A lady in our group had asked
Him about a difficult Bible
Passage.
"I don't understand it," she said.
Our pastor replied, "I don't get it
Either. But God is sovereign, and
When I don't understand His
Ways, I worship."
This morning, I worship.
I appreciated our pastor's honesty.
A lady in our group had asked Him about a difficult Bible Passage. "I don't understand it," she said. Our pastor replied, "I don't get it Either. But God is sovereign, and When I don't understand His Ways, I worship." This morning, I worship.
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The classic carols have
Become so familiar that I Often sing them by rote, not even Thinking about the words. But at church, when our worship leader Introduced our Christmas hymn by Saying, "It's the greatest gospel Song ever written," I pondered the Message which was printed out on The screen in front of us: "Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth." And further: "Veiled in flesh the God-head see, Hail the incarnate Deity." As I sang along I wanted to Proclaim as the angels did, "Hark! Pay attention folks! Absorb the profound mystery." This finite babe we are singing About, is indeed, Almighty God!" (Hark the Herald Angels Sing, by Charles Wesley and George Whitefield.) I listened to the praise song as I
Worked in the kitchen. Suddenly the words and music Stopped me, gripped me. I was overcome with the Realization that I need God. Perhaps William Henley* could be The master of his fate and the Captain of his soul, but not I. I need to look beyond myself, for I Am frail of body and mind and Emotions, especially as I age. And a generic "higher power" won't Suffice. I need a God to worship, One who Delights in my singing and in Hearing my prayers. I need a personal, powerful God who Wants me to know Him and who Willingly carries my burdens. I need a faithful Father who forgives me And loves me to eternity and back. I need a God like that. *The author of INVICTUS I'm learning that overthinking
Cultural issues, trying to Make sense of things that Don't make sense, trying to Hear three sides to every Story draws my attention away From worship, From abiding in Christ and looking to Him for answers. I'm attempting to reset the
Default button in my brain from Worry to worship and from Pouting to praise. How can anyone possibly reach God?
He is noble and lofty, and He dwells in A high and holy place. I can't span the distance. It's why God stooped to my level. He chooses to abide in those who are Contrite and lowly in spirit. And so I bow to Him. I reverence Him. I submit to the One who humbled Himself so that He could live in me. "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit." Isaiah 57:15 I love the old hymns.
From a toddler I sang them in my Little country church. The familiar words and melodies comfort Me when I need comforting and help me Praise when I need to praise. But I'm learning to appreciate new Worship music as well. The tunes may be hard to sing at the Beginning, but if I try, I can learn them, And often the words have great meaning. In church, on Resurrection Day, we sang a More recent one with great joy. As I was getting ready for church, the same Song began to play on my radio. I stopped. I turned up the volume on my kitchen radio And on my bedroom one as well, And standing in the hallway between the Two I listened and mouthed the words as I waved my arms in celebration: "Then came the morning that sealed the Promise. Your buried body began to breathe. Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion declared the Grave has no claim on me..." * The powerful truth threatened to make my Heart burst. He is not just my future hope but my living Hope right now. I'm glad I'm adapting. How deprived I would be if I weren't willing to Add new worship songs to my arsenal of Time tested ones! "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God..." Psalm 40:3 *Living Hope by Phil Wickham As I praised God this morning during
My quiet time, I wondered, Does He ever tire of my praise? Does He ever say, "You've reached Your quota now"? Did I ever tire of hearing Jack say, "I love you"? Or my kids and grandkids repeating The same three words to me? I need the words of affirmation for my Well being. I can never hear words of love enough. And I can never praise my Father even Half enough. "Who can ever praise Him half enough?" Psalm 106:2 Sometimes worship is loud.
"Come everyone, and clap your hands for Joy! Shout to God with joyful praise." * But I'm glad God gives me another option. "Be still and know that I am God." ** At times silence is all I can manage, and I believe He is just as pleased with Quiet praise. *Psalm 47:1 **Psalm 46:19 Is it an innate urge to idolize other
Human beings, to set People up on pedestals? The populace acclaims athletes, Rock stars, Celebrities, The powerful, The elite. I believe God did put the desire in Our hearts to magnify someone Greater than ourselves. And after we discover that our poor Substitutes fail us every time, We are better able to see that God Created us to worship only Him. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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