What About Bob?

Some of you have been curious about Bob Bennett and his song, "Mountain Cathedrals" referenced in my last blog. To my great surprise and pleasure, Bob commented on my article. I was thrilled to hear from him.

I wanted to give you all some contact info to access his music. There is a 25th Anniversary CD Version of Matters of the Heart with "Mountain Cathedrals" coming out soon. You can find out about his music and life at www.bob-bennett.com. Thanks again Bob for being you!

Mountain Cathedrals

Man I love the mountains. I am holed up today in the Clayton Inn restaurant in the north GA mountain burg of Clayton. I had intended to find a cozy coffee shop to work on messages and blogs but all of them are closed because of...you guessed it, the weather.

I drove up here today just to be in this wonderful slice of creation--beautiful mountains, freshened by new snow. I think the air in the mountains is like water from a spring...fresher and cleaner. Of course, where I am from, this isn't much snow but in GA it is the closest we have been to it in awhile.

I really feel I needed this atmosphere..the purity of snow, the comforting wrap of the mountains, the slow pace of a quiet town. I guess I just wanted to crawl under mom and dad's covers like I did as a child. Somehow a snowy mountain view through a window by the fireplace seems to get me closer. The cold outside somehow makes this old fireplace here even more nurturing as happy voices in the background tell me others are enjoying the ambience.

I thank God for this church of creation, this mountain cathedral. Christian musician Bob Bennett wrote a song by that title back in the 80's. Check out the words:

I've sung in mountain cathedrals
With steeples rising high
And altars made of evergreen -
Windows made of sky
And windows made of sky

I've dreamed of stars in the heavens
And starfish in the sea
And wondered how the heart of God
Could care so much for me
Could care - so much for me

I've never been a strong man
At least outside the skin
And I'm eager and afraid at the same time
To move from where I've been
To move - from where I've been

I've sung in mountain cathedrals
With steeples rising high
And altars made of evergreen -
Windows made of sky
And windows made of sky

That second verse says, in affect, I have wondered as I see the greatness of creation how God could care so much for me. I know he cares for me today. And my precious friends...he cares for you. I hope you know it today even if you can't hang out in a mountain cathedral.

Enthroned

This past week I started a new series called, "Enthroned". Samuel the prophet anointed David as king. He had been selected by God to be the king and been given the spiritual power to lead through the anointing. But he had not been enthroned as king. He did not have the seat of power, the military authority, or national resources at his disposal. He had the title of king but not the position of king. In fact, David had been anointed king for many years before he actually was enthroned as king.

I found that similar to what happens in our lives. We may recognize Jesus as Lord and King of our lives but it may take a while before he is actually enthroned as Lord of our lives. We may call him, "King" but is he really king? Does he have the position of power over our will? Does he control our actions? Is he in charge of our money? Or is he just the one we call king, anointed but not enthroned?

The difference between the two is clear. Their will be no sharing of power. He is either in absolute control with total authority or he isn't. The funny thing is, even though he is the king, it is you and I have that have all the power until he is enthroned in our lives. And even then we can stage a coup and overthrow his Kingship any time we want. But of course there are always ramifications. When he is in charge he keeps the place clean. To overthrow him is to welcome back all the trash we originally threw out.

So who is king of your heart today? Have you turned over the keys to the kingdom to Christ? Keep him there by surrendering everyday. Jesus taught us to pray for this..."Your Kingdom come, Your will be done." This is the prayer of someone who is enthroning Him everyday. And you will never be sorry that He is your King!