OzThoughts - Friday
Susan Lehmann
from The Message version which we have considered in the past two days:
29
Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced
rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
30
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and
lightly."
(Matthew
11:29-30 The Message)
We come to the third of the three Ws: "Walk, Work and Watch". Jesus invites
us to "watch how I do it".
There is something very special about
watching a master craftsman at work. If we are going to attempt any task,
most
of us are helped by watching someone complete the task.
I once saw the results of a test which
showed that people filled out a typical one page government form most
efficiently when they were given a sample form which was already filled out.
Jesus invites us to watch how he does it
and when we consider who he is it is a wonderful invitation. However, Jesus
does not stop there. He goes on:
".Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay
anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn
to
live freely and lightly."
[Listen: Male voice: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1594.mp3
or
Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_592.mp3]
Thou art the way, none other dare I follow;
Thou art the truth, and thou hast made me
free;
Thou art the life, the hope of my tomorrow;
Thou art the Christ who died for me.
This is my creed, that 'mid earth's sin and
sorrow,
My life may guide men unto thee.
Hold thou my feet, let there be no
returning
Along the path which thou hast bid me tread;
Train thou my mind, I would be ever
learning
The better way thy fame to spread;
Keep thou my heart ablaze with holy burning
That love for souls may ne'er be dead.
I would bring peace to lives now torn
asunder,
Ease aching hearts with words that soothe and
heal;
I would bring peace when, breaking like the
thunder,
Men rise in war, and hatred feel.
Peacemaker, Lord! Now I am stirred to
wonder;
O take me, and my calling seal!
Author: Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:
529
..........................
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Susan Lehmann
prophecy when he was filed with the Holy Spirit. Zachariah, the Priest and
husband of Elisabeth seems to get a little over shadowed by Elisabeth and
her
cousin, Mary and the birth of their two sons.
When the angel, Gabriel, told Zachariah
that Elisabeth would have a son, Zachariah told Gabriel it was impossible
because they were too old to have a child. Gabriel then told Zachariah that
he
would be dumb until the prophesy was fulfilled.
At John's circumcision, when agreeing that the child would be named
"John", Zachariah regained his voice.
I think it is helpful to look at the final
two verses of yesterday's reading and looking at the question that the Holy
Spirit helps Zachariah answer:
65-66A
deep, reverential fear settled over the neighbourhood, and in all that
Judean
hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it
took
it to heart, wondering, "What will become of this child? Clearly, God has
his hand in this."
Luke 1:67-69 (The Message)
67-79Then Zachariah was filled with
the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he came and set his people free.
He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives,
and in the very house of David his servant,
Just as he promised long ago
through the preaching of his holy prophets:
Deliverance from our enemies
and every hateful hand;
Mercy to our fathers,
as he remembers to do what he said he'd do,
What he swore to our father Abraham-
a clean rescue from the enemy camp,
So we can worship him without a care in the world,
made holy before him as long as we live.
And you, my child, "Prophet of the Highest,"
will go ahead of the Master to prepare his
ways,
Present the offer of salvation to his people,
the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise
will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.
[ Listen: (Very quiet start) "Prepare ye
the way of the Lord", etc., from "Godspell":
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1509.mp3
or Look and listen: (Exceprt from film
"Godspell"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSIs1MHdFQY
]
[ Listen: Silent night: Band:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4896.mp3
or
Songsters:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3198.mp3
Or
Look and listen: (Children's choir):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqDjM5js5oU
]
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child;
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Saviour is born!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord at thy birth.
Author: Joseph Mohr (1792- 1848) trs John F. Young (1820-85)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:
89
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