Love Has Come
Mark Schultz
VERSE 1:
I know this life is filled with sorrow
And there are days when the pain just lasts and lasts But I know there will come a day When our tears are washed away With a break in the clouds His glory coming down And in that moment
CHORUS:
Every knee shall bow
Every tongue confess
That God is love
And love has come for us all
Every heart set free
Every one will see
That God is love
And love has come for us all
VERSE 2:
For anybody who has ever lost a loved one And you feel like you had to let go too soon I know it hurts to say goodbye But don't you know it's just a matter of time 'Til the tears are gonna end You'll see them once again And in that moment
Chorus
Every knee shall bow
Every tongue confess
That God is love
And love has come for us all
Every heart set free
Every one will see
That God is love
And love has come for us all
BRIDGE 1:
Oh, and on that day
We will stand amazed
At our Savior, God and King
Just to see the face
Of amazing grace
As our hearts rise upand sing
BRIDGE 2:
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Thank You for the cross
Singing glory, glory, hallelujah
Christ has paid the cost
Chorus
very knee shall bow
Every tongue confess
That God is love
And love has come for us all
Every heart set free
Every one will see
That God is love
And love has come for us all
When we lived in Watkinsville, GA we attended a wonderful church, Briarwood Bapt. Both Johnny and Lindsey made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ during our years there and were baptized. We loved our church. James was born in Athens at St. Mary's hospital in June of 1993 and they delayed baby dedication so we could be a part before we moved to Yankee country....John took me kicking and screaming! I was so torn up about leaving such a beautiful congregation of people who had taken such good care of us for 3 1/2 years. I remember walking in that last Sunday with James and John to the second verse of "Because He Lives," which says:
How Sweet To Hold A Newborn Baby,
And Feel The Pride And Joy He Gives;
But Greater Still The Calm Assurance:
This Child Can Face Uncertain Day Because He Lives.
My heart was so heavy and I was so sad about leaving that I really only heard the first 2 lines of that verse which said, "How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the pride and joy he gives" but the last 2 lines are what mean so much now: "But greater still, the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He lives." Because of what Jesus did at the cross, I have assurance of where James is because his faith was rooted in Jesus!
On Febuary 4, 2011 Pastor Dan sent us a letter to express his sadness in the loss of James. That is what I'll write about tonight:
"Dear John, Tammy, Johnny, n Lindsey,
We have had you on our minds and in our prayers for weeks and since we could not be with you today and tomorrow I decided to write you this note for both of us.
One of the pastor's great joys is the surprise of new friends bounding and bonding into your life. Such was the case of the Eunices in ours at Briarwood. Just appearing one Sunday and choosing us during John's assignment at UGA. It became so much more meaningful when James made his appearance during your stay here-a lifetime experience in so short a time span. During the past couple of decades, we only had occasional news of your whereabout an activities until facebook and then we had almost daily news. What a thrill until that Saturday when Eddy Thaxton let us know of the tragedy. The world stood still. The unbelievable gradually became reality.
Folk, there is no way we can say we know how you fell. We have never been there and to say we know how you feel would be the heights of foolishness. But you know, it really isn't James' death because we aire all terminal- It is the inverting of life's order. Children are supposed to bury parents not parents children. And when that order is inverted, it just isn't right in our minds and we have a hard time accepting death that way.
Speaking of death, I've heard and said so many times that it was the will of the Lord. I don't believe that anymore. God never meant for man to die. He planted a Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and did not forbid Adam and Eve to eat of it. Death in the New Testament is spoken of as the enemy of God-in fact, the last enemy Jesus destoryed by his own resurrection. Isn't that just like our God. He uses the hardest thing for us in this life, the separation that death brings as the avenue for His ultimate will for us: '...that where I am there you may be also...'. We haven't lost James. We know where he is. And we are going there.
My favorite verse to use at a funeral is Genesis 25:8. It is written about Abraham: 'He (Abraham), gave up the ghost... and was gathered to his people.' I don't know the Eunice genealogy but James is with all who have gone before him to heaven. That is why the Psalmist could say 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints' (116:15); Paul could write 'For me to live is Christ and to die is gain' (Phil 1:21). When you look at death from that side rather than this side, death is not an end but a beginning' not a separation but a reunion; not a loss but a gain.
Even knowing that doesn't make the separation any easier. The only thing I can think of that could hurt more than the separation from one we love would be if it didn't hurt. I've had a few fuerals when it seems as if it didn't matter. That was awful. Tears are just interest on a life well lived and loved. And so lived James and so loved all of you. So it will not be easy but also it will not be permanent-just a little longer here. Feel our prayers for you during this time. Most of all sense His 'Lo, I am with you always.'
Praying God's best upon you and yours always, thanking God for our short time together, and hoping to see you soon, we are yours because of Him. Pastor Dan and Mama Fay."
I have taken my time reading letters and cards and this is why....If I rushed through I would miss treasures like this! Pastor Dan preached a sermon in a letter to us! One of the many things that stuck out to me was this nugget of wisdom: "Tears are just interest on a life well lived and loved. And so lived James and so loved all of you."
Pastor Dan and Mama Fay, this letter means the world to our family and y'all mean the world to us! Thank you for your love and comfort....
