“Welcome, Happy Morning!”

    I certainly can’t leave you on Holy Saturday and not celebrate with you on Easter Sunday! Enjoy worshipping with both ancient and modern… (playlist link below)

• Hallelujah Chorus (Handel, 1741)
• Welcome, Happy Morning (Vernantius Honorius Fortunatus,  6th century
• Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Latin, 14th century; translated into English in 1698. Stanza 4 added by Charles Wesley)
• At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing (translated from the Latin in 1849)
• Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain (St. John of Damascus, 8th century)

And a few ‘old’ 20th century classics: 

• He’s Alive (Don Francisco) 
• Because He Lives (Bill and Gloria Gaither), 
• Keith Green’s “Easter Song,” 

For wonderful 21st century Easter worship, enjoy all modern sources, too many to list. I’ve added a few to the playlist. Feel free to choose just the ones with which you want to worship. Enjoy!

He is risen! It is accomplished! Alleluia!

Julie

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2DzbrW5IS0hEUN0AgpeH9HbfTJSaO_I&si=n7c_pYkjuC7XYFtm

Good (Holy) Friday & Saturday worship—ancient and contemporary

   [ If you haven’t read yesterday’s Maundy Thursday post, please go there first.]

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   When I was young, there were certain Good Friday hymns that deeply touched me and always brought me to tears. Some of you were also raised with these, but others of you may not be familiar. Either way, enter in…

“There is a Green Hill Far Away” (Cecil Francis Alexander, 1848)

   There are two tunes for this hymn. I loved both.

https://youtu.be/TUAvIDH47_s?si=ig9RMXux944todE_

https://youtu.be/lvqHhKF---U?si=OTM19Pd4NvU4do5u  (Second tune, instrumental only)

Sing, My Tongue the Glorious Battle (Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, 569). [sung to Pange Lingua, as with Now My Tongue the Mystery Telling]

https://youtu.be/zvMC0R1atP4?si=xVzZqjhbzRp_V2bU

Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended (Johann Heerman, 1630; translated 1899 by Robert Bridges) two tunes below

https://youtu.be/kXzKXBz9mgw?si=

https://youtu.be/_oHlAoxMXI4?si=iFCdtTrcJgOWuPUr (First tune with history of Heerman)

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (Paulus Gerhardt, 1656; translated 1899 by Robert Bridges) Tune adapted and harmonized from Hans Leo Hassler’s original by Johann Sebastian Bach

https://youtu.be/UgkVTtT-0xg?si=b8p9WyLyXqHKBLnM

What Wondrous Love is This? (Southern Folk Hymn 1811)

https://youtu.be/n-UmemwpAvA?si=4QkPpvacORv-khkO

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Isaac Watts, 1707)

https://youtu.be/Tkx8WAycYAc?si=q-KawMHqiVOcuibX

Glory Be to Jesus (18th century)

https://youtu.be/aIdBD18v3a8?si=WgDuuZUXBroN0zqS

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Back to the 21st century:

The Power of the Cross (Getty/Townend) 

https://youtu.be/nPFv-ywTY-c?si=PrCkMeq6I_SaIas4

Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood of Christ (Charity Gayle)Recent: Charity Gayle, Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood of Christ

https://youtu.be/dhU-Omwg2rU?si=atmNjGW2syWtj3L0

The Wonder of the Cross (Robin Mark)

https://youtu.be/NzUeL5WOPSU?si=X5fhrzy4CKn-bxWw

Dutch Sheets’ powerful Holy Friday post: 

https://youtu.be/qmaG-xN4xgs?si= 

Awesome Good Friday worship with Jesus Image:

https://www.youtube.com/live/QisytlzXLmY?si=JLDpQxICC7YCAVMy

Remembering the Sacred

   I love so much of the fresh, Christian worship music being created now. Charity Gayle, Jeremy Riddle, Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake, We the Kingdom, Sean Feucht…. I also love to pray listening to ‘Soaking’ music from people like Julie True and others. I look for what I see as God-focused worship, over the ‘what He can do for me’ songs. Yesterday I was inspired to worship with Charity’s “Name Above All Names, and His Presence was so strong. “Lion,” is another favorite, ‘for such a time as this.’.

