“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.”
Almost everything enjoyable eventually comes to an end. Vacations hit a screeching halt, friends and family have to return home, spring break passes.
Looks fade. Bodies slowly waste away. Children grow up.
But God’s love never ceases. His love is stubborn, persistent, enduring. Nothing in all creation can separate us from it.
O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee.
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow,
May richer, fuller be.
(Short blog I wrote 3 years ago. Came to mind again as I was refreshed by the ocean depths.)
Mike,
So glad to hear you’ve been refreshed by the ocean depths at Malibu. Chemaine and I are heading for some refreshment at the Parish Hermitage (www.parishhermitage.com) this weekend. We hope to experience God’s deep love and peace wash over us out in the swamp out in St. Amant, Louisiana. He continues to be so faithful and good to us, and I am deeply grateful for those special times of soul renewal (which seem to happen a lot at the Hermitage).
Praise the Lord for his faithfulness and mercy!! Oh, how I depend on that love to hold me tight!!
It seems God is faithful to reboot our spirits at the same pace He sends in the next ocean wave. The waves remind us of His power, His artwork, and His amazing ability to get by without carbon copies…each wave seems to be unique.
*sigh* A picture would be nice!
I am glad you are getting refreshed - you give so much of yourself to others the rest of the time.
I always loved those words by George Matheson.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
Having just returned from Stream Franklin with a side trip to visit grandchildren, I say “amen” to the refreshment to be found in worship and family.
In West Texas where I live, you can drive 300 miles in any direction and find water. Have a great time!
It is kind of hard to miss those ocean depths, isn’t it? Florida has plenty of sunshine and water, but no wonderful mountain overlooks.
Great to hear you again. Peace to you in your coaching efforts.
Thanks so much, Mike-I REALLY needed to be reminded of that today. Blessings~
We sure enjoyed what the Lord had to say through you at Pepperdine. Thursday’s class with Zoe was especially powerful. “Blessed be the Lord that Would not Give Us Up” reaches me where I’m at every time I hear it. What a blessing. Thank you for such a wonderful message!
We enjoyed the ocean too…but I’m sure glad to be back in Texas again (and away from those endless stairs!!!). Enjoy Reese!
Mike, thanks for blessing me this week on the west coast. I enjoyed your afternoon session, lunch with the guys, and the brief visit at the retreat center. Enjoy your last year of coaching and of course, the grandbaby. See you next year. Godspeed.
I love that story about when the Harding Graduate School mansion was on fire and Jack and Annie Mae Lewis stood outside watching. Dr. Lewis said something to the effect of there went his life’s work. Annie Mae reminded him that his life’s work was all over the world preaching and teaching. His legacy could not be stopped because it was entertwined with God’s legacy and was kingdom work.
Mike, it was good to hear you again. Sorry I wasn’t able to visit with you personally, but I love to listen to you. It reminds me of the “good old days” when I was at Harding and you at College church. God is good.
Mike, this is probably my favorite song we sing at Glenwood. Funny you wrote this today. I put the first part of an ancient prayer from St. Francis today on my blog with similar lines. Thanks so much for these entries.
Jeff Christian
emptypulpit.blogspot.com