Sharon and I are privileged to have RG Huff and Carlita Huff as our neighbors… A wonderful Christian couple who have a long history of serving as Ministers of Music at several churches.
Rg Huff posted the following this morning on FB – his composition – the lyrics and suggested music for a wonderful hymn (a prayer really) for cleansing and renewal. I post it here with his permission…
God of Renewal, Growth and Change Text: R. G. Huff
“God of renewal, growth and change, in our disorder, rearrange all wand’ring thoughts and wayward steps, corrupted motives, secrets kept.
“Here we admit we lean t’ward sin. Your restoration now begin. Into our darkness, transfer light; from drab of gray, show colors bright.
“Stunted in our maturity, settling for less than we could be. Nourish our lives; feed heart and soul that we might flourish in our role.
“Much of our path is still the same. Struggles and brokenness remain. Alter our plans, our dreams renew. This is our goal: to model you.”
Suggested Tune: MARYTON (“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”)
“Search me Oh God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if there by any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Some experiences just have a “contagious” aura or aspect to them! We find ourselves telling others about them – it’s like we can’t help ourselves! For example: Getting a “great deal” … Experiencing a place with absolutely stunning scenery… A wonderful, delicious meal with attentive service at a great new restaurant… Having a “once in a lifetime experience… Meeting a new friend and experiencing their wholesome, uplifting, stimulating fellowship…
Now those last two are ones I read about this morning in the Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord!” … A life-changing encounter with Christ! And the “contagious” aspect of that? The resultant “testimony” of that encounter!
The Passage? John 1:35-51 You really need to read it for yourself!
John the Baptist is hanging out with two of his disciples… Jesus happens to walk by and John feels compelled to proclaim to them, “Look! The Lamb of God!” (Not only declaring Jesus was the one who would fulfill Bible prophetic imagery but that He would be the great redemptive “sin bearer!”) I call this one “The Power of Pointing” (pointing out the incredible significance and importance of Jesus Christ to others).
These two guys heard John, and they started to follow Him… Jesus saw them do it and asked, “What do you want?” They wanted to get to know this “Lamb of God” that John had pointed out, and replied, “Rabbi (Teacher), where are you staying?” Jesus said, “Come and see.” And what an afternoon! They ended up spending the rest of the day with Him… Getting to know Jesus, listening to Him, asking questions and frankly being “blown away” by who He was! I call this one, “The Power of Personal Encounter” – and frankly you’ll NEVER be the same after meeting Jesus Christ in a personal way!
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one who spent the afternoon with Jesus. The first thing he does after that experience is find Simon Peter and say to him, “We have found the Messiah (that is the Christ)!” And then Andrew brought his brother to meet Jesus! And Jesus changed Peter’s life! I call this, “The Power of a Testimony!” Listen, NEVER be ashamed, timid, or apologetic about sharing your personal experience with the Lord!” Apostle Paul had it right when he said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel! It is the power of God for salvation to all who believe!” (Romans 1:16-17)
The next day, Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip, and said to Him, “Follow me.” Before they left, Philip found Nathanael and told him “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote!” Just then Jesus did something absolutely mind-boggling and miraculous – He prophetically, with Divine foreknowledge, read Nathaniel’s pedigree in detail! Nathanael’s response? “Rabbi, you are the Son of God!” And this one I call “The Power of the Miraculous” to draw people to the Lord. So if Jesus has done something absolutely miraculous and mind-boggling for you, don’t be afraid to share it… and furthermore, don’t be afraid to encourage people to trust God to do the miraculous in their lives – pray with them about it and see what God can do!
Hey, if you meet Jesus in a personal way it will forever change your life! Not only that, it’s “contagious!”
I see it all the time… People with earbuds or headphones over their ears, or a cellphone blaring music, as they take a walk in God’s beautiful creation… If they’d remove the ear buds or turn off the cellphone music they’d hear the beautiful chirping of birds, the rustle of the breeze, the gurgling of a brook, or waves slapping the shore or dashing against the rocks (and many other wonderful sounds of nature. My advice? Turn of the music – enjoy the wonderful sounds of nature!
Now, I have another reason for suggesting this as well… Many of you know that I’m a runner. One day, a number of years ago, I decided to do a run on a frontage road along the freeway here in Waxahachie, TX. Had the headphones on listening to worship music… A car came along behind me – I didn’t hear it because of the headphones and it came so close it actually brushed my leg… Scared me good!!! Consequently I NEVER wear headphones, earbuds, or listen to music on my cellphone anymore when I’m running! I prefer the sounds of nature – God sounds, if you please!
What prompted these thoughts today? The words of the following Psalm I read during my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning…
“Praise the Lord!
“Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD, FOR AT HIS COMMAND THEY WERE CREATED, AND HE ESTABLISHED THEM FOR EVER AND EVER— he issued a decree that will never pass away.
“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds…
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens…
“Praise the Lord!” (From Psalm 148 NIV)
So if you see me running or walking a nature trail… No headphones for me, no earbuds – I won’t have my cellphone playing music… I’ll be enjoying the wonderful sounds of nature – sounds generated by my Creator God! Praise the Lord!!!
Coffee With The Lord 