Some practical person once said, "As long as we have tests in school, we will have prayers there." People are practical about every phase of their lives --if it works, use it! So why isn't everyone rushing to embrace the "daily office". Benson says that his friend, Father Edward J. Farrell used to say, "The three greatest obstacles of the spiritual life are inertia, amnesia and manana." I agree but not necessarily in that order. People are always going to "get right" about all things spiritual when they are on the backside of their lifespan. Getting right includes getting practical --learning about prayer, making that list, making notes and searching for answers. But most of us would rather take flight than switch to the practical.
VERSICLE: "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11
VENITE: "Wilt not thou revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee." Psalm 85
COLLECT: Formal prayer, corporate prayer
Show us, Lord, the path of practicality in preparing to establish a "daily office". Don't let us continue to offer lame excuses of tomorrow or lack of knowledge. To find Thee requires that one seeks thee. None of us obtain this road by osmosis or the religion of our kinsmen. Help each of us, in our own way, to see a road that is practical and planned and promises. Amen
CANTICLE: (Hymn of praise) "Fall Fresh on Me"
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,fall fresh on me,
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me,
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.
READING OF THE MESSAGE (Daddy's) "Learning by Experience"
Text: "I have learned by experience." Gen. 30:27
Introduction:
1. The world is the school and life is the teacher. Attendance compulsory. Tuition free or expensive.
2. Words by Laban - Jacob's father-in-law.
3. "Experience keeps a dear school and fools will learn in no other."
A. We learn by experience the flight of time.
B. Frailty of human nature--blunders, faults, mistakes, wrongs
C. The vanity of trusting to self--experience teaches humility.
D. Passion, love, goodness of God
Children learn of parents
l. Unsatisfactory nature of earthly things
2. Value of Christ
3. Value of prayer
4. Benefits of affliction and schooling
5. Sustaining power of Grace.
"Come to my school" says Jesus.
What is my prayer for the day? I pray that I shall seek, in a practical way, to find my path to God and that I will utilize this experience to rely on my leaps of faith. I believe that God meets people where they are and he teaches us when we seek seriously and when we share our pilgrimage with others along the way. Amen
Friday, December 31, 2010
Listmakers, extraordinaire!
I am a listmaker. I make no apology for it. I get up with a list and I add or subtract what I get done or want to get done. I do feel a little strange when I put down to take a bath since that is a given. I write down what I need to get from the store and what I need to do during the week. It works for me. Some of these tasks are mundane; some are monumental.
Benson says that many people are listmakers but they never put anything down about their prayer life or daily office. Maybe, to them, that is also a given, or maybe it is something that they will do if time is left over after their listing. Or maybe, the act is somewhere between the mundane and the monumental. He adds: "We are unwilling, it sometimes seems to me, to leave anything in our lives to chance except the way we live out our lives in communion with the one who gave us life in the first place. It seems odd to me." Are we living out our prayer life daily or are we waiting for a contemplated surge of the divine before we schedule it again? It seems odd to me.
VERSICLE: "Can you not wait one hour with me?" Jesus of Nazareth
VENITE: "On hearing the signal for an hour of prayer, we immediately set aside what we have in hand and go with utmost speed, yet with gravity, and without giving occasion for frivolity. Indeed, nothing is to be preferred to the work of God." The Rule of Saint Benedict
COLLECT: (Formal prayer/corporate prayer)
Teach us, O God, to put Thee first on the list of required things to do in our daily lives; help us to lift the daily to the divine by the pleasure of so doing diligence. Let us not be weary in well-doing but to be faithful to the task. Let us press on daily to the prize of the high calling in Jesus Christ. Amen.
CANTICLE: (Hymn of praise) "How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours"
How tedious and tasteless the hours When Jesus no longer I see!
Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers, Have all lost their sweetness to me.
The midsummer sun shines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay,
But when I am happy in him,
December's as pleasant as May.
Reading of the Scripture/Message (Daddy's): "Getting Along with People"
Text: "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsman and my herdsman, for we are kinsmen." (Gen. 13:8)
Introduction:
Men adjust themselves to physical surroundings.
Social life demands the same.
Learn a lot in school but not much about this.
Here is a great field for all of us.
1. There is trouble -- home, business, social world, class strife, color.
2. We ought to make it our great task to get along with people.
Don't have to get along with everyone -- Elijah and Jezebel.
George Washington and Benedict Arnold.
Class we don't like that much.
