1 Timothy 14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you,
which was given you by prophecy with the
laying on of the hands of the eldership.
NKJV - spirit filled bible.
The road is long, with many a winding turn, opening lyrics of that evergreen song "He ain't heavy" by that famous Manchester group the Hollies. The lyrics of that particular song released in the U.K. on the 1st September 1969 are as relevant today as they were in the 60s. Did the writers realise what an impact this would have on so many hearts and how if we could all learn to sing from our creator God's hymn sheet it would be a better world.
Even more amazing is the source of that particular lyric "He ain't heavy. He's my brother."
In 1884 James Well, Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland in his book "The parables of Jesus" tells of a little girl carrying a big baby boy. When someone suggested to the child how heavy the baby must have been for her to carry she replied "He's na (not) heavy. He's mi (my) brother and the rest is history. The finger of God inspires the artist and immortalises their gift. Not literary excellence just a simple message for the common man performed by gifted musicians and singers.
Travel just a short distance from my home city and yet another young man, Gerry Marsden lead singer in Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded my favourite version of "You'll never walk alone" Once again research led to the background of the lyricist.
Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II born in New York, U.S.A. to a Jewish father and a mother of Scottish/English parentage was the famous lyricist. Richard Rodgers also born into a prosperous Jewish family in New York wrote the music for this beautiful song and together their aesthetically clean family movies loved by so many remain a positive encouragement for the road ahead.
In 1839 Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer Lytton, first Baron of Lytton* in his play "Richelieu or Conspiracy wrote "the pen is mightier than the sword" his melodramatic style was considered "kitsch and risible.
The loud earth breathless!
Take away the sword
States can be saved without it.
Perhaps the simplest interpretation:
"it is said to emphasise that thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence.*
Every gift, albeit singer, song or artist is heaven sent we are merely the instrument and those that remain humble and focused will weather whatever celebrity status brings with it.
At the end of the day both pen and the internet can reach billions and be used to influence the mind for good or evil. Man has free will. Let's pray "good" prevails lest we invoke the wrath of God.
Nevertheless we go around in circles, never learning from past mistakes until the day we might all just disappear down that "giant sink hole" after all mother nature is clearly screaming revenge.
Travel just a short distance from my home city and yet another young man, Gerry Marsden lead singer in Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded my favourite version of "You'll never walk alone" Once again research led to the background of the lyricist.
Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II born in New York, U.S.A. to a Jewish father and a mother of Scottish/English parentage was the famous lyricist. Richard Rodgers also born into a prosperous Jewish family in New York wrote the music for this beautiful song and together their aesthetically clean family movies loved by so many remain a positive encouragement for the road ahead.
In 1839 Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer Lytton, first Baron of Lytton* in his play "Richelieu or Conspiracy wrote "the pen is mightier than the sword" his melodramatic style was considered "kitsch and risible.
The loud earth breathless!
Take away the sword
States can be saved without it.
Perhaps the simplest interpretation:
"it is said to emphasise that thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence.*
Every gift, albeit singer, song or artist is heaven sent we are merely the instrument and those that remain humble and focused will weather whatever celebrity status brings with it.
At the end of the day both pen and the internet can reach billions and be used to influence the mind for good or evil. Man has free will. Let's pray "good" prevails lest we invoke the wrath of God.
Nevertheless we go around in circles, never learning from past mistakes until the day we might all just disappear down that "giant sink hole" after all mother nature is clearly screaming revenge.
Its easy to hold on when the road is straight ahead but when tragedy strikes leaving you helpless and struggling to keep your head above water, then and only then you realise how deep or shallow your christian roots really are. Like Peter we have to learn to keep our focus on Jesus and not the violent waves that surround our fragile craft.
There are many crippled christians, some victims of the prosperity preachers, never expecting their path to be anything but blessed, totally misunderstanding that any blessing is "spiritual" certainly not material.
The apostate church is synthetic and ritualistic. The discerning will never set foot over an earthly church threshold, their compass firmly fixed on the narrow gate and their shepherd's welcome home. As they approach their final destination they will turn and as far as the eye can see the road behind them will be filled with fellow pilgrims from around the globe.
The apostate church is synthetic and ritualistic. The discerning will never set foot over an earthly church threshold, their compass firmly fixed on the narrow gate and their shepherd's welcome home. As they approach their final destination they will turn and as far as the eye can see the road behind them will be filled with fellow pilgrims from around the globe.
When you know the Lord you follow Him, not the guy in the pulpit. When you know your Lord you sing for Him. Its not a performance or promotion of self, those are by products or sometimes the price paid for those in the spotlight. Those that can handle the limelight know that their talent is a very special gift of God to be used for His glory. God sees the heart and ambitions of man. Nothing is hidden.
Amos 5 - 21 - 23 - 24
I hate, I despise your feast days,
And I do not savor your sacred assemblies.
23 - Take away from Me the noise of your songs.
24 - But let justice run down like water,
and righteousness like a mighty stream.
When you hit potholes on the road, you can get dragged down. We have to heave ourselves on to higher ground. Somewhere in my study bible a text was explained as "sometimes God will take a life rather than lose a soul." Like the pilgrim Faithful** we get the short cut home.
Perhaps if our brother/sister's welfare was our concern we wouldn't be in the unholy state in which we now find ourselves. Many expressing a total lack of concern and accountability for their actions. The appalling trail of blood and devastation evil men leave behind them is just another news report. Now more than ever we need to turn back to the God most deny.
2 Chronicles 7 - 14
"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7 - 14
"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Slowly the stars of the 60s are going out one by one but when the finger of God inspires the lyrics, the singer and the song never die and that is reward enough.
It is said this simple Irish blessing was written by St. Patrick. The authorship is unimportant, but the message is eternal.
It is said this simple Irish blessing was written by St. Patrick. The authorship is unimportant, but the message is eternal.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm against your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
* Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron of Lytton.
English novelist, playright, poet and politician.
English novelist, playright, poet and politician.
* Cambridge advanced Learner's Dictionary and Thesauras.
** John Bunyan's - Pilgrims Progress.
No comments:
Post a Comment