I surfed into your blog this morning as I googled the phrase “when I am dry you fill my cup” (from a worship song). . and have it more abundantly.”  In a dry, desert land which seems always parched and thirsty, He once told a lady with a dubious reputation: “If anyone drinks the water which I give him, he will never thirst again. It was a cup that, if He did not have to drink of it, He pleaded with the Father that He not do so (Matthew 26:39,42). The ideas and words the Psalmist selected are so wise, beautiful, and well chosen they just seemed to me to merit close, careful attention. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Christ said He had come in order that we “might have life. What example are we setting, being lights to the world (Matthew 5:14-16), by letting that living water bubble up out of us on a daily basis? When they returned to the United States, they lived in Indiana, then North Carolina. And then I heard my Saviour speaking: _____, 1925; d. Apr. Words: Richard Eugene Blanchard, Sr. (b. 3) So, my brother, if the things this world gave you Love is intangible; what does it “feel” like to be loved? Music: Richard Eugene Blanchard, Sr. His way of life, living, doing, acting, and being—is it not a blessing for us to know these things? Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. But, all that we ask or even think! It was a joy to speak with you and to know that the “Alamance News” newspaper article meant so much to you. Jesus was always pouring out of His cup into the cup of others. It also makes it clear that He provides both our physical and spiritual needs (Psalm 23:3). What do YOU think? I remembered the woman with many husbands, a […], By: Gently Found | Kelly Basham on August 3, 2017 at 4:04 am. I am Barbara from England. Let’s look at Jesus example for a moment. What a wonderful service you are so diligently providing for all Christians and nonbelievers who might be just a little curious about God’s word. However, my cup ebbs and flows with an abundance of love, hope, peace, and joy as well. I recalled every word. But what really stands out to me is, again, Jesus started talking to her about Him giving water that “shall be a well…springing up unto eternal life” (John 4:14). I was pondering something I had read that stuck with me – unconditional love is like the oil in an engine. One of the ideas on which I dwelt not long ago is: “What’s Left?”  As my thoughts unfolded, I asked myself what would happen (hypothetically, hopefully) if I lost everything and everyone of value to me? "Fill my cup Lord" meaning. I had no idea it would last this long, but it has seemed to me almost every corner has offered fresh, new opportunities for thought and growth. Admittedly, the “study” has perhaps been a bit protracted. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole! A severe lung condition required two surgeries, leaving him with only one third of the normal lung capacity. I want to invite you to our 101st anniversary Homecoming this September 14th at 11am. In doing so, we then have something to offer others as mentioned previously (John 7:37-39; John 4:14). Please forgive me if I’ve been selfishly pre-occupied. For always there will be greater and letter persons than yourself.”   In other words, there are always people who have more. 1) Like the woman at the well I was seeking It is Blanchard’s most famous composition. The “ebbs” are always of my doing. There’s always that possibility, you know? For years I kept a copy of “Desiderata” framed on the wall in my office. It occurs to me that, as His disciples, we should be doing the same. The United Methodist Hymnal of 1989 includes only the hymn’s refrain. Now everytime I sing this song I’ll have a greater understanding of God’s Word this testimony! But so far she’d been looking in all the wrong places! Look at all the healings He did. And what may not be so important after all in the long run. By: rcottrill on August 3, 2017 at 7:49 am. . ergo, “Now abides Faith, Hope and Love”, Hello Don…Have finally had time to read all your “messages”. Christ began by asking for a drink (vs. 7). Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. When she puzzled over this, Jesus said: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water….Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. The Spirit of God, and the work of the Spirit, are symbolized or pictured by water a number of times in the Word of God. The Cyber Hymnal (Richard Blanchard). Change ). When Paul spoke of the generous grace of God, he said God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.”  Try taking that sentence apart and notice how the apostle stacks adjectives on top of each other trying to express a lavish love that is inexpressible in any language. So reason tells me that the criteria we often use to judge success or failure in God’s sight, are simply not valid criteria. ( Log Out /  The entire psalm is a metaphor of how our Lord, the Good Shepherd, cares for his “flock”—us (John 10:14, 16). We have been given a wonderful gift in receiving the Holy Spirit from the Father (John 15:26). In context of the psalm he was writing, he talked about God providing sustenance, even when being chased by his enemies, and healing ointment for his head and body. Contentment. When my world caved in it was then God’s turn to get my attention. That’s hardly the best frame of mind to write about fullness of life in Christ! Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. This is the kind of thing that can also be shared by a service leader in church, to give the congregation a new appreciation for the song when they sing it. 2) What is it about the Lord and His salvation that is satisfying? But in spite of physical limitations, the pastor continue to serve the Lord, even launching a television ministry popular in the Miami area. The Apostle Paul certainly must have had something like that in mind when he spoke to the young Church at Corinth about what really matters. Note: Richard Blanchard was born in China of missionary parents. Fill My Cup, published in 1959, is by far his best known song. By: Linda on February 13, 2017 at 12:08 pm. If you kneel to Him and humbly pray: Questions: In two places it is recorded that Jesus said, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). But it was then the idea for a gospel song came to him. I know personally how much serving the Lord means to you. Take a common interest or experience, and use it to introduce the Saviour. Nathan Madison . Based on the lyrics of the song, it explains the longing in the heart of a weary soul who cries to God for help. In these dark and uncertain times when people so desperately need hope, as we go about our day, let us do as Jesus did. FILL MY CUP LORD. Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more. It seems you have no clear answers to my question. of anything than I do. For things that could not satisfy; Without it, your engine (soul) just won’t run; something is broken. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole. It shows not only His willingness but also His ability to care for us by providing proper food and water in abundance, and protection in times of danger. Embedded in that great piece of thinking was a comment that helps me keep a proper perspective:   “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. This is a wonderful technique to use in our own witness. . 2. The writing of Fill My Cup came about in an unusual way. . According to the author, the things of this world could only give a momentary satisfaction but will never take the hunger away perpetually. Are we drawing from His well, then pouring it into the cup of others as we interact with them just as He did? There is also a cliche in a similar vein – you can’t pour out of an empty cup. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Sometimes I do that for no apparent reason; just to see what comes up. . Like the Psalmist, does our cup overflow with thanksgiving, joy, deep appreciation to our Father and Jesus—and others can see that clearly? Pastor Blanchard was waiting for the arrival of a couple for marriage counseling. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. This always disappointed Blanchard. He also wrote numerous songs and, interestingly, a musical about Francis of Assisi. I’d really welcome your sharing your own insights into the Psalm and considering the responses which have been offered. Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord; Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. And it is most surely NOT a standard by which we should (or can) measure ourselves in comparison with others. Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord! Almost anytime you’re trying to define anything, it seems to help if you see by contrast what it IS NOT. Thank you for sharing this story and insight! –dk), Last time we visited this site, I told you what I felt the Psalmist meant when he said his “cup” was running over. As said earlier, it is a song that is used to express one's emptiness and the need for God to fill us up. 3. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I’m glad that you called today. Especially if you have felt the pain of being unloved in your human relationships. 1) What are some of the things people are trying today, in hopes of finding fulfilment and satisfaction? Look at the tremendous blessings we have been given; most of all an understanding of His plan for mankind and His truth. You can’t even encircle that enormous possibility in your wildest, widest imagination! But none can match the wondrous treasure That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord. At the well that day, the woman not only became a believer herself, at least in an elementary way, but immediately she sought to bring others to Christ (vs. 28-29, 39-42). What is of note to me is, Jesus was always sharing His spiritual cup with others. How much are we sharing that with others every day? I must admit, never before this study have I given so much thought to the “contents” of my spiritual cup. Our cup “runneth over” when we really let ourselves believe that God, our Abba Father and His Son Jesus, our brother and dearest Friend, really truly do love us. If that is what God values most, I expect I’d be wise to pay at least as much attention to what they are as I do to what I eat or drink or wear.