Family Devotions - Because He Lives

Family devotions can be so encouraging especially if it was like this last week for us.  The landlords put in new carpet in our living room and hallway.  The carpet was old and we were OK with that especially with a dog and little kid.  But they got a really good deal and wanted to do several of their rentals.  So we packed up all our stuff and they moved the furniture out and back in and we did the rest.  So this week was pretty busy and tiring but we made it through and now we have new carpet!  For some reason I woke up early and felt sad and discouraged and shed a few tears, so this mornings devotions was a blessing.  Rich started singing "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand"  after breakfast and Mary and I joined in.



Here is the link: http://youtu.be/rkMapZB8qMk

We pulled up another of our favorites, "Because He Lives" on the internet. 

Here is the link: http://youtu.be/4M-zwE33zHA
We sang and Mary did a little dance to it. 

That is what I love about our family times, is that they are all spontaneous and interactive.  After, Because He Lives, we sang one of our most favorite modern Hymns, Christ Alone, and then finished with a Psalm 23.

Here is the link: http://youtu.be/AjR_A2pGPrY

After we sang, Mary read this poem:                                                          

 " Jesus, My Friend"

"When my heart is heavy and the tears are falling,

I look up to Jesus and know he understands.

And my heart fills to running over

when I think how he understands.

I can see him on his heavenly throne,

longing to come and comfort me

like he could have when he was here on earth.

But Lo! he said that 'I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee'.

So I say, in faith, believing: ' Jesus, I know you understand,

and I give myself to thee.'

All other friends may turn their backs on me,

but Jesus will always love me, no matter what may come.

I now consecrate this body and life to this wonderful friend.

Take it and use it like it was your own body.

All I desire is to be yours, dear blessed Jesus.

May this always be my prayer."

It was written by her grandma, my mom, many years ago.  Again this brought tears to my eyes and comforted my heart so much.  Rich picked out a Bible story to read, The Tower of Babel, and we talked about how God caused the people to separate and go out all over the world.  Mary told us her spin on the languages being changed.  She said that they all used to speak English with an accent and then God changed their languages so they spoke Chinese, German, Russian and English and they didn't speak English with an accent any more.  lol  She always cracks us up with her perspective on things.  We ended our time with prayer remembering our friend, Todd, and other dear friends who are not with us in body but in spirit that they would be blessed this week.