First Wednesday at Church of the Highlands was a beautiful tear-jerker for me last night! From the first chord of “What A Beautiful Name” by Hillsong, the floodgates opened on my face! I was a hot mess, and I am crying again just typing this- my cup and eyes overfloweth!

**John Maxwell loved well last night in this service! If the message is not up yet on the website, it will be soon:)

He showed a beautiful example of what Christians “should” look like to a lost, lonely and hurting world. John Maxwell was and is most definitely a “welcome home” mat for Jesus!

“Christ in us” should be a “welcome home” mat, not a “clean up first or DO NOT ENTER” sign. (My interpretation:)

John shared a story and a beautiful quote from the Landfill Harmonic:

“The world gives us trash and we give them music!”

HOLY GOOSIES!

My blog’s name is “When Ruins Sing…” (Which is where you are right now:) Can you see why that quote struck a heart chord with me? And I hope it does with you!

John also recited the poem “The Old Violin-The Touch of the Master’s Hand” that continued to leave me in a puddle in the best way!

‘Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,”
But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said “What now am I bid for this old violin?”
As he held it aloft with its’ bow.
“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?”
“Two thousand, Who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone”, said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
“We just don’t understand.”
“What changed its’ worth?”
Swift came the reply.
“The Touch of the Masters Hand.”
“And many a man with life out of tune
All battered and bruised with hardship
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters’ Hand.

I pray you take a breather in the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season to:

read a poem,

https://www.onlythebible.com/Poems/the-touch-of-the-Masters-Hand–Old-Violin.html

celebrate an orchestra of excellence and the sounds of Heaven,

http://www.landfillharmonicmovie.com

listen to a song that reminds you of what a beautiful, wonderful and powerful name, Jesus really is,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWFzMvCfLE

and

watch a message that will ignite a fire in your soul, sending you running to the lap of Christ for yourself.

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/midweek

From this cozy closeness to Christ you will be empowered to love the world around you like crazy!

Be salt and light, seasoning and shining, radiating the extravagant love and grace and open arms of Christ FOR ALL!

*John Maxwell said he put a picture of Salt and light on his phone to remind him of his purpose each day! So I am adding one here for me, and for you! 

Have the best day EVAH!