Merge Worship

Though these are certainly points in my life that I also deal with; it is said that the most successful people have written goals and then a plan to accompany the goals. That plan will continue to be a living document but I guess that gives vision some legs.

Love you bro,
Mike

Lord, we need you now. My friends are suffering as are theirs. My heart aches. I know you see it, I know you know it, but I also know you want me to bring it to you anyway. Lord, in my asking, I pour out my heart to you. My soul cries to you and you hear me. Lord, you know suffering like no one else can. For you suffered unjustly at the hands of mere men. Oh, how you suffered, truly you are the Son of Man. You know every depth of emotion; you have been lower than I ever hope to go. You have been higher than I will ever know on earth. Lord, because you have been there, you alone can lead us through. For while we see barely what’s in front of us, you can see beyond it. Lord, help us see beyond the pain. Lord, if it is your will, please bring your healing power to this situation! We don’t deserve it. Lord, let us never think we deserve anything from you. For what you have given us, we quickly squander. You made us and yet we wander from you. Many don’t even recognize you as their creator, let alone their Father. Lord, forgive them. Forgive us, forgive me. How much I try to bear my load alone. Thinking I can do it by my power. But what am I? I am nothing without you, Lord. But you, you are everything! Lord, I give you my life again today. It’s yours already, but I ask you to take it today. Let me recommit myself to you. May my life bring you glory. May my thoughts and actions make you smile. May you look down on us with compassion. You bless me, Lord, and bring me joy. Let me keep my eyes on you, though a million things long to have my gaze.

God of peace and purpose and love and mercy, all power and honor and glory is yours alone. You give and take away. Blessed be your name! Lord, help us in this life. How short it is and precious to you. How we spend our days clinging to time, yet it slips through our fingers. You alone know how much time you have apportioned to us. Oh, how we long to know. “If only we knew,” we say. Yet, Lord, we know not. Only you know, and some things we’re just not meant to know. You tell us plainly in your Most Holy Word. It is not for us to know. But we do know this… it is apportioned for all men to die once. We all will die.

But that is not the end of the story, not by a long shot. For, Lord, when we pass from this life, let us run to you. Let us not cower in fear, but dive into your open arms. For Lord, you have saved us. We will not be condemned. So now, let us cast our evil ways aside and give you every second we have left. We count for nothing, but you are everlasting. How crooked we are and self-centered. We think first of ourselves, but that is not right. First we ought to think of you, and then of others. Love God, Love others. I can’t think of any where you tell us to love ourselves. Quite the opposite, for you say those who cling to their life will lose it while those who give up their life for you will save it. So Lord, help us. Help me. Help me give up my life for you. If I should die today, I will have been fulfilled. For I knew you in this life. I see you all around me. I feel you make your home within me. Oh, God, thank you. I shed tears of joy for your greatness, for what you have done for me. You loved me, you taught me to love, you let me love. My life is fulfilled. God, though I try not to be, sometimes I am scared. But, I don’t even know what fear is. I haven’t suffered, not really suffered like many have. Take my fear, take my sorrow. Replace it with peace and confidence. Help me be faithful till I meet you face to face. It won’t be long. And in the mean time… thank you for the love you so graciously pour out on me. Let me not keep it for myself but share it freely. And in doing so, may you multiply it over and over. What an awesome God you are! In the power and name that is above all names, amen!

And Lord, when we hurt, let us turn toward you. Even if we yell and wrestle and are angry. Please take it. Please wrap us in your arms, though we kick and scream. Just hold us till it passes. And let us know, without any shadow of a doubt, that you are there. For you will never leave us, and your power works best when we are weak. Then let us be weak, so you, you can be strong. Your grace is enough. Pour out your grace, yes pour out your grace on those who hurt and struggle and come to you. Even pour it out on those who don’t, for the sake of your wonderful name. And you do! Let the thanks and praise of all men and women everywhere join together and rise up to you and be pleasing to you. Amen.