3. Opportunity and ability confer obligation
4. Every person has his/her worth.
Daddy used to say repeatedly at home when tempers flared, "I like my people to get along".
He was not a part of the temper fit; he was a part of the calming.
What is my prayer for the day? I pray today, Lord, that you will help me be a part of making that list and checking it daily to see if I am about the business and, that being said, to see if it carries over into my daily life of meeting all people who and where they are. Teach me to respect even those I disagree with and this includes all family members. Amen.
Benson says that many people are listmakers but they never put anything down about their prayer life or daily office. Maybe, to them, that is also a given, or maybe it is something that they will do if time is left over after their listing. Or maybe, the act is somewhere between the mundane and the monumental. He adds: "We are unwilling, it sometimes seems to me, to leave anything in our lives to chance except the way we live out our lives in communion with the one who gave us life in the first place. It seems odd to me." Are we living out our prayer life daily or are we waiting for a contemplated surge of the divine before we schedule it again? It seems odd to me.
VERSICLE: "Can you not wait one hour with me?" Jesus of Nazareth
VENITE: "On hearing the signal for an hour of prayer, we immediately set aside what we have in hand and go with utmost speed, yet with gravity, and without giving occasion for frivolity. Indeed, nothing is to be preferred to the work of God." The Rule of Saint Benedict
COLLECT: (Formal prayer/corporate prayer)
Teach us, O God, to put Thee first on the list of required things to do in our daily lives; help us to lift the daily to the divine by the pleasure of so doing diligence. Let us not be weary in well-doing but to be faithful to the task. Let us press on daily to the prize of the high calling in Jesus Christ. Amen.
CANTICLE: (Hymn of praise) "How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours"
How tedious and tasteless the hours When Jesus no longer I see!
Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers, Have all lost their sweetness to me.
The midsummer sun shines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay,
But when I am happy in him,
December's as pleasant as May.
Reading of the Scripture/Message (Daddy's): "Getting Along with People"
Text: "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsman and my herdsman, for we are kinsmen." (Gen. 13:8)
Introduction:
Men adjust themselves to physical surroundings.
Social life demands the same.
Learn a lot in school but not much about this.
Here is a great field for all of us.
1. There is trouble -- home, business, social world, class strife, color.
2. We ought to make it our great task to get along with people.
Don't have to get along with everyone -- Elijah and Jezebel.
George Washington and Benedict Arnold.
Class we don't like that much.
3. Opportunity and ability confer obligation
4. Every person has his/her worth.
Daddy used to say repeatedly at home when tempers flared, "I like my people to get along".
He was not a part of the temper fit; he was a part of the calming.
What is my prayer for the day? I pray today, Lord, that you will help me be a part of making that list and checking it daily to see if I am about the business and, that being said, to see if it carries over into my daily life of meeting all people who and where they are. Teach me to respect even those I disagree with and this includes all family members. Amen.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
I'd rather be the hands of Christ, than a voice to him.
One of my favorite authors is Frederick Buechner. He says things that I can understand about words that I have a vague meaning. For instance, he says: "The hardest thing about really seeing and really hearing is that then you really have to do something about what you have seen and heard." That is true if you are more than an information-sucker.
But the truth is, most of us as Christians know the Scripture about "I was in prison" and we try to reach out at holiday times to feed the poor, etc. and we know about the Model Prayer but since prayer is like an after-thought in our worship services, we don't think it is something that we should strive for. People keep telling us that reading the Scripture counts for prayer as does praying while you are driving the car. Practically everything does. So why does Paul say time and time again, "Pray without ceasing" and why did Jesus teach prayer by example even though he had a straight shot to the prayer God! "Nobody told me" says Benson might have been a good enough reason, at one time, for not praying but it does not work now. And he adds: "What if we are being called to help restore this ancient prayer as a way to strengthen and sustain the Church in our time, as it strengthened and sustained the Church in its earliest days." Ponder this.
VERSICLE: "We lift our eyes to the hills from where does our help come." Psalm 121
VENITE: "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalm 91
COLLECT: (Formal prayer)
Let us find our role in being the hands and the voice of God on earth --help us to see need and respond whether it be a physical need, emotional need or spiritual need. We know we are called to feed the hungry and to preach Christ and him crucified. Help all of us to find our way, our voice and our service. Amen.
CANTICLE: (Hymn of praise)"Who is on the Lord's Side?"
Who is on the Lord's side? Who will serve the King? Who will be his helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world's side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side? Who for him will go?
By thy call of mercy, by thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side, Savior we are thine.
