I love the countenance thing Helen.  Wonderful observation and thought.

Vicki

----- Original Message -----
From: "Helen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: Blessing


> Vicki and Carol,
> Thank you so much for your comments.  Somewhere along the line I read that
> the phrase "lift up His countenance upon you" could have meant that in a
> crowd of others, God would stand above that crowd, seek you out, and bless
> you.  In other words, we are each so special to Him that no matter how
many
> others are seeking Him, He will always deal with each of us
> individually.  Isn't He wonderful!?
>
> And yes, Paul, I realize that I was living the truth that we are priests
> unto our God, in Christ Jesus........and don't forget, we are also
> kings......reigning with Him,
> especially if we are suffering with Him.
>
> Helen
>
> At 07:07 AM 1/6/04 -0700, you wrote:
> >Wow Helen.  That is totally amazing.  Last I knew Scripture was not
> >designated as clergy passages, do not touch, and non-clergy passages.
How
> >hard that must have been.
> >
> >Vicki
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Helen" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 6:57 AM
> >Subject: Re: Blessing
> >
> >
> > > And God told Moses to tell Aaron and his sons to bless the children of
> > > Israel saying:
> > >
> > > 24  The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
> > > 25  The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
> > > 26  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
> > > (Numbers 6)
> > >
> > > Of course, some denominations keep the blessing of this blessing for
the
> > > high and mighty clergy to place upon their congregants, and it's a
no-no
> > > for a mere lay person to use it to bless anyone.  I used it once as I
was
> > > leaving a private meeting in the home of another member, sincerely
> >desiring
> > > that God bless the others, and I was sharply taken to task by an
elder,
> > > telling me I couldn't do that, but only the minister of the church was
> > > allowed to use it.
> > >
> > > Helen
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > At 08:38 AM 1/6/04 -0500, you wrote:
> > > >Hey, John
> > > >
> > > >I can't think of a specific case (or of much of anything else this
> >morning.
> > > >Smile.)  but I'm sure Lutherans and Episcopalians (Anglicans in
England)
> > > >also do blessings as well as the other liturgical folks at baptisms
and
> > > >dedications.
> > > >
> > > >Paul
> > >
>