This post repeats one from the "Renewed Cities" blog. We will copy when it seems appropriate. One of the skills we hope to share with The Next Generation youth is "centering prayer," or silence in the presence of God.
This morning I awaken to a sense of God’s peace and rich contentment. My soul was at rest. Responsibilities could wait, God was too real to move for a while.
Several factors may have contributed. First, Pat and I were home! After over 2500 miles in our little ten year old Swedish Ford (aka Volvo S40), three different hotel rooms and two relative’s guest rooms, I could relax in the familiar space we call home. It felt good!
Second, I have been reading about “centering prayer,” prayer which is simply silent and meditative. The cool breeze through the open window, the chirping of birds, and Pat’s rhythmic breathing contributed, but, as I lay still, God’s presence was as tangible and comforting as the bed linens. The words of the old Gospel song penned long ago by W. G. Cooper came to mind –
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm
In celestial like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm
Refrain:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace
Buried deep in the heart of my soul
So secure that no power can mine it away
While the years of eternity roll!
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day
And His glory is flooding my soul!
And I think when I rise to that city of peace
Where the Author of peace I shall see
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark
O accept of this peace so sublime!
(Words public domain)
The lyrics were welded into my spirit as a boy and youth. Our church reveled in quiet awe as the Holy Spirit washed our troubled thoughts and disturbed spirits with His Presence. The wonder of prayer is that we engage the Almighty face-to-face, mind-to-mind, spirit-to-Spirit; heart-to-heart, and will-to-will. And peace fills the place where wars used to be.
From bedroom to deck, the morning place I love to meditate, I read –
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91)
Ah, life is good. Life is best when we cultivate and experience the presence of God!
In addition –
A friend reminded me of a simple but important truth, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Altars
A pithy statement is embedded in Abraham’s story in Genesis, “... from there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent ... there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 12:7) Unlike most people, Abraham pitched his tent and built an altar, a powerful statement of how Abraham chose to live. Abraham was an affluent man, which makes his story more pungent. He deliberately threw off the privileges, cares and conveniences of wealth to pursue the Almighty.
Men naturally build their tents and pitch their altars. We receive endless offers for home improvements from the culture merchants than we ever receive for developing the inner man. Is it fair to ask, “Do I spend as much time in the pursuit of God as I spend mowing, painting, polishing, storing, and decorating my tent? When I open my check book, or family financial spreadsheet, does the ledger reflect my conviction that knowing and pleasing God is the most important part of my life, or life itself?”
Altars are place where we, finite and frail, meet with Eternal God face-to-face; heart-to-heart; mind-to-mind; spirit-to-Spirit and will-to-will. Jesus’ blood-bathed intercession in Gethsemane captures the rigorous process of an altar. Jesus wrestled will-to-will with the Father when he prayed, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. The stress of that encounter required help be sent to Jesus. The following words record, An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
The Holy Spirit spoke through the pen of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8 about how He, the Spirit, ministers to us bringing us to agreement with Him. An altar is the place where
• we establish life priorities as we converse face-to-face.
• men learn how to prepare for daily decision making by sensing the ways of God.
• our hearts to be molded into the compassionate centers of our being, which allows unselfish actions to flow.
• minds are transformed. (Romans 12:1-2)
In short, those who build altars and pitch tents become world changers. Just think, because of Abraham’s choices, we are his spiritual offspring and children of the Eternal God.
The ways of God do not come naturally, but through deliberate discipline and practical repetitions. Altars must be built one experience with God at a time, tents can be pitched on our terms anywhere!
Have a great day! When I work, I work. When I pray, God works!
Men naturally build their tents and pitch their altars. We receive endless offers for home improvements from the culture merchants than we ever receive for developing the inner man. Is it fair to ask, “Do I spend as much time in the pursuit of God as I spend mowing, painting, polishing, storing, and decorating my tent? When I open my check book, or family financial spreadsheet, does the ledger reflect my conviction that knowing and pleasing God is the most important part of my life, or life itself?”
Altars are place where we, finite and frail, meet with Eternal God face-to-face; heart-to-heart; mind-to-mind; spirit-to-Spirit and will-to-will. Jesus’ blood-bathed intercession in Gethsemane captures the rigorous process of an altar. Jesus wrestled will-to-will with the Father when he prayed, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. The stress of that encounter required help be sent to Jesus. The following words record, An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
The Holy Spirit spoke through the pen of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8 about how He, the Spirit, ministers to us bringing us to agreement with Him. An altar is the place where
• we establish life priorities as we converse face-to-face.
• men learn how to prepare for daily decision making by sensing the ways of God.
• our hearts to be molded into the compassionate centers of our being, which allows unselfish actions to flow.
• minds are transformed. (Romans 12:1-2)
In short, those who build altars and pitch tents become world changers. Just think, because of Abraham’s choices, we are his spiritual offspring and children of the Eternal God.
The ways of God do not come naturally, but through deliberate discipline and practical repetitions. Altars must be built one experience with God at a time, tents can be pitched on our terms anywhere!
Have a great day! When I work, I work. When I pray, God works!
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