Reading of Scripture/Message (Daddy's) "The Highest Commandment of God"
Text: "Be thou a blessing" Genesis 12:2
Introduction:
Meets an old friend
Call to faith Abram means "exalted father". Abraham means "father of a multitude"
1. A great commission--it did not say to become great, not become rich, not become a great leader , not teacher or doctor but "be thou a blessing."
2. What is required?
Right relationship with God
Balanced on essentials
Qualified to look beyond what he could see
Able to adjust himself to other people.
These are the tests of Christianity.
3. The results:
He had difficulties
He became father of the faithful.
What is my prayer for the day? I pray now, Lord, that I would see Abraham, not as a far-fledged story of many religions but as a human being, with human faults, seeking to follow what he considered to be the promise. Help me to praise his success but worship his perseverence in his search. Many of my "heroes" of the faith have not found worldly success but have been found faithful. I hope the words of my father are true when he says that he believed that God gives people credit for the things they tried to do, not just their successes. Help me to be found faithful in all things, but especially in prayer and in those things that I feel led to try to accomplish. Amen.
But the truth is, most of us as Christians know the Scripture about "I was in prison" and we try to reach out at holiday times to feed the poor, etc. and we know about the Model Prayer but since prayer is like an after-thought in our worship services, we don't think it is something that we should strive for. People keep telling us that reading the Scripture counts for prayer as does praying while you are driving the car. Practically everything does. So why does Paul say time and time again, "Pray without ceasing" and why did Jesus teach prayer by example even though he had a straight shot to the prayer God! "Nobody told me" says Benson might have been a good enough reason, at one time, for not praying but it does not work now. And he adds: "What if we are being called to help restore this ancient prayer as a way to strengthen and sustain the Church in our time, as it strengthened and sustained the Church in its earliest days." Ponder this.
VERSICLE: "We lift our eyes to the hills from where does our help come." Psalm 121
VENITE: "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalm 91
COLLECT: (Formal prayer)
Let us find our role in being the hands and the voice of God on earth --help us to see need and respond whether it be a physical need, emotional need or spiritual need. We know we are called to feed the hungry and to preach Christ and him crucified. Help all of us to find our way, our voice and our service. Amen.
CANTICLE: (Hymn of praise)"Who is on the Lord's Side?"
Who is on the Lord's side? Who will serve the King? Who will be his helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world's side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side? Who for him will go?
By thy call of mercy, by thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side, Savior we are thine.
Reading of Scripture/Message (Daddy's) "The Highest Commandment of God"
Text: "Be thou a blessing" Genesis 12:2
Introduction:
Meets an old friend
Call to faith Abram means "exalted father". Abraham means "father of a multitude"
1. A great commission--it did not say to become great, not become rich, not become a great leader , not teacher or doctor but "be thou a blessing."
2. What is required?
Right relationship with God
Balanced on essentials
Qualified to look beyond what he could see
Able to adjust himself to other people.
These are the tests of Christianity.
3. The results:
He had difficulties
He became father of the faithful.
What is my prayer for the day? I pray now, Lord, that I would see Abraham, not as a far-fledged story of many religions but as a human being, with human faults, seeking to follow what he considered to be the promise. Help me to praise his success but worship his perseverence in his search. Many of my "heroes" of the faith have not found worldly success but have been found faithful. I hope the words of my father are true when he says that he believed that God gives people credit for the things they tried to do, not just their successes. Help me to be found faithful in all things, but especially in prayer and in those things that I feel led to try to accomplish. Amen.
I'd rather jog 5 miles than pray one minute
My beloved hairdresser and confessor, Debbie Bickings, said this morning that she was reading in her prayer book each day and this was her New year's Resolution. I said she was praying the "Office" and she nodded like she does when she does not understand but wants to be agreeable. It reminded me that the Lutherans are far more knowledgeable about the "office" even if they don't name it so than their lower church Baptist brethren and sisteren.
Benson addresses the main problem by pointing out that people will get up and jog before the sun is up and after it goes down but won't take a minute--dawn to dusk--to pray. He writes: "We will not do these things in the name of love or discipline, devotion or worship. We will not even do it for selfish reasons or even as a reliable way of self-actualization, to put it in its least favorable context." He continues that this generation will preside over the death of the church if you believe what the naysayers predict. They say that we cannot spread the gospel in this world. But the witness of the past is that we can!
VERSICLE: "Come, let us reason together!"