   This morning, however, on this Maundy (Mandate) Thursday, when we especially focus on the Lord’s Supper before He knowingly and intentionally headed to the Cross, I was drawn to the Ancient hymns. Many have been sung century after century. I am sad that they appear to be lost to so many believers today. These hymns’ sacred and reverential spirit  is an integral part of the Whole of what I see as intimate or affectionate reverence.. [*See my 2016 post linked below ], The depth of this heritage humbles and roots us in an age in which we are perhaps vulnerable to casually taking for granted GOD’s sacrificial gift and also losing sight of Him as YHVH. 

   He has, indeed, granted us that great Gift of being invited into His Presence. Yet have we maintained, as Tozer says, “The Knowledge of the Holy?” Or do we now, for example, approach Holy Communion as if it is coffee hour? Are we more focused on what we do or don’t receive from Him than Who He Is and how Worthy He is of our love, adoration and thanksgiving?

   We are all guilty of a lack of piety at times, because we also know Him as precious Friend, which He invited us to be. But let’s not forget Who else He is: the Great I Am, the omnipotent, omniscient Creator of the Cosmos. Although He sacrificially made a way for an Intimate relationship with Himself, we must never lose our attitude of Honor and Reverence toward Him. 

   So today I bring before you some ancient worship songs which to me evoke that sense of holy awe. I love the whole of worship music through the centuries, from ancient through modern. Let’s visit a few of the former. I invite your comments and suggestions for others you remember.

1) Now My Tongue the Mystery Telling (Thomas Aquinas, 13th century)

Better seen on a tablet or computer

https://youtu.be/c7XGcnsKpl0?si=0nu6vUiMVAaeDmDl    (Zoom in to see lyrics better or see next link)

https://youtu.be/4axqhVgyBbE?si=cnbBoAvp6IwvFTok

2) Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (approx 275 AD)

https://youtu.be/8wl4u8lnDQs?si=zQ_kf2byJIW_tgWM

3) Humbly I Adore Thee, Verity Unseen (Thomas Aquinas, 13th century)

https://youtu.be/jPgGAoebsGA?si=pgDpP1FT2I8Pf72n

4) My God, Thy Table Now is SPREAD (1755)

https://youtu.be/ss4iEslMrBs?si=cG3IeyUDTZFqiP8m   (Zoom or make full screen)

5) O God Unseen Yet Ever Near (Edward Osler, 1836 … not ancient but almost 2 centuries old)

https://youtu.be/bvKEjmXvjoc?si=DYF5lOlgJnr2AUCg (choir)

https://youtu.be/ysbMFBdCvIA?si=QHLcZ81wdpGGYg2S (instrumental with lyrics)

*Affectionate Reverence post from December 1, 2016

https://tennyandi.blogspot.com/2016/12/reverence.html

1Yahweh is King over all! Everyone trembles in awe before him. He rules enthroned between the wings of the cherubim. So let the earth shake and quake in wonder before him! 2For Yahweh is great and glorious in the midst of his Zion-people. He is exalted above all! 3Let everyone praise this breathtaking God, for he is holy. 4A lover of justice is our mighty King; he is right in all his ways. He insists on being fair to all, promoting true justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5So everyone, exalt the Lord our God facedown before his glory-throne, for he is great and holy.  —Psalm 99: 1-5   TPT

“With my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before you, the holy God!” —Psalm 103:1

On my father’s shoe

 

   Does anyone else remember grabbing on to your father’s leg and not letting go, so when he tried to walk, he had to drag his leg (and you) behind him? Sometimes you could even manage to ride on his shoe.👞 Surprisingly, he never appeared irritated (at least mine didn't). He just looked down and chuckled. I probably did the same thing with my mother; I just don’t remember it. I’ve seen my toddler granddaughter attach herself to her mom in this way. 

