MY SON! MY SON!
Suggested Reading: 2 Samuel 18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A tree, such as this one near Ein Gedi, may have caught Absalom's head by entangling his long hair in the branches, his mule galloping on without a rider.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 18:33
Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom — my son, my son Absalom — if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I weep as I type these words. Please enlarge my heart so that I may enter more deeply into Your heart, loving with as much of Your love as I have the maturity to experience. I love You Jesus, and I mourn that my sins caused Your death. I realize that the future for David’s family could’ve been so different if he had been obedient to You. Please give me grace and spiritual growth, learning the lessons of the tragedy of David’s family. In Your Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As Norma-Jean and I welcomed our children into our family, we made a decision which I shared with the congregations that I had the honour to serve. As a Father, I was directly responsible to God for my children. It was taken for granted that Norma-Jean’s role was to the children before anyone else. There were some who thought that my calling as a minister and a pastor should take #1 priority. Not so, I let it be known. God was first, my family second, and my congregation third. I never heard from a member of any of the four congregations I served that they felt neglected in any way. I believe that the translation of the word love into all languages is “time.” Time with God early in the morning, when Norma-Jean and the children were sleeping, and time with Norma-Jean and the children at breakfast, dinner and most evenings. After those priorities came time with the members of the church, on call 24/7 when absolutely necessary, in hospital visitation, often in the homes, and in my study during work/school hours. As an Evangelist, the longest I ever spent away from the family was three weeks. I grieved for the last 2 weeks of that separation. I vowed “never again,” unless circumstances made it impossible to get home sooner. When I did arrive home, they couldn’t get me back to work right away, except for the times Norma-Jean and the children were not at home. God willing, I’ll continue this theme tomorrow.
Yours for establishing firmly the priorities that please God,
David
P.S. Norma-Jean, Ron, Ann, and I are leading a visit to Israel in November this year, God willing. I encourage all my friends in the blogosphere to join us if possible. One monument I always point out to our pilgrimage friends is “The Pillar of Absalom” standing tall in what is called “The Kings’s Valley.” Below is a photo of that pillar. (click here for information on coming with us to the land of David, Absalom, and best of all…Jesus!)
Absalom's Tomb or "The Pillar of Absalom," located in the Kidron Valley between the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Very much enjoyed the feeling of love in your message, this morning, David, that was felt far beyond your words.There is no greater feeling than waking up to the loving Spirit of the Lord calling us to prayer, scripture, wisdom; and to share love and encouragement for each other on your blog. Our God is loving, indeed. We are so very blessed! That feeling of love is one of unity, that keeps us in the Spirit and frees us from hatred, judgment and criticism.That love allows us to share a peace of all understanding and to be kindred spirits. As we love Jesus from deep within our hearts and souls, we too, see each other in that same light of love.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV
Very well stated Beverlee! I have very little to add to this marvelous statement this morning.
I totally agree with everything you said this morning Beverlee and Scott is right, what more needs to be said!!! Have a great day and may the Love of God continue to keep us in His Word daily.
THE LOVE OF GOD
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Chorus
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints and angels song
V2
When hoary time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall
When men who here refuse to pray
On rocks and hills and mountains call
God
Oops, I didn’t get all the word to that wonderful song. Here they are:
THE LOVE OF GOD
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Chorus
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints and angels song
V2
When hoary time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall
When men who here refuse to pray
On rocks and hills and mountains call
God
3rd time trying – I think it is too long!!
THE LOVE OF GOD
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Chorus
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints and angels song
V2
When hoary time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall
When men who here refuse to pray
On rocks and hills and mountains call
God
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race?
The saints’ and angel’s song.
Chorus
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Chorus
Written by: Frederick M. Lehman; he wrote this song in 1917 in Pasadena, California, and it was published in Songs That Are Different, Volume 2, 1919. The lyrics are based on the Jewish poem ‘Haddamut’, written in Aramaic in 1050 by Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai, a cantor in Worms, Germany; they have been translated into at least 18 languages.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35
Thank you once again David for making the scriptures come alive each day. I could almost see Absalom hanging there on the picture of the tree!!
