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...