HOLY
How many times have you heard someone say, “Holy Cow,” “Holy Moly”, “Holy Crap”, or worse?
I am guilty of all of these sayings, so why am I even taking the time to write about it. They are just words, right? Famous former Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Carey was always good for a “Holy Cow” while broadcasting Cubs games on WGN.
When researching where all of these phrases came from associated with the word “Holy”, I found it very interesting how far back these phrases dated back. “Holy Moly” dates back to 1892. It was most likely a cleaned up version of a taboo phrase like “Holy Moses”. “Holy Mackerel” is found as far back as 1803 with uncertain origin, but possibly a euphemism for Holy Mary, with Mackerel being a nickname for Catholics because they ate the fish on Fridays.
A recent song that hits me deep every time I hear it is ‘Echo Holy’ by Red Rocks Worship. Check out their songs Lyrics.
A million angels fall, Face down on the floor, All to echo, “Holy is the Lord”
My heart can’t help but sing, With all of Heaven roar, Forever echo, “Holy is the Lord”
Oh-oh, oh-oh, Forever echo, “Holy is the Lord”
At times earlier in my life, I would wonder if it would possibly become boring in heaven joining the angels singing “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who Was, and Is, and Is to Come!” That thought has now completely left my wheelhouse!
Having experienced the powerful presence of the Spirit of God, I grasp how soaking momentarily in His Glory is something you can’t even put into words. Bowing and echoing Holy, Holy, Holy with His angels, just might be one of the most awe-inspiring events I look forward to taking part in.
To lower my standards to drop a “Holy Cow” or “Holy Crap” is something I am going to try and avoid. There is only One God who is Holy and He deserves all our praise! To revere God and His almighty power, I will discipline myself to come up with a couple more words and reserve “Holy” for my King!
How can you read Revelations 4:8 and ever say Holy the same again?
Holy Holy Holy, Is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come!
When God reveals something to me, He almost always speaks through someone or through a song to validate to me that I did hear Him and He was speaking to me. As I wrote this story, I hesitated to post it, because it did not seem very sports oriented, but with the language choice of players and coaches, I decided to keep writing and listening to that quiet still voice to share with me what to write.
Having wrote everything except the ending of my story, I found myself attending a campus fundraiser. I was still questioning whether the story was from God or not. That is when God did what I have seen Him do so often. He spoke. He spoke through one of the guest speakers.
It came from a professor at OKWU, who was voted as professor of the year by our student body. He brought up the word “Holy”. He spoke briefly about holiness and what all this powerful word entails. It was at that moment, he added a second word behind the word “Holy”. It felt like God was speaking to me directly as the professor said the only word that belongs to stand next to the word “Holy” is the word “Love”, because God is love and without love you can’t enter the Kingdom of God.
Holy Love
These two words made my spirit and mind reflect on what Jesus asked Simon Peter in John 21.
Simon, Do you Love Me? Yes, Lord, You know that I do. Then Feed my sheep
Simon, Do you Love Me? Yes, Lord, You know that I do. Then Feed My Sheep
Simon, Do you Really Love Me? Simon was hurt because Jesus asked him three times, He replied, “Master, You know all things. You know I love you. Then Feed My Sheep.
Holy Love! If you have it, then you should be feeding HIS SHEEP! Are you?