   We were not a demonstrative family. [Hugging wasn’t something you would have seen in our home, both my parents having been raised in a ‘keep your emotions inside’ heritage. Hugging, for example, wasn’t seen in our home until my sister came home from college one day and threw her arms around my neck. I thought to myself, “Wow, I like this hugging thing!”] My father was predominantly of German background and my mother, English. Yet we knew they loved us, and my sisters and I are very grateful to have been blessed with the parents we  had (still have, in heaven).

   This morning I was reading and pondering Psalm 65, The first 2 verses read, 

   “Oh God in Zion, to you even silence is praise! You who answers  prayer…”] 

Brian Simmons (The Passion Translation) noted: 

The root of the Hebrew word for ‘prayer’ is palal, which also means ‘tent peg.’ Jewish tradition views palal prayer (intercession) as a means of attaching yourself to God. In the same way a tent peg establishes a tent and fastens it securely, so palal prayer fastens the soul to God. Palal prayer is when you grab hold of God and attach yourself to him in surrender and humility. Hold on to God like a tent peg holds on to a tent.

I thought this was wonderful. However, instead I pictured myself riding on God’s shoe, with my arms attached to His leg. I could hear Him chuckle. Certainly, He wants us to pray ‘face to face,’ but I believe it also pleases Him when we attach ourselves to Him and don’t let go. 

   Go ahead, pray, holding on tight, and make sure your humility, gratefulness, and love towards Him abound with His every step. I believe He will laugh out loud and most surely respond tenderly to your prayer.

    

The main thing

   This morning as I was praying, decreeing, and listening to Father’s Holy Spirit, He said (at least the gist, if not word perfect):

    “This is the main thing.” 

    “Which is the main thing, Lord?

    “This time in your day…each morning. It is not what  you do so you can move on in your day. This IS the focus of your day.”

    “Aaahhhhh.”

    “The other tasks and activities are incidentals. This is the heart, the main thing. Keep returning to the main thing. Every other part of your day should be subsumed under this NOW time with me. Once you understand this more fully, you won’t be checking off your ‘prayer time to-do list’ so you can get to your other seemingly important responsibilities. There is NOTHING more important than this.

   I do not deny you the rest, or even dislike or discourage you from accomplishing them. Just remember that they can be a distraction from what is truly important in My eyes, especially at this critical time in your world’s history. This is it. This is that time foretold, the time of spectacular fulfillment of My promises, recent and ancient. Bigger than ever before. You will be astounded. The earth’s mouth will hang open. Understand that you, My Child and all My church, must be on it. Armed and battling, not just ready for battle. The battle is NOW. Fight on your knees. Fight standing up. Fight sitting down with your Ekklesia staff in your right hand. Fight with your mouth, fight with your actions, fight with praise, fight with prayer, fight with decrees in My Name, fight in thankfulness, fight with My angels, fight with great celebration of all I have done, am doing, will do. Fight with rejoicing, My Child, My Children, My Warriors. Fight from my place of Rest.

   Do not be distracted, vulnerable and ineffective. Rather stand in confidence and assurance that I AM your Deliverer. I lead My army to Victory. Make sure your eyes are on Me, alert to every command, and you will reap the spoils of the Great Harvest ahead. You will hear Me say to you, My children, My Church: ‘Well done!’……and we will celebrate together as One.”

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Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:2-5

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. — Joshua 6:20

Dealing with Bullies

  

Picture this like a movie in your mind: 

   You are being chased by a group of bullies who are gaining on you fast. You run around the corner, panting and desperate, and see your father and big brother in front of you. They draw you behind their backs and stand, feet planted like tree trunks, arms folded. Your attackers, with savage faces, gloat in anticipation. Until, that is, they turn the corner. Seeing your Dad and brother, muscles bulging, in their path, they stop suddenly. The ones behind run into those in front of them. Their smug assurance of success changes into wide-eyed terror. They can’t run away fast enough. But your father and brother have seen them, have identified them. They will see that justice is done.

