Skip to main content

Time Travel

I went back this morning. I went back to Salem. I am missing worship. Not the quiet pensive variety but deep holy worship. As I went back, I heard a strong voice leading in prayer. It started like this: Most Gracious Heavenly Father. The voice grew. The responses followed with a rhythm like the falling of dominos in a row. I knew this sound well. There were whispers of thank you Jesus. Or praise you God. Or oh yes God. As the leader’s voice swelled so did the response. Soon it was a cacophony of harmony. Hands were raised. Tears flowed. Heaven came down and was orchestrating the sound of worship. Needs expressed out loud at the same time. Adoration exclaimed. Quietness settled but there was no amen. A word of exhortation or adoration proclaimed. It came from the back or the side of auditorium. The anointed voice was heard. Hearts and heads bowed as they we absorbed the Holy Spirit’s work. Responses came. Some knelt. Some grieved over sins. Some expressed joyful praise. No response was wrong, but response was necessary. God was moving among His people. No rush. God was there. I wanted to stay there. My prayer echoed familiar lyrics: I long so much to feel the touch of His consuming fire. The worship continued. Each in their own way, expressing their desires and love. Then the sound came. It was faint at first. A man or a woman, not one that could sing or who graced the platform, but just an average person on the pew would start to sing. No, they weren’t asked. It wasn’t in the bulletin. Spontaneously, they sang. I listened as I would have in that sanctuary of worship. It began to grow. Another joined and another. Soon the sound reached the pianist and she started to play. The congregation joined in song. Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry. While on other’s though are calling do not pass me by. It continued and once again, the work of the spirit continued. My heart and mind stayed as long as it could this morning. I miss those days. I miss praying and hearing the sound of other’s praying with me. I miss amens. I miss raised hands in worship. I miss clapping hands to the beat. I miss kneeling in humility. As I left Salem this morning, I remembered the last verse of that hymn that came from the back of the room. Thou the spring of all my comfort More than life to me Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in Heav'n but Thee? Sunday was All Saint’s Sunday and as I remember the saints of Salem who formed my faith, I am thankful.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sunday is Coming

  Romans 5:4-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces  perseverance;  and perseverance,  character; and character, hope.  5  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Tomorrow we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.   How glorious Easter is – Alleluia, HE IS RISEN!!   We are people who have hope because death was defeated.   The resurrection of our Lord is the most important element of our faith. I know that all of us experience tragedy and loss.   I have hopefully been able to provide some comfort to some of you who have experienced grief and loss over the years I have served you as pastor.   It is no secret that our family has suffered another terrible tragedy.   You have been with me through the death of my great granddaughter, the death of my grandson thr...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNPRECIDENTED

Psalm 139 O Lord , you have examined my heart   and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up.   You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel   and when I rest at home.   You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say   even before I say it, Lord . 5 You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,   too great for me to understand! ... 16 You saw me before I was born.   Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out   before a single day had passed. As we ponder our current situation, it is easy to succumb to anxiety.  I know I have.  I fluctuate from oh, what’s the big deal to wondering if I have enough food in the house or worse.  I also spend time thinking and praying for the most vulnerable in our church family. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

In The Garden

And He Walks With Me As I was praying and pondering what to write for my weekly devotional, I started thinking about the hymn , In The Garden.   We didn’t get to sing it on Sunday!  Nor did we get to sing He Lives, Up From the Grave, Christ Arose, and others.  I am sure that you have a hymn that you particularly love and makes your celebration of the Resurrection complete.  I also know that In The Garden is at the top of the list for many. This hymn was written by C. Austin Miles.  When I was a kid and trying to learn to play the melodica, I used to sit for hours with the hymnal practicing the hymns.  I always liked to look at who composed the music and who wrote the lyrics.  I noticed that a lot of hymns were written by C. Austin Miles.  Mr. Miles is responsible for nearly 300 hymns that appear in hymnals.  Some of the ones we are familiar with are Love, Mercy, and Grace , and Dwelling in Beulah Land .  However, it is In The Gar...
Post a Comment
Read more