Carry On

I purposed to awaken early this morning for some quiet bible reading and  prayer time but I awakened a full hour earlier than planned.  I awakened with a song in my mind and on my heart.  It was a Rich Mullins song from the 1990's.  It reminded me of my mom and many others from my childhood and young adult life who greatly impacted my life and are now no longer with me in this world.

I haven't thought of that song in many years, but it used to be one of my favorites.  I'm thanking God this morning for reminding me of it.

This song is a letter Rich wrote to his mom.   Oh how it makes me miss my own mother.  And it's a similar  message I would have written to her if she were with me today. 



 Rich writes and sings about following his 'dream'.  For those of you unfamiliar with Rich, He was a Contemporary Christian Musician and his 'dream' was to live for Jesus Christ and to tell everyone he met about the love Jesus has for mankind and that if we believe in the Love of Jesus and that Jesus gave His life for the atonement of our sins, then we will inherit life everlasting.

Rich was not perfect by any means.  He did not claim to be perfect. But he actively pursued Jesus and was very transparent with his struggles. Rich loved the Lord.  He loved his family.  He loved life.  He knew his dream would take him away from his home and family.  He wondered if he would ever make it home again.  He wanted his mom to know that he loved her.  He wanted her to know that he would carry the life lessons (songs) he learned as a child.  He would carry the good memories and the sad ones (scars).  He would carry on (in Christ).

He promised he would pray for her always.  And so we should pray for those we love always, too.


Rich promised he would 'carry on'.  And he did carry on right up to his tragic death in 1997.

Now I carry the scars of the passing of those whom I have known and loved.  And I promise you this:  I will carry those scars and I will carry on.

Now I am not trying to 'Glorify' Rich Mullins.  He was just a man.  But I believe it is notable that he was a man who was actively pursuing Christ.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.  All other ground is sinking sand.

Friends, we must learn from generations gone by.  We must stand on the solid rock of Jesus.   Jesus said he was the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can get to heaven except through HIM.

Jesus was and is LOVE.  He loved us so much that he gave His life for us.    He loved us while we were sinners.  He didn't shun us or disassociate himself from us because we did not live or 'think' perfectly.   He didn't turn his back on us and say you are on your own, fix yourself then come back and see me.

He even prayed for the very people who condemned him and nailed him to the cross asking His Father in heaven to forgive them.   That is Love.

And while we live and breathe and until he comes again there is time to accept his love and be saved.  He is not willing that any should perish.  

I hope and pray that my life is an arrow pointing to heaven.   I am thanking my creator for loving me so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to die for me.  I accept God's free gift of Love.   I also praise God for giving me the capacity to love him and to love others.    I assure you it's through nothing I have done, but Christ that lives within me.  All praise and glory and honor must go to my Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ.

 And I forgive because Christ forgave.  And I will not stop loving others and giving of myself to others even if they reject me and mock me and persecute me for believing the bible and believing in Jesus.

God has presented me with a unique set of challenges and struggles but I am not fearful or anxious because my Lord and Savior has promised never to leave me or forsake me.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  My deliverer is coming. I will stand in Christ.  I will carry on.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the struggles and challenges that draw me closer to you.  I thank you Lord for my precious family and for everything good in my life.  Every good and perfect gift comes from you, my King.  Thank you for the lives of believers who have gone before me.  Thank you for my brothers and sisters who stand with me now and pray for and encourage me.   I love you Lord and thank you for the greatest gift of all:  your son, Jesus.

Lord help me to grow in You.  Give me a greater hunger and thirst for your Holy Word.  Help me to make wise decisions and to stand tall for you, my king.  Help me to be an arrow pointing straight to you.  Lord please bless and protect my dear family.  I lift them up to you.  

Father God, I pray all these things in the name of your precious son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

AMEN.