   Hide yourself in Him*, In and above all circumstances. He is your Sanctuary; Your Strong, High Tower; Your Defender; Your Strength; Your Kinsman Redeemer; Your Rescuer; Your Savior; Your Breaker; Your Comforter; Your Solace; Your Peace; Your Shalom; Your Joy; Your Source; Your Alpha and Omega…….Your dear Papa, with His outstretched everlasting arms.

“There is none like the God of Jeshurun (Israel), Who rides the heavens to your help, And through the skies in His majestic glory. “The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He drove out the enemy from before you….  Deuteronomy 23:26-28

   He has also passed on to us His authority to deal with bullies directly…to turn and face them in His Name, with His strength. We ourselves become tall and muscled, able to terrify any who try to attack us. We just need to know who we are in Him. Picture yourself standing INSIDE Him as you decree the demise of the enemy of your soul, his minions, and those through whom they work on earth. He says we have the right to stand in His place and declare His word and his will, to represent His ‘Person’.

   Do you remember in the movie, Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia), where the Telamarines chase the Narnians right up to a bridge and suddenly stop? There is little Lucy, alone on the bridge with her tiny little knife. Laughable! Yet the derision stops when from behind her, Aslan appears….and roars!

   Now picture the first scenario I gave you above. See yourself standing in front of your dad and big brother when the bullies turn the corner. They are still now terrified, because your dad’s strength is behind you. The bullies will still run away. They know your strength is in Him, and they cannot defeat you once you know how strong you are. Your words, when they are His…..when He agrees with what you are saying, become like the King’s missive stamped with His royal seal. They are backed by His power and authority.

   Aslan is indeed behind us. His strength becomes ours. We represent Him. What He says, goes. Yes, we are hidden in Him. Yes, we are hidden behind Him. Yet we are also standing in front of Him as His ambassador, saying what He says. Praying what He wants, devotedly serving His heart’s desires. When we are representing Him well, His power goes forth to change and transform what is before us and around us. Dare to speak aloud what He says, both His Rhema and Logos word. Be bold, knowing His everlasting arms are wrapped around you, upholding you, strengthening you to do His will and represent Him well.  

   Don’t be afraid of bullies, whether human or demonic. They both ultimately answer to the authority of God Almighty: Father, Holy Spirit, and Lion of Judah!

+++++++” I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer. In his shelter in the day of trouble, that’s where you’ll find me, for he hides me there in his holiness. He has smuggled me into his secret place where I’m kept safe and secure— out of reach from all my enemies. Psalm 27: 5-6

Trisagion and more

     One of my favorite musical artists for quiet praise is Fernando Ortega. The peace of God descends on me whenever I listen to him. He sings treasures old and new. One of the ‘old’ is the Trisagion (linked below). The last line is ‘Have mercy, have mercy, Lord.’ 

   Whenever I hear these words, Father reminds me that because of Jesus, He always has mercy (towards those who believe and trust in Him.). We don’t have to beg Him for it. Yet the truth and beauty of these lyrics touch our souls with heartfelt thankfulness. He knows what we mean when we sing them.  

   This ancient song is short. It has always left me wanting more. So I added verses, under Holy Spirit’s inspiration. Listen to Fernando sing Trisagion, and then continue praising God with the lyrics below.

Original: 

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy, have mercy on us

Trisagion sung by Fernando Ortega

VARIATIONS ON THE TRISAGION*

Holy God, 

Holy and Mighty 

Holy, Immortal One

We praise You, we praise You, Lord

Blessed Trinity,

Trinity of Righteousness,

Trinity of Justice and Mercy,

We sing to You, we sing to You, Lord

Lord of all Creation,

Creator most lovely

All of Your creatures rejoice in You

We dance for You, we dance with You, Lord

Shepherd of Your sheep,

Giver of blessings,

You alone deserve our praises

We follow You, we follow You, Lord

Lover of our souls,

Sanctifier glorious,

Rescuer of Your people,

We thank You, we thank You, Lord

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*The Greek phrase Trisagion translates as "Thrice Holy". In this hymn God is described as holy in three different qualities; Agios o Theos means "Holy God". (Wikipedi)

*

The Cord

   Psalm 118, is a treasure. Reading the Psalms in The Passion Translation always freshens my eyes for a new look.