VERNITE: "Accept the willing tribute of our lips and teach us your ways." The Psalter
COLLECT: Formal or corporate prayer
Teach us, O God, what you would have us say and do in order to carry your kingdom to all those who struggle to find you in their midst. Convince us that we must bear our share of the load of responsibility for bringing in the kingdom. Teach us to openly hear the words in Galations, "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Help us to heed to the words of the Model prayer, "Thy Kingdom come."
CANTICLE: Hymn of Praise "To The Work" written by Fanny J. Crosby
To the work! To the work! We are servants of God,
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod,
With the balm of his counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Toiling on, toiling on, toiling on, toiling on
Let us hope, let us watch and labor till the Master comes.
READING OF SCRIPTURE -- (Daddy's sermon) "The Christian Pioneer"
Text: "Now the Lord said unto Abraham, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee." Gen 12:1
Introduction:
Here is God's call to a man to a specific task.
He did not call him to a beaten path, but to pioneer. "Where?" asked Abraham.
Stories of pioneers thrill everyone.
1. Abraham's call:
Obedience. left home
Unselfishness. Gave Lot his choice.
Courage. Detested robber kings (Genesis 14:14)
Benevolence. Gave tithes. (Gen. 14:20)
Incorruptibility. Refused pay for services. (Genesis 14:23)
Mighty in prayer. (Genesis 18:23-33)
Faith. Offered Isaac. (Hebrews 11:17)
2. The Call of Men Today. Some say all frontiers gone.
Still many fields open for the investment of life.
a. To lead into an understanding of the values of the spiritual - material conflict.
b. To find the balance between God and man.
c. To show the way in social adjustment.
d. To pioneer in sacrifice.
3. The ultimate destiny of the pioneer:
a. Traveled
b. Had difficulties
c. Found the promise.
What is my prayer for today?
Lord, I ask you to show me what you would have me to do. Help me to realize that this is my time in the kingdom and so long as I have breath, I shall use it for thy purposes. For some people, I am that pioneer who can show them the way. Help me to be a part of the solution and not to contribute to the problem. Help me not to relegate this mission to those younger or to someone I deem to be more faithful or more attuned to the modern ways.
Benson addresses the main problem by pointing out that people will get up and jog before the sun is up and after it goes down but won't take a minute--dawn to dusk--to pray. He writes: "We will not do these things in the name of love or discipline, devotion or worship. We will not even do it for selfish reasons or even as a reliable way of self-actualization, to put it in its least favorable context." He continues that this generation will preside over the death of the church if you believe what the naysayers predict. They say that we cannot spread the gospel in this world. But the witness of the past is that we can!
VERSICLE: "Come, let us reason together!"
VERNITE: "Accept the willing tribute of our lips and teach us your ways." The Psalter
COLLECT: Formal or corporate prayer
Teach us, O God, what you would have us say and do in order to carry your kingdom to all those who struggle to find you in their midst. Convince us that we must bear our share of the load of responsibility for bringing in the kingdom. Teach us to openly hear the words in Galations, "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Help us to heed to the words of the Model prayer, "Thy Kingdom come."
CANTICLE: Hymn of Praise "To The Work" written by Fanny J. Crosby
To the work! To the work! We are servants of God,
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod,
With the balm of his counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Toiling on, toiling on, toiling on, toiling on
Let us hope, let us watch and labor till the Master comes.
READING OF SCRIPTURE -- (Daddy's sermon) "The Christian Pioneer"
Text: "Now the Lord said unto Abraham, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee." Gen 12:1
Introduction:
Here is God's call to a man to a specific task.
He did not call him to a beaten path, but to pioneer. "Where?" asked Abraham.
Stories of pioneers thrill everyone.
1. Abraham's call:
Obedience. left home
Unselfishness. Gave Lot his choice.
Courage. Detested robber kings (Genesis 14:14)
Benevolence. Gave tithes. (Gen. 14:20)
Incorruptibility. Refused pay for services. (Genesis 14:23)
Mighty in prayer. (Genesis 18:23-33)
Faith. Offered Isaac. (Hebrews 11:17)
2. The Call of Men Today. Some say all frontiers gone.
Still many fields open for the investment of life.
a. To lead into an understanding of the values of the spiritual - material conflict.
b. To find the balance between God and man.
c. To show the way in social adjustment.
d. To pioneer in sacrifice.
3. The ultimate destiny of the pioneer:
a. Traveled
b. Had difficulties
c. Found the promise.
What is my prayer for today?
