The LORD bless you and keep you

One of two small silver amulets, dating from
the 7th century BCE, found in the
Ketef Hinnom tomb complex above the
Hinnom Valley in Jerusalem, Israel. A piece
of leather or cotton was threaded through the
middle, and it was probably worn around
the neck

One of the cool (I suppose I'm showing my age by daring to use that word in cyberspace!) things about the internet is the way that it allows ministry to transcend geographical distances. Let me explain where this unbelievable profound comment comes from...

Brenton Prigge was an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Deeply gifted in music and song-writing, he has been writing new words to old tunes for years. This means that every Wednesday or Thursday I get an e-mail with a hymn especially written for the theme of the lectionary readings for that Sunday. The words are put to an old hymn tune, so there's no copyright hassles, and most of the older folk in the congregation will know the tune immediately. I praise God for Brenton's gifting and ministry.

A while ago Brenton and his family moved to Oz... but that hasn't stopped the new hymns arriving every week (although, by his own admission, not that many over Christmas and New Year... in fact, none). You can find Brenton's resources on http://www.newhymn.com/.

I've just received this week's New Hymn (Light). however, this week we got a "bonus" - a song written by Brenton. The song is called "Blessed", and is based on the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6:24-26:
“The LORD bless you
   and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you
   and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you
   and give you peace." (TNIV)

I must admit to quite liking the Message's version:
God bless you and keep you, 
God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face
      and make you prosper.

You can see Brenton's song on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIfLtRPP51k, and download words and music from his website.

Written in early Hebrew,
the tiny scroll contains
the text of Numbers 6:24-26

Watching the video, and singing along to the ancient words, I got thinking about how I, and those around me, use words. Perhaps a simple question - how often do I speak words of blessing into someone's life? Let's be real here... I'm pretty quick to think words of "unblessing" about someone, and. while I would never say some of the things I think, my response is often horrendously negative, or painfully sarcastic. Ouch, it hurt to write those two clauses!

Now I really don't mean becoming horribly "Christian" and "plastic" (I was recently greeted by a friend with the words "Be blessed!" While I understand where he is coming from, and appreciate the thought, what a meaningless statement!). But what about the words I use so freely? At least his greeting was positive and uplifting.

Just a thought...

You/ve just got to love this girl!

The Citizen, Wednesday 12th January 2011

Ireland's Saint - The Essential Biography of St Patrick

Ireland's Saint - The Essential Biography of St Patrick, by J B Bury, Edited with Introduction and Annotations by Jon M Sweeney (Brewster, Massachusetts: Paraclete Press: 2008).

Bury published his landmark commentary on St Patrick in 1905. Sweeney has left the original text as is, but has added a useful Introduction, as well as a whole lot of side-bars, in which he explains the historical background, political context, and quotes other biographers and historians, as well as quoting St Patrick's Confession (a brief reflection on his life published by him just before his death). 

Patrick was born in the English village of Bannaventa in 389. As a young  man Patrick was kidnapped by Irish invaders, and carried off to Northern Dalaradia in Ireland. Having escaped, he spent several years in France, where he became a monk. Returning to England he asked permission to return to Ireland, as he felt God wanted him to bring his captors to salvation in Christ. Patrick served in Ireland for the rest of his life, establishing the Church in several areas. Of course, the legendary  story we all know is that he chased all snakes out of Ireland (which can't be proved either way). He died in the late 5th century (the traditional date is 493, which would make him 120 years old, the same age as Moses!), and was buried in Saul.

I really enjoyed the book, although Bury's strange English was a bit tiring at times. Interesting to see a different take on evangelising and "church planting", from another era. Found Patrick's commitment and stick-ability inspiring.

"There is a sun we see that rises for us each day, but it will not rule or continue its splendour for ever, and all who adore it alone shall suffer miserably. But we who believe in and adore the true sun, Christ, who will never perish, and do His will, know that Christ will abide forever, reigning with God the Father Almighty and with the Holy Spirit, before the ages, and now, and for ever and ever. Amen." The conclusion to St Patrick's Confession (pg. 189).

Christmas has come... and is still coming...




Rebekah, some guy in a red suit, Tara Lynn and Simon

  I know its already 2011... so "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

The build-up to Christmas was a little "busy", as was the week-end (what with five services)... but what a blessed Christmas it was... sharing the celebration with my immediate family... and my Church Family here at Trinity. And I got a really cool t-shirt and CD for Christmas... as well as a whole lot of other neat stuff (spoilt rotten, I am!).

Once again Christmas was a time of quite serious reflection for me. Struck afresh, as I am every year, I suppose, by God's incredible love and the stupendous way that that Love was given to us. Oh so creative!



Nativity set from Old St Paul's Church, Wellington, New Zealand
A gift from my friend Maurice :-))

 
Struck this year by the response of the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). having seen the Christ-child they:
~ worship - the only honest response to Jesus, I suppose. How can I make this more of a focus in my life... in every aspect of my life... this year?
~ witness - they can't help but tell others. And yet at times I seem so reticent to share my faith-experience with others... a major challenge for 2011.
~ wonder - they leave the stable filled with wonder and awe. How easily I lose that as the pressures and "things" of each day tumble in.

And so, time to get showered and shaved before Church this morning. I must admit to really looking forward to sharing in worship today (I'm leading the worship at the 9.00am, Cecil is preaching; and I'm doing both at the 10:30am. I'm also doing communion in the evening service: Dayne is preaching, and Audience of One is playing - generally a fun day... I really do have the best job in the world... except maybe a pro racing driver).

2011... here I come! Well, actually... here we come (Matthew 28:20)!