(After Church) Sunday Musings II -- January 23, 2011

Heart was stirred this morning by the rousing singing of this hymn which we later learned was based on the words that a mental patient had scribbled on his wall.  They were found when he died.  It is so moving:

The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin. Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure— The saints’ and angels’ song. When hoary time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, When men who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call, God’s love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam’s race— The saints’ and angels’ song. Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. I think it speaks for itself.  You can hear and see it sung by the Gaither Vocal Group at this link following a brief introduction by Dr. Billy Graham at two different times in his life. Well worth it. Spiritual Man or Filled by the Fullness of God? These days "spirituality is in" and it's so easy "to be" or appear spiritual.  It is an outward exhibit of a self-initiated behavior.  It's about us.  The preacher today suggested that it may be better we be filled with the fullness of God (Father, Son, Spirit) instead.  That's an inner enabling of God oozing out through us.  People should be seeing God's filling of us, not our "spirituality".   Ephesians 3:14-21 is a great portion where the Apostle Paul covers this. Prayer Thought I: Trusting God precludes approaching Him through our prayers with a list of demands.  If we want X to happen and that's what we demand of God, then we're essentially saying "I want X God regardless if it is best for me".  If we approach God by saying "please do what is best for me in accordance with your wishes for me in this regard" then we are fully trusting God to do what is best for us -- and if it is X, then X will happen.  If it is not X, then God will say "no" to it.  Either way, by trusting Him for His best for us, we are better off.  -- Based on thoughts from Charles Price, on prayer. Prayer Thought II:  Based on notes listening to Charles Price: The purpose of prayer is to get us to a place, an arena if you like, where God alone can work and no one else.  The result of prayer is for us to know God better. Prayer Thought III: Prayer is the "talking" part of our relationship with God.  The important voice that should be heard during our prayer is His.  That is the main reason why while we make known our petitions to God, we remain in the attitude of prayer long enough (and probably longer than we spend in our asking) to adore Him and to listen to Him.  Prayer is not so much about God hearing about us.  Although He loves listening to His children as a loving Father, He already knows everything about us.  He prefers first that we show Him our love and our complete dependence on Him by our adoration (more than our requests) and then by our silence before Him as He gives us direction and guidance, and shares in accordance with His riches, to further mature us and use us for His glory and kingdom.  -- Ken Godevenos, expanding on thoughts by Charles Price. -- Thanks for dropping by.   Sign up to receive updates.  --  Ken B. Godevenos, Church & Mgmt. Consultant, bringing you relevant information from all sorts of sources.  Subscribe free to Epistoli or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar.  An don’t forget to “share” this blog with your friends by clicking the “Share” link on your Navigation Bar.

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