Lord, I ask you to show me what you would have me to do. Help me to realize that this is my time in the kingdom and so long as I have breath, I shall use it for thy purposes. For some people, I am that pioneer who can show them the way. Help me to be a part of the solution and not to contribute to the problem. Help me not to relegate this mission to those younger or to someone I deem to be more faithful or more attuned to the modern ways.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Pray-ers, continued
I II. How are we to walk?
l. By faith -For we walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7)
2.In the light --"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin." l john 1:7
3. In newness of life - "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of his father, even should we also walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4
4. In the spirit -- "This, I say then, Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16
5.In love - "Be ye therefore followers of God as Dear Children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us as offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet -smelling savor." Ephesians 5:1-2
6. Circumspectly - " See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil." Ephesians 5: 15-16
7. Worthily - "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called." Ephesians 4:1
What is my prayer for the day?
Help me, Lord, to keep from being a hindrance to anyone who is seeking to find you for themselves. Help me to concentrate on my shortcomings and not point out the splinter in someone else's eye while refusing to acknowledge the log that is in my own eye. Draw me nearer to you and help me to walk with you in all the ways you have commanded.
l. By faith -For we walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7)
2.In the light --"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin." l john 1:7
3. In newness of life - "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of his father, even should we also walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4
4. In the spirit -- "This, I say then, Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16
5.In love - "Be ye therefore followers of God as Dear Children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us as offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet -smelling savor." Ephesians 5:1-2
6. Circumspectly - " See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil." Ephesians 5: 15-16
7. Worthily - "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called." Ephesians 4:1
What is my prayer for the day?
Help me, Lord, to keep from being a hindrance to anyone who is seeking to find you for themselves. Help me to concentrate on my shortcomings and not point out the splinter in someone else's eye while refusing to acknowledge the log that is in my own eye. Draw me nearer to you and help me to walk with you in all the ways you have commanded.
What happened to the mystics and the pray-ers?
My mother was a pray-er. All of us knew it. I grew up in a divided home. My dad, the preacher, believed in the social gospel. My mother believed in the power of prayer. I saw my dad move heaven and earth to help others; I saw my mother on a bathmat in the downstairs bathroom praying--and I learned quickly that she did not do this so that a child could see it and tell others about it. When people needed someone to pray for them, they called Mom. Benson said that he was told when dealing with people who prayed fervently, that God had "special friends". I know that my mother was a special friend of God. I wish I was but I can't say that in all honesty.
Benson says that there are some ways the modern church has made advances but they have built a full retreat from the business of prayer, devotion and piety. And they are the worse for it. Prayer in worship, says Benson, is "no longer deemed a necessity or an obligation or even an opportunity. Sometimes when I think of that, I want to fall on my knees and maybe even on my face."
VERSICLE "Call to Prayer" This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (A favorite of my mother's)
VENITE "Psalm of Invitation" I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25, a favorite of my Dad's.)
COLLECT (Formal/corporate prayer)
Help us to discover in our worship a meaningful way to meet God without resorting to fanciful ways to attract only the seekers--for, alas, all of us are seekers in enter the doors of worship. Let us seek ways to hold and grow an attentive listener who continually struggles to draw closer to Him.
CANTICLE (Hymn of praise) "I Am Thine, O Lord"
Consecrate me now to thy service Lord by the power of grace divine.
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope and my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to they precious, bleeding side.
SERMON OF DADDY'S: "Walking with God"
Text: "Enoch walked with God and was not; for God took him" Gen. 5:24
Introduction:
We have the thought of perfection;
We think of his obedience, "You shall walk after the Lord, your God, and fear him and keep his commandment and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave unto him." Deut. 13:4
We think of his friendship and fellowship with God.
Points:
I. God wants us to walk with him. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
II. Conditions of Walking with Him:
l. Acquaintance- "Acquaint now thyself and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." Job22:21
2. Agreement - "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Amos 3:2
Benson says that there are some ways the modern church has made advances but they have built a full retreat from the business of prayer, devotion and piety. And they are the worse for it. Prayer in worship, says Benson, is "no longer deemed a necessity or an obligation or even an opportunity. Sometimes when I think of that, I want to fall on my knees and maybe even on my face."
VERSICLE "Call to Prayer" This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (A favorite of my mother's)
VENITE "Psalm of Invitation" I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25, a favorite of my Dad's.)
