Teach Me Some Melodious Sonnet
The first phrase in “Come Thou Fount” shows us three reasons that there is such tremendous power in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. “Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.” There is the power of:
Music (Melodious)
Poetry (Sonnet)
The Holy Spirit (Flaming tongues)
Here is your assignment, outstanding class, for the next week, for it is long. Take a question or two a day.
1. Learn the first and second verse of “Come Thou Fount.” Listen to Amy or suggest other renditions. Savor the lyrics and share your meditations on them.
2. Look at the power of music: How was music present at creation (Job 38:4-7)? What happened to music at the fall? (Romans 8:19-22) How did music appear again at the birth of Christ? And who will sing when Christ comes back? (Isaiah 55:12-13)
3. I want you to consciously sing more psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs throughout the day. Tell us what you are singing — how it is impacting you.
4. What did you learn in The God of All Comfort about the power of music?
5. Poetry differs from prose in that it is meant to penetrate the heart, to tap into the right brain, and bring the love of God alive. You must read as a lover reads. Meditate on the word pictures in Jeremiah 2:13, which is the scriptural basis for the phrase “Come Thou Fount” Draw it, memorize it, linger over it. Tell us how it penetrates your heart and how to apply it.
6. Meditate on the word pictures in Psalm 91:1-10. How can they comfort you in your pain right now? Read as a lover reads.
7. What did you learn from The God of All Comfort about the power of poetry?
8. Write down some of the phrases from the first two verses of “Come Thou Fount” and meditate on them. Find their scriptural basis if you can. If one leaps out at you, slow down — because those flaming tongues are quickening you — He’s talking to you. What do you see?
CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM THIS WONDERFUL GROUP!
I’m off to Atlanta to speak and covet your prayers.
What thoughts did you have on the movie Blindside?
For those of you who haven’t seen it, it is based on a true story of a devout Christian couple who took in a homeless teen who was failing in school and loved him and were redemptive agents in his life. He went on to great success as a football player, but more importantly, as a caring individual. Sandra Bullock played Leigh Ann Touhy, the mother, and was hesitant to meet her because she said she had only had bad experiences with evangelical Christians. But after meeting Leigh Ann, Bullock is reported to have said in the Vancouver News:
I said to Leigh Anne when I met her, ‘One of my biggest concerns stepping into this is this whole banner thing.’ I told her it scared me because I have had a lot of experiences that haven’t been that great. But she was so honest and forthright. I feel I have finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach. I now have faith in those who say they represent a faith, whereas before I would say, ‘Do not give me a lecture, because I think I am a pretty good human being. I may not go to church all the time, but I try to do the right thing. You are going to church and sleeping with someone else’s wife, so how are you better than me?’ I finally met someone who walks the walk, and that made me happy.”
Bullock says that the key to her decision to make the film was that the Touhys didn’t get involved in Oher’s life for any benefits that might come to them. She says she felt the film would promote a genuine selflessness. “They didn’t do it because someone was writing an article or a book or making a movie. They did it because their instinct was to give love and to reach out a hand. Everyone questioned their motives, of course, because we don’t trust anyone who does anything nice. That is the sad world we live in. But they kept going, so it makes you feel that you need to step up your game. I felt it was an inspirational story that says we are more capable than we think we are, even though we don’t really live in a world that supports the good that we can do.”
The movie did make me reflect on how living our faith can have such a huge impact on the world.
There were times when I found myself thinking, “This is a secular writer’s perspective of a Christian family, because I have to believe this family was a bit different than portrayed. The stereotype that Christians think you have to be a Republican — that at Thanksgiving dinner they would not be giving thanks — that she would have such callous close friends. But on the other hand — maybe that was all true. I’m sure there are believers of whom that is all true, but it seemed inconsistent with the main story line.
But overall, I thought the film worth seeing this Christmas season — as a family — and one to talk about. It is rare for a secular production team to take on a story about Christians and not completely distort it, so that was so refreshing.
I’d love your thoughts!
Why do so many Christians resist counseling?
We’re continuing Christy’s story from past posts where we’ve been getting your wonderful input. When Christy’s friends realized she had a pattern of unhealthy friendships, one particular friend gave her the name and number of a Christian counselor who had been enormously helpful to her. Then Christy’s friend said, “Call her and make an appointment. I’m going to call you this afternoon to make sure you have done that.”
Christy did — and as you will see, the counselor was used mightily of God in Christy’s deliverance.
Yet so many Christians reject the idea of Christian counseling — and even more so, will not consider medicine, even when told they have a chemical imbalance. Though I doubt they would tell a diabetic to forgo insulin and trust God, that is how they proceed when it comes to severe depression and anxiety, both of which can have a chemical basis. In Christy’s situation, she didn’t need medicine, but she did need counsel — and that counseling absolutely turned the light on for her.
If Christy had resisted going, she would still be stuck. Psalm 32 warns us: “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
Why, do you think, Christians resist counseling? Have you been helped so you could encourage others? I have — and I’ll share — but I want to hear from you!
Where can the One whom my soul loves be found?
Richard Wurmbrund, who is well known for his work with Voice of the Martyrs and who suffered torture and imprisonment for his faith in Christ in Romania, has written a devotional on The Song of Songs called The Midnight Bride. He opened my eyes to this next passage. Read it first from the CEV.
My darling, I love you!
