When I was attending New Holland Baptist Church, my Sunday School class took a 12 week course titled “Experiencing God”. I recommend that anyone who has not taken it to do so – it is well written and easy to glean information from. During one of the weeks (week 3 maybe?) we had as assignment to “take a walk with God.” During the walk, one is encouraged to praise God for all the creations noticed during the walk. Being a country boy who loves nature, I decided to walk with God through the woods, pastures, and to the lake daddy made back in the 70’s. I was literally amazed at all the things I began to notice during the walk – from fire ant mounds and how the ants themselves operate, to the majestic trees I walked by. Nature is really incredible if one takes the time and focuses his attention on his surroundings. I may be one of the very few people in history who praised God by thanking Him for fire ants. The path back home led through large pastures with valleys and terrace rows (or is it turse rows?). I noticed that a huge thunderstorm was building behind me with lots of wind, thunder, lightning, and rain – and worse yet, it would be on me before I could make it home. So I began to pick up my pace – almost running – when the closest thing to the “voice of God” I have ever experienced told me to stop running and watch the storm. A question went “what makes you think you will be safer inside that house than right here in the middle of this pasture”? It seemed to say, “I am protecting you wherever you go – you are in the palm of my hand, and nothing can take you out of it without my permission,” I watched the rain slowly move through the pasture until it reached me. That is one amazing sight. Anyone who has not seen rain from a storm tracking through an area needs to experience it. I could then praise God for the thunderstorm that exhibited a glimpse of His awesome power. It may sound crazy, but I have loved thunderstorms ever since that day – as I am always reminded of that walk and the voice that spoke so clearly to me.<\/p>\n
What I took away from that walk is that we can find or see God in everything around us. But it is up to us to see Him. He is even in popular music that is not considered “gospel” music. The first example is a song by Barry Manilow. I think it may be one of the best examples of the Holy Trinity in popular music. While cutting grass, my ipod shuffled to this song, and I heard it in a totally different way than I ever had before. Was it the setting? Maybe. Whatever the reason, my eyes were opened to a new world that opens when one pays close enough attention. There are 4 points in the song that I would like you to pay close attention to. The way I see and hear music is hard to explain sometimes, but I think these 4 points are easy to understand. First, at the 10 second mark, God takes the stage and begins the song. At the 2:08 mark, Jesus enters and takes the stage. At the 2:33 mark, the Holy Spirit enters with power and sound. Then, finally, at the 3:00 mark, all 3 are together to finish out the song. Again, this is just my imagination and eclectic view of one song, but I think most of you can see what I mean.<\/p>\n