COLLECT (Formal/corporate prayer)
Help us to discover in our worship a meaningful way to meet God without resorting to fanciful ways to attract only the seekers--for, alas, all of us are seekers in enter the doors of worship. Let us seek ways to hold and grow an attentive listener who continually struggles to draw closer to Him.
CANTICLE (Hymn of praise) "I Am Thine, O Lord"
Consecrate me now to thy service Lord by the power of grace divine.
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope and my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to they precious, bleeding side.
SERMON OF DADDY'S: "Walking with God"
Text: "Enoch walked with God and was not; for God took him" Gen. 5:24
Introduction:
We have the thought of perfection;
We think of his obedience, "You shall walk after the Lord, your God, and fear him and keep his commandment and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave unto him." Deut. 13:4
We think of his friendship and fellowship with God.
Points:
I. God wants us to walk with him. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
II. Conditions of Walking with Him:
l. Acquaintance- "Acquaint now thyself and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." Job22:21
2. Agreement - "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Amos 3:2
Titian Painting "Crucifixion 4"
Correction in previous entry.
Art shows that Christ focused on the people around him, Mother, John and Saint Dominic. I must have read Daddy's writing wrong when I typed the sermon years ago.
Art shows that Christ focused on the people around him, Mother, John and Saint Dominic. I must have read Daddy's writing wrong when I typed the sermon years ago.
Continuation of Morning Prayer of Dec. 28
COLLECT (Formal prayer/corporate prayer)
Help us, Lord, to realize that times change but that people still feel as they were taught to feel. Teach us that God meets us where we are in our experiential life. Help us not to hinder the young or those who are "feasting on the milk". Help us to realize that not everyone will develop a taste for the "meat". But more than that, teach us that we should not hinder but encourage all who seek to find you in their pathway.
CANTICLE: (Hymn of Praise)
Daddy sang this as his invitation every service. "He leadeth Me".
He leadeth me O Blessed Thought, O Words with heavenly comfort fraught,
What'ere I go, where'ere I be, Still tis God's hand that Leadeth me.
He Leadeth me, he leadeth me
By his own hand, he leadeth me.
His faithful follower I would be for by his hand he leadeth me.
SERMON FOR THE DAY: (Daddy's) "Am I my Brother's Keeper?"
Text: "And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not. Am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4:9
Introduction: This is a practical religion. "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." We are reminded of homeless, minorities, hungry, poor. Many are caring. But why? What is it to me?
1. Because of what will happen to us if we do not.===health, character, property.
2. Because of what will happen in us if we do not:
a. Money is not all, love for humanity is the greatest.
b. Slavery in the South, lost love for black people.
Tissot's picture about what Jesus saw from the cross. Not heaven, not angels, not music but people.
Who seeks for heaven alone to save his soul,
May keep the path, but will not reach the goal.
While he who walks in love may wander far
But God will bring him where the blessed are.
What is my prayer for the day?
Help me, Lord, to find my own path to worship in the love that I show to people along the way. Bring me to that place where the blessed are and help me water the garden diligently seeking to serve, rather than to expect the garden to grow unaided by my efforts. Lead me and change the course when I seek to lead in my own pathfinding.
Help us, Lord, to realize that times change but that people still feel as they were taught to feel. Teach us that God meets us where we are in our experiential life. Help us not to hinder the young or those who are "feasting on the milk". Help us to realize that not everyone will develop a taste for the "meat". But more than that, teach us that we should not hinder but encourage all who seek to find you in their pathway.
CANTICLE: (Hymn of Praise)
Daddy sang this as his invitation every service. "He leadeth Me".
He leadeth me O Blessed Thought, O Words with heavenly comfort fraught,
What'ere I go, where'ere I be, Still tis God's hand that Leadeth me.
He Leadeth me, he leadeth me
By his own hand, he leadeth me.
His faithful follower I would be for by his hand he leadeth me.
SERMON FOR THE DAY: (Daddy's) "Am I my Brother's Keeper?"
Text: "And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not. Am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4:9
Introduction: This is a practical religion. "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." We are reminded of homeless, minorities, hungry, poor. Many are caring. But why? What is it to me?
1. Because of what will happen to us if we do not.===health, character, property.
2. Because of what will happen in us if we do not:
a. Money is not all, love for humanity is the greatest.
b. Slavery in the South, lost love for black people.
Tissot's picture about what Jesus saw from the cross. Not heaven, not angels, not music but people.
Who seeks for heaven alone to save his soul,
May keep the path, but will not reach the goal.
While he who walks in love may wander far
But God will bring him where the blessed are.
What is my prayer for the day?