May we always remember what Jesus did for us through His great love
And how He wept for Lazarus and Jerusalem. I could feel David’s broken heart for his son and it reminds me to always try to love as Christ loves and show compassion for others.
Amen to your comments today Beverlee. May we all pray to enlarge our hearts. Blessings to all today!
Doesn’t history read like a book? We have a reading in 2 Samuel 18:18 which says “Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken up a pillar for himself, which is in the King’s Valley … And to this day it is called Absalom’s monument. Fast forward thousands of years, and here we have a visual of what was probably the very historical spot of vs.18 by photo courtesy of Reynold. If I had the funds, oh how I would just love to go on this tour with David, Norma-Jean, Ron and Ann … what a once in a lifetime experience! For those of us who can’t go on the tour, be sure to tune in weekly to Joe Amaral’s show on CTS entitled First Century Foundations (here in Southern Ontario it can be seen on Saturday’s at 7 a.m.). If you get a chance, check out his website at http://www.firstcenturyfoundations.com
I don’t work for CTS or Joe Amaral 🙂 But I just know that if you’re an ancient Israel buff, you’ll just love this show.
Awesome, Scott–thanks for that link!
Looks interesting Scott, thanks!
Your universal definition of love being that of “time” is so true. It is clear your early morning habit of prayer and scripture reading helped maintain balance in your life with Christ, family and ministry. Making youself attentative and available to God at the start of each day and praying for your family, set these priorities into action. This, just as Christ abides and promises never to leave or forsake us. I believe it is never too late to adjust our priorities, if need be. It just takes love, set in all the right directions! Have a great day to all!
Thanks Scott, regarding Joe Amaral’s link, and the time on CTS.
May the Lordbless and keep you all!
Grief. There has never been a single person on this planet who has not experience grief. Today, many in Boston Mass. are experiencing grief as I write. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, asking our Lord to comfort them as they seek to adjust to a new normal, whether that be life without a loved one there, a loss of a limb, or just losing the ability to feel safe.
Only the bravest of us will ask our Lord to share His grief with us, because our hearts cannot bear the kind of pain God carries everyday, for the lost, for those who chose to be far from Him, for those who suffer because of sin, their own or others. God’s heart knows all about Grief and as much grief as He has to bear He still willing to bear ours with His.
May all of you who are experiencing grief today, find strength in knowing God is with you, He understands; He weeps with you. But, if you let Him, he will not leave you in the depths of sorrow, for true joy is knowing in God, nothing will take away your ability to love, God or others, not even grief, if you let God into your sorrow. I pray all grieving hearts will be protected from all bitterness and God’s peace be with you all.
Praying for everyone in Boston, along with you, Donna. We are feeling your sorrow as we watch the news reports. Know that Canadians are thinking of you and praying that you find strength from God during this tragic time. We are sending our loving thoughts for healing your way.
Yes, when I read David’s words, “My son, my son,” I thought of the man who lost his son, his wife has brain damage and his daughter lost her leg in the Boston bombing. What grief he is experiencing now. Great blog on love David, and fellow bloggers. Yes, we are praying for the people in Boston. May God be very real to them at this time.
Thankyou all …there is nothing I could add. Jesus’ prayer was and is , that we all be one, knit together in Love. I really sense that today.I agree in prayer with each one.
God bless !!
Yes we all have to pray for these people who are either suffering or have horrendes injurys or who are grieving,my heart goes out to them I pray
God will sustain them and surround them with His Love. Thankyou D.
M. for your words of wisdom in this blog ,also all you wonderful bloggers,
and your words of wisdom love…R..
My prayers are for all of the residents of Boston in these tragic events.
Let the Glory of Our God from heaven come down
You are good and you’re mercy will endure
Alleluia! Alleluia!
If I can’t get to Israel with the Mainse group this year, Joe Amaral and First Century Foundations are a very close second choice. I’ve been watching his teachings for a few years and have been touched by the Jewish roots of our faith. Joe makes a few tours to Israel every year, and he is from Milton, in Southern Ontario,