Tag Archives: God in Us

Sing and Make Music

Gabriel's OboeLiving in the Spirit
August 14, 2015

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Ephesians 5:18-20

With a voice of singing declare ye this and let it be heard, Alleluia*. My dad loved music, country blues mostly, and we, his children, were thus blessed with his gift of loving music, one of our greatest sources of joy and solace. I read somewhere recently that singing just 10 minutes a day was good for one’s health; it certainly is good for one’s soul. Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins. **

While my dad did not like opera, I think he enjoyed most popular music along with the country. I like opera but am not too into heavy metal. We all have different taste and music changes over time but music as a universal language continues. The Mission is probably my favorite all time move. It theme music featuring “Gabriel’s Oboe” by Roland Joffé*** could heal the sin sick soul. In the movie Gabriel’s Oboe opened the door to the oneness that grew between the indigent peoples and the priest who came to share the love of God with them. What struck me most about the story is that God was already at work among these natives although they did not know God by the same name the young priest did. This young priest did recognize God in his new friends.

We need to sing and play music as we work toward wholeness and oneness with all of God’s people for it opens our eyes to seeing God in each of us.

With a voice of singing declare ye this, and let it be heard, Alleluia.
Utter it even unto the ends of the earth.
The Lord hath delivered his people, Alleluia.
O be joyful in God, all ye lands,
O sing praises to the honor of his name, make his praise to be glorious*.

Prayer: Help us Lord sing the old songs and sing a new song too. Amen.

*With a Voice of Singing by Martin Shaw see at http://worship-organizer.awtrey.com/library/index.php?id=000318
**Singing Changes Your Brain by Stacy Horn. Time Aug. 16, 2013. http://ideas.time.com/2013/08/16/singing-changes-your-brain/
***Hear at https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=A211US636&p=Gaberllia+OBoe

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved

Entrusted with the Word

Word of GodLiving in the Spirit
November 7, 2014

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.— 1 Thessalonians 2:13

How does God’s word work in us? First the word “believers” could also be translated “those who have been entrusted with the word”. I like this second translation because it implies more than simply to believe something. It says we are to protect it and value it beyond measure. Since the word translated “believers” is plural, it also means that I must engage with others and come to some common understanding about what the Word of God is saying. We, then, together must let it work within each of us and among all of us for the Word to produce synergy throughout our world today. Paul often called that fruit.

The Word of God for me includes both the Bible and the life examples of Jesus Christ. And yes, I realize that the life examples are for the most part gleaned from the Bible but they are in some ways more real to me in my daily walk. I have sat on the hillside above a crowd of hungry people and had compassion, walked along the water’s edge with friends and co-workers searching for answers to life’s questions, wept over the loss of a dear loved one, and enjoyed the innocent, fresh company of children. And all these experiences look a little different to me having seen them through the eyes of Jesus and actually through the eyes of all those who came before him and followed him. The Word of God is living as Hebrews 4:12 states: Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

As the word of God works within us to shape our hearts so goes our ministry to serve God.

Prayer: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
               Sent from the heart of God,
              Hold us who wait before Thee
             Near to the heart of God. Amen*

*From the hymn Near to the Heart of God words by Cleland B. McAfee, http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/e/neartoth.htm

 All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.