Doug Van Pelt

The Best Album in the Universe

I have often said that the best album in the universe is the self-titled debut by Galactic Cowboys. I was listening to it for the first time in a long while (cuz I had the song "Why Can't You Believe In Me" stuck in my head), and I'm not so sure it stands the all-important test of time to keep that title. I'm not sure what album would take its place (Out of the Silent Planet by King's X, Warrior by Arkangel, Satellite by P.O.D., Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin????). It's hard to say. I certainly think it belongs up there near the top, but I'm not so sure it belongs at the very top (or if any one album does). Lists...who needs them?

There is 7 days, 6 hours, and 49 minutes left of deadline. My goal is to have this one done a day early. We'll see.

This talk in Rees Howells, Intercessor about intercession is intense. It says (in chapter 12): "Mr. Howells would often speak of 'the gained position of intercession,' and the truth of it is obvious on many occasions in his life. It is a fact of experience. The price is paid, the obedience is fulfilled, the inner wrestlings and groanings take their full course, and the 'the Word of the Lord comes.' The weak channel is clothed with authority by the Holy Ghost and can speak the word of deliverance. 'Greater works' are done. Not only this, but a new position in grace is gained and maintained, although even then that grace can only be appropriated and applied in each instance under the guidance of the Spirit.

"Mr. Howells used to speak of it, in Mr. Muller's phrases, as entering 'the grace of faith,' in contrast to receiving 'the gifts of faith.' What he meant was that, when we pray in a normal way, we may hope that God of His goodness will give us the thing. If He does, we rejoice; it is His gift to us; but we have no power or authority to say that we can always get that same answer at any time. Such are the gifts of faith. But when an intercessor has gained the place of intercession in a certain realm, then he has entered into 'the grace of faith,' along that special line the measureless sea of God's grace is open to him. That is the gained place of intercession."

Wow. Does this mean that we can get an extra measure of God's approval or a better standing in Heaven by praying more? I don't think so. I think what is being implied here is the working of power down here. If we want to walk in miracles and be used by God to do greater things, then there is a price to pay in prayer. Jesus taught many times about laboring in prayer, about being persistent in prayer. If we take these lessons and explanations of the kingdom to heart, then we too might spend lengthy amounts of time in prayer. Rees Howells was "abiding" in God, with extended amounts of prayer on a daily basis for several months at a time -- as long as it took for the answer to shake loose (when God would tell him that such and such was done). To belittle or doubt these things without experiencing them is a bit shaky. Maybe there's something to this...

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at May 12, 2006 10:03 AM