WATCHWORD:
7 On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the Lord: 8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. God Only KnowsSing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. 1 Chronicles 19:7-9
Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:1-3
Saturday Meditation:
God Only Knows
Paul Simon, singer, song-writer, philosopher. So many of his songs are familiar to all of us. However, I think we would be hard-pressed to find one that would fall in such categories as Hymns or Praise songs. Although, some of his stanzas could easily be the introduction to a homily or a sermonette. For example, this verse from “Slip Sliding Away” contains ideas that we embrace. God has a plan for us and often His plans and ours don’t quite mesh. We may think we are getting close to what God has in mind for us, and then the way is not easy to negotiate and we slip into old habits. Can you see that?
God only knows, God makes his plan
The information’s unavailable, To the moral man
We work our jobs. Collect our pay, Believe we’re glilding down the highway
When in fact we’re slip slidin’ away
You know the nearer your destination, The more you’re slip slidin’ away
You would think that a song like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is ready made for a message. I don’t know what these verses say to you, but to me it seems like my Lord and Savior is reaching out in the fog of a day that is not going well for me. When I feel like I am all alone and can’t seem to get beyond it. Then, as I call out to Him, He comes and equips me to get beyond the rough stuff. He comforts me and he instills in me the peace that only He can give. He is like a bridge over the troubled waters of my life. Can you see that in these verses?
When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
I don’t mean to imply that Paul Simon is imbedding sacred meaning into his popular songs. Maybe just a little, some of the time. If you are familiar with the 1968 movie, The Graduate, you probably have hummed along with the music for Mrs. Robinson. The first verse fakes in the direction of Christianity, until you realize it is just a fake!
And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know, wo wo wo
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
>Heaven holds a place for those who pray hey hey hey
And so forth. Nothing here to sermon-write on, unless it’s “Slip Sliding Away” on the slope of adultery. Come to think of it, I believe an old style preacher could really go to town on that theme. Me? I prefer the message contained in the words of “On the Wings of a Snow-White Dove.” So be it.
Bulletin Board:
On the wings of a snow white dove
He sends his pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
When troubles surround us, when evils come
The body grows weak, the spirit grows numb
When these things beset us, he doesn’t forget us
He sends down his love
On the wings of a dove
On the wings of a snow white dove
He sends his pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
That’s nice!
Praying Psalm 55:1-7:
Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down. My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me Fear and trembling overwhelm me and I can’t stop shaking. Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. Amen.