Where do you feed your sheep
and let them rest at noon?(S. of S. 1:7)
Wurmbrand writes that Jesus cares for His sheep, especially the lost, broken, and hurting. In fact he leaves the ninety-nine who are safe to seek the lost. He writes: “Jesus has given us an exact address where we can find him. On the day of the last judgment men will hear these words from Him: “I was in prison and you came to Me…”
When we minister to the “least of these” — the lonely, the lost, the imprisoned, the hungry, the elderly, the children, the hurting…we are ministering to Jesus, and we have found the One whom our soul loves.
This is a picture of my beautiful friend Eunice (brunette in brown) who works in women’s jails in Omaha and now, also in after care, in a home helping women get back on their feet after jail. Look at the joy on her face. She has found the One whom her soul loves.
I think it is interesting that many who are participating in this Song of Songs journey have experienced real suffering — I think suffering shakes our world, making us let go of false idols. It also gives us a heart for the Lord, and then, for others who are suffering.
This was new insight for me from Wurmbrand. What do you think about it? Have you experienced “finding Jesus” when you have cared for the “least of these?” Or do you think he’s misapplying this passage?
Your sharing enriches us all.
Tell us how you’ve been kissed recently!
The Song of Songs opens with “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.” We understand what this means on an earthly level — but what does it mean in the eternal relationship we have with our Bridegroom, Jesus?
A kiss from the King, according to Rabbinic tradition, is a “living word of prophecy.” Has a Word from the Lord jumped from the Scriptures and into your heart recently? When that happens, you have been kissed by the King.
Think about the best romantic kisses. It happens when you are yearning for only him, when you are still, when you feel beautiful because you know you are loved, when you are responsive… When you are that open, pure, and passionate in your time with God, you may just get kissed!
Let us know how He is kissing you!
Are You Experiencing Pain in Friendship?
Are you experiencing pain in a friendship?
I would love to have this be a place where we can gently help each other. Recently Remi wrote with a friendship problem I think we have all experienced. Remi has a humble and teachable heart, so when I asked her if I could post her letter, she vulnerably agreed. When we try to help each other, let’s be as gentle as if we were removing a sliver!
Here’s Remi’s letter:
I have a friend who I have been friends with for over 25 years. It’s something when you meet someone, and the Lord “knits your hearts together.” This was the way with my friend. Within my heart, God has placed a love for this friend, which in hard times, and bad times, hasn’t diminished. I know it’s a “gift” from God because it doesn’t go away. The last 5 years or so with my friend has been difficult, and because of circumstances in her life she has withdrawn, which has been painful to me as a friend. I want to withdrawn myself at times, because of my own hurt. But God, has put a love in my heart for this woman, that doesn’t change or diminish. It’s painful, to be sure, because I feel rejected, but then I thought, ya know, I need to get myself out of the way. God, I believe places people in our lives for a reason, and the opposite is true also, we have been placed in others hearts for a reason, who knows but we may be the instruments that God uses to show that other person, unconditional love. (I am not perfect, by any means, and some of the letter you may not understand because of the relationship, but I would like your feedback!) (I also know I am opening myself up for criticism, but your honesty is appreciated.) On that note, I’d like to offer the letter I wrote to my friend:
Dear ,
I don’t understand what is going on with you, how come you never write? And please don’t insult me by saying your “too busy” or “you hate to write.”
It’s funny but I don’t know how to treat you actually.
If you were my sister, I would say - “What’s wrong with you?” “How come you don’t write - what’s going on?”
If you were my mother, I would be deeply wounded, knowing you don’t care enough to write - that I’ve meant so little to you.
As a friend, I’m not sure what type of friend I am. I’m hurt because I thought we were better friends than not. But apparently that is not the case either. That’s hurtful, but I’ll get over it.
But one thing I think I am to you is a sister in Christ. I don’t think things can change that, because it was born of God.
There are many good reasons why I think that God brought you into my life - but the opposite is true also - God knew also that I could be used to bring something into your life. God doesn’t make mistakes, we do.
I want to be found faithful , to carry out the things that God has given me to do, and certainly, God hasn’t made my way hard , painful sometimes, but not hard. It’s getting myself out of the way, that sometimes is difficult.
God has put a love in my heart for you. It doesn’t change or diminish. Alot of time, I wish it would go away because it is painful.
I’m not a stalker, or a stupid person, but I am a gift of God’s love toward you. You can accept it or reject it .
God had a purpose , I am sure of it. He doesn’t make mistakes .
A Sister in Christ Responds:
This is from FTL, who also gave me permission to post her reply. This originally was on the MId-day Forum from Moody Radio.
08-12-2009 06:56 AM ET (US)
Dear Remi,
May I speak to you from the other side? I am one who has withdrawn after nearly 30 years of friendship. Because of where I am, I am guessing there is a cause why your friend has withdrawn–a cause that she hasn’t felt free to tell you for some reason.
Parts of the letter you posted are good. But other parts made me cringe. I would not feel invited to relationship if I received it. I would feel controlled, and ready to run even farther.
I think Dee’s suggestion of reading the Boundaries book is great. As you do so, lay out your heart before God on what He wants to show you about you. If you pursue relationship later, it would be well to ask questions that would draw out your friend. I think what you really want is to hear her heart. Ask questions that will invite her to share it, but not compel her. If she speaks, then listen. It may be hard to hear. It may be distorted, which can wound deeply. But there may also be hard truths you need to hear.
Hugs and prayers!