Yesterday was a very emotional and moving day, which was preceded by a very emotional and moving 3 or 4 days. I experienced the power of the presence of the Lord in mighty ways during that time and I experienced the agony of hurting for others who are hurt. I witnessed friendship at its best and observed some leadership at its worst. My musings may seem a little scattered this morning as a result of some events last week added to the fact that I am subbing as Chaplain at our local hospital today for a friend. Here we go …

-God showed up in a powerful way yesterday during our worship service. It was one of those times that no one could deny the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. I needed that and I know that I was not alone in need. We have been focusing on prayer and many more people than normal have been praying extra so God showing up in a powerful way should come as no surprise. Wow! Thank you Jesus!

-Our time of singing was so good. People participated and our worship team led us, they didn’t perform, they led in worship. That certainly set the tone for the service.

-Our prayer times are becoming powerful in our worship services. This is because people are praying before they arrive and they are praying along with me and not just listening to me pray. That makes a huge difference.

-My son in law, and family, were visiting with us and he graciously agreed to sing during worship. (After much “persuasion” from my wife.) He sang with such an open spirit and with such feeling that the whole room was changed. Someone came to the altar while he was singing and was immediately surrounded by prayer supporters. It was a wonderful thing to see. He is such a wonderful worship leader that even though he was “just singing a song” for us, he led us all into the presence of the Lord.

-He sang just before I was to preach, but I called an audible and we had another time of prayer. God really showed up.

-My message was the 3rd in a series on prayer. This one was from the Old Testament, I Samuel 12:19-25.

-One of the points of this passage that really hit me was when Samuel told the people in verse 23 “… far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you…” Wow! I can sin by failing to pray for someone. Notice that these people had ignored Samuel’s leadership many times and yet he was still praying for them. Just like Jesus, when on the cross he cried out “Father, forgive them”.

-This really hit me as I was preparing the sermon and I spent some time in prayer and confession as a result. Who have you failed to pray for recently?

-I spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning with 4 friends from college. The 5 of us have remained friends ever since we met as freshmen at Olivet Nazarene University. 7 or 8 years ago we began spending a weekend together every year. It is great to catch up with each other. It is great to laugh a lot. It is great to be reminded of God’s faithfulness in all of our lives. It was great to see and sense their support for a loved one of mine who is going through a very difficult situation.

-There have been many tears and prayers for loved ones this past week. The prayers are a regular daily thing for me, the tears, though not unusual, are not a daily event. I was reminded of how important it is to lean on God and to support those we love.

-Our attendance was good and we had a new family visit with us yesterday and the family who visited last Sunday returned yesterday.

Here’s hoping that you see, and sense, God’s presence and power in your life this week. Here’s hoping that you find someone to encourage this week. Here’s hoping that you will not fail to pray for someone this week.

Dennis