Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
Acts 4:10
“Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.”
THE PREACHER’S HEART
The preacher arrived thirty minutes before anyone else. Snow was lightly blowing, and the autumn morning was welcoming. The smell of a country church that has been closed most of the week is like no other. It is the remaining aroma of lives that have worshiped before, old songbooks that know exactly what pages to open to, and a holy redolence that sleeps in the wood of the pews.
The first act of faith was moving the needle on the thermostat to a higher temperature. The sound of the worn furnace kicking on calls for grateful praise. There is a little while to stand in the pulpit and pray: “Please help me Lord, I don’t want to let you or them down. Joe has had a hard week; he lost his job you know. Mrs. Cross is worried about her children; and little Joy seems so sad. They will be here soon Lord; they have troubles and fears, hopes, and dreams, and a whole lot of Love.”
There is a time for everything under the sun; a time to be born, and to die, to plant and to harvest, weep and dance, and the list is long. The time is not the same for everyone. Some come to worship who have stood by a grave, while another young couple carries a new baby to its first Sunday in church. One shows up to pray, “Jesus, I am afraid of what the doctor will say;” and another rejoices that all is well.
“Please help me, Lord; they deserve the best. Let me tell them of a Savior who is mighty to save, and a God who cares, O yes, he cares. Let Joe know that when the storms of life are raging that you are standing by him. Wipe the tears from Joy’s eyes and give some peace to Mrs. Cross. Let Heaven and earth be one in this place today.”
I will believe until the day that my Lord calls me home that the greatest witness of the church is people who have gone through so much of all that time brings; and yet they gather on a bright (and sometimes not so bright) Sabbath mornings at the call of the sweet ringing bells. Some are spry and happy, and others show a lot of mileage on the long road of life; and yet all sing together of a Name that they love to hear:
“There’s a name above all others, wonderful to hear, bringing hope and cheer. It’s the lovely name of Jesus, evermore the same, what a lovely name.
What a lovely name, the name of Jesus… sweeter than the songs they sing in heaven, Let the world proclaim, What a lovely name!”
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
“Link to YouTube Video – What A Lovely Name
