LEAN ON ME!

By Vernalee

This week we lost a music icon, Bill Withers. His legendary songs carried so much meaning. One of them, "Lean On Me" is so appropriate particularly now. As we are experiencing this pandemic, the theme is "We are all in this together."

Written decades ago, the lyrics will never grow old. ”Just call on me brother when you need a hand.”

By now, we should realize that we are not an island. Plucking the strings on his guitar, Bill Withers' voice so harmoniously mellowed the lyrics, "we all need somebody to lean on." On this first Sunday of April 2020, though we may not be sitting in our familiar church pews, we can still praise God. We can thank him for bringing us this far. We can come to him in prayer and ask for his grace, mercy, blessings, protection, and covering for us and our families. We can stand on the ground in humility and realize that We Need Somebody beyond ourselves. There is nothing wrong to lean on someone as that person can become a crutch; a stabilizing force who can help us make it through the day. As they help us, we in turn help them.

Proverbs 27:17 tells us "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Ecclesiastics 4: 9 -12 reads "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

There are many scriptural references that speak to strength in numbers. So today, we should realize that we are not alone. We are never alone as long as we keep God centered in our lives.

Though Bill Withers was not a gospel singer, many of his songs (Grandma's Hands) reflected on life and love for the people who cross our way. It is only fitting to step back for a minute today to reflect and realize that we need God and we need each other ... to lean on!

Happy Palm Sunday!

Blessings!

JESUS IS LOVE

By Vernalee

Written by Lionel Richie, "Jesus is Love" has powerful lyrics. A song of my generation, it shows that God uses various methods to deliver his message. You can receive a heart felt message from a number of sources; music being one. In the 1970’s, this song found its way into my spirit. It moves me now just as much as it did then. A few years ago, it was played at an ominous time that I will never forget ... which is why when I hear the song now, the memory of that moment becomes penetrating. Thus, “Jesus is Love” has historical and spiritual significance/meaning.

Allow me to share the words with you.

"Father, help your children, And don't let them fall by the side of the road. And teach them to love one another, And heaven might find a place in their hearts; 'Cause Jesus is love. He won't let you down, And I know He's mine forever, Ah, in my heart. We've got to walk on, walk on through temptation, 'Cause His Love and His wisdom will be our helping hand. And I know the truth and your word will be our salvation. Lift up our heart to be thankful and glad 'Cause Jesus is love. He won't let you down, And I know He's mine deep down in my soul. Jesus is love. I want to follow your star wherever it leads me, And I don't mind Lord, I hope you don't mind. I want to walk with you, and talk with you, And do all the things you want me to do,"

The lyrics are very moving, inspiring, and uplifting; right?

This is a song that will make you want to shout!

My late Mother spoke to us often about Jesus. She insistently said, "You gotta get to know him for yourself. I can't pray you into Heaven." Momma called him "A Way Maker, A Heart Regulator, A Burden Bearer, and A Heavy Load Sharer." Frequently sung in our home church was another song about Jesus; an old fashioned gospel that went like this - “I thank you Jesus. I thank you Lord! You brought me such a mighty long way!”

Oh yes, "There is something about the name of Jesus!"

This Sunday morning, I call his mighty name. In complete gratitude, I say, “Thank you Jesus!” My list is too long to recite all of the wonderful things that you have done for my children, family, loved ones, and me, but I thank you for being with me, guiding me, lifting me, and holding my hand. I thank you for everything!

Like the songwriter, I know that I cannot make it alone, so I ask you to “walk with me, talk with me, and teach me to do all the things that you want me to do; don’t let me fall by the side of the road, and I will follow your star wherever it leads me!”

Hallelujah!

Happy Sunday!

Blessings!

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

https://youtu.be/w_4GJwriRnM

By Vernalee I awoke this morning listening to my favorite singer, the late great Aretha Franklin. Nobody can touch my soul in voice better than the Queen. As I listened to the best selling song ever for Columbia Records originally recorded by Simon & Garfunkel in 1969, my heart was excitedly jumping and my soul was emotionally filled with Aretha’s rendition. You see, she and I were on first name basis for years though we have never physically met or exchanged pleasantries. Her extraordinary voice and talented fingers gliding across those ebony and ivory keys have always been relaxing and soothing for me. Sometimes we have to be lifted up. Sometimes in addition to prayer, we have to hear the voice of others; melodies that will transport us! Songs have always been life’s rhythm put to words accompanied by music. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” though not a gospel song in the true sense was written to provide comfort. That it has done for me today! It is my heartfelt desire to be a bridge to those who need me; those that I can help. That is how God intended it; that is what I want to do!

Happy Sunday!

Blessings!