Hope of all the blood-bought throng

It's the title, isn't it?  They're lyrics!!

It's from a song we used to sing - "Maranatha, Maranatha! Hope of all the blood bought throng... Maranatha, Maranatha! Is the theme of this our song.  Coming soon! the Savior whom we long to see... Maranatha chimes keep ringing melody."

We sang it at a place ~ Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference.  It means "the Lord is coming soon".  I grew up going to this place each summer.  My dad went there as a child.  My uncle committed himself into the ministry in the dunes of Maranatha.

What is this place? Where is this place?              


and...

So much of my childhood - my memories - is tied up with this place.  So many fun and happy times.  

Jan waving in the door of our cottage. circa 1985

We were so silly there.  Laughing. Always laughing!!  Playing tricks on one another. We ate well and enjoyed good conversations with good friends.  We made new friends - and saw them again, year after year.  But mostly I remember this wood plaque that was attached to the pulpit in the tabernacle.  It said "Let go and Let God"

Let go!

Let God!!

What issue, situation, or circumstance am I still trying to manage, to funnel, to control? I've become sick with fear and anxiety.  I've let these problems become my focus.  I remember one of my parents' pastors saying that when a problem becomes all we think about - all we talk about - all we want to ponder.  It's time to completely take our eyes off of it and put our eyes on the Savior.  Think about and talk about the Lord Jesus Christ until He is all we want to ponder.  Then, when we do get back to looking at our problem, we can see it through the lens of our Lord.

Let go!

Let God!!

What is He wanting to do in my life, in this situation, in the lives of those affected.  He will be glorified, and I hope my heart and mind is able to respond in such a way that this life, my life, glorifies Him as well. 

"Coming soon, the Savior, whom we long to see..."

What will my life say when He returns? What sort of legacy will I have left? It starts now.  

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Hebrews 12:1-3