdant glory see.
When all was but a dream of dim reflection;
To come to life, earth's verdant glory see.
My God and I will go for aye together,
We'll walk and talk as good friends should and do;
This earth will pass, and with it common trifles,
But God and I will go unendingly.
This earth will pass, and with it common trifles,
But God and I will go unendingly.