No Appreciation Necessary

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Whatever one’s contribution to a truly intimate and reverent time of worship, physiological appurtenances and feelings of déjà vu aside, regardless of theological camp, denominational enclosure, age, or gender, a person must eventually weigh the experience against the sovereignty and omnipotence inherent in God’s glory.

In spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Reminiscent of something akin to an Elvin Jones or Tony Williams rhythmic etude or improvisatory utterance upon a drum kit, I would imagine my own contribution from behind a battery of percussion at times must seem unintelligible, foreign, and even extremely bizarre by some standards. Yet, as the little drummer boy in the popular Christmas song, I bring my offering. Any sound I coerce from such basic and archaic apparatuses as drums and cymbals is my humble offering unto the King of kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! Oh, what a range of frequencies is the sound of many waters (Psalm 93:4, Revelation 1:15, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 19:6) and simply the blast of God’s holy nostrils caused waters to be gathered, piled up, and consumed (Exodus 15:8, Job 4:9). Just as the feminine is suggested in the masculine, so is violence existent and inherent in the sublime beauty of grace. Hallelujah! Alas, once again I have thought too much and worshiped too little. Perhaps, one day, thinking, doing, and being may perchance be melded into one glorious act of exaltation.

I am content to be completely insignificant in this life. I am but a worm! All of my hope is in things eternal, Almighty God. Lord, please perfect that which concerns me, the good, the bad, and the ugly, so that I may walk more consistently in the Spirit than ever before. Let Your holy Word have free course in me, working in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Help me to remain ignorant enough of my many flaws to be ever more cognizant of Your infinitely glorious perfection in Jesus’ mighty name.

“First and foremost I am a drummer. After that, I'm other things... But I didn't play drums to make money.” (Ringo Starr -quoted in The Big Beat by Max Weinberg, 1984)

Help me to be who You most desire me to be so that I may be my utmost for Your highest in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sov’reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!” (At the Cross, Hudson, Isaac Watts, pub.1707,ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqMgYbQhcvs

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

Turn

"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14)

Thank God for forgiveness because offending people most often seems to be what I do best in this life. Can I get a witness? If not for the fact that God has called those who trust wholly in Him and His goodness to prove true love by keeping no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5), we might have long ago succumb to reasoning which suggests that we must be the only ones who have ever sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). However, such vain imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5), though dramatic and good for reality show ratings, are anchored neither in the day to day experience of mature believers bearing spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) nor in the Word of God which testifies against those who think of themselves as wise (Isaiah 5:21). http://www.anointedwritenow.com/#!form/cyd6

When we arise from our knees with open arms and repentant hearts of thanksgiving to receive new mercies each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), having been purged with God's hyssop (Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:16-18, John 1:29) and cleansed by the washing of His Word (Ephesians 5:26), we cease to carry the burden and stigma of yesterday's hurt, suspicion, pain, misfortune, guilt and regret.

What a wonder fresh bread is (John 6:35) to those who hunger and thirst after God's righteousness (Matthew 5:6), having realized that all the righteousness within themselves is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). All of our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. Oh yes! There is peace in the realization that we can lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us in order to run with endurance the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2). Hallelujah! Bless the holy name of Jesus! 

http://www.anointedwritenow.com/#!form/cyd6

© 2012 Brian L Hunter

A Critical Analysis of Edward Taylor’s Preparatory Meditations - Poetry

A Critical Analysis of Edward Taylor’s Preparatory Meditations - Poetry 

Taylor’s Preparatory Meditations, poems composed prior to administering the Lords Supper, seem to me to be quite doctrinal or theological in nature and reveal Taylor's complete emotional investment and devotion to a very relational though transcendent God. Rich with expressions of personal insufficiency and longing, Taylor's imagery at times makes evident a love for the pure sound of lexical expression. The best poetry seems to me able to sing itself. Edwards effectively uses extended metaphor and biblical allusions in Meditation 1 when he writes in stanza one, “What hath thy Godhead, as not satisfide Marri'de our Manhood, making it its Bride?” This makes reference to both the hypostatic union of Christology and the Church as the bride of Christ. Such poetry invites the study of the structure and content of word forms as well as theological inquiry. "Preparatory Meditations before My Approach to the Lord's Supper, " is a collection of 217 poems written between 1682 and 1725 and they are, so far, my favorite of Taylor’s poems. His use of metaphor is at times even sensual. I notice the use of strong action words in Meditation 1 such as Confinde, Conjoyn’d, Marri’de, filling Heaven to the brim!, O’re running it, Overflowing Hell, rose a mighty Tide, though thy Person bleed, To quench those flames, feed, etc. Coupled with a relentless cadence toppling forward with powerful imagery not unlike a freight train wherein the glorious supremacy and sovereignty of God as themes are centrally delivered. Most of the meditations seem to include some expression of inadequacy by Edwards, as if he were not up to the task of expressing accurately anything about this infinite, omnipotent, preeminent God who has created Heaven and earth and all that therein is. “My Fireless Flame! What Chilly Love, and Cold? In measure small! In Manner Chilly! See. Lord blow the Coal: Thy Love Enflame in mee.” But this inadequacy seems to then give way to the anointed preacher in Taylor who will sing a mighty song of worship, praise, and prayerful request to the Almighty triune God with fervor and zeal that could not be contained. In Meditation 1 especially, I find Edwards’ exuberance to be sincere and infectious through the sing song musicality of his verses. These poems do not strike me as having been written to achieve critical acclaim. Similar to the work of Anne Bradstreet in a sense, I believe Taylor’s poetry to primarily be genuine and natural acts of worship; simply doing what his Creator designed and destined him to do. Meditation 1 is introspective and conveys the personal and private relationship of a man born into sin with a very transcendent, holy, and infinitely loving God. 

© 2009 Brian L Hunter
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