And We Have Trish Farned at the Organ

The first person described in Scripture as being "filled with the Spirit" was not a priest or prophet. He was an artist and craftsman (Exodus 31:1-6).

And the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts--to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover I have appointed Oholiab, son of Ahasamach of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you...."

In earlier chapters God gives special gifts of wisdom--like to the garment makers in Exodus 28. But here we read for the first time about someone being filled with the Spirit of God, in order to do special work in God's House.

This side of the cross, and with the insight of the Holy Scriptures, we have a more complete understanding of God's gift of His Spirit and the way He enables all of us to function for His honor and glory in His holy family.

I think about this on many Sundays during worship. We have been given a priceless array of artists in our church family. One of our organists is Trish Farned. This is what she says:

One of the first things I was taught as an organist was to make my settings to match the words of the hymns. I try really hard to do that and to play in a way that will have meaning to the congregation. I truly enjoyed playing the Almighty Medley last week. I tried to play with everything I had because when we are singing the words: Almighty, Most Holy God, Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise, and Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, there is no playing it halfway. I give it everything I've got!

That is pure worship and He deserves everything we can give.

The offertory (My Jesus, I Love Thee) is one of my favorite hymns, and again when you play the words If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now we have to play it like we mean it. To me music is a very important form of worship and I ask the Lord to use me as an instrument to help reach someone every time I play.

Bezalel was goldsmith, silversmith, jeweler and a carpenter, He probably even made some of the musical instruments used in God's House for His worship -- the text says he was skilled in all kinds of craftsmanship.

We have things to do for God, too. He created us and enables us to do kind and thoughtful things for others and to perform acts that bring pleasure to God's family.
In addition to those general random acts of kindness, He has also given all of us special tasks to do -- special positions of service that are reserved just for us.

We need to pray for His wisdom, to open our eyes and ears and hearts, to seek out those opportunities and then to, like Trish, give them all we've got!

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

Rambling Roads

Last Sunday in church we had such a great time! Coming to God's house and meeting with His people brings unspeakable joy. When you think about it, the fact that we come eagerly and with joyful anticipation is in itself a gift from God!

Everything we feel and experience in worship comes from Him. "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy Cross I cling" is a picture of us. Even our repentence is a gift from Him.

The music was especially good -- the offertory was an amazing arrangement of My Jesus, I Love Thee with Virginia at the piano and Trish at the organ. I turned to Patrice and Kelly and asked: Is it just me or is this whole service aglow with the Holy Spirit? They agreed.

Then the choir sang a sort of musical medley featuring songs about God's Almighty Power and Holiness: Part of it included Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise...and Holy, Holy, Holy...


I wanted to cheer and clap -- we did the clapping OK but I am hesitant to cheer. I think God would love it if we cheered! I guess we need more practice at that part of our worship --

Bro Mike's sermon was on John the Baptist and how he had periods of doubt. When he first saw Christ he was confident and energetic in his acceptance of the Messiah. He must increase and I must decrease, he declared. After being in prison a while, though, he had some doubts and disappointments.

Bro Mike talked about disappointments: Disapointments come when we realize that God's plans are different from our plans.

(1) Disappointment is always tied to expectations -- (sure is for me)

(2) Expectations are dangerous when they are based on false assumptions

(3) Disappointments can result in an appointment with God -- (And that's an appointment we sure don't want to miss!)

The whole service was so packed with meaning -- with challenge, with inspiration, with yearning for more of God.

Anyway, we also sang Standing on the Promises...and that reminded me of Psalm 1 and what I have been learning this week:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 1:1).

And here's the way our ancestors sang it (from the Bay Psalm Book):

O blessed man, that in the advice
Of wicked man doth not walk
Nor stand in sinners' way nor sit
In chairs of scornful folk.

We don't know for certain what tune they used, but it sort of fits I Love To Tell The Story...sort of....

And here is my own (mis)intepretation of how we as Christians should walk, stand and sit:

Blessed is the Christian who will walk in the light, as He is in the light...and so have fellowship with one another... (I John 1:7)

and who will put on the full armor of God, so that he may stand against the devil's schemes.... (Ephesians 6:11)....

and then after all of that He will raise us up together to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).

And that's when we can sing more joyfully than ever: If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now and that will be the first day of the rest of our lives!

P.S. I did have to go back and reread the words to Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise....every verse is perfect and splendid in its adoration of God's perfect holiness....and the fourth verse is impossible to forget:

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render, O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

The whole hymn sparkles with brightness. And that brightness is so brilliant and celestial that we can't even see God's face for it. Someday we will be able to.

When I was a child my father gave me special glass to use when looking at solar eclipses. "You must use this glass," he commanded me, "Or you will hurt your eyes and go blind!"

And you know what? I still have that glass plate--and someday I won't even need it!