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11-19-2007, 05:37 PM
Bless This House
by Marilyn Ehle
“Attention, Israel!…Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts…Inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes…” (Deuteronomy 4:5, 9, The Message).
She had finally purchased her very own home. Nearly twenty years earlier she had moved to this large U.S. city to pursue an advanced degree and now—two degrees later—she was settled in her teaching career. From living with roommates and then living alone in rented quarters in various neighborhoods of the city, she was now settled in an apartment of her own choosing. Not all the painting was done and a few boxes remained packed with her many books, but it was time to ask God’s blessing in a special way.
She invited her parents and a few close friends to join her in a quiet ceremony of blessing. After praying together, the group moved from room to room. In the entry, they asked God to bless and protect all who came and went. In the living room, they prayed that all who gathered would be knit together and sense the presence of Christ. In the kitchen, they thanked God for His provision of food and prayed that those who worked there would always be ready to share with the needy. In the bedroom, they thanked God for refreshing sleep and asked for His nightly protection. In the bathroom, they thanked God for the blessing of fresh water and prayed for an awareness of the Holy Spirit’s cleansing. Together at the end they sang a hymn of praise for God’s goodness.
While there was no actual inscribing of the commands of God on the doorposts of this home, there was an even deeper awareness of His presence as every corner was dedicated to Him.
(The hymn, Bless This House, by Helen Turner might be one chosen for a similar time of praise and blessing):
Bless this house, Oh Lord we pray
Make it safe by night and day
Bless these walls so firm and stout
Keeping want and trouble out
Bless the roof and chimneys tall
Let thy peace lie over all
Bless this door that it may prove
Ever open to joy and love
Bless these windows shining bright
Letting in God’s heavenly light
Bless the hearth, a-blazing there
With smoke ascending like a prayer
Bless the people here within
Keep them pure and free from sin
Bless us all that we may be
Fit Oh Lord to dwell with thee
Bless us all that we, one day, may dwell
Oh Lord, we pray
Questions: How can we keep our “house” clean at all times? Why is it important to not “…let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live.”? Why is it so important that every part of our life is clean before God?
by Marilyn Ehle
“Attention, Israel!…Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts…Inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes…” (Deuteronomy 4:5, 9, The Message).
She had finally purchased her very own home. Nearly twenty years earlier she had moved to this large U.S. city to pursue an advanced degree and now—two degrees later—she was settled in her teaching career. From living with roommates and then living alone in rented quarters in various neighborhoods of the city, she was now settled in an apartment of her own choosing. Not all the painting was done and a few boxes remained packed with her many books, but it was time to ask God’s blessing in a special way.
She invited her parents and a few close friends to join her in a quiet ceremony of blessing. After praying together, the group moved from room to room. In the entry, they asked God to bless and protect all who came and went. In the living room, they prayed that all who gathered would be knit together and sense the presence of Christ. In the kitchen, they thanked God for His provision of food and prayed that those who worked there would always be ready to share with the needy. In the bedroom, they thanked God for refreshing sleep and asked for His nightly protection. In the bathroom, they thanked God for the blessing of fresh water and prayed for an awareness of the Holy Spirit’s cleansing. Together at the end they sang a hymn of praise for God’s goodness.
While there was no actual inscribing of the commands of God on the doorposts of this home, there was an even deeper awareness of His presence as every corner was dedicated to Him.
(The hymn, Bless This House, by Helen Turner might be one chosen for a similar time of praise and blessing):
Bless this house, Oh Lord we pray
Make it safe by night and day
Bless these walls so firm and stout
Keeping want and trouble out
Bless the roof and chimneys tall
Let thy peace lie over all
Bless this door that it may prove
Ever open to joy and love
Bless these windows shining bright
Letting in God’s heavenly light
Bless the hearth, a-blazing there
With smoke ascending like a prayer
Bless the people here within
Keep them pure and free from sin
Bless us all that we may be
Fit Oh Lord to dwell with thee
Bless us all that we, one day, may dwell
Oh Lord, we pray
Questions: How can we keep our “house” clean at all times? Why is it important to not “…let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live.”? Why is it so important that every part of our life is clean before God?