My name is Brother Monk. I am of the Benedictine Order of the Anglican Church of England. I live on an island off the coast of England to the north, in a monastery with 25 other monks, some older, some younger, under the direction of Father Monk.  Most of our day is devoted to hours of prayer.  It is our way of “dwelling” on the Lord God in Jesus Christ.

But I have been out and about in communities and with my family 2 or 3, maybe 4 times a year.

In the secular communities I find many unbelievers who do not care to know the “Good News” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I hear, “Yes, I sin some, but I can’t be saved so what’s the use? Besides, I’ve got a life to live and lots to do!”

I also find those who are marginal believers, they say they believe, but don’t know about salvation or eternity. They don’t read the Bible because they really don’t believe it is the real word of God written to mankind…so they say it’s too confusing, a bunch of writings by some old men who wrote of myths, and fairy tales and such, so who cares?

Then there is the believer who professes to know and love Christ and goes to church every Sunday, but when it comes to the Bible, well, that is a matter of interpretation. Or, “well, that may be what’s written, but I do not believe it!”

But every now and then there are those precious believers like a child in the candy store, humble, excited, wild eyed for the word of God, taken as written and understood as written, as God intended, for he wrote it, you see. And everyday, when they arise, and during some part of the day, and at meals or study, and just before they tuck in for bed, they are indeed “dwelling” on God, the blessed Trinty, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is usually silent prayer or praying aloud as they bless His holy name, and give to Him all the thanks and praise their hearts can muster.

They thank God for the sleep and protection through the night. They thank God for all the wonderful blessings He has showerd down upon them. They thank God for their family and friends and where He has placed them in this life at this time. They thank God for the healthy new born, and for the mother. They thank God for a new beginning, for work or in retirement; for recovery from an illness or operation; for food and shelter. And for being taken care of when they get old.

They praise God for His mighty acts of creation by His spoken word.  For the world, the sun, moon, and stars. For the seasons and flowers and trees. For the very air we breath. For the stages of life He has brought us through, aging gracefully or enduring even pain and suffering.  They thank Him for Mom and Dad, husband and wife, grandparents, children and grandchildren. They praise God for His plan of salvation and eternal life with Father and Son and Holy Spirit at death and the resurrection.

As they go outdoors, they look up and praise God for the clouds in the sky and all the colors of the seasons; for fish and birds and animals, even the butterfly.

And above all, they are eternally thankful that in the love of the Father for us, He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins, and that believeing, we would be saved. 

They thank God for the things to come in Christ Jesus and the eternal destiny God has planned for all of us.

So yes, it is right and good to “dwell” on the Lord our God…everyday. We should do no less.

Where are you in your belief, love and faith? Do you “dwell” on the Lord?

Think about it.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen