Borrowed Breath

“O Jesus, if Thou come not in person to Thy waiting Church this day, yet come in Spirit to my sighing heart, and make it sing for joy.”

Charles H. Spurgeon
(quoted from “Morning & Evening” August 6)

When hope seems to grow wings

And fly away,

When the weight that despair brings

Seems here to stay,

When sin’s accusation stings,

And friends betray,

            Still you remain.

            Faithful you remain.

When trust seems to be lost

In hopelessness,

When my soul is tempest-tossed

And in distress,

When another line is crossed

In regress,

            Still you remain.

            Faithful you remain.

When joy once known is gone

And taken flight,

When it seems like the dawn

Is dwarfed by night,

When I feel like a pawn

Of the curse’s blight,

            Still you remain.

            Faithful you remain.

You restore hope I misplaced,

So despair must flee.

You revive my trust in the disgrace,

Of Mount Calvary.

You renew my joy as I retrace

Your boundless love for me.

            Jesus, you remain.

            Faithful, you remain.

Well, yesterday we saw “The Dark Knight.” I had no idea that Michelle wanted to see it. Someone brought it up at the house-warming party we were at, and by her response, I realized she really wanted to see it. I’ve said it before here that the Marvel or DC Comic movies don’t do a lot for me. But I do like a good action film. And I’ve heard good things about this one.

So we went. It was good…not great, but good. This is the one Marvel/DC Comic movie that, in my opinion, rises above the comic book premise and becomes relevant and semi-believable.

Heath Ledger was amazing! He will be getting a posthumous Oscar for sure. It made me sad to watch this movie and know that such a young, talented actor is gone. It made me sad for his family. I prayed for them this morning.

The end of the movie (stop reading if a slight spoiler will ruin it for you) was an incredible type of the Gospel message. Batman took the fall for the altruistic, albeit ambitious district attorney, Harvey Dent, who was very human and was corrupted by evil. So Batman became hounded and hunted, though he almost single-handedly (of course) saved the city. But for the good of the people of Gotham City, some who despised him, he willingly put himself in the place of the villian. 

All in all, it was a good movie.
The special affects were absolutely incredible!
Batman’s motorcycle was really cool.
And true to real life, not everyone lived happily ever after. That bumps the movie up in my book.

We don’t see movies in the theater much. We’d rather put gas in our car and food in our fridge. But if you’re going to splurge a bit, this one is worth seeing on the big screen.

…was incredible!

The Voices of Judah Gospel Choir started the evening off. To them, the first song probably seemed a bit like a performance, as most of us just sat on our butts and listened. But Pastor Montez Jones, an awesome man of God with an amazing heart (and phenomenal voice!) would have none of that. He quickly had us white folks on our feet, swaying and clapping and joining in the next song. It was a blast.

Then a gentleman from Zimbabwe by the name of Chrispin was introduced by Steve Wilson. He and a friend named Gregory brought their bongos and played and sang while Chrispin’s wife Irene sang and danced.

After this, we had a short break. And then The Bridge Band took the stage. I love these guys! And of course, to no one’s surprise, they rocked the house and had everyone worshipping our God.

When they were done their set, Chrispin and Pastor Keith took the stage again, leading us in more worship. They had extra bongos, which a group of young people borrowed and played and danced.

It was, as I said, and incredible evening.
As we were leaving, I asked Steve if he had any idea how much money they raised. And Steve smiled and said, “I have no idea. But I do know we had an awesome night of praise and fellowship.”
To which I answered, “Amen!”

His response is typical for both him and his wife Stefanie.
They are two of the most selfless, God-centered, servant-hearted people you could ever hope to meet.
Only the Lord knows how many lives this young couple has already touched.
And I know that literally countless more will be touched by their continued service.

I love you, Steve and Stef, and your beautiful children.
May our Lord richly bless you and give you the desires of your heart.

Peace to you and your family.

Don’t forget, tonight is the benefit concert at Olivet for Hope Beyond Borders with The Bridge Band, Voices of Judah Gospel Choir, and Zimbabwe Drum Rhythm Praise starting at 7:00.

Tomorrow, we will be heading to a house-warming party for our friends Tom and Melissa in Ridley Park.

And Sunday is a chill day, and Providence in the evening.

Have a great weekend.
Shalom

“…the best questions come out of deepest losses.”

William P. Young
(author of “The Shack” quoted from interview on 7-30-08 on NPR’s show “Here and Now”)

A number of years ago (5 or 6) our friends Steve and Stef Wilson were commissioned by our church as missionaries in the heart of Coatesville. They are two of the most amazing people you could hope to meet. They started the BACC (Bridge Academy and Community Center) for the children of Coatesville and ran it for years with the help of many faithful volunteers.

They recently made a move in ministry that enables them to minister to families in the city, not just the children, as well as families outside of Coatesville’s city limits. They helped start and are leading a church plant called New Community Church. The name of their ministry is Hope Beyond Borders. Their website is obviously still under construction.

They have also partnered with a mutual friend named Katie Forqurean, who started a ministry in Zambia called Mango Tree. And this is the second year that they are sending a team over to continue with that exciting project. You can read about it from a post I wrote last year here.

This coming Friday, they are holding a benefit concert in Coatesville for that trip. If you are in the area, please come out and be blessed by a night of music and worship. And help bless the missionaries who are heading over to Africa in August.

God unseen,

But not unknown,

You redeem,

And atone,

The unclean,

The lost and alone,

You intervene

And call us your own.

God of grace,

You welcome in,

Those disgraced

And stained with sin,

The self-abased,

Conscience thin,

To your embrace,

And your love wins.

God unseen,

But not unknown,

Your grace redeems,

Your mercy atones.

If you are even remotely close to the Boyertown Pennsylvania area, you have to go to Morning Star Fellowship tonight.

Two of the area’s best live bands are playing to benefit Invisible Children.

The Bridge Band and Reilly.
These friends are not only great musicians, but awesome people.

I’m sad that I cannot go, but I would be remiss were I not to compel you to attend.
The show starts at 7:00.

We get to go to the beach again this weekend!
Two in a row!

Tonight, we head down to Dagsboro Delaware, which is about 20 minutes from Bethany Beach, to Michelle’s aunt and uncle’s place.

We can’t wait.
Have a great weekend.