Greetings to you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a lovely late summer morning…again! God is sure an expert at creating mornings that inspire you and encourage you! I trust that you had a great weekend and Monday…finding God in unexpected places and with people that surprised you. I pray that you made a few ‘discoveries’ that you are pondering and enjoying. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to release healing, strength, and a happy heart to you in ways that you will understand and are able to respond to.
There are two things that are on my heart today. First, a big “thank you” to God for allowing me to find an online conference. I have been watching a livestream event from Nashville called – Sing2019. It is part of an adventure in addressing how and why and what the church sings. It is a part of a five year project from Keith & Kristin Getty. The event is free to ‘stream’ and today’s sessions start @ 9:30. Yesterday I listened to insightful teaching from Dr. John Lennox and Dr. D. A. Carson. Of course, there was music from the Getty’s and Matt Boswell and Matt Papa. This morning’s program will begin with a ‘symphony of prayer’ and throughout the day teaching from John Piper and Mark Deever and more music. So – “thank You, Father!”
The other thing that I am thinking about is the state of relationships within our families. So many people, me included, have-are-will be gathering with family to catch-up, visit, and learn. However in almost every gathering there is a sadness about folk who aren’t there because of health or distance or timing…and because of the brokenness of relationships. It is the last reason that challenges me…and I understand it well. For the most part I am reminded of an old song, performed by Roger Miller back in 1966 called – “Husbands and Wives” – which I would rename – ‘Relationships and Family’.
The words in the song that speak to me say… the angry words spoken in haste-Such a waste of two lives-It’s my belief that .pride’ is the chief cause-In the decline of the number of husbands and wives. I think I would edit those words…the angry words spoken in haste-such a waste of family and friends-It’s my belief that pride is the chief cause-In the deterioration of family strength and tradition and support. I do understand how pride can take angry words…that cannot be retrieved once spoken…and create a stronghold of “offence” that is extremely difficult to breakthrough. We seem to have developed the art of avoiding and ignoring and pretending that we cannot or will not deal with.
I have decided that I need to pray very specifically for family and friends that I know are struggling with broken relationships in their family. I am going to pray that God would reveal the strongholds of offence that people are carrying and the pride-filled attitudes that have created barriers. Interestingly enough, the one of the topics of prayer from a prayer ministry is – the family…pray for Christian families to be strengthened in every area of need or weakness. Pray that they will be alive spiritually, filled with the Word, and the work of the Spirit. Pray that they will be missional and naturally, visibly, living out their witness. I would adjust that slightly…pray for families that I know, including my own, to be strengthened in every are of need and weakness…pray that they will be challenged to keep the lines of communication open…pray the they would slow to anger, slow to speak and quick to forgive…pray that they would visbly, naturally value and enjoy each other.
Have a blessed day!