Help me, Lord, to find my own path to worship in the love that I show to people along the way. Bring me to that place where the blessed are and help me water the garden diligently seeking to serve, rather than to expect the garden to grow unaided by my efforts. Lead me and change the course when I seek to lead in my own pathfinding.
Liturgy is the work of people, not the magic wand of God- Benson
One of the things that bothers me so about some of the Pentecostal way of worship is the need for the person experiencing all of this to "feel something". When I speak to young people, it all comes back to "me". I grew up as a preacher's child and worship was not something that had to be felt everytime I entered the building. What I had to do was to listen and try to find something that would cause me to "think". Worship was not a performance to keep me interested; I knew what worship meant to me and I still do. I guess that is why it is so difficult for me to feel comfortable in the pew any longer when I feel that everything else is more important than the words of the preacher or that I know that what the preacher says is more designed to keep his salary intact. I am pessimistic about the turn of the modern way worship.
Hence I shall provide a way for myself to ensure that I meet God in my own worship.
Benson ways that prayer is more like weeding a flower bed and taking care of the yard. Hours of drudgery and monotonomy are overcome so that for one moment or one week, you can see the beauty of the garden and know that you had a hand in the making of the garden. He says there is a "blessed ordinariness in the "daily office".
I like this paragraph: "There is a temptation for all of us to feel as though worship is not really worth much unless we are personally moved by it. If we are not emotionally touched, then our worship does not seem spiritual to us. It helps to remember that liturgy is the work of the people, not the magic "wand of God."
VERSICLE: "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Ps. 100
...For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generaions."
Hence I shall provide a way for myself to ensure that I meet God in my own worship.
Benson ways that prayer is more like weeding a flower bed and taking care of the yard. Hours of drudgery and monotonomy are overcome so that for one moment or one week, you can see the beauty of the garden and know that you had a hand in the making of the garden. He says there is a "blessed ordinariness in the "daily office".
I like this paragraph: "There is a temptation for all of us to feel as though worship is not really worth much unless we are personally moved by it. If we are not emotionally touched, then our worship does not seem spiritual to us. It helps to remember that liturgy is the work of the people, not the magic "wand of God."
VERSICLE: "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Ps. 100
...For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generaions."
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
We are to worship God as much as we are to petition God.
Most of our "praying time" deals with what we want God to do for us personally. I am no different from anyone else. To pray for the expess purpose of worshipping God and praising him usually rates a low second in my semi-prayer life. Tonight I will deal with the prayer of praise instead of the prayer of asking. I am not certain whether the prayer of thanksgiving can be included in this since it leans on the personal if one really thanks God for what He has done in a person's life.
Versicle: Call to prayer "Open our lips and our mouths shall proclaim your praise."
Venite (Psalm of Invitation)
Come, let us raise a joyful song,
a shout of triumph to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into your presence with thanksgiving, singing songs of triumph.
For You are a great God, a great king over all gods,
The depths of the earth and the mountains belong to you.
The sea is yours, for you made it
and the dry land! Your hands fashioned,
Let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the One who made us,
For you are our God and we are the flock that you shepherd.
We will know your power and presence this day,
if we will but listen to your voice.
The Collect (Corporate --for the body--not personal prayer)
We pray for your strength to sustain us on our journey; we thank you for the love which you continue to show us and for the mercy you bestow upon us. Lead, guide, and direct us as we live out our pilgrimage and give us the voice to sing your praises.
Hymn of Praise:
Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne,
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own!
Awake my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee;
And hail Him as thy Matchless King Thru all eternity!
(This is objective hymn, not a subjective hymn). These objective hymns praise God for who He is, rather that what he has done for me.
READING OF THE SCRIPTURE: Observing the Lord's Day
Texts: "God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation." Gen. 2:3
Other pertinent scriptures: Exodus 16:23, Psalm 119:24, Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:27, Hebrews 4:4
Isaiah 58:13-14
Daddy had four main points for this sermon:
I. It was taught in the Old Testament.
II. It was taught in the New Testament
III. It was endorsed y Jesus
IV. Helps us spiritually, mentally, physically.
Daddy Cooper believed in the sacredness of the Sabbath. He insisted that his children attend church and that was understood. He also insisted that they not fill Sundays with things that could be done some other time. The McCutchen Theatre had a film on Sundays and Mondays and although the film was the same, we were not allowed to go on Sunday. Sunday, to my parents, was a time devoted to the things that were Godly. They went to church, ate lunch, rested for awhile, then went out visiting the sick of "the flock" and went back to church for a second service.
