I keep reflecting on last night's Catacombs.
Some amazing things happen when we come into the presence of God with no agenda. We simply seek His face and open ourselves up to His Spirit moving and speaking. As I went from person to person praying last night I was asking the Holy Spirit to help me know what to pray for. And it was amazing. The Lord kept giving me words or phrases or pictures of what what He wanted to do.
I grew up in a church that revolved around spending time at an altar. And that might sound really old school. But amazing things happen when you simply get on your knees before God.
Our weekend services are pretty programmed and pretty short. And I make no apologies for that. I believe the Holy Spirit can inspire our Big Ideas and Creative Elements and Sermon Series several months out. And sometimes the "anointing" is really a cop out for poor planning or lack of effort. Let's not under-estimate the Holy Spirit's ability to inspire ideas two months out as well as on the spot. But I think it's good to counter-balance our programming with some unprogrammed experiences that have no agenda. That is what Catacombs is. Ninety minutes in the presence of God.
As we get ready to celebrate Pentecost next weekend, here's a thought. You can't plan Pentecost. It's not like the disciples orchestrated what happened. Hey, let's speak in tongues today so all of these Jewish pilgrims from all over the ancient world hear the gospel in their native tongue and go back home as the first wave of Christian missionaries. They had no clue when they woke up that morning what was about to happen! But if you pray for ten days in an upper room, Pentecost might just happen!
Some amazing things happen when we come into the presence of God with no agenda. We simply seek His face and open ourselves up to His Spirit moving and speaking. As I went from person to person praying last night I was asking the Holy Spirit to help me know what to pray for. And it was amazing. The Lord kept giving me words or phrases or pictures of what what He wanted to do.
I grew up in a church that revolved around spending time at an altar. And that might sound really old school. But amazing things happen when you simply get on your knees before God.
Our weekend services are pretty programmed and pretty short. And I make no apologies for that. I believe the Holy Spirit can inspire our Big Ideas and Creative Elements and Sermon Series several months out. And sometimes the "anointing" is really a cop out for poor planning or lack of effort. Let's not under-estimate the Holy Spirit's ability to inspire ideas two months out as well as on the spot. But I think it's good to counter-balance our programming with some unprogrammed experiences that have no agenda. That is what Catacombs is. Ninety minutes in the presence of God.
As we get ready to celebrate Pentecost next weekend, here's a thought. You can't plan Pentecost. It's not like the disciples orchestrated what happened. Hey, let's speak in tongues today so all of these Jewish pilgrims from all over the ancient world hear the gospel in their native tongue and go back home as the first wave of Christian missionaries. They had no clue when they woke up that morning what was about to happen! But if you pray for ten days in an upper room, Pentecost might just happen!
4 Comments:
Sunday evening's Catacombs rocked. We are so privileged to have such an environment to come into the Presence of God! Thanks for the openness to both the programmed and unprogrammed aspects of the evening.
"And sometimes the "anointing" is really a cop out for poor planning or lack of effort"
Thank you so much for that line.
I love this post.
Balancing the planned and unplanned is super-important, because that's how life is. We make plans, but the Lord directs our steps...
Good thoughts.
Great post. Thanks for challenging me and causing me to think through some stuff.
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