"Words, words, words"

Being the youngest of eight children who were very verbal, I learned quickly about words. I learned that the meaning was not always clear. For instance, my brother, Jim, four years older, used these expressions with me: "You wear garments" and I would protest; or "Janie hesitated on the bathroom floor" and I would protest. I also learned quickly that there was no eleventh commandment in the Bible, "Thou shalt not rat on sisters and brethren." I became fascinated by words and still am. In my professional world, I learned to use the correct word and even used my knack for diagramming a sentence when in doubt. Some of my cohorts praised me by saying that I could tell a person to go to hell and make that person look forward to the trip.
That is a little accurate but a little strong. But words can cut to the quick and expand horizons faster than deeds, at times.

Benson writes: "I have discovered that sometimes someone else's words are better than my own. There is something to be said for listening to something other than our own sweet selves, something to be said for having to find and be found by God inside the words of prayer and worship that have been offered up by God's own for centuries."

VERSICLE: "In the beginning was the Word." (Gospel of John)
VERITE: "I started to sense that words not only convey something, but are something; that words have color, depth, texture of their own, and the power to evoke vastly more than they mean...to make things happen inside the one who reads and hears them." Frederick Buechner
COLLECT (corporate prayer) Lord, we ask for the experience of holy words to flood our minds and hearts today in worship. Blind us to those things that keep us from seeing you and deafen us to worldly distractions. Let us hear what you are saying to us today. Amen.
CANTICLE (Hymn of praise) "Open My Eyes, That I May See"
Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth thou hast for me!
Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee. Ready my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me. Spirit Divine.

READING OF THE MESSAGE (Daddy's) "Hearing God Speak"
Text: "I will...hear what God the Lord will speak." Psalm 85:8
Introduction:
l. On hearing God. Might expect that from David. Bible has warm place for hearing; not so much for talking.
2. Celestial beings were once thought to have been constantly concerned with the welfare of people. Celestia beings once interested man. Stars names and heavens mapped before man even knew that the blood circulated. Calamities were messengers.
3. New Testament brought in the spiritual meaning.
4. Danger of the modern day is natural law. Might forget God existed. The whole world is filled with messengers. People are hearing. We hear other things, friends, family.
5. This is a great Psalm. Wonderful spirit about it. God had been favorable. Healed land. Turned away his wrath. Spirit of revival is upon us. Now, Lord, we will listen to you. Need to get up. Upper room is significant.

I. One interpretation is to find God in nature. And God is in nature. Waterfall, singing birds, flowers, majesty of the mountains. Heavens declare the glory of God. Earth is handiwork. But this is merely the mortal. Not down to heart. Cannot reach the blackness of sin. Man must have something else to speak forgiveness to him.
II. But God speaks directly to people.
In the Bible, a "personal" letter;
In prayer, through the Holy Spirit
Through consecrated living - opportunities;
Conscience -mental suggestions'
Providences.
III. Then there are some things that man must wait for God to tell him about:
What he wants a person to do.
Man's relationship with his fellowman.
God must tell man what is wrong with him. Sin.
God must tell man what will be his destiny. God will speak. Man needs to hear; man can understand.
IV. God teaches what man needs to know. God has the word that man needs to hear.
Good cheer
Security and assurance
Definite promise
Forgiveness
Friendship
V. Some things man needs to hear:
Needs to be born again,
How to live
How to die, the secret.
VI. We need the lesson from the Psalmist:
Must be willing to hear.
Willing to obey, never forced.
Must not determine what God will say.
Make hearing a common occurrence. Moses on the desert.
Our duty after hearing --
Lord, what will thou have me to do?
Lord, send me.

What is my prayer for the day? Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where can I be of service? How do I find the words that I will need to say except for your leading? How can I go without a shepherd? Make me as one of your servants. Amen.