Guest blogger: Harry BrocksieckHarry and Barbara Brosckieck are retired Salvation Army officers from the Central Territory in the USA. They have also served at the Eastern European Training College in Finland.
Drama of God: Drama - a real life event or situation that is particularly exciting or emotionally involving.
Daily at 5 PM the hermit celebrates the Eucharist. As we talked about this - he knowing that we do not celebrate the Eucharist as he does - I asked, "What does this do for you? If you had to put it in other words how would you describe this event for you?" His response was, "It gives me a daily dose of the full salvation story - repentance, acceptance by God, holiness, being in God. It is God in the whole for me and for the whole world. It is the drama of God!
A. When preaching every Sunday this was easier to experience - Wednesdays from 6 - noon was spent preparing next Sunday’s sermon. The text chosen was part of that drama with the challenge to help people see how it fit into the whole and into their lives. The challenge of presenting the drama of God to the congregation was a great burden that was both refreshing and fulfilling.
B. It has been a joy to present the drama of God to the Recruits class this spring.
C. Sunday morning worship in our corps can explore the drama of God:
· Our corps music director is a gifted musician - school music teacher, professional pianist and becoming in his godly character. The music group of 8-10 he leads as part of the worship often reaches this great idea of God through the words of God, salvation and the Kingdom. Some of the ‘praise and worship’ choruses talk of the transcendence of God - God is big, powerful, but out there. We don’t often get the whole drama of God - the personal opportunity to share in His majesty and holiness. The song 'The long black train’ was a bit of a stretch but the drama was there and they enjoyed singing it. We get a better dose of the drama of God, I think, when he uses the music he has written or the songs from the songbook.
· The person who introduces the songs during worship sometimes grasps the drama of God in a few words.
· The corps officer opens the Scripture and presents at least part of that drama. We sometimes have an altar call and in those moments of silence or movement we usher in the greatest drama as God comes to a person. That coming infuses the whole congregation.
· Our Sergeant Major is a wonderful godly man who often summerises the drama of God by his closing remarks.
D. Barbara and I have our devotions separately first in the morning. Then we have breakfast and this year for our shared devotions we are using the SA songbook. We purchased the CDs of the Chicago Staff Band and the Norridge Citadel Band so we have accompaniment. The words of the songs in the SA Songbook give us a rich picture of the great drama of God.
A mighty fortress is our God.
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he, amid the flood,
Of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe…
Jesus came down my ransom to be; O it was wonderful love!
Clear to faith’s vision the cross reveals beautiful actions of love;
And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me who caused his pain… (John 19:28-9)
Emptied himself of all but love (Philippians 2:7)
My chains fell off, my heart was free (Acts 12:7)
Alive in him, my living head (Romans 6:11)
Bold I approach the eternal throne and claim the cross, through Christ, my own. (Hebrews 4:16)
Years ago my friend Wally shared his research with me connecting the phrases in the songs to Scripture (note above) .
E. Prayer at meals always starts with Steve, Kevin, Kristin, Devyn and Dylan then others that are on our minds and hearts. As we think of each one we don’t know which part of the drama of God they need today - prevenient grace, saving faith, repentance, forgiveness of sins, justification, reconciliation, adoption, growth in Christ, restoration from backsliding, holiness of life, freedom from original sin, healing, blessings from God. However, God knows and we trust Him to apply our prayers to your lives.
Drama of God? Exciting, tense, and gripping events and actions in a real-life situation.
Blessings Harry
Other blogpost from Harry Brocksieck
Reflections of an old Codger
Reflections on Creativity
Reflections on physical exercise
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