I love you, Yahweh, and I’m bonded to you, my strength! 2Yahweh, you’re the bedrock beneath my feet, my faith-fortress, my wonderful deliverer, my God, my rock of rescue where none can reach me. You’re the shield around me, the mighty power that saves me, and my high place. 3All I need to do is to call on you, Yahweh, the praiseworthy God. [Psalm 181: 1-3]

   Brian Simmons explains that the word rachem, universally translated love in verse 1 of this psalm, is not the Hebrew word ahav normally used. Rachem implies the love of a mother* so strong that she is bonded to her child. According to Brian, verse 1 could even be translated, “Lord, I want to hug You…!” 

   In recent years, I’ve often pictured myself hugging Yeshua, Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit), and ADONAI Elohim (the Father) individually in turn. Not a Southerner by birth, I find myself declaring, ‘I love Y’all so much! I long to be with You, Three-in-One! Yet I am also ‘bonded’ to my family on earth and know Father still has purposes for me here. 

   Did you ever experience an invisible cord running from your heart to your children and grandchildren, or to others very dear to you? When you are physically far from them, it is as if that cord is stretched so tight and the pull so strong, you long to turn around and get back to them, no matter how much you had looked forward to being where you are. It doesn’t matter how old your children or how grey their own hair might have become. The cord is still attached, the bonding ever present. 

   Our dear Father, Yeshua, and Holy Spirit; God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity; experience the same with us, their Beloved. So many cords, so many bonds, so much indescribable love for us.. Do we love them back with that intensity, longing with everything in us to hug Them, to be where They are? Homesick for them and wanting to express our love and thankfulness in every way possible, to joyfully please them while we’re still here on earth? I can almost picture our Heavenly Father gently pulling on the cord, saying, “Come closer!”

   How torn we are between our heavenly home and our earthly one, between being here for our family and dearest friends and yet feeling the tremendous pull from whence we came! Or rather, from Whom we came. The wonderful news is that we can live in both places at the same time, until the celebration of our Homecoming. “Be still and wait upon the Lord” each and every day. Push aside the distractions. Close your eyes in the stillness (or soaking in quiet worship music) and allow Holy Spirit to draw you to Himself, to give you a deep,  rich taste of His Person and what He has waiting for you. Ease the taut cord from your heart to His. Be where He is. No stretching necessary.

*******

*fathers, too!

“I cried to the Lord”

    “I cried to to the Lord and He heard my voice and He answered me..” Until I began looking for variations of this verse in the Psalms, I didn’t realize how many places* it could be found. Initially, I was reading a note about Psalm 3 and discovered that there are many meanings of the Hebrew word often translated ‘voice’. One definition is ‘the bleating of a lamb for its shepherd’. That one struck a chord. What a perfect picture of us as we, His lambs, cry to Him: 

“Help…. I’m stuck!” 

“Help…I’m hurting!”  

“Help…I really messed this one up big time!”  

“Help…I’m lost!”  “Help…my children are lost,”  

 “Help! I am so hungry!” 

 “Help…I can’t pay my bills!”  

“Help…I am all alone!”  

“Help…I don’t know what to do!”  

“Help…please use your crook to extricate me from this mess!” 

    “Help…I want to love and praise You more, to serve You better!” 

   So many cries of our hearts, so much bleating from so many lambs. And yet none are ignored, none unheard or insignificant to our Shepherd. “He heard my bleating and He answered me….” It may seem at times that He isn’t listening, isn’t seeing us, or doesn’t really care. But this is NEVER so. He is never indifferent to our cries or too busy to help, as humans may sometimes be We can’t always see the manifestation of His response, but we can be assured of it. 

