Happy Monday!<\/p>\n
I was talking on Sunday with my daughter Emily and her husband Norman McCorkell, both students at the Irish Bible Institute in Dublin, Ireland, and they told me of the blessings they received at a concert Saturday night. The American Christian singer Jason Upton appeared locally \u2014 singing, preaching, and worshiping. Emily and Norman and the whole room were touched mightily.\u00a0Norman asked me what I was planning for today\u2019s MMMM, and I said, \u201cyour thoughts from the evening; and Jason\u2019s music.\u201d Here it is!<\/p>\n
Good Morning E-mail Community!
\nWhen \u2018Pop\u2019 asked me to present this week\u2019s mailing of MMMM (Monday Morning Music Ministry), I could not think of anything better than to share of the marvelous evening that I spent with my wife in Dublin. I pray you will be touched as we were.<\/p>\n
Jason Upton, live in concert, was our date of choice Saturday night. And he was simply superb!
\nDuring his set, Upton talked about many profound things including freedom, child-like faith, and finding rest in God \u2014 which is the theme that I\u2019d suggest we consider this morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most humble thing that we can do for our Lord is to let him write our future,\u201d Jason said. Too often we try to dictate, manipulate, and control our own futures, rather than simply trust in His perfect promises and gentle directions.<\/p>\n
When we recall the precious moments leading up to our moments of conversion, we realize that Jesus wasn\u2019t there luring us with a glossy road map of the future or a scintillating theological plan with all the answers. He simply asked us to trust in Him. Or, in His own words, \u201cFollow me.\u201d
\nHeart first, head second.<\/p>\n
So often we get so consumed with the head stuff. The BIG picture, planning for the day that never actually happens, and worrying about questions that ONLY God can answer. Unfortunately, all too often, we forget that we are primarily called to a life of FAITH.
\nShould I go on?<\/p>\n
OK then, let me finish this by illustrating with the perfect concomitant from the book of Genesis:
\nWhen we study the creation account in Genesis 2, specifically the seventh day (the day God RESTED), we will find that God does not call the day to an end like the other previous six. Which means that God is still resting. Thus, in God\u2019s presence today, and this morning, we are still guaranteed to find REST.<\/p>\n
To conclude then, before our day begins, let us throw off any anxiety that comes from needing to know exactly where we are going and what the \u201cnext step\u201d is. Living in a nervous state of worry and angst robs us from the very thing that God wants us to dwell within \u2013 HIS PRESENCE, or put another way, His sovereign, wonderful, and everlasting REST!
\nSo WHY worry?<\/p>\n
Lastly, no matter what your have planned for this week, stop for just a few minutes and enjoy Jason leading you into God\u2019s rest right now.
\nNorman McCorkell<\/p>\n