Children singing

The Table of the Lord – Part Two

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He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song 4:2 NKJV

Though no one seems to know who wrote the chorus, “His banner over me is love!”, based on this verse, it became one of our favorites worship songs back in the early 1980’s. As a young person back then, I didn’t understand what the words meant, nor did I even realize it was from the Bible, but it was lots of fun to sing! On this second day of looking at the Lord’s Table this song reminds me that, God not only prepares a table for us, but He also has spread a banner over that table. His banner shields us spiritually, in the same way that shelters which people set up on the beach in the Summer protect them from the sun. This banner also designates us as His people, like a team flag tells you which university your players represent. Anyone seeing us under its shadow, will know that we belong to God. Then last, but certainly not least, God’s banner of love, like a privacy lattice we put on our back porch, gives us an intimate place where we can share a meal together. So, when God invites us to His banqueting table, remember that He doesn’t just shout “Come and get it!” Instead, He sets up His banner of love over His table, and then gently and lovingly beckons us to come and sit with Him, hear His voice and delight in His presence. If your Christian life seems to resemble more of an assembly line of activities, demands and expectations, maybe it is time to step back, take a deep breath and begin singing again. “He brought me to His banqueting table. His banner over me is love!” P. S. I hope you will enjoy listening to the Cedarmont Kids show us how it is supposed to be sung!

Two Turtle Doves

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And to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:24 ESV

This morning I was thinking of how, Mary and Joseph had heard from angels and watched shepherds and wise men kneel before Jesus, but when they came to the temple to dedicate God’s miracle child, they offered only the sacrifice of the poorest of the poor. Though they were not ashamed to come to Herod’s golden temple with their babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, sometimes I wonder why God chose two doves for their offering.

Think how different it might have been if God had picked a princess or the wife of a wealthy merchant in place of Mary. But God chose a young peasant girl from Nazareth to be the mother of His Son. He specifically selected a poor village for Him to grow up in and a simple carpenter to provide Him a home. No place on earth was too humble for the Lord of the universe to visit and no offering too small for Him to treasure. And maybe it is like when I tell my grandchildren, “One cookie isn’t enough! You need another so there will be one for each hand!” Maybe God chose two doves so that they would have something in each hand to give Him. So, if you wonder what you have to give God this Christmas, think of Mary’s turtledoves and then come with whatever He puts in your hands.

He’s Got the Whole World!

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If you’ve been stressed and could use a good heart warming reminder of what really matters then today’s slightly less than professional quality video is for you! I was so blessed watching the fun that these kids are having as they remind us all that no matter what happens or where we are in life that Jesus still has the whole world in His hands! I hope you like the Johnson Bentley family band as much as I do.