   If you are from a liturgical church background, rooted in century after century of faithful prayer, you may remember litanies and group prayers to which the congregation responds, “Lord, hear our prayer.” Although respectful of this bleating, I now find myself unable to join in* because when I start to do so, He speaks to my heart saying, “I ALWAYS hear your prayers.” He most certainly understands the intent of such petitions. Yet I hear Holy Spirit say, “Know me for Who I Am..” I am the One Who Always Hears, Who always cares, Who Always responds. You don’t need to come as a beggar or a ‘begger’. I want you well and whole even more than you yourself do.

   Yes, David prayed “Hear me, Lord…why aren’t you helping me…why are you ignoring me?,” Yes, these are natural cries, especially when nothing seems to be changing (according to our natural eye). There are also things which can block** us receiving what He wants us to have. Instead of praying, “Hear me, Lord,” let’s pray, “Lord, help me receive everything You have for me, everything you suffered and died for me to receive. Remove every barrier. You are ‘The Breaker!’***   Help me receive Your Shalom!”****

   Our bleating tugs at His heart, just as the cries of our own children do. He is a much better Father than we ever thought of being. Think of what happens to your heart at the bleating of your own children and grandchildren, and you will have a tiny glimpse of the depth of The God of All Comfort’s compassion and concern for YOU.. if you are crying out, bleating for your Shepherd’s help, know that He loves you immeasurably beyond what you can even imagine. Thank Him for this all-embracing, overwhelming love, even if you can’t sense it right now. Trust Him. Trust IN Him. Trust in His compassion for you and His desire for your Wholeness, as well as of those whom you love. Praise Him in the dark and lonely places and picture Him running to answer your cry for help. He is not named “The Rescuer”***** for nothing. 

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 Notes

Here are a few of the Psalms which include “I cried to the Lord…” Go on a treasure hunt. Look them up and be encouraged! 

*Psalm 3, Psalm 17, Psalm 18, Psalm 34; Psalm 118, Psalm 120

**Some of the blocks: **”the world, flesh, and the devil”; unforgiveness, bitter roots, unbelief, deception in a variety of forms…. 

***  The [a]breaker [the Messiah, who opens the way] shall go up before them [liberating them]. They will break out, pass through the gate and go out; So their King goes on before them, The Lord at their head.” So their King goes on before them, The Lord at their head.” —Micah 2:13-14

****The Shalom of God, wrought for us by Yeshua at Calvary, is not simply peace but also our complete wholeness and well-being. 

*****In Israel, when people greet or leave one another with the word Shalom, they are expressing, ‘May you be full of well-being…may health and prosperity be upon you.’ “

“For today in Bethlehem a Rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.”.  —Luke 2:11 TPT  

FYI… I participate in group petitions but now respond with, “Thank You for hearing our prayers!”

Lifter of our heads

  

   This morning, I once again read in Psalm 3 that God is ‘the lifter of my head,’ Years ago, He gave me a picture of Himself putting His forefinger under my chin and lifting my head up so I could look into His love-filled eyes. That image has stayed with me, as well it should. However, Brian Simmons also notes that in David’s time, “to lift up the head signified acquittal when judged, being freed from the prison of shame.” [The Passion Translation]

   How often have I been reluctant to look Him in the eye, due to my ungodly words or attitude toward another? I avoid the ‘listening’ part of my daily prayer time because I am embarrassed and ashamed that I behaved as I did. I know the holiness to which He has called us, and I definitely didn’t measure up. How could I at my advanced age still be struggling with some of the same things I did in my young adulthood? If I take time to listen, won’t He say, “Really???”  

   In his book, Who Told You You Were Naked? Andrew Wommack explores our tendency to hide from God because of the conscience He placed within us. Our awareness of our own guilt can keep us separated from the very solace, healing, and hope we desperately need from Him. We can manage to keep ourselves very ‘busy’ and declare we don’t have enough time to sit at His feet. So much to do! Of course, He is well aware of this ploy. 

