From: Les Young [pastorles@comcast.net]
"Cold Hands-Warm Hearts "
Date: 1/27/2007
Dearly beloved of God:
I have heard that expression for as long as I can remember. While it is probably not true for all people, I know a number for whom it is an apt expression. For example, there are a few very warm-hearted (spiritually speaking) people on our worship team, who have lowered my core temperature by at least 5 degrees when I've held their hand for just a few minutes in a prayer circle before service. And then there were the 40 or so brave souls who gathered in single digit temperatures before the Summit Abortion Clinic in Bridgeport yesterday morning. It was my provilege and honor to be with them, speaking up for unborn babies who cannot speak for themselves. One of the saints in particular sacrificed her hands to the cold, playing guitar and singing a worshipful rendition of "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made." The lyrics to this song come from Psalm 139.
Psalms 139:14-16 (TLB)
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.
15 You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion!
16 You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!
There on the sidewalks, for two hours we prayed, worshipped, pleaded and even had an opportunity to reason, speaking in favor of life and offering alternatives to the culture of death. The theology of the church house was being changed to the biography of the streets as the church without walls was being what it is called to be: salt & light.
Some of the complexities of life suddenly become clear in the light of Jesus' words: John 10:10 (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
May you enjoy life to the fullest today, and regardless of the temperature of your hands, may your hearts always be warm towards God and towards one another.
Yours for His Purposes,
Pastor Les
Pictures: 001 The Brave Minstrel, 002 Part of the Church Without Walls, 003 Pastor Les with OSA Director Rev. "Flip" Banham
