One Sunday a church honored one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 years old, and it was amazing that the church had asked the old gentleman to preach at that age, and…that he was able to do so!

After a warm welcome and an introduction of the speaker, the applause quieted down. The elderly gentleman rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly began to speak….

“When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my fifty-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days, and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. 

The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me… the only thing that would comfort was this verse….

Jesus loves me this I know.
      for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
      we are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me…
      The Bible tells me so.”

When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his foot-steps as he shuffled back to his chair. It was a sermon to be remembered.

- Author Unknown

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"Jesus Loves Me" is one of the most popular Christian hymns around the world, especially among children. The hymn was first written as a poem by Anna B. Warner (1827-1915) per a request from her sister, Susan. Susan was writing a novel (Say and  Seal), in which the poem was used to console a dying child in the story. Anna wrote the wonderful words of “Jesus Loves Me” to bring comfort and peace. 

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Another pastor once stated, “I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children’s hymn “Jesus Loves Me” during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best.”

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others…check out this senior version  of “JESUS LOVES ME.”

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I’ll go
On through life let come what may;
He’ll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
“Have no fear, for I am near.”
(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life’s victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I’ll understand His love.
(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
(CHORUS)

- Unknown

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Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NASB

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NASB

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in Him. 1 John 4:16 NASB

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If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:

If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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