   We are like the child who was running in the house and broke the sentimentally valuable vase. Our Father isn’t ignorant of the identity of the culprit, but he wants us to be the one to come and confess, to look him in the eye and say, “I did it, Abba, and I’m sorry.” Forgiveness and a loving hug bring reconciliation and restoration of the closeness a father wants with his children.  

   Our forgiveness, despite our guilt, comes through our eldest sibling, Who already took.our punishment on Himself. He has done this so we and Abba can always be close. Yet we often act as though He hasn’t paid this dreadful price, as if we are still separated from our Papa and need to keep hiding behind the furniture.  We should never take for granted what our Big Brother has done, but we also shouldn’t allow his sacrifice to have been in vain. Abba and Yeshua long for us to stay near. 

   Let’s come without fear to sincerely confess and then receive freedom from guilt and shame (and even pure embarrassment!), in gratefulness to our big brother, Yeshua. Let’s also strive to live holier and holier lives, so that the things we bring to our Abba in sorrow are examples of a life which has been continually sanctified throughout the years.  

   Let’s stay close, no matter our recent thoughts, words, deeds…or even something we failed to do. Let’s confess quickly and allow Him to lift our heads. Let’s receive the Papa Bear hug with which He longs to encircle us. He may have some further instructions for us, however.

   Perhaps the most challenging listening from which we may be tempted to hide is related to someone else.  Someone He wants us to forgive or from whom we should as forgiveness. Someone to whom He wants us to minister our own bear hug.  Let’s listen well and follow through, extending the love and grace we have just received.. Then  we can ‘look up’ and see the glowing face of a proud Papa beaming down on us.

*********

“We know that if we truly listen, You will speak to us both in our hearts and through Your Word. We choose to listen. We choose to have listening and hearing ears. And we choose to bring ourselves under what we hear from You; we choose to obey. We draw near to You, confident that as we do, You will draw near to us.”  —Dutch Sheets, Give Him 15, Devotional II; page 24

“Let the light of your radiant face break through and shine upon us!” —-Psalm 4: 6

Aaronic blessing: Numbers 6: 22-27 :

“May the LORD bless you and keep you;

May the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and give you peace”

“Come seek Me with all your heart. I will not hide from you, but I will hide you in Me.” —Brian Simmons, I Hear His Whisper

 

    

Choreographer and Conductor

    

       Have you ever attended a symphony or other musical performance with a conductor at the helm? He moves his arms dramatically, nodding his head or pointing his baton for each section’s entrance. He holds the orchestra and other performers in the palm of his hand. 

    When there is dancing involved, as in The Nutcracker, for example, you can be sure there has been a choreographer behind the scenes, designing, teaching, and coaching the movements of the performers. You don’t see the choreographer during the show, but you can be certain that without him, the performance would have been a chaotic, bumbling mess. Both the one up front and the one unseen are crucial to the show’s success. The performers cannot see the whole picture. They must keep their eyes on their Conductor, playing and moving as they have been trained by him and by their Choreographer, who were privy to the impression made by the whole group

    Picture a performance ready to begin. Some run in late and breathlessly take their seats. Others have been playing, singing, or dancing since before their feet reached the floor. In the audience and even closer in the wings, some are raptly watching and listening, some longing to join the company.. surprisingly, the Conductor waves them in***, beckoning them with a wide smile. The newcomers don’t realize that He has long been choreographing their lives to bring them to this moment. The performers joyfully make room for them, while still keeping their eyes on the Conductor. 

     Our ADONAI Elohim is both Choreographer and Conductor of our lives. We need Him to prepare us and also to ‘conduct’ us daily as we live out His purposes and plans for us. What peace there is in knowing that He has also already planned and choreographed our movements** and those of other cooperative believers. Our lives are woven together with others’ in a harmony we can’t see or hear with our physical senses. 

