December 5, 2007
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Naphtali News: Songs about "What *I* Want," part 1: "Figgy Pudding"
As I have been reflecting on "WHAT *I* WANT" in a church, I've come across some songs which relate to my struggle with "What *I* Want."
Below is the first in a series of posts, which I'm calling "Songs about What *I* Want."(In the meantime, I am still formulating my list of "Things To Look for in a Church.")
I recently heard a group of young children singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding and bring it right here.We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some, so bring some right here.We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
As I listened to the sound of the sweet cherubic voices filling the air, I realized that when I focus on and begin to demand "WHAT *I* WANT" in a church (or demand anything) of God, I'm no different than those carolers who insist on getting some "figgy pudding"... (By the way, anybody out there ever had figgy pudding???)Now bring me "What *I* Want"
Now bring me "What *I* Want"
Now bring me "What *I* Want" and bring it right here...
I won't go until I get it
I won't go until I get it
I won't go until I get it, so bring it right here...Oh, bring me Expository preaching
Oh, bring me Expository preaching
Oh, bring me Expository preaching and bring it right here...Oh, bring me Radical discipleship
Oh, bring me Radical discipleship
Oh, bring me Radical discipleship and bring it right here...Oh, bring me Blended worship
I won't go until I get it
Oh, bring me Blended worship
Oh, bring me Blended worship and bring it right here...
I won't go until I get it
I won't go until I get it, so bring it right here...Etc., etc., etc. I could keep adding stanzas, but I think you get the idea here...
Each of us would have our own list of items we might substitute for figgy pudding.
I wonder how such a song sounds to God's ears.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8, KJV)And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (I John 5:14-15, KJV)
The LORD upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.The LORD preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.
(Psalm 145:14-21, NKJV™)Dear Lord,
You are my Father. You alone are good. Thank You that You hear my cries. You alone are good. You alone satisfy my mouth with good things. You alone know what I need. You know what I need before I ask. Thank You that You invite me to come to You with an open mouth and You will fill me. Help me to come to You and taste and see that You are good. Help me to ask according to Your will for You alone know what will truly satisfy me and fulfill my desires. Help me to wait upon You to provide for me in Your perfect time. Help me to trust that whatever You give me is good and is just what I need. If You wish for me to have figgy pudding, then I certainly will welcome that, but if You wish for me to have something else, help me not only to welcome that but grant me the grace to truly savor it and taste and see that You are good.
You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.Amen.
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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