OzThoughts Friday 23rd January 2009

OzThoughts Friday 23rd January 2009

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.” (From President Barak Obama’s Inaugural speech)
I heard the above quote from the President’s speech on television and I thought “that’s worth remembering”.

Now as I usually do when I came to type it into my computer, I set my research assistant, Mr Google to work. He quickly came up with the fact that this is a quote from a 1936 movie “Swing Time” with the lyrics by Dorothy Fields and the music by Jerome Kern. The stars were Ginger Rogers and Fed Astaire. The lyrics are below. (You can see the scene from the movie here: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUsRGuZb6k .

I marveled at the great crowd of, it is said two million who stood in freezing weather to be a part of this great event. They will have many memories. What an occasion! What a historic event! They looked, listened and cheered. I wonder how many will “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”.

My mind goes to another crowd many, many years ago. It was the hour of prayer in Jerusalem and Peter and John had just healed a crippled man. He would not stop shouting, dancing, and praising God. We know the story well.

The crowd gathered and began praising Peter and John because of what happened. We read that Peter address the crowd “"Oh, Israelites, why does this take you by such complete surprise, and why stare at us as if our power or piety made him walk? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his Son Jesus.” (Acts 3: 12…).

Peter set the events of the past days concerning Jesus and although he was crucified, God raised him up and it was through his power this man was healed. He told that all this was according to the prophets.

Then Peter called them to repent and be converted : “Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus.” (Acts3: 19. The Message).

Did they repent, change their ways and face God? Yes! For we read : “But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!” (Acts 4: 4 The Message).

Prayer:
(Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Thou art the potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after thy will,
While I am waiting yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Search me and try me, Master, today;
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Wounded and weary, help me I pray;
Power, all power, surely is thine,
Touch me and heal me, Saviour divine.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way;
Hold o'er my being absolute sway;
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
Author: Adelaide Addison Pollard (1862-1934)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 487

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/p/pickyourselfup.shtml)

PICK YOURSELF UP
From the Film: Swing Time 1936
(Lyrics by: Dorothy Fields / Music by: Jerome Kern)
Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers

(He)
Please teacher, teach me something,
Nice teacher, teach me something.
I'm as awkward as a camel, that's not the worst,
My two feet haven't met yet,
But I'll be teacher's pet yet,
'Cause I'm gonna learn to dance or burst.

(She)
Nothing's impossible I have found,
For when my chin is on the ground,
I pick myself up,
Dust myself off,
Start All over again.


“So help me God!” This phrase seemed to ring out on our television news from the Inauguration of US President Barack Obama. Maybe I was waiting for it. I had heard that to use the words were a deliberate choice of the new President and some had failed in their attempt to stop him using any reference to God.

I was reminded of the words of God recorded in the Old Testament book of Joshua:

I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. (Joshua 1: 9 The Message).

Moses the old leader at 120 had died. Joshua was now the leader of the people and god reminded him that he would be with him. However, it wasn’t an open cheque just being handed to Joshua. It is worth considering the verses which come before this 9th verse. (Actually in The Message version which puts together verses 1 to 9 they come after the above words):

“Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you?”

Therefore: “Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take”

PRAYER: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book)

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_064.mp3 ]

God is with us, God is with us,
So our brave forefathers sang,
Far across the field of battle
Loud their holy war cry rang;
Though at times they feared and faltered,
Never once they ceased to sing:

Chorus
God is with us, God is with us,
Christ our Lord shall reign as King!

Great the heritage they left us,
Great the conquests to be won,
Armed hosts to meet and scatter,
Larger duties to be done.
Raise the song they nobly taught us,
Round the wide world let it ring:

Speed the cross through all the nations,
Speed the victories of love,
Preach the gospel of redemption
Wheresoever men may move;
Make the future in the present,
Strong of heart, toil on and sing:
Author: Walter John Mathams (1853-1931),alt
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 158


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