     What a glorious merging of sound and movement we make when we choose to follow His lead and agree to be trained* by His Word, practicing daily to improve our reflection of Him: it becomes a feast for the eyes and ears, calling out to those hungry for Him. The glorious Morningstar**** has risen in our hearts and is calling out His invitation*** to others. Oh wait, is that a new group watching and waiting in the wings?

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NOTES

*“So devote yourselves to lavishly supplementing [choreographing*] your faith with goodness, and to goodness add understanding, and to understanding, add the strength of self-control, and to self-control, add patient endurance, and to patient endurance add godliness, and to godliness add mercy, and to mercy add unending [agape] love.” —2 Peter 1: 3-7

{*The Greek word epichorēgeo… can mean “richly provide” (for the choir) or “choreograph.”} 

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“ As a result, the kingdom’ gates will open wide to you as God choreographs your triumphant entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Messiah.” 2 Peter 1: 11

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**“You know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence! You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me…”  Psalm 139: 1-5

 You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought…”  Psalm 139: 16

***“3Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness.”  2 Peter 1: 3-4 

 ****  “For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, as when the Morning Star rises in your hearts.” —2 Peter 1: 19b

“Everything happens for a reason,” but not always a good one

     

     I am so tired of hearing pop philosophies malign the character of God. Hallmark movie scripts now tout ‘the universe’ and ‘fate’ in place of oir Heavenly Father. “The Night Before Christmas” has replaced the true Christmas story for children’s bedtimes, and “O, Christmas Tree” has replaced “Silent Night.” Non-Christian terms like Karma have woven their way into the conversations of Christians. One of the worst is the attribution of everything that happens as the will of God. 

     The phrase “Everything happens for a reason is bandied about as though wretched evil circumstances are part of God’s master plan. Yes, indeed, awful things happen ‘for a reason’….and that reason is often the will of the enemy of our souls or the will of a human who has chosen wrong over right. 

     We musn’t confuse the truth of Romans 8:28, that God can and will “MAKE A GOOD OUT OF ANYTHING OFFERED UP TO HIM WHEN WE’RE CALLED TO HIS PURPOSE,” with the false assumption that HE DESIRED IT TO HAPPEN in the first place. God doesn’t will children to have cancer or be abused. He doesn’t want your mother to develop Alzheimer’s or a child to drown just so he can cause something good to happen. He takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it around for our good. This is the true character of God. He is not the author of disease or cruelty. He doesn’t misuse or abuse or sacrifice one of His children for another. 

     How have we allowed and even perpetuated this lie without standing against it? I’ve even heard sincere pastors preach this to their congregations. Search the Word out for yourself. God calls us to rejoice and be thankful IN all situations in which we find ourselves, not FOR all things. [1 Thessalonians 5:18]

     So many who say they don’t believe in or trust in God attribute their lack of faith to things which have happened in their lives. In this time when people are getting their theology from TV and social media, be an agent of truth for them. Help them see Who God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) truly is. Be a defender of His Character and Will for those He loves so dearly and suffered for so intensely. Help them discern between the ‘in’ and the ‘for’. Lovingly open eyes to false philosophies being expressed all around them. 

   One way which has helped me communicate God’s true heart is by having people imagine ever giving one of their children cancer to teach them a lesson or to benefit another of their children. What a horrible thought, yes? We would NEVER do such a thing. Yet, that is what we accuse our perfect Heavenly Father of doing. Think about it. How have we been brainwashed to accept such an attitude toward our God. Scripture describes Him as Love itself…full of mercy and lovingkindness. 

   Let’s not just stand by and allow Him to be maligned. A wonderful birthday gift to Him this Christmas would be to help those in such desperate need of Him to draw close. Rather than letting them keep Him at arm’s length because of false beliefs about Who He really is, help them discover that there are no more loving, sacrificial arms to be drawn into than His. 

   Happy Birthday to You, dear Yeshua.