Acts 1:12-26 - The Space in Between

Listen along as Anthony continues our series through the book of Acts.

Notes//Quotes:

Acts 1:12-26 - Scott Reading

Title: The Space Between

 

“To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” 

- Karl Barth

 

“One reason why the experiential reality of perceiving God is unfamiliar country today is that the pace and preoccupations of urbanized, mechanized, collectivized, secularized modern life are such that any sort of inner life... is very hard to maintain. To make prayer your life priority, as countless Christians of former days did outside as well as inside the monastery, is stupendously difficult in a world that runs you off your feet and will not let you slow down. And if you attempt it, you will certainly seem eccentric to your peers, for nowadays involvement in a stream of programmed activities is decidedly ‘in,’ and the older ideal of a quiet, contemplative life is just as decidedly ‘out.’ That there is widespread hunger today for more intimacy, warmth, and affection in our fellowship with God is clear... but the concept of Christian life as sanctified rush and bustle still dominates, and as a result the experiential side of Christian holiness remains very much a closed book.” 

- J.I. Packer

 

“There are no more lots after the coming of the Holy Spirit. It’s a shame isn’t it? I mean life would be a lot easier if we just had to draw lots to know God’s will, but evidently that’s not how he wants it. The Spirit is who is in our hearts helps makes these things clear. One of my favorite prayers is, God will you make it so clear that there’s no choice? I hate choice. Of the eighteen possible variations, just make seventeen go away will you, because I’m not real bright and I don’t always get these things. I’m still hoping for casting lots to come back into use, but I’m not going to hold my breath.”

- William Mounce

 

“As much as modern Christians love to talk about successes, sometimes the failures of the church need airing.”

- Holman Commentary

 

{Verse 1}

Free fall, feet off the ground             

A clean, white page, fresh snow, no sound       

Here as we wait, from dark to dawn          

New paths before us, the old is gone

 

{Chorus 1}

Unplug the lights, take down the tree      

The less we have, the less we need              

From Christmas night to New Year's Eve           

We bless the space that’s in between         

We bless the space that’s in between

 

{Verse 2}

December ends, make way for dreams          

Wait for the light to raise the spring     

Embrace it all from hope to doubt       

Like ocean waves washin' in and out

 

{Chorus 2}

Two roads apart, come close again       

Where do you stop? Where do I begin?     

Each year we learn more what it means            

We bless the space  that’s in between            

We bless the space  that’s in between

 

{Bridge}

We bless the seeds under the snow

We bless the patience take it slow

We bless the limits, bless the tears

We bless the failures that brought us here

 

{Verse 3}

I wipe the frost the glass is cold         

Our dreams beneath the falling snow        

Be Thou my vision until I see        

And bless the space that’s in between

- Sandra McCracken & Josh Garrels

 

O Almighty God, you pour out your spirit of grace and of supplication on all who desire it. Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from cold hearts and wandering minds, that with steady thoughts and kindled passion we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-adapted from the Book of Common Prayer