Versicle: Call to prayer "Open our lips and our mouths shall proclaim your praise."
Venite (Psalm of Invitation)
Come, let us raise a joyful song,
a shout of triumph to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into your presence with thanksgiving, singing songs of triumph.
For You are a great God, a great king over all gods,
The depths of the earth and the mountains belong to you.
The sea is yours, for you made it
and the dry land! Your hands fashioned,
Let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the One who made us,
For you are our God and we are the flock that you shepherd.
We will know your power and presence this day,
if we will but listen to your voice.
The Collect (Corporate --for the body--not personal prayer)
We pray for your strength to sustain us on our journey; we thank you for the love which you continue to show us and for the mercy you bestow upon us. Lead, guide, and direct us as we live out our pilgrimage and give us the voice to sing your praises.
Hymn of Praise:
Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne,
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own!
Awake my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee;
And hail Him as thy Matchless King Thru all eternity!
(This is objective hymn, not a subjective hymn). These objective hymns praise God for who He is, rather that what he has done for me.
READING OF THE SCRIPTURE: Observing the Lord's Day
Texts: "God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation." Gen. 2:3
Other pertinent scriptures: Exodus 16:23, Psalm 119:24, Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:27, Hebrews 4:4
Isaiah 58:13-14
Daddy had four main points for this sermon:
I. It was taught in the Old Testament.
II. It was taught in the New Testament
III. It was endorsed y Jesus
IV. Helps us spiritually, mentally, physically.
Daddy Cooper believed in the sacredness of the Sabbath. He insisted that his children attend church and that was understood. He also insisted that they not fill Sundays with things that could be done some other time. The McCutchen Theatre had a film on Sundays and Mondays and although the film was the same, we were not allowed to go on Sunday. Sunday, to my parents, was a time devoted to the things that were Godly. They went to church, ate lunch, rested for awhile, then went out visiting the sick of "the flock" and went back to church for a second service.
What does the divine office mean?
One does not have to read much in the Bible to realize that the earliest patterns stressed the constancy of prayer. Many of our Christian churches seemed to relegate the "job of prayer" to monastic groups while the Muslims still called for prayer religiously as did many Jewish sects. I have been reading much about the ancient practices and especially the words of Robert Benson. In fact, I am reviewing one of his books now, "In Constant Prayer".
My writings will be drawn from his book for a time and if you would like to commit to a time a prayer, you may blog or invite others to blog into this thinking. I am starting, as recommended, by a morning prayer and an evening prayer and if my computer works, I will post both. Since I have no prayer book, as such, I will search for my own, using family materials.
Part l of every divine office is the Versicle (call to prayer): An established one is "Open Our lips and our mouths shall proclaim your praise".
Part 2: Venite (Psalm of invitation:
Morning psalm is 95: "Come let us raise a joyful song, a shout of triumph to the rock of our salvation".
Part 3: Collect --Formal prayer (personal)
Surround those who suffer this morning and wrap your arms around them and those who sit with them. Especially remember Rosalie LaPlant, the Noah Gray family, the Pauline Young Family and those who face heartbreak and despair. Show us what we can do to relieve the suffering of those in our midst and away from us.
Part 4: Canticle -- Hymn of Praise
This morning I think of Daddy's favorite verse of a hymn which he quoted often. It is the third verse of "Rescue the Perishing". "Down in the human heart, crushed by the temptor, feelings lie buried that grace can restore. Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that are broken will vibrate once more."
Part 5: Reading of Scripture -- Taken from Daddy's sermons, 'Looking for the Best."
Text: "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." Genesis 1:31
No one lived this out more than Daddy. He looked for the best in everyone and he found it. I wish that he had taught this lesson more to his children for they needed a bigger dose of forgiveness and overlooking faults of others than they seemed to find along the way. At least, that was true in my case. Daddy said in his sermon that looking for the best is a habit to be practiced and practiced. There are many things wrong with us and the world in which we live but as believers and practitioners we should look for the best in the world around us. Imperfections will always abound.
There are some great things to learn--he says:
l. To see the best will help us.
2. It will help my fellowman --they need help.
3. It will help me keep the laws of God to "Love One Another". Romans 13:8
Part 6: What is my prayer for the day?
Where am I focusing on seeing the worst in someone when I could be searching for the best in that someone or that situation?
Lord, let me see what is the great strength of this family and blind me to the the past mistakes and pettinesses I have been clinging to.
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