Weeping!

Jeremiah 31: 9        NKJV

⁹ They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters...

I spoke to a dear old Pastor friend yesterday, whose been in ministry for over 50 years. He’s now 78 years old.

Dr. Ralph Rice and his wife Marianna have literally crisscrossed the globe to bring the hope of the Gospel to many.

As expected, Dr. Rice and I talked about many things. Family...the condition of the church...the waywardness of the world.

He still speaks lovingly about a lap top computer our church purchased for him many years ago.

But one thing that not only brought him to tears, brought him to a place of weeping uncontrollably.

I told him about the 25 people who entered the waters of baptism on Sunday, as a display of obedience to Jesus.

Our family have known the Rice’s since our last Sunday morning, at the church we came from when we first traveled to Winneconne.

For over 14 years we have enjoyed a deep friendship and common bond.

He’s the guy I can go to, to confess my many shortcomings in ministry, and yet he still loves me so.

When our conversation came to an end, he prayed for me and my family, like he always does.

He dearly prayed for Debbie, and Jake, Ashley, Carter & Maycn...and the baby on the way...and then he directed his attention to his friend, Benjamin.

As he went to the finish, he prayed for the people of our church, and the testimony of the faithful who entered the water on Sunday.

As he did, he cried like a little boy, but they were not tears of sadness, but they were wonderful crocodile tears of great joy.

I wonder if the church has forgotten to weep with joy? I wonder what makes any of us cry anymore?

Dr. Rice (“Mr. Enthusiasm”) knows, that as time becomes shorter and shorter, events like Sunday’s baptism service, should give us every reason to praise God with our tears...